2008 KIA Spectra Owner's Manual

Maintenance
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ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
The high-pressure cooling system
has a reservoir filled with year-round
antifreeze coolant. The reservoir is
filled at the factory.
Check the antifreeze protection and
coolant level at least once a year, at
the beginning of the winter season,
and before traveling to a colder cli-
mate.Checking the coolant level
WARNING- Removing
radiator cap
• Never attempt to remove the
radiator cap while the engine
is operating or hot. Doing so
might lead to cooling system
and engine damage and could
result in serious personal
injury from escaping hot
coolant or steam.
• Turn the engine off and wait
until it cools down. Even then,
use extreme care when
removing the radiator cap.
Wrap a thick towel around it,
and turn it counterclockwise
slowly to the first stop. Step
back while the pressure is
released from the cooling sys-
tem. When you are sure all the
pressure has been released,
press down on the cap, using
a thick towel, and continue
turning counterclockwise to
remove it.
(Continued)
(Continued)
• Even if the engine is not oper-
ating, do not remove the radi-
ator cap or the drain plug
while the engine and radiator
are hot. Hot coolant and steam
may still blow out under pres-
sure, causing serious injury.

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Check the condition and connections
of all cooling system hoses and
heater hoses. Replace any swollen
or deteriorated hoses.
The coolant level should be filled
between F and L marks on the side
of the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cool.
If the coolant level is low, add enough
specified coolant to provide protec-
tion against freezing and corrosion.
Bring the level to F, but do not over-
fill. If frequent additions are required,
see an Authorized Kia Dealer for a
cooling system inspection.
Recommended engine coolant
• Use only soft (de-mineralized)
water in the coolant mixture.
• The engine in your vehicle has alu-
minum engine parts and must be
protected by an ethylene-glycol-
based coolant to prevent corrosion
and freezing.
• DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol
coolant or mix them with the spec-
ified coolant.
• Do not use a solution that contains
more than 60% antifreeze or less
than 35% antifreeze, which would
reduce the effectiveness of the
solution.For mixture percentage, refer to the
following table.
OLD056008
Full
OK
Low
-15°C (5°F) 35 65
-25°C (-13°F) 40 60
-35°C (-31°F) 50 50
-45°C (-49°F) 60 40
Ambient
TemperatureMixture Percentage (volume)
Coolant
SolutionWater

Maintenance
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Changing the coolant
Have coolant changed by an author-
ized Kia dealer according to the
Maintenance Schedule at the begin-
ning of this section.
OLD057007N
WARNING
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 seri-
ous injury.
CAUTION
Put a thick cloth or fabric
around the radiator cap before
refilling the coolant in order to
prevent the coolant from over-
flowing into engine parts such
as generator.

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BRAKES AND CLUTCH (IF EQUIPPED)
Checking brake/clutch fluid
level
Check the fluid level in the reservoir
periodically. The fluid level should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the reservoir.
Before removing the reservoir cap
and adding brake/clutch fluid, clean
the area around the reservoir cap
thoroughly to prevent brake/clutch
fluid contamination.If the level is low, add fluid to the
MAX level. The level will fall with
accumulated mileage. This is a nor-
mal condition associated with the
wear of the brake linings. If the fluid
level is excessively low, have the
brake system checked by an
Authorized Kia Dealer.
Use only the specified brake/clutch
fluid. (Refer to “Recommended
Lubricants” in section 8.)
Never mix different types of fluid.WARNING
When changing and adding
brake/clutch fluid, handle it
carefully. Do not let it come in
contact with your eyes.If
brake/clutch fluid should come
in contact with your eyes, imme-
diately flush them with a large
quantity of fresh tap water. Have
your eyes examined by a doctor
as soon as possible.
WARNING
In the event the brake system
requires frequent additions of
fluid, the vehicle should be
inspected by an Authorized Kia
Dealer.
1LDA5020

Maintenance
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Checking the parking brake
Check the stroke of the parking
brake by counting the number of
“clicks’’ heard while fully applying it
from the released position. Also, the
parking brake alone should securely
hold the vehicle on a fairly steep
grade. If the stroke is more or less
than specified, have the parking
brake adjusted by an Authorized Kia
Dealer.
Stroke : 7~8 “clicks’’ at a force of 20 kg
(44 lbs, 196 N).
CAUTION
Do not allow brake/clutch fluid
to contact the vehicle's body
paint, as paint damage will
result. Brake/clutch fluid, which
has been exposed to open air
for an extended time should
never be used as its quality can-
not be guaranteed. It should be
thrown out. Don't put in the
wrong kind of fluid. For exam-
ple, just a few drops of mineral-
based oil,such as engine oil, in
your brake clutch system can
damage brake clutch system
parts.
OLD036030
PARKING BRAKE

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POWER STEERING
Checking the power steering
fluid level
With the vehicle on level ground,
check the fluid level in the power
steering reservoir periodically. The
fluid should be between MAX and
MIN marks on the side of the reser-
voir at the normal temperature.
Before adding power steering fluid,
thoroughly clean the area around the
reservoir cap to prevent power steer-
ing fluid contamination.
If the level is low, add fluid to the
MAX level.In the event the power steering sys-
tem requires frequent addition of
fluid, the vehicle should be inspected
by an Authorized Kia Dealer.
Use only the specified power steer-
ing fluid. (Refer to "Recommended
Lubricants" in section 8.)
Power steering hose
Check the connections for oil leaks,
severe damage and the twists in the
power steering hose before driving.
1LDA5018
CAUTION
• To avoid damage to the power
steering pump, do not operate
the vehicle for prolonged peri-
ods with a low power steering
fluid level.
• Never start the engine when
the reservoir tank is empty.
• When adding fluid, be careful
that dirt does not get into the
tank.
• Too little fluid can make the
steering wheel heavier or
strange noise can be generat-
ed.
• The use of the non-specified
fluid could reduce the effec-
tiveness of the power steering
wheel and cause damage to it.

Maintenance
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Changing the manual
transaxle fluid
Have manual transaxle fluid checked
and changed by an authorized Kia
dealer according to the Maintenance
Schedule at the beginning of this
section.
Checking the automatic
transaxle fluid level
The automatic transaxle 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 procedure.
1. Place the selector lever in N
(Neutral) position and confirm the
engine is running at normal idle
speed.2. After the transaxle is warmed up
sufficiently (fluid temperature
70~80 °C (158~176 °F)), for exam-
ple by 10 minutes usual driving,
shift the selector lever through all
positions then place the selector
lever in N (Neutral) or P (Park)
position.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE
(IF EQUIPPED)AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
(IF EQUIPPED)
1LDA5008

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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
condition (fluid temperature 20~
30 °C (68~86 °F) add the fluid to
“COLD (C)” line and then recheck
the fluid level according to the
above step 2.
✽
NOTICE
“COLD (C)” scale is for reference
only and should NOT be used to
determine transaxle fluid level.
✽
NOTICE
New automatic transaxle fluid
should be red. The red dye is added
so the assembly plant can identify it
as automatic transaxle fluid and dis-
tinguish 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 transaxle fluid will
begin to look darker. The color may
eventually appear light brown.
Therefore, have an Authorized Kia
dealer change the automatic
transaxle fluid according to the
Scheduled Maintenance at the
beginning of this section.
Changing the automatic
transaxle fluid
Have automatic transaxle fluid
changed by an authorized Kia dealer
according to the Maintenance
Schedule at the beginning of this
section.
CAUTION
• Low fluid level causes
transaxle slippage. Overfilling
can cause foaming, loss of fluid
and transaxle malfunction.
• The use of a non-specified fluid
could result in transaxle 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.
OHD076045N
WARNING -Transaxle
fluid
The transaxle fluid level should
be checked when the engine is at
normal operating temperature.
This means that the engine, radi-
ator, radiator hose and exhaust
system etc., are very hot.
Exercise great care not to burn
yourself during this procedure.