Driving your vehicle
12
5
Automatic transaxle operation
The automatic transaxle has 4 forward
speeds and one reverse speed. The indi-
vidual speeds are selected automatically,depending on the position of the shift
lever.
✽✽
NOTICE
The first few shifts on a new vehicle, if
the battery has been disconnected, may
be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and the shifting sequence will
adjust after shifts are cycled a few times
by the TCM (Transaxle Control
Module) or PCM (Powertrain Control
Module).
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
OED046004
Depress the brake pedal when shifting, if your vehicle is equipped shift lock system.
The shift lever can be moved freely.
Driving your vehicle
22
5
✽✽
NOTICE
A click sound may be heard in the
engine compartment when the vehicle
begins to move after the engine is start-
ed. These conditions are normal and
indicate that the anti-lock brake system
is functioning properly.
Even with the anti-lock brake system, your vehicle still requires sufficient
stopping distance. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front
of you.
Always slow down when cornering. The anti-lock brake system cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from exces-
sive speeds.
On loose or uneven road surfaces, operation of the anti-lock brake system
may result in a longer stopping dis-
tance than for vehicles equipped with a
conventional brake system.
✽✽ NOTICE
When you jump start your vehicle
because of a drained battery, the engine
may not run as smoothly and the ABS
warning light may turn on at the same
time. This happens because of the low
battery voltage. It does not mean your
ABS is malfunctioning.
Do not pump your brakes!
Have the battery recharged before driving the vehicle.
W-78
CAUTION
If the ABS warning light is on and
stays on, you may have a problemwith the ABS. In this case, howev-er, your regular brakes will work normally.
The ABS warning light will stay on for approximately 3 seconds afterthe ignition switch is ON. Duringthat time, the ABS will go throughself-diagnosis and the light will go off if everything is normal. If thelight stays on, you may have aproblem with your ABS. Contactan authorized KIA dealer as soonas possible.
CAUTION
When you drive on a road having poor traction, such as an icy road,
and operate your brakes continu- ously, the ABS will be active con-tinuously and the ABS warninglight may illuminate. Pull your
vehicle over to a safe place andstop the engine.
Restart the engine. If the ABS warning light is off, then your ABS
system is normal. Otherwise, you may have a problem with the ABS.Contact an authorized KIA dealer as soon as possible.
525
Driving your vehicle
Indicator light
When ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the indicator light illuminates,then goes off if the ESP system is oper-
ating normally.
The ESP indicator light blinks whenever
ESP is operating or illuminates when
ESP fails to operate. ESP OFF indicator light comes on when
the ESP is turned off with the button.
✽✽NOTICE
After reconnecting or recharging a dis-
charged battery, the ESP OFF indicator
may illuminate. In this case, turn the
steering wheel 360 degrees to the left
and 360 degrees to the right while the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
Then, restart the engine after the igni-
tion is off. If the ESP OFF indicator does
not turn off, have the system checked by
an authorized KIA dealer as soon as
possible.
ESP OFF usage
When driving
ESP should be turned on for daily driv- ing whenever possible.
To turn ESP off while driving, press the ESP OFF button while driving on a flat
road surface.
✽✽ NOTICE
When operating the vehicle on a dynamometer, ensure that the ESP is
turned off (ESP OFF light illuminat-
ed). If the ESP is left on, it may pre-
vent the vehicle speed from increas-
ing, and result in false diagnosis.
Turning the ESP off does not affect
ABS or brake system operation.
■ESP indicator light
■ ESP OFF indicator light CAUTION
Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the ESP system to
malfunction. When replacing tires,make sure they are the same size asyour original tires.
WARNING
The Electronic Stability Program
system is only a driving aid; use
precautions for safe driving by
slowing down on curved, snowy, or
icy roads. Drive slowly and don’t
attempt to accelerate whenever the
ESP indicator light is blinking, or
when the road surface is slippery.WARNING
Never press ESP OFF button while ESP is operating (ESP indicator
light blinks). If ESP is turned off while ESP is
operating, the vehicle may slip out
of control.
Driving your vehicle
42
5
Use high quality ethylene glycol coolant
Your vehicle is delivered with high quality
ethylene glycol coolant in the cooling
system. It is the only type of coolant that
should be used because it helps prevent
corrosion in the cooling system, lubri-
cates the water pump and prevents
freezing. Be sure to replace or replenish
your coolant in accordance with themaintenance schedule in section 7.
Before winter, have your coolant tested toassure that its freezing point is sufficient
for the temperatures anticipated during
the winter.
Check battery and cables
Winter puts additional burdens on the
battery system. Visually inspect the bat-
tery and cables as described in section
7. The level of charge in your battery can
be checked by an authorized KIA dealer
or a service station. Change to "winter weight" oil if
necessary In some climates it is recommended that
a lower viscosity "winter weight" oil be
used during cold weather. See section 8
for recommendations. If you aren't sure
what weight oil you should use, consult
an authorized KIA dealer.
Check spark plugs and ignition system
Inspect your spark plugs as described in
section 7 and replace them if necessary.
Also check all ignition wiring and compo-
nents to be sure they are not cracked,
worn or damaged in any way.
WARNING
- Tire chains
The use of chains may adversely affect vehicle handling.
Do not exceed 30 km/h (20 mph) or the chain manufacturer’s rec-
ommended speed limit, whichev-
er is lower.
Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes, sharp turns, and other
road hazards, which may cause
the vehicle to bounce.
Avoid sharp turns or locked- wheel braking.
CAUTION
Chains that are the wrong size or
improperly installed can damage
your vehicle's brake lines, sus-pension, body and wheels.
Stop driving and retighten the chains any time you hear themhitting the vehicle.
Driving your vehicle
4
5
Illuminated ignition switch (if equipped)
Whenever a front door is opened, the
ignition switch will be illuminated for your
convenience, provided the ignition switch
is not in the ON position. The light will go
off immediately when the ignition switch
is turned on or go off after about 30 sec-onds when the door is closed. Ignition switch position
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. The ignition key can be
removed only in the LOCK position.
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key inward at
the ACC position and turn the key towardthe LOCK position.
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-
trical accessories are operative.
✽✽
NOTICE
If difficulty is experienced turning the
ignition switch to the ACC position, turn
the key while turning the steering wheel
right and left to release the tension.
ON
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. This is the
normal running position after the engine
is started.
Do not leave the ignition switch ON if the engine is not running to prevent batterydischarge.
START
Turn the ignition switch to the START
position to start the engine. The engine
will crank until you release the key; then
it returns to the ON position. The brake
warning light can be checked in this posi-tion.
KEY POSITIONS
OED046001OED046002
ACC
ON
START
LOCK
57
Driving your vehicle
Your vehicle may be equipped with the ISG system, which reduces fuel con-
sumption by automatically shutting down
the engine, when the vehicle is at astandstill.
(For example : red light, stop sign and
traffic jam)
The engine starts automatically as soon
as the starting conditions are met.✽
✽ NOTICE
When the engine automatically starts by
the ISG system, some warning
lights(ABS, ESP, ESP OFF, EPS or
Parking brake warning light) may turn
on for a few seconds.
This happens because of low battery
voltage. It does not mean the system is
malfunctioning.
ISG(Idle Stop and Go) Operation
The ISG system is ON whenever the igni-
tion switch is turned on.
The engine will enter the idle stop (AUTO
STOP) mode automatically when all ofthe essential conditions are met.
For example;
The gear is not engaged & clutch not
pressed
The vehicle speed should be over 10km/h at least once after key starting
or idle starting.
The vehicle speed should be below 5km/h The outside temperature is between
2°C to 35°C
The engine coolant temperature is not too low
Battery charge status is adequately high
The driver's seat belt is fastened
The driver's door and hood are closed.
It could be different up to the vehicle con- dition.
When the engine automatically stops,
the "AUTO STOP" indicator on the clus-
ter panel will illuminate.
After you press the clutch pedal, the
engine will start automatically. The
"AUTO STOP" indicator on the cluster
panel will turn off. You can continue driv-ing.
ISG(IDLE STOP AND GO) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
OED040100
Driving your vehicle
8
5
ISG auto-starting
Before and after the engine enters the
idle stop mode, the ISG system will auto-
matically check all the necessary items
such as the safety of the vehicle and pas-
senger comfort.
The engine will start automatically with-
out the driver's action if any of the follow-ing occurs:
If the brake vacuum pressure is low
If the fan speed of the manual climate
control system is set above the 3rd position when the air conditioning is on
If the fan speed of the automatic cli- mate control system is set above the6th position when the air conditioningis on
According to outside temperature or setting temperature of the climate con-trol system when the air conditioning ison
When the defroster is ON
When the battery charge status is low
If the vehicle speed is over 5km/h by rolling down a hill
It could be different up to the vehicle con- dition.
When the automatic starting occurs, the
"AUTO STOP" indicator on the cluster
will blink for 5 seconds. ISG(Idle Stop and Go) system
deactivation
If you desire to deactivate the ISG sys-
tem, you can do it temporarily by press-
ing the ISG OFF button located on the
left side of the instrument panel.
After pressing the ISG OFF button, the
light on the button will illuminate.
The ISG system will activate by pressing
the ISG OFF button again and the button
light will turn off. ✽✽
NOTICE
When the ISG related sensors or sys-
tem error occurs, the ISG OFF button
light will illuminate. If the button light
is not turned off by pressing the ISG
OFF button again or if the ISG system
continuously does not work correctly,
please contact an authorized KIA
dealer as soon as possible.
Also, if the battery charging status is
low, the ISG OFF button light will
illuminate. When the button light
comes on, it may stop illuminating
after driving your vehicle at approxi-
mately 80 km/h for a maximum of two
hours and setting the fan speed con-
trol knob below the 2nd position. If
the button light continues to be illumi-
nated in spite of the procedure, please
contact an authorized KIA dealer as
soon as possible.
OED049101
WARNING
When the engine is in Idle Stop
mode, it's possible to restart theengine without the driver taking
any action.
Before leaving the car or doing any-
thing in the engine room area, stop
the engine by turning the ignition
key to the LOCK position or remov-ing it.
Driving your vehicle
12
5
Automatic transaxle operation
The automatic transaxle has 4 forward
speeds and one reverse speed. The indi-
vidual speeds are selected automatically,depending on the position of the shift
lever.
✽✽
NOTICE
The first few shifts on a new vehicle, if
the battery has been disconnected, may
be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and the shifting sequence will
adjust after shifts are cycled a few times
by the TCM (Transaxle Control
Module) or PCM (Powertrain Control
Module).
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
OED046004
Depress the brake pedal when shifting, if your vehicle is equipped shift lock system.
The shift lever can be moved freely.