2012 KIA Sportage 4WD

Driving your vehicle
22
5
This mode is used for climbing or descending sharp grades,
off-road driving, driving on sandy and muddy roads, etc., to
maximize traction.
This mode automatically begins to deactivate at speeds above 30 km/h (19 mph) and is shifted to 4WD AUTO mode
at speed above 40 km/h (25 mph). If the vehicle decelerates
to speeds below approximate 40 km/h (25 mph), however,
the transfer mode is shifted into 4WD LOCK mode again.
4WD AUTO
(4WD LOCK is
deactivated) (Indicator light is
not illuminated)
✽ ✽ NOTICE
• When driving on normal roads, deactivate the 4WD LOCK mode by pushing the 4WD LOCK button (the \
indicator light goes
off). Driving on normal roads with 4WD LOCK mode (especially, when cornering) may cause mechanical noise or vibration.
The noise and vibration will disappear when the 4WD LOCK mode is deactivated. Some parts of the power train may be dam-
aged by prolonged driving with the noise and vibration.
• When the 4WD LOCK mode is deactivated, a shock may be felt as the drive \
power is delivered entirely to the front wheels. This shock is not a mechanical failure.
Four Wheel Drive (4WD) transfer mode selection
Transfer mode Selection button Indicator light Description
When driving in 4WD AUTO mode, the vehicle operates sim-
ilar to conventional 2WD vehicles under normal operating
conditions. However, if the system determines that there is a
need for the 4WD mode, the engine’s driving power is dis-
tributed to all four wheels automatically without driver inter-
vention.
When driving on normal roads and pavement, the vehicle moves similar to conventional 2WD vehicles.
4WD LOCK (Indicator light isilluminated)

Driving your vehicle
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You must consciously take the effort to
learn how to corner in a 4WD vehicle.
Do not rely on your experience in con-
ventional 2WD vehicles in choosing
safe cornering speed in 4WD mode.
For starters, you must drive more slow-
ly in 4WD.
Drive carefully off-road because your vehicle may be damaged by rocks or
roots of trees. Become familiar with the
off-road conditions where you are
going to drive before you begin driving.
Always hold the steering wheel firmlywhen you are driving off-road.
Make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts. If you need to drive in the water, stop
your vehicle, set your transfer to the
4WD LOCK mode and drive at less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
WARNING- Steering
wheel
Do not grab the inside of the steer-
ing wheel when you are driving off-
road. You may hurt your arm by a
sudden steering maneuver or from
steering wheel rebound due to
impact with objects on the ground.
You could lose control of the steer-
ing wheel.
WARNING- Wind danger
If you are driving in heavy wind, the
vehicle's higher center of gravity
decreases your steering control
capacity and requires you to drive
more slowly.
WARNING- Driving
through water
Drive slowly. If you are driving too
fast in water, the water can get into
the engine compartment and wet
the ignition system, causing your
vehicle to suddenly stop. If this
happens and your vehicle is in a
tilted position, your vehicle may roll
over.
OXM059027N
WARNING- 4WD
Reduce speed when you turn cor-
ners. The center of gravity of 4WD
vehicles is higher than that of con-
ventional 2WD vehicles, making
them more likely to roll over when
you turn corners too fast.

525
Driving your vehicle
✽
✽NOTICE
• Do not drive in water if the level is
higher than the bottom of the vehicle.
• Check your brake condition once you are out of mud or water. Press the
brake pedal several times as you move
slowly until you feel normal braking
forces return.
• Shorten your scheduled maintenance interval if you drive in off-road condi-
tions such as sand, mud or water (see
“Maintenance under severe usage
conditions” in section 7). Always wash
your vehicle thoroughly after off-road
use, especially cleaning the bottom of
the vehicle.
• Since the driving torque is always applied to the 4 wheels the perform-
ance of the 4WD vehicle is greatly
affected by the condition of the tires.
Be sure to equip the vehicle with four
tires of the same size and type.
• A full time four wheel drive vehicle cannot be towed by an ordinary tow
truck. Make sure that the vehicle is
placed on a flat bed truck for moving.
CAUTION - Mud or snow
If one of the front or rear wheels
begins to spin in mud, snow, etc.the vehicle can sometimes be driv-en out by depressing the accelera-tor pedal further; however avoidrunning the engine continuously athigh rpm because doing so coulddamage the 4WD system.
WARNING - 4WD driving
Avoid high cornering speed.
Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp
lane changes or fast, sharp turns.
The risk of rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of
your vehicle at high speed.
In a collision, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die
compared to a person wearing a
seat belt.
Loss of control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the
roadway and the driver over-
steers to re-enter the roadway. In
the event your vehicle leaves the
roadway, do not steer sharply.
Instead, slow down before pulling
back into the travel lanes.
WARNING - Jacked vehicle
While the full-time 4WD vehicle is
being raised on a jack, never start
the engine or cause the tires to
rotate.
There is the danger that rotating
tires touching the ground could
cause the vehicle to go off the jack
and to jump forward.

Driving your vehicle
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Full-time 4WD vehicles must be tested
on a special four wheel chassis
dynamometer.
✽ ✽ NOTICE
Never engage the parking brake while
performing these tests.
A full-time 4WD vehicle should not be
tested on a 2WD roll tester. If a 2WD
roll tester must be used, perform the
following: 1. Check the tire pressures recommend-
ed for your vehicle.
2. Place the front wheels on the roll tester for a speedometer test as shown
in the illustration.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Place the rear wheels on the tempo- rary free roller as shown in the illustra-
tion.
WARNING - Dynamometer
testing
Keep away from the front of the
vehicle while the vehicle is in gear
on the dynamometer. This is very
dangerous as the vehicle can jump
forward and cause serious injury or
death.
OXM059025
Roll tester (speedometer)
Temporary free roller
CAUTION
When lifting up the vehicle, do not operate front and rear wheel sep-arately. All four wheels should be operated.
If you need to operate the front wheel and rear wheel when liftingup the vehicle, you shouldrelease the parking brake.

Driving your vehicle
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E140600BFD
If you do decide to pull a trailer
Here are some important points if you
decide to pull a trailer:
Consider using a sway control. You can
ask a hitch dealer about sway control.
Do not do any towing with your car dur- ing its first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) in
order to allow the engine to properly
break in. Failure to heed this caution
may result in serious engine or
transaxle damage.
When towing a trailer, be sure to con- sult an authorized Kia dealer for further
information on additional requirements
such as a towing kit, etc.
Always drive your vehicle at a moder- ate speed (less than 100 km/h (60
mph)).
On a long uphill grade, do not exceed 70 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower.
The chart contains important consider- ations that have to do with weight: Engine
Item 2.4L Gasoline Engine
2WD 4WD
Maximum trailer
weight
Without brake system 454
(1000) 454
(1000)
With brake system 907
(2000) 907
(2000)
Maximum tongue weight 91
(200) 91
(200)
kg (lbs.)
2WD : 2-Wheel drive
4WD : 4-Wheel drive
To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should read the informa-
tion in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in this section.

615
What to do in an emergency
TOWING
F080100AAM-EU
Towing service
If emergency towing is necessary, we
recommend having it done by an author-
ized Kia dealer or a commercial tow-truck
service. Proper lifting and towing proce-
dures are necessary to prevent damage
to the vehicle. The use of wheel dollies or
flatbed is recommended.
For trailer towing guidelines information,refer to “Trailer towing” in section 5.
On 4WD vehicles, your vehicle must be
towed with a wheel lift and dollies or
flatbed equipment with all the wheels off
the ground.
On 2WD vehicles, it is acceptable to tow
the vehicle with the rear wheels on the
ground (without dollies) and the front
wheels off the ground.
If any of the loaded wheels or suspen-
sion components are damaged or the
vehicle is being towed with the front
wheels on the ground, use a towing dolly
under the front wheels.
When being towed by a commercial tow
truck and wheel dollies are not used, the
front of the vehicle should always be lift-
ed, not the rear.
OXM069028 dolly
dolly
CAUTION
The 4WD vehicle should never be
towed with the wheels on theground. This can cause seriousdamage to the transaxle or the 4WDsystem.
WARNING
If your vehicle is equipped with side
and curtain air bag, set the ignition
switch to LOCK or ACC position
when the vehicle is being towed.
The side and curtain air bag may
deploy when the ignitions is ON,
and the rollover sensor detects the
situation as a rollover.

Maintenance
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Kilometers or time in months, whichever comes first
× 1,000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144 156 168 180 192
# Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96
Power steering fluid & lines* I I I IIIII
Climate contol air filter R R R RRRRR
Air conditioner compressor operation & IIIIIIII
refrigerant amount
Rotate tires I I I I I I IIIIIII III
Transfer case oil (4WD) (6)
Rear differential oil (4WD) (7)
Propellar shaft (4WD) I I I IIIII
Tire condition & inflation pressure I I I I I I IIIIIII III
MAINTENANCE
INTERVALS
MAINTENANCE
ITEM
Inspect every 60,000 km or 48 months
Inspect every 60,000 km or 48 months
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
R : Replace or change I : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.
* if equipped
(6) Transfer case oil should be changed anytime they have been submerged in water.
(7) Rear differential oil should be changed anytime they have been submerged in water.

Maintenance
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SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS
A - Repeatedly driving shorts distanse of less than 8 km (5 miles) in
normal temperature or less than 16 km (10 miles) in freezing tem-
perature
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 (100 mph)
K - Frequently driving in stop-and-go conditions
I
I
R
R
R I MORE FREQUENTLY
EVERY 12,000 km OR 6 MONTHS
MORE FREQUENTLY
EVERY 120,000 km
EVERY 120,000 km
EVERY 12,000 km OR 6 MONTHSC, D, E, F, G, H, I
C, D, E, F, G
C, E
C, E, G, H, I, J
C, E, G, H, I, J
C, ESTEERING GEAR BOX, LINKAGE & BOOTS/
LOWER ARM BALL JOINT, UPPER ARM BSALL JOINT
DRIVE SHAFTS AND BOOTS
CLIMATE CONTROL AIR FILTER
(FOR EVAPORATOR AND BLOWER UNIT)
TRANSFER CASE OIL (4WD) (1)
REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL (1)
PROPELLAR SHAFT
MAINTENANCE ITEM MAINTENANCE
OPERATION MAINTENANCE
INTERVALS DRIVING
CONDITION
(1) Transfer case Oil and Rear Axle Oil should be changed anytime they have abeen submerged in water.