Page 5 of 595

15
Introduction
Use of MTBE
Kia recommends avoiding fuels con-
taining MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether) over 15.0% vol. (Oxygen
Content 2.7% weight) in your vehicle.
Fuel containing MTBE over 15.0%
vol. (Oxygen Content 2.7% weight)
may reduce vehicle performance and
produce vapor lock or hard starting.
✽ NOTICE
Your New Vehicle Limited
Warranty may not cover damage to
the fuel system and any perform-
ance problems that are caused by
the use of fuels containing methanol
or fuels containing MTBE (Methyl
Tertiary Butyl Ether) over 15.0%
vol. (Oxygen Content 2.7% weight.)
Gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains harmful man-
ganese-based fuel additives Such as
MMT(Methylcyclopentadienyl
Manganese Tricarbonyl). Kia does not
recommend the use of gasoline con-
taining MMT. This type of fuel can
reduce vehicle performance and affect
your emission control system. The
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the
cluster may come on.
Do not use methanol
Fuels containing methanol (wood alco-
hol) should not be used in your vehicle.
This type of fuel can reduce vehicle
performance and damage components
of the fuel system, engine control sys-
tem and emission control system.
Fuel Additives
Kia recommends that you use good
quality gasolines treated with deter-
gent additives such as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, which help pre-
vent deposit formation in the engine.
These gasolines will help the engine
run cleaner and enhance performance
of the Emission Control System. For
more information on TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, please go to the
website (www.toptiergas.com)
For customers who do not use TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly,
and have problems starting or the
engine does not run smoothly, addi-
tives that you can buy separately may
be added to the gasoline.
If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is not
available, one bottle of additive should
be added to the fuel tank at every
12,000 km (7,500miles) or every
engine oil change is recommended.
Additives are available from your
authorized Kia dealer along with infor-
mation on how to use them. Do not
mix other additives.
Page 13 of 595
Your vehicle at a glance
6 2
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
OYDM076017/OYDM076078N
■Gasoline Nu 2.0 MPI Engine
❈The actual engine room in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.
■Gasoline Nu 2.0 GDI Engine1. Engine oil dipstick ..............................7-36
2. Engine oil filler cap .............................7-37
3. Engine coolant reservoir ....................7-38
4. Radiator cap .......................................7-39
5. Brake/clutch fluid reservoir .................7-42
6. Windshield washer fluid reservoir ......7-43
7. Air cleaner ..........................................7-44
8. Positive battery terminal.....................7-52
9. Negative battery terminal ...................7-52
10. Fuse box ..........................................7-72
Page 14 of 595
27
Your vehicle at a glance
OYD076038N
■Gasoline Gamma 1.6T-GDI Engine
❈The actual engine room in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.1. Engine oil dipstick ..............................7-36
2. Engine oil filler cap .............................7-37
3. Engine coolant reservoir ....................7-38
4. Radiator cap .......................................7-39
5. Brake/clutch fluid reservoir .................7-42
6. Windshield washer fluid reservoir ......7-43
7. Air cleaner ..........................................7-44
8. Positive battery terminal.....................7-52
9. Negative battery terminal ...................7-52
10. Fuse box ..........................................7-72
Page 156 of 595

Features of your vehicle
84 4
If there is a malfunction with either
the alternator or electrical charging
system:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe
location and stop your vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and check the
alternator drive belt for looseness
or breakage.
If the belt is adjusted properly,
there may be a problem in the
electrical charging system.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer as soon as possible.Engine Oil Pressure
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
• Once you set the ignition switch or
Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON
position.
- It remains on until the engine is
started.
• When the engine oil pressure is low.
If the engine oil pressure is low:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe
location and stop your vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and check the
engine oil level (For more details,
refer to “Engine Oil” in section 7). If
the level is low, add oil as required.
If the warning light remains on
after adding oil or if oil is not avail-
able, have your vehicle inspected
by an authorized Kia dealer as
soon as possible.
CAUTION - Engine
damage
If the engine is not stopped
immediately after the engine oil
pressure warning light is illumi-
nated and stays on while the
engine is running, serious
engine damage may result.
Page 157 of 595
485
Features of your vehicle
If the warning light stays on while the
engine is running, there may be seri-
ous engine damage. In this case,
1. Stop the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so.
2. Turn off the engine and check the
oil level. If the oil level is low, fill the
engine oil to the proper level.
3. Start the engine again. If the warn-
ing light stays on after the engine
is started, turn the engine off
immediately. In this case, have
your vehicle inspected by an
authorized Kia dealer.Low Fuel Level Warning
Light
This warning light illuminates:
When the fuel tank is nearly empty.
If the fuel tank is nearly empty:
Add fuel as soon as possible.
Door Ajar Warning
Light (if equipped)
This warning light illuminates:
When a door is not closed securely.
CAUTION - Low Fuel
Level
Driving with the Low Fuel Level
warning light on or with the fuel
level below can cause the
engine to misfire and damage
the catalytic converter (if
equipped).
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53
Driving your vehicle
Be sure the exhaust system
does not leak.
The exhaust system should be
checked whenever the vehicle is
raised to change the oil or for any
other purpose. If you
hear a change in the sound of the
exhaust or if you drive over some-
thing that strikes the underneath side
of the vehicle, have the exhaust sys-
tem checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Kia dealer.
WARNING- Engine
exhaust
Do not inhale exhaust fumes or
leave your engine running in an
enclosed area for a prolonged
time.
Exhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless, odorless
gas that can cause uncon-
sciousness and death by
asphyxiation.
WARNING- Open
trunk/liftgate
Do not drive with the trunk/lift-
gate open.
Poisonous exhaust gases can
enter the passenger compart-
ment. If you must drive with the
trunk/liftgate open proceed as
follows:
1.Close all windows.
2.Open side vents.
3.Set the air intake control at
"Fresh", the air flow control at
"Floor" or "Face" and the fan
at the highest speed.
Page 347 of 595

Driving your vehicle
4 5
Before entering vehicle
• Be sure that all windows, outside
mirror(s), and outside lights are
clean.
• Check the condition of the tires.
• Check under the vehicle for any
sign of leaks.
• Be sure there are no obstacles
behind you if you intend to back up.
Necessary inspections
Fluid levels, such as engine oil,
engine coolant, brake fluid, and
washer fluid should be checked on a
regular basis, with the exact interval
depending on the fluid. Further
details are provided in Chapter 7,
“Maintenance”.
Before starting
• Close and lock all doors.
• Position the seat so that all con-
trols are easily reached.
• Buckle your seat belt.
• Adjust the inside and outside
rearview mirrors.
• Be sure that all lights work.
• Check all gauges.
• Check the operation of warning
lights when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position.
• Release the parking brake and
make sure the brake warning light
goes off.
For safe operation, be sure you are
familiar with your vehicle and its
equipment.
BEFORE DRIVING
WARNING- Distracted
driving
Focus on the road while driving.
The driver's primary responsi-
bility is in the safe and legal
operation of the vehicle. Use of
any hand held devices, other
equipment or vehicle systems
that distract the driver should
not be used during vehicle
operation.
Page 428 of 595

585
Driving your vehicle
Driving off-road
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.
Highway driving
Tires
Adjust the tire inflation pressures to
specification. Low tire inflation pres-
sures will result in overheating and
possible failure of the tires.
Avoid using worn or damaged tires
which may result in reduced traction
or tire failure.
Never exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressure shown on the tires.
Fuel, engine coolant and engine
oil
High speed travel consumes more
fuel than urban motoring. Do not for-
get to check both the engine coolant
and engine oil.
Drive belt
A loose or damaged drive belt may
overheat the engine.
WARNING- Tire tread
Always check the tire tread
before driving your vehicle.
Worn-out tires can result in loss
of vehicle control. Worn-out
tires should be replaced as
soon as possible. For further
information and tread limits,
refer to "Tires and wheels" in
section 7.
WARNING- Under/Over
Inflated Tires
Always check the tires for prop-
er inflation before driving.
Underinflated or overinflated
tires can cause poor handling,
loss of vehicle control, and sud-
den tire failure leading to acci-
dents, injuries, and even death.