2009 KIA Sorento fuel

Driving your vehicle38
4Fuel gaugeThe fuel gauge indicates the approxi-
mate amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank.Fuel tank capacity :
See Chapter 8
The fuel gauge is supplemented by a low
fuel warning light, which will illuminate
when the fuel tank is nearly empty.
Instrument panel illumination
(if equipped)When the vehicle’s parking lights or head-
lights are on, rotate the illumination con-
trol knob to adjust the instrument panel
illumination intensity.
WARNING
- Fuel gauge
Running out of fuel can expose
vehicle occupants to danger.
You must stop and obtain addition-
al fuel as soon as possible after the
warning light comes on or when the
gauge indicator comes close to the
E level.
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CAUTION
Avoid driving with a very low fuel level. If you run out of fuel, it could case the engine to misfire andresult in excessive loading of thecatalytic converter.

439
Driving your vehicle
Warning lights / audible indica-
tors Checking operation All warning lights are checked by turning
the ignition switch ON (do not start the
engine). Any light that does not illuminate
should be checked by an Authorized Kia
Dealer.
After starting the engine, check to make
sure that all warning lights are off. If any
are still on, this indicates a situation that
needs attention. When releasing the
parking brake, the brake system warning
light should go off. The fuel warning light
will stay on if the fuel level is low.
Anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light (if
equipped) This light illuminates if the key is turned
to ON and goes off in approximately 3
seconds if the system is operating nor-
mally.
If the light stays on, you may have a
problem with your ABS system. Contact
an authorized Kia dealer as soon as pos-
sible.Electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) sys-
tem warning light
(if equipped)If two warning lights illumi-
nate at the same time while
driving, your vehicle has a
problem with ABS and EBD
system.In this case, your ABS system and regu-
lar brake system may not work normally.
Have the vehicle checked by an
Authorized Kia Dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
WARNINGS AND INDICATORS
ABSABS
WARNING
- Brake indica-
tors
If the both ABS and Brake warning
lights are ON and stay ON, your
vehicle’s brake system will not work
normally. You may experience an
unexpected and dangerous situa-
tion during sudden braking. In this
case, avoid high speed driving and
abrupt braking. Have your vehicle
checked by Authorized Kia Dealer
as soon as possible.

441
Driving your vehicle
Immobilizer indicator
(if equipped)This light illuminates when the immobiliz-
er key is inserted and turned to the ON
position to start the engine.
At this time, you can start the engine. The
light goes out after the engine is running.
In case this light goes out before you
start the engine, you must turn to the
LOCK position and restart the engine.
If this light blinks when the ignition switch
is in the ON position before starting the
engine, have the system checked by an
authorized Kia Dealer.Parking brake & brake
fluid warning Parking brake warning This light is illuminated when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch in
the START or ON position. The warning
light should go off when the parking
brake is released.
Low brake fluid level warningIf the warning light remains on, it may
indicate that the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is low.
If the warning light remains on:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safelocation and stop your vehicle.
2. With the engine stopped, check the brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required. Then check all brake
components for fluid leaks.
3. Do not drive the vehicle if leaks are found, the warning light remains on or
the brakes do not operate properly.
Have it towed to any Authorized Kia
Dealer for a brake system inspection
and necessary repairs.
To check bulb operation, check whether
the parking brake and brake fluid warning
light illuminates when the ignition switch
is in the ON position.
Rear hatch open
warning (if equipped)This warning light comes on when the
rear hatch/window is not closed securely.Low fuel level
warningThis warning light indicates the fuel tank is
nearly empty. The warning light will come
on when the fuel has a little amount.
Refuel as soon as possible.Rear hatch window
defroster indicatorThis light comes on when the rear hatch
defroster switch is depressed to remove
the frost on the rear hatch glass.
Press the switch again to shut off the
defroster when the frost is removed.
The rear hatch window defroster will
automatically turn off after 20 minutes.
It will also turn off whenever you remove
the ignition key.
WARNING
Driving the vehicle with a warning
light on is dangerous. If the brake
warning light remains on, have the
brakes checked and repaired imme-
diately by an Authorized Kia Dealer.

Driving your vehicle42
4Door ajar warningThis warning light illuminates when a
door is not closed securely with the igni-
tion in any position.Headlight high beam
indicator This indicator illuminates when the head-
lights are on and in the high beam posi-
tion or when the turn signal lever is pulled
into the Flash-to-Pass position.
Malfunction indicator
lamp (MIL) (check
engine light)This indicator light is part of the Engine
Control System which monitors various
emission control system components. If
this light illuminates while driving, it indi-
cates that a potential problem has been
detected somewhere in the emission
control system.
Generally, your vehicle will continue to be
drivable, but have the system checked by
an authorized Kia Dealer promptly.✽ ✽

NOTICEA loose fuel filler cap may cause the On
Board Diagnostic System Malfunction
Indicator Light ( ) in the instrument
panel to illuminate unnecessarily.
Always make sure that the fuel filler cap
is tight.
CAUTION
- Check engine
light
Prolonged driving with the
Emission Control SystemMalfunction Indicator Light ( ) illuminated may cause damage to the emission controlsystems which could effect dri-vability and/or fuel economy.
If the
Emission
Control System
Malfunction Indicator Light ( ) begins to flash ON and OFF,potential catalytic converter dam- age is possible which could resultin loss of engine power. Have the Engine Control System inspectedas soon as possible by an author-ized Kia Dealer.

449
Driving your vehicle
Distance to empty (km or MI)This mode indicates the estimated dis-
tance to empty from the current fuel in
the fuel tank. When the remaining dis-
tance is below 50 km (30 miles), a blink-
ing “---” symbol will be displayed.
Trip computer recognizes only the
amount of fuel consumed to the engine.
Therefore if the vehicle happens to
abnormal oil leakage, the trip computer
fails to sense causing the amount of fuel
more than it really is.
If you press the “DOWN” switch for more
than 5 seconds, the distance unit would
transfer to “Km” from “Ml (mile) or “MI” from
“Km”.
✽ ✽NOTICE• If the vehicle is not on level ground or
the battery power has been interrupt-
ed, the “DISTANCE TO EMPTY”
function may not operate correctly.
The trip computer may not register
additional fuel if less than 6 liters of
fuel are added to the vehicle.
• Trip computer provides a driver with supplemental information about the
current operating status of your vehi-
cle. So the estimated distance to empty
can be changed according to operat-
ing status of your vehicle, average fuel
consumption and previously driving
style. Therefore the values approved
or displayed on LCD for the first time
can be different with your vehicles.
• The figure of distance to empty is esti- mated driving distance, so it can be
different from the driving distance
really is.
Average vehicle speed
(km/h or MPH)This mode indicates the average speed
from the starting of the vehicle to the igni-
tion key “OFF”. When the “MODE/SET”
switch is pushed (more than 1.5 sec-
onds), it will initialize to “---”.
If you press the “DOWN” switch for more
than 5 seconds, the speed unit would
transfer to “Km/h” from “MPH” or “MPH”
from “Km/h” .
RANGE
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AVG
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5
Fuel requirements / 5-2
Emission control system / 5-3
Before driving / 5-5
Suggestions for economical operation / 5-6
Special driving conditions / 5-7
Using four-wheel drive / 5-11
Vehicle load limit / 5-25
Weight of the vehicle / 5-29
Trailer towing / 5-31
Label information / 5-39
Driving tips

Driving tips25FUEL REQUIREMENTSGasoline engine (unleaded)Your new Kia vehicle is designed to use
only unleaded fuel with a minimum
Octane Rating of 87 Anti-Knock Index
(AKI).
Gasoline containing alcohol and
methanolGasohol, a mixture of gasoline and
ethanol (also known as grain alcohol),
and gasoline or gasohol containing
methanol (also known as wood alcohol)
are being marketed along with or instead
of leaded or unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasohol containing more than
10% ethanol, and do not use gasoline or
gasohol containing any methanol. Either
of these fuels may cause drivability prob-
lems and damage to the fuel system.
Discontinue using gasohol of any kind if
drivability problems occur.Vehicle damage or driveability problems
may not be covered by the manufactur-
er’s warranty if they result from the use
of:
1. Gasohol containing more than 10%
ethanol.
2. Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.
3. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
CAUTION
NEVER USE LEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is detrimental to the catalytic converter and willdamage the engine control sys-tem’s oxygen sensor and affect emission control.
Never add any fuel system cleaningagents to the fuel tank other thanwhat Kia has specified. (Consult anAuthorized Kia Dealer for details.)
CAUTION
Never use gasohol which containsmethanol. Discontinue use of any gasohol product which impairs dri-vability.

Driving tips45Operating precautions for catalyt-
ic converters (if equipped) Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic
converter emission control device.
Therefore, the following precautions
must be observed:
Use only UNLEADED FUEL for gaso-line engine (unleaded).
Do not operate the vehicle when there are signs of engine malfunction, such
as misfire or a noticeable loss of per-
formance.
Do not misuse or abuse the engine. Examples of misuse are coasting with
the ignition off and descending steep
grades in gear with the ignition off. Do not operate the engine at high idle
speed for extended periods (5 minutes
or more).
Do not modify or tamper with any part of the engine or emission control sys-
tem. All inspections and adjustments
must be made by an authorized Kia
dealer.
Failure to observe these precautions
could result in damage to the catalytic
converter and to your vehicle.
Additionally, such actions could void your
warranties.
WARNING
- Fire
A hot exhaust system can ignite
flammable items under your vehi-
cle. Do not park, idle or drive the
vehicle over or near flammable
objects, such as grass, vegetation,
paper, leaves, etc.