2012 KIA Forte Electrical system

Features of your vehicle
50
4
D150301ATD-EU
Engine coolant tempera-
ture warning light (if equipped)
The warning light shows the temperature
of the engine coolant when the ignition
switch is ON.
The warning light illuminates if the tem-
perature of the engine coolant is above
120±3°C (248±5.5°F).
Do not continue driving with an overheat-
ed engine. If your vehicle overheats, refer
to “Overheating” in the Index.
✽ ✽ NOTICE
If the engine coolant temperature warn-
ing light illuminates, it indicates over-
heating that may damage the engine.
D150313AHM
Charging system warning
light
This warning light indicates a malfunction
of either the generator or electrical
charging system.
If the warning light illuminates while the
vehicle is in motion:
1. Drive to the nearest safe location.
2. With the engine off, check the genera- tor drive belt for looseness or break-
age.
3. If the belt is adjusted properly, a prob- lem exists somewhere in the electrical
charging system. Have an authorized
KIA dealer correct the problem as
soon as possible.
D150315ATD
Trunk lid (or tailgate) openwarning light
This warning light illuminates when the
trunk lid (or tailgate) is not closed secure-
ly with the ignition switch in any position.
D150316AUN
Door ajar warning light
This warning light illuminates when a
door is not closed securely with the igni-
tion switch in any position.

Features of your vehicle
54
4
D150340ATD-EU
ECOMINDERTMindicator
(if equipped)
The ECOMINDERTMindicator is dis-
played to help you improve fuel efficiency
when you are driving.
The ECOMINDER
TMindicator will turn
the ECO light green on the instrument
panel when you are driving fuel effi-
ciently in the ECO ON mode.
If you don't want the indicator dis-
played, you can turn the ECO ON
mode to OFF mode by pressing the
TRIP button.
When the instant fuel consumption mode(if equipped) is displayed on the
LCD display or the system is not work-
ing properly, the indicator turns off. If
the indicator turns off when the instant
fuel consumption mode or ECO OFF
mode is not selected, have the system
checked by an authorized KIA dealer
as soon as possible.
The fuel efficiency depends on the dri- ver's driving habit and road condition.
The system stops operating when the transaxle is in the P (Park), R
(Reverse), N (Neutral) position or
sports mode, or when the instant fuel
consumption mode is selected.
D150400ATD
LCD display warning (if equipped)
Door Open
This warning illuminates when a door is
not closed securely.
The indicator displays which door is
opened.
Low Battery
This warning indicates a malfunction of
either the generator or electrical charging
system.
If the warning illuminates while the vehi-
cle is in motion:
1. Drive to the nearest safe location.
2. With the engine off, check the genera- tor drive belt for looseness or break-
age.
3. If the belt is adjusted properly, a prob- lem exists somewhere in the electrical
charging system. Have an authorized
KIA dealer correct the problem as soon
as possible.ECOECOMINDERTM WARNING
Don't keep watching the “ECO”
ECOMINDERTM indicator while driv-
ing. It may distract you while driv-
ing and cause an accident that
could result in severe personal
injury.

Features of your vehicle
62
4
If an indicator stays on and does not
flash or if it flashes abnormally, one of the
turn signal bulbs may be burned out and
will require replacement.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
If an indicator flash is abnormally quick
or slow, a bulb may be burned out or
have a poor electrical connection in the
circuit.
D190700ATD-EU
Front fog light (if equipped)
Fog lights are used to provide improved
visibility when visibility is poor due to fog,
rain or snow etc. The fog lights will turn
on when the fog light switch (1) is turned
to the on position after the headlights are
turned on.
To turn off the fog lights, turn the switch
(1) to the off position.
D190900AUN-EU
Daytime running light
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) can make
it easier for others to see the front of your
vehicle during the day. DRL can be help-
ful in many different driving conditions,
and it is especially helpful after dawn and
before sunset.
The DRL system will make the head-
lights turn OFF when:
1. The headlight switch is ON.
2. The parking brake is applied.
3. Engine stops.
OAM049046N
CAUTION
When in operation, the fog lights
consume large amounts of vehicle electrical power. Only use the foglights when visibility is poor.

475
Features of your vehicle
Operation Tips
To prevent dust or unpleasant fumesfrom entering the vehicle through the
ventilation system, temporarily set the
air intake control to the recirculated air
position. Be sure to return the control
to the fresh air position when the irrita-
tion has passed to keep fresh air in the
vehicle. This will help keep the driver
alert and comfortable.
Air for the heating/cooling system is drawn in through the grilles just ahead
of the windshield. Care should be
taken that these are not blocked by
leaves, snow, ice or other obstructions.
To prevent interior fog on the wind- shield, set the air intake control to the
fresh air position and fan speed to the
desired position, turn on the air condi-
tioning system, and adjust the temper-
ature control to desired temperature.D230503ATD
Air conditioning (if equipped)
All KIA Air Conditioning Systems are
filled with environmentally friendly
R-134a refrigerant which does not dam-
age the ozone layer.
1. Start the engine. Push the air condi- tioning button.
2. Set the mode to the position.
3. Set the air intake control to the recir- culated air position. However, pro-
longed operation of the reticulated air
position will excessively dry the air. In
this case, change the air position.
4. Adjust the fan speed control and tem- perature control to maintain maximum
comfort.
When maximum cooling is desired, set the temperature control to the extreme
left position, set the mode control to
the MAX A/C position, then set the fan
speed control to the highest speed.
✽ ✽ NOTICE
• While using the air conditioning sys-
tem, monitor the temperature gauge
closely while driving up hills or in
heavy traffic when outside tempera-
tures are high. Air conditioning sys-
tem operation may cause engine over-
heating. Continue to use the blower
fan but turn the air conditioning sys-
tem off if the temperature gauge indi-
cates engine overheating.
• While opening the windows in humid weather air conditioning may create
water droplets inside the vehicle.
Since excessive water droplets may
cause damage to electrical equipment,
air conditioning should only be used
with the windows closed.

491
Features of your vehicle
D280500AEN
Power outlet (if equipped)
The power outlet is designed to provide
power for mobile telephones or other
devices designed to operate with vehicle
electrical systems. The devices should
draw less than 10 amps with the engine
running.
CAUTION - Vanity mirror
lamp
Close the vanity mirror coversecurely and return the sunvisor toits original position after use. If thevanity mirror is not closed securely,the lamp will stay on and could result in battery discharge and pos-sible sunvisor damage.
OTD049129N
CAUTION
Use the power outlet only when the engine is running and removethe accessory plug after use. Using the accessory plug for pro-longed periods of time with theengine off could cause the bat- tery to discharge.
Only use 12V electric accessories which are less than 10A in elec-tric capacity.
Adjust the air-conditioner or heater to the lowest operatinglevel when using the power outlet.
Close the cover when not in use. Some electronic devices can cause electronic interferencewhen plugged into a vehicle’s power outlet. These devices maycause excessive audio static and malfunctions in other electronicsystems or devices used in yourvehicle.
WARNING
Do not put a finger or a foreign ele-
ment (pin, etc.) into a power outlet
and do not touch with a wet hand.
You may get an electric shock.

Features of your vehicle
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Using a cellular phone or a two-
way radio
When a cellular phone is used inside the
vehicle, noise may be produced from the
audio equipment. This does not mean
that something is wrong with the audio
equipment. In such a case, use the cellu-
lar phone at a place as far as possible
from the audio equipment.
Care of disc (if equipped)
If the temperature inside the car is too
high, open the car windows for ventila-
tion before using your car audio.
It is illegal to copy and use MP3/WMA/AAC/WAVE files without
permission. Use CDs that are created
only by lawful means.
Do not apply volatile agents such as benzene and thinner, normal cleaners
and magnetic sprays made for ana-
logue disc onto CDs.
To prevent the disc surface from get- ting damaged. Hold and carry CDs by
the edges or the edges of the center
hole only.
Clean the disc surface with a piece of soft cloth before playback (wipe it from
the center to the outside edge).
Do not damage the disc surface or attach pieces of sticky tape or paper
onto it.
Make sure on undesirable matter other than CDs are inserted into the CD
player (Do not insert more than one
CD at a time).
Keep CDs in their cases after use to protect them from scratches or dirt. Depending on the type of CD-R/CD-
RW CDs, certain CDs may not operate
normally according to manufacturing
companies or making and recording
methods. In such circumstances, if you
still continue to use those CDs, they
may cause the malfunction of your car
audio system.
✽ ✽ NOTICE- Playing an
Incompatible Copy-Protected
Audio CD
Some copy protected CDs, which do not
comply with the international audio CD
standards (Red Book), may not play on
your car audio. Please note that if you
try to play copy protected CDs and the
CD player does not perform correctly
the CDs maybe defective, not the CD
player.
CAUTION
When using a communication sys-
tem such a cellular phone or a radio set inside the vehicle, a separateexternal antenna must be fitted.When a cellular phone or a radio setis used with an internal antennaalone, it may interfere with the vehi-cle's electrical system and adverse-ly affect safe operation of the vehi-cle.
WARNING
Don't use a cellular phone when
you are driving. You must stop at a
safe place to use a cellular phone.

What to do in an emergency
46
EMERGENCY STARTING
F040000AUN
Connect cables in numerical order and
disconnect in reverse order.
F040100AHM-U1
Jump starting
Jump starting can be dangerous if done
incorrectly. Therefore, to avoid harm to
yourself or damage to your vehicle or
battery, follow these jump starting proce-
dures. If in doubt, we strongly recom-
mend that you have a competent techni-
cian or towing service jump start your
vehicle.
CAUTION
Use only a 12-volt jumper system.You can damage a 12-volt startingmotor, ignition system, and otherelectrical parts beyond repair byuse of a 24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt batteries in series or a24-volt motor generator set).
WARNING- Battery
• Keep all flames or sparks away from the battery. The battery pro-
duces hydrogen gas which may
explode if exposed to flame or
sparks.
If these instructions are not fol-
lowed exactly, serious personal
injury and damage to the vehicle
may occur! If you are not sure
how to follow this procedure,
seek qualified assistance.
Automobile batteries contain sul-
furic acid. This is poisonous and
highly corrosive. When jump
starting, wear protective glasses
and be careful not to get acid on
yourself, your clothing or on the
vehicle.
Do not attempt to jump start the vehicle if the discharged battery
is frozen or if the electrolyte level
is low; the battery may rupture or
explode.
WARNING- Battery
Never attempt to check the elec-
trolyte level of the battery as this
may cause the battery to rupture or
explode causing serious injury.
1VQA4001
Discharged battery
Jumper Cables
Booster battery(-)
(+)
(+)(-)

735
Maintenance
G190200AUN
Battery recharging
Your vehicle has a maintenance-free,
calcium-based battery.
If the battery becomes discharged in ashort time (because, for example, the
headlights or interior lights were left on
while the vehicle was not in use),
recharge it by slow charging (trickle)
for 10 hours.
If the battery gradually discharges because of high electric load while the
vehicle is being used, recharge it at 20-
30A for two hours.
(Continued)
The battery contains lead. Do
not dispose of it after use.
Please return the battery to
an authorized KIA dealer to
be recycled.
When lifting a plastic-cased bat- tery, excessive pressure on the
case may cause battery acid to
leak, resulting in personal injury.
Lift with a battery carrier or with
your hands on opposite corners.
Never attempt to recharge the battery when the battery cables
are connected.
The electrical ignition system works with high voltage. Never
touch these components with the
engine running or the ignition
switched on.
Failure to follow the above warn-
ings can result in serious bodily
injury or death.CAUTION
When you don’t use the vehicle for a long time in the low temper-ature area, separate the batteryand keep it indoors.
Always charge the battery fully to prevent battery case damage inlow temperature area.
If you use unauthorized electron- ic devices, the battery may be dis-charged. Never use unauthorized devices.
WARNING
Separating the battery from the
vehicle should be done in an
authorized KIA dealer.