2008 KIA Optima engine

4
Ignition switch / 4-2
Starting the engine / 4-3
Manual transaxle / 4-4
Automatic transaxle / 4-6
Brake system / 4-10
Steering wheel / 4-16
Cruise control system / 4-18
Electronic stability control / 4-21
Instrument cluster / 4-24
Gauges / 4-25
Warnings and indicators / 4-30
Compass - Z-Nav™ compass / 4-36
Rear parking assist system / 4-37
Lighting / 4-40
Wipers and washers / 4-43
Defroster / 4-46
Hazard warning flasher / 4-47
Manual climate control system / 4-48
Automatic climate control / 4-55
Windshield defrosting and defogging / 4-63
Driving your vehicle

Driving your vehicle2 4Illuminated ignition switchWhenever a door is opened, the ignition
switch will be illuminated for your con-
venience, provided the ignition switch is
not in the ON position. The light will go off
approximately 10 seconds after closing
the door or when the ignition switch is
turned on.
Ignition switch and anti-theft
steering column lock Ignition switch positionLOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. The ignition key can be
removed only in the LOCK position.
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key inward at
the ACC position and turn the key toward
the LOCK position (manual transaxle).
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-
trical accessories are operative.ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
can be checked before the engine is
started.
Do not leave the ignition switch ON if the
engine is not running to prevent battery
discharge.START
Turn the ignition key to the START posi-
tion to start the engine. The engine will
crank until you release the key; then it
returns to the ON position. The brake
warning lamp can be checked in this
position.✽ ✽
NOTICEIf it is difficult to turn the ignition
key to the START position, turn the
steering wheel right and left to
release resistance and then turn the
key.Automatic transaxleWhen turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P (Park) position.
IGNITION SWITCH
OMG045001
OMG045002

43
Driving your vehicle
STARTING THE ENGINE 1. Make sure the parking brake is
applied.
2.Manual Transaxle- Depress the
clutch pedal fully and shift the
transaxle into Neutral. Keep the clutch
pedal depressed while turning the
ignition switch to the start position.
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
Automatic Transaxle- Place the
transaxle shift lever in P (Park).
Depress the brake pedal fully.
You can also start the engine when
the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)
position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to START and
hold it there until the engine starts (a
maximum of 10 seconds), then
release the key.
4. In extremely cold weather (below
0°F / -18°C) or after the vehicle has
not been operated for several days, let
the engine warm up without depress-
ing the accelerator.
Whether the engine is cold or warm, it
should be started without depressing
the accelerator.✽ ✽
NOTICEDo not engage the starter for more than
10 seconds. If the engine stalls or fails to
start, wait 5 to 10 seconds before re-
engaging the starter. Excessive or
improper use of the starter may damage
it. The starter will not operate if:
Manual Transaxle- the clutch pedal is
not fully depressed.
Automatic Transaxle- the shift lever
is NOT in the P (Park) or N (Neutral)
position.
WARNING
- Ignition key
• Never turn the ignition switch to
LOCK or ACC while the vehicle is
moving. This would result in loss
of directional control and braking
function, which could cause an
accident or collision.
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever
is engaged in 1
stgear for manual
transaxle or P (Park) for automat-
ic transaxle. Then, set the parking
brake fully and shut the engine
off. Unexpected and sudden vehi-
cle movement may occur if these
precautions are not taken.
Never reach for the ignition
switch, or any other controls
through the steering wheel while
the vehicle is in motion. The pres-
ence of your hand or arm in this
area could cause a loss of vehicle
control, an accident and serious
bodily injury or death.
Do not place any movable objects
around the driver’s seat as they
may move while driving, interfere
with the driver and lead to an
accident.
CAUTION -
Stall
If the engine stalls while you are in
motion, do not attempt to move the
shift lever to the P (Park) position. If
traffic and road conditions permit,
you may put the shift lever in the N
(Neutral) position while the vehicle
is still moving and turn the ignition
switch to the START position in an
attempt to restart the engine.
WARNING
Always wear appropriate shoes
when operating your vehicle.
Unsuitable shoes (high heels, ski
boots,etc.) may interfere with your
ability to use the brake and acceler-
ator pedal, and the clutch (if
equipped).

Driving your vehicle4 4
Manual transaxle operationThe manual transaxle has five forward
gears.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while
shifting, then release it slowly.
The gearshift lever must be returned to
the neutral position before shifting into R
(Reverse). The ring located immediately
below the shift knob must be pulled
upward while moving the shift lever to the
R position.Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into R (Reverse).
Never operate the engine with the
tachometer (rpm) in the red zone.✽ ✽
NOTICEWhen downshifting from fifth gear to
fourth gear, caution should be taken not
to inadvertently press the gear shift
lever sideways in such a manner that
second gear is engaged. Such a drastic
downshift may cause the engine speed to
increase to the point that the tachometer
will enter the red-zone. Such over-
revving of the engine may possibly cause
engine damage.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
OMG045003N
The ring (1) must be pulled up while moving the shift lever. The shift lever can be moved without pulling the ring (1).
1

45
Driving your vehicle
To shift into reverse, rest the lever in
neutral for at least 3 seconds after your
car is completely stopped. Then move
the lever into the reverse position.
During cold weather, shifting may be
difficult until the transaxle lubricant has
warmed up. This is normal and not
harmful to the transaxle.
If you've come to a complete stop and
it's hard to shift into 1st or R (Reverse),
put the shift lever in N (Neutral) posi-
tion and release the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down, and then shift
into 1st or R (Reverse) gear position.
✽ ✽
NOTICETo avoid premature clutch wear and
damage, do not drive with your foot
resting on the clutch pedal. Also, don’t
use the clutch to hold the vehicle
stopped on an uphill grade, while wait-
ing for a traffic light, etc.
DownshiftingWhen you must slow down in heavy traf-
fic or while driving up steep hills, down-
shift before the engine starts to labor.
Downshifting reduces the chance of
stalling and gives better acceleration
when you again need to increase your
speed. When the vehicle is traveling
down steep hills, downshifting helps
maintain safe speed and prolongs brake
life.
WARNING
- Manual
transaxle
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always set the parking brake fully
and shut the engine off. Then make
sure the transaxle is shifted into 1
st
gear when the vehicle is parked on
a level or uphill grade, and shifted
into R (Reverse) on a downhill
grade. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
these precautions are not followed
in the order identified.

Driving your vehicle6 4
Automatic transaxle operationAll normal forward driving is done with
the shift lever in the D (Drive) position.
To move the shift lever from the P (Park)
position, the brake pedal must be
depressed.For smooth operation, depress the brake
pedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to a
forward or reverse gear.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING
- Automatic
transaxle
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever is
in the P (PARK) position; then set
the parking brake fully and shut the
engine off. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
these precautions are not followed
in the order identified.
OMG045004
Depress the brake pedal when shifting, if your vehicle is equipped shift lock system.
The shift lever can be moved freely.

47
Driving your vehicle
✽ ✽
NOTICE• To avoid damage to your transaxle, do
not accelerate the engine in R
(Reverse) or any forward gear posi-
tion with the brakes on.
• When stopped on an uphill grade, do
not hold the vehicle stationary with
engine power. Use the service brake
or the parking brake.
• Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P
(Park) into D (Drive), or R (Reverse)
when the engine is above idle speed.Transaxle rangesP (Park)This position locks the transaxle and pre-
vents the front wheels from rotating.
Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into this position.
✽ ✽
NOTICEThe transaxle may be damaged if you
shift into P (Park) while the vehicle is in
motion.R (Reverse)Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward.
✽ ✽
NOTICEAlways come to a complete stop before
shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you
may damage the transaxle if you shift
into R while the vehicle is in motion.N (Neutral)With the gearshift in the N position, the
wheels and transaxle are not locked. The
vehicle will roll freely even on the slight-
est incline unless the parking brake or
service brakes are applied.D (Drive)This is the normal forward driving posi-
tion. The transaxle will automatically shift
through a 5-gear sequence, providing the
best fuel economy and power.
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing grades, depress the
accelerator fully, at which time the
transaxle will automatically downshift to
the next lower gear.✽ ✽
NOTICEAlways come to a complete stop before
shifting into D (Drive).
(Continued)
Do not use the P (Park) position in
place of the parking brake.
Always make sure the shift lever
is latched in the P (Park) position
AND set the parking brake fully.
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (Park) position. Set the
parking brake fully, shut the
engine off and take the key with
you. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
you do not follow these precau-
tions in the order specified.
Never leave a child unattended in
a vehicle.
WARNING
- Automatic
transaxle
Shifting into P (Park) while the
vehicle is in motion will cause the
drive wheels to lock which will
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
(Continued)

Driving your vehicle8 4Sports modeWhether the vehicle is stationary or in
motion, sports mode is selected by push-
ing the shift lever from the “D” position
into the manual gate. To return to “D”
range operation, push the shift lever back
into the main gate.
In sports mode, moving the shift lever
backwards and forwards will allow you to
make gearshifts rapidly. In contrast to a
manual transaxle, the sports mode
allows gearshifts with the accelerator
pedal depressed.Up (+) : Push the lever forward once to
shift up one gear.
Down (-) : Pull the lever backwards once
to shift down one gear.
✽ ✽
NOTICE• Upshifts do not take place automati-
cally in sports mode. The driver must
execute upshifts in accordance with
road conditions, taking care to keep
the engine speed below the red zone.
• In sports mode, only the five forward
gears can be selected. To reverse or
park the vehicle, move the shift lever
to the “R” or “P” position as required.
• In sports mode, downshifts are made
automatically when the vehicle slows
down. When the vehicle stops, 1st gear
is automatically selected.
(Continued)(Continued)
• In sports mode, when the engine rpm
approaches the red zone shift points
are varied to upshift automatically.
• To maintain the required levels of
vehicle performance and safety, the
system may not execute certain
gearshifts when the shift lever is oper-
ated.
• When driving on a slippery road,
push the shift lever forward into the
+(up) position. This causes the
transaxle to shift into 2nd gear which
is better for smooth driving on a slip-
pery road. Push the shift lever to the -
(down) side to shift back to 1st gear.
OMG045005 + (UP)
- (DOWN) Automatic modeSports mode