2005 KIA Rio Owner's Manual

For the best fuel economy, the following shift points
are recommended:
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy traffic or while
driving up steep hills, downshift before the engine
starts to “labor.’’ Downshifting reduces the chance of
stalling and gives better acceleration when you again
need to increase your speed. When the vehicle is trav-
eling down steep hills, downshifting one gear level
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs brake life.
Driving Your Vehicle4-8
Shift Points km/h (mph)
1st to 2nd 19 (12)
2nd to 3rd 32 (20)
3rd to 4th 50 (31)
4th to 5th 63 (39)
Shift Point RecommendationsUpshifting
For normal acceleration, the following shift points are
recommended:
This data has been obtained through tests. You are
encouraged to follow this shift schedule.
Occasionally, you may have to shift at higher speeds
than those shown above when you need more power,
such as when you are driving on a hill or passing
another vehicle. However, never exceed maximum
engine RPM.Shift Points km/h (mph)
1st to 2nd 25 (15)
2nd to 3rd 45 (27)
3rd to 4th 62 (37)
4th to 5th 79 (47)
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4-9
Automatic Transaxle (If Equipped)
ARSB04001/1S2104005B
Normal transaxle gear ranges
are provided on the right side of
the indicator.
To move the shift lever from the P position, the ignition
switch must be in the ON position, the brake pedal must
be depressed and the lock release button must be
depressed.
The lock release button must be depressed
while moving the shift lever.
The shift lever can be moved without
depressing the lock release button.Lock release button
prevents shift lever movement with-
out first depressing the button.
O/D System
Pressing the button de-activates the
O/D mode. Pressing again re-activates
the O/D mode.
Emergency
override
O/D (Overdrive) System
Shift lever
Shift pattern indicator
shows shift lever position and
gear range of the transaxle.
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Automatic Transaxle OperationAll normal forward driving is done with the shift lever
in the D (Drive) position.
To move the shift lever from the P (Park) position, the
ignition switch must be in the ON position, the brake
pedal must be depressed, and the lock release button
must be depressed.
For smooth operation, depress the brake pedal when
shifting from N (Neutral) to a forward or Reverse gear.Driving Your Vehicle4-10
CAUTION
• Do not accelerate the engine in R (Reverse) or
any of the forward positions with the brakes
on.
 When stopped on an upgrade, do not hold the
vehicle stationary with engine power. Use the
service brake or the parking brake.
 Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into
1 (1st), 2 (2nd), D (Drive) or R (Reverse) when
the engine is above idle speed.
1S2104005B
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4-11
Transaxle Ranges
O/D (OVERDRIVE) SYSTEM
Pressing the O/D system button cancels and engages
the overdrive system. When the O/D system is can-
celled (button is depressed), the O/D OFF indicator
illuminates and the transaxle gear range is limited to
1st through 3rd. The transaxle will not shift to 4th gear
until the O/D system button is again depressed.
When the ignition is switched OFF, the O/D OFF mode
is automatically cancelled.
WARNING - Automatic
Transaxle
 Before leaving the driver’s seat, always
make sure the shift lever is in the P (PARK)
position; then set the parking brake fully
and shut the engine off. Unexpected and
sudden vehicle movement can occur if these
precautions are not followed in the order
identified.
O/D OFF indicator
This indicator light illuminates in the instrument panel
when the O/D mode is cancelled.
NORMAL OPERATION
P (Park)
This position locks the transaxle and prevents the front
wheels from rotating. Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into this position.
✽
NOTICE
If the O/D OFF indicator flashes, it indicates an
electrical problem with the transaxle. Should this
occur, have the vehicle checked by an Authorized
Kia Dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING
Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in
motion will cause the front wheels to lock and
you will lose driving control of the vehicle.
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Driving Your Vehicle4-12
R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle backward.
N (Neutral)
In this position, the wheels and transaxle are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even on the slight-
est incline unless the parking brake or service brakes
are applied.
D (Drive)
This is the normal forward driving position. The
transaxle will automatically shift through a four-gear
sequence, providing the best fuel economy and power.
For extra power when passing another vehicle or
climbing steep grades, depress the accelerator fully, at
which time the transaxle will automatically downshift
into the next lower gear.
CAUTION
Always come to a complete stop before shifting
into or out of R (Reverse). You may damage the
transaxle if you shift into R while the vehicle is in
motion, except as explained in “Rocking the
Ve h i c l e .’’
✽
NOTICE
The transaxle may be damaged if you shift into
P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING
 Do not use the P (Park) position in place of
the parking brake when leaving the vehicle.
Always make sure the shift lever is latched
in the P (Park) position so that it cannot be
moved unless the lock release button is
pushed in AND the parking brake is fully
set.
 Turn the ignition switch OFF whenever you
leave the vehicle unattended. Never leave the
vehicle unattended while the engine is run-
ning. Unexpected and sudden vehicle move-
ment may occur if these precautions are not
taken.
 Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
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4-13
For improved engine performance, the transaxle will
not shift into 4th gear until the engine coolant reaches
normal operation temperature.
2 (2nd)
Move shift lever to this position for driving in heavy,
slow-moving traffic or when climbing hills. This posi-
tion also provides engine braking when going down
hills and helps reduce wheel spin on slippery surfaces.
1 (1st)
Move the shift lever to this position in hard pulling sit-
uations and for climbing or descending steep grades.
Moving Up a Steep Grade from a Standing
Start
To move up a steep grade from a standing start,
depress the brake pedal, shift the shift lever to
D (Drive), 2 (2nd), or 1 (1st). Select the appropriate
gear depending on load weight and steepness of the
grade, and release the parking brake. Depress the
accelerator gradually while releasing the service
brakes.Shift Lock System
For your safety, the Automatic Transaxle has a shift
lock system which prevents shifting the transaxle out
of P (Park) unless the brake pedal is depressed.
To shift the transaxle out of P (Park):
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine or turn the ignition key to the ON
position.
3. Depress the lock release button and move the shift
lever.
When the ignition switch is in the ACC or LOCK posi-
tion, the transaxle cannot be shifted from P (Park).
If the brake pedal is repeatedly depressed and released
with the shift lever in the P (Park) position, a chatter-
ing noise near the shift lever may be heard.
This is a normal condition.
Also, the ignition key cannot be removed unless the
shift lever is in the P (Park) position. If the ignition
switch is in any other position, the key cannot be
removed.
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Driving Your Vehicle4-14
2. Insert a screwdriver (cross or flat blade) into the
access hole, then depress the screwdriver.
AS2B04005A
Shift Lock Override
If the shift lever should fail to move from the
P (Park) position with the brake pedal depressed, con-
tinue depressing the brake, then do the following:
1. Carefully remove the cap covering the emergency
override access hole which is located on the right
side of the shift lever.
AS2B04004A
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4-15
3. Press the brake pedal.
4. Depress the lock release button and move the shift
lever.
5. Have your vehicle inspected by an Authorized Kia
Dealership immediately.
AS2B04006A
Brake SystemPower BrakesYour vehicle has power-assisted brakes that adjust
automatically through normal usage.
In the event that brake system power assist is lost
because of a stalled engine or some other reason, you
can still stop your vehicle by applying greater force to
the brake pedal than you normally would. The stopping
distance, however, will be longer.
When the engine is not running, the reserve brake
power is partially depleted each time the brake pedal is
depressed. Do not pump the brake pedal when the
power assist has been interrupted, except when neces-
sary to maintain steering control on slippery surfaces.Anti Lock Brakes (ABS) (if equipped)The anti-lock brake system is designed to prevent lock-
up of the wheels during sudden braking or braking on
slippery surfaces. Compared to a conventional brake
system, the anti-lock brake system provides greater
steering control during braking in such situations.
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