2011 KIA PICANTO brake fluid

Introduction
6
1
INDICATOR SYMBOLS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Seat belt warning light
High beam indicator
Passenger’s front air bag OFF indicator (if equipped)
Turn signal indicator
ABS warning light (if equipped)
Parking brake & Brake fluid warning light
Engine oil pressure warning light
ESP indicator (if equipped)
ESP OFF indicator (if equipped)
Malfunction indicator (if equipped)
Air bag warning light (if equipped)
Immobilizer indicator (if equipped)
Low fuel level warning light
Glow indicator (Diesel only)
Fuel filter warning light (Diesel only)
* For more detailed explanations, refer to “Instrument cluster” in section 4.
Charging system warning light
A050000ASA
Door ajar warning light
Overspeed warning light (if equipped)
120km/h
Tailgate open warning light
Electric Power Steering (EPS) system warning light (if equipped)
EPS
Engine coolant temperature indicator

Your vehicle at a glance
4
2
ENGINE COMPARTMENT B030000ASA
OSA010003-2
■■
Gasoline Engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir ...................7-25
2. Engine oil filler cap ...........................7-24
3. Brake fluid reservoir ..........................7-27
4. Air cleaner.........................................7-34
5. Fuse box ...........................................7-52
6. Negative battery terminal..................7-39
7. Positive battery terminal ...................7-39
8. Automatic transaxle fluid dipstick* ....7-29
9. Radiator cap .....................................7-25
10. Engine oil dipstick ...........................7-23
11. Windshield washer fluid reservoir ...7-31
* : if equipped
* The actual engine compartment in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.

25
Your vehicle at a glance
OSA077002
■
■
Diesel Engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir ..................7-25
2. Engine oil filler cap ...........................7-24
3. Brake fluid reservoir .........................7-27
4. Fuel filter ..........................................7-32
5. Air cleaner ........................................7-34
6. Fuse box ..........................................7-52
7. Negative battery terminal .................7-39
8. Positive battery terminal ...................7-39
9. Radiator cap .....................................7-25
10. Engine oil dipstick ..........................7-23
11. Windshield washer fluid reservoir ..7-31
* The actual engine compartment in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.

433
Features of your vehicle
D150307AUN
Engine oil pressure warning light
This warning light indicates the engine oil
pressure is low.
If the warning light illuminates while driv- ing:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and stop.
2. With the engine off, check the engine oil level. If the level is low, add oil as required.
If the warning light remains on after
adding oil or if oil is not available, call an
authorized KIA dealer. D150308ASA
Parking brake & brake fluid
warning light
Parking brake warning
This light is illuminated when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch in
the START or ON position. The warning
light should go off when the parking
brake is released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the warning light remains on, it may
indicate that the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is low.
If the warning light remains on:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. With the engine stopped, check the brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required. Then check all brake
components for fluid leaks.
CAUTION
If the engine is not stopped imme-
diately after the engine oil pressure
warning light is illuminated, severe damage could result.
CAUTION
If the oil pressure warning lightstays on while the engine is run-
ning, serious engine damage mayresult. The oil pressure warninglight comes on whenever there is insufficient oil pressure. In normal
operation, it should come on whenthe ignition switch is turned on,then go out when the engine is
started. If the oil pressure warninglight stays on while the engine isrunning, there is a serious malfunc-tion.
If this happens, stop the car assoon as it is safe to do so, turn off the engine and check the oil level. Ifthe oil level is low, fill the engine oilto the proper level and start the
engine again. If the light stays onwith the engine running, turn theengine off immediately. In anyinstance where the oil light stays on
when the engine is running, theengine should be checked by anauthorized KIA dealer before the car is driven again.

Features of your vehicle
34
4
3. Do not drive the vehicle if leaks are
found, the warning light remains on or
the brakes do not operate properly.
Have the vehicle towed to any author-
ized KIA dealer for a brake system
inspection and necessary repairs.
To check bulb operation, check whether
the parking brake and brake fluid warning
light illuminates when the ignition switchis in the ON position. Low brake vacuum pressure warning
(diesel engine only)
If the warning light remains on, it may
indicate that the brake vacuum pump has
a problem. Therefore you should avoid
high speed driving or sudden stop, and
you should depress the brake pedaldeeper and harder than usual when
braking. Make sure you have the brake
system checked and repaired by an
authorized KIA dealer.D150313AUNCharging system warning
light
This warning light indicates a malfunction
of either the generator or electricalcharging system.
If the warning light comes on while the
vehicle is in motion:
1. Drive to the nearest safe location.
2. With the engine off, check the genera- tor drive belt for looseness or break-
age.
3. If the belt is adjusted properly, a prob- lem exists somewhere in the electrical
charging system. Have an authorized
KIA dealer correct the problem as
soon as possible.
WARNING
Driving the vehicle with a warning
light on is dangerous. If the brake
warning light remains on, have the
brakes checked and repaired imme-
diately by an authorized KIA dealer.WARNING
Continuous braking while driving on steep or long downhill may
cause to descend the vacuum
level in brake booster for a time
and turn on the warning light. In
this case, shift down the
transaxle. If the warning light illu-
minate continuously, stop the
vehicle in the safe location andwait until the warning light goes
off.
Driving the vehicle with a warn- ing light on is dangerous. If thebrake warning light remains on,
have the brakes checked and
repaired immediately by an
authorized KIA dealer.

53
Driving your vehicle
E020100AUN
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.
E020200AUN
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”.
E020300AUN
Before starting
Close and lock all doors.
Position the seat so that all controls are easily 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. Drivingwhile under the influence of drugs
is as dangerous or more dangerousthan 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 driveror 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.

535
Driving your vehicle
E120600AUN
To keep locks from freezing
To keep the locks from freezing, squirt an
approved de-icer fluid or glycerine into
the key opening. If a lock is covered with
ice, squirt it with an approved de-icing
fluid to remove the ice. If the lock is
frozen internally, you may be able to thaw
it out by using a heated key. Handle the
heated key with care to avoid injury.
E120700AUN
Use approved window washer
anti-freeze in system
To keep the water in the window washer
system from freezing, add an approved
window washer anti-freeze solution in
accordance with instructions on the con-
tainer. Window washer anti-freeze is
available from an authorized KIA dealer
and most auto parts outlets. Do not useengine coolant or other types of anti-
freeze as these may damage the paintfinish.E120800AUN
Don't let your parking brake
freeze
Under some conditions your parking
brake can freeze in the engaged position.
This is most likely to happen when there
is an accumulation of snow or ice around
or near the rear brakes or if the brakes
are wet. If there is a risk the parking
brake may freeze, apply it only temporar-
ily while you put the gear selector lever in
P (automatic transaxle) or in first or
reverse gear (manual transaxle) and
block the rear wheels so the car cannot
roll. Then release the parking brake.
E120900AUN
Don't let ice and snow accumu- late underneath
Under some conditions, snow and ice
can build up under the fenders and inter-
fere with the steering. When driving in
severe winter conditions where this may
happen, you should periodically check
underneath the car to be sure the move-
ment of the front wheels and the steering
components is not obstructed.E121000ASA
Carry emergency equipment
Depending on the severity of the weath-
er, you should carry appropriate emer-
gency equipment. Some of the items you
may want to carry include tire chains, tow
straps or chains, flashlight, emergency
flares, sand, shovel, jumper cables, win-
dow scraper, gloves, ground cloth, cover-
alls, blanket, etc.

541
Driving your vehicle
When you are ready to leave after park-
ing on a hill
1. With the manual transaxle in Neutralor automatic transaxle in P (Park),
apply your brakes and hold the brake
pedal down while you:

and

2. Slowly remove your foot from the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks. E140500ASA
Maintenance when trailer towing
Your vehicle will need service more often
when you regularly pull a trailer.
Important items to pay particular atten-tion to include engine oil, automatic
transaxle fluid, axle lubricant and cooling
system fluid. Brake condition is another
important item to frequently check. Each
item is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you find them quickly. If
you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review
these sections before you start your trip.
Don’t forget to also maintain your trailer
and hitch. Follow the maintenance
schedule that accompanied your trailer
and check it periodically. Preferably, con-
duct the check at the start of each day’s
driving. Most importantly, all hitch nutsand bolts should be tight.CAUTION
Due to higher load during trailer
usage, overheating might occur
in hot days or during uphill driv- ing. If the coolant gauge indicatesover-heating, switch off the A/Cand stop the vehicle in a safe area
to cool down the engine.
When towing, check the transaxle fluid more frequently.
If your vehicle is not equipped with an air conditioner, you
should install a condenser fan toimprove engine performancewhen towing a trailer.