Get Driving your vehicle Guide for Kia Picanto 4 Door Second Generation (2011-2017)

Before driving / 5-3

Key positions / 5-4

ENGINE START/STOP button / 5-6

Starting the engine / 5-9

ISG (Idle Stop and Go) system / 5-12

Manual transaxle / 5-17

Automatic transaxle / 5-20

Brake system / 5-26

Economical operation / 5-38

Special driving conditions / 5-40

Winter driving / 5-44

Driving your vehicle

5

Trailer Towing / 5-48

Vehicle weight / 5-56

Driving your vehicle

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 vehicle, we rec-

ommend that the system be checked 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

Before entering vehicle

Before starting

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.

• Close and lock all doors.

• Position the seat so that all controls are

easily reached.

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.

• Check under the vehicle for any sign of

leaks.

• Adjust the inside and outside rearview

mirrors.

• Be sure there are no obstacles behind

you if you intend to back up.

• Be sure that all lights work.

• Check all gauges.

• Check the operation of warning lights

when the ignition switch is turned to

the ON position.

Necessary inspections

Fluid levels, such as engine oil, engine

coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid

should be checked on a regular basis,

with the exact interval depending on the

fluid. Further details are provided in sec-

tion 7, “Maintenance”.

• Release the parking brake and make

sure the brake warning light goes out.

You are much more likely to have a

serious accident if you drink or

take drugs and drive.

For safe operation, be sure you are famil-

iar with your vehicle and its equipment.

If you are drinking or taking drugs,

do not drive. Do not ride with a driv-

er who has been drinking or taking

drugs. Choose a designated driver

or call a cab.

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.

Driving while distracted can result in

a loss of vehicle control, that may

lead to an accident, severe personal

injury, and death. The driver’s pri-

mary responsibility is in the safe and

legal operation of a vehicle, and use

of any handheld devices, other

equipment, or vehicle systems which

take the driver’s eyes, attention and

focus away from the safe operation

of a vehicle or which are not permis-

sible by law should never be used

during operation of the vehicle.

WARNING

Always check the surrounding

areas near your vehicle for people,

especially children, before putting a

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

5 3

Driving your vehicle

KEY POSITIONS

ACC (Accessory)

The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-

trical accessories are operative.

WARNING

• When you intend to park or stop

the vehicle with the engine on, be

careful not to depress the accel-

erator pedal for a long period of

time. It may overheat the engine

or exhaust system and cause fire.

✽

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.

• When you make a sudden stop or

turn the steering wheel rapidly,

loose objects may drop on the

floor and it could interfere with

the operation of the foot pedals,

possibly causing an accident.

Keep all things in the vehicle

safely stored.

ON

The warning lights can be checked

before the engine is started. This is the

normal running position after the engine

is started.

OSA057001

Ignition switch position

LOCK

Do not leave the ignition switch ON if the

engine is not running to prevent battery

discharge.

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.

• If you do not focus on driving, it

may cause an accident. Be care-

ful when operating what may dis-

turb driving such as audio or

heater. It is the responsibility of

the driver to always drive safely.

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 light can be checked in this posi-

tion.

5 4

Driving your vehicle

(Continued)

WARNING - Ignition switch

• 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

accident.

• 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.

• 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 1^stgear for the

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.

• Never reach for the ignition

switch, or any other controls

through the steering wheel while

the vehicle is in motion.The pres-

ence of your hand or arm in this

area could cause a loss of vehicle

control, an accident and serious

bodily injury or death.

(Continued)

5 5

Driving your vehicle

ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON (IF EQUIPPED)

If the steering wheel is not locked proper-

ly when you open the driver's door, the

warning chime will sound. Try locking the

steering wheel again. If the problem is not

solved, we recommend that the system

be checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

ENGINE START/STOP button

position

OFF

In addition, if the ENGINE START/STOP

button is in the OFF position after the dri-

ver's door is opened, the steering wheel

will not lock and the warning chime will

sound. In such a situation, close the door.

Then the steering wheel will lock and the

warning chime will stop.

Not illuminated

• With manual transaxle

To turn off the engine (START/RUN posi-

tion) or vehicle power (ON position), stop

the vehicle then press the ENGINE

START/STOP button.

OTA050002

Illuminated ENGINE START/STOP

button

✽

NOTICE

If the steering wheel doesn't unlock

properly, the ENGINE START/STOP

button will not work. Press the ENGINE

START/STOP button while turning the

steering wheel right and left to release

the tension.

• If difficulty is experienced turning the

engine start/stop button to the ACC

position, turn the steering wheel right

and left to release the tension while

pressing the engine start/stop button.

• When you turn off the engine, the

vehicle should be stopped.

Whenever the front door is opened, the

ENGINE START/STOP button will illumi-

nate for your convenience. The light will

go off after about 30 seconds when the

door is closed.

• With automatic transaxle

To turn off the engine (START/RUN posi-

tion) or vehicle power (ON position),

press the ENGINE START/STOP button

with the shift lever in the P (Park) posi-

tion. When you press the ENGINE

START/STOP button without the shift

lever in the P (Park) position, the

ENGINE START/STOP button will not

change to the OFF position but to the

ACC position.

Also, the steering wheel locks when the

ENGINE START/STOP button is in the

OFF position to protect you against theft.

It locks when the door is opened.

5 6

Driving your vehicle

ACC(Accessory)

ON

CAUTION

You are able to turn off the engine

(START/RUN) or vehicle power

(ON), only when the vehicle is not in

motion. In an emergency situation

while the vehicle is in motion, you

are able to turn the engine off and

to the ACC position by pressing the

engine start/stop button for more

than 2 seconds or 3 times succes-

sively within 3 seconds. If the vehi-

cle is still moving, you can restart

the engine without depressing the

brake pedal by pressing the engine

start/stop button with the shift lever

in the N (Neutral) position.

Orange indicator

Green indicator

• With manual transaxle

Press the ENGINE START/STOP button

when the button is in the OFF position

without depressing the clutch pedal.

Press the ENGINE START/STOP button

when the button is in the ACC position

without depressing the clutch pedal.

• With automatic transaxle

Press the ENGINE START/STOP button

while it is in the OFF position without

depressing the brake pedal.

The steering wheel unlocks and electri-

cal accessories are operational.

If the ENGINE START/STOP button is in

the ACC position for more than 1 hour,

the button is turned off automatically to

prevent battery discharge.

Press the ENGINE START/STOP button

while it is in the ACC position without

depressing the brake pedal.

The warning lights can be checked

before the engine is started. Do not leave

the ENGINE START/STOP button in the

ON position for a long time. The battery

may discharge, because the engine is

not running.

5 7

Driving your vehicle

START/RUN

✽

NOTICE

(Continued)

If you leave the ENGINE START/ STOP

button in the ACC or ON position for a

long time, the battery will discharge.

• Never reach for the ENGINE

START/STOP button or any other

controls through the steering

wheel while the vehicle is in

motion. The presence of your

hand or arm in the area could

cause loss of vehicle control, an

accident and serious bodily

injury or death.

Not illuminated

WARNING

press

• With manual transaxle

• Never

the

ENGINE

To start the engine, depress the clutch

pedal and brake pedal, then press the

ENGINE START/STOP button with the

shift lever in the N (Neutral) position.

START/STOP button while the

vehicle is in motion. This would

result in loss of directional con-

trol and braking function, which

could cause an accident.

• 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

accident.

• With automatic transaxle

• 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 P

(Park), set the parking brake fully

and shut the engine off.

Unexpected and sudden vehicle

movement may occur if these

precautions are not taken.

To start the engine, depress the brake

pedal and press the ENGINE

START/STOP button with the shift lever

in the P (Park) or the N (Neutral) position.

For your safety, start the engine with the

shift lever in the P (Park) position.

✽

NOTICE

If you press the ENGINE START/STOP

button without depressing the clutch

pedal for manual transaxle vehicles or

without depressing the brake pedal for

automatic transaxle vehicles, the engine

will not start and the engine start/stop

button changes as follow:

(Continued)

OFF ➔ACC ➔ ON ➔ OFF or ACC

5 8

Driving your vehicle

STARTING THE ENGINE

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, accelera-

tor pedal, and clutch (if equipped).

Starting the engine with an igni-

tion key (if equipped)

CAUTION

If the engine stalls while the vehicle

is in motion, do not attempt to move

the shift lever to the P (Park) posi-

tion. 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.

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.

• Do not start the vehicle with the

accelerator pedal depressed. The

vehicle can move and lead to an

accident.

Automatic Transaxle - Place the

transaxle shift lever in P (Park).

Depress the brake pedal fully.

• Wait until the engine rpm is normal.

The vehicle may suddenly move if

the brake padel is released when

the rpm is high.

CAUTION

You can also start the engine when

the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)

position.

• 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-engag-

ing 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.

• Do not turn the ignition switch to

the START position with the

engine running. It may damage

the starter.

It should be started without depressing

the accelerator.

4. Do not wait for the engine to warm up

while the vehicle remains stationary.

Start driving at moderate engine

speeds. (Steep accelerating and

decelerating should be avoided.)

5 9

Driving your vehicle

1. Carry the smart key or leave it inside

the vehicle.

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 press the

ENGINE START/STOP button in an

attempt to restart the engine.

2. Make sure the parking brake is firmly

applied.

3. Manual Transaxle - Depress the

clutch pedal fully and shift the

transaxle into Neutral. Keep the clutch

pedal and brake pedal depressed

while starting the engine.

Automatic Transaxle - Place the

transaxle shift lever in P (Park).

Depress the brake pedal fully.

OTA050003

You can also start the engine when

the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)

position.

• Even if the smart key is in the vehicle,

if it is far away from you, the engine

may not start.

Starting the engine with a smart

key (if equipped)

4. Press the ENGINE START/STOP but-

ton.

• When the ENGINE START/STOP but-

ton is in the ACC position or above, if

any door is opened, the system checks

for the smart key. If the smart key is not

WARNING

It should be started without depressing

the accelerator.

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.

5. Do not wait for the engine to warm up

while the vehicle remains stationary.

in the vehicle, the “

”or “KEY OUT”

indicator will blink. And if all doors are

closed, the chime will sound for 5 sec-

onds. The warning will turn off while

the vehicle is moving. Always have the

smart key with you.

Start driving at moderate engine

speeds. (Steep accelerating and

decelerating should be avoided.)

5 10

Driving your vehicle

■ Type A

(Continued)

• When the stop lamp fuse is blown, you

can't start the engine normally.

Replace the fuse with a new one. If it

is not possible, you can start the

engine by pressing the ENGINE

START/STOP button for 10 seconds

while it is in the ACC position. The

engine can start without depressing

the brake pedal. But for your safety

always depress the brake pedal before

starting the engine.

WARNING

The engine will start by pressing the

ENGINE START/STOP button, only

when the smart key is in the vehicle.

Never allow children or any person

who is unfamiliar with the vehicle to

touch the ENGINE START/STOP but-

ton or related parts.

OTA053004

■ Type B

CAUTION

Do not press the ENGINE START/

STOP button for more than 10 sec-

onds except when the stop lamp

fuse is blown.

OTA052004

✽

NOTICE

• If the battery is weak or the smart key

does not work correctly, you can start

the engine by pressing the engine

start/stop button with the smart key.

(Continued)

5 11

Driving your vehicle

ISG (IDLE STOP AND GO) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)

■ Type A

Your vehicle may be equipped with the

ISG system, which reduces fuel con-

sumption by automatically shutting down

the engine, when the vehicle is at a

standstill. (For example : red light, stop

sign and traffic jam)

The engine starts automatically as soon

as the starting conditions are met.

The ISG system is ON whenever the

OTA052017L

engine is running.

■ Type B

✽

NOTICE

OTA052025L

When the engine automatically starts by

the ISG system, some warning lights

(ABS, ESC, ESC OFF, EPS or Parking

brake warning light) may turn on for a

few seconds.

This happens because of low battery

voltage. It does not mean the system has

malfunctioned.

Also, a message "Auto Stop" will appear

on the LCD display.

✽

NOTICE

You must reach a speed of at least 10

km/h (6 mph) since last idle stop.

OTA052017L-1

Auto stop

To stop the engine in idle stop mode

1. Decrease the vehicle speed to less

than 5 km/h (3 mph).

2. Shift into N (Neutral) position.

3. Release the clutch pedal.

The engine will stop and the green AUTO

STOP( ) indicator on the instrument

cluster will illuminate.

5 12

Driving your vehicle

The engine will also restart automati-

cally without the driver’s any actions

if the following occurs:

- The fan speed of manual climate con-

trol system is set above the 3rd position

when the air conditioning is on.

- The fan speed of automatic climate

control system is set above the 6th

position when the air conditioning is on.

- When a certain amount of time has

passed with the climate control system

on.

OTA050018L

OTA052021L

- When the defroster is on.

- The brake vaccum pressure is low.

- The battery charging status is low.

(Continued)

✽

NOTICE

• A message "Auto Start Deactivated

Start Manually" will appear on the

LCD display.

Turn the ignition switch to the START

position to start the engine manually.

If you unfasten the seatbelt or open the

driver's door (or engine hood) in auto

stop mode, the following will happen:

• The ISG system will deactivate (the

light on the ISG OFF button will illu-

minate).

- The vehicle speed exceeds 5 km/h (3

mph).

(Continued)

5 13

Driving your vehicle

Condition of ISG system opera-

tion

The ISG system will operate under

the following condition:

- The driver’s seat belt is fastened.

- The driver’s door and engine hood are

closed.

- The brake vaccum pressure is ade-

quate.

- The battery is sufficiently charged.

OTA050018L

- The outside temperature is between

-2°C to 35°C (28.4°F to 95°F).

OTA052023L

- The engine coolant temperature is not

too low.

The green AUTO STOP (

) indicator

on the instrument cluster will blink for 5

seconds and a message “Auto Start” will

appear on the LCD display. (if equipped)

OTA052026L

✽

NOTICE

• If the ISG system does not meet the

operation condition, the ISG system is

deactivated. The light on the ISG OFF

button will illuminate and a message

“Auto Stop Deactivated” will appear

on the LCD display.

• If the light or notice comes on contin-

uously, please check the operation

condition.

5 14

Driving your vehicle

✽

NOTICE

• If the ISG OFF button light is not

turned off by pressing the ISG OFF

button again or if the ISG system con-

tinuously does not work correctly, we

recommend that you contact an

authorized Kia dealer as soon as pos-

sible.

• When the ISG OFF button light comes

on, it may stop illuminating after driv-

ing your vehicle at approximately 80

km/h for a maximum of two hours and

setting the fan speed control knob

below the 2nd position. If the ISG OFF

button light continues to be illuminat-

ed in spite of the procedure, we recom-

mend that you contact an authorized

Kia dealer as soon as possible.

OTA050018L

OTA052027L

ISG system malfunction

The system may not operate when:

The ISG related sensors or system error

occurs.

The following will happen:

• The yellow AUTO STOP (

) indica-

tor on the instrument cluster will stay

on after blinking for 5 seconds.

OTA052028L

ISG system deactivation

• If you wish to deactivate the ISG sys-

tem, press the ISG OFF button. The

light on the ISG OFF button will illumi-

nate and a message “Auto Stop Off” will

appear on the LCD display.

• If you press the ISG OFF button again,

the system will be activated and the

light on the ISG OFF button will turn off.

5 15

Driving your vehicle

WARNING

When the engine is in Idle Stop

mode, it's possible to restart the

engine without the driver taking

any action.

Before leaving the car or doing any-

thing in the engine room area, stop

the engine by turning the ignition

switch to the LOCK(OFF) position

or removing the ignition key.

5 16

Driving your vehicle

MANUAL TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)

Make sure the vehicle is completely

stopped before shifting into R (Reverse).

• During cold weather, shifting may be

difficult until the transaxle lubricant is

warmed up. This is normal and not

harmful to the transaxle.

Never operate the engine with the

tachometer (rpm) in the red zone.

• If you've come to a complete stop and

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

leave the shift lever at N(Neutral) posi-

tion and release the clutch. Press the

clutch pedal back down, and then shift

into 1st or R(Reverse) gear position.

CAUTION

• When downshifting from fifth gear

to fourth gear, caution should be

taken not to inadvertently press

the shift lever sideways in such a

manner that the second gear is

engaged. Such a drastic down-

shift may cause the engine speed

to increase to the point that the

tachometer will enter the red-

zone. Such over-revving of the

engine and transaxle may possi-

bly cause engine damage.

CAUTION

OTA050010

• 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.

Manual transaxle operation

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.

• 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, clutch and the transaxle.

• To prevent possible damage to the

clutch system, do not start with

the 2nd (second) gear engaged

except when you start on a slip-

pery road.

Depress the clutch pedal down fully while

shifting, then release it slowly.

If your vehicle is equipped with an igni-

tion lock switch, the engine will not start

when starting the engine without

depressing the clutch pedal. (if equipped)

• Do not use the shift lever as a

handrest during driving, as this

can result in premature wear of

the transaxle shift forks.

The shift lever must be returned to the

neutral position before shifting into R

(Reverse).

5 17

Driving your vehicle

Using the clutch

Downshifting

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 vehicle on an incline. This causes

unnecessary wear. Use the foot brake or

parking brake to hold the vehicle on an

incline. Do not operate the clutch pedal

rapidly and repeatedly.

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 again need to increase your

speed. When the vehicle is traveling

down steep hills, downshifting helps

maintain safe speed and prolongs brake

life.

• 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.

• Do not use the engine brake

(shifting from a high gear to

lower gear) rapidly on slippery

roads. The vehicle may slip caus-

ing an accident.

CAUTION

When operating the clutch pedal,

press the clutch pedal down fully. If

you don’t press the clutch pedal

fully, the clutch may be damaged or

noise may occur.

• 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.

5 18

Driving your vehicle

Good driving practices

WARNING

• Never take the vehicle out of gear and

coast down a hill. This is extremely

hazardous. Always leave the vehicle in

gear.

• 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.

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

them to overheat and malfunction.

Instead, when you are driving down a

long hill, shift to a lower gear. When

you do this, engine braking will help

slow down the vehicle.

• Avoid high speeds when corner-

ing or turning.

• Do not make quick steering

wheel movements, such as sharp

lane changes or fast, sharp turns.

• Slow down before shifting to a lower

gear. This will help avoid over-revving

the engine, which can cause damage.

• The risk of rollover is greatly

increased if you lose control of

your vehicle at highway speeds.

• Slow down when you encounter cross

winds. This gives you much better con-

trol of your vehicle.

• Loss of control often occurs if

two or more wheels drop off the

roadway and the driver over-

steers to reenter the roadway.

• Be sure the vehicle is completely

stopped before you attempt to shift into

reverse. The transaxle can be dam-

aged if you do not.To shift into reverse,

depress the clutch, move the shift lever

to neutral, wait three seconds, then

shift to the reverse position.

• 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.

• 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.

5 19

Driving your vehicle

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)

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.

✽

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 when shifting.

The shift lever can be shifted freely.

OTA050011

5 20

Driving your vehicle

For smooth operation, depress the brake

pedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to a

forward or reverse gear.

Transaxle ranges

CAUTION

The indicator in the instrument cluster

displays the shift lever position when the

ignition switch is in the ON position.

• 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).

P (Park)

Always come to a complete stop before

shifting into P (Park). This position locks

the transaxle and prevents the drive

wheels from rotating.

• When stopped on an incline, do

not hold the vehicle stationary

with engine power. Use the serv-

ice brake or the parking brake.

• Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P

(Park) into

(Reverse) when the engine is

above idle speed.

WARNING

• 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 identified.

D

(Drive), or

R

• 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 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.

• Do not use the engine brake

(shifting from a high gear to

lower gear) rapidly on slippery

roads. The vehicle may slip caus-

ing an accident.

• 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 21

Driving your vehicle

R (Reverse)

Use this position to drive the vehicle

backward.

N (Neutral)

3 (Third gear)

Use for towing a trailer during hill climb-

ing or to use engine braking downhill.

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.

"3" automatically shifts between 1st, 2nd

and 3rd gears. This means that no shift-

up to 4th gear is performed. However, the

shift-up to 4th gear is done when the car

speed exceeds a certain value to prevent

the engine from over-revving. Manually

move the selector to "D" when returning

to normal driving condition.

CAUTION

Always come to a complete stop

before shifting into or out of R

(Reverse); you may damage the

WARNING

Do not drive with the shift lever in N

(Neutral). The engine brake will not

work and lead to an accident.

transaxle if you shift into

R

(Reverse) while the vehicle is in

motion, except as explained in

“Rocking the vehicle”in this section.

2 (Second gear)

D (Drive)

Use for driving on a slippery road, hill

climbing or engine braking downhill. "2"

automatically shifts between first and

second gears.

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.

This means that no shift-up to 3rd gear is

performed. However, the shift-up to third

gear is done when the car speed

exceeds a certain value to prevent the

engine from over-revving. Manually move

the selector to "D" returning to normal

driving condition.

For extra power when passing another

vehicle or climbing grades, depress the

accelerator fully, at which time the

transaxle will automatically downshift to

the lower gear.

✽

NOTICE

Always come to a complete stop before

shifting into D (Drive).

5 22

Driving your vehicle

1 (First gear)

Shift lock system (if equipped)

CAUTION

Use for driving up a very steep grade or

for engine braking when descending

steep hills. When downshifting to "1", the

transaxle will temporarily remain in sec-

ond gear until the vehicle has slowed

enough for low gear to engage. Do not

exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) in low gear.

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.

• Shift into "R" and "P" position

only when the vehicle has com-

pletely stopped.

• Do not accelerate the engine in

reverse or any of the forward

positions with the brakes applied.

To shift the transaxle from P (Park) into R

(Reverse):

"1" shifts to 1st gear only. However, shift

up to 2nd is performed when the car

exceeds a certain speed and, as speed

increases, the transaxle will shift up to 3rd

gear to prevent over-revving the engine.

• Always apply the footbrake when

shifting from "P" or "N", to "R",

"D","3", "2" or "1" position.

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.

• Check the automatic transaxle

fluid level regularly, and add fluid

as necessary.

✽

NOTICE

See the maintenance schedule for

the proper fluid recommendation.

• For smooth and safe operation,

depress the brake pedal when shifting

from "N" (Neutral) position or "P"

(Park) position to a forward or "R"

(Reverse) gear.

• Fully depress the brake pedal in order

to move the shift lever from the "P"

(Park) position to any of the other

positions.

WARNING

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.

• It is always possible to shift from "R",

"N", "D", "3", "2", "1" position to

"P" position. The vehicle must be fully

stopped to avoid transaxle damage.

5 23

Driving your vehicle

• 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

• Never move the shift lever from P

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

tion with the accelerator pedal

depressed.

• 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.

• 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 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) or D (Drive).

• 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 rollover is greatly

increased if you lose control of

your vehicle at highway speeds.

• 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.

• Loss of control often occurs if

two or more wheels drop off the

roadway and the driver over-

steers to reenter the roadway.

• 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 24

Driving your vehicle

Moving up a steep grade from a stand-

ing start

WARNING

To move up a steep grade from a stand-

ing start, depress the brake pedal, 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.

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 or backward as it

becomes unstuck, causing injury

or damage to nearby people or

objects.

5 25

Driving your vehicle

BRAKE SYSTEM

Power brakes

In the event of brake failure

(Continued)

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.

• 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.

In the event that 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 nor-

mally would. The stopping distance, how-

ever, will be longer.

WARNING - Parking brake

Applying the parking brake while

the vehicle is moving at normal

speeds 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.

• Wet brakes may impair the vehi-

cle’s ability to safely 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.

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.

Pump the brake pedal only when neces-

sary to maintain steering control on slip-

pery surfaces.

WARNING - Brakes

• 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.

• Always, confirm the position of

the brake and accelerator pedal

before driving. If you don't check

the position of the accelerator

and brake pedal before driving,

you may depress the accelerator

instead of the brake pedal. It may

cause a serious accident.

(Continued)

5 26

Driving your vehicle

Disc brakes wear indicator

Your vehicle has disc brakes.

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.

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.

OTA050012

Parking brake

Applying the parking brake

CAUTION

To engage the parking brake, first apply

the foot brake and then pull up the park-

ing brake lever as far as possible.

• To avoid costly brake repairs, do

not continue to drive with worn

brake pads.

• Always replace the front or rear

brake pads as pairs.

In addition it is recommended that when

parking the vehicle on a incline, the shift

lever should be in a low gear on manual

transaxle vehicles or in the P (Park) posi-

tion on automatic transaxle vehicles.

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.

5 27

Driving your vehicle

CAUTION

WARNING

• Driving with the parking brake

applied will cause excessive brake

pad and brake rotor wear.

• To prevent unintentional move-

ment when stopped and leaving

the vehicle, do not use the

gearshift lever in place of the

parking brake. Set the parking

brake AND make sure the

gearshift lever is securely posi-

tioned in P (Park) for automatic

transaxle equipped vehicles.

• Do not operate the parking brake

while the vehicle is moving except

in an emergency situation. It could

damage the vehicle system and

make endanger driving safety.

• 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.

OTA050013

Releasing the parking brake

To release the parking brake, first apply

the foot brake and pull up the parking

brake lever slightly. Secondly depress the

• All vehicles should always have

the parking brake fully engaged

when parking to avoid inadver-

tent movement of the vehicle

which can injure occupants or

pedestrians.

release button (1) and lower the parking

brake lever (2) while holding the button.

If the parking brake does not release or

does not release all the way, we recom-

mend that the system be checked by an

authorized Kia dealer.

5 28

Driving your vehicle

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

(if equipped)

(Continued)

• On roads where the road surface

is pitted or has different surface

height.

WARNING

The safety features of an ABS (or

ESC) equipped vehicle should not

be tested by high speed driving or

cornering. This could endanger the

safety of yourself or others.

ABS (or ESC) 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

during extreme road conditions.

W-75

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.

The braking distance for cars

equipped with an anti-lock braking

system (or Electronic Stability

Control system) may be longer than

for those without it in the following

road conditions.

Before driving, be sure the parking brake

is fully released and the brake warning

light is off.

During these conditions the vehicle

should be driven at reduced

speeds:

If the brake warning light remains on

after the parking brake is released while

engine is running, there may be a mal-

function in the brake system. Immediate

attention is necessary.

• Rough, gravel or snow-covered

roads.

• With tire chains installed.

(Continued)

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 29

Driving your vehicle

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.

✽

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 anti-lock brake system

is functioning properly.

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.

• 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.

In order to obtain the maximum benefit

from your ABS in an emergency situation,

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 situation

warrants and allow the ABS to control the

force being delivered to the brakes.

W-78

• 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.

• 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.We recom-

mend that you contact an author-

ized Kia dealer.

5 30

Driving your vehicle

✽

NOTICE

CAUTION

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 the low

battery voltage. It does not mean your

ABS is malfunctioning.

• Do not pump your brakes!

• Have the battery recharged before

driving the vehicle.

• When you drive on a road having

poor traction, such as an icy road,

and operate your brakes continu-

ously, the ABS will be active con-

tinuously and the ABS warning

light may illuminate. Pull your car

over to a safe place and stop the

engine.

• Restart the engine. If the ABS

warning light is off, then your ABS

system is normal. Otherwise, you

may have a problem with the ABS.

We recommend that you contact

an authorized Kia dealer.

OTA050014

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

(if equipped)

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

system is designed to stabilize the vehicle

during cornering maneuvers. ESC checks

where you are steering and where the

vehicle is actually going.

ESC applies the brakes at individual

wheels and intervenes in the engine

management system to stabilize the

vehicle.

5 31

Driving your vehicle

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

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 ESC will be effective in

preventing a loss of control. It is still your

responsibility to drive and corner at

reasonable speeds and to leave a

sufficient margin of safety.

✽

NOTICE

WARNING

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

Control System is functioning properly.

Never drive too fast for the road

conditions or too quickly when cor-

nering. Electronic Stability Control

(ESC) will not prevent accidents.

Excessive speed in turns, abrupt

maneuvers and hydroplaning on

wet surfaces can still result in seri-

ous accidents. Only a safe and

attentive driver can prevent acci-

dents by avoiding maneuvers that

cause the vehicle to lose traction.

Even with ESC installed, always fol-

low all the normal precautions for

driving - including driving at safe

speeds for the conditions.

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 ESC is active.

5 32

Driving your vehicle

When operating

When the ESC is in operation,

the ESC indicator light blinks.

ESC operation

ESC ON condition

ESC operation off

ESC OFF state

• To cancel ESC operation,

• When the ignition is turned

ON, ESC and ESC OFF indi-

cator lights illuminate for

• When the Electronic Stability

Control is operating properly,

you can feel a slight pulsation

in the vehicle. This is only the

effect of brake control and

indicates nothing unusual.

press the ESC OFF button

(ESC OFF indicator light illu-

minates).

-

approximately

then ESC is turned on.

3

seconds,

• If the ignition switch is turned

to LOCK position when ESC

is off, ESC remains off. Upon

restarting the engine, the

ESC will automatically turn

on again.

• Press the ESC OFF button

after turning the ignition ON

to turn ESC off. (ESC OFF

indicator will illuminate). To

turn the ESC on, press the

ESC OFF button (ESC OFF

indicator light will go off).

• When moving out of the mud

or driving on a slippery road,

the engine rpm (revolution per

minute) may not be increased

even if you press the acceler-

ator pedal deeply. This is to

maintain the stability and trac-

tion of the vehicle and does

not indicate a problem.

• When starting the engine,

you may hear a slight ticking

sound. This is the ESC per-

forming an automatic system

self-check and does not indi-

cate a problem.

5 33

Driving your vehicle

ESC OFF usage

When driving

■ ESC indicator light

CAUTION

Driving with varying tire or wheel

sizes may cause the ESC system to

malfunction. When replacing tires,

make sure they are the same size as

your original tires.

• ESC should be turned on for daily driv-

ing whenever possible.

• To turn ESC off while driving, press the

ESC OFF button while driving on a flat

road surface.

■ ESC OFF indicator light

Never press the ESC OFF button while

ESC is operating (ESC indicator light

blinks).

WARNING

The Electronic Stability Control sys-

tem is only a driving aid; use pre-

cautions for safe driving by slowing

down on curved, snowy, or icy

roads. Drive slowly and don’t

attempt to accelerate whenever the

ESC indicator light is blinking, or

when the road surface is slippery.

If ESC is turned off while ESC is operat-

ing, the vehicle may slip out of control.

Indicator light

When ignition switch is turned to ON, the

indicator light illuminates, then goes off if

the ESC system is operating normally.

✽

NOTICE

• When operating the vehicle on a

dynamometer, ensure that the ESC is

turned off (ESC OFF light illuminated).

• Turning the ESC off does not affect

ABS or brake system operation.

The ESC indicator light blinks whenever

ESC is operating or illuminates when

ESC fails to operate.

ESC OFF indicator light comes on when

the ESC is turned off with the button.

WARNING

Never press the ESC OFF button

while ESC is operating.

If the ESC is turned off while ESC is

operating, the vehicle may go out of

control.

To turn ESC off while driving, press

the ESC OFF button while driving

on a flat road surface.

5 34

Driving your vehicle

Hill-start assist control (HAC)

(if equipped)

Vehicle stability management

(VSM) (if equipped)

✽

NOTICE

• The HAC does not operate when the

transaxle shift lever is in the P (Park)

or N (Neutral) position.

• The HAC activates even though the

ESC is off but it does not activate

when the ESC has malfunctioned.

Hill start Assist Control is a comfort func-

tion. The main intend is to prevent the

vehicle from rolling backwards while driv-

ing off uphill on an inclined surface. HAC

holds the braking pressure builtup by

driver during stopping procedure for 2

seconds after releasing brake pedal.

This system provides further enhance-

ments to vehicle stability and steering

responses when a vehicle is driving on a

slippery road or a vehicle detected

changes in coefficient of friction between

right wheels and left wheels when brak-

ing.

During the pressure-hold period, the

driver has enough time to press the

accelerator pedal to drive off.

VSM operation

When the VSM is in operation, ESC indi-

The braking pressure is reduced as soon

as the system detects the driver’s inten-

tion to drive off.

cator light (

) blinks.

When the vehicle stability management

is operating properly, you can feel a slight

pulsation in the vehicle. This is only the

effect of brake control and indicates noth-

ing unusual.

WARNING

The HAC is usually activated only

for 2 seconds. The driver should be

careful from the rolling backward

causing the accident with behind

objects or human, when the driver

may feel the unintended rolling

backward while driving off on hill

due to insufficient brake hold pres-

sure built-up by driver during stop-

ping procedure.

The VSM does not operate when:

• Driving on bank road such as gradient

or incline

• Driving rearward

• ESC OFF indicator light (

on the instrument cluster

) remains

• EPS indicator light remains on the

instrument cluster

5 35

Driving your vehicle

VSM operation off

If you press the ESC OFF button to turn off

the ESC, the VSM will also cancel and the

ESS : Emergency Stop Signal

WARNING

The Emergency Stop Signal system

alerts the driver behind by blinking the

stop light when the vehicle suddenly

stops or when the ABS activates in a

stop. (The system activates when the

vehicle speed is over 55km/h and the

vehicle deceleration is over 7m/s² or the

ABS activates when the vehicle emer-

gency braking.)

• The Vehicle Stability Management

system is not a substitute for

safe driving practices but a sup-

plementary function only. It is the

responsibility of the driver to

always check the speed and the

distance to the vehicle ahead.

Always hold the steering wheel

firmly while driving.

ESC OFF indicator light (

) illuminates.

To turn on the VSM, press the button

again. The ESC OFF indicator light goes

out.

Malfunction indicator

The VSM can be deactivated even if you

don’t cancel the VSM operation by press-

ing the ESC OFF button. It indicates that

a malfunction has been detected some-

where in the Electric Power Steering sys-

tem or VSM system. If the ESC indicator

When the vehicle speed is under 40 km/h

and the ABS deactivates or the sudden

stop situation is over, the stop light blink-

ing will stop.

• Your vehicle is designed to acti-

vate according to the driver’s

intention, even with installed

VSM. Always follow all the normal

precautions for driving at safe

speeds for the conditions

including driving inclement

weather and on a slippery road.

light (

) or EPS warning light remains

CAUTION

–

on, we recommend that you contact an

authorized Kia dealer.

The Emergency Stop Signal system

will not work if the hazard warning

flasher is already on.

• Driving with varying tire or wheel

sizes may cause the VSM system

to malfunction. When replacing

tires, make sure they are the

same size as your original tires.

✽

NOTICE

• The VSM is designed to function

above approximately 15 km/h (9 mph)

on curves.

• The VSM is designed to function

above approximately 30 km/h (18

mph) when a vehicle is braking on a

split-mu road. The split-mu road is

made of surfaces which have different

friction forces.

5 36

Driving your vehicle

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 assistance.

• Be cautious when parking on a hill.

Firmly engage the parking brake and

place the shift lever in P (Park). 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.

Good braking practices

WARNING

• Whenever leaving vehicle or

parking, always set the parking

brake as far as possible and fully

engage the vehicle's transaxle

into the park position. Vehicles

not fully engaged in park with the

parking brake set are at risk for

moving inadvertently and injur-

ing yourself or others.

• 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.

• 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 shift lever

in P (Park) and block the rear wheels so

the car cannot roll. Then release the

parking brake.

• All vehicles should always have

the parking brake fully engaged

when parking to avoid inadvertent

movement of the car which can

injure occupants or pedestrians.

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

your foot on the brake pedal while driv-

ing can be dangerous because it can

result in the brakes overheating and los-

ing their effectiveness. It also increases

the wear of the brake components.

• 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 slow-

ly enough for it to be safe to do so, pull

off the road and stop in a safe place.

• After parking the vehicle, check to be

sure the parking brake is not engaged

and that the parking brake indicator

light is out before driving away.

• 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.

• 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 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.

5 37

Driving your vehicle

ECONOMICAL OPERATION

Your vehicle's fuel economy depends

mainly on your style of driving, where you

drive and when you drive.

• 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).

Each of these factors affects how many

kilometers (miles) you can get from a

liter (gallon) of fuel. To operate your vehi-

cle as economically as possible, use the

following driving suggestions to help

save money in both fuel and repairs:

• 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.

• 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 serv-

ice, 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 consumption

and also contribute to corrosion.

• 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.

Always maintain a safe distance from

other vehicles so you can avoid unnec-

essary braking. This also reduces

brake wear.

• 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 vehicle

uses. Driving at a moderate speed,

especially on the highway, is one of the

most effective ways to reduce fuel con-

sumption.

5 38

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

during 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 prop-

erly without the engine running.

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 seri-

ous injury or death.

• Open windows at high speeds 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 too high

a gear resulting in the engine bucking. If

this happens, shift to a lower gear. Over-

revving is racing the engine beyond its

safe limit. This can be avoided by shift-

ing at the recommended speeds.

Keeping a vehicle in good operating con-

dition is important both for economy and

safety.Therefore, we recommend that the

system be serviced by an authorized Kia

dealer.

5 39

Driving your vehicle

SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS

Rocking the vehicle

WARNING - ABS

Do not pump the brake pedal on a

vehicle equipped with ABS.

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 dam-

age to the transaxle.

• 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.

OSA057013

Hazardous driving conditions

When hazardous driving conditions are

encountered such as water, snow, ice,

mud, sand, or similar hazards, follow

these suggestions:

WARNING - Downshifting

CAUTION

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.

Prolonged rocking may cause

engine over-heating, transaxle dam-

age or failure, and tire damage.

• Drive cautiously and allow extra dis-

tance for braking.

• Avoid sudden movements in braking or

steering.

• When braking with non-ABS brakes

pump the brake pedal with a light up-

and-down motion until the vehicle is

stopped.

5 40

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 ESC system (if equipped) should be

turned OFF prior to rocking the vehicle.

OUN056051

OMC035004

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 41

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 blinded, and it will take

several seconds for your eyes to read-

just 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

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:

• 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.

5 42

Driving your vehicle

Driving in flooded areas

WARNING

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.

• Underinflated or overinflated tires

can cause poor handling, loss of

vehicle control, and sudden tire

failure leading to accidents,

injuries, and even death. Always

check tires for proper inflation

before driving. For proper tire

pressures, refer to “Tires and

wheels” in section 8.

After driving through water, dry the

brakes by gently applying them several

times while the vehicle is moving slowly.

• Driving on tires with no or insuffi-

cient tread is dangerous. Worn-

out tires can result in loss of vehi-

cle control, collisions, injury, and

even death. Worn-out tires should

be replaced as soon as possible

and should never be used for driv-

ing. Always check the tire tread

before driving your car. For further

information and tread limits, refer

to “Tires and wheels” in section 7.

Driving off-road

OSA028008

Drive carefully off-road because your

vehicle may be damaged by rocks or

roots of trees. Become familiar with the

off-road conditions where you are going

to drive before you begin driving.

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.

Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil

✽

NOTICE

Never exceed the maximum tire inflation

pressure shown on the tires.

High speed travel consumes more fuel

than urban motoring. Do not forget to

check both engine coolant and engine oil.

Drive belt

A loose or damaged drive belt may result

in overheating of the engine.

5 43

Driving your vehicle

WINTER DRIVING

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 to occur. You need to keep suffi-

cient distance 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

provide a greater driving force, but will

not prevent side skids.

OBH058040

More severe weather conditions of winter

result in greater wear and other prob-

lems. To minimize winter driving problem,

you should follow these suggestions:

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 country laws before fitting

tire chains.

5 44

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

1JBA4068

Tire chains

When mounting snow chains, park

the vehicle on level ground away

from traffic. Turn on the vehicle

Hazard Warning flashers and place

a triangular 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.

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

12 mm (0.47 in). Damage to your vehicle

caused by improper snow chain use is

not covered by your vehicle manufactur-

ers warranty.

• 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.

Install tire chains only on the front tires.

5 45

Driving your vehicle

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.

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, we rec-

ommend that you 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.

Check spark plugs and ignition

system

Before winter, have your coolant tested to

assure that its freezing point is sufficient

for the temperatures anticipated during

the winter.

• 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.

Check battery and cables

CAUTION

Winter puts additional burdens on the

battery system. Visually inspect the bat-

tery and cables as described in section 7.

We recommend that the level of charge in

your battery be checked by an authorized

Kia dealer.

• Chains that are the wrong size or

improperly installed can damage

your vehicle's brake lines, sus-

pension, body and wheels.

• Stop driving and retighten the

chains any time you hear them

hitting the vehicle.

5 46

Driving your vehicle

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 where you drive your car, you should

carry appropriate emergency equipment.

Some of the items you may want to carry

include tire chains, tow straps or chains,

flashlight, emergency flares, sand, a

shovel, jumper cables, a window scraper,

gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, a 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 shift lever in P (Park)

and block the rear wheels so the vehicle

cannot roll. Then release the parking

brake.

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.

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 47

Driving your vehicle

TRAILER TOWING (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.

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

• 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 towing a trailer, the additional

load imposed at the trailer coupling

device may cause the rear tire maxi-

mum load ratings to be exceeded, but

not by more than 15%. In such a case,

do not exceed 100km/h, and the rear

tire pressure should be at least 20

kPa(0.2 bar) above the tire pressure(s)

as recommended for normal use (i.e.

without a trailer attached).

Since laws vary the requirements for tow-

ing trailers, cars, or other types of vehicles

or apparatus may differ. We recommend

that you ask an authorized Kia dealer.

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 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.

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.

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 addi-

tional burden generates extra heat. The

trailer also considerably adds wind resist-

ance, increasing pulling requirements.

WARNING - Weight limits

CAUTION

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.

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 48

Driving your vehicle

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.

OTA060013L

OTA060012

✽

NOTICE

NOTICE - Location of trailer

mounting

The mounting hole for hitches are locat-

ed on both sides of the underbody

behind the rear tires.

Install a trailer after remove the towing

hook at the right side of the vehicle.

After using trailer, dissemble the trailer

and install the towing hook to its origi-

nal position.

• 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.

• Kia trailer hitch accessory is available

at an authorized Kia dealer.

5 49

Driving your vehicle

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 50

Driving your vehicle

Following distance

Turn signals when towing a trailer

Driving on grades

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 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.

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.

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.

Passing

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 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.

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.

Backing up

Operating your vehicle in D (Drive) when

towing a trailer will minimize heat build up

and extend the life of your transaxle.

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.

Do not connect a trailer lighting system

directly to your vehicle’s lighting system.

Use only an approved trailer wiring har-

ness.

An authorized Kia dealer can assist you

in installing the wiring harness.

Making 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.

5 51

Driving your vehicle

Parking on hills

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

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.

• 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.

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 52

Driving your vehicle

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:

Maintenance when trailer towing

CAUTION

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 53

Driving your vehicle

If you do decide to pull a trailer

Gasoline 1.0

M/T A/T

Gasoline 1.25

Item

Here are some important points if you

decide to pull a trailer:

M/T

A/T

Without brake

System

• Consider using a sway control.You can

ask a hitch dealer about sway control.

400 (882)

-

400 (882)

0 (0)

Maximum

trailer weight

With brake

System

700

(1,543)

700

(1,543)

• 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.

kg (Ibs.)

400 (882)

Maximum permissible static

vertical load on the coupling device

75 (165)

kg (Ibs.)

• When towing a trailer, we recommend

that you consult an authorized Kia

dealer on additional requirements such

as a towing kit, etc.

Recommended distance from rear wheel

center to coupling point

mm (inch)

635 (25)

• Always drive your vehicle at a moderate

speed (less than 100 km/h / 60 mph).

• On a long uphill grade, do not exceed

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

speed limit, whichever is lower.

• The chart contains important consider-

ations that have to do with weight:

5 54

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.

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 55

Driving your vehicle

VEHICLE WEIGHT

This section will guide you in the proper

loading of your vehicle, to keep your

loaded vehicle weight within its design

rating capability. Properly loading your

vehicle will provide maximum return of

the vehicle design performance. Before

loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself

with the following terms for determining

your vehicle's weight ratings, from the

vehicle's specifications and the certifica-

tion label:

Cargo weight

GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rat-

ing)

This figure includes all weight added to

the Base Curb Weight, including cargo

and optional equipment.

This is the maximum allowable weight 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.

GAW (Gross axle weight)

This is the total weight placed on each

axle (front and rear) - including vehicle

curb weight and all payload.

Overloading

GAWR (Gross axle weight rating)

Base curb weight

WARNING - Vehicle weight

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.

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 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.

The total load on each axle must never

exceed its GAWR.

Vehicle curb weight

This is the weight of your new vehicle

when you picked it up from your dealer

plus any aftermarket equipment.

GVW (Gross vehicle weight)

This is the Base Curb Weight plus actual

Cargo Weight plus passengers.

5 56

Driving your vehicle for Your Kia Picanto 4 Door Second Generation (2011-2017)

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