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725
Maintenance
ENGINE OIL
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 tempera-
ture. 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 re-insert it fully.
5. Pull the dipstick out again and check the level. The level should
be between F and L.
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.
CAUTION
Do not overfill the engine oil. It may damage the engine.
Do not spill engine oil, when adding or changing engine oil.If you drop the engine oil on the engine room, wipe it off imme-diately.
When you wipe the oil level gauge, you should wipe it with aclean cloth. When mixed with debris, it can cause enginedamage.
OKH073002L
OKH075002K
■ 3.8L
■5.0L
Page 426 of 513
Maintenance
26
7
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 com-ponents.
Use only the specified engine oil. (Refer to “Recommended lubricantsand capacities” in section 8.)Changing the engine oil and filter
We recommend that the engine oil
and filter be replaced by an author-
ized Kia dealer.
WARNING
Used engine oil may cause irri- tation 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 lab-
oratory animals. Always protect
your skin by washing your
hands thoroughly with soapand warm water as soon as pos-
sible after handling used oil.
OKH073003L
OKH075003K
■ 3.8L
■5.0L
Page 427 of 513

727
Maintenance
ENGINE COOLANT
The high-pressure cooling system
has a reservoir filled with year-round
antifreeze coolant. The reservoir is
filled at the factory.
Check the antifreeze protection and
coolant level at least once a year, atthe beginning of the winter season,
and before traveling to a colder cli-
mate. Checking the coolant level
WARNING
Removing radiator cap
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap while the engine
is operating or hot. Doing somight lead to cooling system
and engine damage and could
result in serious personal
injury from escaping hotcoolant or steam.
Turn the engine off and wait until it 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 fromthe cooling system.
(Continued)
(Continued)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 oper- ating, do not remove the radi-ator cap or the drain plugwhile the engine and radiator
are hot. Hot coolant and
steam may still blow out
under pressure, causing seri-
ous injury.
CAUTION
When the engine overheats
from low engine coolant, sud-denly adding engine coolantmay cause cracks in theengine. To prevent damage, add engine coolant slowly insmall quantities.
Do not drive with no engine coolant. It may cause waterpump failure and engine seizure, etc.
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Maintenance
28
7
Check the condition and connections of all cooling system hoses and
heater hoses. Replace any swollen
or deteriorated hoses.
The coolant level should be filled
between F and L marks on the side
of the coolant reservoir when theengine is cool.
If the coolant level is low, add enough
distilled (deionized) water. Bring the
level to F (Full) , but do not overfill.
If frequent additions are required, we recommend that the system be
inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
Recommended engine coolant
When adding coolant, use only
deionized water or soft water for
your vehicle and never mix hard
water in the coolant filled at the fac-
tory. An improper coolant mixture
can result in serious malfunction or
engine damage.
The engine in your vehicle has alu- minum engine parts and must be
protected by an ethylene-glycol-
based coolant to prevent corrosionand freezing.
DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol coolant or mix them with the spec-ified coolant.
Do not use a solution that contains more than 60% antifreeze or less
than 35% antifreeze, which would
reduce the effectiveness of thesolution.WARNING
The electric motor
(cooling fan) is con-
trolled by engine
coolant temperature,
refrigerant pressure
and vehicle speed. It may some-
times operate even when the
engine is not running. Use
extreme caution when working
near the blades of the cooling
fan so that you are not injured
by a rotating fan blades. As theengine coolant temperature
decreases, the electric motor
will automatically shut off. Thisis a normal condition.
OKH073004L
Page 429 of 513
729
Maintenance
For mixture percentage, refer to the
following table.Changing the coolant
We recommend that the coolant be
replaced by an authorized Kia dealer.
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
pressure causing serious injury.
CAUTION
Put a thick cloth around the radiator cap before refilling thecoolant in order to prevent thecoolant from overflowing into engine parts such as the gener-ator.
WARNING - Coolant
Do not use radiator coolant or antifreeze in the washer fluid
reservoir.
Radiator coolant can severely obscure visibility when
sprayed on the windshield
and may cause loss of vehicle
control or damage to paint
and body trim.
OKH073005L
Ambient
TemperatureMixture Percentage (volume)
AntifreezeWater
-15°C (5°F)3565
25°C (-13°F)4060
35°C (-31°F)5050
45°C (-49°F)6040
■ Type A■ Type B
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Maintenance
30
7
BRAKE FLUID
Checking the brake fluid level
Check the fluid level in the reservoir
periodically. The fluid level should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the reservoir.
Before removing the reservoir cap
and adding brake fluid, clean the area
around the reservoir cap thoroughly
to prevent brake fluid contamination.
If the level is low, add fluid to the
MAX level. The level will fall with
accumulated mileage. This is a nor-mal condition associated with the
wear of the brake linings. If the fluid level is excessively low, werecommend that the system be
checked by an authorized Kia dealer.
Use only the specified brake fluid.
(Refer to “Recommended lubricantsor capacities” in section 8.)
Never mix different types of fluid.
WARNING - Brake fluid
When changing and adding
brake fluid, handle it carefully.Do not let it come in contact with
your eyes. If brake fluid should
come in contact with your eyes,
immediately flush them with a
large quantity of fresh tap water.
Have your eyes examined by a
doctor as soon as possible.
WARNING - Loss of brake
fluid
In the event the brake system
requires frequent additions of
fluid, we recommend that the
system be inspected by an
authorized Kia dealer.
CAUTION
Do not allow brake fluid to con- tact the vehicle's body paint, aspaint damage will result. Brake fluid, which has been exposedto open air for an extended timeshould never be used as itsquality cannot be guaranteed. It should be disposed of properly.Don't put in the wrong kind offluid. A few drops of mineral- based oil, such as engine oil, inyour brake system can damagebrake system parts.
OKH073006L
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731
Maintenance
POWER STEERING FLUID
Checking the power steering
fluid level
With the vehicle on level ground,
check the fluid level in the power
steering reservoir periodically. The
fluid should be between MAX and
MIN marks on the side of the gauge
at the normal temperature.
Before adding power steering fluid, thoroughly clean the area around the
reservoir cap to prevent power steer-ing fluid contamination.
If the level is low, add fluid to the
MAX level.
✽✽ NOTICE
Check that the fluid level is in the
"HOT" range on the gauge. If the
fluid is cold, check that it is in the
"COLD" range.
In the event the power steering system
requires frequent additions of fluid, werecommend that the system be
inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
Use only the specified power steering fluid. (Refer to "Recommended lubri-cants or capacities" in section 8.)
Checking the power steering hose
Check the connections for oil leaks,
damage and twists in the power
steering hose before driving.
OKH073007L
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the power steering pump, do not operatethe vehicle for prolonged peri- ods with a low power steeringfluid level.
Never start the engine when the reservoir tank is empty.
When adding fluid, be careful that dirt does not get into thetank.
Too little fluid can result in increased steering effort and/ornoise from the power steeringsystem.
(Continued)
(Continued) The use of the non-specified fluid could reduce the effective-ness of the power steering sys-tem and cause damage to it.
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Maintenance
32
7
WASHER FLUID
Checking the washer fluid
level
The reservoir is translucent so that
you can check the level with a quickvisual inspection.
Check the fluid level in the washer
fluid reservoir and add fluid if neces-
sary. Plain water may be used if wash-
er fluid is not available. However, use
washer solvent with antifreeze char-
acteristics in cold climates to preventfreezing.
WARNING - Coolant
Do not use radiator coolant or antifreeze in the washer fluid
reservoir.
Radiator coolant can severely obscure visibility when sprayed
on the windshield and may
cause loss of vehicle control or
damage to paint and body trim.
Windshield Washer fluid agents contain some amountsof alcohol and can be flamma-
ble under certain circum-
stances. Do not allow sparksor flame to contact the washerfluid or the washer fluid reser-
voir. Damage to the vehicle or
occupants could occur.
Windshield washer fluid is poisonous to humans and ani-
mals. Do not drink and avoidcontacting windshield washer
fluid. Serious injury or death
could occur.
OKH073008L