2011 KIA Forte power steering fluid

15
Introduction
INDICATOR SYMBOLS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
A050000ATD-EC
Seat belt warning light
High beam indicator
Turn signal indicator
ABS warning light
Parking brake & Brake fluid
warning light
Engine oil pressure warning light
Charging system warning light
ESC indicator*
ESC OFF indicator*
Malfunction indicator*
Air bag warning light*
Cruise indicator*
Cruise SET indicator*
Low fuel level warning light
❈ For more detailed explanations, refer to “Instrument cluster” in section 4.
Door ajar warning light
Trunk lid (or tailgate) open
warning light
Front fog light indicator*
Engine coolant temperature
warning light*
Electric power steering (EPS)
system warning light*
Shift pattern indicator
* : if equipped ECOMINDER
TMindicator*ECO
Immobilizer indicator

Your vehicle at a glance
42
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1. Engine coolant reservoir ...................7-15
2. Engine oil filler cap ...........................7-13
3. Brake/clutch* fluid reservoir ..............7-17
4. Air cleaner.........................................7-20
5. Fuse box ...........................................7-39
6. Positive battery terminal ...................7-23
7. Negative battery terminal..................7-23
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir .....7-19
9. Radiator cap .....................................7-16
10. Engine oil dipstick ...........................7-13
11. Power steering fluid reservoir* ........7-18
* : if equipped
OTD071055N-1
B010000ATD
* The actual engine room in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.

Features of your vehicle
32
4
D130100AHM
Power steering (if equipped)
Power steering uses energy from the
engine to assist you in steering the vehi-
cle. If the engine is off or if the power
steering system becomes inoperative,
the vehicle may still be steered, but it will
require increased steering effort.
Should you notice any change in the
effort required to steer during normal
vehicle operation, have the power steer-
ing checked by an authorized KIA dealer.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
• If the power steering drive belt breaks
or if the power steering pump mal-
functions, the steering effort will
greatly increase.
• If the vehicle is parked for extended periods outside in cold weather (below
-10°C/14°F), the power steering may
require increased effort when the
engine is first started. This is caused
by increased fluid viscosity due to the
cold weather and does not indicate a
malfunction.
When this happens, increase the
engine RPM by depressing the accel-
erator until the RPM reaches 1,500
rpm then release or let the engine idle
for two or three minutes to warm up
the fluid.
D130200ATD
Electric power steering
(if equipped)
Power steering uses the motor to assist
you in steering the vehicle. If the engine
is off or if the power steering system
becomes inoperative, the vehicle may
still be steered, but it will require
increased steering effort.
The motor driven power steering is con-
trolled by the power steering control unit
which senses the steering wheel torque
and vehicle speed to command the
motor.
The steering wheel becomes heavier as
the vehicle’s speed increases and
becomes lighter as the vehicle’s speed
decreases for better control of the steer-
ing wheel.
Should you notice any change in the
effort required to steer during normal
vehicle operation, have the power steer-
ing checked by an authorized KIA dealer.
STEERING WHEEL
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme right or left for more than 5seconds with the engine running. Holding the steering wheel for morethan 5 seconds in either positionmay cause damage to the powersteering pump.

What to do in an emergency
18
6
F080301AUN-EU
Emergency towing precautions
Turn the ignition switch to ACC so the
steering wheel isn’t locked.
Place the transaxle shift lever in N (Neutral).
Release the parking brake.
Press the brake pedal with more force than normal since you will have
reduced brake performance.
More steering effort will be required because the power steering system
will be disabled.
If you are driving down a long hill, the brakes may overheat and brake per-
formance will be reduced. Stop often
and let the brakes cool off.
F080400ATD
Tie-down hook
(for flatbed towing, if equipped)
CAUTION - Automatictransaxle
If the car is being towed with all
four wheels on the ground, it canbe towed only from the front. Besure that the transaxle is in neu-tral. Be sure the steering is unlocked by placing the ignitionswitch in the ACC position. Adriver must be in the towed vehi-cle to operate the steering andbrakes.
To avoid serious damage to the automatic transaxle, limit thevehicle speed to 15 km/h (10 mph)and drive less than 1.5 km (1mile) when towing.
Before towing, check the auto- matic transaxle fluid leak underyour vehicle. If the automatic transaxle fluid is leaking, aflatbed equipment or towing dollymust be used.
WARNING
Do not use the tie-down hooks for
towing purposes. These hooks are
designed ONLY for transport tie-
down. If the tie-down hooks are
used for towing, the tie-down hooks
or front bumper will be damaged
and this could lead to serious
injury.
OTD069013N

7
Engine compartment / 7-2
Maintenance services / 7-3
Owner maintenance / 7-4
Maintenance schedule / 7-6
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items / 7-10
Engine oil / 7-13
Engine coolant / 7-14
Brake/clutch fluid / 7-17
Power steering fluid / 7-18
Automatic transaxle fluid / 7-19
Washer fluid / 7-19
Parking brake / 7-20
Air cleaner / 7-20
Climate control air filter / 7-21
Wiper blades / 7-21
Battery / 7-23
Tires and wheels / 7-26
Fuses / 7-39
Appearance care / 7-48
Emission control system / 7-54
Maintenance

Maintenance
27
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Brake/clutch* fluid reservoir
4. Air cleaner
5. Fuse box
6. Positive battery terminal
7. Negative battery terminal
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Radiator cap
10. Engine oil dipstick
11. Power steering fluid reservoir*
* : if equipped
OTD071055N-1
B010000ATD
* The actual engine room in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.

75
Maintenance
G030102ATD
While operating your vehicle:
Note any changes in the sound of theexhaust or any smell of exhaust fumes
in the vehicle.
Check for vibrations in the steering wheel. Notice any increased steering
effort or looseness in the steering
wheel, or change in its straight-ahead
position.
Notice if your vehicle constantly turns slightly or “pulls” to one side when trav-
eling on smooth, level road.
When stopping, listen and check for unusual sounds, pulling to one side,
increased brake pedal travel or “hard-
to-push” brake pedal.
If any slipping or changes in the oper- ation of your transaxle occurs, check
the transaxle fluid level.
Check the automatic transaxle P (Park) function.
Check the parking brake.
Check for fluid leaks under your vehicle (water dripping from the air condition-
ing system during or after use is nor-
mal).
G030103AHM
At least monthly:
Check the coolant level in the enginecoolant reservoir.
Check the operation of all exterior lights, including the stoplights, turn sig-
nals and hazard warning flashers.
Check the inflation pressures of all tires including the spare.
G030104AHM
At least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall) :
Check the radiator, heater and air con- ditioning hoses for leaks or damage.
Check the windshield washer spray and wiper operation. Clean the wiper
blades with clean cloth dampened with
washer fluid.
Check the headlight alignment.
Check the muffler, exhaust pipes, shields and clamps.
Check the lap/shoulder belts for wear and function.
Check for worn tires and loose wheel lug nuts.
G030105ATD
At least once a year :
Clean the body and door drain holes.
Lubricate the door hinges and checks,and hood hinges.
Lubricate the door and hood locks and latches.
Lubricate the door rubber weather- strips.
Check the air conditioning system.
Check the power steering fluid level.
Inspect and lubricate automatic transaxle linkage and controls.
Clean the battery and terminals.
Check the brake/clutch fluid level.

Maintenance
87
Chassis and body (Continued)
Kilometers or time in months, whichever comes first
× 1,000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96 104 112 120 128
# Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64
Automatic transaxle fluid* (1) I I I I I I IIIIIRI III
Chassis & underbody bolts & nuts I I I I I I IIIIIII III
Tire condition & inflation pressure I I I I I I IIIIIII III
Wheel alignment (4)
Tire rotation
Steering operation & linkage I I I I I I IIIIIII III
Power steering fluid & lines* I I I IIIII
Driveshaft dust boots I I I I I
Seat belts, buckles & anchors I I I I I I IIIIIII III
Lock, hinges & hood latch L L L L L L LLLLLLL LLL
MAINTENANCE
INTERVALS
MAINTENANCE
ITEM
Inspect when abnormal condition noted
Rotate the tires every 12,000 km
* : if equipped