2012 KIA Forte Owner's Manual

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.

719
Maintenance
MAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE USAGE CONDITIONS
The following items must be serviced more frequently on cars normally used under severe driving conditions. Refer to the chart
below for the appropriate maintenance intervals.
R : Replace I : Inspect and, after inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if neces\
sary
MAINTENANCE ITEMMAINTENANCEOPERATIONMAINTENANCE INTERVALSDRIVING
CONDITION
ENGINE OIL AND FILTERREVERY 6,000 km OR 6 MONTHSA, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K
AIR CLEANER FILTERRMORE FREQUENTLYC, E
SPARK PLUGSRMORE FREQUENTLYB, H
FRONT BRAKE DISC/PADS, CALIPERSIMORE FREQUENTLYC, D, G, H
REAR BRAKE DISC/PADSIMORE FREQUENTLYC, D, G, H
PARKING BRAKEIMORE FREQUENTLYC, D, G, H
STEERING GEAR BOX, LINKAGE & BOOTS/
LOWER
ARM BALL JOINT, UPPER ARM BSALL JOINTIMORE FREQUENTLYC, D, E, F, G, H, I
DRIVE SHAFTS AND BOOTSIEVERY 12,000 km OR 6 MONTHSC, D, E, F, G

Maintenance
20
7
MAINTENANCE ITEMMAINTENANCE
OPERATIONMAINTENANCE INTERVALSDRIVING
CONDITION
MANUAL TRANSAXLE FLUID*REVERY 120,000 kmA, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID*REVERY 90,000 kmA, C, D, E, F, G, H, I
CLIMATE CONTROL AIR FILTER
(FOR EVAPORATOR AND BLOWER UNIT)RMORE FREQUENTLYC, E
SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS
A - Repeatedly driving shorts distanse of less than 8 km in normal tem-
perature or less than 16 km in freezing temperature
B - Extensive engine idling or low speed driving for long distances
C - Driving on rough, dusty, muddy, unpaved, graveled or salt-spread roads
D - Driving in areas using salt or other corrosive materials or in very cold weather E - Driving in sandy areas
F - Driving in heavy traffic area over 32°C (90°F)
G - Driving on uphill, downhill, or mountain road
H - Towing a Trailer, or using a camper, or roof rack
I - Driving as a patrol car, taxi, other commercial use or vehicle towing
J - Driving over 170 km/h
K - Frequently driving in stop-and-go conditions
* : if equipped

721
Maintenance
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ITEMS
G050100AHM
Engine oil and filter
The engine oil and filter should be
changed at the intervals specified in the
maintenance schedule. If the vehicle is
being driven in severe conditions, more
frequent oil and filter changes are
required.
G050200AUN
Drive belts
Inspect all drive belts for evidence of
cuts, cracks, excessive wear or oil satu-
ration and replace if necessary. Drive
belts should be checked periodically for
proper tension and adjusted as neces-
sary.
G050400ATD
Fuel lines, fuel hoses and con-
nections
Check the fuel lines, fuel hoses and con-
nections for leakage and damage. Have
an authorized KIA dealer replace any
damaged or leaking parts immediately.
G050600AUN
Vapor hose and fuel filler cap
The vapor hose and fuel filler cap should
be inspected at those intervals specified
in the maintenance schedule. Make sure
that a new vapor hose or fuel filler cap is
correctly replaced.
G050700AUN
Vacuum crankcase ventilation
hoses (if equipped)
Inspect the surface of hoses for evidence
of heat and/or mechanical damage. Hard
and brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts,
abrasions, and excessive swelling indi-
cate deterioration. Particular attention
should be paid to examine those hose
surfaces nearest to high heat sources,
such as the exhaust manifold.
Inspect the hose routing to assure that
the hoses do not come in contact with
any heat source, sharp edges or moving
component which might cause heat dam-
age or mechanical wear. Inspect all hose
connections, such as clamps and cou-
plings, to make sure they are secure, and
that no leaks are present. Hoses should
be replaced immediately if there is any
evidence of deterioration or 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.)

723
Maintenance
G051800APA
Rear brake drums and linings
(if equipped)
Check the rear brake drums and linings
for scoring, burning, leaking fluid, broken
parts, and excessive wear.
G051900ATD
Brake pads, calipers and rotors
Check the pads for excessive wear, discs
for run out and wear, and calipers for fluid
leakage.
G052100AUN
Suspension mounting bolts
Check the suspension connections for
looseness or damage. Retighten to the
specified torque.
G052200AUN
Steering gear box, linkage &
boots/lower arm ball joint
With the vehicle stopped and engine off,
check for excessive free-play in the
steering wheel.
Check the linkage for bends or damage.
Check the dust boots and ball joints for
deterioration, cracks, or damage.
Replace any damaged parts.
G052400AUN
Drive shafts and boots
Check the drive shafts, boots and clamps
for cracks, deterioration, or damage.
Replace any damaged parts and, if nec-
essary, repack the grease.
G052500AUN
Air conditioning refrigerant
(if equipped)
Check the air conditioning lines and con-
nections for leakage and damage.
G052300AEN
Power steering pump, belt and
hoses (if equipped)
Check the power steering pump and
hoses for leakage and damage. Replace
any damaged or leaking parts immedi-
ately. Inspect the power steering belt (or
drive belt) for evidence of cuts, cracks,
excessive wear, oiliness and proper ten-
sion. Replace or adjust it if necessary.

Maintenance
24
7
ENGINE OIL
G060100ATD
Checking the engine oil level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Start the engine and allow it to reach
normal operating temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait for a few minutes (about 5 minutes) for the oil to
return to the oil pan. 4. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
5. Pull the dipstick out again and check the level. The level should be between
F and L.
If it is near or at L, add enough oil to bring
the level to F.Do not overfill.
Use a funnel to help prevent oil from
being spilled on engine components.
Use only the specified engine oil. (Refer to “Recommended lubricants and capaci-ties” in section 8.)
WARNING - Radiator hose
Be very careful not to touch the
radiator hose when checking or
adding the engine oil as it may be
hot enough to burn you.
OTD079002OTD079004
CAUTION
Do not overfill the engine oil. It may damage the engine.

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.