2004 KIA CERATO oil level

Maintenance
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STEERING WHEEL
Park the vehicle on level ground,
start the car and place the tire
wheels in the straight-ahead posi-
tion. Turn the steering wheel to the
left and right with a little force and
check the free play until you get a
feel for resistance against the tire
wheels movement.
Standard value: 30 mm (1.2 in) or less
✽✽ NOTICE
If the measured value exceeds the standard value, have the systemchecked by an authorized Kia deal-
er.
Checking the manual
transaxle oil level
1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
2. Remove the fill/check plug on theside of the transaxle.
1LDN5019 MANUAL TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)1LDN7027
30 mm (1.2 in)
WARNING
- Lifting your
vehicle
If you raise your vehicle, always
ensure that it is supported at all
four jacking or lift points for the
vehicle. Do not use jacks meant
for tire changes. Use only lift
equipment specifically recom-
mended for doing maintenance
work under the vehicle. Place
the vehicle and lift equipment
on a hard, level surface capable
of supporting the full weight of
the vehicle without moving or
deforming. If the support is not
stable, the vehicle could fall andcause serious or fatal injuries.
Follow the instructions with the
lift device.

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Maintenance
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3. Verify that the oil level reaches thebottom of the fill/check hole. Fill as
necessary.
If the oil level is low, check for leaks
before adding oil. Do not overfill. Use only the specified manual transaxleoil. (Refer to “RecommendedLubricants” later in this section.)
4. Install a new washer on the fill/check plug and tighten the plug
Changing the manual transaxle oil
1. Raise and suitably support the
vehicle.
2. Remove the drain plug on the bot-tom of the transaxle.
3. After the oil has drained complete- ly, install a new washer on the
plug, reinstall the drain plug and
2LDA70041LDN7026
WARNING - Lifting your
vehicle
If you raise your vehicle, always
ensure that it is supported at all
four jacking or lift points for the
vehicle. Do not use jacks meant
for tire changes. Use only lift
equipment specifically recom-
mended for doing maintenance
work under the vehicle. Place
the vehicle and lift equipment
on a hard, level surface capable
of supporting the full weight of
the vehicle without moving or
deforming. If the support is not
stable, the vehicle could fall andcause serious or fatal injuries.
Follow the instructions with the
lift device.

Maintenance
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4. Remove the fill/check plug on the
side of the transaxle.
5. Add oil through the fill/check hole until it reaches the bottom of the
fill/check hole.
6. Install a new washer on the fill/check plug.
7. Reinstall and tighten the fill/check

Use only the specified manual
transaxle oil. (Refer to“Recommended Lubricants’’ later inthis section.)
Checking the automatic
transaxle fluid level
The automatic transaxle fluid level
should be checked regularly.
The volume of the transaxle fluid
changes with temperature. Although
it is best to check the level after hav-
ing driven the vehicle for at least 30
minutes, the level can be checked
after warming the fluid using the fol-
lowing procedure. 1. Park the vehicle on level ground
and firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Allow the engine to idle for about 2 minutes.
3. Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever slowly through
all ranges then set it in P (Park).
4. With the engine still idling, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean and rein-
sert it fully.
5. Pull out the dipstick again and check the fluid level.
1LDA50081LDN7027 AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)

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Maintenance
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If the fluid has been warmed to nor-
mal operating temperature of approx-
imately 70~80°C (158~176°F), the
fluid level should be within “HOT”
range.
✽✽ NOTICE
“COLD” scale is for reference only
and should NOT be used to deter-mine transaxle fluid level. ✽
✽
NOTICE
New automatic transaxle fluid
should be red. The red dye is addedso the assembly plant can identify itas automatic transaxle fluid and dis-
tinguish it from engine oil or
antifreeze. The red dye, which is not
an indicator of fluid quality, is not
permanent. As the vehicle is driven,the automatic transaxle fluid will
begin to look darker. The color may
eventually appear light brown.
Therefore, have an Authorized Kia
dealer change the automatictransaxle fluid according to theScheduled Maintenance at thebeginning of this section.
CAUTION
Low fluid level causes transaxle slippage. Overfillingcan cause foaming, loss offluid and transaxle malfunc- tion.
The use of a non-specified fluid could result in transaxlemalfunction and failure.
WARNING - Parking brake
To avoid sudden movement of
the vehicle, apply parking brakeand depress the brake pedal
before moving the shift lever.
1LDA5009
Type A1LDE5009
Type B
COLD HOT

Maintenance
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Changing the automatic transaxle fluid
1. Raise and suitably support the
vehicle.
2. Remove the drain plug located atthe bottom of the transaxle pan.
3. After the oil has drained complete- ly, install a new washer on the
plug, reinstall the drain plug, and
4. Lower the vehicle.
5. Remove the automatic transaxle dipstick located near the center of
the engine compartment bulkheadand, using a funnel, add the nec-
essary amount of automatic
transaxle fluid.
Use only the specified automatic
transaxle fluid. (Refer to"Recommended Lubricants" later in this section.)
✽✽ NOTICE
Do NOT overfill the automatic
transaxle reservoir. Doing so cancause a seal “blow out”, loss of fluid,and damage to the transaxle. If you
overfill the reservoir, you must drain
the excess prior to driving the vehi-
cle. It is likely that there will be fluid
left in the transaxle after draining,
especially if the front of the vehicle
was raised to remove the drain plug.
6. Check the fluid level. If necessary, add a small amount of fluid and
check the level again. Continue
this process until the level reads
within “HOT” range.
7. Replace the dipstick and properly dispose of the used transaxle fluid.
WARNING - Lifting your
vehicle
If you raise your vehicle, always
ensure that it is supported at all
four jacking or lift points for the
vehicle. Do not use jacks meant
for tire changes. Use only lift
equipment specifically recom-
mended for doing maintenance
work under the vehicle. Place
the vehicle and lift equipment
on a hard, level surface capable
of supporting the full weight of
the vehicle without moving or
deforming. If the support is not
stable, the vehicle could fall andcause serious or fatal injuries.
Follow the instructions with the
lift device.
1LDN7029

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Maintenance
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LUBRICANTS AND FLUIDS
Checking the washer fluid
level
The reservoir is translucent so that
you can check the level with a quickvisual inspection.
Check the fluid level in the washer
fluid reservoir and add fluid if neces-
sary. Plain water may be used if
washer fluid is not available.
However, use washer solvent with
antifreeze characteristics in cold cli-
mates to prevent freezing. Body lubrication
All moving points of the body, such
as door hinges, hood hinges, and
locks, should be lubricated each time
the engine oil is changed. Use a non-
freezing lubricant on locks during
cold weather.
Make sure the engine hood second-
ary latch keeps the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch isreleased.
1LDA5021
WARNING
Do not use radiator coolant or antifreeze in the washer fluid
reservoir.
Radiator coolant can severely obscure visibility when
sprayed on the windshield
and may cause loss of vehicle
control or damage to paint
and body trim.