2012 KIA Forte engine coolant

7
Engine compartment / 7-2
Maintenance services / 7-3
Owner maintenance / 7-4
Maintenance schedule / 7-6
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items / 7-21
Engine oil / 7-24
Engine coolant / 7-25
Brake/clutch fluid / 7-28
Power steering fluid / 7-29
Automatic transaxle fluid / 7-30
Washer fluid / 7-30
Parking brake / 7-31
Air cleaner / 7-31
Climate control air filter / 7-32
Wiper blades / 7-32
Battery / 7-34
Tires and wheels / 7-37
Fuses / 7-50
Appearance care / 7-59
Emission control system / 7-65
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.

Maintenance
47
G030000AUN
The following lists are vehicle checks and
inspections that should be performed by
the owner or an authorized KIA dealer at
the frequencies indicated to help ensure
safe, dependable operation of your vehi-
cle.
Any adverse conditions should be
brought to the attention of your dealer as
soon as possible.
These Owner Maintenance Checks are
generally not covered by warranties and
you may be charged for labor, parts and
lubricants used.Owner maintenance schedule
G030101AHM
When you stop for fuel:
Check the engine oil level.
Check the coolant level in coolantreservoir.
Check the windshield washer fluid level.
Look for low or under-inflated tires.
WARNING- Maintenance work
Performing maintenance work on
a vehicle can be dangerous. You
can be seriously injured while
performing some maintenance
procedures. If you lack sufficient
knowledge and experience or the
proper tools and equipment to do
the work, have it done by an
authorized KIA dealer.
Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It
becomes even more dangerous
when you wear jewelry or loose
clothing. These can become
entangled in moving parts and
result in injury. Therefore, if you
must run the engine while work-
ing under the hood, make certain
that you remove all jewelry (espe-
cially rings, bracelets, watches,
and necklaces) and all neckties,
scarves, and similar loose cloth-
ing before getting near the
engine or cooling fans.
OWNER MAINTENANCE
WARNING
Be careful when checking your
engine coolant level when the
engine is hot. Scalding hot coolant
and steam may blow out under
pressure. This could cause burns
or other serious injury.

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.

15
Maintenance
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
180,000 km (112,500 miles) or 90 months
❑Rotate tires - including tire pressure and tread wear
(Every 12,000 km or 12 months)
❑ Inspect air cleaner filter
❑Inspect vacuum hose
❑Replace engine oil and filter
(180,000 km (112,500 miles) or 180 months)
❑ Inspect add fuel additive (12,000 or 12 months) *3
❑Inspect battery condition
❑Inspect cooling system hoses and connections
❑Inspect clutch (if equipped) and brake pedal free play
❑Inspect manual transaxle fluid (if equipped)
(Every 60,000 km or 48 months)
192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 96 months
❑Rotate tires - including tire pressure and tread wear
(Every 12,000 km or 12 months)
❑ Inspect air conditioning refrigerant
❑Inspect brake fluid / clutch (if equipped) fluid
❑ Inspect brake lines, hoses and connections (including booster)
❑Inspect drive shafts and boots
❑Inspect exhaust pipe and muffler
❑Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
❑Inspect fuel filter *1
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, canister, fuel lines, fuel hoses, connections
and vapor hose
(Continued)
(Continued)
❑ Inspect fuel tank air filter (if equipped) *1
❑Inspect parking brake
❑Inspect power steering fluid and lines (if equipped)
❑Inspect power steering pump, belt and hoses (if equipped)
❑ Inspect rear brake disc/pads
❑Inspect steering gear box, linkage & boots/lower arm ball joint,
upper arm ball joint
❑ Inspect suspension mounting bolts
❑Inspect vacuum hose
❑Inspect vapor hose and fuel filler cap
❑Inspect valve clearance *2
❑Replace air cleaner filter
❑Replace climate control air filter (if equipped)
❑Replace engine coolant *5(First, 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or
120 months after every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 24 months)
(Continued)
*1: Fuel filter & Fuel tank air filter are considered to be maintenance free\
but periodic inspection is recommended for this maintenance schedule depends
on fuel quality. If there are some important safety matters like fuel flow
restriction, surging, loss of power, hard starting problem etc, replace the fuel
filter immediately regardless of maintenance schedule and consult an aut\
hor-
ized KIA dealer for details.
*
2: Inspect for excessive tappet noise and/or engine vibration and adjust if nec- essary.
*
3: If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is not available, one bottle of additive is rec- ommended. Additives are available from your authorized KIA dealer along
with information on how to use them. Do not mix other additives.
*
5: When replacing coolant, use only a qualified coolant additive for your vehicle and never mix hard water in the coolant filled at the factory. An improper
coolant mixture can result in serious malfunction or engine damage.
7

Maintenance
18
7
240,000 km (150,000 miles) or 120 months
❑ Rotate tires - including tire pressure and tread wear
(Every 12,000 km or 12 months)
❑ Inspect air conditioning refrigerant
❑Inspect brake fluid / clutch (if equipped) fluid
❑ Inspect brake lines, hoses and connections (including booster)
❑Inspect drive shafts and boots
❑Inspect exhaust pipe and muffler
❑Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
❑Inspect fuel filter *1
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, canister, fuel lines, fuel hoses, connections
and vapor hose
❑ Inspect fuel tank air filter (if equipped) *1
❑Inspect power steering fluid and lines (if equipped)
❑Inspect power steering pump, belt and hoses (if equipped)
❑ Inspect parking brake
❑Inspect rear brake disc/pads
❑Inspect steering gear box, linkage & boots/lower arm ball joint,
upper arm ball joint
❑ Inspect suspension mounting bolts
❑Inspect vacuum hose
❑Replace climate control air filter (if equipped)
❑Replace air cleaner filter
❑Replace engine oil and filter
(240,000 km (150,000 miles) or 240 months)
(Continued)
(Continued)
❑Replace engine coolant *5(First, 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or
120 months after every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 24 months)
❑ Inspect drive belt *4
(First, 96,000 km or 72 months
after every 24,000 km or 24 months)
❑ Inspect add fuel additive (12,000 or 12 months) *3
❑Inspect battery condition
❑Inspect cooling system hoses and connections
❑Inspect clutch (if equipped) and brake pedal free play
❑Inspect manual transaxle fluid (if equipped)
(Every 60,000 km or 48 months)
❑ Inspect all latch, hinges and locks
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
No check, No service required
❑Automatic transaxle fluid
*1: Fuel filter & Fuel tank air filter are considered to be maintenance free\
but
periodic inspection is recommended for this maintenance schedule depends
on fuel quality. If there are some important safety matters like fuel flow
restriction, surging, loss of power, hard starting problem etc, replace the fuel
filter immediately regardless of maintenance schedule and consult an aut\
hor-
ized KIA dealer for details.
*
3: If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is not available, one bottle of additive is rec- ommended. Additives are available from your authorized KIA dealer along
with information on how to use them. Do not mix other additives.
*
4: The drive belt should be replaced when cracks occur or tension is reduced excessively.
*
5: When replacing coolant, use only a qualified coolant additive for your vehicle
and never mix hard water in the coolant filled at the factory. An improper
coolant mixture can result in serious malfunction or engine damage.

Maintenance
22
7
G050800AUN
Air cleaner filter
A Genuine KIA air cleaner filter is recom-
mended when the filter is replaced.
G050900AUN
Spark plugs
Make sure to install new spark plugs of
the correct heat range.
G051000AHM
Valve clearance (if equipped)
Inspect for excessive valve noise and/or
engine vibration and adjust if necessary.
An authorized KIA dealer should perform
the operation.
G051100AHM
Cooling system
Check the cooling system components,
such as the radiator, coolant reservoir,
hoses and connections for leakage and
damage. Replace any damaged parts.
G051200AUN
Coolant
The coolant should be changed at the
intervals specified in the maintenance
schedule.
G051300AUN
Manual transaxle fluid
(if equipped)
Inspect the manual transaxle fluid
according to the maintenance schedule.
Automatic transaxle fluid
(if equipped)
Automatic transaxle fluid should not be
checked under normal usage conditions.
But in severe conditions, the fluid should
be changed at an authorized KIA dealer
in accordance to the scheduled mainte-
nance at the beginning of this chapter.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
Automatic transaxle fluid color is basi-
cally red.
As the vehicle is driven, the automatic
transaxle fluid will begin to look darker.
This is a normal condition and you
should not judge the need to replace the
fluid based upon the changed color.
G051500AUN
Brake hoses and lines
Visually check for proper installation,
chafing, cracks, deterioration and any
leakage. Replace any deteriorated or
damaged parts immediately.
G051600AAM
Brake/Clutch (if equipped) fluid
Check the brake fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir. The level should be
between “MIN” and “MAX” marks on the
side of the reservoir. Use only hydraulic
brake fluid conforming to DOT 3 or DOT
4 specification.
G051700ATD
Parking brake
Inspect the parking brake system includ-
ing the parking brake lever and cables.
CAUTION - Specified fluid
The use of a non-specified fluid
could result in transaxle malfunc-tion and failure.
Use only specified automatictransaxle fluid. (Refer to“Recommended lubricants andcapacities” in section 8.)

725
Maintenance
ENGINE COOLANT
G060200AHM
Changing the engine oil and filter
Have engine oil and filter changed by an
authorized KIA dealer according to the
Maintenance Schedule at the beginning
of this section.
G070000APB
The high-pressure cooling system has a
reservoir filled with year-round antifreeze
coolant. The reservoir is filled at the fac-
tory.
Check the antifreeze protection and
coolant level at least once a year, at the
beginning of the winter season, and
before traveling to a colder climate.
G070100ATD
Checking the coolant level
WARNING
Removing radiator
cap
Never attempt to remove the radi-ator cap while the engine is oper-
ating or hot. Doing so might lead
to cooling system and engine
damage. Also, hot coolant or
steam could cause serious per-
sonal injury.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Turn the engine off and wait untilit cools down. Use extreme care
when removing the radiator cap.
Wrap a thick towel around it, and
turn it counterclockwise slowly to
the first stop. Step back while the
pressure is released from the
cooling system. When you are
sure all the pressure has been
released, press down on the cap,
using a thick towel, and continue
turning counterclockwise to
remove it.
Even if the engine is not operat- ing, do not remove the radiator
cap or the drain plug while the
engine and radiator are hot. Hot
coolant and steam may still blow
out under pressure, causing seri-
ous injury.
WARNING
Used engine oil may cause skin irri-
tation or cancer if left in contact
with the skin for prolonged periods
of time. Used engine oil contains
chemicals that have caused cancer
in laboratory animals. Always pro-
tect your skin by washing your
hands thoroughly with soap and
warm water as soon as possible
after handling used oil.