Get Driving tips -> Using four-wheel drive Guide for Kia Sportage SUV Second Generation (2004-2010)

Driving tips

USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE

Driving on snow- or Ice-cov-

Driving in sand or mud (“4WD

WARNING - Traction

ered roads (“4WD LOCK” for

LOCK” for full-time 4WD opera-

full-time 4WD operation)

tion)

Make sure that no one stands in

front of or behind the tires when

• Use snow tires. See “Tires” in this

• Avoid sudden braking, acceleration

materials are placed under the

section for more information.

or steering. These actions can

tires to get more traction. The

cause your vehicle to get stuck in

• Keep an adequate distance

tires may cause loose materials

the sand or mud.

between yourself and other vehi-

to fly out from under the vehicle,

cles.

• Drive at low speeds whenever pos-

potentially causing serious bod-

sible.

• Avoid sudden braking, acceleration

ily injury or death.

or steering. These actions can

• You may need to get out of your

cause your vehicle to lose traction.

vehicle at times to check road con-

✽ NOTICE

ditions.

Prolonged rocking may cause engine

• If you get stuck in the sand or mud,

damage, overheating, transaxle dif-

try placing stones, wood or other

ferential or transfer case damage or

similar materials under the tires to

failure and tire damage.

get traction, or move forward and

backward repeatedly to get

unstuck.

5 14

Driving tips

Driving on a hill (“4WD LOCK”

Crossing a ditch (“4WD LOCK”

Tight corner brake effect

for full-time 4WD operation)

CAUTION - 4WD

• Use low gear when going uphill or

• Avoid driving through ditches if

When turning sharply on a

downhill and avoid sudden braking.

possible, especially if there is

paved road at low speed while

water in the ditch. Your vehicle may

• Do not shift gears or use your

in four-wheel drive, steering

stall if the electrical system gets

clutch when going downhill. Do not

control will be difficult.

wet. If you must cross a ditch,

coast downhill in Neutral.

select 4WD LOCK mode.

This is called tight corner brake

• Avoid driving where the water level

effect. Tight corner brake effect is a

is higher than the bottom of the

unique characteristic of four-wheel

wheel hub. If the water level rises

drive vehicles caused by the differ-

above this mark, your vehicle will

ence in tire rotation at the four

need to be serviced.

wheels and the zero-degree align-

• Tap lightly on the brake pedal dur-

ment of the front wheels and sus-

ing and after driving through water.

pension.

This will help keep the brakes dry

Sharp turns at low speeds should be

and in proper working order.

carried out with caution.

• Do not shift gears while crossing a

ditch.

5 15

Driving tips

Off-road driving with your

Before you go off-roading

Loading your vehicle for off-road

four-wheel drive vehicle

driving

There are some things to do before

you leave the paved roads. Be sure

There are some important items to

Off-road driving can be great fun. But

to have all necessary maintenance

remember about how to properly

it has definite hazards. The greatest

and service work done beforehand.

load your vehicle.

of these is the terrain itself.

Be sure to read all the information

• The heaviest things should be in

“Off-roading” means you’ve left the

about your four-wheel drive vehicle

the cargo area and forward of your

paved road system behind. Traffic

in this manual. Is there enough fuel?

rear axle. Place heavier items as

lanes are not marked. Curves are not

Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the

far forward as you can.

banked.

fluid levels at the proper levels? What

• Be sure the load is properly

There are no carefully engineered

are the local laws that apply to off-

secured, so driving over off-road

road signs to warn you of dangerous

roading where you’ll be driving? If

terrain doesn’t shift your load or

conditions or to advise you of a safe

you don’t know, you should check

throw items toward the driver or

speed. You have to assess the envi-

with law enforcement people in the

passengers.

ronment yourself. Surfaces can be

area. Will you be on someone’s pri-

slippery, rough, uphill or downhill.

vate land? If so, be sure to get the

necessary permission.

Off-road driving involves learning

new skills. That’s why it’s important

that you read and understand this

section. You’ll find useful driving

information and suggestions. These

will help make your off-road driving

safer and more enjoyable.

5 16

Driving tips

Traveling to remote areas

(Continued)

WARNING - Cargo

It makes sense to plan your trip,

• Cargo should not be carried

• Cargo piled close to the height

especially when going to a remote

on the roof without a proper

of (or higher than) the seat

area. Know the terrain and plan your

roof rack installed. The roof

backs can be thrown forward

route. You are much less likely to

rack will hold a maximum of

during a sudden stop or on

encounter unwanted surprises. Get

45 kg (100 lbs.). Heavy loads

downhill slopes. You or your

accurate maps of trails.

in a roof rack raise the vehi-

passengers could be severely

It’s also a good idea to travel with at

cle’s center of gravity, making

injured. Keep cargo below the

least one other vehicle. If something

it more likely to roll over. You

top of the seat backs and, if

happens to one of them, the other

can be seriously or fatally

possible, do not pile separate

can quickly help.

injured if the vehicle rolls

items.

over. Do not load cargo on the

• Unsecured cargo in the cargo

roof while driving off-road, if

area can be tossed about

at all possible. Put heavy

when driving on the highways

loads inside the cargo area,

or over rough terrain. You or

not on the roof or in a roof

your passengers can be

rack. Keep cargo in the cargo

struck by flying objects and

area as far forward and low as

severely injured. Secure the

possible.

cargo properly.

(Continued)

5 17

Driving tips

Getting familiar with off-road driv-

Controlling your vehicle is the key to

WARNING - Off road driv-

ing

successful off-road driving. One of

the best ways to control your vehicle

ing

It’s necessary for you to practice in

is to control your speed. Here are

When you’re driving off-road,

an area that’s safe and close to

some things to keep in mind when

bouncing and quick changes in

home before you begin serious off-

traveling at higher speeds:

direction can easily throw you

road driving. Off-road driving

• You approach things faster and you

out of position in your seat. This

requires new and different driving

have less time to scan the terrain

could cause you to lose control

skills.

for obstacles.

of the vehicle and crash.

You need to tune your senses to dif-

Whether you are driving on or

• You have less time to react.

ferent kinds of signals. For example,

off the road, you and your pas-

constantly sweep the terrain with

• You have much more vehicle

sengers should always wear

your eyes looking for unexpected

bounce when you drive over obsta-

safety belts.

obstacles. Listen for unusual tire,

cles, giving you less vehicle con-

gear, or engine sounds. Feel and

trol.

respond to the vibrations of the vehi-

• You’ll need more distance for brak-

cle with your hands, feet, and body

ing, especially since you’re on an

while still carefully controlling your

unpaved surface. Such terrain will

vehicle. You’ll also need to adjust

always be more “slippery” than a

your expectations and greatly lower

paved road.

the number of miles you expect to

cover in an hour or a day.

5 18

Driving tips

Scanning the terrain

Surface obstacles

When you drive over bumps, rocks,

or other obstacles, your wheels can

Off-road driving can take you over

Unseen or hidden obstacles can be

leave the ground. If this happens,

many different kinds of terrain. You

hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut, or

even with one or two wheels, you

need to be familiar with the terrain

bump can startle you if you’re not

can’t control the vehicle as well or

and its many different features. Here

prepared. Often these obstacles are

perhaps at all. Because you will be

are some things to consider.

hidden by grass, bushes, snow or

on an unpaved surface, it’s especial-

even the rise and fall of the terrain

ly important to avoid sudden acceler-

itself. Here are some things to con-

Surface conditions

ation, sudden turns, or sudden brak-

stantly evaluate:

Off-roading can take you over hard-

ing. Any of these actions could cause

• Is the path ahead clear?

packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass,

the center of gravity of the vehicle to

sand, mud, snow or ice. Each of

• Will the surface texture change

shift and destabilize the vehicle,

these surfaces affects the steering,

ahead?

leading to a collision or rollover acci-

acceleration, and braking of your

dent.

• Does the path take you uphill or

vehicle in different ways.

downhill?

Off-road driving requires a different

Depending upon the kind of surface

kind of alertness from driving on

• Might you have to stop suddenly or

you are on, you may experience slip-

paved roads and highways. There

change direction quickly?

ping, sliding, wheel spinning,

are no road signs, posted speed lim-

When you drive over obstacles or

delayed acceleration, poor traction,

its or signal lights. You have to use

rough terrain, it is critical that you

and longer braking distances.

your own judgment about what is

keep a firm grip on the steering

safe and what isn’t. Bad judgment in

wheel. Ruts, troughs, or other sur-

this uncontrolled environment can be

face features can force the wheel out

fatal.

of your hands if you’re not prepared.

5 19

Driving tips

Driving on off-road hills

WARNING - Drinking &

WARNING - Driving on

Off-road driving often takes you up,

driving

hills

down, or across a hill. Driving safely

Drinking and driving, or drug

Many hills are simply too steep

on hills requires excellent judgment

use and driving can be very

for any vehicle. If you drive up

and an understanding of what your

dangerous on any road. This

them, you will stall. If you drive

vehicle can and can’t do. There are

certainly remains true for off-

down them, you can’t control

some hills that simply should not be

road driving. At the very time

your speed. In either case, you

driven.

you need special alertness and

could flip over. If you drive

driving skills, your reflexes, per-

across them, you will roll over.

ceptions and judgement can be

You could be seriously or fatally

affected by even a small amount

injured. If you have any doubt

of alcohol or drugs. You could

about the steepness, don’t drive

have a serious - or even fatal -

up or down the hill, even if it

accident if you drink or take

means that you have to turn

drugs and drive or ride with a

around and find another route.

driver who has been drinking or

Re-tracking is a normal part of

taking drugs.

safe off-roading.

5 20

Driving tips

Approaching a hill

Here are some other things to con-

• Is the hill simply too rough? Steep

sider as you approach a hill:

hills often have ruts, gullies,

When you approach a hill, you need

troughs, and exposed rocks

to decide if it’s one of those hills

• Is there a constant incline, or does

because they are more susceptible

that’s just too steep to climb,

the hill get sharply steeper in

to the effects of erosion.

descend, or cross. Steepness can be

places?

difficult to judge. On a very small hill,

• How have weather conditions

• Is there good traction on the hill-

for example, there may be a smooth,

affected the terrain? Is there likely

side, or will the surface cause tire

constant incline with only a small

to be mud, snow or ice on the hill?

slipping?

change in elevation where you can

• What time of day is it? Are temper-

• Is there a straight path up or down

easily see all the way to the top. On

atures dropping so that wet sur-

the hill so you won’t have to make

a large hill, the incline may get steep-

faces will start to freeze?

turning maneuvers?

er as you near the top, but you may

• Are there obstructions on the hill

not see this because the crest of the

that can block your path (boulders,

hill is hidden by bushes, grass, or

trees, logs or ruts)?

shrubs.

• What’s beyond the hill? Is there a

cliff, an embankment, a drop-off, or

a fence? Get out of the vehicle and

walk the hill if you are unsure. It’s

the smart way to find out.

5 21

Driving tips

Driving uphill

WARNING - Driving

WARNING - Driving over

Once you decide you can safely

across hills

hills

drive up the hill, you need to take

some special steps.

Turning or driving across steep

Driving to the top (crest) of a hill

hills can be dangerous. You

at full speed can cause an acci-

• Use a low gear and get a firm grip

could lose traction, slide side-

dent and result in serious or

on the steering wheel.

ways, or just reach an area too

fatal injury. There could be a

• Get a smooth start up the hill and

steep to traverse. In any case, it

drop-off, embankment, cliff,

try to maintain your speed. Don’t

could cause you to roll over. You

another vehicle or people sitting

use more power than you need,

could be seriously or fatally

on the ground. As you near the

because you don’t want your

injured. When driving up hills,

top of a hill, slow down and stay

wheels to start spinning or sliding.

always try to go as straight up

alert.

• Try to drive straight up the hill, if at

as possible.

all possible. If the path twists and

turns, you may have to find anoth-

• Slow down as you approach the

er route.

top of the hill.

• Attach a flag to the vehicle to make

you more visible to approaching

traffic on trails or hills.

• Sound the horn as you approach

the top of the hill to let opposing

traffic know you’re there.

• Use your headlights even during

the day. They make you more visi-

ble to other drivers.

5 22

Driving tips

Stalling while driving uphill

• If your engine has stopped run-

Here are some things you must not

ning, you’ll need to restart it. With

do if you stall, or are about to stall,

What should I do if my vehicle stalls,

the brake pedal depressed and the

when going up a hill.

or is about to stall, and I can’t make

parking brake still applied, shift a

it up the hill?

• Never attempt to prevent a stall by

manual transaxle to N (Neutral), or

depressing the clutch or shifting to

If your vehicle stalls, or is about to

an automatic transaxle to P (Park)

N (Neutral) to “rev-up” the engine

stall while driving uphill, there are

and restart the engine. Then, shift

and regain forward momentum.

some things you should do, and

to reverse, release the parking

This won’t work. Your vehicle will

there are some things you must not

brake, and slowly back down the

roll backwards very quickly and

do. First, here’s what you should do:

hill in reverse.

you could go out of control or roll

• Push the brake pedal to stop the

• As you are backing down the hill,

over.

vehicle and keep it from rolling

put your left hand on the steering

Instead, apply the brake to stop the

backwards. Also, apply the parking

wheel at the 12 o’clock position.

vehicle. Then apply the parking

brake.

This way, you’ll be able to tell if

brake. Shift into reverse, release the

• If your engine is still running, shift

your wheels are straight or turned

parking brake, and slowly back

the transaxle into reverse, release

to the left or right as you back

down.

the parking brake, and slowly back

down.

down the hill in reverse.

5 23

Driving tips

Stalled on a steep uphill

CAUTION - Stalling

WARNING - Exiting vehicle

If your vehicle stalls and you can’t

Never attempt to turn around if

Getting out on the downhill

back down the hill, try this: Set the

you are about to stall when

(low) side of a vehicle stopped

parking brake, put your transaxle in 1

going up a hill. If the hill is steep

across an incline is dangerous.

(First) gear or P (Park), and turn the

enough to stall your vehicle, it’s

If the vehicle rolls over, you

engine off. Leave the vehicle and get

steep enough to cause you to

could be crushed or fatally

some help. If your vehicle is at an

roll over if you turn around. If

injured. Always get out on the

angle to the slope of the hill, exit the

you can’t make it up, you must

uphill (high) side of the vehicle

vehicle on the uphill side and stay

back down the hill.

and stay well clear of the

clear of the path the vehicle would

rollover path.

take if it rolled downhill. Leave it in 1

(First) gear for manual transaxle or P

(Park) for automatic transaxle.

5 24

Driving tips

Driving downhill

Once you have decided that you can

WARNING - Leaving vehi-

go down a hill safely, try to keep your

Going downhill can be considerably

cle

vehicle headed straight down, and

more dangerous than driving uphill.

use a low gear. This way, engine

If you are going to leave your

When off-roading takes you downhill,

braking can help your brakes so they

vehicle, set the parking brake

you’ll want to consider many of the

won’t have to do all the work.

and shift a manual transaxle to

same things you thought about

Descend slowly, keeping your vehi-

1(First),

automatic

before you went uphill. As a brief

cle under control at all times.

transaxle to P (Park).

reminder, those include:

• How steep is the downhill? Will I be

able to maintain vehicle control?

• What’s the surface like? Smooth?

Rough? Slippery? Hard-packed

dirt? Gravel?

• Are there hidden surface obsta-

cles? Ruts? Logs? Boulders?

• What’s at the bottom of the hill? Is

there a hidden creek bank or even

a river bottom with large rocks?

• Have changes in the weather con-

ditions and their effect on the ter-

rain since you went uphill made

your task more difficult?

5 25

Driving tips

Avoid turns that take you across the

If your wheels lock up during down-

CAUTION - Downhill

incline of the hill. A hill that’s not too

hill braking, you may feel the vehicle

Before beginning to go down-

steep to drive down may be too

starting to slide sideways. To regain

hill, it is critical that you ensure

steep to drive across. You could roll

your direction, just ease off the

that no cargo can shift forward

over if you don’t drive straight down.

brakes and steer to keep the front of

while you are heading downhill.

the vehicle pointing straight downhill.

Never go downhill with the clutch

Such shifting could either

pedal depressed. This is called “free-

endanger you and your occu-

wheeling.” Your brakes will have to do

pants, or interfere with your

all the work and could overheat and

ability to control the vehicle.

fade.

CAUTION - Wheel locking

WARNING - Braking

Avoid braking so hard that you

Heavy braking when going

lock the wheels when going

down a hill can cause your

downhill. If your front wheels

brakes to overheat and fade.

are locked, you can’t steer your

This could cause loss of control

vehicle.

and a serious accident. Apply

the

brakes

lightly

when

descending a hill and use a low

gear to keep vehicle speed

under control.

5 26

Driving tips

Stalling downhill

Driving across an incline

• Surface conditions can be a prob-

lem when you drive across a hill.

Stalling is much more likely to hap-

Sooner or later, an off-road trail will

Loose gravel, muddy spots, or

pen going uphill. But if it happens

probably go across the incline of a

even wet grass can cause your

going downhill, here’s what to do.

hill. If this happens, you have to

tires to slip sideways. If the vehicle

decide whether or not to try to drive

• Stop your vehicle by applying the

slips sideways, it can hit something

across the incline. Here are some

brakes. Then apply the parking

that will tip it (a rock, a rut, etc.) and

things to consider:

brake.

cause it to roll over.

• A hill that can be driven straight up

• Move the shift lever to P (Park) in

• Hidden obstacles can make the

or down may be too steep to drive

automatic transaxle or shift to N

steepness of the incline even

across. When you go straight up or

(Neutral) in manual transaxle and,

worse. If you drive across a rock

down a hill, the length of the wheel

while still braking, restart the

with the uphill wheels, or if the

base (the distance from the front

engine.

downhill wheels drop into a rut or

wheels to the rear wheels) reduces

• Shift back to a low gear, release

depression, your vehicle can tilt

the likelihood the vehicle will tum-

the parking brake, and drive

even more.

ble end over end. But when you

straight down.

drive across an incline, the much

For reasons like these, you need to

• If the engine won’t start, get out

narrower track width (the distance

decide carefully whether or not to try

and seek help. Exit on the uphill

between the left and right wheels)

to drive across an incline. Just

side of the vehicle and stay clear of

may not prevent the vehicle from

because the trail goes across the

the path the vehicle would take if it

tilting and rolling over. Also, driving

incline doesn’t mean you have to

rolled downhill.

across an incline puts more weight

drive it.

on the downhill wheels. This could

cause a downhill slide or a rollover.

5 27

Driving tips

If your vehicle slides downhill

Stalling while crossing an incline

WARNING - Roll over

If you feel your vehicle starting to

If your vehicle stalls when you’re

Driving across an incline that’s

slide sideways, turn downhill immedi-

crossing an incline, be sure you (and

too steep will make your vehicle

ately. This should help straighten out

your passengers) get out on the

roll over. You could be seriously

the vehicle and prevent the side slip-

uphill side, even if that door is harder

or fatally injured. If you have any

ping. However, a much better way to

to open. If you get out on the down-

doubt about the steepness of

prevent this is to get out and “walk

hill side and the vehicle starts to roll

the incline, don’t drive across it.

the course” first so you know what

over, you’ll be in its path.

Find another route instead.

the surface is like before you drive it.

If you have to walk down the slope,

stay out of the path the vehicle will

take if it does roll over.

5 28

Driving tips

Driving in mud, sand, snow, or

✽ NOTICE

WARNING - Exiting vehi-

ice

• In case of loss of traction in mud,

cle

loose soil, or sand, turn the steer-

When you drive in mud, sand, snow,

Getting out on the downhill

ing wheel rapidly from side-to-

or ice, your wheels won’t get good

(low) side of a vehicle stopped

side. This can help generate addi-

traction. You can’t accelerate as

across an incline is dangerous.

tional traction.

quickly, turning is more difficult, and

If the vehicle rolls over, you

• Do not gun the engine. This will

you’ll need longer braking distances.

could be crushed or fatally

cause the tires to spin and dig

It’s best to use a low gear when

injured. Always get out on the

down, not forward, and could

you’re in mud, the deeper the mud,

uphill (high) side of the vehicle

bury the vehicle to the frame.

the lower the gear. In extremely deep

and stay well clear of the

Smooth, easy power is better than

mud, the idea is to keep your vehicle

rollover path.

too much power.

moving so you don’t get stuck.

When you drive on sand, you’ll

sense a change in wheel traction.

But it will depend upon how loosely

packed the sand is. On loosely

packed sand (as on beaches or sand

dunes) your tires will tend to sink into

the sand. This has an effect on steer-

ing, accelerating, and braking. You

may want to reduce the air pressure

in your tires slightly when driving on

sand. This will improve traction.

Remember to re-inflate them the first

chance that you have after you leave

the loosely packed sand.

5 29

Driving tips

Hard-packed snow and ice offer the

Driving in water

If you have driven through water that

worst tire traction. On these surfaces,

was deep enough to cover your

Light rain causes no special off-road

it’s very easy to lose control. On wet

wheel bearing hubs, it may be a

driving problems. However, heavy

ice, for example, the traction is so

good idea to have an Authorized Kia

rain can cause flash flooding, and

poor that you will even have difficulty

dealer or other competent service

flood waters demand extreme cau-

accelerating. And if you do get mov-

center repack your front wheel bear-

tion.

ing, poor steering and difficult brak-

ings and examine your rear-end fluid

Find out how deep the water is

ing can easily cause you to slide out

for evidence of water.

before you drive through it. If it’s

of control.

deep enough to cover your wheel

bearing hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe,

WARNING - Frozen sur-

don’t try it, You probably won’t get

faces

through. Also, water that deep can

Driving on frozen lakes, ponds

damage your axle and other vehicle

or rivers can be dangerous.

parts.

Underwater springs, currents

If the water isn’t too deep, then drive

under the ice, or sudden thaws

through slowly. At fast speeds, water

can weaken the ice. Your vehicle

can splash on your ignition system

could fall through the ice and

and your vehicle can stall. Stalling

you and your passengers could

can also occur if your tailpipe goes

drown. Drive your vehicle on

underwater. As long as your tailpipe

safe surfaces only.

is underwater, you will not be able to

start your engine. When you go

through water, remember that it may

take you longer to stop when your

brakes are wet.

5 30

Driving tips

After off-road driving

WARNING - Water

Remove any brush or debris that has

Driving through rushing water

collected on the underbody, chassis

can be dangerous. Deep water

or under the hood. These accumula-

can sweep your vehicle down-

tions can be a fire hazard.

stream and you and your pas-

After driving in mud or sand, clean

sengers could drown. If it’s only

and check the brake linings.

inches deep, it can still wash

Accumulation of mud or sand can

away the ground from under

cause glazing and uneven braking.

your tires, and you could lose

Check the body structure, steering,

traction and roll the vehicle.

suspension, wheels, tires, and

Never drive through rushing

exhaust system for damage. Also,

water.

check the fuel lines and cooling sys-

tem for any leakage. Your vehicle will

also require more frequent service

due to off-road use.

5 31

Driving tips -> Using four-wheel drive for Your Kia Sportage SUV Second Generation (2004-2010)

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