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

ED English 5.qxp 6/27/2007 6:46 PM Page 17

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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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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ED English 5.qxp 6/27/2007 6:46 PM Page 25

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

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