2007 KIA SPECTRA5 tow

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Towing capacity:Without trailer brakes:
750 lbs (340 kg)
With trailer brakes:
1500 lbs (680 kg)
Towing capacity is the maximum
trailer weight including its cargo
weight, your vehicle can tow.Cargo capacity:The cargo capacity of your vehicle
will increase or decrease depending
on the weight and the number of
occupants and the tongue load, if
your vehicle is equipped with a trail-
er.
Steps for determining correct
load limit1. Locate the statement "The com-bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.'' on your vehicle's
placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity. For example, if
the "XXX" amount equals 1400
lbs. (635 kg), and there will be five
150 lbs. (68 kg) passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs. (295 kg).
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs. or
635-340 (5 x 68) = 295 kg) 5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trail- er, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
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CAUTION
We do not recommend usingthis vehicle for trailer towing.
WARNING
- Load distribu-
tor
Your vehicle may become unsta-
ble while towing if your vehicle is
overloaded to one side. Make
sure that the load in the vehicle is
distributed equally to each side
of the centerline.

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Driving tips
WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLEThis section will guide you in the
proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle
weight within its design rating capa-
bility, with or without a trailer.
Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of the vehi-
cle design performance. Before load-
ing your vehicle, familiarize yourself
with the following terms for determin-
ing your vehicle's weight ratings, with
or without a trailer, from the vehicle's
specifications and the compliance
label:
Base curb weight
This is the weight of the vehicle
including a full tank of fuel and all
standard equipment. It does not
include passengers, cargo, or option-
al equipment.
Vehicle curb weight
This is the weight of your new vehicle
when you picked it up from your deal-
er plus any aftermarket equipment.
Cargo weight
This figure includes all weight added
to the Base Curb Weight, including
cargo and optional equipment.GAW (Gross axle weight)
This is the total weight placed on
each axle (front and rear) - including
vehicle curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross axle weight rating)This is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single
axle (front or rear). These numbers
are shown on the compliance label.
The total load on each axle must
never exceed its GAWR.
GVW (Gross vehicle weight)
This is the Base Curb Weight plus
actual Cargo Weight plus passen-
gers.
GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating)
This is the maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle
(including all options, equipment,
passengers and cargo). The GVWR
is shown on the compliance label
located on the driver’s door sill.
GCW (Gross combined weight)
This is the weight of the loaded vehi-
cle (GVW) plus the weight of the fully
loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross combined weight
rating)
This is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded
trailer - including all cargo and pas-
sengers - that the vehicle can handle
without risking damage. (Important :
The towing vehicle's braking system
is rated for operation at GVWR, not
GCWR. Separate functional brakes
should be used for safe control of
towed vehicles and for trailers weigh-
ing an 750 lbs (340kg).) The GCW
must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum trailer weight
This is the highest possible weight of
a fully loaded trailer the vehicle can
tow. It assumes a vehicle with only
mandatory options, no cargo, and a
driver. The weight of other optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in
your vehicle will reduce the maxi-
mum trailer weight your vehicle can
tow.
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Calculating the load your vehicle
can tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum
GCWR chart (in the Weight of the
Trailer section in this chapter) for
your type of drive system and
transmission.
2. Weigh your vehicle.
3. Subtract the weight of your vehicle from the maximum GCWR in the
chart. This is the maximum trailer
weight your vehicle can tow. It
must be below the maximum trail-
er weight shown in the chart. Note
that the maximum trailer weight
your vehicle can tow depends on
the total weight of any cargo, pas-
sengers and available equipment
in the vehicle. To identify what the vehicle trailering
capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in
“Weight of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section. Remember that
trailering is different than just driving
your vehicle by itself. Trailering caus-
es major changes in handling, dura-
bility, and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering requires correct equip-
ment, and cautious driving.
WARNING
- Towing a
trailer
If you don't use the correct
equipment or you drive improp-
erly, you can lose control when
you pull a trailer. For example, if
the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may fail, and would at
least be ineffective to promptly
stop the vehicle. You and your
passenger could be seriously or
fatally injured. We do not rec-
ommend towing a trailer.
However, in the event there is a
need to tow a trailer, such as in
an emergency, follow all the
steps in this section.
Item Specification
Maximum trailer Without trailer brakes 750 (340)
weight lbs. (kg) With trailer brakes 1500 (680)
TRAILER TOWING
CAUTION
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and resultin costly repairs not covered byyour warranty.

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Driving tips
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This section contains many time-
tested, important trailering tips and
safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Please read this
section carefully before you pull a
trailer.
Load-pulling components such as
the engine, transaxle, wheel assem-
blies, and tires are forced to work
harder against the load of the added
weight. The engine is required to
operate at relatively higher speeds
and under greater loads. This addi-
tional burden generates extra heat
which creates more wear in engine,
and a shortened engine life. The trail-
er also adds considerably to wind
resistance, increasing the pulling
requirements.
If you do decide to pull a trailerHere are some important points if
you decide to pull a trailer:
 Consider using a sway control. Youcan ask a hitch dealer about sway
control.
 After your odometer indicates 500 miles (800 km) or more, you can
tow a trailer. For the first 500 miles
(800 km) that you tow a trailer,
don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throt-
tle. This helps your engine and
other parts of your vehicle “wear” in
at the heavier loads.
 Always drive your vehicle at a mod- erate speed (less than 60 mph
(100 km/h)).
 The important considerations have to do with weight: Weight of the trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be? It
should never weigh more than the
maximum trailer weight with trailer
brakes. But even that can be too
heavy.
If you feel that the trailer is adversely
affecting the movement of your vehi-
cle, reduce your speed, avoid
uneven or winding roads, avoid
roads with steep grades, and/or light-
en your trailer load.

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Weight of the trailer tongue
The tongue load of any trailer is an
important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
vehicle weight (GVW) of your vehicle
since that is the trailer weight push-
ing down on the hitch on your vehi-
cle. The rest of the trailer weight is
sitting on the trailer's wheels.
The trailer tongue should weigh a
maximum of 10% of the total loaded
trailer weight.
After you've loaded the trailer, go to a
Weigh Station and weigh the trailer
and then the tongue, separately, to
see if the weights are proper. If they
aren’t, you may be able to correct
them simply by moving some items
around in the trailer.
Hitches It's important to have the correct
hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large
trucks going by, and rough roads are
a few reasons why you’ll need the
right hitch. Here are some rules to
follow:
 Do not attach a trailer hitch which
requires you to alter other parts on
your vehicle.
 Never make a hole in your vehicle to accommodate a hitch.
 The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches. Do not
attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
WARNING
- Trailer bal-
ance
 Never load a trailer with more weight in the rear than in the
front. The front should be
loaded with approximately
60% of the total trailer load;
the rear should be loaded with
approximately 40% of the total
trailer load.
 Never exceed the maximum weight limits of the trailer or
trailer towing equipment.
Improper loading can result in
excessive personal injury.
Check weights and loading at
a commercial scale or high-
way patrol office equipped
with scales.
 An improperly loaded trailer can cause loss of vehicle con-
trol.

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Safety chains You should always attach chains
between your vehicle and your trail-
er. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer so that the
tongue will not drop to the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains may
be provided by the hitch manufactur-
er or by the trailer manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recom-
mendation for attaching safety
chains. Always leave just enough
slack so you can turn with your trail-
er. And, never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer brakes If your trailer weighs more than the
maximum weight for a trailer without
brakes, then the trailer needs its own
brakes. You must consult with a
knowledgeable and reputable trailer
vendor to determine which brake
equipped trailer is right for your
needs. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Driving with a trailer Towing a trailer requires experience.
You must gain that experience slow-
ly and carefully which practicing with
an unloaded or lightly loaded trailer..
Before setting out for the open road,
you must get to know your trailer.
Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the
vehicle you are driving is now a good
deal longer and not nearly so
responsive as your vehicle is by
itself.
Before you start, check the trailer
hitch and platform, safety chains,
electrical connector(s), lights, tires
and mirror adjustment. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start your vehicle
and trailer moving and then apply the
trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets
you check your electrical connection
at the same time.
During your trip, stop every hour or
so to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lights and any trailer
brakes are still working.
WARNING
Do not use a trailer with its own
brakes unless you are absolute-
ly certain that you have properly
set up the brake system pur-
suant to the trailer manufac-
ture's instructions. This is not a
task for amateurs. Use an expe-
rienced, competent trailer shop
for this work.

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Following distance Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sud-
den turns.Passing You’ll need more passing distance
up ahead when you’re towing a trail-
er. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
you can return to your lane.
Backing up The trailer will go in the opposite
direction of the rear of your vehicle
when backing up. This is very difficult
for an inexperienced trailer driver to
get used to. To help you avoid mis-
takes, hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, just hold the
steering wheel firmly and move your
hand to the left. To move the trailer to
the right, move your hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.Making turns When you’re turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal. Do
this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sud-
den maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn signals when towing a trailer When you tow a trailer, your vehicle
has to have a different turn signal
flasher and extra wiring. The green
arrows on your instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal a turn or
lane change. Properly connected,
the trailer lights will also flash to alert
other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green
arrows on your instrument panel will
flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you
may think drivers behind you are
seeing your signals when, in fact,
they are not. It’s important to check
reqularly to be sure the trailer bulbs
are still working. You must also check
the lights every time you disconnect
and then reconnect the wires.

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Do not connect a trailer lighting sys-
tem directly to your vehicle’s lighting
system. Use only an approved trailer
wiring harness.
Your Authorized Kia Dealer can
assist you in installing the wiring har-
ness.
Driving on grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before you start down a long or
steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get
hot and no longer operate efficiently.
On a long uphill grade, shift down
and reduce your speed to around 45
mph (70 km/h) to reduce the possi-
bility of engine and transaxle over-
heating.
Operating your vehicle in D (Drive)
when towing a trailer will minimize
heat buildup and extend the life of
your transaxle.
WARNING
- Trailer wiringharness
Failure to use an approved trail-
er wiring harness could result in
damage to the vehicle's electri-
cal system, there by disabling
the brake light system resulting
in an accident.
CAUTION
When towing a trailer on steep grades especially (in excess of6%) pay close attention to theengine coolant temperaturegauge to ensure the enginedoes not overheat. If the needleof the coolant temperaturegauge moves across the dialtowards “H” (HOT), pull over andstop as soon as it is safe to doso, and allow the engine to idleuntil it cools down. You may pro-ceed once the engine hascooled sufficiently.