
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
BL-ENG (CAN)-3.qxd 7/28/05 5:52 PM Page 63

Airbag warning light
The purpose of airbag warning light
in your instrument panel is to alert
you of a potential problem with your
airbag - Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS).
When the ignition switch is turned
ON, the indicator light should blink or
illuminate for approximately 6 sec-
onds, then go off.
Have the system checked if:
The light does not turn on briefly
when you turn the ignition ON.
The light stays on after the engine
starts.
The light comes on while the vehi-
cle is in motion.Airbag (Supplemental Restraint
System) service
Your Supplemental Restraint System
is virtually maintenance-free. There
are no parts which you can service.
You must have the system serviced
under the following circumstances:
If an airbag ever inflates, the airbag
must be replaced. Do not try to
remove or discard the airbag by
yourself. This must be done by an
authorized Kia dealer.
If the airbag warning indicator light
alerts you to a problem, have the
airbag system checked as soon as
possible. Otherwise, your airbag
system may be ineffective.
KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE3-64
A-BAG-W
WARNING
Never put child restraint in the
front passenger seat. If the
front passenger airbag
inflates, it would cause seri-
ous or fatal injuries.
When children are seated in
the rear outboard seats in
which curtain airbags are
equipped, be sure to put the
child restraint system as far
away from the door side as
possible, and secure the child
restraint system to be locked
in position.
Inflation of curtain airbag
could cause serious injury or
death due to the expansion
impact.
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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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KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE3-66Airbag warning label
Airbag warning labels which are now required by the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) are attached
to alert driver and passengers of potential risk of airbag system.
Note that these government warnings focus on the risk to children, Kia also wants you to be aware of the risks which
adults are exposed to. Those have been described in previous pages.
➀
➁
PUSH
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
You could cause the air bag to inflate or the system
may fail to operate which may result in severe personal injury.
Refer to Service Manual for further information. Cela pourrait
gonfler le coussin de sécurité ou le mettre hors service et
entraîner des blessures. Voir le manuel de réparation.WARNING
AVERTISSEMENT
➀➁
5BLN0300/5BLA430H/5BLN0302
BL-ENG (CAN)-3.qxd 7/28/05 5:52 PM Page 66

REAR HATCHOpening the Rear Hatch
To open the rear hatch from the out-
side:
1. Insert the door key into the lock
and turn it counterclockwise. You
can also unlock the latch (but not
release it) with the power door lock
system.
2. Reach under the license plate light
shield and pull the rear hatch han-
dle to release the latch.3. Pull the rear hatch back and up to
open.
Make certain that you close the rear
hatch door before driving your vehi-
cle. Possible damage may occur to
the rear hatch lift cylinders and
attaching hardware if the rear hatch
door is not closed prior to driving.
KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE
3-67
S2BLA612A
S2BLA330B
LOCK UNLOCK
WARNING
The rear hatch swings upward.
Make sure no objects or people
are near the rear of the vehicle
when opening the hatch.
WARNING
- Rear Hatch
Check to be sure the rear
hatch is completely closed
before driving. If the rear
hatch is open, exhaust gases
can enter the vehicle.
Occupants should never ride
in the rear cargo area where
no restraints are available. To
avoid injury in the event of an
accident or sudden stops,
occupants should always be
properly restrained.
BL-ENG (CAN)-3.qxd 7/28/05 5:52 PM Page 67

Closing the Hood:
Check the area under the hood to
make certain all filler caps are in
place and that all loose items have
been removed.
Lower the hood then push down to
properly lock in place.
Check to make sure the hood is
closed.
FUEL FILLER LID1. Pull the fuel filler lid out to open.
2. To remove the cap, turn it counter-
clockwise.
3. Hold the cap on the hook to avoid
damage on the surface of the vehi-
cle.
4. Refuel the fuel tank.
5. To install the cap, place it on the
fuel filler neck and turn it clockwise
until it “CLICKS”. This indicates
that the cap is securely tightened.
KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE3-70
WARNING -
Refueling
If pressurized fuel sprays out,
it can cause serious injuries.
Always remove the fuel cap
carefully and slowly. If the cap
is venting fuel or if you hear a
hissing sound, wait until the
condition stops before com-
pletely removing the cap.
Because your vehicle uses an
ORVR (On-board Refuelling
Vapor Recovery) system,“To p
OFF”the vehicle very careful-
ly to prevent fuel splash-back.
S2BLC318A
OPEN
CLOSE
WARNING
Before closing the hood,
make sure that all engine
parts and tools have been
removed from the engine area
and that no one’s hands are
near the hood opening.
Do not leave gloves, rags or
any other combustible materi-
al in the engine compartment.
Doing so may cause a heat-
induced fire.
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KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE
3-71
WARNING
Automotive fuels are flamma-
ble/explosive materials. When
refueling, please note the fol-
lowing guidelines carefully.
Failure to follow these guide-
lines may result in severe per-
sonal injury, severe burns or
death by fire or explosion.
Before refueling always note
the location of the Emergency
Gasoline Shut-Off, if available,
at the gas station facility.
Before touching the fuel noz-
zle or fuel filler cap, you
should eliminate potentially
dangerous static electricity
discharge by touching anoth-
er metal part of the front of the
vehicle, a safe distance away
from the fuel filler neck, noz-
zle, or other gas source.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Do not get back into a vehicle
once you have begun refuel-
ing. Do not touch, rub or slide
against any item or fabric
(polyester, satin, nylon, etc.)
capable of producing static
electricity. Static electricity
discharge can ignite fuel
vapors resulting in explosion.
If you must re-enter the vehi-
cle, you should once again
eliminate potentially danger-
ous static electricity dis-
charge by touching a metal
part of the vehicle, away from
the fuel filler neck, nozzle or
other gasoline source.
When using a portable fuel
container be sure to place the
container on the ground prior
to refueling. Static electricity
discharge from the container
can ignite fuel vapors causing a
fire. Once refueling has begun,
contact with the vehicle should
be maintained until the filling is
complete. Use only portable
fuel containers designed to
carry and store gasoline.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Do not use cellular phones
around a gas station or while
refueling any vehicle. Electric
current and/or electronic
interference from cellular
phones can potentially ignite
fuel vapors causing a fire. If
you must use your cellular
phone use it in a place away
from the gas station.
When refueling always shut
the engine off. Sparks pro-
duced by electrical compo-
nents related to the engine
can ignite fuel vapors causing
a fire. Always insure that the
engine is OFF before and dur-
ing refueling. Once refueling
is complete, check to make
sure the fuel filler cap and
door are securely closed,
before starting the engine.
(Continued)
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AUTO FUEL CUTOFF SWITCHThe auto fuel cutoff switch is located
on the passenger’s side of the engine
compartment. In the event of a colli-
sion or sudden impact, the auto fuel
cutoff device cuts off the fuel supply.
If this device is activated, it must be
reset by pressing in on the top of the
switch before the engine can be
restarted.
KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE3-72
S2BLA392
WARNING
Before resetting the auto fuel
cutoff switch, the fuel line
should be checked for fuel
leaks.
✽ ✽
NOTICE If the fuel filler cap requires
replacement, use only a genuine
Kia cap or the equivalent speci-
fied for your vehicle. An incorrect
fuel filler cap can result in a seri-
ous malfunction of the fuel sys-
tem or emission control system.
Correct replacement caps are
available at authorized Kia deal-
ers.
Do not spill fuel on the exterior
surfaces of the vehicle. Any type
of fuel spilled on painted surfaces
may damage the paint.
A loose fuel filler cap may cause
the “Check Engine” light in the
instrument panel to illuminate
unnecessarily.
If the fuel filler lid will not open
in cold weather because the area
around it is frozen, push or light-
ly tap the lid.
(Continued)
Do not light any fire around a
gas station. DO NOT use
matches or a lighter and DO
NOT SMOKE or leave a lit cig-
arette in your vehicle while at
a gas station especially dur-
ing refueling. Automotive fuel
is highly flammable and can,
when ignited, result in explo-
sion by flames.
If a fire breaks out during
refueling, leave the vicinity of
the vehicle, and immediately
contact the manager of the
gas station or contact the
police and local fire depart-
ment. Follow any safety
instructions they provide.
BL-ENG (CAN)-3.qxd 7/28/05 5:52 PM Page 72