2006 KIA Rio Owner's Manual

715
Maintenance
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)Checking the automatic transaxle
fluid level The automatic transaxle fluid level
should be checked regularly.
The volume of the transaxle fluid
changes with temperature. Although it is
best to check the level after having driv-
en the vehicle for at least 30 minutes, the
level can be checked after warming the
fluid using the following procedure.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground andfirmly apply the parking brake.
2. Allow the engine to idle for about 2 minutes.
3. Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever slowly through all ranges
then set it in P (Park). 4. With the engine still idling, pull out the
dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it
fully.
5. Pull out the dipstick again and check the fluid level.
✽ ✽NOTICE Low fluid level causes transaxle slip-
page. Overfilling can cause foaming,
loss of fluid and transaxle malfunc-
tion.
 The use of a non-specified fluid could result in transaxle malfunction and
failure.
If the fluid has been warmed to normal
operating temperature of approximately
70~80°C (158~176°F), the fluid level
should be within “HOT” range.
“COLD” scale is for reference only
and should NOT be used to determine
transaxle fluid level.
1JBA7006
WARNING -
Transaxle fluid
The transaxle fluid level should be
checked when the engine is at nor-
mal operating temperature. This
means that the engine, radiator,
radiator hose and exhaust system
etc., are very hot. Exercise great
care not to burn yourself during this
procedure.
WARNING
- Parking brake
To avoid sudden movement of the
vehicle, apply parking brake and
depress the brake pedal before
moving the shift lever.
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Maintenance16
7New automatic transaxle fluid should
be red. The red dye is added so the
assembly plant can identify it as auto-
matic transaxle fluid and distinguish it
from engine oil or antifreeze. The red
dye, which is not an indicator of fluid
quality, is not permanent. As the vehi-
cle is driven, the automatic transaxle
fluid will begin to look darker. The
color may eventually appear light
brown.✽ ✽
NOTICEHave an authorized Kia dealer inspect
or change the automatic transaxle fluid
according to the Scheduled
Maintenance at the beginning of this
section.Changing automatic transaxle
fluidHave automatic transaxle fluid changed
by an authorized Kia dealer according to
the Maintenance Schedule at the begin-
ning of this section.
Use only the specified automatic
transaxle fluid. (Refer to "Recommended
Lubricants" later in this section.)
Checking the washer fluid level The reservoir is translucent so that you
can check the level with a quick visual
inspection.
Check 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 washer solvent
with antifreeze characteristics in cold cli-
mates to prevent freezing.LUBRICANTS AND FLUIDS
WARNING
- Coolant
 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.
 Windshield washer fluid agents contain some amounts of alcohol
and can be flammable under cer-
tain circumstances. Do not allow
sparks or flame to contact the
washer fluid or the washer fluid
reservoir. Damage to the vehicle
or it's occupants could occur.
 Windshield washer fluid is poi- sonous to humans and animals.
Do not drink and avoid contacting
windshield washer fluid. Serious
injury or death could occur.
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717
Maintenance
Body lubrication All moving points of the body, such as
door hinges, hood hinges, and locks,
should be lubricated each time the
engine oil is changed. Use a non-freez-
ing lubricant on locks during cold weath-
er.
Make sure the engine hood secondary
latch keeps the hood from opening when
the primary latch is released.
Element cleaningThis element may be air cleaned or
replaced, depending on its condition.
Unless it is very dirty, merely shake it to
remove foreign particles. Each time this
filter is inspected, wipe the inside of the
air cleaner housing and cover with a
damp cloth. If the vehicle is operated in
extremely dusty or sandy areas, clean or
replace this element more often than at
the usual recommended intervals.
✽ ✽NOTICEDo not drive with the air cleaner
removed; this will result in excessive
engine wear.
1JBA7009
CAUTION -
Engine
Driving without an air cleaner
encourages backfiring, which could
cause a fire in the engine compart-
ment.
AIR CLEANER
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Maintenance18
7AIR CONDITIONER AIR FILTER (IF EQUIPPED)The air conditioner air filter installed
behind the glove box filters the dust or
other pollutants that come into the vehi-
cle from the outside through the heating
and air conditioning system. If dust or
other pollutants accumulate in the filter
over a period of time, the air flow from the
air vents may decrease, resulting in
moisture accumulation on the inside of
the windshield even when the outside
(fresh) are position is selected. If this
happens, have the air conditioner air filter
replaced by an authorized Kia dealer. The air filter should be replaced every
15,000 km (10,000 miles). If the vehicle
is operated in the severely air-polluted
cities or on dusty rough roads for a long
period, it should be inspected more fre-
quently and replaced earlier. When you
try to replace the air filter by owner main-
tenance, replace it performing the follow-
ing procedure, and in this case, be care-
ful to avoid damaging other components.
1LDA5047
Outside air
Recirculatedair
Air conditioner
air filter Blower
Evaporator
coreHeater core
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719
Maintenance
WIPER BLADES Wiper blade maintenance Commercial hot waxes applied by
automatic car washes have been
known to make the windshield diffi-
cult to clean.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the wiper blades with foreign matter can
reduce the effectiveness of the wind-
shield wipers. Common sources of con-
tamination are insects, tree sap, and hot
wax treatments used by some commer-
cial car washes. If the blades are not wip-
ing properly, clean both the window and
the blades with a good cleaner or mild
detergent, and rinse thoroughly with
clean water.✽ ✽NOTICETo prevent damage to the wiper blades,
do not use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near
them.
Windshield wiper blade replace-
ment When the wipers no longer clean ade-
quately, the blades may be worn or
cracked, and require replacement.✽ ✽NOTICETo prevent damage to the wiper arms or
other components, do not attempt to
move the wipers manually. ✽ ✽NOTICEThe use of a non-specified wiper blade
could result in wiper malfunction and
failure.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the wiper
blade assembly to expose the plastic
locking clip.✽ ✽NOTICEDo not allow the wiper arm to fall
against the windshield, since it may chip
or crack the windshield.
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Maintenance20
72. Compress the clip and slide the blade
assembly downward.
3. Lift it off the arm.
4. Install the blade assembly in the reverse order of removal. Rear window wiper blade
replacement (if equipped)
1. Raise the wiper arm and pull out the
wiper blade assembly. 2. Install the new blade assembly by
inserting the center part (1) into the
slot (2) in the wiper arm until it clicks
into place.
3. Make sure the blade assembly is installed firmly by gently pulling on the
blade.
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21
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721
Maintenance
BATTERY
WARNING
- Battery dangers
Always read the following
instructions carefully when
handling a battery.
Keep lighted cigarettes and all other flames or sparks
away from the battery.
Hydrogen, which is a highly combustible gas, is always
present in battery cells and
may explode if ignited.
Keep batteries out of the reach of children because
batteries contain highly
corrosive SULFURIC ACID.
Do not allow battery acid to
contact your skin, eyes,
clothing or paint finish.
(Continued)
(Continued)If any electrolyte gets intoyour eyes, flush your eyes
with clean water for at least
15 minutes and get immedi-
ate medical attention. If
possible, continue to apply
water with a sponge or
cloth until medical attention
is received.
If electrolyte gets on your
skin, thoroughly wash the
contacted area. If you feel a
pain or a burning sensation,
get medical attention imme-
diately.
Wear eye protection whencharging or working near a
battery. Always provide
ventilation when working in
an enclosed space.
(Continued)
(Continued)
 When lifting a plastic-cased bat-tery, excessive pressure on the
case may cause battery acid to
leak, resulting in personal injury.
Lift with a battery carrier or with
your hands on opposite corners.
 Never attempt to charge the bat- tery when the battery cables are
connected.
 The electrical ignition system works with high voltage. Never
touch these components with the
engine running or the ignition
switched on.
Failure to follow the above warn-
ings can result in serious bodily
injury or death.
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Maintenance22
7For best battery service : Keep the battery securely mounted.
 Keep the top of the battery clean and
dry.
 Keep the terminals and connections clean, tight, and coated with petroleum
jelly or terminal grease.
 Rinse any spilled electrolyte from the battery immediately with a solution of
water and baking soda.
 If the vehicle is not going to be used for an extended time, disconnect the bat-
tery cables.
Battery recharging Your vehicle has a maintenance-free,
calcium-based battery.
 If the battery becomes discharged in ashort time (because, for example, the
headlights or interior lights were left on
while the vehicle was not in use),
recharge it by slow charging (trickle)
for 10 hours.
 If the battery gradually discharges because of high electric load while the
vehicle is being used, recharge it at 20-
30A for two hours.
Items to be reset after the battery has
been discharged or the battery has
been disconnected.
 Clock (See Chapter 3)
 Audio (See Chapter 3)
 Sunroof (See Chapter 3)
✽ ✽ NOTICE Before performing maintenance or
recharging the battery, turn off all
accessories and stop the engine.
 The negative battery cable must be removed first and installed last when
the battery is disconnected.
1JBA7017
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.
(Continued)
(Continued)
 Do not allow cigarettes, sparks, orflame near the battery.
 Watch the battery during charg- ing, and stop or reduce the charg-
ing rate if the battery cells begin
gassing (boiling) violently or if
the temperature of the electrolyte
of any cell exceeds 49°C (120°F).
 Wear eye protection when check- ing the battery during charging.
 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.
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