Get Driving your vehicle Guide for Kia Picanto 4 Door First Generation (2004-2010)

Before driving / 5-3

Key positions / 5-4

Starting the engine / 5-5

Manual transaxle / 5-7

Automatic transaxle / 5-10

Brake system / 5-16

Economical operation / 5-26

Special driving conditions / 5-28

Winter driving / 5-32

Trailer towing / 5-36

Vehicle weight / 5-44

Driving your vehicle

5

Driving your vehicle

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WARNING - ENGINE EXHAUST CAN BE DANGEROUS!

Engine exhaust fumes can be extremely dangerous. If, at any time, you smell exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, open the win-

dows immediately.

• Do not inhale exhaust fumes.

Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause unconsciousness and death by asphyxia-

tion.

• Be sure the exhaust system does not leak.

The exhaust system should be checked whenever the vehicle is raised to change the oil or for any other purpose. If you hear

a change in the sound of the exhaust or if you drive over something that strikes the underneath side of the car, have the

exhaust system checked as soon as possible by an authorized KIA dealer.

• Do not run the engine in an enclosed area.

Letting the engine idle in your garage, even with the garage door open, is a hazardous practice. Never run the engine in your

garage any longer than it takes to start the engine and back the car out.

• Avoid idling the engine for prolonged periods with people inside the car.

If it is necessary to idle the engine for a prolonged period with people inside the car, be sure to do so only in an open area

with the air intake set at "Fresh" and fan operating at one of the higher speeds so fresh air is drawn into the interior.

If you must drive with the tailgate open because you are carrying objects that make this necessary:

1. Close all windows.

2. Open side vents.

3. Set the air intake control at "Fresh", the air flow control at "Floor" or "Face" and the fan at one of the higher speeds.

To assure proper operation of the ventilation system, be sure the ventilation air intakes located just in front of the windshield are

kept clear of snow, ice, leaves or other obstructions.

5 2

Driving your vehicle

BEFORE DRIVING

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• Check the operation of warning lights

when the ignition switch is turned to

the ON position.

Before entering vehicle

WARNING - Driving under

the influence of alcohol or

drugs

• Be sure that all windows, outside mir-

ror(s), and outside lights are clean.

• Check the condition of the tires.

• Release the parking brake and make

sure the brake warning light goes out.

Drinking and driving is dangerous.

Drunk driving is the number one

contributor to the highway death

toll each year. Even a small amount

of alcohol will affect your reflexes,

perceptions and judgment. Driving

while under the influence of drugs

is as dangerous or more dangerous

than driving drunk.

For safe operation, be sure you are famil-

iar with your vehicle and its equipment.

• Check under the vehicle for any sign of

leaks.

• Be sure there are no obstacles behind

you if you intend to back up.

WARNING

All passengers must be properly

belted whenever the vehicle is mov-

ing. Refer to “Seat belts” in section

3 for more information on their

proper use.

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Necessary inspections

You are much more likely to have a

serious accident if you drink or

take drugs and drive.

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 sec-

tion 7, “Maintenance”.

If you are drinking or taking drugs,

don’t drive. Do not ride with a driv-

er who has been drinking or taking

drugs. Choose a designated driver

or call a cab.

WARNING

Always check the surrounding

areas near your vehicle for people,

especially children, before putting a

car into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).

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Before starting

• Close and lock all doors.

WARNING

• Position the seat so that all controls are

easily reached.

When you intend to park or stop the

vehicle with the engine on, be care-

ful not to depress the accelerator

pedal for a long period of time. It

may overheat the engine or exhaust

system and cause fire.

• Adjust the inside and outside rearview

mirrors.

• Be sure that all lights work.

• Check all gauges.

5 3

Driving your vehicle

KEY POSITIONS

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ACC (Accessory)

The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-

trical accessories are operative.

START

Turn the ignition switch to the START

position to start the engine. The engine

will crank until you release the key; then

it returns to the ON position. The brake

warning lamp can be checked in this

position.

✽

NOTICE

If difficulty is experienced turning the

ignition switch to the ACC position, turn

the key while turning the steering wheel

right and left to release the tension.

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WARNING - Ignition

switch

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ON

Ignition switch position

The warning lights can be checked

before the engine is started. This is the

normal running position after the engine

is started.

• Never turn the ignition switch to

LOCK or ACC while the vehicle is

moving. This would result in loss

of directional control and braking

function, which could cause an

accident.

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LOCK

The steering wheel locks to protect

against theft. The ignition key can be

removed only in the LOCK position.

When turning the ignition switch to the

LOCK position, push the key inward at

the ACC position and turn the key toward

the LOCK position.

Do not leave the ignition switch ON if the

engine is not running to prevent battery

discharge.

• The anti-theft steering column lock

is not a substitute for the parking

brake. Before leaving the driver’s

seat, always make sure the shift

lever is engaged in the 1st gear for

manual transaxle or P (Park) for

the automatic transaxle, set the

parking brake fully and shut the

engine off. Unexpected and sud-

den vehicle movement may occur

if these precautions are not taken.

(Continued)

5 4

Driving your vehicle

STARTING THE ENGINE

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4. In extremely cold weather (below

-18°C / 0°F) or after the vehicle has

not been operated for several days, let

the engine warm up without depress-

ing the accelerator.

(Continued)

• Never reach for the ignition switch,

or any other controls through the

steering wheel while the vehicle is

in motion. The presence of your

hand or arm in this area could

cause a loss of vehicle control, an

accident and serious bodily injury

or death.

WARNING

Always wear appropriate shoes

when operating your vehicle.

Unsuitable shoes (high heels, ski

boots,etc.) may interfere with your

ability to use the brake and acceler-

ator pedal.

Whether the engine is cold or warm, it

should be started without depressing

the accelerator.

• Do not place any movable objects

around the driver’s seat as they

may move while driving, interfere

with the driver and lead to an acci-

dent.

CAUTION

If the engine stalls while you are in

motion, do not attempt to move the

shift lever to the P (Park) position. If

traffic and road conditions permit,

you may put the shift lever in the N

(Neutral) position while the vehicle

is still moving and turn the ignition

switch to the START position in an

attempt to restart the engine.

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Starting the gasoline engine

1. Make sure the parking brake is

applied.

2. Manual Transaxle - Depress the

clutch pedal fully and shift the

transaxle into Neutral. Keep the clutch

pedal and brake pedal depressed

while turning the ignition switch to the

start position.

Automatic Transaxle - Place the

transaxle shift lever in P (Park).

Depress the brake pedal fully.

You can also start the engine when

the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)

position.

CAUTION

Do not engage the starter for more

than 10 seconds. If the engine stalls

or fails to start, wait 5 to 10 seconds

before re-engaging the starter.

Improper use of the starter may

damage it.

3. Turn the ignition switch to START and

hold it there until the engine starts (a

maximum of 10 seconds), then

release the key.

5 5

Driving your vehicle

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Starting and stopping the engine for tur-

bocharger intercooler (if equipped)

Starting the diesel engine

Glow indicator light

1. Do not race or accelerate the engine

immediately after starting.

To start the diesel engine when the

engine is cold, it has to be pre-heated

before starting the engine and then have

to be warmed up before starting to drive.

If the engine is cold, idle for several

seconds before sufficient lubrication is

ensured in the turbocharger unit.

1. Make sure the parking brake is

applied.

2. After high speed or extended driving,

requiring a heavy engine load, idle the

engine about 1 minute before turning it

off.

2. Manual Transaxle - Depress the

clutch pedal fully and shift the

transaxle into Neutral. Keep the clutch

pedal and brake pedal depressed

while turning the ignition switch to the

start position.

This idle time will allow the tur-

bocharger to cool prior to shutting the

engine off.

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3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON posi-

tion to pre-heat the engine. Then the

glow indicator light will illuminate.

Automatic Transaxle - Place the

transaxle shift lever in P(park).

Depress the brake pedal fully.

CAUTION

4. If the glow indicator light goes out, turn

the ignition switch to the START posi-

tion and hold it there until the engine

starts (a maximum of 10 seconds),

then release the key.

Do not turn the engine off immedi-

ately after it has been subjected to

a heavy load. Doing so may cause

severe damage to the engine or tur-

bocharger unit.

You can also start the engine when the

shift lever is in the N(neutral) position.

✽

NOTICE

If the engine does not start within 10

seconds after the preheating is complet-

ed, turn the ignition switch once more to

the LOCK position for 10 seconds, and

then to the ON position, in order to pre-

heat again.

5 6

Driving your vehicle

MANUAL TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)

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Type A

CAUTION

Manual transaxle operation

• When downshifting from fifth

gear to fourth gear, caution

should be taken not to inadver-

tently press the gear shift lever

sideways in such a manner that

second gear is engaged. Such a

drastic downshift may cause the

engine speed to increase to the

point that the tachometer will

enter the red-zone. Such over-

revving of the engine may possi-

bly cause engine damage.

The manual transaxle has 5 forward

gears.

This shift pattern is imprinted on the shift

knob. The transaxle is fully synchronized

in all forward gears so shifting to either a

higher or a lower gear is easily accom-

plished.

Press the clutch pedal down fully while

shifting, then release it slowly.

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The gearshift lever must be returned to

the neutral position before shifting into R

(Reverse).

Type B

• Do not downshift more than 2

gears or downshift the gear when

the engine is running at high

speed (5,000 RPM or higher).

Such a downshifting may damage

the engine.

Make sure the vehicle is completely

stopped before shifting into R (Reverse).

Never operate the engine with the

tachometer (rpm) in the red zone.

A special safety feature prevents inad-

vertent shifting from 5 (Fifth) to R

(Reverse). (Type A)

The shift lever can be moved without

pulling the ring (1).

The ring (1) must be pulled while

moving the shift lever.

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5 7

Driving your vehicle

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• During cold weather, shifting may be

difficult until the transaxle lubricant has

warmed up. This is normal and not

harmful to the transaxle.

Using the clutch

WARNING

The clutch should be pressed all the way

to the floor before shifting, then released

slowly.The clutch pedal should always be

fully released while driving. Do not rest

your foot on the clutch pedal while driv-

ing. This can cause unnecessary wear.

Do not partially engage the clutch to hold

the car on an incline. This causes unnec-

essary wear. Use the foot brake or park-

ing brake to hold the car on an incline. Do

not operate the clutch pedal rapidly and

repeatedly.

• Before leaving the driver’s seat,

always set the parking brake fully

and shut the engine off. Then

make sure the transaxle is shifted

into 1st gear when the vehicle is

parked on a level or uphill grade,

and shifted into R (Reverse) on a

downhill grade. Unexpected and

sudden vehicle movement can

occur if these precautions are not

followed in the order identified.

• If you've come to a complete stop and

it's hard to shift into 1st or R(Reverse),

put the shift lever in N(Neutral) position

and release the clutch. Press the

clutch pedal back down, and then shift

into 1st or R(Reverse) gear position.

CAUTION

• To avoid premature clutch wear

and damage, do not drive with

your foot resting on the clutch

pedal. Also, don’t use the clutch

to hold the vehicle stopped on an

uphill grade, while waiting for a

traffic light, etc.

• If your vehicle has a manual

transaxle not equipped with a

ignition lock switch, it may move

and cause a serious accident

when starting the engine without

depressing the clutch pedal while

the parking brake is released and

the shift lever not in the

N(Neutral) position.

• Do not use the shift lever as a

handrest during driving, as this

can result in premature wear of

the transaxle shift forks.

5 8

Driving your vehicle

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• Slow down before shifting to a lower

gear. This will help avoid over-revving

the engine, which can cause damage.

Downshifting

WARNING

When you must slow down in heavy traf-

fic or while driving up steep hills, down-

shift before the engine starts to labor.

Downshifting reduces the chance of

stalling and gives better acceleration

when you need to increase your speed

again. When the vehicle is traveling down

steep hills, downshifting helps maintain

safe speed and prolongs brake life.

• Always buckle-up! In a collision,

an unbelted occupant is signifi-

cantly more likely to be seriously

injured or killed than a properly

belted occupant.

• Slow down when you encounter cross

winds. This gives you much better con-

trol of your car.

• Be sure the car is completely stopped

before you attempt to shift into reverse.

The transaxle can be damaged if you

do not. To shift into reverse, depress

the clutch, move the shift lever to neu-

tral, wait 3 seconds, then shift to the

reverse position.

• Avoid high speeds when corner-

ing or turning.

• Do not make quick steering

wheel movements, such as sharp

lane changes or fast, sharp turns.

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• The risk of a rollover is greatly

increased if you lose control of

your vehicle at highway speed.

• Exercise extreme caution when driving

on a slippery surface. Be especially

careful when braking, accelerating or

shifting gears. On a slippery surface,

an abrupt change in vehicle speed can

cause the drive wheels to lose traction

and the vehicle to go out of control.

Good driving practices

• Never take the car out of gear and

coast down a hill. This is extremely

hazardous. Always leave the car in

gear.

• Loss of control often occurs if

two or more wheels drop off the

roadway and the driver over-

steers to reenter the roadway.

• Don't "ride" the brakes. This can cause

them to overheat and malfunction.

Instead, when you are driving down a

long hill, slow down and shift to a lower

gear. When you do this, engine braking

will help slow the car.

• In the event your vehicle leaves

the roadway, do not steer sharply.

Instead, slow down before pulling

back into the travel lanes.

• Never exceed posted speed lim-

its.

5 9

Driving your vehicle

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)

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Automatic transaxle operation

The automatic transaxle has 4 forward

speeds and one reverse speed. The indi-

vidual speeds are selected automatically,

depending on the position of the shift

lever.

To move the shift lever from the P (Park)

position, the brake pedal must be

depressed.

✽

NOTICE

The first few shifts on a new vehicle, if

the battery has been disconnected, may

be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal

condition, and the shifting sequence will

adjust after shifts are cycled a few times

by the TCM (Transaxle Control

Module) or PCM (Powertrain Control

Module).

Depress the brake pedal.

The shift lever can be shifted freely.

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5 10

Driving your vehicle

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For smooth operation, depress the brake

pedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to a

forward or reverse gear.

CAUTION

Transaxle ranges

P (Park)

Always come to a complete stop before

shifting into P (Park). This position locks

the transaxle and prevents the front

wheels from rotating.

• To avoid damage to your

transaxle, do not accelerate the

engine in R (Reverse) or any for-

ward gear position with the

brakes on.

WARNING - Automatic

transaxle

• Always check the surrounding

areas near your vehicle for peo-

ple, especially children, before

shifting a car into D (Drive) or R

(Reverse).

• When stopped on an incline, do

not hold the vehicle stationary

with engine power. Use the serv-

ice brake or the parking brake.

WARNING

• Shifting into P (Park) while the

vehicle is in motion will cause the

drive wheels to lock which will

cause you to lose control of the

vehicle.

• Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P

(Park) into

• Before leaving the driver’s seat,

always make sure the shift lever

is in the P (Park) position; then

set the parking brake fully and

shut the engine off. Unexpected

and sudden vehicle movement

can occur if these precautions

are not followed in the order iden-

tified.

D

(Drive), or

R

(Reverse) when the engine is

above idle speed.

• Do not use the P (Park) position

in place of the parking brake.

Always make sure the shift lever

is latched in the P (Park) position

and set the parking brake fully.

• Never leave a child unattended in

a vehicle.

CAUTION

The transaxle may be damaged if

you shift into P (Park) while the

vehicle is in motion.

5 11

Driving your vehicle

R (Reverse)

Use this position to drive the vehicle

backward.

D (Drive)

1 (First gear)

This is the normal forward driving posi-

tion. The transaxle will automatically shift

through a 4-gear sequence, providing the

best fuel economy and power.

Move the shift lever to this position in

hard pulling situations and for climbing

steep grades.

CAUTION

Always come to a complete stop

before shifting into or out of R

(Reverse); you may damage the

transaxle if you shift into R while

the vehicle is in motion, except

when "Rocking the vehicle"

explained in this section.

For extra power when passing another

vehicle or climbing grades, depress the

accelerator fully, at which time the

transaxle will automatically downshift to

the next lower gear.

Do not exceed the recommended

maximum speed in 2 (Second gear)

or 1 (First gear). Operating the vehi-

cle above the maximum speed rec-

ommended for 2 (Second gear) or 1

(First gear) may cause excessive

heat which could damage the auto-

matic transaxle.

✽

NOTICE

Always come to a complete stop before

shifting into D (Drive).

N (Neutral)

The wheels and transaxle are not

engaged. The vehicle will roll freely even

on the slightest incline unless the parking

brake or service brakes are applied.

2 (Second gear)

Use 2 (Second gear) for more power

when climbing hills and for increased

braking when going down hills. This posi-

tion also helps reduce wheel spin on slip-

pery surfaces. When the shift lever is

placed in 2 (Second gear), the transaxle

will automatically shift from first to sec-

ond gear.

5 12

Driving your vehicle

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Shift lock system (if equipped)

Ignition key interlock system

(if equipped)

WARNING

For your safety, the automatic transaxle

has a shift lock system which prevents

shifting the transaxle from P (Park) into R

(Reverse) unless the brake pedal is

depressed.

Always fully depress the brake

pedal before and while shifting out

of the P (Park) position into anoth-

er position to avoid inadvertent

motion of the vehicle which could

injure persons in or around the car.

The ignition key cannot be removed

unless the shift lever is in the P (Park)

position. If the ignition switch is in any

other position, the key cannot be

removed.

To shift the transaxle from P (Park) into R

(Reverse):

1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

2. Move the shift lever.

If the brake pedal is repeatedly

depressed and released with the shift

lever in the P (Park) position, a chattering

noise near the shift lever may be heard.

This is a normal condition.

5 13

Driving your vehicle

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• Always use the parking brake. Do not

depend on placing the transaxle in P

(Park) to keep the car from moving.

Good driving practices

WARNING

• Always buckle-up! In a collision,

an unbelted occupant is signifi-

cantly more likely to be seriously

injured or killed than a properly

belted occupant.

• Never move the gear shift lever from P

(Park) or N (Neutral) to any other posi-

tion with the accelerator pedal

depressed.

• Exercise extreme caution when driving

on a slippery surface. Be especially

careful when braking, accelerating or

shifting gears. On a slippery surface,

an abrupt change in vehicle speed can

cause the drive wheels to lose traction

and the vehicle to go out of control.

• Never move the gear shift lever into P

(Park) when the vehicle is in motion.

• Avoid high speeds when corner-

ing or turning.

• Be sure the car is completely stopped

before you attempt to shift into R

(Reverse).

• Do not make quick steering

wheel movements, such as sharp

lane changes or fast, sharp turns.

• Optimum vehicle performance and

economy is obtained by smoothly

depressing and releasing the accelera-

tor pedal.

• Never take the car out of gear and

coast down a hill. This may be

extremely hazardous. Always leave the

car in gear when moving.

• The risk of a rollover is greatly

increased if you lose control of

your vehicle at highway speed.

• Loss of control often occurs if

two or more wheels drop off the

roadway and the driver over-

steers to reenter the roadway.

• Do not "ride" the brakes. This can

cause them to overheat and malfunc-

tion. Instead, when you are driving

down a long hill, slow down and shift to

a lower gear. When you do this, engine

braking will help slow the car.

• In the event your vehicle leaves

the roadway, do not steer sharply.

Instead, slow down before pulling

back into the travel lanes.

• Slow down before shifting to a lower

gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may

not be engaged.

• Never exceed posted speed lim-

its.

5 14

Driving your vehicle

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Moving up a steep grade from a stand-

ing start

WARNING

If your vehicle becomes stuck in

snow, mud, sand, etc., then you

may attempt to rock the vehicle free

by moving it forward and backward.

Do not attempt this procedure if

people or objects are anywhere

near the vehicle. During the rocking

operation the vehicle may suddenly

move forward of backward as it

becomes unstuck, causing injury

or damage to nearby people or

objects.

To move up a steep grade from a stand-

ing start, depress the brake pedal and

shift the shift lever to D (Drive). Select the

appropriate gear depending on load

weight and steepness of the grade, and

release the parking brake. Depress the

accelerator gradually while releasing the

service brakes.

When accelerating from a stop on a

steep hill, the vehicle may have a ten-

dency to roll backwards. Shifting the

shift lever into 2 (Second gear) will

help prevent the vehicle from rolling

backwards.

5 15

Driving your vehicle

BRAKE SYSTEM

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In the event of brake failure

Power brakes

WARNING - Brakes

If service brakes fail to operate while the

vehicle is in motion, you can make an

emergency stop with the parking brake.

The stopping distance, however, will be

much greater than normal.

Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes

that adjust automatically through normal

usage.

• Do not drive with your foot rest-

ing on the brake pedal. This will

create abnormal high brake tem-

peratures, excessive brake lining

and pad wear, and increased

stopping distances.

In the event the power-assisted brakes

lose power because of a stalled engine

or some other reason, you can still stop

your vehicle by applying greater force to

the brake pedal than you normally would.

The stopping distance, however, will be

longer.

• When descending a long or steep

hill, shift to a lower gear and

avoid continuous application of

the brakes. Continuous brake

application will cause the brakes

to overheat and could result in a

temporary loss of braking per-

formance.

WARNING - Parking brake

Applying the parking brake while

the vehicle is moving at normal

speed can cause a sudden loss of

control of the vehicle. If you must

use the parking brake to stop the

vehicle, use great caution in apply-

ing the brake.

When the engine is not running, the

reserve brake power is partially depleted

each time the brake pedal is applied. Do

not pump the brake pedal when the

power assist has been interrupted.

• Wet brakes may impair the vehi-

cle’s ability to sefely slow down;

the vehicle may also pull to one

side when the brakes are applied.

Applying the brakes lightly will

indicate whether they have been

affected in this way. Always test

your brakes in this fashion after

driving through deep water. To

dry the brakes, apply them lightly

while maintaining a safe forward

speed until brake performance

returns to normal.

Pump the brake pedal only when neces-

sary to maintain steering control on slip-

pery surfaces.

5 16

Driving your vehicle

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Disc brakes wear indicator

Your vehicle has disc brakes.

WARNING - Brake wear

This brake wear warning sound

means your vehicle needs service.

If you ignore this audible warning,

you will eventually lose braking

performance, which could lead to a

serious accident.

When your brake pads are worn and new

pads are required, you will hear a high-

pitched warning sound from your front

brakes or rear brakes. You may hear this

sound come and go or it may occur

whenever you depress the brake pedal.

Please remember that some driving con-

ditions or climates may cause a brake

squeal when you first apply (or lightly

apply) the brakes. This is normal and

does not indicate a problem with your

brakes.

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Rear drum brakes (if equipped)

Your rear drum brakes do not have wear

indicators.Therefore, have the rear brake

linings inspected if you hear a rear brake

rubbing noise. Also have your rear

brakes inspected each time you change

or rotate your tires and when you have

the front brakes replaced.

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Parking brake

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Applying the parking brake

CAUTION

To engage the parking brake, first apply

the foot brake and then without pressing

the release button in, pull the parking

brake lever up as far as possible. In addi-

tion it is recommended that when parking

the vehicle on a gradient, the shift lever

should be positioned in the appropriate

low gear on manual transaxle vehicles or

in the P (Park) position for automatic

transaxle vehicles.

• To avoid costly brake repairs, do

not continue to drive with worn

brake pads.

• Always replace brake pads as

complete front or rear axle sets.

CAUTION

Driving with the parking brake

applied will cause excessive brake

pad (or lining) and brake rotor wear.

5 17

Driving your vehicle

WARNING

• To prevent unintentional move-

ment when stopped and leaving

the vehicle, do not use the shift

lever in place of the parking

brake. Set the parking brake AND

make sure the shift lever is

securely positioned in 1st (First)

gear or R (Reverse) for manual

transaxle equipped vehicles and

in P (Park) for automatic transaxle

equipped vehicles.

W-75

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E070202AFD-U1

• Never allow anyone who is unfa-

miliar with the vehicle to touch

the parking brake. If the parking

brake is released unintentionally,

serious injury may occur.

Check the brake warning light by turning

the ignition switch ON (do not start the

engine). This light will be illuminated when

the parking brake is applied with the igni-

tion switch in the START or ON position.

Releasing the parking brake

To release the parking brake, first apply

the foot brake and pull up the parking

brake lever slightly. Secondly press the

release button (1) and lower the parking

brake lever (2) while holding the button.

• All vehicles should always have

the parking brake fully engaged

when parking to avoid inadver-

tent movement of the car which

can injure occupants or pedestri-

ans.

Before driving, be sure the parking brake

is fully released and the brake warning

light is off.

If the brake warning light remains on after

the parking brake is released, there may

be a malfunction in the brake system.

Immediate attention is necessary.

If at all possible, cease driving the vehi-

cle immediately. If that is not possible,

use extreme caution while operating the

vehicle and only continue to drive the

vehicle until you can reach a safe loca-

tion or repair shop.

5 18

Driving your vehicle

E070300ASA

The ABS continuously senses the speed

of the wheels. If the wheels are going to

lock, the ABS system repeatedly modu-

lates the hydraulic brake pressure to the

wheels.

(Continued)

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

(if equipped)

• On roads where the road surface

is pitted or has different surface

height.

WARNING

The safety features of an ABS (or

ESP) equipped vehicle should not

be tested by high speed driving or

cornering. This could endanger the

safety of yourself or others.

When you apply your brakes under con-

ditions which may lock the wheels, you

may hear a “tik-tik’’ sound from the

brakes, or feel a corresponding sensation

in the brake pedal. This is normal and it

means your ABS is active.

ABS (or ESP) will not prevent acci-

dents due to improper or danger-

ous driving maneuvers. Even

though vehicle control is improved

during emergency braking, always

maintain a safe distance between

you and objects ahead. Vehicle

speeds should always be reduced

in extreme road conditions.

In order to obtain the maximum benefit

from your ABS in an emergency situa-

tion, do not attempt to modulate your

brake pressure and do not try to pump

your brakes. Press your brake pedal as

hard as possible or as hard as the situa-

tion warrants and allow the ABS to con-

trol the force being delivered to the

brakes.

The braking distance for cars

equipped with an anti-lock braking

system (or Electronic Stability

Program System) may be longer

than for those without it in the fol-

lowing road conditions.

During these conditions the vehicle

should be driven at reduced speed:

• Rough, gravel or snow-covered

roads.

• With tire chains installed.

(Continued)

5 19

Driving your vehicle

✽

NOTICE

CAUTION

A click sound may be heard in the

engine compartment when the vehicle

begins to move after the engine is start-

ed. These conditions are normal and

indicate that the anti-lock brake system

is functioning properly.

• When you drive on a road having

poor traction, such as an icy road,

and have to operate your brakes

continuously, the ABS will be

active continuously and the ABS

warning light may illuminate. Pull

your car over to a safe place and

stop the engine.

• Even with the anti-lock brake system,

your vehicle still requires sufficient

stopping distance. Always maintain a

safe distance from the vehicle in front

of you.

• Restart the engine. If the ABS

warning light is off, then your

W-78

ABS

system

is

normal.

Otherwise, you may have a prob-

lem with the ABS. Contact an

authorized KIA dealer as soon as

possible.

• Always slow down when cornering.

The anti-lock brake system cannot pre-

vent accidents resulting from exces-

sive speeds.

CAUTION

• If the ABS warning light is on and

stays on, you may have a problem

with the ABS. In this case, howev-

er, your regular brakes will work

normally.

• On loose or uneven road surfaces,

operation of the anti-lock brake system

may result in a longer stopping dis-

tance than for vehicles equipped with a

conventional brake system.

✽

NOTICE

When you jump start your vehicle

because of a drained battery, the engine

may not run as smoothly and the ABS

warning light may turn on at the same

time. This happens because of low bat-

tery voltage. It does not mean your ABS

is malfunctioning.

• Do not pump your brakes!

• Have the battery recharged before

driving the vehicle.

• The ABS warning light will stay

on for approximately 3 seconds

after the ignition switch is ON.

During that time, the ABS will go

through self-diagnosis and the

light will go off if everything is

normal. If the light stays on, you

may have a problem with your

ABS. Contact an authorized KIA

dealer as soon as possible.

5 20

Driving your vehicle

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

system is an electronic system designed

to help the driver maintain vehicle control

under adverse conditions. It is not a

substitute for safe driving practices.

Factors including speed, road conditions

and driver steering input can all affect

whether ESP will be effective in

preventing a loss of control. It is still your

responsibility to drive and corner at

WARNING

Never drive too fast according to

road conditions or too quickly when

cornering. Electronic stability pro-

gram (ESP) will not prevent acci-

dents. Excessive speed in turns,

abrupt maneuvers and hydroplan-

ing on wet surfaces can still result

in serious accidents. Only a safe

and attentive driver can prevent

accidents by avoiding maneuvers

that cause the vehicle to lose trac-

tion. Even with ESP installed,

always follow all the normal precau-

tions for driving - including driving

at safe speeds for the conditions.

reasonable speed and to leave

sufficient margin of safety.

a

When you apply your brakes under con-

ditions which may lock the wheels, you

may hear a “tik-tik’’ sound from the

brakes, or feel a corresponding sensation

in the brake pedal. This is normal and it

means your ESP is active.

OSA057008

E070500ASA

Electronic stability program (ESP)

(If equipped)

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

system is designed to stabilize the vehicle

during cornering maneuvers. ESP checks

where you are steering and where the

vehicle is actually going. ESP applies the

brakes at individual wheels and

intervenes with the engine management

system to stabilize the vehicle.

✽

NOTICE

A click sound may be heard in the

engine compartment when the vehicle

begins to move after the engine is start-

ed. These conditions are normal and

indicate that the Electronic Stability

Program System is functioning proper-

ly.

5 21

Driving your vehicle

E070501AUN-EE

E070502AUN-EE

When operating

When the ESP is in operation,

ESP indicator light blinks.

ESP operation

ESP ON condition

ESP operation off

ESP OFF state

ESP

• When the Electronic Stability

Program is operating proper-

ly, you can feel a slight pulsa-

tion in the vehicle. This is only

the effect of brake control and

indicates nothing unusual.

• When the ignition is turned

ON, ESP and ESP OFF indi-

cator lights illuminate for

• To cancel ESP operation,

ESP

OFF

press the ESP OFF button

(ESP OFF indicator light illu-

minates).

-

approximately

then ESP is turned on.

3

seconds,

• If the ignition switch is turned

to LOCK position when ESP

is off, ESP remains off. Upon

restarting the engine, the

ESP will automatically turn on

again.

• Press the ESP OFF button for

at least half a second after

turning the ignition ON to turn

ESP off. (ESP OFF indicator

will illuminate). To turn the

ESP on, press the ESP OFF

button (ESP OFF indicator

light will go off).

• When moving out of the mud

or slippery road, pressing the

accelerator pedal may not

cause the engine rpm (revolu-

tions per minute) to increase.

• When starting the engine,

you may hear a slight ticking

sound. This is the ESP per-

forming an automatic system

self-check and does not indi-

cate a problem.

5 22

Driving your vehicle

E070504AEN-EE

■ ESP indicator light (blinks)

CAUTION

ESP OFF usage

When driving

• It’s a good idea to keep the ESP turned

on for daily driving whenever possible.

Driving with varying tire or wheel

sizes may cause the ESP system to

malfunction. When replacing tires,

make sure they are the same size as

your original tires.

ESP

• To turn ESP off while driving, press the

ESP OFF button while driving on a flat

road surface.

■ ESP OFF indicator light (comes on)

ESP

OFF

WARNING

The Electronic Stability Program

system is only a driving aid; use

precautions for safe driving by

slowing down on curved, snowy, or

icy roads. Drive slowly and don’t

attempt to accelerate whenever the

ESP indicator light is blinking, or

when the road surface is slippery.

Never press the ESP OFF button

while ESP is operating (ESP indica-

tor light blinks).

E070503AEN-EE

Indicator light

When the ignition switch is turned ON,

the indicator light illuminates, then goes

off if ESP system is operating normally.

If ESP is turned off while ESP is

operating, the vehicle may slip out

of control.

The ESP indicator light blinks whenever

ESP is operating.

The ESP OFF indicator light comes on

when either the ESP is turned off with the

button, or ESP fails to operate when

turned on.

✽

NOTICE

• When operating the vehicle on a

dynamometer, ensure that the ESP is

turned off (ESP OFF light illuminat-

ed). If the ESP is left on, it may pre-

vent the vehicle speed from increas-

ing, and result in false diagnosis.

• Turning the ESP off does not affect

the ABS or brake system operation.

5 23

Driving your vehicle

E070600ASA

• Don't coast down hills with the car out

of gear. This is extremely hazardous.

Keep the car in gear at all times, use

the brakes to slow down, then shift to a

lower gear so that engine braking will

help you maintain a safe speed.

• If your car is equipped with an auto-

matic transaxle, don't let your car

creep forward. To avoid creeping for-

ward, keep your foot firmly on the

brake pedal when the car is stopped.

Good braking practices

• Check to be sure the parking brake is

not engaged and the parking brake

indicator light is out before driving

away.

• Be cautious when parking on a hill.

Firmly engage the parking brake and

place the gear selector lever in P (auto-

matic transaxle) or in first or reverse

gear (manual transaxle). If your car is

facing downhill, turn the front wheels

into the curb to help keep the car from

rolling. If your car is facing uphill, turn

the front wheels away from the curb to

help keep the car from rolling. If there

is no curb or if it is required by other

conditions to keep the car from rolling,

block the wheels.

• Don't "ride" the brake pedal. Resting

your foot on the brake pedal while driv-

ing can be dangerous because the

brakes might overheat and lose their

effectiveness. It also increases the

wear of the brake components.

• Driving through water may get the

brakes wet. They can also get wet

when the car is washed. Wet brakes

can be dangerous! Your car will not

stop as quickly if the brakes are wet.

Wet brakes may cause the car to pull

to one side.

• If a tire goes flat while you are driving,

apply the brakes gently and keep the

car pointed straight ahead while you

slow down. When you are moving

slowly enough for it to be safe to do so,

pull off the road and stop in a safe

place.

To dry the brakes, apply the brakes

lightly until the braking action returns to

normal, taking care to keep the car

under control at all times. If the braking

action does not return to normal, stop

as soon as it is safe to do so and call

an authorized KIA dealer for assis-

tance.

5 24

Driving your vehicle

• Under some conditions your parking

brake can freeze in the engaged posi-

tion.This is most likely to happen when

there is an accumulation of snow or ice

around or near the rear brakes or if the

brakes are wet. If there is a risk that the

parking brake may freeze, apply it only

temporarily while you put the gear

selector lever 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.

• Do not hold the vehicle on the upgrade

with the accelerator pedal. This can

cause the transaxle to overheat.

Always use the brake pedal or parking

brake.

5 25

Driving your vehicle

ECONOMICAL OPERATION

E100000ASA

• Don't "ride" the brake pedal. This can

increase fuel consumption and also

increase wear on these components.

In addition, driving with your foot rest-

ing on the brake pedal may cause the

brakes to overheat, which reduces

their effectiveness and may lead to

more serious consequences.

• Keep your car in good condition. For

better fuel economy and reduced

maintenance costs, maintain your car

in accordance with the maintenance

schedule in section 7. If you drive your

car in severe conditions, more frequent

maintenance is required (see section 7

for details).

Your vehicle's fuel economy depends

mainly on your style of driving, where you

drive and when you drive.

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 possible, use the fol-

lowing driving suggestions to help save

money in both fuel and repairs:

• Take care of your tires. Keep them

inflated to the recommended pressure.

Incorrect inflation, either too much or

too little, results in unnecessary tire

wear. Check the tire pressures at least

once a month.

• Keep your car clean. For maximum

service, your vehicle should be kept

clean and free of corrosive materials. It

is especially important that mud, dirt,

ice, etc. not be allowed to accumulate

on the underside of the car. This extra

weight can result in increased fuel con-

sumption and also contribute to corro-

sion.

• Drive smoothly. Accelerate at a moder-

ate rate. Don't make "jack-rabbit" starts

or full-throttle shifts and maintain a

steady cruising speed. Don't race

between stoplights. Try to adjust your

speed to the traffic so you don't have to

change speeds unnecessarily. Avoid

heavy traffic whenever possible.

Always maintain a safe distance from

other vehicles so you can avoid unnec-

essary braking. This also reduces

brake wear.

• Be sure that the wheels are aligned

correctly. Improper alignment can

result from hitting curbs or driving too

fast over irregular surfaces. Poor align-

ment causes faster tire wear and may

also result in other problems as well as

greater fuel consumption.

• Travel lightly. Don't carry unnecessary

weight in your car. Weight reduces fuel

economy.

• Don't let the engine idle longer than

necessary. If you are waiting (and not

in traffic), turn off your engine and

restart only when you're ready to go.

• Drive at a moderate speed. The faster

you drive, the more fuel your car uses.

Driving at a moderate speed, especial-

ly on the highway, is one of the most

effective ways to reduce fuel consump-

tion.

5 26

Driving your vehicle

• Remember, your vehicle does not

require extended warm-up. After the

engine has started, allow the engine to

run for 10 to 20 seconds prior to plac-

ing the vehicle in gear. In very cold

weather, however, give your engine a

slightly longer warm-up period.

• Use your air conditioning sparingly.

The air conditioning system is operat-

ed by engine power so your fuel econ-

omy is reduced when you use it.

WARNING - Engine off dur-

ing motion

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

properly without the engine run-

ning. Instead, keep the engine on

and downshift to an appropriate

gear for engine braking effect. In

addition, turning off the ignition

while driving could engage the

steering wheel lock resulting in

loss of vehicle steering which

could cause serious injury or

death.

• Open windows at high speed can

reduce fuel economy.

• Fuel economy is less in crosswinds

and headwinds. To help offset some of

this loss, slow down when driving in

these conditions.

• Don't "lug" or "over-rev" the engine.

Lugging is driving too slowly in a very

high gear resulting in engine bucking. If

this happens, shift to a lower gear.

Over-revving is racing the engine

beyond its safe limit.This can be avoid-

ed by shifting at the recommended

speed.

Keeping a vehicle in good operating con-

dition is important both for economy and

safety.Therefore, have an authorized KIA

dealer perform scheduled inspections

and maintenance.

5 27

Driving your vehicle

SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS

E110100ASA

E110200AEN

• When braking with non-ABS brakes

pump the brake pedal with a light up-

and-down motion until the vehicle is

stopped.

Hazardous driving conditions

Rocking the vehicle

When hazardous driving conditions are

encountered such as water, snow, ice,

mud, sand, or similar hazards, 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 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 possible. If you are still stuck after a

few tries, have the vehicle pulled out by a

tow vehicle to avoid engine overheating

and possible damage to the transaxle.

WARNING - ABS

Do not pump the brake pedal on a

vehicle equipped with ABS.

• Drive cautiously and allow extra dis-

tance for braking.

• Avoid sudden braking or steering.

• If stalled in snow, mud, or sand, use

second gear. Accelerate slowly to

avoid spinning the drive wheels.

• 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.

CAUTION

Prolonged rocking may cause

engine over-heating, transaxle dam-

age or failure, and tire damage.

WARNING - Downshifting

Downshifting with an automatic

transaxle, while driving on slippery

surfaces can cause an accident.

The sudden change in tire speed

could cause the tires to skid. Be

careful when downshifting on slip-

pery surfaces.

5 28

Driving your vehicle

WARNING - Spinning tires

Do not spin the wheels, especially

at speeds more than 56 km/h (35

mph). Spinning the wheels at high

speeds when the vehicle is station-

ary could cause a tire to overheat

which could result in tire damage

that may injure bystanders.

✽

NOTICE

The ESP system (if equipped) should be

turned OFF prior to rocking the vehicle.

OUN056051

OCM053010

E110300AUN

E110400AUN

Smooth cornering

Driving at night

Avoid braking or gear changing in cor-

ners, especially when roads are wet.

Ideally, corners should always be taken

under gentle acceleration. If you follow

these suggestions, tire wear will be held

to a minimum.

Because night driving presents more

hazards than driving in the daylight, here

are some important tips to remember:

WARNING

If your vehicle becomes stuck in

snow, mud, sand, etc., then you

may attempt to rock the vehicle free

by moving it forward and backward.

Do not attempt this procedure if

people or objects are anywhere

near the vehicle. During the rocking

operation the vehicle may suddenly

move forward of backward as it

becomes unstuck, causing injury

or damage to nearby people or

objects.

• Slow down and keep more distance

between you and other vehicles, as it

may be more difficult to see at night,

especially in areas where there may

not be any street lights.

5 29

Driving your vehicle

• Adjust your mirrors to reduce the glare

from other driver's headlights.

• If your tires are not in good condition,

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.

• Keep your headlights clean and prop-

erly aimed on vehicles not equipped

with the automatic headlight aiming

feature. Dirty or improperly aimed

headlights will make it much more diffi-

cult to see at night.

• Turn on your headlights to make it eas-

ier for others to see you.

• Driving too fast through large puddles

can affect your brakes. If you must go

through puddles, try to drive through

them slowly.

• Avoid staring directly at the headlights

of oncoming vehicles. You could be

temporarily blind, and it will take sever-

al seconds for your eyes to readjust to

the darkness.

• If you believe you may have gotten

your brakes wet, apply them lightly

while driving until normal braking oper-

ation returns.

1VQA3003

E110500AUN

Driving in the rain

Rain and wet roads can make driving

dangerous, especially if you’re not pre-

pared for the slick pavement. Here are a

few things to consider when driving in the

rain:

E110600AUN

Driving in flooded areas

Avoid driving through flooded areas

unless you are sure the water is no high-

er than the bottom of the wheel hub.

Drive through any water slowly. Allow

adequate stopping distance because

brake performance may be affected.

• A heavy rainfall will make it harder to

see and will increase the distance

needed to stop your vehicle, so slow

down.

• Keep your windshield wiping equip-

ment in good shape. Replace your

windshield wiper blades when they

show signs of streaking or missing

areas on the windshield.

After driving through water, dry the

brakes by gently applying them several

times while the vehicle is moving slowly.

5 30

Driving your vehicle

Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil

WARNING

High speed travel consumes more fuel

than urban motoring. Do not forget to

check both engine coolant and engine

oil.

• Underinflated or overinflated

tires can cause poor handling,

loss of vehicle control, and sud-

den tire failure leading to acci-

dents, injuries, and even death.

Always check tires for proper

inflation before driving. For prop-

er tire pressures, refer to “Tires

and wheels” in section 8.

Drive belt

A loose or damaged drive belt may over-

heat the engine.

• Driving on tires with no or insuffi-

cient tread is dangerous. Worn-

out tires can result in loss of

vehicle control, collisions, 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 section 8.

1VQA1004

E110700AUN

Highway driving

Tires

Adjust the tire inflation pressures to

specification. Low tire inflation pressures

will result in overheating and possible

failure of the tires.

Avoid using worn or damaged tires which

may result in reduced traction or tire fail-

ure.

✽

NOTICE

Never exceed the maximum tire inflation

pressure shown on the tires.

5 31

Driving your vehicle

WINTER DRIVING

E120100AUN

E120101AUN

Snow tires

Snowy or icy conditions

If you mount snow tires on your vehicle,

make sure they are radial tires of the

same size and load range as the original

tires. Mount snow tires on all four wheels

to balance your vehicle’s handling in all

weather conditions. Keep in mind that the

traction provided by snow tires on dry

roads may not be as high as your vehi-

cle's original equipment tires. You should

drive cautiously even when the roads are

clear. Check with the tire dealer for max-

imum speed recommendations.

To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it may

be necessary to use snow tires or to

install tire chains on your tires. If snow

tires are needed, it is necessary to select

tires equivalent in size and type of the

original equipment tires. Failure to do so

may adversely affect the safety and han-

dling of your car. Furthermore, speeding,

rapid acceleration, sudden brake appli-

cations, and sharp turns are potentially

very hazardous practices.

During deceleration, use engine braking

to the fullest extent. Sudden brake appli-

cations on snowy or icy roads may cause

skids. You need to keep sufficient dis-

tance between the vehicle in operation in

front and your vehicle. Also, apply the

brake gently. It should be noted that

installing tire chains on the tire will pro-

vide greater driving force, but will not pre-

vent side skids.

1VQA3005

E120000ASA

Severe weather conditions in the winter

may cause greater wear and other prob-

lems. To minimize the problems of winter

driving, you should follow these sugges-

tions:

WARNING - Snow tire size

Snow tires should be equivalent in

size and type to the vehicle's stan-

dard tires. Otherwise, the safety

and handling of your vehicle may

be adversely affected.

Do not install studded tires without first

checking local, state and municipal regu-

lations for possible restrictions against

their use.

✽

NOTICE

Tire chains are not legal in all countries.

Check the county laws before fitting tire

chains.

5 32

Driving your vehicle

Chain installation

CAUTION

When installing chains, follow the manu-

facturer'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.

• 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 suspension and may not be

covered by your vehicle manufac-

turer 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.

WARNING - Mounting

chains

1VQA3007

E120102AUN

When mounting snow chains, park

the vehicle on level ground away

from traffic. Turn on the vehicle

Hazard Warning flashers and place

a triangular emergency warning

device behind the vehicle if avail-

able. Always place the vehicle in P

(Park), apply the parking brake and

turn off the engine before installing

snow chains.

Tire chains

• Always check chain installation

for proper mounting after driving

approximately 0.5 to 1 km (0.3 to

0.6 miles) to ensure safe mount-

ing. Retighten or remount the

chains if they are loose.

Since the sidewalls of radial tires are

thinner, they can be damaged by mount-

ing some types of snow chains on them.

Therefore, the use of snow tires is rec-

ommended 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 manufactur-

ers warranty.

Install tire chains only on the front tires.

5 33

Driving your vehicle

E120200AUN

E120400AUN

Use high quality ethylene glycol

coolant

Change to "winter weight" oil if

necessary

WARNING - Tire chains

• The use of chains may adversely

affect vehicle handling.

Your vehicle is delivered with high quality

ethylene glycol coolant in the cooling

system. It is the only type of coolant that

should be used because it helps prevent

corrosion in the cooling system, lubri-

cates the water pump and prevents

freezing. Be sure to replace or replenish

your coolant in accordance with the

maintenance schedule in section 7.

Before winter, have your coolant tested to

assure that its freezing point is sufficient

for the temperatures anticipated during

the winter.

In some climates it is recommended that

a lower viscosity "winter weight" oil be

used during cold weather. See section 8

for recommendations. If you aren't sure

what weight oil you should use, consult

an authorized KIA dealer.

• Do not exceed 30 km/h (20 mph)

or the chain manufacturer’s rec-

ommended speed limit, whichev-

er is lower.

• Drive carefully and avoid bumps,

holes, sharp turns, and other

road hazards, which may cause

the vehicle to bounce.

E120500AUN

Check spark plugs and ignition

system (for gasoline engine)

• Avoid sharp turns or locked-

wheel braking.

Inspect your spark plugs as described in

section 7 and replace them if necessary.

Also check all ignition wiring and compo-

nents to be sure they are not cracked,

worn or damaged in any way.

CAUTION

E120300AUN

• Chains that are the wrong size or

improperly installed can damage

your vehicle's brake lines, sus-

pension, body and wheels.

Check battery and cables

Winter puts additional burdens on the

battery system. Visually inspect the bat-

tery and cables as described in section

7. The level of charge in your battery can

be checked by an authorized KIA dealer

or a service station.

• Stop driving and retighten the

chains any time you hear them

hitting the vehicle.

5 34

Driving your vehicle

E120600AUN

E120800AUN

E121000ASA

To keep locks from freezing

Don't let your parking brake

freeze

Carry emergency equipment

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

heated key with care to avoid injury.

Depending on the severity of the weath-

er, you should carry appropriate emer-

gency equipment. Some of the items you

may want to carry include tire chains, tow

straps or chains, flashlight, emergency

flares, sand, shovel, jumper cables, win-

dow scraper, gloves, ground cloth, cover-

alls, blanket, etc.

Under some conditions your parking

brake can freeze in the engaged position.

This is most likely to happen when there

is an accumulation of snow or ice around

or near the rear brakes or if the brakes

are wet. If there is a risk the parking

brake may freeze, apply it only temporar-

ily while you put the gear selector lever 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.

E120700AUN

Use approved window washer

anti-freeze in system

To keep the water in the window washer

system from freezing, add an approved

window washer anti-freeze solution in

accordance with instructions on the con-

tainer. Window washer 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

finish.

E120900AUN

Don't let ice and snow accumu-

late underneath

Under some conditions, snow and ice

can build up under the fenders and inter-

fere with the steering. When driving in

severe winter conditions where this may

happen, you should periodically check

underneath the car to be sure the move-

ment of the front wheels and the steering

components is not obstructed.

5 35

Driving your vehicle

TRAILER TOWING (FOR EUROPE)

E140000ASA

Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify

what the vehicle trailering capacity is for

your vehicle, you should read the infor-

mation in “Weight of the trailer” that

appears later in this section.

✽

NOTICE - For Europe

If you are considering towing with with

your car, you should first check with your

country’s Department of Motor Vehicles

to determine their legal requirements.

• The technically permissible maximum

load on the rear axle(s) may be

exceeded by not more than 15 % and

the technically permissible maximum

laden mass of the vehicle may be

exceeded by not more than 10 % or

100 kg (220.4 lbs), whichever value is

lower. In this case, do not exceed 100

km/h (62.1 mph) for vehicle of catego-

ry M1 or 80 km/h (49.7 mph) for vehi-

cle of category N1.

• When a vehicle of category M1 is tow-

ing a trailer, the additional load

imposed at the trailer coupling device

may cause the tire maximum load rat-

ings to be exceeded, but not by more

than 15 %. In this case, do not exceed

100 km/h (62.1 mph) and increase the

tire inflation pressure by at least 0.2

bar.

Since laws vary the requirements for tow-

ing trailers, cars, or other types of vehi-

cles or apparatus may differ. Ask an

authorized KIA dealer for further details

before towing.

Remember that trailering is different than

just driving your vehicle by itself.

Trailering means changes in handling,

durability, and fuel economy. Successful,

safe trailering requires correct equip-

ment, and it has to be used properly.

WARNING - Towing a trail-

er

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.

If you don't use the correct equip-

ment and drive improperly, 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.

Load-pulling components such as the

engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies, 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

additional burden generates extra heat.

The trailer also considerably adds wind

resistance, increasing pulling require-

ments.

CAUTION

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.

WARNING - Weight limits

Before towing, make sure the total

trailer weight, gross combination

weight, gross vehicle weight, gross

axle weight and trailer tongue load

are all within the limits.

5 36

Driving your vehicle

E140100ASA

Hitches

It's important to have the correct hitch

equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks

going by, and rough roads are a few rea-

sons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here

are some rules to follow:

• Do 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.

If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon

monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can

get into your vehicle, as well as dirt and

water.

• The bumpers on your vehicle are not

intended for hitches. Do not attach

rental hitches or other bumper-type

hitches. Use only a frame-mounted

hitch that does not attach to the

bumper.

1SAE5001A

• KIA trailer hitch accessory is available

at an authorized KIA dealer.

5 37

Driving your vehicle

E140200ASA

E140300AUN

E140400ASA

Safety chains

Trailer brakes

Driving with a trailer

You should always attach chains

between your vehicle and your trailer.

Cross the safety chains under the tongue

of the trailer so that the tongue will not

drop to the road if it becomes separated

from the hitch.

If your trailer is equipped with a braking

system, make sure it conforms to your

country’s regulations and that it is prop-

erly installed and operating correctly.

Towing a trailer requires a certain

amount of experience. Before setting out

for the open road, you must get to know

your trailer. Acquaint yourself with the

feel of handling and braking with the

added weight of the trailer. And always

keep in mind that the vehicle you are

driving is now a good deal longer and not

nearly so responsive as your vehicle is

by itself.

If your trailer weighs more than the max-

imum trailer weight without trailer brakes

loaded, then it needs its own brakes and

they must be adequate. Be sure to read

and follow the instructions for the trailer

brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust

and maintain them properly.

Instructions about safety chains may be

provided by the hitch manufacturer or by

the trailer manufacturer. Follow the man-

ufacturer’s recommendation for attaching

safety chains. Always leave just enough

slack so you can turn with your trailer.

And, never allow safety chains drag on

the ground.

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 mov-

ing and then apply the trailer brake con-

troller by hand to be sure the brakes are

working. This lets you check your electri-

cal connection at the same time.

• Don’t tap into your vehicle's brake sys-

tem.

WARNING - Trailer brakes

Do not use a trailer with its own

brakes unless you are absolutely

certain that you have properly set

up the brake system. This is not a

task for amateurs. Use an experi-

enced, competent trailer shop for

this work.

During your trip, check occasionally to be

sure that the load is secure, and that the

lights and trailer brakes are still working.

5 38

Driving your vehicle

E140401AUN

E140404AUN

An authorized KIA dealer can assist you

in installing the wiring harness.

Following distance

Making turns

Stay at least twice as far behind the vehi-

cle ahead as you would when driving

your vehicle without a trailer. This can

help you avoid situations that require

heavy braking and sudden turns.

When you’re turning with a trailer, make

wider turns than normal. Do this so your

trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs,

road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid

jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well

in advance.

WARNING

Failure to use an approved trailer

wiring harness could result in dam-

age to the vehicle electrical system

and/or personal injury.

E140402AUN

E140405AUN

Passing

Turn signals when towing a trailer

E140406ASA

You’ll need more passing distance up

ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And,

because of the increased vehicle length,

you’ll need to go much farther beyond the

passed vehicle before you can return to

your lane.

When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has

to have a different turn signal flasher and

extra wiring. The green arrows on your

instrument panel will flash whenever you

signal a turn or lane change. Properly

connected, the trailer lights will also flash

to alert other drivers you’re about to turn,

change lanes, or stop.

Driving on grades

Reduce the speed and shift to a lower

gear before you start down a long or

steep downgrade. If you don’t shift down,

you might have to use your brakes so

much that they would get hot and no

longer operate efficiently.

E140403AUN

On a long uphill grade, shift down and

reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70

km/h) to reduce the possibility of engine

and transaxle overheating.

Backing up

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 trail-

er bulbs are still working. You must also

check the lights every time you discon-

nect and then reconnect the wires.

Hold the bottom of the steering wheel

with one hand. Then, to move the trailer

to the left, just move your hand to the left.

To move the trailer to the right, move your

hand to the right. Always back up slowly

and, if possible, have someone guide

you.

If your trailer weighs more than the max-

imum trailer weight without trailer brakes

and you have an automatic transaxle,

you should drive in D (Drive) when tow-

ing a trailer.

Operating your vehicle in D (Drive) when

towing a trailer will minimize heat build up

and extend the life of your transaxle.

Do not connect a trailer lighting system

directly to your vehicle’s lighting system.

Use only an approved trailer wiring har-

ness.

5 39

Driving your vehicle

E140407ATD

5. Start the vehicle, hold the brakes, shift

to neutral, release the parking brake

and slowly release the brakes until the

trailer chocks absorb the load.

CAUTION

Parking on hills

• 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 over-

heat. If the needle of the coolant

temperature gauge moves across

the dial towards “H (or 130°C /

260°F)” (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 suffi-

ciently.

Generally, if you have a trailer attached to

your vehicle, you should not park your

vehicle on a hill. People can be seriously

or fatally injured, and both your vehicle

and the trailer can be damaged if unex-

pectedly roll down hill.

6. Reapply the brakes, reapply the park-

ing brake and shift the vehicle to R

(Reverse) for manual transaxle or P

(Park) for automatic transaxle.

7. Shut off the vehicle and release the

vehicle brakes but leave the parking

brake set.

WARNING - Parking on a

hill

Parking your vehicle on a hill with a

trailer attached could cause seri-

ous injury or death, should the trail-

er break loose.

WARNING - Parking brake

It can be dangerous to get out of

your vehicle if the parking brake is

not firmly set.

• You must decide the driving

speed depending on trailer

weight and uphill grade to reduce

the possibility of engine and

transaxle overheating.

However, if you ever have to park your

trailer on a hill, here's how to do it:

If you have left the engine running,

the vehicle can move suddenly.You

or others could be seriously or

fatally injured.

1. Pull the vehicle into the parking space.

Turn the steering wheel in the direction

of the curb (right if headed down hill,

left if headed up hill).

2. If the vehicle has a manual transaxle,

place the car in neutral. If the vehicle

has an automatic transaxle, place the

car in P (Park).

3. Set the parking brake and shut off the

vehicle.

4. Place chocks under the trailer wheels

on the down hill side of the wheels.

5 40

Driving your vehicle

E140500ASA

When you are ready to leave after park-

ing on a hill

1. With the manual transaxle in Neutral

or automatic transaxle in P (Park),

apply your brakes and hold the brake

pedal down while you:

CAUTION

Maintenance when trailer towing

Your vehicle will need service more often

when you regularly pull

• Due to higher load during trailer

usage, overheating might occur

in hot days or during uphill driv-

ing. 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.

a

trailer.

Important items to pay particular atten-

tion to include engine oil, automatic

transaxle fluid, axle lubricant and cooling

system fluid. Brake condition is another

important item to frequently check. Each

item is covered 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.

2. Slowly remove your foot from the

brake pedal.

• When towing, check the transaxle

fluid more frequently.

• If your vehicle is not equipped

with an air conditioner, you

should install a condenser fan to

improve engine performance

when towing a trailer.

3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of

the chocks.

Don’t forget to also maintain your trailer

and hitch. Follow the maintenance

schedule that accompanied your trailer

and check it periodically. Preferably, con-

duct the check at the start of each day’s

driving. Most importantly, all hitch nuts

and bolts should be tight.

4. Stop and have someone pick up and

store the chocks.

5 41

Driving your vehicle

E140600ASA

Engine

Gasoline Engine

If you do decide to pull a trailer

Diesel Engine

Here are some important points if you

decide to pull a trailer:

Manual

Automatic

transaxle

Item

• Consider using a sway control.You can

ask a hitch dealer about sway control.

Maximum

trailer

Without brake

System

400 (882)

0 (0)

400 (882)

• Do not do any towing with your car dur-

ing its first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) in

order to allow the engine to properly

break in. Failure to heed this caution

may result in serious engine or

transaxle damage.

weight

With brake

System

700 (1543)

28 (62)

400 (882)

700 (1543)

kg (Ibs.)

Maximum permissible

static vertical load on

the coupling device

• When towing a trailer, be sure to con-

sult an authorized KIA dealer for fur-

ther information on additional require-

ments such as a towing kit, etc.

25 (55)

28 (62)

kg (Ibs.)

• Always drive your vehicle at a moder-

ate speed (less than 100 km/h / 60

mph).

Recommended distance

from rear wheel center

to coupling point

565 (22.2)

• On a long uphill grade, do not exceed

70 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing

speed limit, whichever is lower.

mm (Inch)

• The chart contains important consider-

ations that have to do with weight:

5 42

Driving your vehicle

The trailer tongue should weigh a maxi-

mum of 10% of the total loaded trailer

weight, within the limits of the maximum

trailer tongue load permissible. After

you've loaded your trailer, weigh the trail-

er 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 moving some items around in

the trailer.

Tongue Load

Total Trailer Weight

C190E01JM

Gross Axle Weight Gross Vehicle Weight

WARNING - Trailer

C190E02JM

• 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.

E140601ASA

E140602ASA

Weight of the trailer

Weight of the trailer tongue

What is the maximum safe weight of a

trailer? It should never weigh more than

the maximum trailer weight with trailer

brakes. But even that can be too heavy.

The tongue load of any trailer is an

important weight to measure because it

affects the total gross vehicle weight

(GVW) of your vehicle. 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 tow a trailer, you must add the

tongue load to the GVW because your

vehicle will also be carrying that weight.

It depends on how you plan to use your

trailer. For example, speed, altitude, road

grades, outside temperature and how

often your vehicle is used to pull a trailer

are all important. The ideal trailer weight

can also depend on any special equip-

ment that you have on your vehicle.

• Never exceed the maximum

weight limits of the trailer or trail-

er towing equipment. Improper

loading can result in damage to

your vehicle and/or personal

injury. Check weights and loading

at a commercial scale or highway

patrol office equipped with scales.

• An improperly loaded trailer can

cause loss of vehicle control.

5 43

Driving your vehicle

VEHICLE WEIGHT

E160000AUN

E160300AUN

E160700AUN

Cargo weight

GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating)

This section will guide you the proper

loading of your vehicle and/or trailer, to

keep your loaded vehicle weight within its

design rating capability, with or without a

trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will

provide maximum return of the vehicle

design performance. Before loading your

vehicle, familiarize yourself with the fol-

lowing terms for determining your vehi-

cle's weight ratings, with or without a

trailer, from the vehicle's specifications

and the certification label:

This figure includes all weight added to

the Base Curb Weight, including cargo

and optional equipment.

This is the maximum allowable weight of

the fully loaded vehicle (including all

options, equipment, passengers and

cargo). The GVWR is shown on the cer-

tification label located on the driver’s (or

front passenger’s) door sill.

E160400AUN

GAW (Gross axle weight)

This is the total weight placed on each

axle (front and rear) - including vehicle

curb weight and all payload.

E160800AUN

Overloading

E160500AUN

WARNING - Vehicle weight

GAWR (Gross axle weight rating)

The gross axle weight rating

(GAWR) and the gross vehicle

weight rating (GVWR) for your vehi-

cle are on the certification label

attached to the driver's (or front

passenger’s) door. Exceeding

these ratings can cause an acci-

dent or vehicle damage. You can

calculate the weight of your load by

weighing the items (and people)

before putting them in the vehicle.

Be careful not to overload your

vehicle.

E160100AUN

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.

Base curb weight

This is the weight of the vehicle including

a full tank of fuel and all standard equip-

ment. It does not include passengers,

cargo, or optional equipment.

The total load on each axle must never

exceed its GAWR.

E160200AUN

E160600AUN

Vehicle curb weight

GVW (Gross vehicle weight)

This is the Base Curb Weight plus actual

Cargo Weight plus passengers.

This is the weight of your new vehicle

when you picked it up from your dealer

plus any aftermarket equipment.

5 44

Driving your vehicle for Your Kia Picanto 4 Door First Generation (2004-2010)

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