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Driving Tips5-10
Snow Tires
When snow tires are used, select the size and
construction specified on the Tire Pressure Label. It is
strongly recommended that snow tires be used on all
four wheels, or poor handling may result. Snow tires
should not be operated at speeds exceeding 75 mph
(120 km/h).
These tires should be inflated 4 psi (28 kPa,
0.3 kg/cm
2) above the recommended pressures shown
on the Tire Specification/Pressure Label, but inflation
should never exceed the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tire sidewalls.
Do not install studded tires without first checking
local, provincial and municipal regulations for
possible restrictions against their use.
WARNING - Snow Tire Size
Snow tires should be equivalent in size and
type to the vehicle’s standard tires. Otherwise,
the safety and handling of your vehicle may be
adversely affected.
Winter Driving We recommend that you carry emergency
equipment. Some things you might include are tire
chains, a window scraper, windshield de-icer, a bag
of sand or salt, flares, a small shovel and jumper
cables.
Make sure you have sufficient ethylene glycol
coolant in the radiator.
Check the battery condition and cables. Cold
temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it
must be in top shape to provide enough winter
starting power.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for
cold weather.
Check the ignition system for loose connections and
damage.
Use antifreeze-formulated windshield washer fluid
and make sure you have sufficient fluid for your
trip. (Do not use engine coolant antifreeze.)
Do not use the parking brake if it might freeze. This
is most likely to happen after driving in slushy or
wet conditions and temperatures drop into the
freezing range. When parking, shift to P (Park) with
automatic transaxle, or to 1 (First) or R (Reverse)
with a manual transaxle and block the rear wheels.
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2. Make sure the air conditioner is off.
3. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator,
stop the engine, then turn the ignition switch to the
ON position. Do not restart the engine. The radiator
cooling fan will automatically operate with the
ignition switch in the ON position. If the cooling
fan does not operate, call an Authorized Kia Dealer
for assistance.
If coolant is not boiling out, allow the engine to
idle and open the hood to permit the engine to cool
gradually.
If the temperature does not go down with the
engine idling, stop the engine and allow sufficient
time for it to cool.4. The coolant level should then be checked. If the
level in the reservoir is low, look for leaks at the
radiator hoses and connections, heater hoses and
connections, radiator, and water pump. If you find a
major leak or another problem that may have
caused the engine to overheat, do not operate the
engine until the problem has been corrected. Call
an Authorized Kia Dealer for assistance.
If you do not find a leak or other problem, carefully
add coolant to the reservoir.
If the engine frequently overheats, have the cooling
system checked and repaired.
6-3
WARNING - Removing
Radiator Cap
Do not remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Scalding hot
coolant and steam may blow out under
pressure. This could cause serious injury.
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Engine Compartment
7-13
Engine coolant reservoir Radiator cap Engine oil fill capAir cleanerAuto transaxle fluid
dipstick (if equipped)Brake/clutch
fluid reservoir
Engine oil dipstick Windshield
washer
fluid
reservoir Power steering
fluid reservoir
(if equipped)Fuse box
Battery
2FDA604
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Checking the Coolant Level
Check the condition and connections of all cooling
system hoses and heater hoses. Replace any swollen or
deteriorated hoses.
The coolant level should be full in the radiator
and between F (Full) and L (Low) on the coolant
reservoir dipstick when the engine is cool.
Check the coolant level using the dipstick attached to
the reservoir cap.
7-17
WARNING -Removing
Radiator Cap
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap
while the engine is operating. Doing so
might lead to cooling system and/or engine
damage and could result in serious personal
injury from escaping hot coolant or steam.
Turn the engine off and wait until it has
cooled. Even then, use extreme care when
removing the radiator cap. Wrap a thick
towel around it, and turn it
counterclockwise slowly to the first stop.
Step back while the pressure is released
from the cooling system. When you are sure
all the pressure has been released, press
down on the cap, using a thick towel, and
continue turning counterclockwise to
remove it.
Even if the engine is not operating, do not
remove the radiator cap or the drain plug
while the engine and radiator are hot. Hot
coolant and steam may still blow out under
pressure, causing serious injury.
AS2B07003
Coolant reservoir dipstickLow OK Full
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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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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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