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Maintenance
147
BRAKES
Checking brake fluid level
Check the fluid level in the reservoir peri-
odically. The fluid level should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the reservoir.
Before removing the reservoir cap and
adding brake fluid, clean the area around
the reservoir cap thoroughly to prevent
brake fluid contamination.If the level is low, add fluid to the MAX
level. The level will fall with accumulated
mileage. This is a normal condition asso-
ciated with the wear of the brake pads. If
the fluid level is excessively low, have the
brake system checked by an Authorized
Kia Dealer.
Use only the specified brake fluid. (Refer
to “Recommended Lubricants” later inthis section.)
Never mix different types of fluid.
WARNING
When changing and adding brake
fluid, handle it carefully. Do not let it
come in contact with your eye s.If
brake fluid should come in contact
with your eyes, immediately flush
them with a large quantity of fre sh
tap water. Have your eye s examined
by a doctor as soon as possible.
WARNING
In the event the brake s ystem
requires frequent additions of fluid,
the vehicle should be inspected by
an Authorized Kia Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not allow brake fluid to contact the vehicle' s body paint, a s paint
damage will res ult. Brake fluid,
which has been exposed to open air for an extended time should never
be used as its quality cannot be guaranteed. It should be thrown
out. Don't put in the wrong kind of fluid. For example, just a few dropsof mineral-bas ed oil,such as
engine oil, in your brake system can damage brake system parts.
OGH057013
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715
Maintenance
POWER STEERING
Checking the power steering fluid
level
With the vehicle on level ground, check
the fluid level in the power steering reser-
voir periodically. The fluid should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
level gauge attached to the cap.
Before adding power steering fluid, thor-
oughly clean the area around the reser-
voir cap to prevent power steering fluid
contamination.
If the level is low, add fluid to the MAX
level. In the event the power steering system
requires frequent addition of fluid, the
vehicle should be inspected by an
Authorized Kia Dealer.
✽
NOTICE
To avoid damage to the power steer-
ing pump, do not operate the vehicle
for prolonged periods with a low
power steering fluid level.
Never start the engine when the reser- voir tank is empty.
When adding fluid, be careful that dirt does not get into the tank.
Too little fluid can make the steering wheel heavier or strange noise can be
generated.
The use of the non-specified fluid could reduce the effectiveness of the
power steering wheel and cause dam-
age to it.
Use only the specified power steering
fluid. (Refer to "RecommendedLubricants" later in this section.)
Power steering hose
Check the connections for oil leaks,
severe damage and the twists in the
power steering hose before driving.
OGH076421N
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717
Maintenance
✽NOTICE
“COLD” scale is for reference only and
should NOT be used to determine
transaxle fluid level.
New automatic transaxle fluid should be
red. The red dye is added so the assem-
bly plant can identify it as automatic
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 vehicle is driven,
the automatic transaxle fluid will begin to
look darker. The color may eventually
appear light brown.
✽NOTICE
Have an Authorized Kia dealer change
the automatic transaxle fluid according
to the Scheduled Maintenance at the
beginning of this section.CAUTION
• Low fluid level causes transaxle
slippage. Overfilling can caus e
foaming, loss of fluid and transaxle malfunction.
• The use of a non- specified fluid
could result in transaxle malfunc- tion.
WARNING- Parking brake
To avoid sudden movement of the
vehicle, apply parking brake and
depress the brake pedal before
moving the shift lever.
WARNING - Transaxle fluid
The transaxle fluid level should be
checked when the engine i s 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 your self during this
procedure.
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Maintenance
187
LUBRICANTS AND FLUIDS
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.
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.WARNING
• Do not use radiator coolant or
antifreeze in the was her fluid
reservoir.
• Radiator coolant can s everely
obscure visibility when sprayed
on the wind shield and may cau se
loss of vehicle control or damage
to paint and body trim.
•Wind shield 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 wa sher fluid
reservoir. Damage to the vehicle
or it's occupants could occur.
•Wind shield washer fluid is poi-
sonous to humans and animals.
Do not drink and avoid contacting
windshield washer fluid. Seriou s
injury or death could occur.
OGH057500
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Maintenance
247
✽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.
WARNING- Recharging
battery
When recharging the battery,
observe the following precaution s:
• The battery mus t be removed
from the vehicle and placed in an
area with good ventilation.
• Do not allow cigarette s,sparks,or
flame 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.
(Continued)
(Continued)
•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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737
Maintenance
Recommended SAE viscosity
number
Engine oil viscosity (thickness) has an
effect on fuel economy and cold weather
operating (starting and oil flow). Lower
viscosity engine oils can provide better
fuel economy and cold weather perform-
ance, however, higher viscosity engine
oils are required for satisfactory lubrica-
tion in hot weather. Using oils of any vis-
cosity other than those recommended
could result in engine damage.
When choosing an oil, consider the range of temperature your vehicle will be operat-
ed in before the next oil change. Proceed to select the recommended oil viscosity
from the chart.
Temperature Range for SAE Viscosity Number s
Temperature
Gasoline
Engine Oil *
1
°C
(°F)-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 -10 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
1. For better fuel economy, it is recommended to use the engine oil of a viscosity grade SAE 5W-
20,5W-30 (API SL / ILSAC GF-3). However, the engine oil is not available in your country,
select the proper engine oil using the engine oil viscosity chart.
10W-30
5W-20, 5W-30
CAUTION
Always be sure to clean the areaaround any filler plug, drain plug, ordipstick before checking or drain-ing any lubricant. Thi s is e specially
important in dusty or sandy areas and when the vehicle i s used on
unpaved roads. Cleaning the plug and dipstick areas will prevent dirt and grit from entering the engineand other mechani sms that could
be damaged.