Introduction
61
As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correct-
ly may result in loss of control, an
accident or vehicle rollover.
Specific design characteristics (high-
er ground clearance, track, etc.) give
this vehicle a higher center of gravity
than other types of vehicles. In other
words they are not designed for cor-
nering at the same speeds as con-
ventional 2-wheel drive vehicles.
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu-
vers. Again, failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of
control, an accident or vehicle
rollover.Be sure to read the
“Reducing the risk of a rollover”
driving guidelines, in section 5 of
this manual. No special break-in period is need-
ed. By following a few simple precau-
tions for the first 1,000 km (600
miles) you may add to the perform-
ance, economy and life of your vehi-
cle.
Do not race the engine.
While driving, keep your engine
speed (rpm, or revolutions per
minute) between 2,000 rpm and
4,000 rpm.
Do not maintain a single speed for long periods of time, either fast or
slow. Varying engine speed is
needed to properly break-in the
engine.
Avoid hard stops, except in emer- gencies, to allow the brakes to seat
properly.
Don't tow a trailer during the first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) of opera-
tion.
VEHICLE BREAK-IN
PROCESS
VEHICLE HANDLING
INSTRUCTIONS
Features of your vehicle
114
4
Parking Brake & Brake
Fluid Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON
position.
- It illuminates for approximately 3seconds
- It remains on if the parking brake is applied.
When the parking brake is applied.
When the brake fluid level in the reservoir is low.
- If the warning light illuminateswith the parking brake released, it
indicates the brake fluid level in
reservoir is low. If the brake fluid level in the reservoir
is low:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe
location and stop your vehicle.
2. With the engine stopped, check the brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (For more details,
refer to “Brake Fluid” in chapter 7).
Then check all brake components
for fluid leaks. If any leaks in the
brake system are still found, the
warning light remains on, or the
brakes do not operate properly, do
not drive the vehicle.
In this case, have your vehicle
towed to an authorized Kia dealer
and inspected. Dual-diagonal braking system
Your vehicle is equipped with dual-
diagonal braking systems. This
means you still have braking on two
wheels even if one of the dual sys-
tems should fail.
With only one of the dual systems
working, more than normal pedal
travel and greater pedal pressure are
required to stop the vehicle.
Also, the vehicle will not stop in as
short a distance with only a portion
of the brake system working.
If the brakes fail while you are driv-
ing, shift to a lower gear for addition-
al engine braking and stop the vehi-
cle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Driving the vehicle with a warning
light ON is dangerous. If the Parking
Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light
illuminates when the parking brake
released, it indicates that the brake
fluid level is low.
In this case, have your vehicle inspect-
ed by an authorized Kia dealer.
Features of your vehicle
126
4
This system will activate when
backing up with the ignition switch
ON.
If the vehicle is moving at a speed
over 5 km/h (3 mph), the system
may not be activated correctly.
The sensing distance while the back-up warning system is in oper-
ation is approximately 120 cm (47
in.) at the rear bumper center area,
60 cm (23.5 in.) at the rear bumper
both side area.
When more than two objects are sensed at the same time, the clos-
est one will be recognized first.Types of warning sound
When an object is 120 cm to 61 cm(47 in. to 24 in.) from the rear
bumper: Buzzer beeps intermit-
tently.
When an object is 60 cm to 31 cm (24 in. to 12 in.) from the rear
bumper: Buzzer beeps more fre-
quently.
When an object is within 30 cm (12 in.) of the rear bumper:
Buzzer sounds continuously.
Non-operational conditions of
the parking distance warning-
reverse
The parking distance warning-
reverse may not operate properly
when:
1. Moisture is frozen to the sensor. (It will operate normally when the
moisture has been cleared.)
2. The sensor is covered with foreign matter, such as snow or water, or
the sensor cover is blocked. (It will
operate normally when the materi-
al is removed or the sensor is no
longer blocked.)
3. Driving on uneven road surfaces (unpaved roads, gravel, bumps,
gradient).
4. Objects generating excessive noise (vehicle horns, loud motor-
cycle engines, or truck air brakes)
are within range of the sensor.
5. Heavy rain or water spray exists.
6. Wireless transmitters or mobile phones are within range of the
sensor.
7. The sensor is covered with snow.
8. Trailer towing
4131
Features of your vehicle
Non-operational conditions of
parking distance warning
Parking distance warning maynot operate normally when:
1. Moisture is frozen to the sensor. (It will operate normally when mois-
ture melts.)
2. Sensor is covered with foreign matter, such as snow or water, or
the sensor cover is blocked. (It will
operate normally when the materi-
al is removed or the sensor is no
longer blocked.)
3. Sensor is stained with foreign mat- ter such as snow or water. (Sensing
range will return to normal when
removed.)
4. The parking assist button is off.
There is a possibility of parking distance warning malfunctionwhen:
1. Driving on uneven road surfaces such as unpaved roads, gravel,
bumps, or gradient.
2. Objects generating excessive noise such as vehicle horns, loud motor-
cycle engines, or truck air brakes
can interfere with the sensor.
3. Heavy rain or water spray.
4. Wireless transmitters or mobile phones present near the sensor.
5. Sensor is covered with snow.
Detecting range may decrease when:
1. Outside air temperature is extremely hot or cold.
2. Undetectable objects smaller than 1 m (39 in.) and narrower than 14
cm (5.5 in.) in diameter.
The following objects may not be
recognized by the sensor:
1. Sharp or slim objects such as ropes, chains or small poles.
2. Objects, which tend to absorb sen- sor frequency such as clothes,
spongy material or snow.
515
Driving your vehicle
For smooth operation, depress thebrake pedal and the lock release but-ton when shifting from N (Neutral) toa forward or reverse gear.
When stopped on an incline, do not
hold the vehicle with the engine
power. Use the service brake or the
parking brake.
Transmission ranges
The indicator in the instrument clus-
ter displays the shift lever position
when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). This posi-
tion locks the transmission and pre-
vents the drive wheels from rotating.
Shifting into P (Park) while the vehi-
cle is in motion will cause the drive
wheels to lock which will cause you
to lose control of the vehicle.
WARNING
- Automatic transmission
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (Park) position; then
set the parking brake fully and
shut the engine off. Do not use
the P position in place of the
parking brake. Always make
sure the shift lever is latched in
the P position and set the park-
ing brake fully. Unexpected and
sudden vehicle movement can
occur if these precautions are
not followed.
CAUTION- transmission
To avoid damage to your transaxle, do not accelerate theengine in R (Reverse) or any for-ward gear position with thebrakes on. The transaxle may bedamaged if you shift into P(Park) while the vehicle is inmotion.
Driving your vehicle
16
5
R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward.
N (Neutral)
The wheels and transmission are not
engaged. The vehicle will roll freely
even on the slightest incline unless
the parking brake or service brakes
are applied. - Parking in N (Neutral) gear
Follow below steps when parking
and you want the vehicle to move
when pushed.
1. After parking your vehicle, step on
the brake pedal and move the shift
lever to P with the ignition button in
ON or while the engine is running.
2. If the parking brake is applied unlock the parking brake.
3. While pressing the brake pedal, turn the ignition button OFF.
- For smart key equipped vehicles, the ignition switch can be moved
to OFF only when the shift lever
is in P.
4. Change the gear shift lever to N (Neutral) while pressing the brake
pedal and pushing [SHIFT LOCK
RELEASE] button or inserting,
pressing down a tool (e.g. flathead
screw-driver) into the [SHIFT LOCK
RELEASE] access hole at the
same time. Then, the vehicle will
move when external force is
applied.
CAUTION- Shifting
Always come to a complete stopbefore shifting into or out of R(Reverse); you may damage thetransaxle if you shift into R(Reverse) while the vehicle is inmotion, except when “Rockingthe vehicle” explained in thissection.
WARNING
With the exception of parking in neutral gear, always park
the vehicle in P (Park) for safe-
ty and engage the parking
brake.
Before parking in N (Neutral) gear, first make sure the park-
ing ground is level and flat. Do
not park in N gear on any
slopes or gradients.
If parked and left in N, the
vehicle may move and cause
serious damage and injury.
Driving your vehicle
20
5
Moving up a steep grade from a
standing start
To move up a steep grade from a
standing start, depress the brake
pedal, shift the shift lever to D
(Drive). Select the appropriate gear
depending on load weight and steep-
ness of the grade, and release the
parking brake. Depress the accelera-
tor gradually while releasing the
service brakes.
521
Driving your vehicle
Power brakes
Your vehicle has power-assisted
brakes that adjust automatically
through normal usage.
In the event that the power-assisted
brakes lose power because of a
stalled engine or some other reason,
you can still stop your vehicle by
applying greater force to the brake
pedal than you normally would. The
stopping distance, however, will be
longer.
When the engine is not running, the
reserve brake power is partially
depleted each time the brake pedal
is applied. Do not pump the brake
pedal when the power assist has
been interrupted.
Pump the brake pedal only when
necessary to maintain steering con-
trol on slippery surfaces.Wet brakes may impair the vehicle’s
ability to safely slow down; the vehi-
cle may also pull to one side when
the brakes are applied. Applying the
brakes lightly will indicate whether
they have been affected in this way.
Always test your brakes in this fash-
ion after driving through deep water.
To dry the brakes, apply them lightly
while maintaining a safe forward
speed until brake performance
returns to normal.
BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING- Steep hill
braking
Avoid continuous application of
the brakes when descending a
long or steep hill by shifting to a
lower gear. Continuous brake
application will cause the brakes
to overheat and could result in a
temporary loss of braking per-
formance.
CAUTION- Brake Pedal
Do not drive with your foot rest- ing on the brake pedal. This willcreate abnormally high braketemperatures which can causeexcessive brake lining and padwear.