Your Vehicle At A Glance2-4Instrument Panel Overview
Instrument
cluster Air bag
1B3102002E
Radio (If Equipped)
Climate controlHazard switch
Hood release Light control/
Turn signals
Steering wheel
Shift lever
(Automatic) Wiper/
Washer
Ashtray
Cup holderGlove box Air bag
Parking brake Cigarette lighter
RIO ENG CNA 2.qxd 7/29/05 5:11 PM Page 4
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
4-7
Manual Transaxle (If Equipped)Manual Transaxle OperationThe shift pattern is conventional for five forward gears,
as shown below.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while shifting, then
release it slowly.
A special safety feature prevents inadvertent shifting
from 5 (Fifth) to R (Reverse). The gearshift lever must
be returned to the Neutral position before shifting into
R (Reverse).
✽
NOTICE
To avoid premature clutch wear and damage, do
not drive with your foot resting on the clutch
pedal. Also, don’t use the clutch to hold the vehi-
cle stopped on an upgrade (while waiting for a
traffic light, etc).✽
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped
before shifting into R (Reverse).
WARNING - Manual Transaxle
Before leaving the driver’s seat, always set the
parking brake fully and shut the engine OFF,
then make sure the transaxle is shifted into 1st
gear. Unexpected and sudden vehicle move-
ment can occur if these precautions are not fol-
lowed in the order identified.
AS2B04002
RIO ENG CNA 4.qxd 7/29/05 5:06 PM Page 7
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
RIO ENG CNA 4.qxd 7/29/05 5:06 PM Page 10
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.
RIO ENG CNA 4.qxd 7/29/05 5:06 PM Page 11
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.
RIO ENG CNA 4.qxd 7/29/05 5:06 PM Page 12
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