2008 KIA Sorento Owner's Manual

Knowing your vehicle
120 3
Solution:
Use your audio system's Scan function to
automatically search for and select
another radio station with good signal
strength.
Problem:
Interference caused by cellular
phones and 2-way radios
Operating cellular phones and 2-way
radios inside or within close proximity of
your car may interfere with your radio
reception. You may hear static, clicks,
sounds or other types of white noise from
your speakers.
Solution:
Cease operation of cellular phone or 2-
way radios. Alternatively, move away
from your car. The interference to your
radio reception should be reduced.Caring for your Audio System
Your audio system contains sophisticat-
ed electronics and precision-engineered
parts and components that are not user-
serviceable. To ensure trouble-free oper-
ation, please observe the following pre-
cautions:
1. General Use and Operation
Your audio system contains precision
electronic components that are tempera-
ture-, moisture-, and static-sensitive. You
should take care not to subject your
audio system to extremes in tempera-
tures or moisture. For example, if you
have parked your car in the sun, the inte-
rior of the car could be very hot. Ventilate
the car to reduce the interior temperature
before trying to operate the audio sys-
tem.
Never try to insert anything other than
properly formatted CDs into the CD play-
er. Foreign objects can cause the deli-
cate mechanism to jam and render your
CD player unusable. You must also follow
the instructions displayed on your audio
system's LCD screen.
For example, if your audio system is dis-
playing "Wait", you should never try to
force-load a CD into the CD player.
WARNING
• Your car's electrical systems con-
tain sensitive electronics compo-
nents. Interference from cellular
phones, 2-way radios and other
transmitting devices could
adversely affect the safe opera-
tion of your vehicle. This could
compromise the safety of both
the driver and other passengers
in the vehicle.
• When using cellular phones,2-
way radios and other transmitting
devices in your vehicle, always
use a separate external antenna.
For restrictions on the use of
communications and transmitting
devices, please consult the rele-
vant product documentation.
• Local laws may prohibit the use
of cellular phones while driving. If
you need to make or answer a call
while driving, please s
top the
vehicle in a safe place before pro-
ceeding.

3 121
Knowing your vehicle
2. Your audio system's CD player
Your audio system includes a CD player
that allows you to play audio CDs, MP3
and WMA CDs. To ensure trouble-free
operation, please observe the following
precautions:
• Caring for your CDs (Audio, MP3
and WMA discs)
- Always hold and carry a CD by its
edges to prevent scratching the disc.
Fingerprints or dirt on the disc sur-
face may cause skips or other errors
during playback
- If your CDs become dirty, clean it with
a mild detergent and water and wipe
it dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Never clean your CDs using corrosive
or volatile cleaning agents such as
benzene, thinner or cleaning sprays
meant for vinyl records.• CD formats
Whether or not a CD can be played in
your CD player depends on how the
information on the CD has been
encoded. Some CDs may be incom-
patible with your CD player and cannot
be played back. For example, some
types of copy-protected audio CDs
which do not comply with the industry-
standard Red Book format may not be
played back. This does not indicate a
fault with your CD player. Please verify
that the encoding on your CD is com-
patible with your CD player. Consult the
CD's documentation for more details.CAUTION
• The creation and use of MP3
music files are governed by copy-
right legislation that may be spe-
cific to the country/district you
reside in.
• Specific copyrights attached to
works may also govern their pos-
session and use. Please observe
all applicable copyright laws in
the operation and use of your
audio system’s CD player.

4
Ignition switch / 4-2
Starting the engine / 4-4
Automatic transmission / 4-5
Four wheel drive (4WD) / 4-10
Limited slip differential / 4-19
Brake system / 4-20
Steering wheel / 4-25
Cruise control system / 4-27
Electronic stability control / 4-30
Rear parking assist system / 4-33
Instrument cluster / 4-36
Gauges / 4-37
Warnings and indicators / 4-39
Multi-meter / 4-45
Lighting / 4-51
Wipers and washers / 4-54
Defroster / 4-57
Hazard warning flasher / 4-58
Manual climate control system / 4-59
Automatic climate control system / 4-66
Windshield defrosting and defogging / 4-75
Driving your vehicle

Driving your vehicle
2 4
Illuminated ignition switch
(if equipped)
Whenever 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 30 seconds after closing
the door or when the ignition switch is
turned on.
Ignition switch and anti-theft
steering column lock
Ignition switch position
LOCK
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 (Type A) and turn the
key toward the LOCK position.
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-
trical accessories are operative.
ON
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. This is the
normal running position after the engine
is started.
Do not leave the ignition switch ON if the
engine is not running to prevent battery
discharge.
IGNITION SWITCH
PUSH
LOCKACCONSTART
E2BLA401A1KMA3013
1KMB3013
Type A
Type B

43
Driving your vehicle
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.
✽
NOTICE
If difficulty is experienced in turning the
ignition key, turn the steering wheel
right and left to release the tension and
then turn the key.
Automatic transmission
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P (Park) 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
immediate accident.
• Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever
is engaged in 1
stgear for manual
transmission or P (Park) for auto-
matic transmission,set the park-
ing brake fully and shut the
engine off. Unexpected and sud-
den vehicle movement may occur
if these precautions are not
taken.
(Continued)
(Continued)
• 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.

Driving your vehicle
4 4
1. Make sure the parking brake is
applied.
2.Automatic Transmission -Place the
transmission 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.The starter will not operate if:
Automatic Transmission -the shift lever
is NOT in the P (Park) or N (Neutral)
position.
STARTING THE ENGINE
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.
CAUTION
Do 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.
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 pedal (if
equipped).

45
Driving your vehicle
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (IF EQUIPPED)
OBL046900N
+ (UP)
- (DOWN)Sports mode
Automatic mode
The lock release button must be depressed while moving the shift lever. Depress the brake pedal and push the button when shifting.
The shift lever can be moved without depressing the lock release button.
Lock release button prevents shift lever movement
without first depressing the button.

Driving your vehicle
6 4
Automatic transmission operation
All 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 and the lock release button
must be depressed.
For smooth operation, depress the brake
pedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to a
forward or reverse gear.
WARNING- Automatic
transmission
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.
OBL046900 + (UP)
- (DOWN) Automatic
mode
Sports mode
CAUTION
• To avoid damage to your trans-
mission, do not accelerate the
engine in R (Reverse) or any for-
ward gear position with the
brakes on.
• When stopped on an upgrade, do
not hold the vehicle stationary
with engine power. Use the serv-
ice 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.