
3-47
(Continued)
Always wear your safety belt. It can help
keep you away from the air bags during
heavy braking just before a collision.
Air bags are designed to inflate only in
severe frontal collisions and will generally
not provide protection in side or rear
impacts, rollovers or less severe frontal colli-
sions. They will also not provide protection
from later impacts in a multi-impact colli-
sion.
If your vehicle has been subjected to flood
conditions (e.g. soaked carpeting/standing
water on the floor of the vehicle, etc.) or if
your vehicle has become flood damaged in
any way, do not attempt to start the vehicle
or put the key in the ignition before discon-
necting the battery. This may cause air bag
deployment, which could result in serious
personal injury or death. Have the vehicle
towed to an authorized Kia dealer for
inspection and necessary repairs.
Air Bag System ComponentsThe main components of your vehicle’s SRS are:
One air bag in the steering wheel for the driver, and
another in the dashboard for the front passenger.
A diagnostic system that continually monitors sys-
tem operation.
An indicator light to warn you of a possible problem
with the system.
Emergency power backup in case your car’s electri-
cal system is disconnected in a crash.
1B3102002E
Driver’s side
air bag
RIO ENG CNA 3.qxd 7/29/05 5:13 PM Page 47

Knowing Your Vehicle3-54Air Bag Warning Label (sunvisor - front side)
To remind you of the dangers of the air bag, air bag
warning labels which are now required by the
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS)
are adhered to the driver’s and passenger’s sunvisors
and attached to the glove box.
Note that even though these government warnings
emphasize the risk to children, please be aware of the
risk to adults, as described in previous pages.
Children 12 and under can be killed by the air bag.
The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place for children.
NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in the front.
Sit as far back as possible from the air bag.ALWAYS use SEAT BELTS and CHILD RESTRAINTS.
AS2B03037
Rear Hatch (For 5 Door Hatchback) The rear hatch can be locked and unlocked with the
key.
You can also unlock the latch with the automatic
door lock system(if equipped) but couldn't open the
rear hatch.
Once the rear hatch has been unlocked, lifting the
rear hatch handle may open it.
To make certain that you close the rear hatch door
before driving your vehicle. Possible damage may
occur to the rear hatch lift cylinders and attaching
hardware if the rear hatch door is not closed prior to
driving.
1B3104003B
handleUnlock Lock
RIO ENG CNA 3.qxd 7/29/05 5:13 PM Page 54

3-55
Trunk Lid (For 4 Door Coupe) To open the trunk, insert the key into the lock and
turn it clockwise until an audible “click” is heard.
To close the trunk, use both hands to push the trunk
lid down until the lock “snaps’’ shut.
Do not slam the trunk lid.
Pull up on the trunk lid to make sure it is securely
latched.
To prevent premature wear or damage to the trunk lid
lift cylinders and attaching hardware, the trunk lid
must be fully closed before you drive your vehicle.
1B3104007E
Unlock
Key slot
If you must drive with the trunk lid open, keep the air
vents open so that additional outside air comes into the
vehicle.Remote Trunk Lid Release (If Equipped)The release is located at the left front corner of the dri-
ver’s seat on the floor. To open the trunk, pull up on
the lever.
WARNING -Exhaust Fumes
If you drive with the trunk lid open, you will
draw dangerous exhaust fumes into your vehi-
cle.
1B3104004C
RIO ENG CNA 3.qxd 7/29/05 5:13 PM Page 55

Ignition SwitchIgnition Switch and Anti-Theft Steering
Column LockIgnition Switch Position
LOCK
The steering wheel is locked to protect against theft.
The ignition key can be removed only in the LOCK
position. For vehicles equipped with an automatic
transaxle, it also locks the gear shift lever in the
P (Park) position.
ACC (Accessory)
Turning the ignition switch to this position unlocks the
steering wheel and will allow some of your vehicle’s
electrical accessories such as the radio to operate when
the engine is OFF.
ON
Turning the ignition switch to this position allows you
to test your vehicle’s warning lights (except the brake
system warning light) to make sure they work before
you start the engine. The ignition key returns to the
ON position once the engine is started and remains in
this position while the engine is running.
Do not leave the ignition switch in the ON position for
extended periods with the engine OFF because the bat-
tery will discharge.
Driving Your Vehicle4-2
AS2B04001
✽
NOTICE
This spark ignition system meets all require-
ment of the Canadian interference - Causing
Equipment Regulations.
RIO ENG CNA 4.qxd 7/29/05 5:06 PM Page 2

START
Turn the ignition key to the START position to start the
engine. The engine will crank until you release the key,
then it returns to the ON position. Also, the brake
warning indicator illuminates to check the bulb in this
position.
Difficulty in turning the ignition key to the START posi-
tion can be caused by pressure on the switch from the
steering column. To allow the ignition key to turn,
move the steering wheel right or left to release the ten-
sion and then turn the key.
Automatic Transaxle
When turning the ignition switch to the LOCK posi-
tion, the shift lever must be in the P (Park) position.
Manual Transaxle
When turning the ignition switch to the LOCK posi-
tion, push the key inward at the ACC position and turn
the key toward the LOCK position.
4-3
WARNING
• Never turn the ignition switch to LOCK or
ACC while the vehicle is moving. This could
result in loss of directional control and
braking function, which could cause an
immediate accident.
Never reach for the ignition switch, or any
other controls, through the steering wheel
while the vehicle is in motion. Failure to
observe this warning can result in loss of
vehicle steering and braking control, which
may result in an accident.
✽
NOTICE
For safety, the engine will not start if the
clutch pedal is not depressed fully on manual
transaxle equipped models.
RIO ENG CNA 4.qxd 7/29/05 5:06 PM Page 3

Starting the Engine1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2.Manual Transaxle- Depress the clutch pedal fully
and shift the transaxle into NEUTRAL. Keep the
clutch pedal depressed while cranking the engine.
The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal is not
fully depressed.
Automatic Transaxle- Place the transaxle shift
lever in P (Park). Depress the brake pedal fully.
You can also start the engine if the shift lever is in
the N (Neutral) position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to START and hold it there
until the engine starts (a maximum of 10 seconds),
then release the key.
In extremely cold weather, below minus 18°C (0°F), or
after the vehicle has not been operated for several
days, let it warm up without depressing the accelerator.
Whether the engine is cold or warm, it should be start-
ed without depressing the accelerator.If the engine fails to start using this procedure, attempt
the following.
The engine fails to start when the engine is cold
(engine coolant temperature is below 32°F/0°C):
A no start condition may be caused by an engine that
has become flooded (has excessive fuel in the cylin-
ders). If this is the case, follow the starting procedure
below.
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.Driving Your Vehicle4-4
✽
NOTICE
If the engine stalls while you are in motion,
do not attempt to move the shift lever to P
(Park).
If it is safe to do so considering traffic and
road conditions, you may put the shift lever
in the N (Neutral) position while still moving
and turn the ignition switch to the START
position in an attempt to restart the engine.
RIO ENG CNA 4.qxd 7/29/05 5:06 PM Page 4

2.Manual Transaxle - Depress the clutch pedal fully
and shift the transaxle into N (Neutral). Keep the
clutch pedal depressed while cranking the engine.
The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal is not
fully depressed.
Automatic Transaxle- Place the transaxle shift
lever in P (Park) or N (Neutral). Depress the brake
pedal fully.
3. Depress the accelerator fully and hold it.
4. While holding the accelerator fully depressed, turn
the ignition switch to the START position and hold
it (a maximum of 10 seconds) to discharge the
excess fuel.
If the engine starts, the engine speed will increase
suddenly; immediately release the ignition key and
the accelerator.
If the engine has not yet started, release the acceler-
ator after cranking the engine.
5. Without depressing the accelerator, crank the
engine until it starts (a maximum of 10 seconds).If the engine fails to start when the engine is warm:
If the engine is unusually difficult to restart when it is
warm (fails to start after repeated attempts without
depressing the accelerator):
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2.Manual Transaxle- Depress the clutch pedal fully
and shift the transaxle into N (Neutral). Keep the
clutch pedal depressed while cranking the engine.
The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal is not
fully depressed.
Automatic Transaxle- Place the transaxle shift
lever in P (Park) or N (Neutral). Depress the brake
pedal fully.
3. While depressing the accelerator pedal about
halfway down, turn the ignition switch to the
START position and hold it (a maximum of
10 seconds).
4. After the engine has started, let it idle for about
10 seconds before driving.
4-5
RIO ENG CNA 4.qxd 7/29/05 5:06 PM Page 5

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.
RIO ENG CNA 4.qxd 7/29/05 5:06 PM Page 13