2010 KIA Forte Owner's Manual

5
Before driving / 5-3
Key positions / 5-4
ENGINE START/STOP button / 5-6
Starting the engine / 5-9
Manual transaxle / 5-12
Automatic transaxle / 5-15
Brake system / 5-22
Cruise control system / 5-32
Economical operation / 5-36
Special driving conditions / 5-38
Winter driving / 5-42
Trailer towing / 5-44
Vehicle load limit / 5-45
Vehicle weight / 5-50
Driving your vehicle

Driving your vehicle25E010000ATD
WARNING
- ENGINE EXHAUST CAN BE DANGEROUS!
Engine exhaust fumes can be extremely dangerous. If, at any time, you smell exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, open the win-
dows immediately.
• Do not inhale exhaust fumes.Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause unconsciousness and death by asphyxia-
tion.
The exhaust system should be checked whenever the vehicle is raised to change the oil or for any other purpose. If you hear
a change in the sound of the exhaust or if you drive over something that strikes the underneath side of the car, have the
exhaust system checked as soon as possible by an authorized KIA dealer.
Letting the engine idle in your garage, even with the garage door open, is a hazardous practice. Never run the engine in your
garage any longer than it takes to start the engine and back the vehicle out.
If it is necessary to idle the engine for a prolonged period with people inside the vehicle, be sure to do so only in an open a rea
with the air intake set at "Fresh" and fan operating at one of the higher speeds so fresh air is drawn into the interior.
If you must drive with the trunk open because you are carrying objects that make this necessary:
1. Close all windows.
2. Open side vents.
3. Set the air intake control at "Fresh", the air flow control at "Floor" or "Face" and the fan at one of the higher speeds.
To assure proper operation of the ventilation system, be sure the ventilation air intakes located just in front of the windshie ld are
kept clear of snow, ice, leaves or other obstructions.

53
Driving your vehicle
E020100AUNBefore entering vehicle• Be sure that all windows, outside mir-ror(s), and outside lights are clean.
Check the condition of the tires.
Check under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
Be sure there are no obstacles behind you if you intend to back up.E020200AUNNecessary inspections Fluid levels, such as engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid
should be checked on a regular basis,
with the exact interval depending on the
fluid. Further details are provided in
Section 7, “Maintenance”.
E020300AHMBefore starting Close and lock all doors.
Position the seat so that all controls areeasily reached.
Adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors.
Be sure that all lights work.
Check all gauges.
Check the operation of warning lights when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position.
Release the parking brake and make sure the brake warning light goes out.
For safe operation, be sure you are famil-
iar with your vehicle and its equipment.
BEFORE DRIVING
WARNING
All passengers must be properly
belted whenever the vehicle is mov-
ing. Refer to “Seat belts” in section
3 for more information on their
proper use.
WARNING
Always check the surrounding
areas near your vehicle for people,
especially children, before putting a
vehicle into D (Drive) or R
(Reverse).

Driving your vehicle45
E030100AHMIlluminated ignition switch
(if equipped)Whenever a front door is opened, the
ignition switch will illuminate for your con-
venience, provided the ignition switch is
not in the ON position. The light will go off
immediately when the ignition switch is
turned on. It will also go off after about 30
seconds when the door is closed.
Ignition switch positionE030201AUNLOCKThe 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 toward
the LOCK position.
OTD059001
OTD059016
WARNING
- Driving under
the influence of alcohol or
drugs
Drinking and driving is dangerous.
Drunk driving is the number one
contributor to the highway death
toll each year. Even a small amount
of alcohol will affect your reflexes,
perceptions and judgement.
Driving while under the influence of
drugs is as dangerous or more dan-
gerous than driving drunk.
You are much more likely to have a
serious accident if you drink or
take drugs and drive.
If you are drinking or taking drugs,
don’t drive. Do not ride with a driv-
er who has been drinking or taking
drugs. Choose a designated driver
or call a cab.
WARNING
When you intend to park or stop the
vehicle with the engine on, be care-
ful not to depress the accelerator
pedal for a long period of time. It
may overheat the engine or exhaust
system and cause fire.
KEY POSITIONS

55
Driving your vehicle
E030202AUNACC (Accessory)The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-
trical accessories are operative.✽ ✽NOTICEIf 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.E030203AUNONThe 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 battery discharge.E030204APBSTARTTurn 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.
E030205APB
WARNING
- Ignition switch
Never turn the ignition switch to LOCK or ACC while the vehicle is
moving. This would result in loss
of directional control and braking
function, which could cause an
accident.
The anti-theft steering column lock is not a substitute for the
parking brake. Before leaving the
driver’s seat, always make sure
the shift lever is engaged in 1st
gear for the manual transaxle or
P (Park) for the automatic
transaxle, set the parking brake
fully and shut the engine off.
Unexpected and sudden vehicle
movement may occur if these
precautions are not taken.
Never reach for the ignition switch, or any other controls
through the steering wheel while
the vehicle is in motion. The pres-
ence of your hand or arm in this
area could cause a loss of vehicle
control, an accident and serious
bodily injury or death.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Do not place any movable objectsaround the driver’s seat as they
may move while driving, interfere
with the driver and lead to an
accident.

Driving your vehicle65Illuminated ENGINE START/STOP
buttonE030100ATDWhenever the front door is opened, the
ENGINE START/STOP button will illumi-
nate for your convenience. The light will
go off after about 30 seconds when the
door is closed.
ENGINE START/STOP button
positionE030701ATDOFFTo turn off the engine (START/RUN posi-
tion) or vehicle power (ON position),
press the ENGINE START/STOP button
with the shift lever in the P (Park) posi-
tion. When you press the ENGINE
START/STOP button without the shift
lever in the P (Park) position, the
ENGINE START/STOP button will not
change to the OFF position but to the
ACC position.
Also, the steering wheel locks when the
ENGINE START/STOP button is in the
OFF position to protect you against theft.
It locks when the door is opened or when
you pull out the smart key from the smart
key holder.
If the steering wheel is not locked prop-
erly when you open the driver's door, the
warning chime will sound. Try locking the
steering wheel again. If the problem is
not solved, have it checked by an author-
ized KIA dealer. In addition, if the ENGINE START/STOP
button is in the OFF position after the dri-
ver's door is opened, the steering wheel
will not lock and the warning chime will
sound. In such a situation, close the door.
Then the steering wheel will lock and the
warning chime will stop.
✽ ✽


NOTICEIf the steering wheel doesn't unlock
properly, the ENGINE START/STOP
button will not work. Press the ENGINE
START/STOP button while turning the
steering wheel right and left to release
the tension.
ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON (IF EQUIPPED)
OTD059002
CAUTION
You are able to turn off the engine
(START/RUN) or vehicle power (ON), only when the vehicle is not inmotion. In an emergency situation while the vehicle is in motion, you areable to turn the engine off and to theACC position by pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button for more than 3seconds or 3 times successively. Ifthe vehicle is still moving, you can restart the engine without depressingthe brake pedal by pressing theENGINE START/STOP button with the shift lever in the N (Neutral) position.
Not illuminated

57
Driving your vehicle
E030202AHMACC(Accessory)Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
while it is in the OFF position without
depressing the brake pedal.
The steering wheel unlocks and electri-
cal accessories are operational.
If the ENGINE START/STOP button is in
the ACC position for more than 1 hour,
the button is turned off automatically to
prevent battery discharge.
E030203AHMONPress the ENGINE START/STOP button
while it is in the ACC position without
depressing the brake pedal.
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. Do not leave
the ENGINE START/STOP button in the
ON position for a long time. The battery
may discharge, because the engine is
not running.
E030704ATDSTART/RUNTo start the engine, depress the brake
pedal and press the ENGINE START/
STOP button with the shift lever in the P
(Park) or the N (Neutral) position. For
your safety, start the engine with the shift
lever in the P (Park) position.✽ ✽

NOTICEIf you press the ENGINE START/STOP
button without depressing the brake
pedal, the engine will not start and the
button will change as follow:
OFF ➔ ➔
ACC ➔
➔
ON ➔
➔
OFF
Orange indicator
Green indicator
Not illuminated

Driving your vehicle85E030205AHM✽
✽

NOTICEIf you leave the ENGINE START/ STOP
button in the ACC or ON position for a
long time, the battery will discharge.
WARNING
Never press the ENGINE START/
STOP button while the vehicle is
in motion. This would result in
loss of directional control and
braking function, which could
cause an accident.
The anti-theft steering column lock is not a substitute for the
parking brake. Before leaving the
driver's seat, always make sure
the shift lever is engaged in P
(Park), set the parking brake fully
and shut the engine off.
Unexpected and sudden vehicle
movement may occur if these
precautions are not taken.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Never reach for the ENGINESTART/STOP button or any other
controls through the steering
wheel while the vehicle is in
motion. The presence of your
hand or arm in the area could
cause loss of vehicle control, an
accident and serious bodily
injury or death.
Do not place any movable objects around the driver's seat as they
may move while driving, interfere
with the driver and lead to an
accident.