2005 KIA Rio Owner's Manual

Driving Your Vehicle4-16
When driving a vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes,
adjust your driving according to the road and traffic
conditions and keep the following in mind.
 Do not pump the brakes as you would when driving
a vehicle not equipped with an anti-lock brake sys-
tem (ABS). In order for the ABS to function nor-
mally, press the brake pedal firmly, without pump-
ing the pedal.
 Even with the anti-lock brake system, your vehicle
still requires a sufficient stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you.
 Always slow down when cornering. The anti-lock
brake system cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speeds.
 On loose or uneven road surfaces, operation of the
anti-lock brake system may result in a longer stop-
ping distance than for vehicles equipped with a con-
ventional brake system.
 Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The anti-lock brake
system cannot eliminate the risk of hydroplaning.
If the anti-lock brake system should fail, the brake sys-
tem will function as a conventional brake system. Have
your vehicle checked by an authorized Kia dealer as
soon as possible. During normal driving conditions, the anti-lock brake
system operates the same as a conventional brake sys-
tem. When the anti-lock brake system is engaged due
to imminent loss of traction, a pulsation of the brake
pedal will result and you may hear or feel “chattering”.
This is a normal condition and indicates the system is
functioning properly.
WARNING - ABS Brakes
 The anti-lock brake system (ABS) cannot
compensate for bad road conditions, for
unsafe or reckless driving or for bad judge-
ment.
 The ABS is designed to improve maximum
braking effectiveness on typical highways
and roads in good condition. On road sur-
faces which are in poor condition, the ABS
may actually reduce braking effectiveness.
 Always operate your vehicle at reasonable
speeds that are safe for weather and traffic
conditions.
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4-17
✽
NOTICE
 If the ABS warning light is ON and stays ON,
you may have a problem with the ABS system.
In this case, however, your regular brakes will
work normally.
 The ABS warning light will stay ON for 2~3
seconds after the engine starts. During that
time, the ABS will go through self-diagnosis
and the light will go OFF if everything is nor-
mal. If the light stays ON you may have a
problem with your ABS system. Contact an
authorized Kia dealer for service as soon as
possible.✽
NOTICE
 If the battery is discharged and the engine is
jump started, the ABS warning light may come
ON. This condition occurs because of a dis-
charged battery and not because there is an
anti-lock brake system malfunction.
 Have the battery recharged before driving the
vehicle.
AN7B04015
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Driving Your Vehicle4-18 In the Event of Brake FailureIf the service brakes should fail to operate while the
vehicle is in motion, you can make an emergency stop
with the parking brake. The stopping distance, howev-
er, will be much greater than normal.
WARNING - Parking Brake
Pulling on the parking brake while the vehicle
is moving at normal speeds can cause a sudden
loss of control of the vehicle. If you must use
the parking brake to stop the vehicle, use great
caution in applying the brake.
WARNING
 Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. This will create abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive brake
lining and pad wear, and increased stopping
distances.
 When descending a long or steep hill, shift
to a lower gear and avoid continuous appli-
cation of the brakes. Continuous brake
application will cause the brakes to overheat
and could result in a temporary loss of
braking performance.
 Wet brakes may result in the vehicle not
slowing down at the usual rate and/or
pulling to one side when the brakes are
applied. Applying the brakes lightly will
indicate whether they have been affected in
this way. Always test your brakes in this
fashion after driving through deep water.
To dry the brakes, apply them lightly while
maintaining a safe forward speed until
brake performance returns to normal.
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4-19 Disc Brake Wear Indicators
Your vehicle has front disc brakes.
When your front brake pads are worn and it’s time for
new pads, you will hear a high-pitched warning sound
from your front brakes. You may hear this sound inter-
mittently or constantly.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when you first apply, or lightly apply, the
brakes. This is normal and does not indicate a problem
with your brakes.
Rear Drum BrakesYour rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators.
Have the rear brake linings inspected if you hear a rear
brake rubbing noise. Also, have your rear brakes
inspected each time you change or rotate your tires and
when you have the front brakes replaced.
WARNING - Brake Wear
This brake-wear warning sound means your
vehicle needs service. If you ignore this audible
warning, you will eventually lose braking per-
formance, which could lead to a serious acci-
dent.✽
NOTICE
To avoid costly brake repairs, do not continue to
drive with worn brake pads.
CAUTION
Always replace brake linings or front pads as
complete front or rear axle sets.
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Driving Your Vehicle4-20
CAUTION
When stopped, do not use the gearshift lever in
place of the parking brake. Always set the park-
ing brake fully AND make sure the gearshift lever
is securely positioned in
P (Park) with an automatic transaxle or in
1st (First) or R (Reverse) gear with a manual
transaxle.
Parking Brake To set the parking brake, pull the parking brake
handle fully and firmly upward while applying the
service brake.
 To release the parking brake, pull the handle up
slightly and push the button. Then, lower the handle
to the released position while holding the button in.
1B3105001E1B315001F
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on will cause
excessive wear of the brake linings and pads.
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Parking on Curbed Streets When parking your vehicle on an uphill grade, park
as close to the curb as possible and turn the front
wheels away from the curb so that the front wheels
will contact the curb if the vehicle moves backward.
 When parking your vehicle on a downhill grade,
park as close to the curb as possible and turn the
front wheels toward the curb so that the front wheels
will contact the curb if the vehicle moves forward.
4-21
Check the brake warning light each time you start the
engine. The light is located in the instrument panel.
This warning light will be illuminated when the igni-
tion switch in ON or START and the parking brake is
set.
Before driving, be sure the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is off.
If the brake warning light remains on after the parking
brake is released, there may be a malfunction in the
brake system. Immediate attention is necessary.
If at all possible, cease driving the vehicle immediate-
ly. If that is not possible, use extreme caution in oper-
ating the vehicle and only drive it until you reach the
first safe location or a repair shop.
AS2B04009
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Driving Your Vehicle4-22Power Steering (If Equipped)Power steering uses energy from the engine to assist
you in steering the vehicle. If the engine is off or if the
power steering system becomes inoperative, the vehi-
cle may still be steered, but it will require increased
steering effort.
Should you notice any change in the effort required to
steer during normal vehicle operation, have the power
steering system checked by an Authorized Kia Dealer.
Tilt Steering (If Equipped)A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the position
of the steering wheel before you drive. You can also
raise it to the highest level to give your legs more room
when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lock release lever down. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level, then push the lock release lever up
to lock the steering wheel in place.
✽
NOTICE
Never hold the steering wheel against a stop (extreme
right or left turn) for more than five seconds with the
engine running. Holding the steering wheel for more
than five seconds in either position may cause damage
to the power steering pump.
If the power steering drive belt breaks or if the power
steering pump malfunctions, the steering effort will
become increased significantly.
After your vehicle was left in the outside for a long
time in cold weather, ambient temperature is less than
14°F (-10°C), if you would start the engine, the power
steering might be delayed once in a while because of a
rise of the viscosity of the power steering fluid. But,
it's not malfunction. In this case you must warm up
the power steering fluid by idling properly.
WARNING
Never adjust the angle of steering wheel while
driving. You may lose your steering control
and cause severe personal injury or accidents.
1S2104007A
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4-23
Instrument Cluster
2FDA409A
With tachometer
A/T: Automatic Transaxle
Turn signal indicators
Speedometer
Tachometer
Warning and
indicator lights
Tripmeter/OdometerTripmeter reset
buttonWarning and indica-
tor lights
Fuel gauge Engine temperature gauge
A/T
A/T
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