On the Carnival Hybrid, select Smart Recuperation or hold the right paddle for more than one second; green AUTO means the radar has a lead vehicle.
Check that your vehicle has it.
Verified for the 2025 U.S.-market Carnival Hybrid when equipped with Smart Regeneration.
- Required equipment / service
- Carnival Hybrid equipped with Smart Regeneration
Does the documented scope match your car?
This check combines the verified year, any source-supported powertrain scope, source-named trim/package and required equipment. It does not read a VIN or factory build record.
Published availability and qualifications
Verified for the 2025 U.S.-market Carnival Hybrid when equipped with Smart Regeneration.
Know what kind of control to look for.
This original category diagram is an orientation aid, not a picture of your exact trim. Use the written labels and your vehicle manual to identify the real control.
Step by step.
- 01
With the vehicle on, select Settings → Vehicle → Eco Vehicle → Smart Recuperation, or hold the right paddle shifter for more than one second.
- 02
Confirm AUTO replaces the stepped regenerative-braking indicator.
- 03
Drive above about 3.1 mph (5 km/h) while maintaining your own control of speed and following distance.
- 04
Read white AUTO as no lead vehicle detected and green AUTO as a vehicle detected by the front radar.
- 05
Repeat the menu action or right-paddle hold to turn Smart Regeneration off.
Important limits
- The system is supplemental and cannot fully stop the vehicle in every situation or prevent collisions.
- It can cancel in Park, Reverse, Neutral, Sport or Terrain mode, during Smart Cruise Control, ABS or ESC operation, or when battery conditions limit regeneration.
- Radar recognition can be limited on curves, slopes and during abrupt lane changes.
Quick checks.
- ✓If AUTO disappears, check the selected gear, drive mode, cruise-control state and battery state of charge.
- ✓If AUTO remains white in traffic, clean dirt, snow or debris from the front radar cover.
- ✓If Check smart recuperation system remains after cleaning, have an authorized Kia dealer inspect the vehicle.
What happened on your vehicle?
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2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid Digital Owner's Manual — Smart Regeneration System
Relevant section or page: Driving your vehicle — Paddle shifter — Smart regeneration system. We use the written official source to determine the steps and applicability shown above.
Reviewed with a visible trail.
Scope and steps were checked by Car Cheat Codes Editorial Review. A guide is narrowed or corrected when the source does not support a broader claim.
- Published
- Last modified
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Guide change history
- Initial verified publication.