Driving your vehicle
224
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
monitors information from various vehicle
sensors and then compares the driver's
commands with the actual behavior of
the vehicle. If an unstable condition is
created by the driver - a sudden evasive
movement for example - ESC intervenes
within fractions of a second via the
engine computer and brake system and
attempts to stabilize the vehicle.
ESC operation
ESC ON condition
• When the ignition is turnedON, ESC and ESC OFF indi-
cator lights illuminate for
approximately 3 seconds,
then ESC is turned on.
• Press the ESC OFF button to turn ESC off. (ESC OFF indi-
cator will illuminate). To turn
the ESC on, press the ESC
OFF button (ESC OFF indica-
tor light will go off).
• When starting the engine, you may hear a slight ticking
sound. This is the ESC per-
forming an automatic system
self-check and does not indi-
cate a problem.
When operating
When the ESC is in operation,
ESC indicator light blinks.
• When the Electronic StabilityControl is operating properly,
you can feel a slight pulsation
in the vehicle. This is only the
effect of brake control and
indicates nothing unusual.
• When moving out of the mud or slippery road, pressing the
accelerator pedal may not
cause the engine rpm (revo-
lutions per minute) to
increase.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
-ESC
OGH036003N
Driving your vehicle
244
ESC OFF usage
When driving
• It’s a good idea to keep the ESC turnedon for daily driving whenever possible.
• To turn ESC off while driving, press the ESC OFF button while driving on a flat
road surface.
Never press ESC OFF button while ESC
is operating (ESC indicator light blinks).
If ESC is turned off while ESC is operat-
ing, the vehicle may slip out of control.
✽ NOTICE
When measuring the vehicle speed
with a Chassis dynamo-meter, make
sure the ESC is turned off (ESC OFF
light illuminated). If the ESC is left
on, it may prevent the vehicle speed
from increasing, and cause a false
diagnosis of a faulty speedometer.
Turning the ESC off does not affect ABS or brake system operation. WARNING
Never press the ESC OFF button
while ESC is operating.
If the ESC is turned off while ESC is
operating, the vehicle may slip out
of control.
To turn ESC off while driving, pre ss
the ESC OFF button while driving
on a flat road surface.
Driving your vehicle
284
Warning lights / audible indica-
tors
Checking operation
All warning lights are checked by turning
the ignition switch ON (do not start the
engine). Any light that does not illuminate
should be checked by an Authorized Kia
Dealer.
After starting the engine, check to make
sure that all warning lights are off. If any
are still on, this indicates a situation that
needs attention. When releasing the
parking brake, the brake system warning
light should go off. The fuel warning light
will stay on if the fuel level is low.
Anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light
(if equipped)
This light illuminates if the key is turned
to ON and goes off approximately 3 sec-
onds if the system is operating normally.
If the light stays on, you may have a
problem with your ABS system. Contact
an authorized Kia dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
Electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) sys-
tem warning light
(if equipped)
If two warning lights illumi-
nate at the same time while
driving, your vehicle has a
problem with ABS and EBD
system. In this case, your ABS system and regu-
lar brake system may not work normally.
Have the vehicle checked by an
Authorized Kia Dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
WARNINGS AND INDICATORS
ABS
ABS
WARNING
If both ABS and Brake warning
lights are ON and stay ON, your
vehicle’
s brake system will not work
normally. In such a case, you may
experience an unexpected and dan-
gerou s situation when braking
abruptly. When both ABS and brake
lights are on, avoid high speed driv-
ing and abrupt braking. Have your
vehicle checked by an Authorized
Kia Dealer as soon as possible.
Driving your vehicle
304
Front fog light indicator
(if equipped)
This light comes on when the front fog
lights are ON.
Stop/Tail light failure
warning
This light indicates a malfunction in the
stop/tail light circuit, such as a burned
out bulb. If this indicator comes on,
check for a burned out stop/tail lamp, if
the indicator is still on have the vehicle
checked by an authorized Kia dealer for
service.
Shift pattern
indicators
The individual indicators illuminate to
show the shift lever selection.
Taillight indicator
(if equipped)
This light comes on when the taillights
are ON.
Parking brake & brake
fluid warning
Parking brake warning
This light is illuminated when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch in
the START or ON position. The warning
light should go off when the parking
brake is released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the warning light remains on, it may
indicate that the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is low.
If the warning light remains on:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe
location and stop your vehicle.
2. With the engine stopped, check the brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required. Then check all brake
components for fluid leaks.
3. Do not drive the vehicle if leaks are found, the warning light remains on or
the brakes do not operate properly.
Have it towed to any Authorized Kia
Dealer for a brake system inspection
and necessary repairs.
To check bulb operation, check whether
the parking brake and brake fluid warning
light illuminates when the ignition switch
is in the ON position.
CHECK
STOP LAMP!
WARNING
Driving the vehicle with a warning
light on is dangerous. If the brake
warning light remain s on, have the
brakes checked and repaired imme-
diately by an Authorized Kia Dealer.
437
Driving your vehicle
Front fog light (if equipped)
Fog lights are used to provide improved
visibility and avoid accidents when visibil-
ity is poor due to fog, rain or snow etc.
The fog lights will turn on when fog light
switch (
➀) is turned to ON (➁) after the
headlight switch is turned on.
To turn off the fog lights, turn the switch
to OFF.
✽ NOTICE
When in operation, the fog lights con-
sume large amounts of vehicle electrical
power. Only use the fog lights when vis-
ibility is poor or unnecessary battery
and generator drain could occur.
Daytime running light
(if equipped)
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the front
of your vehicle during the day. DRL can
be helpful in many different driving condi-
tions, and it is escecially helpful after
dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your high-
beam headlights turn OFF when:
1. The head light switch is ON.
2. The parking brake is engaged.
3. Engine stops.
2GHN2063
➀
➁
55
Driving tips
BEFORE DRIVING
Before entering vehicle:
• Be sure that all windows, outside mir-ror(s), and outside lights are clean.
• Check the condition of the tires.
• Check under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
• Be sure there are no obstacles behind you if you intend to back up.
Necessary inspections
Fluid levels, such as engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid
should be checked on a regular basis,
with the exact interval depending on the
fluid. Further details are provided in
Section 7, Maintenance.
Before starting
• Close and lock all doors.
• Position the seat so that all controls are
easily reached.
• Adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors.
• Be sure that all lights work.
• Check all gauges.
• Check the operation of warning lights when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position.
• Release the parking brake and make sure the brake warning light goes out.
For safe operation, be sure you are famil-
iar with your vehicle and its equipment.WARNING- Driving under
the influence of alcohol or
drugs
Drinking and driving i s dangerous.
Drunk driving is the number one
contributor to the highway death
toll each year. Even a small amount
of alcohol will affect your reflexe s,
perceptions and judgement.
You are much more likely to have a
serious accident if you drink and
drive.
If you are drinking or taking drug s,
don’t drive. Do not ride with a driv-
er who has been drinking or taking
drugs. Choose a designated driver
or call a cab.
Driving while under the influence of
drugs i s as dangerous or more dan-
gerou s than driving drunk.
Driving tips
65
SUGGESTIONS FOR ECONOMICAL OPERATION
Your vehicle's fuel economy depends
mainly on your style of driving, where you
drive and when you drive.
Each of these factors affects how many
kilometers (miles) you can get from a liter
(gallon) of fuel. To operate your vehicle
as economically as possible, use the fol-
lowing driving suggestions to help save
money in both fuel and repairs:
• Avoid lengthy warm-up idling. Once theengine is running smoothly, begin driv-
ing. Remember, engine warm-up may
take a little longer on cold days.
• Save fuel by accelerating slowly after stopping.
• Keep the engine in tune and follow the recommended periodic maintenance
schedule. This will increase the life of
all parts and lower your operating
costs. • Do not use the air conditioner unnec-
essarily.
• Slow down when driving on rough roads.
• For longer tire life and better fuel econ- omy, always keep the tires inflated to
the recommended pressures.
• Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden stops. This
will reduce wear on brake linings and
pads. Driving in such a way will also
save fuel because extra fuel is required
to accelerate back to driving speed.
• Do not carry unnecessary weight in the vehicle.
• Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This can cause
needless wear, possible damage to the
brakes, and poor fuel economy.
• Improper wheel alignment results in faster tire wear and lower fuel econo-
my. • Open windows at high speeds can
reduce fuel economy.
• Fuel economy is less in crosswinds and headwinds. To help offset some of
this loss, slow down when driving in
these conditions.
Keeping a vehicle in good operating con-
dition is important both for economy and
safety. Therefore, have an authorized Kia
dealer perform scheduled inspections
and maintenance.
WARNING - Engine off dur-
ing motion
Never turn the engine off to coa st
down hills or anytime the vehicle i s
in motion. The power steering and
power brakes will not function with-
out the engine running. Ins tead,
downshift to an appropriate gear for
engine braking effect.
57
Driving tips
SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS
Hazardous driving conditions
When hazardous driving conditions are
encountered such as water, snow, ice,
mud, sand, or similar hazards, follow
these suggestions:
• Drive cautiously and allow extra dis-
tance for braking.
• Avoid sudden movements in braking or steering.
• When braking, pump the brake pedal with a light up-and-down motion until
the vehicle is stopped.
✽ NOTICE
Do not pump the brake pedal on a vehi-
cle equipped with ABS.
• If stalled in snow, mud, or sand, use
second gear. Accelerate slowly to
avoid spinning the drive wheels.
• Use sand, rock salt, tire chains, or other non-slip material under the drive
wheels to provide traction when stalled
in ice, snow, or mud.Rocking the vehicle
If it is necessary to rock the vehicle to
free it from snow, sand, or mud, first turn
the steering wheel right and left to clear
the area around your front wheels. Then,
shift back and forth between R (Reverse)
and any forward gear in vehicles
equipped with an automatic transaxle. Do
not race the engine, and spin the wheels
as little as possible. If you are still stuck
after a few tries, have the vehicle pulled
out by a tow vehicle to avoid engine
overheating and possible damage to the
transaxle.
WARNING - Downshifting
Downs hifting with an automatic
transaxle, while driving on slippery
surfaces can cause an accident.
The sudden change in tire speed
could cause the tires to skid. Be
careful when downshifting on slip-
pery surfaces.