2008 KIA Sportage service

Driving your vehicle
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Power brakes
Your vehicle has power-assisted
brakes that adjust automatically
through normal usage.
In the event that the power-assisted
brakes lose power because of a
stalled engine or some other reason,
you can still stop your vehicle by
applying greater force to the brake
pedal than you normally would. The
stopping distance, however, will be
somewhat longer.
When the engine is not running, the
reserve brake power is partially
depleted each time the brake pedal
is applied. Do not pump the brake
pedal when the power assist has
been interrupted.
Pump the brake pedal only when
necessary to maintain steering con-
trol on slippery surfaces.
In the event of brake failure
If service brakes fail to operate while
the vehicle is in motion, you can
make an emergency stop with the
parking brake. The stopping dis-
tance, however, will be much greater
than normal.
BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING- Parking brake
Operating the parking brake
while the vehicle is moving at
normal speeds can cause a sud-
den loss of control of the vehi-
cle.If you must use the parking
brake to stop the vehicle, use
great caution in applying the
brake.
WARNING - Brakes
• Do not drive with your foot
resting on the brake pedal.
This will create abnormal high
brake temperatures, exces-
sive brake lining and pad
wear, and increased stopping
distances.
• When descending a long or
steep hill,shift to a lower gear
and avoid continuous applica-
tion of the brakes.Continuous
brake application will cause
the brakes to overheat and
could result in a temporary
loss of braking performance.
(Continued)

Driving your vehicle
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Parking brake
To apply the parking brake, pull the
parking brake handle fully and firmly
upward while applying the service
brake.To release the parking brake, pull the
handle up slightly and push the
release button, then lower the handle
to the released position while holding
the button in.
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake
applied will cause excessive
brake pad and brake rotor wear.
1KMA30501KMA3051
WARNING- Parking brake
• To prevent unintentional
movement when stopped, do
not use just the gear shift
lever to hold the vehicle in
position.Set the parking
brake AND make sure the
gearshift lever is securely
positioned in 1st (First) gear
or R (Reverse) for manual
transaxle equipped vehicles
and in P (Park) for automatic
transaxle equipped vehicles.
• Never allow a person who is
unfamiliar with the vehicle or
children to touch the park
ing
brake.If the parking brake is
released unintentionally,seri-
ous injury may occur.

Driving your vehicle
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Air bag warning
(if equipped)
This warning light will illuminate for
approximately 6 seconds each time
you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position.
If this indicator does not go out, or if
it illuminates while the vehicle is
being driven, see an authorized Kia
Dealer for immediate service.
Auto cruise indicator
(if equipped)
CRUISE indicator
The indicator light illuminates when
the cruise control system is enabled.
SET indicator
(if equipped)
The indicator light illuminates when
the cruise function switch
(SET/COAST ( - / SET) or RES/ACC
( + / RES)) is ON.
CAUTION - Check engine
light
• Prolonged driving with the
Emission Control System
Malfunction Indicator Light
() illuminated may cause
damage to the emission con-
trol systems which could
effect drivability and/or fuel
economy.
•
If the EmissionControl System
Malfunction Indicator Light
( ) begins to flash ON and
OFF, potential catalytic con-
verter damage is possible
which could result in loss of
engine power.Have the Engine
Control System inspected as
soon as possible by an autho-
rized Kia Dealer.
AIR
BAG
CRUISE
SET

Driving your vehicle
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Checking the amount of air
conditioner refrigerant and
compressor lubricant
When the amount of refrigerant is
low, the performance of the air con-
ditioning is reduced. Overfilling also
has a bad influence on the air condi-
tioning system.
Therefore, if abnormal operation is
found, have the system inspected by
an authorized Kia dealer.
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NOTICE
When the performance of the air
conditioning system is reduced it is
important that the correct type and
amount of oil and refrigerant is
used. Otherwise, damage to the
compressor and abnormal system
operation may occur.
CAUTION
The air conditioner refrigerant
container is highly pressurized.
Therefore it should be serviced
by an authorized Kia dealer.
Improper service may cause
serious injury.

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Driving your vehicle
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Checking the amount of air
conditioner refrigerant and
compressor lubricant
When the amount of refrigerant is
low, the performance of the air con-
ditioning is reduced. Overfilling also
has a bad influence on the air condi-
tioning system.
Therefore, if abnormal operation is
found, have the system inspected by
an authorized Kia dealer.
✽
NOTICE
When the performance of the air
conditioning system is reduced it is
important that the correct type and
amount of oil and refrigerant is
used. Otherwise, damage to the
compressor and abnormal system
operation may occur.
CAUTION
The air conditioner refrigerant
container is highly pressurized.
Therefore it should be serviced
by an authorized Kia dealer.
Improper service may cause
serious injury.

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Driving tips
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Driving on a hill (“4WD LOCK”
for full-time 4WD operation)
• Use low gear when going uphill or
downhill and avoid sudden braking.
• Do not shift gears or use your
clutch when going downhill. Do not
coast downhill in Neutral.
Crossing a ditch (“4WD LOCK”
for full-time 4WD operation)
• Avoid driving through ditches if
possible, especially if there is
water in the ditch. Your vehicle may
stall if the electrical system gets
wet. If you must cross a ditch,
select 4WD LOCK mode.
• Avoid driving where the water level
is higher than the bottom of the
wheel hub. If the water level rises
above this mark, your vehicle will
need to be serviced.
• Tap lightly on the brake pedal dur-
ing and after driving through water.
This will help keep the brakes dry
and in proper working order.
• Do not shift gears while crossing a
ditch.
Tight corner brake effect
This is called tight corner brake
effect. Tight corner brake effect is a
unique characteristic of four-wheel
drive vehicles caused by the differ-
ence in tire rotation at the four
wheels and the zero-degree align-
ment of the front wheels and sus-
pension.
Sharp turns at low speeds should be
carried out with caution.
CAUTION - 4WD
When turning sharply on a
paved road at low speed while
in four-wheel drive,steering
control will be difficult.

Driving tips
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Off-road driving with your
four-wheel drive vehicle
Off-road driving can be great fun. But
it has definite hazards. The greatest
of these is the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you’ve left the
paved road system behind. Traffic
lanes are not marked. Curves are not
banked.
There are no carefully engineered
road signs to warn you of dangerous
conditions or to advise you of a safe
speed. You have to assess the envi-
ronment yourself. Surfaces can be
slippery, rough, uphill or downhill.
Off-road driving involves learning
new skills. That’s why it’s important
that you read and understand this
section. You’ll find useful driving
information and suggestions. These
will help make your off-road driving
safer and more enjoyable.
Before you go off-roading
There are some things to do before
you leave the paved roads. Be sure
to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done beforehand.
Be sure to read all the information
about your four-wheel drive vehicle
in this manual. Is there enough fuel?
Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the
fluid levels at the proper levels? What
are the local laws that apply to off-
roading where you’ll be driving? If
you don’t know, you should check
with law enforcement people in the
area. Will you be on someone’s pri-
vate land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
Loading your vehicle for off-road
driving
There are some important items to
remember about how to properly
load your vehicle.
• The heaviest things should be in
the cargo area and forward of your
rear axle. Place heavier items as
far forward as you can.
• Be sure the load is properly
secured, so driving over off-road
terrain doesn’t shift your load or
throw items toward the driver or
passengers.

Driving tips
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Hard-packed snow and ice offer the
worst tire traction. On these surfaces,
it’s very easy to lose control. On wet
ice, for example, the traction is so
poor that you will even have difficulty
accelerating. And if you do get mov-
ing, poor steering and difficult brak-
ing can easily cause you to slide out
of control.Driving in water
Light rain causes no special off-road
driving problems. However, heavy
rain can cause flash flooding, and
flood waters demand extreme cau-
tion.
Find out how deep the water is
before you drive through it. If it’s
deep enough to cover your wheel
bearing hubs, axles, or exhaust pipe,
don’t try it, You probably won’t get
through. Also, water that deep can
damage your axle and other vehicle
parts.
If the water isn’t too deep, then drive
through slowly. At fast speeds, water
can splash on your ignition system
and your vehicle can stall. Stalling
can also occur if your tailpipe goes
underwater. As long as your tailpipe
is underwater, you will not be able to
start your engine. When you go
through water, remember that it may
take you longer to stop when your
brakes are wet.If you have driven through water that
was deep enough to cover your
wheel bearing hubs, it may be a
good idea to have an Authorized Kia
dealer or other competent service
center repack your front wheel bear-
ings and examine your rear-end fluid
for evidence of water.
WARNING- Frozen sur-
faces
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds
or rivers can be dangerous.
Underwater springs, currents
under the ice, or sudden thaws
can weaken the ice.Your vehicle
could fall through the ice and
you and your passengers could
drown.Drive your vehicle on
safe surfaces only.