2008 KIA RIO HATCHBACK wiper blades

Driving your vehicle
26 4
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 especially 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 engaged.
3. Engine stops.
Windshield wipers
Operates as follows when the ignition
switch is turned ON.
OFF : Wiper is not in operation
INT : Wiper operates intermittently at
the same wiping intervals. Use
this mode in a light rain or mist. To
vary the speed setting, turn the
speed control knob (
1).
LO : Normal wiper speed
HI : Fast wiper speed
MIST : For a single wiping cycle, push
the lever upward and release it
with the lever in the OFF position.
The wipers will operate continu-
ously if the lever is pushed
upward and held.
✽
NOTICE
Before using the windshield wipers
when there is a heavy accumulation of
snow or ice on the windshield, defrost
the windshield for about 10 minutes, or
until the snow or ice is removed. This
will help ensure proper windshield
wiper operation and will prevent dam-
age to the wiper blades, wiper linkage,
and wiper motor.
WIPERS AND WASHERS
7JBN4018A

427
Driving your vehicle
Variable intermittent wipers
Set the lever to the INT position and
choose the desired wiper interval by turn-
ing the ring(1).
One - touch wiper
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
upward and release it with the lever in the
OFF position.
The wipers will operate continuously if
the lever is pushed upward and held.
✽
NOTICE
• To prevent possible damage to the
wipers or windshield, do not operate
the wipers when the windshield is dry.
• To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, do not use gasoline, kerosene,
paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.
• To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, do not attempt
to move the wipers manually.
Windshield washers
In the OFF position, pull the lever gently
toward you to spray washer fluid on the
windshield and to run the wipers 2-3
cycles.
Use this function when the windshield is
dirty.
The spray and wiper operation will con-
tinue until you release the lever.
7JBN40197JBN40207JBN4021

57
Driving tips
Driving at night
Because night driving presents more
hazards than driving in the daylight, here
are some important tips to remember:
• Slow down and keep more distance
between you and other vehicles, as it
may be more difficult to see at night,
especially in areas where there may
not be any street lights.
• Adjust your mirrors to reduce the glare
from other driver's headlights.
• Keep your headlights clean and prop-
erly aimed on vehicles not equipped
with the automatic headlight aiming
feature. Dirty or improperly aimed
headlights will make it much more diffi-
cult to see at night.
• Avoid staring directly at the headlights
of oncoming vehicles. You could be
temporarily blinded, and it will take
several seconds for your eyes to read-
just to the darkness.
Driving in the rain
Rain and wet roads can make driving
dangerous, especially if you’re not pre-
pared for the slick pavement. Here are a
few things to consider when driving in the
rain:
• A heavy rainfall will make it harder to
see and will increase the distance
needed to stop your vehicle, so slow
down.
• Keep your windshield wiping equip-
ment in good shape. Replace your
windshield wiper blades when they
show signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield.
• If your tires are not in good condition,
making a quick stop on wet pavement
can cause a skid and possibly lead to
an accident. Be sure your tires are in
good shape.
• Turn on your headlights to make it eas-
ier for others to see you.
• Driving too fast through large puddles
can affect your brakes. If you must go
through puddles, try to drive through
them slowly.
• If you believe you may have gotten
your brakes wet, apply them lightly
while driving until normal braking oper-
ation returns.
Winter driving
• We recommend that you carry emer-
gency equipment, including tire chains,
a window scraper, windshield de-icer,
a bag of sand or salt, flares, a small
shovel and jumper cables.
• Make sure you have sufficient ethyl-
ene-glycol coolant in the radiator.
• Check the battery condition and
cables. Cold temperatures reduce the
output capability of any battery, so it
must be in excellent condition to pro-
vide enough winter starting power.
• Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for cold weather.
• Check the ignition system for loose
connections and damage.
• Use antifreeze-formulated windshield
washer fluid. (Do not use engine
coolant antifreeze.)
• Do not use the parking brake if it might
freeze. When parking, shift to 1 (First)
or R (Reverse) with a manual transaxle
or P (Park) with an automatic transaxle
and block the rear wheels.

7
Maintenance services / 7-2
Maintenance schedule / 7-3
Owner maintenance / 7-7
Engine compartment / 7-9
Engine oil / 7-10
Engine cooling system / 7-11
Brake fluid / 7-13
Drive belts / 7-14
Power steering / 7-14
Automatic transaxle / 7-15
Lubricants and fluids / 7-16
Air cleaner / 7-17
Climate control air filter / 7-18
Wiper blades / 7-19
Battery / 7-21
Tires and wheels / 7-23
Lubricant specifications / 7-32
Exterior care / 7-33
Interior care / 7-35
Maintenance

77
Maintenance
OWNER MAINTENANCE
Owner maintenance schedule
The following lists are vehicle checks and
inspections that should be performed by
the owner or an authorized Kia dealer at
the frequencies indicated to help ensure
safe, dependable operation of your vehi-
cle.
Any adverse conditions should be
brought to the attention of your dealer as
soon as possible.
These Owner Maintenance Checks are
generally not covered by warranties and
you may be charged for labor, parts and
lubricants used.
When you stop for fuel:
• Check the engine oil level.
• Check coolant level in coolant reser-
voir.
• Check the windshield washer fluid
level.
• Look for low or under-inflated tires.
While operating your vehicle:
• Note any changes in the sound of the
exhaust or any smell of exhaust fumes
in the vehicle.
• Check for vibrations in the steering
wheel. Notice any increased steering
effort or looseness in the steering
wheel, or change in its straight-ahead
position.
• Notice if your vehicle constantly turns
slightly or “pulls” to one side when trav-
eling on smooth, level road.
• When stopping, listen and check for
strange sounds, pulling to one side,
increased brake pedal travel or “hard-
to-push” brake pedal.
• If any slipping or changes in the oper-
ation of your transaxle occurs, check
the transaxle fluid level.
• Check automatic transaxle P (Park)
function.
• Check parking brake.
• Check for fluid leaks under your vehicle
(water dripping from the air condition-
ing system during or after use is nor-
mal).
At least monthly:
• Check coolant level in the coolant
recovery reservoir.
• Check the operation of all exterior
lights, including the stoplights, turn sig-
nals and hazard warning flashers.
• Check the inflation pressures of all
tires including the spare.
At least twice a year
(i.e., every Spring and Fall) :
• Check radiator, heater and air condi-
tioning hoses for leaks or damage.
• Check windshield washer spray and
wiper operation. Clean wiper blades
with clean cloth dampened with wash-
er fluid.
• Check headlight alignment.
• Check muffler, exhaust pipes, shields
and clamps.
• Check the lap/shoulder belts for wear
and function.
• Check for worn tires and loose wheel
lug nuts.
WARNING
Be careful when checking your
engine coolant level when the
engine is hot. Scalding hot coolant
and steam may blow out under
pressure. This could cause burns or
other serious injury.

719
Maintenance
WIPER BLADES
Wiper blade maintenance
Commercial hot waxes applied by
automatic car washes have been
known to make the windshield diffi-
cult to clean.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the wiper blades with foreign matter can
reduce the effectiveness of the wind-
shield wipers. Common sources of con-
tamination are insects, tree sap, and hot
wax treatments used by some commer-
cial car washes. If the blades are not wip-
ing properly, clean both the window and
the blades with a good cleaner or mild
detergent, and rinse thoroughly with
clean water.
✽
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the wiper blades,
do not use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near
them.
Windshield wiper blade replace-
ment
When the wipers no longer clean ade-
quately, the blades may be worn or
cracked, and require replacement.
✽
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the wiper arms or
other components, do not attempt to
move the wipers manually.
✽
NOTICE
The use of a non-specified wiper blade
could result in wiper malfunction and
failure.1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the wiper
blade assembly to expose the plastic
locking clip.
✽
NOTICE
Do not allow the wiper arm to fall
against the windshield, since it may chip
or crack the windshield.
1LDA5023

93
Index
Keys ·················································································3-2
Label information ··························································5-10
Lighting··········································································4-23
Lubricant specifications ·················································7-32
Lubricants and fluids ·····················································7-16
Luggage net ···································································3-78
Maintenance schedule······················································7-3
Maintenance services ·······················································7-2
Manual transaxle······························································4-4
Mirrors ···········································································3-68
Overheating······································································6-2
Overloading ·····································································5-9
Owner maintenance ·························································7-7
Power steering ·······························································7-14
Remote keyless entry ·······················································3-3
Road warning ···································································6-2Safety belts·····································································3-27
Seat·················································································3-17
Special driving conditions ···············································5-6
Specifications ···································································8-2
Starting the engine ···························································4-3
Steering wheel································································4-14
Storage compartment ·····················································3-72
Suggestions for economical operation·····························5-5
Sunroof···········································································3-76
Theft-alarm system ··························································3-5
Tires and wheels ····························································7-23
Towing ···········································································6-12
Trailer towing ··································································5-9
Trunk ··············································································3-62
Vehicle break-in process ··················································1-2
Warnings and indicators ················································4-19
Windows ········································································3-14
Windshield defrosting and defogging····························4-37
Wiper blades ··································································7-19
Wipers and washers ·······················································4-26
K
L
M
O
P
R
S
W
T
V