2008 KIA Optima ESP

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IntroductionYour vehicle at a glanceKnowing your vehicleDriving your vehicleDriving tipsIn case of an emergencyMaintenanceSpecificationsIndex
table of contents

Introduction2 1We want to help you get the greatest
possible driving pleasure from your vehi-
cle. Your Owner’s Manual can assist you
in many ways. We strongly recommend
that you read the entire manual.
Especially, in order to minimize the
chance of death or injury, you must read
the WARNING and CAUTION sections
spread throughout the manual.
Illustrations complement the words in this
manual to best explain how to enjoy your
vehicle. By reading your manual, you
learn about features, important safety
information, and driving tips under vari-
ous road conditions.
The general layout of the manual is pro-
vided in the Table of Contents. A good
place to start is the index; it has an alpha-
betical listing of all information in your
manual.
Sections: This manual has nine sections
plus an index. Each section begins with a
brief list of contents so you can tell at a
glance if that section has the information
you want.You’ll find various WARNING’s,
CAUTION’s, and NOTICE’s in this manu-
al. These were prepared to enhance your
personal safety. You should carefully read
and follow ALL procedures and recom-
mendations provided in these
WARNING’s, CAUTION’s and NOTICE’s.
✽ ✽
NOTICEA NOTICE indicates a situation in
which damage to your vehicle could
result if the notice is ignored.
No special break-in period is needed. By
following a few simple precautions for the
first 1,000 km (600 miles) you may add to
the performance, economy and life of
your vehicle.
 Do not race the engine.
 Do not maintain a single speed for long
periods of time, either fast or slow.
Varying engine speed is needed to
properly break-in the engine.
 Avoid hard stops, except in emergen-
cies, to allow the brakes to seat prop-
erly.
 Avoid full-throttle starts.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in
which serious bodily injury or death
could result if the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in
which personal injury, perhaps
severe, could result if the caution is
ignored.
VEHICLE BREAK-IN PROCESS

Knowing your vehicle4 3(1) Lock button
(2) Unlock button
(3) Trunk lid open button
(4) Alarm button
(1) Lock ( )
All doors are locked and hazard warn-
ing lights flash once if the lock button
is pressed.
(2) Unlock ( )
Driver’s door is unlocked and hazard
warning lights flash twice if the unlock
button is pressed once. All doors are
unlocked if the unlock button is
pressed twice within 4 seconds.
After pressing this button, the
doors will be locked automatically
unless you open them within 30
seconds.(3)Trunk lid open ( , if equipped)
The trunk lid opens if this button is
pressed (more than 1 second).
(4)Alarm ( )
The horn sounds and hazard warning
lights will flash for about 30 seconds if
this button is pressed (more than 0.5
second). To stop the horn and lights,
press any button on the transmitter.
✽ ✽
NOTICEThe transmitter will not work if any of
following occur:
• The ignition key is in ignition switch.
• You exceed the operating distance
limit (about 10 m [30 feet]).
• The battery in the transmitter is
weak.
• Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
• The weather is extremely cold.
• The transmitter is close to a radio
transmitter such as a radio station or
an airport which can interfere with
normal operation of the transmitter.
When the transmitter does not work
correctly, open and close the door with
the ignition key. If you have a problem
with the transmitter, contact an author-
ized Kia Dealer.
✽ ✽
NOTICEKeep the transmitter away from water
or any liquid. If the keyless entry system
is inoperative due to exposure to water
or liquids, it will not be covered by your
manufacturer vehicle warranty. Operational distance may vary depend-
ing upon the area the transmitter is used
in. For example, if the vehicle is parked
near police stations, government and
public offices, broadcasting stations, mil-
itary installations, airports, or transmit-
ting towers, etc., these may interfere with
the signal.
This device complies with Industry
Canada Standard RSS-210.Operation
is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interfer-
ence, and
2. This device must accept any interfer-
ence, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the
device.
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (IF EQUIPPED)
OMG0370041
2
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WARNING
Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could
void the user's authority to operate
the equipment.

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Knowing your vehicle
3. To enter the first digit (in this example
“2”), turn the ignition key to the ON and
ACC position twice. Perform the same
procedure for the next digits between 3
seconds and 10 seconds (for example,
for “3”, turn the ignition ON and ACC 3
times).
4. If all of the digits have been input suc-
cessfully, you have to start the engine
within 30 seconds. If you attempt to
start the engine after 30 seconds, the
engine will not start and you will have
to input your password again.
After performing the limp home proce-
dure, you have to see an authorized Kia
dealer immediately to inspect and repair
your ignition key or immobilizer system.✽ ✽
NOTICEIf you cannot start your engine in spite
of limp home procedure, have your vehi-
cle towed by an authorized Kia dealer
for inspection and necessary repairs.
✽ ✽
NOTICEThe transponder in your ignition key is
an important part of the immobilizer
system. It is designed to give years of
troublefree service, however you should
avoid exposure to moisture, static elec-
tricity and rough handling.
Immobilizer system malfunction could
occur.✽ ✽
NOTICEDo not change, alter or adjust the immo-
bilizer system because it could cause the
immobilizer system to malfunction and
should only be serviced by an author-
ized Kia dealer.
Malfunctions caused by improper alter-
ations, adjustments or modifications to
the immobilizer system are not covered
by your vehicle manufacturer warranty.
This device complies with Industry
Canada Standard RSS-210.Operation
is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interfer-
ence, and
2. This device must accept any interfer-
ence, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the
device.
WARNING
Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could
void the user's authority to operate
the equipment.

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Knowing your vehicle
Power windows (if equipped)The ignition switch must be in the ON
position for power windows to operate.
Each door has a power window switch
that controls that door’s window.
However, the driver has a power window
lock switch which can block the operation
of passenger windows.
If you notice buffeting and pulsation
(wind shock) with either side window
open, you should open the opposite win-
dow slightly to reduce the condition.✽ ✽
NOTICE• To protect the power window system
from the possibility of damage, do not
open or close two windows at the same
time. This will also ensure the longevi-
ty of the fuse.
• Never try to operate the main switch
on the driver's door and the individ-
ual door window switch in opposing
directions at the same time. If this is
done, the window will stop and cannot
be opened or closed.
Window opening and closingThe driver’s door has a master power
window switch that controls all the win-
dows in the vehicle. To open or close a
window, press down (5) or pull up (5) the
front portion of the corresponding switch.
Automatic power window
(driver’s window, if equipped)Type A - Automatic power window down
Depressing the power window switch
momentarily to the second detent posi-
tion (6) completely lowers the driver’s
window even when the switch is
released. To stop the window at the
desired position while the window is in
operation, pull up the switch momentarily
to the opposite direction of the window
movement.
OMG035012
OMG035013

Knowing your vehicle20 3Adjusting height of the driver’s seat
cushion (if equipped)To change the height of the seat cushion:
Pivot the lever upward to raise the seat
cushion.
Pivot the lever downward to lower the
seat cushion.
Adjusting the seatback reclinerTo recline the seatback:
1. Lean forward slightly and lift up on the
seatback recline lever located on the
outside of the seat, at the rear.
2. Carefully lean back on the seat and
adjust the seatback to the desired
position.
3. Release the lever and make sure the
seatback is locked in place. (The lever
MUST return to its original position for
the seatback to lock.)
WARNING
- Driver respon-
sibility for front seat pas-
senger
Driving or riding in a vehicle with a
front seatback reclined could lead
to serious or fatal injury in an acci-
dent. If a front seat is reclined dur-
ing an accident, the occupant’s hips
may slide under the lap portion of
the safety belt applying great force
to the unprotected abdomen or
neck. Serious or fatal internal
injuries could result. The driver
must advise the front passenger to
keep the seatbacks in comfortably
upright position whenever the vehi-
cle is in motion.
OMG035019
OMG035020

Knowing your vehicle22 3Adjusting the seatback reclinerMove the lever forward or backward to
the desired angle and release the lever. If
the lever is released, seatback will lock in
place. After adjustment, make sure that
the lever has returned to its original
locked position.
Warming the front seat
(if equipped)The front seats can be electrically heated
individually when the ignition switch is
ON. When the switch is ON, a number
ranging from 1 to 5 is displayed on the
switch (5 = warmest setting).
To turn off the seat warmer, set the
switch to 0.
The seat warmer turns off automatically
when the seat temperature reaches the
selected range and will turn on again if
the temperature drops below the select-
ed range.
OMG035023
WARNING
- Driver respon-
sibility for front seat pas-
senger
Driving or riding in a vehicle with a
front seatback reclined could lead
to serious or fatal injury in an acci-
dent. If a front seat is reclined dur-
ing an accident, the occupant’s hips
may slide under the lap portion of
the safety belt applying great force
to the unprotected abdomen or
neck. Serious or fatal internal
injuries could result. The driver
must advise the front passenger to
keep the seatbacks in comfortably
upright position whenever the vehi-
cle is in motion.
OMG035024

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Knowing your vehicle
CAUTION -
Air bag/Pre-
tensioner dust
When the air bags and pre-tension-
ers are activated, a loud noise may
be heard and fine dust, which may
appear to be smoke, may be visible
in the passenger compartment. This
dust is not toxic. The dust may
cause skin irritation and should not
be breathed for prolonged periods.
Ventilate the vehicle after impact
and wash your hands and face thor-
oughly after an accident.
WARNING
- Air bag/pre-
tensioner warning light
If the SRS air bag warning light
does not illuminate when the igni-
tion key is turned to “ON”, or if it
remains illuminated after approxi-
mately 6 seconds, or if it illuminates
while the vehicle is being driven,
please have an authorized Kia deal-
er inspect the pre-tensioner and air
bag system as soon as possible.
WARNING
- Safety belt
adjustment
To obtain maximum benefit from a
pre-tensioner seat belt:
The safety belt must be worn cor-
rectly.
The safety belt must be adjusted
to the correct position.
WARNING
- Replacing
used pre-tensioners
Pre-tensioners are designed to
operate once. After activation,
pre-tensioner seat belts must be
replaced. All seat belts, of any
type, should always be replaced
after they have been worn during
a collision.
Do not attempt to replace the pre-
tensioners yourself. This must be
done by an authorized Kia dealer.
CAUTION -
Hot parts
The pre-tensioner assembies mech-
anism becomes hot during activa-
tion. Do not touch the pre-tensioner
seat belt assembly for several min-
utes after they have been activated.
WARNING
- Damaging the
pre-tensioners
Do not hit or strike the pre-ten-
sioner assemblies, especially
with a tool or heavy object.
Do not attempt to service or
repair the pre-tensioners.