Get Maintenance -> Tires and wheels Guide for Kia Sportage SUV Second Generation (2004-2010)

Maintenance

TIRES AND WHEELS

Tires care

✽ NOTICE

• Underinflation also results in

For proper maintenance, safety, and

excessive wear, poor handling and

maximum fuel economy, you must

reduced fuel economy. Wheel

always maintain recommended tire

deformation also is possible. Keep

inflation pressures and stay within

your tire pressures at the proper

the load limits and weight distribution

levels. If a tire frequently needs

recommended for your vehicle.

refilling, have it checked by an

Authorized Kia Dealer.

Inflation pressures

• Overinflation produces a harsh

ride, excessive wear at the center

All tire pressures (including the

of the tire tread, and a greater pos-

spare) should be checked every day

1KMN5045

sibility of damage from road haz-

when the tires are cold. “Cold Tires”

All specifications (sizes and pres-

ards.

means the vehicle has not been dri-

sures) can be found on a label

ven for at least three hours or driven

attached to the front driver’s door sill.

less than 1.6 km (one mile).

Recommended pressures must be

WARNING - Tire underin-

maintained for the best ride, top vehi-

flation

cle handling, and minimum tire wear.

Severe underinflation (10 psi (70

kPa) or more) can lead to severe

heat build-up, causing blowouts,

tread separation and other tire

failures that can result in the

loss of vehicle control leading

to severe injury or death. This

risk is much higher on hot days

and when driving for protracted

periods at high speeds.

7 34

Maintenance

✽ NOTICE

Checking tire inflation pres-

CAUTION - Tire pressure

sure

• Warm tires normally exceed rec-

Always observe the following:

ommended cold tire pressures by

Check your tires once a month or

• Check tire pressure when the

28 to 41 kPa (4 to 6 psi). Do not

more.

tires are cold. (After vehicle

release air from warm tires to

Also, check the tire pressure of the

has been parked for at least

adjust the pressure or the tires will

spare tire.

three hours or hasn't been dri-

be underinflated.

ven more than 1.6 km (one

• Be sure to reinstall the tire infla-

mile) since startup.)

How to check

tion valve caps. Without the valve

cap, dirt or moisture could get into

• Check the pressure of your

Use a good quality gage to check tire

the valve core and cause air leak-

spare tire each time you check

pressure. You can not tell if your tires

age. If the cap have been lost,

the pressure of other tires.

are properly inflated simply by look-

install new one as soon as possible.

ing at them. Radial tires may look

• Never overload your vehicle.

properly inflated even when they're

Be careful not to overload a

underinflated.

WARNING - Tire Inflation

vehicle luggage rack if your

vehicle is equipped with one.

Check the tire's inflation pressure

Overinflation or underinflation

when the tires are cold. - "Cold"

• Worn, old tires can cause acci-

can reduce tire life, adversely

means your vehicle has been sitting

dents. If your tread is badly

affect vehicle handling, and lead

for at least three hours or driven no

worn, or if your tires have

to sudden tire failure. This could

more than 1.6 km (1 mile).

been damaged, replace them.

result in loss of vehicle control

and potential injury..

7 35

Maintenance

Remove the valve cap from the tire

Tire rotation

Without a spare tire

valve stem. Press the tire gage firm-

To equalize tread wear, it is recom-

ly onto the valve to get a pressure

mended that the tires be rotated

measurement. If the cold tire inflation

every 12,000 km (7,500 miles) or

pressure matches the recommended

sooner if irregular wear develops.

pressure on the tire and loading

During rotation, check the tires for

information label, no further adjust-

correct balance.

ment is necessary. If the pressure is

low, add air until you reach the rec-

When rotating tires, check for uneven

CBGQ0707

ommended amount.

wear and damage. Abnormal wear is

Directional tires (if equipped)

usually caused by incorrect tire pres-

If you overfill the tire, release air by

sure, improper wheel alignment, out-

pushing on the metal stem in the

of-balance wheels, severe braking or

center of the tire valve. Recheck the

severe cornering. Look for bumps or

tire pressure with the tire gage. Be

bulges in the tread or side of tire.

sure to put the valve caps back on

Replace the tire if you find either of

the valve stems. They help prevent

these conditions. Replace the tire

leaks by keeping out dirt and mois-

also if you can see fabric or cord.

ture.

After rotation, be sure to bring the

CBGQ0707A

front and rear tire pressures to spec-

ification and check lug nut tightness.

Refer to Section 8, Specifications.

7 36

Maintenance

Disc brake pads should be inspected

Compact spare tire replace-

for wear whenever tires are rotated.

ment (if equipped)

Tread wear indicator

A compact spare tire has a shorter

Rotate radial tires that have an

tread life than a regular size tire.

asymmetric tread pattern only

Replace it when you can see the

from front to rear and not from

tread wear indicator bars on the tire.

right to left.

The replacement compact spare tire

should be the same size and design

tire as the one provided with your

CAUTION

new Kia and should be mounted on

1KMA5026

the same compact spare tire wheel.

Do not mix bias-ply and radial-

Tire replacement

The compact spare tire is not

ply under any circumstances.

designed to be mounted on a regular

This may cause dangerous han-

If the tire is worn evenly, a tread wear

size wheel, and the compact spare

dling characteristics.

indicator will appear as a solid band

tire wheel is not designed for mount-

across the tread. This shows there is

ing a regular size tire.

less than 1.6 mm (1/16 inch) of tread

left on the tire. Replace the tire when

this happens.

Do not wait for the band to appear

across the entire tread before replac-

ing the tire.

7 37

Maintenance

Wheel alignment and tire

(Continued)

WARNING - Replacing

balance

• The use of any other tire size

tires

The wheels on your vehicle were

or type may seriously affect

• Driving on worn-out tires is

aligned and balanced carefully at the

ride, handling, ground clear-

very hazardous and will

factory to give you the longest tire life

ance, stopping distance, body

reduce braking effectiveness,

and best overall performance.

to tire clearance, snow tire

steering accuracy, and trac-

clearance, and speedometer

In most cases, you will not need to

tion.

reliability.

have your wheels aligned again.

• Your vehicle is equipped with

• It is best to replace all four

However, if you notice unusual tire

tires designed to provide for

tires at the same time. If that is

wear or your vehicle pulling one way

safe ride and handling capa-

not possible, or necessary,

bility. Do not use a size and

or the other, the alignment may need

type of tire and wheel that is

then replace the two front or

to be reset.

different from the one that is

two rear tires as a pair.

If you notice your vehicle vibrating

originally installed on your

Replacing just one tire can

when driving on a smooth road, your

vehicle. It can affect the safety

seriously affect your vehicle’s

wheels may need to be rebalanced.

and performance of your vehi-

handling.

cle, which could lead to han-

dling failure or rollover and

✽ NOTICE

serious injury. When replacing

Improper wheel weights can dam-

the tires, be sure to equip all

four tires with the tire and

age your vehicle's aluminum wheels.

wheel of the same size, type,

Use only approved wheel weights.

tread, brand and load-carrying

capacity. If you nevertheless

decide to equip your vehicle

with any tire/wheel combina-

tion not recommended by Kia

for off road driving, you

should not use these tires for

highway driving.

(Continued)

7 38

Maintenance

Wheel replacement

2. Tire size designation

A tire’s sidewall is marked with a tire

When replacing the metal wheels for

5,6

size designation. You will need this

any reason, make sure the new

information when selecting replace-

wheels are equivalent to the original

ment tires for your car. The following

factory units in diameter, rim width

explains what the letters and num-

and offset.

bers in the tire size designation

mean.

WARNING

A wheel that is not the correct

size may adversely affect wheel

and bearing life, braking and

I030B04JM

stopping abilities, handling

Tire sidewall labeling

characteristics, ground clear-

Federal law requires tire manufactur-

ance, body-to-tire clearance,

ers to place standardized information

snow

chain

clearance,

on the sidewall of all tires. This infor-

speedometer calibration, head-

mation identifies and describes the

light aim and bumper height.

fundamental characteristics of the

tire and also provides the tire identifi-

cation number (TIN) for safety stan-

dard certification. The TIN can be

used to identify the tire in case of a

recall.

1. Manufacturer or brand name

Manufacturer or Brand name is

shown.

7 39

Maintenance

Example tire size designation:

Wheel size designation

Tire speed ratings

(These numbers are provided as an

Wheels are also marked with impor-

The chart below lists many of the dif-

example only; your tire size designa-

tant information that you need if you

ferent speed ratings currently being

tor could vary depending on your

ever have to replace one. The follow-

used for passenger cars. The speed

vehicle.)

ing explains what the letters and

rating is part of the tire size designa-

numbers in the wheel size designa-

tion on the sidewall of the tire. This

P215/65R16 96T

tion mean.

symbol corresponds to that tire's

designed maximum safe operating

P - Applicable vehicle type (tires

speed.

Example wheel size designation:

marked with the prefix “P’’ are

intended for use on passenger

6.5 J×16

Speed

cars or light trucks; however, not

Rating

Maximum Speed

all tires have this marking).

Symbol

6.5 - Rim width in inches.

215 - Tire width in millimeters.

180 km/h (112 mph)

J - Rim contour designation.

65 - Aspect ratio. The tire’s section

190 km/h (118 mph)

16 - Rim diameter in inches.

height as a percentage of its

210 km/h (130 mph)

width.

240 km/h (149 mph)

R - Tire construction code (Radial).

Above 240 km/h (149 mph)

16 - Rim diameter in inches.

96 - Load Index, a numerical code

associated with the maximum

load the tire can carry.

T - Speed Rating Symbol. See the

speed rating chart in this section

for additional information.

7 40

Maintenance

3. Checking tire life (TIN : Tire

4. Tire ply composition and mate-

WARNING - Tire age

Identification Number)

rial

Tires degrade over time, even

Any tires that are over 6 years, based

The number of layers or plies of rub-

when they are not being used.

on the manufacturing date, tire

bercoated fabric in the tire. Tire man-

Regardless of the remaining

strength and performance, decline

ufacturers also must indicate the

tread, it is recommended that

with age naturally (even unused

materials in the tire, which include

tires generally be replaced after

spare tires). Therefore, the tires

steel, nylon, polyester, and others.

six (6) years of normal service.

(including the spare tire) should be

The letter "R" means radial ply con-

Heat caused by hot climates or

replaced by new ones. You can find

struction; the letter "D" means diago-

frequent high loading condi-

the manufacturing date on the tire

nal or bias ply construction; and the

tions can accelerate the aging

sidewall (possibly on the inside of the

letter "B" means belted-bias ply con-

process. Failure to follow this

wheel), displaying the DOT Code.

struction.

warning can result in sudden

The DOT Code is a series of num-

tire failure, which could lead to a

bers on a tire consisting of numbers

loss of control and an accident

and English letters. The manufactur-

involving serious injury or

ing date is designated by the last four

death.

digits (characters) of the DOT code.

DOT : XXXX XXXX OOOO

The front part of the DOT means a

plant code number, tire size and

tread pattern and the last four num-

bers indicate week and year manu-

factured.

For example:

DOT XXXX XXXX 1602 represents

that the tire was produced in the 16th

week of 2002.

7 41

Maintenance

5. Maximum permissible inflation

6. Maximum load rating

7. Uniform tire quality grading

pressure

This number indicates the maximum

The following information relates to

This number is the greatest amount

load in kilograms and pounds that

the tire grading system developed by

of air pressure that should be put in

can be carried by the tire. When

the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety

the tire. Do not exceed the maximum

replacing the tires on the vehicle,

Standard (CMVSS) for grading tires

permissible inflation pressure. Refer

always use a tire that has the same

by tread wear, traction and tempera-

to the Tire and Loading Information

load rating as the factory installed

ture performance.

label for recommended inflation

tire.

pressure.

7 42

Maintenance

Tread wear

Traction - AA, A, B & C

WARNING - Tire

The tread wear grade is a compara-

The traction grades, from highest to

temperature

lowest, are AA, A, B and C. The

tive rating based on the wear rate of

grades represent the tires ability to

the tire when tested under controlled

The temperature grade for this

stop on wet pavement as measured

conditions on a specified govern-

tire is established for a tire that

under controlled conditions on spec-

ment test course. For example, a tire

is properly inflated and not

ified government test surfaces of

graded 150 would wear one-and-a-

overloaded. Excessive speed,

asphalt and concrete. A tire marked

half times as well on the government

underinflation, or excessive

C may have poor traction perfor-

course as a tire graded 100.

loading, either separately or in

mance.

combination, can cause heat

The relative performance of tires

build-up and possible sudden

depends upon the actual conditions

Temperature -A, B & C

tires failure. This can cause loss

of their use. However, performance

The temperature grades are A (the

of vehicle control and serious

may differ from the norm because of

highest), B and C. The grades repre-

injury or death.

variations in driving habits, service

sent the tire’s resistance to the gener-

practices and differences in road

ation of heat and its ability to dissipate

characteristics and climate.

heat when tested under controlled

conditions on a specified indoor labo-

These grades are molded on the

ratory test wheel.

side-walls of passenger vehicle tires.

The tires available as standard or

Sustained high temperature can

cause the material of the tires to

optional equipment on Kia vehicles

degenerate and reduce tires life, and

may vary with respect to grade.

excessive temperature can lead to

sudden tires failure. Grades A and B

represent higher levels of perfor-

mance on the laboratory test wheel

than the minimum required by the law.

7 43

Maintenance

Tire terminology and defini-

Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in

DOT Markings: The DOT code

tions

which the plies are laid at alternate

includes the Tire Identification

angles less than 90 degrees to the

Number (TIN), an alphanumeric des-

Air Pressure: The amount of air

centerline of the tread.

ignator which can also identify the

inside the tire pressing outward on

tire manufacturer, production plant,

Cold Tire Pressure: The amount of

the tire. Air pressure is expressed in

brand and date of production.

air pressure in a tire, measured in

kilopascal (kPa) or pounds per

kilopascals (kPa) or pounds per

GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

square inch (psi).

square inch (psi) before a tire has

GAWR FRT: Gross Axle Weight

Accessory Weight: This means the

built up heat from driving.

Rating for the front Axle.

combined weight of optional acces-

Curb Weight: This means the weight

sories. Some examples of optional

GAWR RR: Gross Axle Weight

of a motor vehicle with standard and

accessories are, automatic transmis-

Rating for the rear axle.

optional equipment including the

sion, power seats, and air condition-

maximum capacity of fuel, oil and

ing.

coolant, but without passengers and

Aspect Ratio: The relationship of a

cargo.

tire's height to its width.

Belt: A rubber coated layer of cords

that is located between the plies and

the tread. Cords may be made from

steel or other reinforcing materials.

Bead: The tire bead contains steel

wires wrapped by steel cords that

hold the tire onto the rim.

7 44

Maintenance

Intended Outboard Sidewall: The

Maximum Load Rating: The load

Outward Facing Sidewall: The side

side of an asymmetrical tire, that

rating for a tire at the maximum per-

of a asymmetrical tire that has a par-

must always face outward when

missible inflation pressure for that

ticular side that faces outward when

mounted on a vehicle.

tire.

mounted on a vehicle. The side of the

tire that contains a whitewall, bears

Kilopascal (kPa): The metric unit for

Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:

white lettering or bears manufactur-

air pressure.

The sum of curb weight; accessory

er, brand and or model name mold-

weight; vehicle capacity weight; and

Load Index: An assigned number

ing that is higher or deeper than the

production options weight.

ranging from 1 to 279 that corre-

same moldings on the other sidewall

sponds to the load carrying capacity

Normal Occupant Weight: The

of the tire.

of a tire.

number of occupants a vehicle is

Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: A tire

designed to seat multiplied by 68 kg

Maximum Inflation Pressure: The

used on passenger cars and some

(150 pounds).

maximum air pressure to which a

light duty trucks and multipurpose

cold tire may be inflated. The maxi-

Occupant Distribution: Designated

vehicles.

mum air pressure is molded onto the

seating positions.

Recommended Inflation Pressure:

sidewall.

Vehicle manufacturer's recommend-

ed tire inflation pressure and shown

on the tire placard.

7 45

Maintenance

Radial Ply tire: A pneumatic tire in

Tread: The portion of a tire that

Vehicle Maximum Load on the

which the ply cords that extend to the

comes into contact with the road.

Tire: Load on an individual tire due to

beads are laid at 90 degrees to the

curb and accessory weight plus

Treadwear Indicators: Narrow

centerline of the tread.

maximum occupant and cargo

bands, sometimes called "wear

weight.

Rim: A metal support for a tire and

bars", that show across the tread of a

upon which the tire beads are seat-

tire when only 2/32 inch of tread

Vehicle Normal Load on the Tire:

ed.

remains.

That load on an individual tire that is

determined by distributing to each

Sidewall: The portion of a tire

UTQGS: Uniform Tire Quality

axle its share of the curb weight,

between the tread and the bead.

Grading Standards, a tire information

accessory weight, and normal occu-

system that provides consumers with

Speed Rating: An alphanumeric

pant weight and driving by 2.

ratings for a tire's traction, tempera-

code assigned to a tire indicating the

ture and treadwear. Ratings are

Vehicle Placard: A label permanent-

maximum speed at which a tire can

determined by tire manufacturers

ly attached to a vehicle showing the

operate.

using government testing proce-

original equipment tire size and rec-

Traction: The friction between the

dures. The ratings are molded into

ommended inflation pressure.

tire and the road surface. The

the sidewall of the tire.

amount of grip provided.

Vehicle Capacity Weight: The num-

ber of designated seating positions

multiplied by 68 kg (150 lbs.) plus the

rated cargo and luggage load.

7 46

Maintenance

All season tires

Summer tires

Snow tires

Kia specifies all season tires on

Kia specifies summer tires on some

If you equip your car with snow tires,

some models to provide good perfor-

models to provide superior perfor-

they should be the same size and

mance for use all year round, includ-

mance on dry roads. Summer tire

have the same load capacity as the

ing snowy and icy road conditions.

performance is substantrally reduced

original tires. Snow tires should be

All season tires are identified by ALL

in snow and ice. Summer tires do not

installed on all four wheels; other-

SEASON and/or M+S (Mud and

have the tire traction rating M+S

wise, poor handling may result.

Snow) on the tire sidewall. Snow tires

(Mud and Snow) on the tire side wall.

Snow tires should carry 28 kPa (4

have better snow traction than all

if you plan to operate your vehicle in

psi) more air pressure than the pres-

season tires and may be more

snowy or icy conditions. Kia recom-

sure recommended for the standard

appropriate in some areas.

mends the use of snow tires or all

tires on the tire label on the driver's

season tires on all four wheels.

side of the center pillar, or up to the

maximum pressure shown on the tire

sidewall whichever is less.

Do not drive faster than 120 km/h (75

mph) when your car is equipped with

snow tires.

7 47

Maintenance -> Tires and wheels for Your Kia Sportage SUV Second Generation (2004-2010)

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