2010 KIA Optima Owner's Manual

5
Before driving / 5-3
Key / 5-4
Engine START/STOP button / 5-7
Manual transaxle / 5-11
Automatic transaxle / 5-14
Brake system / 5-20
Cruise control system / 5-30
Economical operation / 5-34
Special driving conditions / 5-36
Winter driving / 5-40
Trailer Towing / 5-43
Vehicle load limit / 5-50
Vehicle weight / 5-55
Driving your vehicle

Driving your vehicle
25
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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 car out.
If it is necessary to idle the engine for a prolonged period with people inside the car, be sure to do so only in an open area
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 lid 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
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Before 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.
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Necessary 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 sec-
tion 7, “Maintenance”.
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Before 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
car into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
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 judgment. Driving
while under the influence of drugs
is as dangerous or more dangerous
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.

Driving your vehicle
45
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Illuminated ignition switch
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
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LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect against
theft (if equipped). 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.
OMG045001
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
OMG045002

55
Driving your vehicle
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ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel is unlocked (if
equipped) and electrical accessories are
operative.
✽ ✽NOTICE
If difficulty is experienced in turning the
ignition switch to the ACC position, turn
the key while turning the steering wheel
right and left to release the tension.
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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.
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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 lamp can be checked in this
position.
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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 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 ignitionswitch, 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.
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.

Driving your vehicle
65
Starting the engine
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1. Make sure the parking brake isapplied.
2. Place the shift lever in P (Park). Depress the brake pedal fully.
You can also start the engine whenthe shift lever is in the N (Neutral)position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to START and
hold it there until the engine starts (a
maximum of 10 seconds), then
release the key.
4. In extremely cold weather (below -18°C / 0°F) or after the vehicle has
not been operated for several days, let
the engine warm up without depress-
ing the accelerator.
Whether the engine is cold or warm, itshould be started without depressingthe accelerator.
WARNING
Always wear appropriate shoes
when operating your vehicle.
Unsuitable shoes (high heels, ski
boots,etc.) may interfere with your
ability to use the brake and acceler-
ator pedal.
CAUTION
If the engine stalls while you are inmotion, do not attempt to move theshift lever to the P (Park) position. Iftraffic and road conditions permit,you may put the shift lever in the N (Neutral) position while the vehicleis still moving and turn the ignitionswitch to the START position in anattempt to restart the engine.
CAUTION
Do not engage the starter for morethan 10 seconds. If the engine stallsor fails to start, wait 5 to 10 secondsbefore re-engaging the starter.Improper use of the starter may damage it.

57
Driving your vehicle
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Illuminated engine start/stop but-
ton
Whenever the front door is opened, the
engine start/stop button will illuminate for
your convenience. The light will go off
immediately when the engine start/stop
button turns to the ON position or go off
after about 30 seconds when the door is
closed.
Engine start/stop button position
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OFF
To turn off the engine, press the engine
start/stop button with the engine
start/stop button ON and the shift lever in
P(Park). When you press the engine
start/stop button without the shift lever in
P(Park), the engine start/stop button
does not turn to the OFF position, but
turns to the ACC position.
✽ ✽NOTICE
When you turn off the engine, the vehi-
cle should be stopped.
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ACC(Accessory)
Press the engine start/stop button when
the button is in the OFF position.
Electrical accessories are operative.
If you leave the engine start/stop button
in the ACC position for more than 1 hour,
the engine is off automatically to prevent
the battery from discharging.
ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING
In an emergency situation while the
vehicle is moving, you can off the
engine and turn the engine
start/stop button to the ACC posi-
tion by pressing the engine
start/stop button for more than 3
seconds or 3 times successively. If
the vehicle is moving, you can
restart the engine without pressing
the brake pedal by pressing the
engine start/stop button with the
shift lever in N(Neutral).
OMG059003

Driving your vehicle
85
E030203ABH
ON
Press the engine start/stop button when
the button is in the ACC position.
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. Do not leave
the button in the ON position if the engine
is not running to prevent the battery from
discharging.
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START
To start the engine, press the brake
pedal and press the engine start/stop
button with the shift lever in the P(Park)
or the N(Normal) position.
✽ ✽NOTICE
• If you press the engine start/stop but-
ton without depressing the brake
pedal, the engine does not start and
the engine start/stop button changes
as follow :
OFF → →
ACC →
→
ON →
→
OFF
• If you leave the engine start/stop but- ton in the ACC or the ON position for
a long time, the battery may be dis-
charged.
E030205ABH
WARNING
Never press the engine start/stop
button for more than 3 seconds
or 3 times successively when the
vehicle is moving. This would
result in the engine turning off
and loss of power assist for the
steering and brakes, which may
lead to loss of directional control
and braking function, which
could cause an accident.
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 sud-
den 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 this area could
cause a 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.