2012 KIA Forte oil

Driving your vehicle
42
5
E110700AUN
Highway driving
Tires
Adjust the tire inflation pressures to
specification. Low tire inflation pressures
will result in overheating and possible
failure of the tires.
Avoid using worn or damaged tires which
may result in reduced traction or tire fail-
ure.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
Never exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure shown on the tires.
Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil
High speed travel consumes more fuel
than urban motoring. Do not forget to
check both the engine coolant and
engine oil.
Drive belt
A loose or damaged drive belt may over-
heat the engine.
WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated
tires can cause poor handling,
loss of vehicle control, and sud-
den tire failure leading to acci-
dents, injuries, and even death.
Always check the tires for proper
inflation before driving. For prop-
er tire pressures, refer to “Tires
and wheels” in section 8.
Driving on tires with no or insuffi- cient tread is dangerous. Worn-
out tires can result in loss of
vehicle control, collisions, injury,
and even death. Worn-out tires
should be replaced as soon as
possible and should never be
used for driving. Always check
the tire tread before driving your
vehicle. For further information
and tread limits, refer to “Tires
and wheels” in section 7.

Driving your vehicle
44
5
E120200AUN
Use high quality ethylene glycol
coolant
Your vehicle is delivered with high quality
ethylene glycol coolant in the cooling
system. It is the only type of coolant that
should be used because it helps prevent
corrosion in the cooling system, lubri-
cates the water pump and prevents
freezing. Be sure to replace or replenish
your coolant in accordance with the
maintenance schedule in section 7.
Before winter, have your coolant tested to
assure that its freezing point is sufficient
for the temperatures anticipated during
the winter.
E120300AUN
Check battery and cables
Winter puts additional burdens on the
battery system. Visually inspect the bat-
tery and cables as described in section
7. The level of charge in your battery can
be checked by an authorized KIA dealer
or a service station.
E120400BUN
Change to "winter weight" oil if
necessary
In some climates it is recommended that
a lower viscosity "winter weight" oil be
used during cold weather. See section 8
for recommendations. If you aren't sure
what weight oil you should use, consult
an authorized KIA dealer.
E120500AUN
Check spark plugs and ignition
system
Inspect your spark plugs as described in
section 7 and replace them if necessary.
Also check all ignition wiring and compo-
nents to be sure they are not cracked,
worn or damaged in any way.
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 use
engine coolant or other types of anti-
freeze as these may damage the paint
finish.

63
What to do in an emergency
3. Have all passengers get out of thevehicle. Be sure they all get out on the
side of the vehicle that is away from
traffic.
4. When changing a flat tire, follow the instruction provided later in this sec-
tion.
F020300AHM
If engine stalls while driving
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the
road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try to start the engine again. If your vehicle will not start, contact an
authorized KIA dealer or seek other
qualified assistance.
F030100APB
If the engine doesn't turn over or
turns over slowly
1. If your vehicle has an automatictransaxle, be sure the shift lever is in N
(Neutral) or P (Park) and the emer-
gency brake is set.
2. Check the battery connections to be sure they are clean and tight.
3. Turn on the interior light. If the light dims or goes out when you operate the
starter, the battery is discharged.
4. Check the starter connections to be sure they are securely tightened.
5. Do not push or pull the vehicle to start it. See instructions for "Jump starting".
F030200AHM
If engine turns over normally but
does not start
1. Check fuel level.
2. With the ignition switch in the LOCKposition, check all connectors at the
ignition coil and spark plugs.
Reconnect any that may be discon-
nected or loose.
3. Check the fuel line in the engine com- partment.
4. If the engine still does not start, call an authorized KIA dealer or seek other
qualified assistance.
IF THE ENGINE WILL NOT START
WARNING
If the engine will not start, do not
push or pull the vehicle to start it.
This could result in a collision or
cause other damage. In addition,
push or pull starting may cause the
catalytic converter to overload and
create a fire hazard.

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.

77
Maintenance
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
The following maintenance services must be performed to ensure good emission control and performance. Keep receipts for all
vehicle emission services to protect your warranty. Where both kilometrage and time are shown, the frequency of service is deter-
mined by whichever occurs first.
24,000 km (15,000 miles) or 12 months
❑Rotate tires - including tire pressure and tread wear
(Every 12,000 km or 12 months)
❑ Inspect air cleaner filter
❑Inspect power steering fluid and lines (if equipped)
❑Inspect power steering pump, belt and hoses (if equipped)
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑Inspect air conditioning refrigerant
❑Inspect brake lines, hoses and connections (including booster)
❑Inspect drive shafts and boots
(Continued)
(Continued)
❑Inspect exhaust pipe and muffler
❑Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
❑Inspect rear brake disc/pads
❑Inspect steering gear box, linkage & boots/lower arm ball joint,
upper arm ball joint
❑ Inspect suspension mounting bolts
❑Replace climate control air filter (if equipped)
❑Replace engine oil and filter
(24,000 km (15,000 miles) or 24 months)
❑ Inspect battery condition
❑Inspect cooling system hoses and connections
❑Inspect clutch (if equipped) and brake pedal free play
❑Inspect all latch, hinges and locks
❑Add fuel additive *3 (24,000 km (15,000 miles) or 24 months)
12,000 km (7,500 miles) or 6 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
(12,000 km (7,500 miles) or 12 months)
❑ Inspect battery condition
❑Inspect cooling system hoses and connections
❑Inspect clutch (if equipped) and brake pedal free play
❑Add fuel additive *3 (12,000 km (7,500 miles) or 12 months)
*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.

Maintenance
87
36,000 km (22,500 miles) or 18 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
(36,000 km (22,500 miles) or 36 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
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 24 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
(Continued)
(Continued)
❑Inspect power steering fluid and lines (if equipped)
❑Inspect power steering pump, belt and hoses (if equipped)
❑ Inspect rear brake disc/pads
❑Inspect parking brake
❑Inspect steering gear box, linkage & boots/lower arm ball joint,
upper arm ball joint
❑Inspect suspension mounting bolts
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑Replace air cleaner filter
❑ Replace climate control air filter (if equipped)
❑Replace engine oil and filter
(48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 48 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 all latch, hinges and locks
*1: Fuel filter & Fuel tank air filter are considered to be maintenance free\
but peri-
odic inspection is recommended for this maintenance schedule depends on
fuel quality. If there are some important safety matters like fuel flow restric-
tion, surging, loss of power, hard starting problem etc, replace the fuel filter
immediately regardless of maintenance schedule and consult an authorized
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.