Get Driving your vehicle -> Trailer towing Guide for Kia Sportage SUV Fifth Generation (2022-2026)

Driving your vehicle

Trailer towing

which is supplied by the manufacturer of

the coupling device, are not permitted

for use. Please note that the mechanical

coupling device that is fitted and not in

Trailer towing (if equipped)

If you are considering towing with your

vehicle, you should first check with your

country's Department of Motor Vehicles

to determine their legal requirements.

use must always be removed or reposi

tioned if the rear number plate and/or

rear lighting devices are obscured by

any part of the mechanical coupling

device.

-

Since laws vary the requirements for

towing trailers, cars, or other types of

vehicles or apparatus may differ. Ask an

authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING

NOTICE

Towing a trailer

僅 The technically permissible maximum

load on the rear axle(s) may be

If you don't use the correct equipment

and drive improperly, you can lose con

-

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 (60 mph) for vehicle of category

M1 or 80 km/h (50 mph) for vehicle of

category N1.

trol 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

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have followed all the steps in this sec

-

tion.

僅 When towing a trailer, the additional

load imposed at the trailer coupling

WARNING

Weight limits

device may cause the rear tire maxi

-

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 lim

its.

mum load ratings to be exceeded, but

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

do not exceed 100 km/h (60 mph),

and the rear tire pressure should be at

least 20 kPa above the tire pressure(s)

as recommended for normal use (i.e.

without a trailer attached).

-

CAUTION

Any part of the rear number plate or

lighting devices of the vehicle must not

CAUTION

be obscured by the mechanical coupling

device. If the rear number plate and/or

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.

lighting devices can be obscured par

-

tially by any part of the mechanical cou

-

pling device, mechanical coupling

devices that can not be easily removed

or repositioned without use of any tool,

except an easily operated (i.e. an effort

not exceeding 20 N·m) release key

Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify

what the vehicle trailering capacity is for

your vehicle, refer to "Weight of the

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61

Driving your vehicle

Trailer towing

trailer" on page 5-67 that appears later

in this section.

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:

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.

-

僅 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.

This section contains many timetested,

important trailering tips and safety rules.

Many of these are important for your

safety and that of your passengers.

Please read this section carefully before

you pull a trailer.

If you don't seal them, deadly carbon

monoxide (CO) from your exhaust

can get into your vehicle, as well as

dirt and water.

Load-pulling components such as the

engine, transmission, wheel assemblies,

and tires are forced to work harder

against the load of the added weight.

The engine is required to operate at rela

tively higher speeds and under greater

loads. This additional burden generates

extra heat. The trailer also considerably

adds wind resistance, increasing pulling

requirements.

僅 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.

-

僅 Any part of the rear number plate or

lighting devices of the vehicle must

not be obscured by the mechanical

coupling device. Please note that the

mechanical coupling device that is fit

ted and not in use must always be

removed or repositioned if the rear

number plate and/or rear lighting

devices are obscured by any part of

the mechanical coupling device.

-

If the rear number plate and/or light

-

ing devices can be obscured partially

by any part of the mechanical cou

pling device, mechanical coupling

devices that can not be easily

removed or repositioned without use

of any tools, except an easily operated

(i.e. an effort not exceeding 20Nm)

release key which is supplied by the

manufacturer of the coupling device,

are not permitted for use.

-

ONQ5A053034

NOTICE

Location of trailer mounting

The mounting hole for hitches are

located on both sides of the underbody

behind the rear tires.

5

62

Driving your vehicle

Trailer towing

Please note that the mechanical cou

pling device that is fitted and not in

-

Do not use a trailer with its own brakes

unless you are absolutely certain that

use must always be removed or repo

-

you have properly set up the brake sys-

sitioned if the rear number plate and/

or rear lighting devices are obscured

tem. This is not a task for amateurs. Use

an experienced, competent trailer shop

for this work.

by any part of the mechanical cou

-

pling device.

僅 Kia trailer hitch accessory is available

at an authorized Kia dealer.

Driving with a trailer

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.

Safety chains

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.

Instructions about safety chains may be

provided by the hitch manufacturer or

by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the

manufacturer'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

moving and then apply the trailer brake

controller by hand to be sure the brakes

are working. This lets you check your

electrical connection at the same time.

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Trailer brakes

If your trailer is equipped with a braking

system, make sure it conforms to your

During your trip, check occasionally to

be sure that the load is secure, and that

the lights and trailer brakes are still

working.

country's regulations and that it is prop

-

erly installed and operating correctly.

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

Following distance

Stay at least twice as far behind the

vehicle ahead as you would when driv

ing your vehicle without a trailer. This

can help you avoid situations that

-

install, adjust and maintain them prop

-

erly.

require heavy braking and sudden turns.

僅 Don't tap into your vehicle's brake

system.

Passing

WARNING

You'll need more passing distance up

ahead when you're towing a trailer. And,

Trailer brakes

5

63

Driving your vehicle

Trailer towing

because of the increased vehicle length,

you'll need to go much farther beyond

the passed vehicle before you can return

to your lane.

Do not connect a trailer lighting system

directly to your vehicle's lighting system.

Use only an approved trailer wiring har

-

ness.

Have yourself assisted by a professional

workshop in installing the wiring har

ness.

-

Backing up

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.

Visit an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING

Failure to use an approved trailer wiring

harness could result in damage to the

vehicle electrical system and/or personal

injury.

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.

Detection of trailer light connec

tion

-

This functionality is only given with gen

uine accessories (tow bar and wiring

harness) that recognize when a trailer is

connected and consequently inform the

vehicle systems. Trailer recognition

-

Turn signals when towing a

trailer

works as follows: when a trailer socket is

plugged in, either the brake pedal shall

be pushed or turn signal lamps acti

-

When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has

to have a different turn signal flasher

and extra wiring. The green arrows on

vated; the electronic control unit will

then detect the trailer because of the

power consumption by the trailer light

ing and inform the vehicle systems.

When the trailer is disconnected, the

brake pedal shall be pushed again or

-

your instrument panel will flash when

-

ever 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.

turn signal lamps activated for the con

-

trol unit to be able to detect that there is

no power consumption anymore by

trailer lighting; the assistance systems

that were turned off will automatically

turn on again

When towing a trailer, the green arrows

on your instrument panel will flash for

turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are

burned out. Thus, you may think drivers

behind you are seeing your signals

when, in fact, they are not. It's important

to check occasionally to be sure the

trailer bulbs are still working. You must

It is the driver's responsibility to ensure

that all electrical connections are work

ing and all trailer lights are operating

-

before and during towing. You must per

form manual checks.

-

also check the lights every time you dis

connect and then reconnect the wires.

-

5

64

Driving your vehicle

Trailer towing

vehicle on a hill. People can be seriously

or fatally injured, and both your vehicle

CAUTION

Use only genuine electrical connections.

Do not attempt to arbitrarily splice or

directly connect the trailer wiring using

and the trailer can be damaged if unex

-

pectedly roll down hill.

WARNING

any other methods. Doing so may dam

age the vehicle's electrical system,

resulting in malfunctions.

-

Parking on a hill

Parking your vehicle on a hill with a

trailer attached could cause serious

injury or death, should the trailer break

loose.

Driving on grades

Reduce the speed and shift to a lower

gear before you start down a long or

steep downgrade. If you don't shift

down, you might have to use your

However, if you ever have to park your

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

1. Pull the vehicle into the parking space.

brakes so much that they would get hot

and no longer operate efficiently.

Turn the steering wheel in the direc

tion of the curb (right if headed down

hill, left if headed up hill).

-

On a long uphill grade, shift down and

reduce your speed to around 70 km/h

(45 mph) to reduce the possibility of

engine and transmission overheating.

2. Set the parking brake and shut off the

vehicle.

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3. Place chocks under the trailer wheels

on the down hill side of the wheels.

CAUTION

4. 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.

僅 When towing a trailer on steep grades

(in excess of 6 %) pay close attention

to the engine coolant temperature

gauge to ensure the engine does not

overheat. If the needle of the coolant

temperature gauge moves across the

dial towards "H (HOT) (or 130 °C/260

°F)", pull over and stop as soon as it is

safe to do so, and allow the engine to

5. Reapply the brakes, reapply the park

-

ing brake.

6. Shut off the vehicle and release the

vehicle brakes but leave the parking

brake set.

idle until it cools down. You may pro

ceed once the engine has cooled suf

-

WARNING

Parking brake

ficiently.

It can be dangerous to get out of your

僅 You must decide the driving speed

vehicle if the parking brake is not firmly

set.

depending on trailer weight and uphill

grade to reduce the possibility of

engine and transmission overheating.

If you have left the engine running, the

vehicle can move suddenly. You or oth

-

ers could be seriously or fatally injured.

Parking on hills

Generally, if you have a trailer attached

to your vehicle, you should not park your

5

65

Driving your vehicle

Trailer towing

僅 When towing, check the transmission

fluid more frequently.

When you are ready to leave

after parking on a hill

僅 If your vehicle is not equipped with an

air conditioner, you should install a

1. Apply your brakes and hold the brake

pedal down while you:

condenser fan to improve engine per

formance when towing a trailer.

-

僅 Start your engine;

僅 Shift into gear; and

僅 Release the parking brake.

If you do decide to pull a trailer

2. Slowly remove your foot from the

brake pedal.

Here are some important points if you

decide to pull a trailer:

3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of

the chocks.

僅 Consider using a sway control. You

can ask a hitch dealer about sway

control.

4. Stop and have someone pick up and

store the chocks.

僅 Do not do any towing with your vehi

-

Maintenance when trailer towing

cle during its first 2,000 km (1,200

miles ) in order to allow the engine to

Your vehicle will need service more

often when you regularly pull a trailer.

properly break in. Failure to heed this

caution may result in serious engine

or transmission damage.

Important items to pay particular atten

tion to include engine oil, axle lubricant

and cooling system fluid. Brake condi

tion is another important item to fre

-

僅 When towing a trailer, consult an

authorized Kia dealer on additional

requirements such as a towing kit, etc.

-

quently 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.

僅 Always drive your vehicle at a moder

ate speed (less than 100 km/h (60

mph)).

-

僅 On a long uphill grade, do not exceed

Don't forget to also maintain your trailer

and hitch. Follow the maintenance

schedule that accompanied your trailer

and check it periodically. Preferably,

conduct the check at the start of each

day's driving. Most importantly, all hitch

nuts and bolts should be tight.

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

ing speed limit, whichever is lower.

-

僅 The chart contains important consid

-

erations that have to do with weight:

CAUTION

僅 Due to higher load during trailer

usage, overheating might occur in hot

days or during uphill driving. If the

coolant gauge indicates overheating,

switch off the A/C and stop the vehi

cle in a safe area to cool down the

engine.

-

5

66

Driving your vehicle

Trailer towing

Smartstream G2.5 GDi

AT

Item

With brake system

Without brake system

2,500 lbs. (1,134 kg)

1,653 lbs. (750 kg)

220 lbs. (100 kg)

Maximum trailer

weight

Maximum tongue weight

Weight of the trailer

Weight of the trailer tongue

OCV051256N

A: Tongue Load

OCV051257N

A: Gross Axle Weight

B: Total Trailer Weight

B: Gross Vehicle Weight

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.

5

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.

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 trailer and then the tongue, sepa

-

rately, 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.

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Driving your vehicle -> Trailer towing for Your Kia Sportage SUV Fifth Generation (2022-2026)

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