2011 KIA VENGA towing

5
Before driving / 5-3 Key positions / 5-4Engine start/stop button / 5-8ISG(idle stop and go) system / 5-14Manual transaxle / 5-16Automatic transaxle / 5-19Brake system / 5-24
Cruise control system / 5-34
Speed limit control system / 5-38Economical operation / 5-40Special driving conditions / 5-42
Winter driving / 5-47
Trailer towing / 5-51
Vehicle weight / 5-59
Driving your vehicle
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521
Driving your vehicle
R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward. N (Neutral)
The wheels and transaxle are not locked.
The vehicle will roll freely even on the
slightest incline unless the parking brake
or service brakes are applied.D (Drive)
This is the normal forward driving posi-
tion. The transaxle will automatically shift
through a 4-gear sequence, providing the
best fuel economy and power.
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing grades, depress the
accelerator fully, at which time the
transaxle will automatically downshift to
the next lower gear.
✽✽
NOTICE
Always ensure vehicle is stationary, at a
complete stop, before selecting D (Drive).
3 (Third Gear, if equipped)
Move the shift lever to this position for
towing a trailer during hill climbing.
This position also provides engine brak-
ing when going down hills. 2 (Second Gear)
Use 2 (Second Gear) for more power
when climbing hills and for increased
braking when going down hills. This posi-tion also helps reduce wheel spin on slip-
pery surfaces. When the shift lever is
placed in 2 (Second Gear), the transaxlewill automatically shift from first to sec-
ond gear. 1 (First Gear)
Move the shift lever to this position in
hard pulling situations and for climbing
steep grades.
CAUTION
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into or out of R(Reverse); you may damage thetransaxle if you shift into R whilstthe vehicle is in motion, except as
explained in “Rocking the vehicle”in this section.
CAUTION
Do not exceed the recommendedmaximum speeds in 2 (SecondGear) or 1 (First Gear). Operating
the vehicle at speeds above themaximum recommended, for 2 (Second Gear) or 1 (First Gear) maycause excessive heat to develop
which could result in damage to or failure of the automatic transaxle.
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551
Driving your vehicle
If you are considering towing with your
vehicle, you should first check with your
country's Department of Motor Vehicles
to determine their legal requirements.
Since laws vary the requirements for tow-
ing trailers, cars, or other types of vehi-
cles or apparatus may differ. Ask an
authorised KIA dealer for further details
before towing.✽✽NOTICE - For Europe

553
Driving your vehicle
Safety chains
You should always attach chains
between your vehicle and your trailer.
Cross the safety chains under the nose
of the trailer so that the nose will not drop
to the road if it becomes separated from
the towbar hitch.
Instructions about safety chains may be
provided by the towbar hitch manufactur-
er or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow
the manufacturer’s recommendation for
attaching safety chains. Always leave just
enough slack so you can turn with your
trailer. And, never allow safety chains
drag on the ground.Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to your
country’s regulations and that it is prop-
erly installed and operating correctly.
If your trailer weighs more than the max-
imum trailer weight without trailer brakes
loaded, then it needs its own brakes and
they must be adequate. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust
and maintain them properly.
 Don’t tap into your vehicle's brake sys-
tem. Driving with a trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Before setting out
for the open road, you must get to know
your trailer. Acquaint yourself with the
feel of handling and braking with the
added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not
nearly so responsive as your vehicle is
by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer towbar
hitch and platform, safety chains, electri-
cal connector(s), lights, tyres and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer mov-
ing and then apply the trailer brake con-
troller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This lets you check your electri-
cal connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lights and trailer brakes are still working.
WARNING
- Trailer brakes
Do not use a trailer with its own
brakes unless you are absolutely
certain that you have properly set
up the brake system. This is not a
task for amateurs. Use an experi-
enced, competent trailer shop for
this work.
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Driving your vehicle
54
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Following distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehi-
cle ahead as you would when driving
your vehicle without a trailer. This can
help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up
ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And,
because of the increased vehicle length,
you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to
your lane.
Backing up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move your hand to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone guide
you.
Making turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so your
trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden manoeuvres. Signal well
in advance.
Turn signals when towing a trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has
to have a different turn signal flasher and
extra wiring. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you
signal a turn or lane change. Properly
connected, the trailer lights will also flash
to alert other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash for
turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signals
when, in fact, they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the trail-
er bulbs are still working. You must also
check the lights every time you discon-
nect and then reconnect the wires.
Do not connect a trailer lighting system
directly to your vehicle’s lighting system.
Use only an approved trailer wiring har-
ness. An authorised KIA dealer can assist you
in installing the wiring harness.Driving on grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you
might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer
operate efficiently.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around 70 km/h (45mph) to reduce the possibility of engine
and transaxle overheating.
If your trailer weighs more than the max-
imum trailer weight without trailer brakes
and you have an automatic transaxle,
you should drive in D (Drive) when tow-
ing a trailer.
Operating your vehicle in D (Drive) when
towing a trailer will minimize heat build up
and extend the life of your transaxle.
WARNING
Failure to use an approved trailer wiring harness could result in dam-
age to the vehicle electrical system
and/or personal injury.
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Driving your vehicle
Parking on hills
Generally, if you have a trailer attached to
your vehicle, you should not park your
vehicle on a hill. People can be seriously
or fatally injured, and both your vehicle
and the trailer can be damaged if unex-
pectedly roll down hill.
However, if you ever have to park your
trailer on a hill, here's how to do it:
1. Pull the vehicle into the parking space.Turn the steering wheel in the direction
of the curb (right if headed down hill,left if headed up hill).
2. If the vehicle has a manual transaxle, place the car in neutral. If the vehicle
has an automatic transaxle, place the
car in P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake and shut off the vehicle.
4. Place chocks under the trailer wheels on the down hill side of the wheels. 5. Start the vehicle, hold the brakes, shift
to neutral, release the parking brake
and slowly release the brakes until the
trailer chocks absorb the load.
6. Reapply the brakes, reapply the park- ing brake and shift the vehicle to R
(Reverse) for manual transaxle or P
(Park) for automatic transaxle.
7. Shut off the vehicle and release the vehicle brakes but leave the parking
brake set.CAUTION
 When towing a trailer on steep
grades (in excess of 6%) pay
close attention to the enginecoolant temperature gauge toensure the engine does not over- heat. If the coolant temperature
red warning light illuminates, pullover and stop as soon as it is safeto do so, and allow the engine to
idle until it cools down. You mayproceed once the engine hascooled sufficiently.
 You must decide the driving speed depending on trailer
weight and uphill grade to reduce the possibility of engine andtransaxle overheating.
WARNING - Parking on a
hill
Parking your vehicle on a hill with a
trailer attached could cause seri-
ous injury or death, should the trail-
er break loose.
WARNING - Parking brake
It can be dangerous to get out of
your vehicle if the parking brake is
not firmly set.
If you have left the engine running,
the vehicle can move suddenly. You
or others could be seriously or
fatally injured.
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Driving your vehicle
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When you are ready to leave after park- ing on a hill
1. With the manual transaxle in Neutral
or automatic transaxle in P (Park),
apply your brakes and hold the brake
pedal down whilst you:
 Start your engine;
 Shift into gear; and
 Release the parking brake.
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. 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 towbar hitch. Follow the mainte-
nance schedule that accompanied your
trailer and check it periodically.
Preferably, conduct the check at the start
of each day’s driving. Most importantly,
all towbar hitch nuts and bolts should betight.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 to improve engine performancewhen towing a trailer.
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Driving your vehicle
If you do decide to pull a trailer
Here are some important points if you
decide to pull a trailer:
 Consider using a sway control. You canask a towbar hitch dealer about sway control.
 Do not do any towing with your car dur- ing its first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) in
order to allow the engine to properly
break in. Failure to heed this caution
may result in serious engine or
transaxle damage.
 When towing a trailer, be sure to con- sult an authorised KIA dealer for fur-
ther information on additional require-
ments such as a towing kit, etc.
 Always drive your vehicle at a moder- ate speed (less than 100 km/h / 60
mph). If your vehicle is a commercial
vehicle, drive less than 80 km/h.
 On a long uphill grade, do not exceed 70 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower.
 The chart contains important consider- ations that have to do with weight: M/T : Manual transaxle
A/T : Automatic transaxleEngine
Item Petrol Engine Diesel Engine
1.4
Engine
1.6 Engine1.4
Engine
1.6
EngineM/T A/T
Maximum trailer weight kg (Ibs.)
Without brakeSystem 550
(1213) 550
(1213)
550
(1213) 550
(1213) 550
(1213)
With brake System 1300
(2866) 1300
(2866)
1100
(2425) 1300
(2866) 1300
(2866)
Maximum permissible static
vertical load on the coupling
device kg (Ibs.) 75
(165)
Recommended distance
from rear wheel centre tocoupling point mm (inch) 768
(30.2)
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