75
Maintenance
OWNER MAINTENANCE
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
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.
While operating your vehicle:
Note any changes in the sound of the exhaust 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).
WARNING - Hot coolant
Be careful when checking your
engine coolant level when the
engine is hot. Scalding hot coolant
and steam may blow out under
pressure.
Maintenance
67
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.
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.
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.
Maintenance
16
7
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
192,000 km or 96 months
❑ Inspect air conditioning compressor, air conditioner refrigerant and
performance (if equipped)
❑ Inspect cooling system *1
❑Inspect drive belt *4
(First 96,000 km or 72 months after
every 24,000 km or 24 months)
❑ Inspect drive shaft and boots
❑ Inspect fuel filter *2
❑Inspect fuel line, hoses and connection
❑Inspect fuel tank air filter *2
❑Inspect valve clearance *3
❑Inspect vapor hose and fuel filler cap
❑Inspect visually the following items
1) Battery condition
2) Brake fluid / clutch (if equipped) fluid
3) Brake lines, hoses and connections
4) Brake pedal and operation
5) Chassis/body nuts and bolts
6) Drum brake and linings (if equipped)
7) Disc brakes and pads (if equipped)
8) Exhaust pipe and muffler
9) Front suspension ball joints
10) Fuel tank, cap, lines and hoses
11) Lubricate all locks and hinges
12) Parking brakes
(Continued)
(Continued)
13) Steering operation and linkage
14) Suspension mounting bolts
❑ Replace air cleaner filter
❑Replace climate control air filter (if equipped)
❑Replace engine coolant*5
(First, 192,000 km or 120 months
after every 48,000 km or 24 months)
❑ Replace engine oil and filter
(Every 12,000 km or 12 months)
❑ Add fuel additive *A (Every 12,000 km or 12 months)
❑Rotate tires - including tire pressure and tread wear
(Every 12,000 km or 12 months)
*1lnspect "Water Pump" when replacing the drive belt or timing belt.
*2Fuel 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 restriction,
surging, loss of power, hard starting problem etc, replace the fuel filter imme-
diately regardless of maintenance schedule and consult an authorized Kia
dealer for details.
*
3Inspect for excessive tappet noise and/or engine vibration and adjust if nec-
essary.
*
4The drive belt should be replaced when cracks occur or tension is reduced excessively.
*
5When 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.
*
AIf 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
18
7
240,000 km or 120 months
❑ Inspect air conditioning compressor, air conditioner refrigerant and
performance (if equipped)
❑ Inspect cooling system *1
❑Inspect drive belt *4
(First 96,000 km or 72 months after
every 24,000 km or 24 months)
❑ Inspect drive shaft and boots
❑ Inspect fuel filter *2
❑Inspect fuel line, hoses and connection
❑Inspect fuel tank air filter *2
❑Inspect manual transaxle fluid (if equipped)
(Every 60,000 km or 48 months)
❑ Inspect vapor hose and fuel filler cap
❑Inspect visually the following items
1) Battery condition
2) Brake fluid / clutch (if equipped) fluid
3) Brake lines, hoses and connections
4) Brake pedal and operation
5) Chassis/body nuts and bolts
6) Drum brake and linings (if equipped)
7) Disc brakes and pads (if equipped)
8) Exhaust pipe and muffler
9) Front suspension ball joints
10) Fuel tank, cap, lines and hoses
11) Lubricate all locks and hinges
12) Parking brakes
(Continued)
(Continued)
13) Steering operation and linkage
14) Suspension mounting bolts
❑ Replace air cleaner filter
❑Replace climate control air filter (if equipped)
❑Replace engine coolant *5
(First 192,000 km or 120 months
after every 48,000 km or 24 months)
❑ Replace engine oil and filter
(Every 12,000 km or 12 months)
❑Add fuel additive *A
(Every 12,000 km or 12 months)
❑Rotate tires - including tire pressure and tread wear
(Every 12,000 km or 12 months)
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
*1lnspect "Water Pump" when replacing the drive belt or timing belt.
*2Fuel 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 restriction,
surging, loss of power, hard starting problem etc, replace the fuel filter imme-
diately regardless of maintenance schedule and consult an authorized Kia
dealer for details.
*
4The drive belt should be replaced when cracks occur or tension is reduced excessively.
*
5When 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.
*
AIf 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.
723
Maintenance
Air cleaner filter
A Genuine Kia air cleaner filter is recom-
mended when the filter is replaced.
Spark plugs
Make sure to install new spark plugs of
the correct heat range.
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.
Cooling system
Check the cooling system components,
such as the radiator, coolant reservoir,
hoses and connections for leakage and
damage. Replace any damaged parts.
Coolant
The coolant should be changed at the
intervals specified in the maintenance
schedule.
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.
Brake hoses and lines
Visually check for proper installation,
chafing, cracks, deterioration and any
leakage. Replace any deteriorated or
damaged parts immediately.
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.
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.)
Maintenance
26
7
ENGINE COOLANT
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. 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.
Checking the coolant level
Check the condition and connections of
all cooling system hoses and heater
hoses. Replace any swollen or deterio-
rated hoses.
The coolant level should be filled
between F (MAX) and L (MIN) marks on
the side of the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cool.
WARNING - Cooling fan
Use caution when work-
ing near the blade of the
cooling fan. The electric
motor (cooling fan) is
controlled by engine
coolant temperature, refrigerant
pressure and vehicle speed. It may
sometimes operate even when the
engine is not running.
OAM072005
WARNING
Used engine oil may cause irrita-
tion or cancer of the skin if left in
contact with the skin for prolonged
periods of time. Used engine oil
contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory ani-
mals. Always protect your skin by
washing your hands thoroughly
with soap and warm water as soon
as possible after handling used oil.
727
Maintenance
If the coolant level is low, add enough
specified coolant to provide protection
against freezing and corrosion. Bring the
level to F (MAX), but do not overfill. If fre-
quent coolant addition is required, see an
authorized Kia dealer for a cooling sys-
tem inspection.
Recommended engine coolant
When adding coolant, use only deion-ized water or soft water for your vehicle
and never mix hard water in the
coolant filled at the factory. An improp-
er coolant mixture can result in serious
malfunction or engine damage.
The engine in your vehicle has alu- minum engine parts and must be pro-
tected by an ethylene-glycol-based
coolant to prevent corrosion and freez-
ing.
DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol coolant or mix them with the specified
coolant.
Do not use a solution that contains more than 60% antifreeze or less than
35% antifreeze, which would reduce
the effectiveness of the solution. For mixture percentage, refer to the fol-
lowing table.-15°C (5°F) 35
65
-25°C (-13°F) 40 60
-35°C (-31°F) 50 50
-45°C (-49°F) 60 40
Ambient
Temperature Mixture Percentage (volume)
Antifreeze Water
WARNING
Radiator cap
Do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine and radiator are
hot. Scalding hot coolant and
steam may blow out under pres-
sure.
OAM072006
Maintenance
28
7
Turn the engine off and wait until it cools
down. Use care when removing the radi-
ator 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 counter-
clockwise to remove it.
Changing the coolant
Have the coolant changed by an author-
ized Kia dealer according to the
Maintenance Schedule at the beginning
of this section.
Put a thick cloth or fabric around the radi-
ator cap before refilling the coolant in
order to prevent the coolant from over-
flowing into engine parts such as the
alternator.CAUTION- Removing radi-
ator cap
Never attempt to remove
the radiator cap whilethe engine is operatingor hot. Doing so mightlead to cooling system and engine damage.