Features of your vehicle
64
4
Engine oil pressure
warning light
This warning light indicates the engine oil
pressure is low.
If the warning light illuminates while driv- ing:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and stop.
2. With the engine off, check the engine oil level. If the level is low, add oil as required.
If the warning light remains on after
adding oil or if oil is not available, we rec-
ommend that you have the vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as
soon as possible.
Charging system warning light
This warning light indicates a malfunction
of either the generator or electricalcharging system.
If the warning light comes on 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. We recommend that
you have the vehicle inspected by an
authorized Kia dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
CAUTION
If the oil pressure warning light
stays on while the engine is run-
ning, serious engine damage mayresult. The oil pressure warninglight comes on whenever there is insufficient oil pressure. In normal
operation, it should come on whenthe ignition switch is turned on, thengo out when the engine is started. If
the oil pressure warning light stayson while the engine is running, thereis a serious malfunction.
If this happens, stop the car assoon as it is safe to do so, turn off
the engine and check the oil level. If the oil level is low, fill the engine oilto the proper level and start theengine again. If the light stays on
with the engine running, turn theengine off immediately. In this case,we recommend that you have thevehicle inspected by an authorized
Kia dealer.
CAUTION
If the engine is not stopped imme-diately after the engine oil pressure
warning light is illuminated, severedamage could result.
53
Driving your vehicle
Before entering vehicle
• Be sure that all windows, outside mir-ror(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 sec-
tion 7, “Maintenance”.
Before starting
Close and lock all doors.
Position the seat so that all controls are
easily reached.
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 out.
For safe operation, be sure you are famil-
iar with your vehicle and its equipment.
BEFORE DRIVING
WARNING
All passengers must be properly
belted whenever the vehicle is mov-
ing. Refer to “Seat belts” in section
3 for more information on their
proper use.
WARNING
Always check the surrounding
areas near your vehicle for people,
especially children, before putting a
car into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
WARNING
Driving while distracted can result
in a loss of vehicle control, that
may lead to an accident, severe
personal injury, and death. The dri-
ver’s primary responsibility is in
the safe and legal operation of a
vehicle, and use of any handheld
devices, other equipment, or vehi-
cle systems which take the driver’s
eyes, attention and focus away
from the safe operation of a vehicle
or which are not permissible by law
should never be used during oper-
ation of the vehicle.
Driving your vehicle
60
5
Use high quality ethylene glycol coolant
Your vehicle is delivered with high quality
ethylene glycol coolant in the cooling
system. It is the only type of coolant that
should be used because it helps prevent
corrosion in the cooling system, lubri-
cates the water pump and prevents
freezing. Be sure to replace or replenish
your coolant in accordance with themaintenance schedule in section 7.
Before winter, have your coolant tested to assure that its freezing point is sufficient
for the temperatures anticipated during
the winter.
Check battery and cables
Winter puts additional burdens on the
battery system. Visually inspect the bat-
tery and cables as described in section 7.
We recommend that the level of charge in
your battery be checked by an authorized
Kia dealer. Change to "winter weight" oil if
necessary In some climates it is recommended that
a lower viscosity "winter weight" oil be
used during cold weather. See section 8
for recommendations. If you aren't sure
what weight oil you should use, we rec-
ommend that you consult an authorized
Kia dealer.
Check spark plugs and ignition system
Inspect your spark plugs as described in
section 7 and replace them if necessary.
Also check all ignition wiring and compo-
nents to be sure they are not cracked,
worn or damaged in any way.
WARNING
- Tire chains
The use of chains may adversely affect vehicle handling.
Do not exceed 30 km/h (20 mph) or the chain manufacturer’s rec-
ommended speed limit, whichev-
er is lower.
Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes, sharp turns, and other
road hazards, which may cause
the vehicle to bounce.
Avoid sharp turns or locked- wheel braking.
CAUTION
Chains that are the wrong size or
improperly installed can damage
your vehicle's brake lines, sus-pension, body and wheels.
Stop driving and retighten the chains any time you hear themhitting the vehicle.
What to do in an emergency
4
6
IF THE ENGINE WILL NOT START
If engine doesn't turn over or
turns over slowly
1. If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle, be sure the shift lever is in N
(Neutral) or P (Park) and the emer-
gency brake is set.
2. Check the battery connections to be sure they are clean and tight.
3. Turn on the interior light. If the light dims or goes out when you operate the
starter, the battery is discharged.
4. Check the starter connections to be sure they are securely tightened.
5. Do not push or pull the vehicle to start it. See instructions for "Jump starting". If engine turns over normally but
does not start
1. Check fuel level.
2. With the ignition switch in the LOCK
/OFF position, check all connectors at
the ignition coils and spark plugs.
Reconnect any that may be discon-
nected or loose.
3. If the engine still does not start, we rec- ommend that you call an authorized
Kia dealer.
WARNING
If the engine will not start, do not
push or pull the car to start it. Thiscould result in a collision or cause
other damage.
75
Maintenance
OWNER MAINTENANCE
The following lists are vehicle checks and
inspections that should be performed atthe frequencies indicated to help ensure
safe, dependable operation of your vehi-
cle.
If you have any question, we recommend
that you consult an authorized Kia dealer.
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 coolant level in coolant reservoir.
Check the windshield washer fluid
level.
Look for low or under-inflated tires.
Check the radiator and condenser. Check if the front of the radiator and
condenser are clean and not blocked
with leaves, dirt or insects etc.
If any of the above parts are extremely
dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, we recommend that you contact
an authorized Kia dealer.
While operating your vehicle:
Note any changes in the sound of theexhaust 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 manual transaxle operation, including clutch operation.
Check automatic transaxle P (Park) function.
Check 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
Be careful when checking your
engine coolant level when the
engine is hot. Scalding hot coolant
and steam may blow out under
pressure. This could cause burns
or other serious injury.
Maintenance
8
7
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
The following maintenance services must be performed to ensure good emission control and performance. Keep receipts for all
vehicle emission services to protect your warranty. Where both mileage and time are shown, the frequency of service is deter-
mined by whichever occurs first. * 1
: Adjust alternator, water pump and air conditioner (if equipped)
drive belt. Inspect and if necessary repair or replace.
If drive belt noise occurred, readjust drive belt tension before
replace.
* 2
: Check the engine oil level and leak every 500 km (350
miles) or before starting a long trip.
* 3
: For your convenience, it can be replaced prior to it's interval
when you do maintenance of other items.
* 4
: Inspect for excessive valve noise and/or engine vibration
and adjust if necessary. We recommend that the system be
serviced by an authorized Kia dealer.
* 5
: The fuel filter is considered to be maintenance free but peri-
odic inspection is recommended for this maintenance
schedule depends on fuel quality. If there are some impor-
tant matters like fuel flow restriction, surging, loss of power,
hard starting problem etc, replace the fuel filter immediate-
ly regardless of maintenance schedule and we recommend
that you consult an authorized Kia dealer for details. *
6
: When adding coolant, use only deionized water or soft
water 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.
* 7
: Kia recommends that you use good quality gasolines meet
Europe Fuel standards (EN228) or equivalents.
For customers who do not use good quality gasolines
including fuel additives regularly, and have problems start-
ing or the engine does not run smoothly, one bottle of addi-
tives added to the fuel tank at every 15,000km(For Europe)/ 10,000km(Except Europe) is recommended.
Additves are available from your authorized Kia dealer
along with information on how to use them. Do not mix other
additves.
Maintenance
24
7
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 temperature.
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 (Full) and L (Low).
If it is near or at L (Low), add enough oil to
bring the level to F (Full).Do not overfill.
Use a funnel to help prevent oil frombeing spilled on engine components.
Use only the specified engine oil. (Refer to “Recommended lubricants and capaci- ties” in section 8.)
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.
OTA070002LOTA070003L
725
Maintenance
Changing the engine oil and filter
We recommend that the engine oil and
filter be replaced by an authorized Kia
dealer.
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 thoroughlywith soap and warm water as soon
as possible after handling used oil.
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 dropthe engine oil on the engine room,wipe it off immediately.
When you wipe the oil level gauge, you should wipe it with a cleancloth. When mixed with debris, itcan cause engine damage.