2006 KIA Sorento Owner's Manual

POWER STEERINGChecking the Power Steering
Fluid Level
With the vehicle on level ground,
check the fluid level in the power
steering reservoir periodically. The
fluid level should be between HIGH
and LOW indicators on the side of the
reservoir.
Before adding power steering fluid,
thoroughly clean the area around the
reservoir cap to prevent power steer-
ing fluid contamination.If the level is low, add fluid to the
HIGH level.
In the event the power steering sys-
tem requires frequent addition of
fluid, the vehicle should be inspected
by an authorized Kia dealer.
Use only the specified power steering
fluid. (Refer to “Recommended
Lubricants’’ in this section.)MAINTENANCE7-16
HIGHLOW
S2BLC703
✽ ✽
NOTICETo avoid damage to the power
steering pump, do not operate the
vehicle for prolonged periods with a
low power steering fluid level.
BL-ENG (CAN)-7.qxd 7/28/05 5:58 PM Page 16

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
(IF EQUIPPED)Checking the Automatic
Transmission Fluid Level
The automatic transmission fluid level
should be checked regularly.The volume of the transmission fluid
changes with temperature. Although
it is best to check the level after hav-
ing driven the vehicle for at least 30
minutes, the level can be checked
after warming the fluid using the pro-
cedure below.
MAINTENANCE
7-17
S2BLC704
Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
✽ ✽
NOTICE Low transmission fluid level
causes transmission slippage.
Overfilling can cause foaming,
loss of fluid and transmission
malfunction.
 The use of a non-specified fluid
could result in transmission mal-
function and failure.
WARNING- Parking Brake
To avoid sudden movement of
the vehicle, set the parking
brake and depress the brake
pedal before moving the shift
lever.
BL-ENG (CAN)-7.qxd 7/28/05 5:58 PM Page 17

1. Park the vehicle on level ground
and firmly set 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 rein-
sert it fully.
5. Pull out the dipstick again and
check the fluid level.5. Pull out the dipstick again and
check the fluid level.
If the fluid has been warmed to nor-
mal operating temperature of approx-
imately 167°F (75°C), the fluid level
should be between the 2 notches
marked 75°C.MAINTENANCE7-18
25 C
75 C
S2BLA712A
LowOk
Ok
Full
Low
Cold fluid scaleHot fluid scale
Full
✽ ✽
NOTICEThe notch on the 25°C scale is for
reference only and should NOT be
used to determine transmission
fluid level.✽ ✽
NOTICENew automatic transaxle fluid
should be red. The red dye is added
so the assembly plant can identify it
as automatic transaxle fluid and
distinguishes it from engine oil or
antifreeze. The red dye, which is not
an indicator of fluid quality, is not
permanent. As the vehicle is driven,
the automatic transaxle fluid will
begin to look darker. The color may
eventually appear light brown.
Therefore, have an Authorized Kia
dealer change the automatic
transaxle fluid according to the
Scheduled Maintenance at the
beginning of this section.
BL-ENG (CAN)-7.qxd 7/28/05 5:58 PM Page 18

LUBRICANTS AND FLUIDSChecking 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 neces-
sary. Plain water may be used if
washer fluid is not available. In cold
climates, use washer solvent with
antifreeze to prevent freezing.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-
freezing lubricant on locks during
cold weather.
Make sure the engine hood second-
ary latch keeps the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch is
released.
MAINTENANCE
7-19
HIGHLOW
S2BLC703
Washer fluid
WARNING
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 flamma-
ble under certain circum-
stances. Do not allow sparks
or flame to contact the washer
fluid or the washer fluid reser-
voir. Damage to the vehicle or
it's occupants could occur.
Windshield washer fluid is
poisonous to humans and
animals. Do not drink and
avoid contacting windshield
washer fluid. Serious injury or
death could occur.
BL-ENG (CAN)-7.qxd 7/28/05 5:58 PM Page 19

AIR CLEANER Element Replacement
A viscous paper air cleaner filter is
used. It must be replaced when nec-
essary, and should not be cleaned
and reused.
1. Loosen the air cleaner cover
attaching clips and open the cover.2. Wipe the inside of the air cleaner
housing with a clean, damp cloth.
3. Replace the air cleaner element.
4. Lock the cover with the cover
attaching clips.Replace the element according to the
Scheduled Maintenance Section.
If the vehicle is operated in extremely
dusty or sandy areas, replace the
element more often than the usual
recommended intervals.MAINTENANCE7-20
S2BLC706
S2BLC707
CAUTION
• Do not drive with the air clean-
er removed; this will result in
excessive engine wear.
 Driving without an air cleaner
encourages backfiring, which
could cause a fire in the
engine compartment.
 When removing the air clean-
er element, be careful that
dust or dirt does not enter the
air intake, or damage may
result.
BL-ENG (CAN)-7.qxd 7/28/05 5:58 PM Page 20

WIPER BLADESWindshield Wiper Blade
Maintenance
Contamination of either the wind-
shield and wiper blades with foreign
matter such as insects, tree sap, and
hot wax treatments used by some
commercial car washes can reduce
wiper effectiveness. If the blades are
not wiping properly, clean both the
window and the blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent, and rinse
thoroughly with clean water.Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
When the wipers no longer clean
adequately, the blades may be worn
or cracked, and require replacement.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the
wiper blade assembly to expose
the plastic locking clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
blade assembly downward; then
lift it off the arm.
MAINTENANCE
7-21
S2BLD307
Plastic locking clip
Push
✽ ✽
NOTICECommercial hot waxes applied by
automatic car washes have been
known to make the windshield dif-
ficult to clean. ✽ ✽
NOTICETo prevent damage to the wiper
blades, do not use gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents to clean them.
✽ ✽
NOTICETo prevent damage to the wiper
arms or other components, do not
attempt to move the wipers manu-
ally.✽ ✽
NOTICEThe use of a non-specified wiper
blade could result in wiper malfun-
tion and failure.
✽ ✽
NOTICEDo not allow the wiper arm to fall
against the windshield.
BL-ENG (CAN)-7.qxd 7/28/05 5:58 PM Page 21

2. Firmly grasp the end of the rubber
blade and pull until the tabs are
free of the metal support.3. Remove the metal retainers from
the rubber blade and install them in
the new rubber blade.4. Carefully insert a new rubber blade
and install the blade assembly.
Install the blade with the tabs facing
towards the bottom of the wiper arm.MAINTENANCE7-22
S2BLD308
Tabs
Metal support
Pull out
S2BLD309
Retainer
Retainer
S2BLD305
✽ ✽
NOTICEDo not bend the metal retainers.
BL-ENG (CAN)-7.qxd 7/28/05 5:58 PM Page 22

BATTERY
MAINTENANCE
7-23
WARNING
- Battery
dangers
Always read the follow-
ing 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 bat-
tery cells and may
explode if ignited.
Keep batteries out of the
reach of children
because batteries con-
tain highly corrosive
SULFURIC ACID. Do not
allow battery acid to
contact your skin, eyes,
clothing or paint finish.
(Continued)
(Continued)
If any electrolyte gets
into your eyes, flush
your eyes with clean
water for at least 15 min-
utes and get immediate
medical attention. If pos-
sible, continue to apply
water with a sponge or
cloth until medical atten-
tion 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
when charging or work-
ing near a battery.
Always provide ventila-
tion when working in an
enclosed space.
(Continued)
(Continued)
When lifting a plastic-cased
battery, excessive pressure
on the case may cause battery
acid to leak, resulting in per-
sonal injury. Lift with a battery
carrier or with your hands on
opposite corners.
Never attempt to charge the
battery when the battery
cables are connected.
The electrical ignition system
works with high voltage.
Never touch these compo-
nents with the engine running
or the ignition switched on.
BL-ENG (CAN)-7.qxd 7/28/05 5:58 PM Page 23