2008 KIA Sorento automatic

Maintenance
8 7
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.
At least once a year :
• Clean body and door drain holes.
• Lubricate door hinges and checks, and
hood hinges.
• Lubricate door and hood locks and
latches.
• Lubricate door rubber weatherstrips.
• Check the air conditioning system
before the warm weather season.
• Check the power steering fluid level.
• Inspect and lubricate automatic trans-
mission linkage and controls.
• Clean battery and terminals.
• Check the brake fluid level.

Maintenance
16 7
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (IF EQUIPPED)
Checking the automatic transmis-
sion fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid
level should be checked regularly.
Keep the vehicle on the level ground with
the parking brake applied and check the
fluid level according to the following pro-
cedure.
1. Place the selector lever in N (Neutral)
position and confirm the engine is run-
ning at idle speed.2. After the transmission is warmed up
sufficiently (fluid temperature 70~80°C
(158~176°F), for example by 10 min-
utes usual driving, shift the selector
lever through all positions then place
the selector lever in “N (Neutral) or P
(Park)” position.
3. Confirm that the fluid level is in “HOT”
range on the level gauge. If the fluid
level is lower, add the specified fluid
from the fill hole. If the fluid level is
higher, drain the fluid from the drain
hole.
4. If the fluid level is checked in cold con-
dition (fluid temperature 20~30°C
(68~86°F) add the fluid to “COLD” line
and then recheck the fluid level
according to the above step 2.
OBL056002
Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
25 C 75 C
E2BLA712A LowHOT
COLDFull
Low
Cold fluid scaleHot fluid scale
Full

717
Maintenance
✽
NOTICE
“COLD” scale is for reference only and
should NOT be used to determine trans-
mission fluid level.
✽
NOTICE
New automatic transmission fluid
should be red. The red dye is added so
the assembly plant can identify it as
automatic transmission fluid and distin-
guish it from engine oil or antifreeze.
The red dye, which is not an indicator of
fluid quality, is not permanent. As the
vehicle is driven, the automatic trans-
mission fluid will begin to look darker.
The color may eventually appear light
brown. Therefore, have an Authorized
Kia dealer change the automatic trans-
mission fluid according to the Scheduled
Maintenance at the beginning of this
section.CAUTION
• Low fluid level causes transmis-
sion slippage. Overfilling can
cause foaming, loss of fluid and
transmission malfunction.
• The use of a non-specified fluid
could result in transmission mal-
function and failure.
WARNING- Parking brake
To avoid sudden movement of the
vehicle, apply parking brake and
depress the brake pedal before
moving the shift lever.
WARNING - Transmission
fluid
The transmission fluid level should
be checked when the engine is at
normal operating temperature. This
means that the engine, radiator,
radiator hose and exhaust system
etc., are very hot. Exercise great
care not to burn yourself during this
procedure.

Maintenance
20 7
CLIMATE CONTROL AIR FILTER (IF EQUIPPED)
The climate control air filter installed
behind the glove box filters the dust or
other pollutants that come into the vehi-
cle from the outside through the heating
and air conditioning system. If dust or
other pollutants accumulate in the filter
over a period of time, the air flow from the
air vents may decrease, resulting in
moisture accumulation on the inside of
the windshield even when the outside
(fresh) are position is selected. If this
happens, have the climate control air fil-
ter replaced by an Authorized Kia Dealer.The air filter should be replaced every
15,000 km (10,000 miles). If the vehicle
is operated in the severely air-polluted
cities or on dusty rough roads for a long
period, it should be inspected more fre-
quently and replaced earlier. When you
try to replace the air filter by owner main-
tenance, replace it performing the follow-
ing procedure, and in this case, be care-
ful to avoid damaging other components.
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.
6BLA523
Outside air
Recirculated
air
Blower
Evaporator core
Heater coreClimate control air filter
WIPER BLADES
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, do not use gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents on or near them.

Maintenance
34 7
Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tires to
degenerate and reduce tires life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tires failure. Grades A and B
represent higher levels of perform-
ance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by the law.Tire terminology and defini-
tions
Air Pressure: The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward on
the tire. Air pressure is expressed in
kilopascal (kPa) or pounds per
square inch (psi).
Accessory Weight: This means the
combined weight of optional acces-
sories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmis-
sion, power seats, and air condition-
ing.
Aspect Ratio: The relationship of a
tire's height to its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords
that is located between the plies and
the tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead: The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords that
hold the tire onto the rim.Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in
which the plies are laid at alternate
angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure: The amount of
air pressure in a tire, measured in
kilopascals (kPa) or pounds per
square inch (psi) before a tire has
built up heat from driving.
Curb Weight: This means the weight
of a motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and
coolant, but without passengers and
cargo.
WARNING- Tire
temperature
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
build-up and possible sudden
tires failure. This can cause loss
of vehicle control and serious
injury or death.

Maintenance
38 7
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Recommended lubricants
To help achieve proper engine and pow-
ertrain performance and durability, use
only lubricants of the proper quality. The
correct lubricants also help promote
engine efficiency that results in improved
fuel economy.
Engine oils labeled Energy Conserving
Oil are now available. Along with other
additional benefits, they contribute to fuel
economy by reducing the amount of fuel
necessary to overcome engine friction.
Often, these improvements are difficult to
measure in everyday driving, but in a
year’s time, they can offer significant cost
and energy savings.
*¹ Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on the next page.
*
2LSD : Limited Slip Differential
These lubricants and fluids are recommended for use in your vehicle.
Lubricant Classification
API Service SJ, SL or above,
ILSAC GF-3 or above
Automatic transmission fluid APOLLOIL ATF RED-1K
4WD transfer case fluid DEXRON III (fill-for-life)
Front differential fluid API Service GL-5 (SAE 90)
Rear differential Without LSD *
2API Service GL-5 (SAE 90)
fluidWith LSD *2API Service GL-5 (SAE 85W-90, INFILREX 33)
Power steering fluid PSF-III
Brake fluid FMVSS116 DOT-3 or DOT-4
Engine oil *¹

Specifications
4 8
Capacities
*1Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on the page 7-38.
*2LSD : Limited Slip Differential
Lubricant Volume Classification
5.2l(5.49 US qt.)
Automatic transmission fluid 10 l(10.57 US qt.) APOLLOIL ATF RED-1K
4WD transfer case 1.42 l(1.50 US qt.) DEXRON III (fill for-life)
Power steering0.85~0.9l
PSF-III
(0.9~0.95 US qt.)
Front differential 1.3 l(1.37 US qt.) API SERVICE GL-5 (SAE 90)
Rear differentialAPI SERVICE GL-5 (SAE 90)
1.6l(1.69 US qt.)
API SERVICE GL-5 (SAE 85W-90, INFILREX33)
Coolant 9.0 l(9.4 US qt.)Ethylene glycol base for
aluminum radiator
Brake fluid 0.35 l(0.37 US qt.) FMVSS116 DOT-3 or DOT-4
Fuel 80 l(21 US gal) -
Engine oil with filter *1
Without LSD *2
With LSD *2
API Service SJ, SL or above,
ILSAC GF-3 or above

Index
2 9
Air bags - advanced supplemental restraint
system ········································································3-47
Air cleaner ····································································7-19
Antenna ·········································································3-98
Audio remote control···················································3-99
Audio system ······························································3-100
Auto fuel cutoff switch ················································3-74
Automatic climate control system ······························4-66
Automatic transmission ········································4-5,7-16
Battery···········································································7-22
Before driving·································································5-5
Brake fluid ····································································7-14
Brake system ································································4-20
Climate control air filter ·············································7-20
Cruise control system ··················································4-27
Defroster ·······································································4-57
Door locks ·······································································3-7Electrical circuit protection ··········································6-7
Electronic stability control ··········································4-30
Emergency starting························································6-4
Emission control system ················································5-3
Engine compartment ·············································2-3,7-10
Engine cooling system ·················································7-12
Engine oil ······································································7-11
Exterior care·································································7-39
Four wheel drive (4WD)··············································4-10
Fuel filler lid ·································································3-71
Fuel requirements ··························································5-2
Gauges ···········································································4-37
Hazard warning flasher ··············································4-58
Homelink® wireless control system ···························3-78
Hood ··············································································3-69
How to use this manual ·················································1-2
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