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7-35
Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, it is recommended that the tires
be rotated every 12,000 km (7,500 miles), or sooner if
irregular wear develops.
✻ ✻
NOTICE
Warm tires normally exceed recommended
cold tire pressures by 28 to 41 kPa (4 to 6 psi).
Do not release air from warm tires to adjust the
pressure. The tires will become underinflated
when cold.
Underinflation results in excessive wear, poor
handling, reduced fuel economy, and the
possibility of blowouts from overheated tires.
Also, low tire pressure can cause poor sealing
of the tire bead. If the tire pressure is
excessively low, wheel deformation and/or tire
separation are possible. Keep tire pressures at
the proper levels. If a tire frequently needs
refilling, have it checked by an authorized Kia
dealer or a tire shop.
Overinflation produces a harsh ride, handling
problems, excessive wear at the center of the
tire tread, and a greater possibility of damage
from road hazards.
WARNING -Tire Inflation
Overinflation or underinflation can reduce tire
life, adversely affect vehicle handling, and lead
to sudden tire failure. This could result in loss
of vehicle control.
AS2B07022A
Do not include compact spare tire in rotationFront
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During tire rotation, check the tires for correct balance.
Check for uneven wear and damage. Abnormal wear is
usually caused by incorrect tire pressure, improper
wheel alignment, an out-of-balance condition, severe
braking or severe cornering. Look for bumps or bulges
in the tread or side of tire. Replace the tire if you find
either of these conditions. Also, replace the tire if you
can see fabric or cord. After rotation, be sure to bring
the front and rear tire pressures to specification and
check lug nut tightness.
Disc brake pads should be inspected for wear
whenever tires are rotated. Maintenance7-36
Tire Replacement
If the tire is worn evenly, a tread wear indicator will
appear as a solid band, 12.7 mm wide (1/2 inch) acrossthe tread. This shows there is less than 1.6 mm (1/16 inch)of tread remaining on the tire. Replace the tire when
this happens.
Do not wait for this band to appear across the entire
tread before replacing the tire.
✻ ✻
NOTICE
Rotate radial tires that have an asymmetric tread
pattern from front to rear only and not from right
to left.
AS2B07023
Tread wear indicator
New tread Worn tread
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Compact Spare Tire Replacement
A compact spare tire has a shorter tread life than a
regular size tire. Replace it when you can see the tread
wear indicator bars on the tire. The replacement
compact spare tire should be the same size and design
tire as the one provided with your new Kia and should
be mounted on the same compact spare tire wheel. The
compact spare tire is not designed to be mounted on
a regular size wheel, and the compact spare tire wheel
is not designed for mounting a regular size tire.
7-37
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
In addition to proper tire inflation, correct wheel
alignment helps to minmize tire wear. Your vehicle’s
alignment sh
ould be checked every 12 months
or
24,000 km (15,000 miles).
Your tires were properly balanced at the factory, but
they may need to be rebalanced before they wear out.
If you notice a consistent vibration when driving, have
your Kia Dealer inspect your tires. A tire should
always be rebalanced if it has been removed from the
wheel.
✻ ✻
NOTICE
Improper wheel weights can damage your
vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use only approved
wheel weights.
AS2B07024
Tread wear
indicator bar
Indicator
location mark
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Maintenance7-38
Wheel Replacement
When replacing the metal wheels for any reason, make
sure the new wheels are equivalent to the original
factory units in diameter, rim width and offset.
✻ ✻
NOTICE
When replacing tires, never mix radial, bias-
belted, and bias-type tires. All four tires
should be of the same size, design and
construction. Use only the tire sizes listed on
the Tire Label attached to the passenger’s
door. Make sure that all tires and wheels are
the same size and have the same load-
carrying capacity. Use only tire and wheel
combinations recommended on the Tire
Label or by an Authorized Kia Dealer.
Failure to follow these precautions can
adversely affect the safety and handling of
your vehicle.
The use of any other tire size or type may
seriously affect ride, handling, ground
clearance, tire clearance, and speedometer
calibration.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Driving on worn-out tires is very hazardous
and will reduce braking effectiveness,
steering accuracy, and traction.
It is best to replace all four tires on your
vehicle at the same time. If that is not
possible, then replace the two front or two
rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire
can seriously affect vehicle handling.
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Tire Size Designation
A tire’s sidewall is marked with a tire size designation.
You will need this information when selecting
replacement tires for your car. The following explains
what the letters and numbers in the tire size
designation mean.
Example tire size designation: P175/70R13 82T
P– Applicable vehicle type (tires marked with the
prefix “P’’ are intended for use on passenger cars;
however, not all tires have this marking).
175– Tire width in millimeters.
65– Aspect Ratio. The tire’s section height as a
percentage of tire width.
7-39
R– Tire construction code (radial).
14– Rim diameter in inches.
81– Load Index; A numerical code associated with the
maximum load the tire can carry.
T– Speed Rating Symbol. See the speed rating chart
in this section for additional information.
Wheel Size Designation
Wheels are also marked with important information
that you need if you ever need to replace one. The
following explains what the letters and numbers in the
wheel size designation mean.
Example wheel size designation: 14 x 5.5J
14– Rim diameter in inches.
5.5– Rim width in inches.
J– Rim contour designation.
CAUTION
A wheel that is not the correct size may adversely
affect wheel and bearing life, braking and
stopping abilities, handling characteristics,
ground clearance, body-to-tire clearance, snow
chain clearance, speedometer calibration,
headlight aim and bumper height.
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Temperature – A, B and C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to generate heat and to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperatures can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C
corresponds to a level of performance that all
passenger vehicle tires must meet under the Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A and
B represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the maximum required by
law.
7-41
Tread Wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half
times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use. Variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate may significantly affect
performance.
Traction – A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B
and C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING -Tire Temperature
The temperature grade for a tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat build-up and
possible sudden tire failure. This can cause loss
of vehicle control and death or personal injury.
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7-51 Finish Damage Repair
Deep scratches or stone chips in the painted surface
must be repaired promptly. Exposed metal will quickly
rust and may develop into a major repair expense.Bright-Metal Maintenance To remove road tar and insects, use a tar remover,
not a scraper or other sharp object.
To protect the surfaces of bright-metal parts from
corrosion, apply a coating of wax or chrome
preservative and rub to a high luster.
During winter weather or in coastal areas, cover the
bright metal parts with a heavier coating of wax or
preservative. If necessary, coat the parts with non-
corrosive petroleum jelly or other protective
compound.
✻ ✻
NOTICE
If your vehicle is damaged and requires any metal
repair or replacement, be sure the body shop
applies anti-corrosion materials to the parts
repaired or replaced.
Underbody MaintenanceCorrosive materials used for ice and snow removal or
dust control may collect on the underbody. If these
materials are not removed, accelerated rusting can
occur on underbody parts, such as the fuel lines, frame,
floor pan and exhaust system, even though they have
been treated with rust protection.
Thoroughly flush the vehicle underbody and wheel
openings with lukewarm or cold water once a month
and especially at the end of each winter. Pay special
attention to these areas because it is difficult to see all
the mud and dirt. The lower edges of doors, rocker
panels, and frame members have drain holes that
should not be allowed to clog with dirt; trapped water
in these areas can cause rusting. It will do more harm
than good to wet down the road grime without
removing it.
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Maintenance7-52
Interior CareInterior General PrecautionsPrevent caustic solutions such as perfume and cosmetic
oil from contacting the dashboard; they may cause
damage or discoloration. If they do contact the
dashboard, wipe them off immediately.
Upholstery and Interior Trim Cleaning
Vinyl
First, remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl with a
whisk broom or vacuum cleaner. Then, clean vinyl
surfaces with a vinyl cleaner.
Fabric
First, remove dust and loose dirt from fabric with a
whisk broom or vacuum cleaner. Then, clean with a
mild soap solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Remove fresh spots immediately with a fabric
spot cleaner. If a fresh spot do not receive immediate
attention, the fabric may be stained and its color can be
affected. Also, its fire-resistant properties may be
reduced if the material is not properly maintained.
Aluminum Wheel MaintenanceThe aluminum wheels are coated with a clear
protective finish.
Do not use any abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, solvent, or wire brushes on aluminum
wheels. They may scratch or damage the finish.
Use only a mild soap or neutral detergent, and rinse
thoroughly with water. Also, be sure to clean the
wheels after driving on salted roads. This helps
prevent corrosion.
Avoid washing the wheels with high-speed car wash
brushes.
CAUTION
After washing the vehicle, test the brakes while
driving slowly to see if they have been affected
by water.
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