2006 KIA Sorento steering

How does the airbag system
operate
Airbag only operates when the igni-
tion switch is turned to ON or
START position.
Airbags inflate instantly in the event
of serious frontal or side collision in
order to help protect the occupants
from serious physical injury.
There is no single speed at which
the airbags will inflate.
Generally, airbags are designed to
inflate by the severity of a collision
and its direction. These two factors
determine whether the sensors
send out an electronic deploy-
ment/inflation signal.
Airbag deployment depends on a
number of factors including vehicle
speed, angles of impact and the
density and stiffness of the vehicles
or objects which your vehicle hits in
the collision. Though, factors are
not limited to those mentioned
above.The front airbags will completely
inflate and deflate in an instant.
It is virtually impossible for you to
see the airbags inflate during an
accident. It is much more likely that
you will simply see the deflated
airbags hanging out of their storage
compartments after the collision.
In order to help provide protection in
a severe collision, the airbags must
inflate rapidly. The speed of airbag
inflation has been determined by the
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (CMVSS) to reduce the
likelihood of serious or life-threaten-
ing injuries and is thus a mandatory
part of the airbag design.
However, airbag inflation can also
cause injuries which normally can
include facial abrasions, bruises
and broken bones, because that
speed also causes the airbags to
expand with a great deal force.
 There are even circumstances
under which contact with the
steering wheel airbag can cause
fatal injuries, especially if the
occupant is positioned exces-
sively close to the steering
wheel.KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE3-62
WARNING
 Driver should sit as far back
(at least 10 inches (250 mm)
away) from the steering wheel
airbag as possible to reduce
the risk of injury or death in a
collision. The front passenger
should always move their seat
as far back as possible and sit
back in their seat.
 Airbag inflates instantly in an
event of collision, passengers
may be injured by the airbag
expansion force if they are not
in proper position.
 Airbag inflation may cause
injuries which normally
include facial or bodily abra-
sions, injuries by the broken
glasses or burns by the explo-
sives.
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Noise and smoke
When the airbags inflate, they make
a loud noise and they leave smoke
and powder in the air inside of the
vehicle. This is normal and is a result
of the ignition of the airbag inflator.
After the airbag inflates, you may feel
substantial discomfort in breathing
due to the contact of your chest to
both the safety belt and the airbag, as
well as from breathing the smoke and
powder.We strongly urge you to
open your doors and/or windows
as soon as possible after impact in
order to reduce discomfort and
prevent prolonged exposure to the
smoke and powder.
Though smoke and powder are non-
toxic, it may cause irritation to the
skin (eyes, nose and throat etc). If
this is the case, wash and rinse with
the cold water immediately and con-
sult the doctor if the symptom per-
sists.Installing a child restraint on a
front passenger seat is forbidden.
Never place a rear-facing child
restraint in the front passenger seat.
If the airbag deploys, it would impact
the rear-facing child restraint, caus-
ing serious or fatal injury.
In addition, do not place front-facing
child restraint in the front passenger
seat either. If the front passenger
airbag inflates, it would cause serious
or fatal injuries to the improperly posi-
tioned or improperly restrained child.
KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE
3-63
WARNING
When the airbags deploy, the
airbag related parts in steering
wheel and/or instrument panel
and/or in both sides of the roof
rails above the front and rear
doors are very hot. To prevent
injury, do not touch the airbag
storage areas internal compo-
nents immediately after an
airbag has inflated.
ADAIRBAG
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When repairing or scrapping the
vehicles
Repairing steering wheel, instru-
ment panel, center console or
roofs, or installing car audio around
center console or painting front
metal sheet could disable the
airbag system. Have them checked
by an authorized Kia dealer.
When leaving the vehicle at an
authorized Kia dealer, inform that
the vehicle is equipped with airbag
system, and leave the owner’s
manual in the vehicle.
Since airbag system contains
explosive chemical substances,
contact an authorized Kia dealer
when scrapping the vehicle.
KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE
3-65
CAUTION
Do not modify any part of the
Supplemental Restraint System.
Excessive modification could
make the airbag system ineffec-
tive.
WARNING
 Do not modify your steering
wheel, seat or any other part
of the Supplemental Restraint
System. Modification could
make the system inoperable.
 Do not work on the system’s
components or wiring. This
could cause the airbags to
inflate inadvertently, possibly
seriously injuring someone.
Working on the system could
also disable the system so
that the airbags would not
deploy in a collision.
 Any work on the SRS system,
such as removing, installing,
repairing, or any work on the
steering wheel must be per-
formed by a qualified Kia
technician. Improper handling
of the airbag system may
result in serious personal
injury.
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STEERING WHEELHorn
To sound the horn, press the horn
symbol on your steering wheel.
Check the horn regularly to be sure it
operates properly.Tilt Steering (If equipped)
To change the steering wheel angle,
pull the lock release lever, adjust the
steering wheel to the desired angle,
then release the lock release lever to
lock the steering wheel in place. The
steering wheel should be positioned
so that it feels comfortable to you
when driving, while permitting you to
see the instrument panel warning
lights and gauges.
KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE
3-73
WARNING
- Tilt Steering
Never adjust the position of
the steering wheel while the
vehicle is in motion, or you
may lose control of the vehi-
cle.
After adjusting, push the
steering wheel up and down
to be certain it is locked in
position.
SRSAIRBAG
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S2BLA422C
S2BLB419A
CAUTION
 To sound the horn, press the
area indicated by the horn
symbol on your steering
wheel (see illustration). The
horn will operate only when
this area is pressed.
 Do not strike the horn severely
to operate it, or hit it with your
fist. Do not press on the horn
with a sharp-pointed object.
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4-1
DRIVING YOUR VEHICLEIgnition Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Starting the Gasoline Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Four Wheel Drive(4WD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Limited Slip Differential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-38
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-41
Gauges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-43
Warnings and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-45
Multi-Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-52
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-58
Wipers and Washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-62
Defroster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-65
Hazard Warning Flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-66
Interior Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-67
Manual Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-71
Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-79
Windshield Defrosting and Defogging (Manual type) . . . . . 4-86
Windshield Defrosting and Defogging (Automatic type) . . 4-88
4
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IGNITION SWITCHIlluminated Ignition Switch
Whenever a door is opened, the igni-
tion switch will be illuminated for your
convenience, provided the ignition
switch is not in the ON position. The
light will go off approximately 10 sec-
onds after closing the door or when
the ignition switch is turned on.Ignition Switch and Anti-Theft
Steering Column Lock
Ignition switch position
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. The ignition key can be
removed only in the LOCK position.
When turning the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, push the key
inward at the ACC position and turn
the key toward the LOCK position.
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel is unlocked and
electrical accessories are operative.ON
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. This is
the normal running position after the
engine is started.
Do not leave the ignition switch ON if
the engine is not running. The battery
will discharge.
START
Turn the ignition key to the START
position to start the engine. The
engine will crank until you release the
key; then it returns to the ON position.
The brake warning lamp can be
checked in this position.
If difficulty is experienced in turning
the ignition key to the START posi-
tion, turn the steering wheel right and
left to release the tension and then
turn the key.DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE4-2
PUSH
LOCKACCONSTARTS2BLA401A
✽ ✽
NOTICE -
Manual
Transmission
For your safety, the engine will not
start if the clutch pedal is not fully
depressed.
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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
4-3
Automatic Transaxle
When turning the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, the shift lever
must be in the P (Park) position.
Manual Transaxle
When turning the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, push the key
inward at the ACC position and turn
the key toward the LOCK position.
WARNING -
Ignition Key
• It is dangerous to turn the
ignition switch to LOCK or
ACC while the vehicle is mov-
ing. You could lose control of
steering and braking.
 The anti-theft steering column
lock (if equipped) is not a sub-
stitute for the parking brake.
Before leaving the driver’s
seat, always make sure the
shift lever is engaged in 1st
gear for manual transmission,
or P (Park) for automatic
transmission. Set the parking
brake fully AND shut the
engine off. If you do not take
these precautions, the vehicle
may move suddenly and
unexpectedly. Take the igni-
tion key with you.
(Continued)
(Continued)
 Never reach through the
steering wheel for the ignition
switch or any other controls
while the vehicle is moving.
The presence of your hand or
arm in this area could cause a
loss of vehicle control, an
accident and serious bodily
injury or fatal injury.
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FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)For Safe Four-Wheel Drive Operation
Your vehicle allows you to drive in
on-road and off-road conditions.
However, do not try to drive in deep
standing water, mud, or over steep
hills.
When you are driving up or down
hills drive as close to straight up
and down the hill as possible. Use
extreme caution in going up or
down steep hills, since you may flip
your vehicle over depending on the
grade, terrain and water/mud con-
ditions.You must learn how to corner in a
4WD vehicle as soon as possible.
Do not rely on your experience in
conventional 2WD vehicles in
choosing safe cornering speed. You
must drive more slowly.
Drive off-road carefully because
your vehicle may be damaged by
rocks or roots of trees. Become
familiar with the off-road conditions
you are going to drive before you
start.DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE4-20
WARNING- Four Wheel Drive
Driving across the contour of
steep hills can be extremely
dangerous. This danger can
come from slight changes in the
wheel angle which can destabi-
lize the vehicle or, even if the
vehicle is maintaining stability
under power, it can lose that
stability if the vehicle stops its
forward motion. Your vehicle
may roll over without warning
and without time for you to cor-
rect a mistake that could cause
serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Do not grab inside of the steer-
ing wheel when you are driving
off-road. Your arm may be hurt
by a sudden steering maneuver
or from steering wheel rebound
due to impact with objects on
the ground. This may cause you
to lose steering wheel control.
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