2020 KIA FORTE Owners Manual

Maintenance
28
7
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: at
the beginning of the winter season,
and before traveling to a colder cli-
mate.Checking the coolant level 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 from the cool-
ing system.
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 operating, do not remove the radiator cap or
the drain plug while the engine and
radiator are hot. Hot coolant and
steam may still blow out under
pressure, causing serious injury.
WARNING
Removing radiator
cap
Never attempt to remove the
radiator cap while the engine is
operating or hot. Doing so
might lead to cooling system
and engine damage and could
result in serious personal injury
from escaping hot coolant or
steam.

729
Maintenance
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 the
engine is cool.
If the coolant level is low, add enough
specified coolant to provide protec-
tion against freezing and corrosion.
Bring the level to F, but do not over-
fill. If frequent additions are required,
see an authorized Kia dealer for a
cooling system inspection.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
Make sure the coolant cap is proper-
ly closed after refilling the coolant.
Otherwise the engine could be over-
heated while driving.
WARNING- Cooling fan
Use caution when working near
the blade of the cooling fan. The
electric motor (cooling fan) is
controlled by engine coolant
temperature, refrigerant pres-
sure and vehicle speed. it may
sometimes operate even when
the engine is not running.
OBD078005
■Nu 2.0L MPI Engine (Gasoline)
OCD078009
■Gamma 1.6L TGDI Engine (Gasoline)

Maintenance
30
7
1. Make sure that the tiny protru-
sions inside the coolant cap are
securely interlocked.
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
with phosphate based coolant to
prevent corrosion and 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. This would
reduce the effectiveness of the
solution.
✽ ✽ NOTICE
Make sure that the coolant cap is
properly closed after refilling the
coolant. Otherwise the engine could
overheat while driving.
For mixture percentage, refer to the
following table.
OCD078010
■ Engine room rear view
- Gamma 1.6L TGDI Engine (Gasoline)
Ambient
Temperature Mixture Percentage
(volume)
Antifreeze Water
-15°C (5°F)35 65
-25°C (-13°F)4060
-35°C (-31°F)5050
-45°C (-49°F)6040

731
Maintenance
Changing the coolant
Have the coolant changed by an
authorized Kia dealer according to
the Maintenance Schedule at the
beginning of this chapter.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 which may result in
serious injury.
CAUTION
Put a thick cloth or fabric around the radiator cap beforerefilling the coolant in order toprevent the coolant from over-flowing into engine parts suchas the alternator.
OBD078006
■Nu 2.0L MPI Engine (Gasoline)
OCD078078
■Gamma 1.6L TGDI Engine (Gasoline)

Maintenance
32
7
BRAKE/CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
Checking the brake/clutch
fluid level
Check the fluid level in the reservoir
periodically. The fluid level should be
between the MAX (Maximum) and
MIN (Minimum) marks on the side of
the reservoir.
Before removing the reservoir cap
and adding brake/clutch fluid, clean
the area around the reservoir cap
thoroughly to prevent brake/clutch
fluid contamination. If the level is low, add fluid until you
reach the MAX (Maximum) level.
The level will fall with accumulated
mileage. This is a normal condition
associated with the wear of brake lin-
ings. If the fluid level is excessively
low, have the brake system checked
by an authorized Kia dealer.
Use only the specified brake/clutch
fluid. (Refer to the "Recommendedlubricants and capacities" section inChapter 8.)
Never mix different types of fluid.
In the event the brake system
requires frequent additions of fluid,
the vehicle should be inspected by
an authorized Kia dealer.
When changing and adding
brake/clutch fluid, handle it carefully.
Do not let it come in contact with
your eyes. If brake/clutch 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.
Brake/clutch fluid which has been
exposed to open air for an extended
time should never be used as its
quality cannot be guaranteed. It
should be disposed of properly.
OBD078007CAUTION - Brake/clutch fluid
Do not allow brake/clutch fluid tocontact the vehicle's body paint,as paint damage will result.
CAUTION - Proper fluid
Only use brake/clutch fluid inbrake system. Small amounts ofimproper fluids (such as engineoil) can cause damage to thebrake system.

733
Maintenance
WASHER FLUID
Checking the washer fluid
level
The reservoir is translucent so that
you can check the level with a quick
visual inspection.
Check the fluid level in the washer
fluid reservoir and add fluid if neces-
sary. In warm climates, plain water
may be used if washer fluid is not
available; however, in cold climates,
washer fluid with anti-freezing char-
acteristics is required to prevent
freezing.
WARNING- Flammablefluid
Do not allow the washer fluid to
come in contact with open
flames or sparks. The windshield
washer fluid reservoir is flamma-
ble under certain circumstances.
This can result in a fire.WARNING- Windshield fluid
Do not drink the windshield
washer fluid. The windshield
washer fluid is poisonous to
humans and animals.
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.
OBD078008

Maintenance
34
7
PARKING BRAKE
Checking the parking brake
Check the stroke of the parking
brake by counting the number of
“clicks’’ heard while fully applying it
from the released position. Also, the
parking brake alone should securely
hold the vehicle on a fairly steep
grade. If the stroke is more or less
than specified, have the parking
brake adjusted by an authorized Kia
dealer.
Stroke : 5~7 “clicks’’ at a force of 20
kg, 196 N (44 lbs).
OBD058011

735
Maintenance
AIR CLEANER
Filter replacement
The air filter must be replaced when
necessary, and should not be
washed.
While inspecting the air cleaner com-
partment, the air filter can be
cleaned using compressed air.1. Loosen the air cleaner cover
attaching clips and open the cover. 2. Wipe the inside of the air cleaner.
3. Replace the air cleaner filter.
4. Lock the cover with the cover
attaching clips.
OBD078009L
OBD078010LOBD078011L