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1. Turn the radiator cap counterclockwise and remove
it.
2. Loosen the radiator drain plug and drain the coolant
into a suitable container.
3. With the drain plug loose, flush the system with
running water.
4. Drain the system completely and retighten the drain
plug. Add the necessary amount of ethylene glycol-
based coolant and water to provide the required
protection against freezing and corrosion.
In extremely cold climates, add the necessary
amount of ethylene glycol-based coolant in
accordance with the instructions of the coolant
manufacturer.
5. Run the engine at idle with the radiator cap off.
Slowly add additional coolant if necessary.
6. At this point, wait until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature. Depress the accelerator two
or three times; then add coolant if required. Be
careful not to burn yourself.
7. Install the radiator cap. Inspect all connections for
leaks and recheck the coolant level in the reservoir.
Recheck again after a few days of driving and add
coolant as necessary.
7-19
AS2B07004
Radiator cap
Drain plug
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Power Steering (If Equipped)Checking the Power Steering Fluid LevelThe power steering fluid level should be checked
periodically.
With the engine off and the vehicle on level ground,
check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir; it
should be between the MAX and MIN reservoir
indicators.
MAXMIN
Before adding power steering fluid, thoroughly clean
the area around the reservoir cap to prevent power
steering fluid contamination.
If the level is low, add fluid to the MAX level.
In the event the power steering system requires
frequent addition of fluid, the vehicle should be
inspected by an Authorized Kia Dealer.
Use only the specified power steering fluid. (Refer to
“Recommended Lubricants’’ later in this section.)
Maintenance7-22
✻ ✻
NOTICE
To avoid damage to the power steering pump, do
not operate the vehicle for prolonged periods with
a low power steering fluid level.
1B3107005A
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Maintenance7-241. Park the vehicle on level ground and set the
parking brake firmly.
2. Allow the engine to idle for about 2 minutes, then
depress the brake pedal. Move the shift lever
slowly through all ranges then set it in the P (Park)
position.
3. With the engine still idling, pull the dipstick out,
wipe it clean, and reinsert it fully.
4. Pull the dipstick out again.The fluid level is checked as follows:
OK LOW
OK20 C
65 C
FULL
LOWFULL
AS2B07012A
Hot fluid scale
Cold fluid scale
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Body LubricationAll moving points of the body, such as doors, 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 secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is released.
Lubricants and FluidsChecking the Washer Fluid LevelCheck the fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir and
add fluid if necessary.
Plain water may be used if washer fluid is not
available. However, use windshield washer solvent
with antifreeze characteristics in cold climates to
prevent freezing.Maintenance7-26
CAUTION
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.
2FDA702
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7-33
WARNING - Recharging Battery
When recharging the battery, observe the
following precautions:
The battery must be removed from the
vehicle and placed in an area with good
ventilation.
Do not allow cigarettes, sparks, or flame
near the battery.
Watch the battery during charging, and stop
or reduce the charging rate if the battery
cells begin gasing (boiling) violently or if the
temperature of the electrolyte of any cell
exceeds 49°C (120°F).
Wear eye protection when checking the
battery during charging.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Disconnect the battery charger in the
following order.
1. Turn off the battery charger main switch.
2. Unhook the negative clamp from the
negative battery terminal.
3. Unhook the positive clamp from the
positive battery terminal.✻ ✻
NOTICE
Before performing battery maintenance or
recharging, turn OFF all accessories and stop
the engine.
When remounted battery, disconnect the
negative (–) battery cable first. When re-
installing the battery, reconnect the negative (–)
battery cable last.
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Maintenance7-48
Engine oil viscosity (thickness) has an effect on fuel
economy and cold weather operation (starting and oil
flow). Lower viscosity engine oils can provide better
fuel economy and cold weather performance, however,
higher viscosity engine oils are required for
satisfactory lubrication in hot weather. Using oils of
any viscosity other than those recommended could
result in engine damage.
When choosing an oil, consider the range of
temperature your vehicle will be operated in before the
next oil change. Then select the recommended oil
viscosity from the chart.
✻ ✻
NOTICE
Always be sure to clean the area around any filler
plug, drain plug, or dipstick before checking or
draining any lubricant. This is especially
important in dusty or sandy areas and when the
vehicle is used on unpaved roads. Cleaning the
plug and dipstick areas will prevent dirt and grit
from entering the engine and other mechanisms
that could be damaged.
Recommended SAE Viscosity Number
Temperature Range for SAE Viscosity Numbers
Temperature
Gasoline
Engine Oil°C
(°F)
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50
-10 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
10W-30
5W-20, 5W-30
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