2012 KIA Forte Owner's Manual

Introduction
21
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We want to help you get the greatest
possible driving pleasure from your vehi-
cle. Your Owner’s Manual can assist you
in many ways. We strongly recommend
that you read the entire manual. In order
to minimize the chance of death or injury,
you must read the WARNING and CAU-
TION sections in the manual.
Illustrations complement the words in this
manual to best explain how to enjoy your
vehicle. By reading your manual, you will
learn about features, important safety
information, and driving tips under vari-
ous road conditions.The general layout of the manual is pro-
vided in the Table of Contents. Use the
index when looking for a specific area or
subject; it has an alphabetical listing of all
information in your manual.
Sections: This manual has eight sections
plus an index. Each section begins with a
brief list of contents so you can tell at a
glance if that section has the information
you want.
You will find various WARNINGs,
CAUTIONs, and NOTICEs in this manu-
al. These WARNINGs were prepared to
enhance your personal safety. You should
carefully read and follow ALL procedures
and recommendations provided in these
WARNINGS, CAUTIONS and NOTICES.
✽ ✽


NOTICE
A NOTICE indicates interesting or help-
ful information is being provided.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in
which harm, serious bodily injury or
death could result if the warning is
ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in
which damage to your vehicle couldresult if the caution is ignored.

13
Introduction
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Your new KIA vehicle is designed to use
only unleaded fuel having a pump octane
number ((R+M)/2) of 87 (Research
Octane Number 91) or higher.
Your new vehicle is designed to obtain
maximum performance with UNLEADED
FUEL, as well as minimize exhaust emis-
sions and spark plug fouling.
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Gasoline containing alcohol andmethanol
Gasohol, a mixture of gasoline and
ethanol (also known as grain alcohol),
and gasoline or gasohol containing
methanol (also known as wood alcohol)
are being marketed along with or instead
of leaded or unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasohol containing more than
10% ethanol, and do not use gasoline or
gasohol containing any methanol. Either
of these fuels may cause drivability prob-
lems and damage to the fuel system.
Discontinue using gasohol of any kind if
drivability problems occur.
Vehicle damage or drivability problems
may not be covered by the manufactur-
er’s warranty if they result from the use
of:
1. Gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.
2. Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.
3. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol. "E85" fuel is an alternative fuel com-
prised of 85 percent ethanol and 15 per-
cent gasoline, and is manufactured
exclusively for use in Flexible Fuel
Vehicles. “E85” is not compatible with
your vehicle. Use of “E85” may result in
poor engine performance and damage to
your vehicle's engine and fuel system.
KIA recommends that customers do not
use fuel with an ethanol content exceed-
ing 10 percent.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
CAUTION
Never add any fuel system cleaning
agents to the fuel tank other thanwhat has been specified. (Consultan authorized KIA dealer fordetails.)
WARNING
• Do not "top off" after the nozzle automatically shuts off when
refueling.
Tighten the cap until it clicks, oth- erwise the Check Engine
light will illuminate.
Always check that the fuel cap is installed securely to prevent fuel
spillage in the event of an acci-
dent.
CAUTION
Never use gasohol which containsmethanol. Discontinue use of anygasohol product which impairs dri-vability.
CAUTION
Your New Vehicle Limited Warrantydoes not cover damage to the fuel system or any performance prob-lems caused by the use of “E85” fuel.

Introduction
41
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Use of MTBE
KIA recommends avoiding fuels contain-
ing MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)
over 15.0% vol. (Oxygen Content 2.7%
weight) in your vehicle.
Fuel containing MTBE over 15.0% vol.
(Oxygen Content 2.7% weight) may
reduce vehicle performance and produce
vapor lock or hard starting.
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Do not use methanol
Fuels containing methanol (wood alco-
hol) should not be used in your vehicle.
This type of fuel can reduce vehicle per-
formance and damage components of
the fuel system.
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Gasolines for cleaner air
To help contribute to cleaner air, KIA rec-
ommends that you use gasolines treated
with detergent additives, which help pre-
vent deposit formation in the engine.
These gasolines will help the engine run
cleaner and enhance performance of the
Emission Control System.
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Operation in foreign countries
If you are going to drive your vehicle in
another country, be sure to:
Observe all regulations regarding reg-istration and insurance.
Determine that acceptable fuel is avail- able.
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No special break-in period is needed. By
following a few simple precautions for the
first 1,000 km (600 miles) you may add to
the performance, economy and life of
your vehicle.
Do not race the engine.
While driving, keep your engine speed(rpm, or revolutions per minute)
between 2,000 rpm and 4,000 rpm.
Do not maintain a single speed for long periods of time, either fast or slow.
Varying engine speed is needed to
properly break-in the engine.
Avoid hard stops, except in emergen- cies, to allow the brakes to seat prop-
erly.
Don't let the engine idle longer than 3 minutes at one time.
Don't tow a trailer during the first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) of operation.
CAUTION
Your New Vehicle Limited Warrantymay not cover damage to the fuelsystem and any performance prob-lems that are caused by the use of fuels containing methanol or fuelscontaining MTBE (Methyl TertiaryButyl Ether) over 15.0% vol.(Oxygen Content 2.7% weight.)
VEHICLE BREAK-IN PROCESS

15
Introduction
INDICATOR SYMBOLS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
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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

2
Interior overview / 2-2
Instrument panel overview / 2-3
Engine compartment / 2-4
Your vehicle at a glance

Your vehicle at a glance
22
INTERIOR OVERVIEW
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1. Door lock/unlock button ....................4-13
2. Outside rearview mirror control switch* ...............................................4-37
3. Power window lock button* ...............4-21
4. Central door lock switch* ..................4-13
5. Power window switches* ...................4-20
6. Instrument panel illumination control knob* .................................................4-40
7. ESC OFF button* ..............................5-28
8. Front wiper deicer button*.................4-68
9. Steering wheel tilt lever* ...................4-33
10. Hood release lever .........................4-23
11. Clutch pedal* ....................................5-9
12. Brake pedal .....................................5-23
13. Accelerator pedal ..............................5-9
14. Trunk lid release lever (4 door, 2 door) ...............................4-16
15. Fuel filler lid release lever ...............4-25
* : if equipped
OTD019001N

23
Your vehicle at a glance
INSTRUMENT PANEL OVERVIEW
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1. Instrument cluster .............................4-39
2. Light control / Turn signals ................4-59
3. Wiper/Washer ...................................4-63
4. Horn ..................................................4-34
5. Steering wheel audio control* ...........4-95
6. Auto cruise control*...........................5-33
7. Driver’s air bag ..................................3-47
8. Advanced lighting speaker switch* ...4-96
9. Steering wheel ..................................4-32
10. Ignition switch* or ENGINE START/STOP button*...5-4/5-6
11. Digital clock .....................................4-92
12. Hazard ......................................4-58/6-2
13. Audio* .............................................4-94
14. Climate control system ...................4-69
15. Shift lever ................................5-12/5-15
16. Aux, USB and iPod port* ................4-97
17. Power outlet* ...................................4-91
18. Seat warmer* ....................................3-7
19. Passenger’s air bag ........................3-47
20. Glove box ........................................4-88
* : if equipped

Your vehicle at a glance
42
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1. Engine coolant reservoir ...................7-26
2. Engine oil filler cap ...........................7-24
3. Brake/clutch* fluid reservoir ..............7-28
4. Air cleaner.........................................7-31
5. Fuse box ...........................................7-50
6. Positive battery terminal ...................7-34
7. Negative battery terminal..................7-34
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir .....7-30
9. Radiator cap .....................................7-27
10. Engine oil dipstick ...........................7-24
11. Power steering fluid reservoir* ........7-29
* : if equipped
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* The actual engine room in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.