Get Maintenance -> Tires and wheels Guide for Kia Sportage SUV Fifth Generation (2022-2026)

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

the risk of an accident. This risk is much

higher on hot days and when driving for

long periods at high speeds.

Tires and wheels

For proper maintenance, safety, and

maximum fuel economy, you must

always maintain the recommended tire

pressures and stay within the load limits

and weight distribution recommended

for your vehicle.

Failure to maintain specified pressure

may result in excessive wear, poor han

-

dling, reduced fuel economy, deforma

tion of tire and/or wheel, harsh ride

conditions, possibility for additional

-

Recommended cold tire inflation

pressures

damage from road hazards, or result in

tire failure.

All tire pressures should be checked

when the tires are cold. "Cold Tires"

means the vehicle has not been driven

for at least three hours or driven less

than 1 mile (1.6 km).

Tire pressure

Always observe the following:

僅 Check tire pressure when the tires are

cold. (After vehicle has been parked

for at least three hours or hasn't been

driven more than 1.6 km (1 mile) since

startup.)

Recommended pressures must be main

tained for the best ride, vehicle handling,

and minimum tire wear.

-

For recommended pressure, refer to

"Tires and wheels" on page 8-28.

僅 Check the pressure of your spare tire

each time you check the pressure of

other tires. (if equipped)

All specifications (sizes and pressures)

can be found on a label attached to the

driver's side center pillar.

僅 Never overload your vehicle. Be care

ful not to overload a vehicle luggage

rack if your vehicle is equipped with

one.

-

僅 Warm tires normally exceed recom

-

mended cold tire pressures by 28~41

kPa (4~6 psi). Do not release air from

warm tires to adjust the pressure or

the tires will be underinflated.

ONQ5061055L

WARNING

Tire Inflation

Tire underinflation

Inflate your tires consistent with the

instructions provided in this manual.

Regularly check the tire inflation pres

sure, and correct it as needed; at least

twice a month and before any long trips

on the road. If you fail to observe this

precaution, you may be driving on

Overinflation or underinflation can

reduce tire life, adversely affect vehicle

handling, and lead to sudden tire failure.

This could result in loss of vehicle control

and potential injury.

-

underinflated tires, which may not only

compromise your vehicle's driving stabil

ity, but may also lead to tire damage and

Checking tire inflation pressure

-

Check your tires once a month or more.

8

28

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

Use a good quality gauge to check tire

pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are

properly inflated simply by looking at

them. Radial tires may look properly

Tire rotation

To equalize tread wear, it is recom

-

mended that the tires be rotated every

13,000 km (8,000 miles) or sooner if

irregular wear develops.

inflated even when they're underin

-

flated.

During rotation, check the tires for cor

-

Check the tire's inflation pressure when

the tires are cold. "Cold" means your

vehicle has been sitting or at least three

hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6

km).

rect balance.

When rotating tires, check for uneven

wear and damage. Abnormal wear is

usually caused by incorrect tire pres

sure, improper wheel alignment, out of-

balance wheels, severe braking or

severe cornering. Look for bumps or

bulges in the tread or side of tire.

Replace the tire if you find either of

-

1. Remove the valve cap from the tire

valve stem.

2. Press the tire gauge firmly onto the

valve to get a pressure measurement.

If the cold tire inflation pressure

these conditions. Replace the tire if fab

-

matches the proper pressure on the

tire and loading information label, no

further adjustment is necessary.

ric or cord is visible. After rotation, be

sure to bring the front and rear tire pres

sures to specification and check lug nut

tightness. (proper torque is 11~13 kgf·m

[79~94 lbf·ft])

-

3. If the pressure is low, add air until you

reach the recommended amount.

Refer to "Tires and wheels" on page 8-

28.

4. If you overfill the tire, release air by

pushing on the metal stem in the cen

-

ter of the tire valve.

Disc brake pads should be inspected for

wear whenever tires are rotated.

5. Recheck the tire pressure with the tire

gauge.

With a full-size spare tire (if equipped)

6. Be sure to put the valve caps back on

the valve stems. They help prevent

leaks by keeping out dirt and mois

-

ture.

8

Inspect your tires frequently for proper

inflation as well as wear and damage.

Always use a tire pressure gauge.

CBGQ0706

Without a spare tire

Tires with too much or too little pressure

wear unevenly. This could result in poor

handling, loss of vehicle control, and

sudden tire failure leading to accidents,

injuries, and even death. The recom

-

ODEEV098029NR

mended cold tire pressure for your vehi

-

cle can be found in this manual and on

the tire label located on the driver's side

center pillar.

8

29

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

Directional tires (if equipped)

CBGQ0707A

OCV071013L

Rotate radial tires that have an asym

metric tread pattern only from front to

rear and not from right to left.

-

[A] : Tread wear indicator

This shows there is less than 1/16 in (1.6

mm) of tread left on the tire. Replace the

tire when this happens.

WARNING

Mixing tires

Do not wait for the band to appear

across the entire tread before replacing

the tire.

Do not mix bias ply and radial ply tires

under any circumstances. This may

cause unusual handling characteristics

which can lead to loss of control and an

accident.

The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) works

by comparing the speed of the wheels.

The tire size affects wheel speed. When

replacing tires, all 4 tires must use the

same size originally supplied with the

vehicle. Using tires of a different size can

cause the ABS and Electronic Stability

Control (ESC) to work irregularly.

Wheel alignment and tire balance

The wheels on your vehicle were aligned

and balanced carefully at the factory to

give you the longest tire life and best

overall performance.

It is best to replace all four tires at the

same time. If that is not possible, or nec

-

If you notice unusual tire wear or your

vehicle pulling one way or the other, the

alignment may need to be reset.

essary, then replace the two front or two

rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one

tire can seriously affect your vehicle's

handling.

If you notice your vehicle vibrating when

driving on a smooth road, your wheels

may need to be rebalanced.

NOTICE

We recommend that when replacing

tires, use the same originally supplied

CAUTION

Wheel weight

with the vehicles. If not, that affects driv

-

ing performance.

Improper wheel weights can damage

your vehicle's aluminum wheels. Use

only approved wheel weights.

Wheel replacement

When replacing the metal wheels for any

reason, make sure the new wheels are

equivalent to the original factory units in

diameter, rim width and offset.

Tire replacement

If the tire is worn evenly, a tread wear

indicator will appear as a solid band

across the tread.

A wheel with an incorrect size may

adversely affect many things: wheel and

bearing life, braking and stopping abili

-

8

30

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

ties, handling characteristics, ground

clearance, body-to-tire clearance, snow

chain clearance, speedometer and

odometer calibration, headlamp aiming

and bumper height.

CAUTION

Wheels

OCV071010L

The TIN can be used to identify the tire

in case of a recall.

Wheels that do not meet Kia specifica

tions may fit poorly and result in dam

-

age to the vehicle or unusual handling

and poor vehicle control.

1. Manufacturer or brand name

Manufacturer or Brand name is shown.

Tire traction

2. Tire size designation

Tire traction can be reduced if you drive

on worn tires, tires that are improperly

inflated or on slippery road surfaces.

A tire's sidewall is marked with a tire size

designation. You will need this informa

-

tion when selecting replacement tires for

your vehicle. The following explains

what the letters and numbers in the tire

size designation mean.

Tires should be replaced when tread

wear indicators appear. Slow down

whenever there is rain, snow or ice on

the road to reduce the possibility of los

ing control of the vehicle.

-

Example tire size designation:

(These numbers are provided as an

example only; your tire size designator

could vary depending on your vehicle.)

Tire maintenance

In addition to proper inflation, correct

wheel alignment helps to decrease tire

wear.

P255/45R20 105V

僅 P: Applicable vehicle type (tires

marked with the prefix "P" are

If you find a tire is worn unevenly, have

your dealer check the wheel alignment.

intended for use on passenger vehi

cles or light trucks; however, not all

tires have this marking).

-

Make sure the newly installed tires are

balanced correctly to increase vehicle

ride comfort and tire life. In addition,

always rebalance the tire when the tire is

removed from the wheel.

8

僅 255: Tire width in millimeters.

僅 45: Aspect ratio. The tire's section

height as a percentage of its width.

Tire sidewall labeling

僅 R: Tire construction code (Radial).

僅 20: Rim diameter in inches.

This information identifies and describes

the fundamental characteristics of the

tire and also provides the Tire Identifica

tion Number (TIN) for safety standard

certification.

僅 105: Load Index, a numerical code

associated with the maximum load

the tire can carry.

-

僅 V: Speed Rating Symbol. See the

speed rating chart in this section for

additional information.

8

31

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

DOT: XXXX XXXX OOOO

Wheel size designation

The front part of the DOT means a plant

code number, tire size and tread pattern

and the last four numbers indicate week

and year manufactured.

Wheels are also marked with important

information that you need if you ever

have to replace one. The following

explains what the letters and numbers in

the wheel size designation mean.

For example:

Example wheel size designation:

8.5JX20

DOT XXXX XXXX 1623 represents that

the tire was produced in the 16th week

of 2023.

僅 8.5: Rim width in inches.

僅 J: Rim contour designation.

僅 20: Rim diameter in inches.

WARNING

Tire age

Replace tires within the recommended

time frame. Failure to replace tires as

recommended can result in sudden tire

failure, which could lead to a loss of con

trol and an accident.

Tire speed ratings

The chart below lists many of the differ

ent speed ratings currently being used

for passenger vehicle tires. The speed

-

rating is part of the tire size designation

on the sidewall of the tire. This symbol

corresponds to that tire's designed max

imum safe operating speed.

-

4. Tire ply composition and mate

rial

-

The number of layers or plies of rubber-

Speed Rating

Maximum Speed

Symbol

coated fabric in the tire. Tire manufac

-

turers also must indicate the materials in

S

T

180 km/h (112 mph)

190 km/h (118 mph)

210 km/h (130 mph)

240 km/h (149 mph)

270 km/h (168 mph)

300 km/h (186 mph)

the tire, which include steel, nylon, poly

ester, and others. The letter "R" means

radial ply construction; the letter "D"

-

H

V

W

Y

means diagonal or bias ply construction;

and the letter "B" means belted-bias ply

construction.

3. Checking tire life

5. Maximum Inflation Pressure

Any tires that are over 6 years old, based

on the manufacturing date, should be

replaced by new ones. You can find the

manufacturing date on the tire sidewall

This number is the greatest amount of

air pressure that should be put in the

tire. Do not exceed the maximum infla

-

tion pressure. Refer to "Certification

label" on page 5-70 for recommended

inflation pressure.

(possibly on the inside of the wheel), dis

playing the DOT code. The DOT code is

a series of numbers on a tire consisting

of numbers and English letters. The

manufacturing date is designated by the

last four digits (characters) of the DOT

code.

-

6. Maximum load rating

This number indicates the maximum

load in kilograms and pounds that can

8

32

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

be carried by the tire. When replacing

the tires on the vehicle, always use a tire

ment on your vehicle may vary with

respect to grade.

that has the same load rating as the fac

tory installed tire.

-

Traction - AA, A, B & C

The traction grades, from highest to low

-

est, are AA, A, B and C. Those grades

7. Uniform Tire Quality Grading

represent the tire's ability to stop on wet

pavement as measured under controlled

conditions on specified government test

surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire

Quality grades can be found where

applicable on the tire sidewall between

tread shoulder and maximum section

width.

marked C may have poor traction per

-

For example:

formance.

僅 Treadwear 200

僅 Traction AA

The traction grade assigned to this tire is

based on straight-ahead braking trac

-

僅 Temperature A

tion tests, and does not include accelera

tion, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak

traction characteristics.

-

Tires degrade over time, even when they

are not being used. Regardless of the

remaining tread, we recommend that

tires be replaced after approximately six

(6) years of normal service. Heat caused

by hot climate or frequent high loading

Temperature -A & B

The temperature grades are A (the high

-

est), and B representing the tire's resis

-

conditions can accelerate the aging pro

cess.

-

tance to the generation of heat and its

ability to dissipate heat when tested

under controlled conditions on a speci

fied indoor laboratory test wheel.

-

Tread wear

The tread wear grade is a comparative

Sustained high temperature can cause

the material of the tire to degenerate

rating based on the wear rate of the tire

when tested under controlled conditions

on a specified government test course.

For example, a tire graded 150 would

wear one-and-a-half times (1½) as well

on the government course as a tire

graded 100.

and reduce tire life, and excessive tem

perature can lead to sudden tire failure.

Grades B and A represent higher levels

of performance on the laboratory test

wheel than the minimum required by

law.

-

8

The relative performance of tires

depends upon the actual conditions of

Tire terminology and definitions

Refer to the following for detailed defini

tions of the terms that are found in the

tire description.

-

their use. Performance may depart sig

-

nificantly from the norm due to varia

-

tions in driving habits, service practices

and differences in road characteristics

and climate.

Air Pressure The amount of air inside

the tire pressing outward on the tire. Air

pressure is expressed in pounds per

square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).

These grades are molded on the side-

walls of passenger vehicle tires. The tires

available as standard or optional equip

-

8

33

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

Accessory Weight The combined

weight of optional accessories. Some

examples of optional accessories are

automatic transmission, power seats,

and air conditioning.

Kilopascal (kPa) The metric unit for air

pressure.

Light truck (LT) tire A tire designated

by its manufacturer as primarily

intended for use on lightweight trucks or

multipurpose passenger vehicles.

Aspect Ratio The relationship of a tire's

height to its width.

Load ratings The maximum load that a

tire is rated to carry for a given inflation

pressure.

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.

Load Index An assigned number rang

-

ing from 1 to 279 that corresponds to the

load carrying capacity of a tire.

Bead The tire bead contains steel wires

wrapped by steel cords that hold the tire

onto the rim.

Maximum Inflation Pressure The maxi

-

mum air pressure to which a cold tire

Bias Ply Tire A pneumatic tire in which

the plies are laid at alternate angles less

than 90 degrees to the centerline of the

tread.

may be inflated. The maximum air pres

sure is molded onto the sidewall.

-

Maximum Load Rating The load rating

for a tire at the maximum inflation pres

-

Cold Tire Pressure The amount of air

pressure in a tire, measured in pounds

per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa)

sure for that tire.

Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight The

sum of curb weight; accessory weight;

vehicle capacity weight; and production

options weight.

before a tire has built up heat from driv

-

ing.

Curb Weight The weight of a motor

vehicle with standard and optional

equipment (including the maximum

capacity of fuel, oil and coolant), but

without passengers and cargo.

Normal Occupant Weight The number

of occupants a vehicle is designed to

seat multiplied by 68 kg (150 lbs.).

Occupant Distribution Designated

seating positions.

DOT Markings The DOT code includes

the Tire Identification Number (TIN), an

Outward Facing Sidewall The side of a

asymmetrical tire that has a particular

side that faces outward when mounted

alphanumeric designator which can also

identify the tire manufacturer, produc

-

on a vehicle. The outward facing side

-

tion plant, brand and date of production.

wall bears white lettering or bears man

ufacturer, brand, and/or model name

molding that is higher or deeper than

the same moldings on the inner facing

sidewall.

-

GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

GAWR FRT Gross Axle Weight Rating

for the Front axle.

GAWR RR Gross Axle Weight Rating for

the Rear axle.

Passenger (P-Metric) Tire A tire used

on passenger cars and some light duty

trucks and multipurpose vehicles.

Intended Outboard Sidewall The side

of an asymmetrical tire that must always

face outward when mounted on a vehi

-

Ply A layer of rubber-coated parallel

cle.

cords.

8

34

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

Pneumatic tire A mechanical device

made of rubber, chemicals, fabric and

steel or other materials, that, when

mounted on an automotive wheel, pro

wear. Ratings are determined by tire

manufacturers using government test

ing procedures. The ratings are molded

into the sidewall of the tire.

-

vides the traction and contains the gas

or fluid that sustains the load.

Vehicle Capacity Weight The weight of

designated seating positions multiplied

by 68 kg (150 lbs.) plus the rated cargo

and luggage load.

Production options weight The com

-

bined weight of installed regular produc

-

tion options weighing over 2.3 kg (5 lbs.)

in excess of the standard items which

they replace, not previously considered

in curb weight or accessory weight.

Examples include heavy duty brakes,

Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire

Load on an individual tire due to curb

and accessory weight plus maximum

occupant and cargo weight.

Vehicle Normal Load on the Tire Load

on an individual tire that is determined

by distributing to each axle its share of

the curb weight, accessory weight, and

normal occupant weight and driving by

2.

ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty bat

tery, and special trim.

-

Recommended Inflation Pressure

Vehicle manufacturer's recommended

tire inflation pressure and shown on the

tire placard.

Vehicle Placard A label permanently

Radial Ply Tire A pneumatic tire in

attached to a vehicle showing the origi

-

which the ply cords that extend to the

nal equipment tire size and recom

-

beads are laid at 90 degrees to the cen

-

mended inflation pressure.

terline of the tread.

All season tires

Rim A metal support for a tire and upon

which the tire beads are seated.

Kia specifies all season tires on some

models to provide good performance for

use all year round, including snowy and

icy road conditions.

Sidewall The portion of a tire between

the tread and the bead.

Speed Rating An alphanumeric code

All season tires are identified by ALL

SEASON and/or M+S (Mud and Snow)

assigned to a tire indicating the maxi

-

mum speed at which a tire can operate.

on the tire sidewall. Snow tires have bet

ter snow traction than all season tires

and may be more appropriate in some

areas.

-

8

Traction The friction between the tire

and the road surface. The amount of

grip provided.

Tread The portion of a tire that comes

into contact with the road.

Summer tires

Kia specifies summer tires on some

models to provide superior performance

on dry roads.

Treadwear Indicators Narrow bands,

sometimes called "wear bars," that show

across the tread of a tire when only 1.6

mm (2/32 inch) of tread remains.

Summer tire performance is substan

-

tially reduced in snow and ice. Summer

tires do not have the tire traction rating

M+S (Mud and Snow) on the tire side

wall. if you plan to operate your vehicle

UTQGS Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Standards, a tire information system that

provides consumers with ratings for a

tire's traction, temperature and tread

-

8

35

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

in snowy or icy conditions, Kia recom

-

Radial-ply tires

mends the use of snow tires or all sea

son tires on all four wheels.

-

Radial-ply tires provide improved tread

life, road hazard resistance and

smoother high speed ride.

Snow tires

The radial-ply tires used on this vehicle

are of belted construction, and are

selected to complement the ride and

handling characteristics of your vehicle.

If you equip your vehicle with snow tires,

they should be the same size and have

the same load capacity as the original

tires.

Radial-ply tires have the same load car

-

Snow tires should be installed on all four

wheels; otherwise, poor handling may

result.

rying capacity, as bias-ply or bias belted

tires of the same size, and use the same

recommended inflation pressure.

Snow tires should carry 28 kPa (4 psi)

Mixing of radial-ply tires with bias-ply or

bias belted tires is not recommended.

Any combinations of radial-ply and bias-

ply or bias belted tires when used on the

same vehicle will seriously deteriorate

vehicle handling. The best rule to follow

is: Identical radial-ply tires should always

be used as a set of four.

more air pressure than the pressure rec

ommended for the standard tires on the

-

tire label on the driver's side of the cen

-

ter 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 vehicle is equipped

with snow tires.

Longer wearing tires can be more sus

-

ceptible to irregular tread wear. It is very

important to follow the tire rotation

interval shown in this section to achieve

the tread life potential of these tires.

Cuts and punctures in radial-ply tires are

repairable only in the tread area,

WARNING

Do not use summer tires at tempera

tures below 7 °C (45 °F) or when driving

on snow or ice. At temperatures below 7

°C (45 °F), summer tires can lose elastic

ity, and therefore traction and braking

power as well. Change the tires on your

vehicle to winter or all-weather tires of

the same size as the standard tires of

the vehicle. Both types of tires are identi

-

because of sidewall flexing. Consult your

tire dealer for radial-ply tire repairs.

-

fied by the M+S (Mud and Snow) mark

ing. Using summer tires at very cold

temperatures could cause cracks to

-

form, thereby damaging the tires per

manently.

-

8

36

Maintenance -> Tires and wheels for Your Kia Sportage SUV Fifth Generation (2022-2026)

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