2008 KIA Optima emergency towing

6
Road warning / 6-2
Overheating / 6-2
Emergency starting / 6-3
Electrical circuit protection / 6-6
Towing / 6-13
If you have a flat tire / 6-18
In case of an emergency

63
In case of an emergency
4. The coolant level should then be
checked. If the level in the reservoir is
low, look for leaks at the radiator hoses
and connections, heater hoses and
connections, radiator, and water
pump. If you find a major leak or anoth-
er problem that may have caused the
engine to overheat, do not operate the
engine until it has been corrected. Call
an authorized Kia dealer for assis-
tance. If you do not find a leak or other
problem, carefully add coolant to the
reservoir.If the engine frequently overheats, have
the cooling system checked and repaired
by an authorized Kia dealer.
Jump starting Jump starting can be dangerous if done
incorrectly. Therefore, to avoid harm to
yourself or damage to your vehicle or
battery, follow the jump starting proce-
dures. If in doubt, we strongly recom-
mend that you have a competent techni-
cian or towing service jump start your
vehicle.✽ ✽
NOTICEUse only a 12-volt jumper system. You
can damage a 12-volt starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical
parts beyond repair by use of a 24-volt
power supply (either two 12-volt batter-
ies in series or a 24-volt motor generator
set).
WARNING
- Removing
radiator cap
Do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine and radiator are
hot. Scalding hot coolant and steam
may blow out under pressure. This
could cause serious injury.
EMERGENCY STARTING
WARNING
- Battery
• Keep all flames or sparks away
from the battery. The battery pro-
duces hydrogen gas which may
explode if exposed to flame or
sparks.
 Do not attempt to jump start the
vehicle if the discharged battery
is frozen or if the electrolyte level
is low; the battery may rupture or
explode.
WARNING
- Battery
Never attempt to check the elec-
trolyte level of the battery as this
may cause the battery to rupture or
explode causing serious injury.

613
In case of an emergency
TOWINGIf emergency towing is necessary, we
recommend having it done by an author-
ized Kia dealer or a commercial tow-truck
service. Proper lifting and towing proce-
dures are necessary to prevent damage
to the vehicle. The use of wheel dollies or
flatbed equipment is recommended.For trailer towing guidelines information,
refer to section 5 “Driving Tips”.
It is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the
rear wheels on the ground (without dol-
lies) and the front wheels off the ground.
When being towed by a commercial tow
truck and wheel dollies are not used, the
front of the vehicle should always be lift-
ed, not the rear.
✽ ✽
NOTICE• Do not tow the vehicle backwards
with the front wheels on the ground as
this may cause damage to the vehicle.
• Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Use wheel lift or flatbed equipment.
1JBA6502
1JBA6501
OMG065025 OMG065024

In case of an emergency14 6When towing your vehicle in an emer-
gency without wheel dollies :
1. Set the ignition switch in the ACC posi-
tion.
2. Place the transaxle shift lever in N
(Neutral).
3. Release the parking brake.✽ ✽
NOTICEFailure to place the transaxle shift lever
in N (Neutral) may cause internal dam-
age to the transaxle.
Tie-down hook
(for flatbed towing)
CAUTION
Do not use the hooks under the front of the vehicle for towing purposes.
These hooks are designed ONLY for transport tie-down. If the tie-down hooks
are used for towing, the tie-down hooks will be damaged and this could lead
to serious injury.Tie-down hook
OMG065009/OMG065010

615
In case of an emergency
Front towing hook1. Open the trunk lid, and remove the
towing hook from the tool bag.
2. Remove the hole cover pressing the
lower part of the cover on the front
bumper (1).3. Install the towing hook by turning it
clockwise into the hole until it is fully
secured (2).
4. Remove the towing hook and install
the cover after use.
Towing with a vehicle other than
a tow truck If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by an authorized Kia
dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
OMG065011
1
OMG065012
2
OMG065012OMG065013
 Front Rear

In case of an emergency16 6If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain
secured to the emergency towing hook
under the front or rear of the vehicle. Use
extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it
and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hard-surfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, power train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
 Do not use the tow hooks to pull a vehi-
cle out of mud, sand or other condi-
tions from which the vehicle cannot be
driven out under its own power.
 Avoid towing a vehicle heavier than the
vehicle doing the towing.
 The drivers of both vehicles should com-
municate with each other frequently.✽ ✽
NOTICE• Attach a towing strap to the tow hook.
• Using a portion of the vehicle other
than the tow hooks for towing may
damage the body of your vehicle.
• Use only a cable or chain specifically
intended for use in towing vehicles.
Securely fasten the cable or chain to
the towing hook provided.
 Before emergency towing, check that
the hook is not broken or damaged.
 Fasten the towing cable or chain
securely to the hook.
 Do not jerk the hook. Apply steady and
even force.
 To avoid damaging the hook, do not
pull from the side or at a vertical angle.
Always pull straight ahead.
 Use a towing strap less than 5 m (16
feet) long. Attach a white or red cloth
(about 30 cm (12 inches) wide) in the
middle of the strap for easy visibility.
 Drive carefully so that the towing strap
is not loosened during towing.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing
the vehicle.
 Avoid sudden starts or erratic
driving maneuvers which would
place excessive stress on the
emergency towing hook and tow-
ing cable or chain. The hook and
towing cable or chain may break
and cause serious injury or dam-
age.
 If the towing vehicle does not move
easily, do not forcibly continue the
towing. Contact an authorized Kia
dealer or a commercial tow truck
service for assistance.
 Tow the vehicle as straight ahead
as possible.
 Keep away from the vehicle dur-
ing towing.
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617
In case of an emergency
When your vehicle is being towed
by another vehicle other than a tow
truck (in case of an emergency) Turn the ignition switch to ACC so the
steering wheel isn’t locked.
 Place the transaxle shift lever in N
(Neutral).
 Release the parking bake.
 Vehicles equipped with automatic
transaxles should not exceed 45 km/h
(28 mph) and should not be towed
more than 80 km (50 miles).
 Vehicles equipped with manual
transaxle should not be towed in
excess of 88 km/h (55 mph) and
should not be towed more than 645 km
(400 miles).
 Press the brake pedal with more force
than normal since you will have
reduced brake performance.
 More steering effort will be required
because the power steering system
will be disabled.
 If you are driving down a long hill, the
brakes may overheat and brake per-
formance will be reduced. Stop often
and let the brakes cool off.
✽ ✽
NOTICETo prevent internal damage to the
transaxle, never tow your vehicle from
the rear (backwards) with all four tires
in contact with the surface. Tips for towing a stuck vehicleThe following methods are effective
when your vehicle is stuck in mud, sand
or similar substances that prevent the
vehicle from being driven out under its
own power.
 Remove the soil and sand, etc. from
the front and the back of the tires.
 Place a stone or wood under the tires.