2008 KIA Sorento towing

In case of an emergency
14 6
TOWING
If 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 is recommended.
For trailer towing guidelines information,
refer to section 5 “Driving Tips”.
On 4WD vehicles, your vehicle must
be towed with a wheel lift and dollies
or flatbed equipment with all the
wheels off the ground.On 2WD vehicles, it is acceptable to tow
the vehicle with the front wheels on the
ground (without dollies) and the rear
wheels off the ground.
When being towed by a commercial tow
truck and wheel dollies are not used, the
rear of the vehicle should always be lift-
ed, not the front.
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615
In case of an emergency
When towing your vehicle in an emer-
gency without wheel dollies (2WD
Vehicles or Part-time 4WD Vehicles):
1. Set the ignition switch in the ACC posi-
tion.
2. Place the transmission shift lever in N
(Neutral).
3. Place the transfer shift knob for part-
time 4WD operation in the 2HI posi-
tion.
4. Release the parking brake.
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.
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CAUTION
• Do not tow the vehicle forwards
with the rear wheels on the
ground as this may cause dam-
age to the vehicle.
• Do not tow with sling-type equip-
ment. Use wheel lift or flatbed
equipment.
CAUTION
Failure to place the transmission
shift lever in N (Neutral) and the
transfer shift knob for part-time
4WD operation to 2HI may cause
internal damage to the transmis-
sion.
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In case of an emergency
16 6
If 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 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
vehicle out of mud, sand or other con-
ditions 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
communicate with each other frequent-
ly.• 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.CAUTION
• Attach a towing strap to the tow
hook.
•Using a portion of the vehicle
other than the tow hooks for tow-
ing may damage the body of your
vehicle.
•Use only a cable or chain specifi-
cally intended for use in towing
vehicles. Securely fasten the
cable or chain to the towing hook
provided.
WARNING
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 can hardly
move, 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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In case of an emergency
• 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.
When your vehicle is being towed
by another vehicle other than a tow
truck (in case of an emergency)
(2WD vehicles or part-time 4WD
vehicles)
• Turn the ignition switch to ACC so the
steering wheel isn’t locked.
• Place the transmission shift lever in N
(Neutral).
• Place the transfer shift knob for part-
time 4WD operation in the 2HI posi-
tion.
• Release the parking bake.
• Vehicle equipped with automatic trans-
missions should not exceed 45 km/h
(28 mph) and should not be towed
more than 80 km (50 miles).
✽
NOTICE
Remove the rear drive shaft if it is nec-
essary to exceed 45 km/h (28 mph)
and/or 80 km (50 miles). If the drive
shaft cannot be removed, stop every 80
km (50 miles) and start the engine.
Allow the engine to idle for a few min-
utes. This will ensure that the transmis-
sion is sufficiently lubricated.
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In case of an emergency
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• 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.
✽
NOTICE
To prevent internal damage to the trans-
mission, never tow your vehicle from the
rear (backwards) with all four tires in
contact with the surface.
Tips for towing a stuck vehicle
The 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.

In case of an emergency
22 6
• Do not take this vehicle through an
automatic car wash.
• This tire should not be installed on
the front axle if the vehicle must be
driven in snow or on ice.
• Do not use the compact spare tire
on any other vehicle because this
tire has been designed especially
for your vehicle.
• The compact spare tire’s tread life
is shorter than a regular tire.
Inspect your compact spare tire
regularly and replace worn com-
pact spare tires with the same size
and design, mounted on the same
wheel.Changing tires
Jacking instructions
The jack is provided for emergency
tire changing only.
Follow jacking instructions to reduce
the possibility of personal injury.
WARNING- Changing
tires
• Never attempt vehicle repairs
in the traffic lanes of a public
road or highway.
•Always move the vehicle com-
pletely off the road and onto
the shoulder before trying to
change a tire. If you cannot
find a firm, level place off the
road, call a towing service
company for assistance.
• Be sure to use the correct
front and rear jacking posi-
tions on the vehicle; never use
the bumpers or any other part
of the vehicle for jack support.
(Continued)
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• The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack causing serious
injury or death. Never allow
any portion of your body to
get beneath the vehicle while
using the jack.
• Do not start or run the engine
while the vehicle is on the
jack.
• Do not allow anyone to remain
in the vehicle while it is on the
jack.
• Make sure any children pres-
ent are in a secure place away
from the road and from the
vehicle to be raised with the
jack.

Index
4 9
Tires and wheels···························································7-25
Tonneau cover ······························································3-95
Towing···········································································6-14
Trailer towing·······························································5-31
Using four-wheel drive ················································5-11
Vehicle break-in process ················································1-3
Vehicle handling instructions········································1-3
Vehicle load limit··························································5-25
Warnings and indicators ·············································4-39
We ight of the vehicle ···················································5-29
Window ·········································································3-13
Windshield defrosting and defogging························4-75
Wiper blades·································································7-20
Wipers and washers·····················································4-54
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