Get Driving tips Guide for Kia Ceed SUV First Generation (2006-2012)

ED English 5.qxp 6/27/2007 6:46 PM Page 1

Fuel requirements / 5-2

Emission control system / 5-4

Before driving / 5-6

Suggestions for economical operation / 5-7

Special driving conditions / 5-8

Trailer towing / 5-17

Vehicle weight / 5-26

Label information / 5-28

Driving tips

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Driving tips

FUEL REQUIREMENTS

Gasoline engine (unleaded)

Vehicle damage or driveability prob-

lems may not be covered by the

manufacturer’s warranty if they result

from the use of:

Gasoline engine (Leaded)

For the optimal vehicle performance, In countries using LEADED FUEL,

we recommend you to use unleaded your new Kia vehicle must use

gasoline with an octane rating of LEADED FUEL.Your new Kia Vehicle

RON (Research Octane Number) 95 is designed to correspond to LEAD-

/AKI (Anti Knock Index) 91 or higher. ED FUEL specifically. Please check

1. Gasohol containing more than

10% ethanol.

your vehicle whether your vehicle

can use LEADED FUEL or not.

2. Gasoline or gasohol containing

methanol.

You may use unleaded gasoline with

an octane rating of RON 91~94/AKI

87~90 but it may result in slight per-

formance reduction of the vehicle.

3. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.

Gasoline containing alcohol

and methanol

CAUTION

Your new Kia is designed to obtain

maximum

Never use gasohol which con-

tains methanol. Discontinue use

of any gasohol product which

impairs drivability.

Gasohol, a mixture of gasoline and

performance

with

ethanol (also known as grain alco-

hol), and gasoline or gasohol con-

taining methanol (also known as

wood alcohol) are being marketed

along with or instead of leaded or

unleaded gasoline.

UNLEADED FUEL, as well as mini-

mize exhaust emissions and spark

plug fouling.

✽

NOTICE

NEVER USE LEADED FUEL. The

use of leaded fuel is detrimental to

the catalytic converter and will

damage the engine control system’s

oxygen sensor and affect emission

control.

Do not use gasohol containing more

than 10% ethanol, and do not use

gasoline or gasohol containing any

methanol. Either of these fuels may

cause drivability problems and dam-

age to the fuel system.

Never add any fuel system cleaning

agents to the fuel tank other than

what Kia has specified. (Consult an

Authorized Kia Dealer for details.)

Discontinue using gasohol of any

kind if drivability problems occur.

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Driving tips

Biodiesel

Diesel engine

Diesel fuel

CAUTION

Commercially supplied biodiesel

blends of no more than 5% biodiesel,

commonly known as "B5 biodiesel"

may be used in your vehicle if it

meets EN 14214 or equivalent spec-

ifications. (EN stands for "European

Norm"). The use of biofuels made

from rapeseed methyl ester (RME),

fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), veg-

etable oil methyl ester (VME) etc. or

mixing diesel with biodiesel will

cause increased wear or damage to

the engine and fuel system. Repair

or replacement of worn or damaged

components due to the use of non

approved fuels will not be covered by

the manufactures warranty.

• Do not let any gasoline or

water enter the tank. This

would make it necessary to

drain it out and to bleed the

lines to avoid jamming the

injection pump and damaging

the engine.

Diesel engine must be operated only

on commercially available diesel fuel

that complies with EN 590 or compa-

rable standard. (EN stands for

"European Norm"). Do not use

marine diesel fuel, heating oils, or

non-approved fuel additives, as this

will increase wear and cause dam-

age to the engine and fuel system.

The use of non-approved fuels and /

or fuel additives will result in a limita-

tion of your warranty rights.

• In winter, in order to cut down

incidents due to freezing,

paraffin oil may be added to

the fuel if the temperature

drops to below -10°C(50°F).

Never use more than 20%

paraffin oil.

Diesel fuel of 52 to 54 cetane is used

in your vehicle. If two types of diesel

fuel are available, use summer or

winter fuel properly according to the

following temperature conditions.

CAUTION

• Above -5°C(23°F) ... Summer type

diesel fuel.

• Never use any fuel, whether

diesel or B5 biodiesel that

fails to meet the latest petrole-

um industry specification.

• Below -5°C(23°F) ... Winter type

diesel fuel.

• Never use any fuel additives

or treatments that are not rec-

ommended or approved by the

vehicle manufacturer.

Watch the fuel level in the tank very

carefully : If the engine stops through

fuel failure, the circuits must be com-

pletely purged to permit restarting.

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Driving tips

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM

The emission control system of your

vehicle is covered by a written limited

warranty. Please see the warranty

information contained in the

Warranty & Maintenance book in

your vehicle.

• Do not operate the engine in con-

fined or closed areas (such as

garages) any more than what is

necessary to move the vehicle in or

out of the area.

Engine exhaust gas precau-

tions (carbon monoxide)

WARNING

Engine exhaust gases contain

carbon monoxide (CO). Though

colorless and odorless, it is

dangerous and could be lethal if

inhaled. Follow the instructions

following to avoid CO poison-

ing.

• When the vehicle is stopped in an

open area for more than a short

time with the engine running,

adjust the ventilation system (as

needed) to draw outside air into the

vehicle.

Vehicle modifications

This vehicle should not be modified.

Modification of your Kia could affect

its performance, safety or durability

and may even violate governmental

safety and emissions regulations.

• Never sit in a parked or stopped

vehicle for any extended time with

the engine running.

• Carbon monoxide can be present

with other exhaust fumes.

Therefore, if you smell exhaust

fumes of any kind inside your vehi-

cle, have it inspected and repaired

immediately by an authorized Kia

dealer. If you ever suspect exhaust

fumes are coming into your vehi-

cle, drive it only with all the win-

dows fully open. Have your vehicle

checked and repaired immediately.

In addition, damage or performance

problems resulting from any modifi-

cation may not be covered under

warranty.

• Inspect the emission control sys-

tem whenever engine stalls.

• If the engine stalls or fails to start,

do not re-engaging the starter over

3 times. If the engine stalls or re-

engaged excessively, it may cause

damage to the emission control

system.

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Driving tips

• Do not operate the engine at high

idle speed for extended periods (5

minutes or more).

Operating precautions for cat-

alytic converters

WARNING - Fire

• Do not modify or tamper with any

part of the engine or emission con-

trol system. All inspections and

adjustments must be made by an

authorized Kia dealer.

A hot exhaust system can ignite

flammable items under your

vehicle. Do not park the vehicle

over or near flammable objects,

such as dry grass, paper,

leaves, etc.

Failure to observe these precautions

could result in damage to the catalyt-

ic converter and to your vehicle.

Additionally, such actions could void

your warranties.

Your vehicle is equipped with a cat-

alytic converter emission control

device.

Therefore, the following precautions

must be observed:

• Use only UNLEADED FUEL for

gasoline engine (unleaded).

• Do not operate the vehicle when

there are signs of engine malfunc-

tion, such as misfire or a noticeable

loss of performance.

• Do not misuse or abuse the

engine. Examples of misuse are

coasting with the ignition off and

descending steep grades in gear

with the ignition off.

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Driving tips

BEFORE DRIVING

Before entering vehicle:

Before starting

WARNING - Driving under

the influence of alcohol or

drugs

• Be sure that all windows, outside • Close and lock all doors.

mirror(s), and outside lights are

clean.

• Position the seat so that all con-

trols are easily reached.

Drinking and driving is danger-

ous. Drunk driving is the num-

ber one contributor to the high-

way death toll each year. Even a

small amount of alcohol will

affect your reflexes, perceptions

and judgement.

• Check the condition of the tires.

• Adjust the inside and outside

rearview mirrors.

• Check under the vehicle for any

sign of leaks.

• Be sure that all lights work.

• Check all gauges.

• Be sure there are no obstacles

behind you if you intend to back up.

• Check the operation of warning

lights when the ignition switch is

turned to the ON position.

You are much more likely to

have a serious accident if you

drink and drive.

Necessary inspections

Fluid levels, such as engine oil,

engine coolant, brake fluid, and

washer fluid should be checked on a

regular basis, with the exact interval

depending on the fluid. Further

details are provided in Section 7,

Maintenance.

• Release the parking brake and

make sure the brake warning light

goes out.

If you are drinking or taking

drugs, don’t drive. Do not ride

with a driver who has been

drinking or taking drugs.

Choose a designated driver or

call a cab.

For safe operation, be sure you are

familiar with your vehicle and its

equipment.

Driving while under the influ-

ence of drugs is as dangerous

or more dangerous than driving

drunk.

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Driving tips

SUGGESTIONS FOR ECONOMICAL OPERATION

Your vehicle's fuel economy depends • Do not use the air conditioner • Open windows at high speeds can

mainly on your style of driving, where

you drive and when you drive.

unnecessarily.

reduce fuel economy.

• Slow down when driving on rough • Fuel economy is less in crosswinds

Each of these factors affects how

many kilometers (miles) you can get

from a liter (gallon) of fuel.To operate

your vehicle as economically as pos-

sible, use the following driving sug-

gestions to help save money in both

fuel and repairs:

roads.

and headwinds. To help offset

some of this loss, slow down when

driving in these conditions.

• For longer tire life and better fuel

economy, always keep the tires

inflated to the recommended pres-

sures.

Keeping a vehicle in good operating

condition is important both for econ-

omy and safety. Therefore, have an

authorized Kia dealer perform

scheduled inspections and mainte-

nance.

• Maintain a safe distance from other

vehicles to avoid sudden stops.

This will reduce wear on brake lin-

ings and pads. Driving in such a

way will also save fuel because

extra fuel is required to accelerate

back to driving speed.

• Avoid lengthy warm-up idling.

Once the engine is running

smoothly,

begin

driving.

Remember, engine warm-up may

take a little longer on cold days.

WARNING - Engine off

during motion

• Save fuel by accelerating slowly

after stopping.

• Do not carry unnecessary weight

in the vehicle.

Never turn the engine off to

coast down hills or anytime the

vehicle is in motion. The power

steering and power brakes will

not function without the engine

running. Instead, keep the

engine on and downshift to an

appropriate gear for engine

braking effect.

• Keep the engine in tune and follow

the recommended periodic mainte-

nance schedule. This will increase

the life of all parts and lower your

operating costs.

• Do not rest your foot on the brake

pedal while driving. This can cause

needless wear, possible damage

to the brakes, and poor fuel econo-

my.

• Improper wheel alignment results

in faster tire wear and lower fuel

economy.

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Driving tips

SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS

• If stalled in snow, mud, or sand,

Hazardous driving conditions

Rocking the vehicle

use second gear. Accelerate slow-

ly to avoid spinning the drive

wheels.

When hazardous driving conditions

are encountered such as water,

snow, ice, mud, sand, or similar haz-

ards, follow these suggestions:

If it is necessary to rock the vehicle

to free it from snow, sand, or mud,

first turn the steering wheel right and

left to clear the area around your

front wheels. Then, shift back and

forth between 1 (First) and R

(Reverse) in vehicles equipped with

a manual transaxle or R (Reverse)

and any forward gear in vehicles

equipped with an automatic

transaxle. Do not race the engine,

and spin the wheels as little as pos-

sible. If you are still stuck after a few

tries, have the vehicle pulled out by a

tow vehicle to avoid engine overheat-

ing and possible damage to the

transaxle.

• Use sand, rock salt, tire chains, or

other non-slip material under the

drive wheels to provide traction

when stalled in ice, snow, or mud.

• Drive cautiously and allow extra

distance for braking.

• Avoid sudden movements in brak-

ing or steering.

WARNING - Downshifting

• When braking, pump the brake

pedal with a light up-and-down

motion until the vehicle is stopped.

Downshifting with an automatic

transaxle, while driving on slip-

pery surfaces can cause an

accident. The sudden change in

tire speed could cause the tires

to skid. Be careful when down-

shifting on slippery surfaces.

✽

NOTICE

Do not pump the brake pedal on a

vehicle equipped with ABS.

CAUTION

Prolonged rocking may cause

engine over-heating, transaxle

damage or failure, and tire dam-

age.

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Driving tips

Smooth cornering

Driving at night

WARNING - Spinning tires

Avoid braking or gear changing in Because night driving presents more

corners, especially when roads are hazards than driving in the daylight,

wet. Ideally, corners should always here are some important tips to

be taken under gentle acceleration. If remember:

you follow these suggestions, tire

wear will be held to a minimum.

tance between you and other vehi-

Do not spin the wheels, espe-

cially at speeds more than 56

km/h (35 mph). Spinning the

wheels at high speeds when the

vehicle is stationary could

cause a tire to overheat, explode

and injure bystanders.

• Slow down and keep more dis-

cles, as it may be more difficult to

see at night, especially in areas

where there may not be any street

lights.

✽

NOTICE

• Adjust your mirrors to reduce the

glare from other driver's head-

lights.

The ESP system (if equipped) should

be turned OFF prior to rocking the

vehicle.

• Keep your headlights clean and

properly aimed on vehicles not

equipped with the automatic head-

light aiming feature. Dirty or

improperly aimed headlights will

make it much more difficult to see

at night.

• Avoid staring directly at the head-

lights of oncoming vehicles. You

could be temporarily blinded, and it

will take several seconds for your

eyes to readjust to the darkness.

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Driving tips

• Driving too fast through large pud-

dles can affect your brakes. If you

must go through puddles, try to

drive through them slowly.

Driving in the rain

Driving in flooded areas

Rain and wet roads can make driving

dangerous, especially if you’re not

prepared for the slick pavement.

Here are a few things to consider

when driving in the rain:

Avoid driving through flooded areas

unless you are sure the water is no

higher than the bottom of the wheel

hub. Drive through any water slowly.

Allow adequate stopping distance

because brake performance may be

affected.

• If you believe you may have gotten

your brakes wet, apply them lightly

while driving until normal braking

operation returns.

• A heavy rainfall will make it harder

to see and will increase the dis-

tance needed to stop your vehicle,

so slow down.

After driving through water, dry the

brakes by gently applying them sev-

eral times while the vehicle is moving

slowly.

• Keep your windshield wiping

equipment in good shape. Replace

your windshield wiper blades when

they show signs of streaking or

missing areas on the windshield.

• If your tires are not in good condi-

tion, making a quick stop on wet

pavement can cause a skid and

possibly lead to an accident. Be

sure your tires are in good shape.

• Turn on your headlights to make it

easier for others to see you.

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Driving tips

Fuel, engine coolant and engine

oil

Highway driving

Tires

WARNING

• Underinflated or overinflated

tires can cause poor handling,

loss of vehicle control, and

sudden tire failure leading to

accidents, injuries, and even

death. Always check tires for

proper inflation before driving.

For proper tire pressures,

refer to “Tires and wheels” in

chapter 8.

High speed travel consumes more

fuel than urban motoring. Do not for-

get to check both engine coolant and

engine oil.

Adjust the tire inflation pressures to

specification. Low tire inflation pres-

sures will result in overheating and

possible failure of the tires.

Avoid using worn or damaged tires

which may result in reduced traction

or tire failure.

Drive belt

A loose or damaged drive belt may

result in overheating of the engine.

✽

NOTICE

• Driving on tires with no or

insufficient tread is danger-

ous. Worn-out tires can result

in loss of vehicle control, col-

lisions, injury, and even death.

Worn-out tires should be

replaced as soon as possible

and should never be used for

driving. Always check the tire

tread before driving your car.

For further information and

tread limits, refer to “Tires and

wheels” in chapter 7.

Never exceed the maximum tire

inflation pressure shown on the

tires.

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Driving tips

• Use antifreeze-formulated wind- Snow tires

shield washer fluid. (Do not use

engine coolant antifreeze.)

Winter driving

If you mount snow tires on your Kia,

make sure they are radial tires of the

• We recommend that you carry

emergency equipment, including

tire chains, a window scraper,

windshield de-icer, a bag of sand

or salt, flares, a small shovel and

jumper cables.

• Do not use the parking brake if it same size and load range as the

might freeze. When parking, shift original tires. Mount snow tires on all

to 1 (First) or R (Reverse) with a four wheels to balance your vehicle’s

manual transaxle or P (Park) with handling in all weather conditions.

an automatic transaxle and block Keep in mind that the traction provid-

• Make sure you have sufficient eth-

ylene-glycol coolant in the radiator.

the rear wheels.

ed by snow tires on dry roads may

not be as high as your vehicle's orig-

inal equipment tires.You should drive

cautiously even when the roads are

clear. Check with the tire dealer for

maximum speed recommendations.

• Check the battery condition and

cables. Cold temperatures reduce

the capacity of any battery, so it

must be in excellent condition to

provide enough winter starting

power.

• Make sure the engine oil viscosity

is suitable for cold weather.

• Check the ignition system for loose

connections and damage.

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Driving tips

CAUTION

WARNING - Snow tire

size

• If your vehicle is equipped

with 225/45R17 tires, do not

use tire chains.

Snow tires should be equivalent

in size and type to the vehicle's

standard tires. Otherwise, the

safety and handling of your

vehicle may be adversely affect-

ed.

• Make sure the snow chains

are the correct size and type

for your tires. Incorrect snow

chains can cause damage to

the vehicle body and suspen-

sion and may not be covered

by your vehicle manufacturer

warranty. Also, the snow chain

connecting hooks may be

damaged from contacting

vehicle components causing

the snow chains to come

loose from the tire. Make sure

the snow chains are SAE

class “S” certified.

Do not install studded tires without

first checking local, state and munic-

ipal regulations for possible restric-

tions against their use.

1JBA4068

Tire chains

Since the sidewalls of radial tires are

thinner, they can be damaged by

mounting some types of snow chains

on them. Therefore, the use of snow

tires is recommended instead of

snow chains. Do not mount tire

chains on vehicles equipped with

aluminum wheels, snow chains may

cause damage to the wheels. If snow

chains must be used, use wire-type

chains with a thickness of less than

15 mm (0.59 in). Damage to your

vehicle caused by improper snow

chain use is not covered by your

vehicle manufacturers warranty.

• Always check chain installa-

tion for proper mounting after

driving approximately 0.5 to 1

km (0.3 to 0.6 miles) to ensure

safe mounting. Retighten or

remount the chains if they are

loose.

Install them only on the front tires.

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Driving tips

Chain installation

CAUTION

WARNING - Tire chains

When installing chains, follow the

manufacturer's instructions and

mount them as tightly as you can.

Drive slowly with chains installed. If

you hear the chains contacting the

body or chassis, stop and tighten

them. If they still make contact, slow

down until it stops. Remove the

chains as soon as you begin driving

on cleared roads.

• Chains that are the wrong size

or improperly installed can

damage your vehicle's brake

lines, suspension, body and

wheels.

• The use of chains may

adversely affect vehicle han-

dling.

• Do not exceed 30 km/h (20

mph) or the chain manufactur-

er’s recommended speed

limit, whichever is lower.

• Stop driving and retighten the

chains any time you hear them

hitting the vehicle.

• Drive carefully and avoid

bumps, holes, sharp turns,

and other road hazards, which

may cause the vehicle to

bounce.

WARNING - Mounting

chains

When mounting snow chains,

park the vehicle on level ground

away from traffic. Turn on the

vehicle Hazard Warning flashers

and place a triangular emer-

gency warning device behind

the vehicle if available. Always

place the vehicle in park (P),

apply the parking brake and

turn off the engine before

installing snow chains.

• Avoid sharp turns or locked-

wheel braking.

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Driving tips

Use high quality ethylene glycol

coolant

Change to "winter weight" oil if

necessary

To keep locks from freezing

To keep the locks from freezing,

squirt an approved de-icer fluid or

glycerine into the key opening. If a

lock is covered with ice, squirt it with

an approved de-icing fluid to remove

the ice. If the lock is frozen internally,

you may be able to thaw it out by

using a heated key. Handle the heat-

ed key with care to avoid injury.

Your vehicle is delivered with high In some climates it is recommended

quality ethylene glycol coolant in the that a lower viscosity "winter weight"

cooling system. It is the only type of oil be used during cold weather. See

coolant that should be used because chapter 8 for recommendations. If

it helps prevent corrosion in the cool- you aren't sure what weight oil you

ing system, lubricates the water should use, consult an authorized

pump and prevents freezing. Be sure KIA dealer.

to replace or replenish your coolant

in accordance with the maintenance

Check spark plugs and ignition

system

schedule in chapter 7. Before winter,

have your coolant tested to assure

Use approved window washer

anti-freeze in system

Inspect your spark plugs as

that its freezing point is sufficient for

To keep the water in the window

washer system from freezing, add an

approved window washer anti-freeze

solution in accordance with instruc-

tions on the container.Window wash-

er anti-freeze is available from an

authorized KIA dealer and most auto

parts outlets. Do not use engine

coolant or other types of anti-freeze

as these may damage the paint fin-

ish.

described in chapter 7 and replace

the temperatures anticipated during

them if necessary. Also check all

the winter.

ignition wiring and components to be

sure they are not cracked, worn or

damaged in any way.

Check battery and cables

Winter puts additional burdens on

the battery system. Visually inspect

the battery and cables as described

in chapter 7. The level of charge in

your battery can be checked by an

authorized KIA dealer or a service

station.

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Driving tips

Don't let your parking brake

freeze

Don't let ice and snow accumu-

late underneath

Under some conditions your parking Under some conditions, snow and

brake can freeze in the engaged ice can build up under the fenders

position. This is most likely to hap- and interfere with the steering. When

pen when there is an accumulation driving in severe winter conditions

of snow or ice around or near the where this may happen, you should

rear brakes or if the brakes are wet. periodically check underneath the

If there is a risk the parking brake car to be sure the movement of the

may freeze, apply it only temporarily front wheels and the steering com-

while you put the gear selector lever ponents is not obstructed.

in P (automatic transaxle) or in first

or reverse gear (manual transaxle)

and block the rear wheels so the car

cannot roll. Then release the parking

brake.

Carry emergency equipment

Depending on the severity of the

weather where you drive your car,

you should carry appropriate emer-

gency equipment. Some of the items

you may want to carry include tire

chains, tow straps or chains, flash-

light, emergency flares, sand, a

shovel, jumper cables, a window

scraper, gloves, ground cloth, cover-

alls, a blanket, etc.

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Driving tips

TRAILER TOWING (FOR EUROPE)

Gasoline Engine

1.4/1.6 2.0 Engine

Engine

Maximum Without brake 550

Diesel Engine

Engine

WARNING - Towing a

trailer

1.6

Engine Engine

550 550

2.0

If you don't use the correct

Item

M/T

550

(1212) (1212)

1200 1500

(2645) (3301) (3086) (3086) (3307)

A/T

equipment and drive properly,

you can lose control when you

pull a trailer. For example, if the

trailer is too heavy, the brakes

may not work well - or even at

all. You and your passengers

could be seriously or fatally

injured. Pull a trailer only if you

have followed all the steps in

this section.

550

trailer

System

With brake

System

(1212) (1212) (1212)

1400 1400 1500

weight

kg (Ibs.)

Maximum permissible

static vertical load on

the coupling device

55

75

kg (Ibs.)

✽

NOTICE

Recommended distance

from rear wheel center

to coupling point

mm (Inch)

Pulling a trailer improperly can

damage your vehicle and result in

costly repairs not covered by your

warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,

follow the advice in this section.

5 Door : 820

5 Door wagon :1055

M/T : Manual transaxle

A/T : Automatic transaxle

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Driving tips

Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To

identify what the vehicle trailering

capacity is for your vehicle, you

should read the information in

“Weight of the Trailer” that appears

later in this section.

Remember that trailering is different

than just driving your vehicle by itself.

Trailering means changes in han-

dling, durability, and fuel economy.

Successful, safe trailering requires

correct equipment, and it has to be

used properly.

This section contains many time-

tested, important trailering tips and

safety rules. Many of these are

important for your safety and that of

your passengers. Please read this

section carefully before you pull a

trailer.

OED056900

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Driving tips

Weight of the trailer

Load-pulling components such as

the engine, transaxle, wheel assem-

blies, and tires are forced to work

harder against the load of the added

weight. The engine is required to

operate at relatively higher speeds

and under greater loads. This addi-

If you do decide to pull a trailer

How heavy can a trailer safely be? It

should never weigh more than the

maximum trailer weight with trailer

brakes. But even that can be too

heavy.

Here are some important points if

you decide to pull a trailer:

• Consider using a sway control.You

can ask a hitch dealer about sway

control.

It depends on how you plan to use

your trailer. For example, speed, alti-

tude, road grades, outside tempera-

ture and how much your vehicle is

used to pull a trailer are all important.

The ideal trailer weight can also

depend on any special equipment

that you have on your vehicle.

tional burden generates extra heat. • After your odometer indicates 800

The trailer also adds considerably to

wind resistance, increasing the

pulling requirements.

km (500 miles) or more, you can

tow a trailer. For the first 800 km

(500 miles) that you tow a trailer,

don’t drive over 80 km/h (50 mph)

and don’t make starts at full throt-

tle. This helps your engine and

other parts of your vehicle “wear” in

at the heavier loads.

• Always drive your vehicle less than

100 km/h. If your vehicle is a com-

ercial vehicle, drive less than 80

km/h.

• The important considerations have

to do with weight:

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ED English 5.qxp 6/27/2007 6:46 PM Page 20

Driving tips

Weight of the trailer tongue

Hitches

WARNING

The tongue load of any trailer is an

important weight to measure

because it affects the total gross

vehicle weight (GVW) of your vehi-

cle. This weight includes the curb

weight of the vehicle, any cargo you

may carry in it, and the people who

will be riding in the vehicle. And if you

will tow a trailer, you must add the

tongue load to the GVW because

your vehicle will also be carrying that

weight.

It's important to have the correct

hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large

trucks going by, and rough roads are

a few reasons why you’ll need the

right hitch. Here are some rules to

follow:

• Never load a trailer with more

weight in the rear than in the

front. The front should be

loaded with approximately

60% of the total trailer load;

the rear should be loaded with

approximately 40% of the total

trailer load.

• Will you have to make any holes in

the body of your vehicle when you

install a trailer hitch? If you do, then

be sure to seal the holes later

when you remove the hitch.

• Never exceed the maximum

weight limits of the trailer or

trailer towing equipment.

Improper loading can result in

damage to your vehicle and/or

If you don’t seal them, deadly car-

bon monoxide (CO) from your

exhaust can get into your vehicle,

as well as dirt and water.

After you've loaded your trailer,

weigh the trailer and then the tongue,

separately, to see if the weights are

proper. If they aren’t, you may be

able to correct them simply by mov-

ing some items around in the trailer.

personal

injury.

Check

weights and loading at a com-

mercial scale or highway

patrol office equipped with

scales.

• The bumpers on your vehicle are

not intended for hitches. Do not

attach rental hitches or other

bumper-type hitches to them. Use

only a frame-mounted hitch that

does not attach to the bumper.

• An improperly loaded trailer

can cause loss of vehicle con-

trol.

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Driving tips

Safety chains

Trailer brakes

Driving with a trailer

You should always attach chains If your trailer weighs more than the Towing a trailer requires a certain

between your vehicle and your trail- maximum trailer weight without trailer amount of experience. Before setting

er. Cross the safety chains under the brakes loaded, then it needs its own out for the open road, you must get

tongue of the trailer so that the brakes and they must be adequate. to know your trailer. Acquaint your-

tongue will not drop to the road if it Be sure to read and follow the self with the feel of handling and

becomes separated from the hitch.

instructions for the trailer brakes so braking with the added weight of the

you’ll be able to install, adjust and trailer. And always keep in mind that

Instructions about safety chains may

be provided by the hitch manufactur-

er or by the trailer manufacturer. • Don’t tap into your vehicle's brake

Follow the manufacturer’s recom-

mendation for attaching safety

chains. Always leave just enough

slack so you can turn with your trail-

er. And, never allow safety chains to

drag on the ground.

maintain them properly.

the vehicle you are driving is now a

good deal longer and not nearly so

responsive as your vehicle is by

itself.

system.

Before you start, check the trailer

hitch and platform, safety chains,

electrical connector(s), lights, tires

and mirror adjustment. If the trailer

has electric brakes, start your vehicle

and trailer moving and then apply the

trailer brake controller by hand to be

sure the brakes are working.This lets

you check your electrical connection

at the same time.

WARNING

Do not use a trailer with its own

brakes unless you are absolute-

ly certain that you have properly

set up the brake system. This is

not a task for amateurs. Use an

experienced, competent trailer

shop for this work.

During your trip, check occasionally

to be sure that the load is secure,

and that the lights and any trailer

brakes are still working.

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Driving tips

Following distance

Backing up

Turn signals when towing a trailer

Stay at least twice as far behind the Hold the bottom of the steering When you tow a trailer, your vehicle

vehicle ahead as you would when wheel with one hand. Then, to move has to have a different turn signal

driving your vehicle without a trailer. the trailer to the left, just move your flasher and extra wiring. The green

This can help you avoid situations hand to the left. To move the trailer to arrows on your instrument panel will

that require heavy braking and sud- the right, move your hand to the flash whenever you signal a turn or

den turns.

right. Always back up slowly and, if lane change. Properly connected,

possible, have someone guide you.

the trailer lights will also flash to alert

other drivers you’re about to turn,

change lanes, or stop.

Passing

Making turns

You’ll need more passing distance

When towing a trailer, the green

arrows on your instrument panel will

flash for turns even if the bulbs on

the trailer are burned out. Thus, you

may think drivers behind you are

seeing your signals when, in fact,

they are not. It’s important to check

occasionally to be sure the trailer

bulbs are still working.You must also

check the lights every time you dis-

connect and then reconnect the

wires.

up ahead when you’re towing a trail- When you’re turning with a trailer,

er. And, because you’re a good deal make wider turns than normal. Do

longer, you’ll need to go much farther this so your trailer won’t strike soft

beyond the passed vehicle before shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,

you can return to your lane.

or other objects. Avoid jerky or sud-

den maneuvers. Signal well in

advance.

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Driving tips

Do not connect a trailer lighting sys- Driving on grades

tem directly to your vehicle’s lighting

system. Use only an approved trailer

wiring harness.

CAUTION

Reduce speed and shift to a lower

gear before you start down a long or

steep downgrade. If you don’t shift

• When towing a trailer on steep

grades (in excess of 6%) pay

close attention to the engine

coolant temperature gauge to

ensure the engine does not

overheat. If the needle of the

coolant temperature gauge

moves across the dial towards

“H” (HOT), pull over and stop

as soon as it is safe to do so,

and allow the engine to idle

until it cools down. You may

proceed once the engine has

cooled sufficiently.

Your Authorized Kia Dealer can down, you might have to use your

assist you in installing the wiring har- brakes so much that they would get

ness.

hot and no longer operate efficiently.

On a long uphill grade, shift down

and reduce your speed to around 70

km/h (45 mph) to reduce the possi-

bility of engine and transaxle over-

heating.

WARNING

Failure to use an approved trail-

er wiring harness could result in

damage to the vehicle electrical

system and/or personal injury.

If your trailer weighs more than the

maximum trailer weight without trailer

brakes and you have an automatic

transaxle, you should drive in D

(Drive) when towing a trailer.

• You must decide driving

speed depending on trailer

weight and uphill grade to

reduce the possibility of

engine and transaxle over-

heating.

Operating your vehicle in D (Drive)

when towing a trailer will minimize

heat buildup and extend the life of

your transaxle.

If you have a manual transaxle, drive

in fourth gear (or, as you need to, a

lower gear).

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Driving tips

Parking on hills

However, if you ever have to park

your trailer on a hill, here’s how to do

it:

✽

NOTICE - For gasoline engine

(1.6 or 2.0l) with Automatic

Generally, you should not park your

vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a

hill. People can be seriously or fatal- 1. Apply your brakes, but don’t shift

ly injured, and both your vehicle and

the trailer can be damaged if they

begin a downhill trajectory.

Transaxle

If you tow a trailer on steep

grades(in excess of 12%) at a speed

over 30 km/h with the maximum

gross vehicle weight and the maxi-

mum trailer weight, it can cause the

engine or transaxle to overheat.

When driving in such conditions,

allow the engine to idle until it cools

down. You may proceed once when

the engine or transaxle has cooled

sufficiently.

into gear.

2. Have someone place chocks

under the trailer wheels.

3. When the wheel chocks are in

place, release the brakes until the

chocks absorb the load.

WARNING - Parking on a

hill

4. Reapply the brakes. Apply your

parking brake, and then shift to R

(Reverse) for a manual transaxle

or P (Park) for an automatic

transaxle.

Parking your vehicle on a hill

with a trailer attached could

cause serious injury or death,

should the trailer break lose.

5. Release the brakes.

WARNING - Parking brake

It can be dangerous to get out of

your vehicle if the parking brake

is not firmly set.

If you have left the engine run-

ning, the vehicle can move sud-

denly. You or others could be

seriously or fatally injured.

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Driving tips

When you are ready to leave after

parking on a hill

Maintenance when trailer tow-

ing

CAUTION

• Due to higher load during

trailer usage, overheating

might occur in hot days or

during uphill driving. If the

coolant gauge indicates over-

heating, switch off the A/C and

stop the vehicle in a safe area

to cool down the engine.

1. With the manual transaxle in

Neutral or automatic transaxle in P

(Park), apply your brakes and hold

the brake pedal down while you:

Your vehicle will need service more

often when you regularly pull a trail-

er. Important items to pay particular

attention to include engine oil, auto-

matic transaxle fluid, axle lubricant

and cooling system fluid. Brake con-

dition is another important item to

frequently check. Each item is cov-

ered in this manual, and the Index

will help you find them quickly. If

you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to

review these sections before you

start your trip.

• Start your engine;

• Shift into gear; and

• Release the parking brake.

• When towing check transaxle

fluid more frequently.

2. Slowly remove your foot from the

brake pedal.

• If your vehicle is not equipped

with the air conditioner, you

should install a condenser fan

to improve engine perform-

ance when towing a trailer.

3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear

of the chocks.

4. Stop and have someone pick up

and store the chocks.

Don’t forget to also maintain your

trailer and hitch. Follow the mainte-

nance schedule that accompanied

your trailer and check it periodically.

Preferably, conduct the check at the

start of each day’s driving. Most

importantly, all hitch nuts and bolts

should be tight.

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ED English 5.qxp 6/27/2007 6:46 PM Page 26

Driving tips

VEHICLE WEIGHT

This section will guide you in the

proper loading of your vehicle and/or

trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle

weight within its design rating capa-

bility, with or without a trailer.

Properly loading your vehicle will

provide maximum return of the vehi-

cle design performance. Before load-

ing your vehicle, familiarize yourself

with the following terms for determin-

ing your vehicle's weight ratings, with

or without a trailer, from the vehicle's

specifications and the certification

label:

Vehicle curb weight

GAW (Gross axle weight)

This is the weight of your new vehicle This is the total weight placed on

when you picked it up from your deal- each axle (front and rear) - including

er plus any aftermarket equipment.

vehicle curb weight and all payload.

Cargo weight

GAWR (Gross axle weight rat-

ing)

This figure includes all weight added

to the Base Curb Weight, including

cargo and optional equipment.

This is the maximum allowable

weight that can be carried by a single

axle (front or rear). These numbers

are shown on the certification label.

The total load on each axle must

never exceed its GAWR.

Base curb weight

This is the weight of the vehicle

including a full tank of fuel and all

standard equipment. It does not

include passengers, cargo, or option-

al equipment.

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Driving tips

GVW (Gross vehicle weight)

Overloading

This is the Base Curb Weight plus

actual Cargo Weight plus passen-

gers.

WARNING

The gross axle weight rating

(GAWR) and the gross vehicle

weight rating (GVWR) for your

vehicle are on the manufactur-

er's label attached to the dri-

ver's door. Exceeding these rat-

ings can cause an accident or

vehicle damage. You can calcu-

late the weight of your load by

weighing the items (or people)

before putting them in the vehi-

cle. Be careful not to overload

your vehicle.

GVWR (Gross vehicle weight

rating)

This is the maximum allowable

weight of the fully loaded vehicle

(including all options, equipment,

passengers and cargo). The GVWR

is shown on the certification label

located on the driver’s (or front pas-

senger’s) door sill.

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Driving tips

LABEL INFORMATION

Frame number

VIN (if equipped)

There are several important labels

and identification numbers located

on your vehicle. The label locations

are identified in the illustrations

shown.

OED056001

OED056003

OED056004

OED056005

Compliance label (if equipped)

Identification label (if equipped)

OED056002

VIN bar code (if equipped)

Vehicle identification number

(VIN)

To check the frame number under

the passenger seat.

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ED English 5.qxp 6/27/2007 6:46 PM Page 29

Driving tips

OED056006

Tire specification / pressure

label

5 29

Driving tips for Your Kia Ceed SUV First Generation (2006-2012)

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