2008 KIA Sportage power steering

Your vehicle at a glance
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INTERIOR OVERVIEW
1. Door lock/unlock button
2. Power window switches
3. Outside rearview mirror control switch
(if equipped)
4. Hood release lever
5. Instrument panel illumination
(if equipped)
6. Traction control system (if equipped)/
Electronic stability program
(if equipped)
7. 4WD LOCK button (if equipped)
8. Steering wheel tilt
9. Brake pedal
10. Accelerator pedal
11. Seat
12. Parking brake lever
13. Fuel filler lid release lever
1KMB0004/1KMA2019A

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)

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Driving your vehicle
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Power steering
Power Steering uses energy from the
engine to assist you in steering the
vehicle. If the engine is off or if the
power steering system becomes
inoperative, the vehicle may still be
steered, but it will require increased
steering effort.
Should you notice any change in the
effort required to steer during normal
vehicle operation, have the power
steering checked by an Authorized
Kia Dealer.
✽
NOTICE
• Never hold the steering wheel
against a stop (extreme right or
left turn) for more than 5 seconds
with the engine running. Holding
the steering wheel for more than 5
seconds in either position may
cause damage to the power steer-
ing pump.
• If the power steering drive belt
breaks or if the power steering
pump malfunctions, the steering
effort will greatly increase.
✽
NOTICE
If the vehicle is parked for extended
periods outside in cold weather
(below -10°C/14°F), the power steer-
ing may require increased effort
when the engine is first started. This
is caused by increased fluid viscosity
due to the cold weather and does not
indicate a malfunction.
When this happens, increase the
engine RPM by depressing accelera-
tor until the RPM reaches 1,500 rpm
then release or let the engine idle for
two or three minutes to warm up the
fluid.
STEERING WHEEL

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Driving tips
Keeping a vehicle in good operating
condition is important both for econ-
omy and safety. Therefore, have an
authorized Kia dealer perform
scheduled inspections and mainte-
nance.
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WARNING - Engine off
during motion
Never turn the engine off to
coast down hills or anytime the
vehicle is in motion.The power
steering and power brakes will
not function without the engine
running.Instead, keep the
engine on and downshift to an
appropriate gear for engine
braking effect.

Driving tips
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Driving uphill
Once you decide you can safely
drive up the hill, you need to take
some special steps.
• Use a low gear and get a firm grip
on the steering wheel.
• Get a smooth start up the hill and
try to maintain your speed. Don’t
use more power than you need,
because you don’t want your
wheels to start spinning or sliding.
• Try to drive straight up the hill, if at
all possible. If the path twists and
turns, you may have to find anoth-
er route.• Slow down as you approach the
top of the hill.
• Attach a flag to the vehicle to make
you more visible to approaching
traffic on trails or hills.
• Sound the horn as you approach
the top of the hill to let opposing
traffic know you’re there.
• Use your headlights even during
the day. They make you more visi-
ble to other drivers.WARNING - Driving
across hills
Turning or driving across steep
hills can be dangerous.Yo u
could lose traction,slide side-
ways, or just reach an area too
steep to traverse.In any case,it
could cause you to roll over.Yo u
could be seriously or fatally
injured.When driving up hills,
always try to go as straight up
as possible.WARNING- Driving over
hills
Driving to the top (crest) of a hill
at full speed can cause an acci-
dent and result in serious or
fatal injury.There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff,
another vehicle or people sitting
on the ground.As you near the
top of a hill,slow down and stay
alert.

In case of an emergency
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To wing with a vehicle other
than a tow truck
If towing is necessary, we recom-
mend you to have it done by an
Authorized Kia dealer or a commer-
cial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or
chain secured to the emergency tow-
ing hook under the front or rear 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 distance 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
conditions from which the vehicle
cannot be driven out under its own
power.
• Avoid towing a vehicle heavier than
the vehicle doing the towing.
6KMA4026 • Front
1KMA4027 • Rear

In case of an emergency
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When your vehicle is being
towed by another vehicle
other than a tow truck (in case
of an emergency)
• Turn the ignition switch to ACC so
the steering wheel isn’t locked.
• Place the transaxle shift lever in N
(Neutral).
• Release the parking bake.
• Vehicles equipped with automatic
transaxles should not exceed 45
km/h (28 mph) and should not be
towed more than 80 km (50 miles).
• Vehicles equipped with manual
transaxle should not be towed in
excess of 88 km/h (55 mph) and
should not be towed more than
645 km (400 miles).• 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 steer-
ing system will be disabled.
• If you are driving down a long hill,
the brakes may overheat and brake
performance will be reduced. Stop
often and let the brakes cool off.
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NOTICE
To prevent internal damage to the
transaxle, never tow your vehicle
from the rear (backwards) with all
four tires in contact with the sur-
face.
Tips for towing a stuck vehicle
The following methods are effective
when your vehicle is stuck in mud,
sand or similar substances that pre-
vent 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.

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9Maintenance services / 7-3
Maintenance schedule / 7-4
Owner maintenance / 7-8
Engine compartment / 7-11
Engine oil and oil filter / 7-13
Engine cooling system / 7-15
Brakes and clutch / 7-18
Parking brake / 7-19
Drive belts / 7-20
Power steering / 7-21
Steering wheel / 7-22
Automatic transaxle / 7-23
Manual transaxle / 7-25
Rear differential (4WD) / 7-25
Transfer case (4WD) / 7-25
Lubricants and fluids / 7-26
Air cleaner / 7-27
Climate control air filter / 7-28
Wiper blades / 7-29
Maintenance