2010 KIA Forte Maintenance

717
Maintenance
BRAKE/CLUTCH (IF EQUIPPED) FLUID G080100AAMChecking the brake/clutch* fluid
level Check the fluid level in the reservoir peri-
odically. The fluid level should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the reservoir.
Before removing the reservoir cap and
adding brake/clutch* fluid, clean the area
around the reservoir cap thoroughly to
prevent brake/clutch* fluid contamina-
tion.
* if equippedIf the level is low, add fluid to the MAX
level. The level will fall with accumulated
mileage. This is a normal condition asso-
ciated with the wear of the brake linings
and/or clutch disc (if equipped). If the
fluid level is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch* system checked by an
authorized KIA dealer.
Use only the specified brake/clutch* fluid.
(Refer to “Recommended lubricants andcapacities” in section 8.)
Never mix different types of fluid.
OTD079008
WARNING -
Brake/clutch*
fluid
When changing and adding
brake/clutch* fluid, handle it care-
fully. Do not let it come in contact
with your eyes. If brake/clutch* fluid
should come in contact with your
eyes, immediately flush them with a
large quantity of fresh tap water.
Have your eyes examined by a doc-
tor as soon as possible.
WARNING -
Loss of
brake/clutch* fluid
In the event the brake/clutch* sys-
tem requires frequent additions of
fluid, the vehicle should be inspect-
ed by an authorized KIA dealer.
CAUTION
Do not allow brake/clutch* fluid to
contact the vehicle's body paint, as paint damage will result.
Brake/clutch* fluid, which has beenexposed to open air for an extended time should never be used as itsquality cannot be guaranteed. It should be disposed of properly.Don't put in the wrong kind of fluid. A few drops of mineral-based oil,such as engine oil, in yourbrake/clutch* system can damage brake/clutch* system parts.

Maintenance18
7POWER STEERING FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)G090100ATDChecking the power steering fluid
level With the vehicle on level ground, check
the fluid level in the power steering reser-
voir periodically. The fluid should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the reservoir at the normal tem-
perature.
Before adding power steering fluid, thor-
oughly clean the area around the reser-
voir cap to prevent power steering fluid
contamination.
If the level is low, add fluid to the MAX
level. In the event the power steering system
requires frequent addition of fluid, the
vehicle should be inspected by an
authorized KIA dealer.
Use only the specified power steering
fluid. (Refer to "Recommended lubricants or capacities" in section 8.)G090200AENChecking the power steering
hoseCheck the connections for oil leaks, dam-
age and twists in the power steering
hose before driving.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the power steering pump, do not operate thevehicle for prolonged periodswith a low power steering fluidlevel.
Never start the engine when the reservoir tank is empty.
When adding fluid, be careful that dirt does not get into the tank.
Too little fluid can result in increased steering effort and/ornoise from the power steeringsystem.
The use of the non-specified fluid could reduce the effectiveness ofthe power steering system and cause damage to it.
OTD079009

719
Maintenance
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)G100100AFD-EUChecking the automatic transaxle
fluid level The automatic transaxle fluid level
should be checked regularly.
Keep the vehicle on the level ground with
the parking brake applied and check the
fluid level according to the following pro-
cedure.
1. Place the shift lever in N (Neutral)position and confirm the engine is run-
ning at normal idle speed.
2. After the transaxle is warmed up suffi- ciently (fluid temperature 70~80°C
(158~176°F), for example by 10 min-
utes usual driving, move the shift lever
through all positions then place the
shift lever in N (Neutral) or P (Park)
position. 3. Confirm that the fluid level is in the
“HOT” range on the level gauge. If the
fluid level is lower, add the specified
fluid in the fill hole. If the fluid level is
higher, drain the fluid from the drain
hole. 4. If the fluid level is checked in cold con-
dition (fluid temperature 20~30°C
(68~86°F) add the fluid to “C” (COLD)
line and then recheck the fluid level
according to the above step 2.
✽ ✽NOTICE“C” (COLD) range is for reference only
and should NOT be used to determine
the transaxle fluid level.
OTD079010
OTD079038OSA077009
■ Type A■ Type B
HOT
COLD
WARNING -
Transaxle fluid
The transaxle fluid level should be
checked when the engine is at nor-
mal operating temperature. This
means that the engine, radiator,
radiator hose and exhaust system
etc., are very hot. Exercise great
care not to burn yourself during
this procedure.

Maintenance20
7
✽
✽
NOTICEA new automatic transaxle fluid should
be red. The red dye is added so the
assembly plant can identify it as auto-
matic transaxle fluid and distinguish it
from engine oil or antifreeze. The red
dye, which is not an indicator of fluid
quality, is not permanent. As the vehicle
is driven, the automatic transaxle fluid
will begin to look darker. The color may
eventually appear light brown.
Therefore, have an authorized KIA
dealer change the automatic transaxle
fluid according to the Scheduled
Maintenance at the beginning of this
section.Use only the specified automatic
transaxle fluid. (Refer to “Recommended
lubricants and capacities” in section 8.)
G100200ATDChanging the automatic transaxle
fluidHave the automatic transaxle fluid
changed by an authorized KIA dealer
according to the Maintenance Schedule
at the beginning of this section.
WARNING
- Parking brake
To avoid sudden movement of the
vehicle, apply the parking brake
and depress the brake pedal before
moving the shift lever.
CAUTION
Low fluid level causes transaxle
slippage. Overfilling can causefoaming, loss of fluid and transaxle malfunction.
The use of a non-specified fluid could result in transaxle malfunc-tion and failure.

721
Maintenance
WASHER FLUIDG120100AUN-U1Checking the washer fluid level Check the fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir and add fluid if necessary. Plain
water may be used if washer fluid is not
available. However, use washer solvent
with antifreeze characteristics in cold cli-
mates to prevent freezing.
G140100ATDChecking the parking brake Check the stroke of the parking brake by
counting the number of “clicks’’ heard
while fully applying it from the released
position. Also, the parking brake alone
should securely hold the vehicle on a fair-
ly steep grade. If the stroke is more or
less than specified, have the parking
brake adjusted by an authorized KIA
dealer.
Stroke : 6~8 “clicks’’ at a force of 20 kg (44 lbs, 196 N).
WARNING -
Coolant
Do not use radiator coolant orantifreeze in the washer fluid
reservoir.
Radiator coolant can severely obscure visibility when sprayed
on the windshield and may cause
loss of vehicle control or damage
to paint and body trim.
Windshield washer fluid agents contain some amounts of alcohol
and can be flammable under cer-
tain circumstances. Do not allow
sparks or flame to contact the
washer fluid or the washer fluid
reservoir. Damage to the vehicle
or occupants could occur.
Windshield washer fluid is poi- sonous to humans and animals.
Do not drink and avoid contact-
ing windshield washer fluid.
Serious injury or death could
occur.
OTD079011
OTD059010
PARKING BRAKE

Maintenance22
7AIR CLEANER G160100AAM-ECFilter replacement It must be replaced when necessary, and
should not be washed.
You can clean the filter when inspecting
the air cleaner element.
Clean the filter by using compressed air. Replace the filter according to the
Maintenance Schedule.
If the vehicle is operated in extremely
dusty or sandy areas, replace the ele-ment more often than the usual recom-mended intervals.
G170100AUN-ECFilter inspectionIf the vehicle is operated in severely air-
polluted cities or on dusty rough roads for
a long period, it should be inspected
more frequently and replaced earlier.
When you replace the climate control air
filter, replace it performing the following
procedure, and be careful to avoid dam-
aging other components.
OTD079014
CAUTION
Do not drive with the air cleaner removed; this will result in exces-sive engine wear.
When removing the air cleaner fil- ter, be careful that dust or dirtdoes not enter the air intake, ordamage may result.
Use a KIA genuine part. Use of nongenuine part could damagethe air flow sensor.
CLIMATE CONTROL AIR FILTER
(IF EQUIPPED)

723
Maintenance
WIPER BLADES G180100AUNBlade inspection✽
✽NOTICECommercial hot waxes applied by auto-
matic car washes have been known to
make the windshield difficult to clean.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the wiper blades with foreign matter can
reduce the effectiveness of the wind-
shield wipers. Common sources of con-
tamination are insects, tree sap, and hot
wax treatments used by some commer-
cial car washes. If the blades are not wip-
ing properly, clean both the window and
the blades with a good cleaner or mild
detergent, and rinse thoroughly with
clean water.
G180200AUNBlade replacement When the wipers no longer clean ade-
quately, the blades may be worn or
cracked, and require replacement.
1JBA5122
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, do not use gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner, or othersolvents on or near them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms or other components, do notattempt to move the wipers manual-ly.
CAUTION
The use of a non-specified wiperblade could result in wiper malfunc-tion and failure.

Maintenance24
7G180201AUNFront windshield wiper blade1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the wiper
blade assembly to expose the plastic
locking clip.
2. Compress the clip and slide the bladeassembly downward.
3. Lift it off the arm.
4. Install the blade assembly in the reverse order of removal.
1LDA5023
CAUTION
Do not allow the wiper arm to fallagainst the windshield, since it maychip or crack the windshield.
1JBA70371JBA7038