
What to do in an emergency
28
6
Emergency towing precautions
 Turn the Engine Start/Stop button
to ACC position so the steering
wheel isn’t locked.
 Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
 Release the parking bake.
 Press the brake pedal with more force than normal since you will
have reduced brake performance.
 More steering effort will be required because the power steer-
ing system will be disabled.
 If you are driving down a long hill, the brakes may overheat and brake
performance will be reduced. Stop
often and let the brakes cool off.
 The vehicle should be towed at a speed of 15 mph (25 km/h) or less
within a distance of 12 miles (20
km).  If the car is being towed with all
four wheels on the ground, it can
be towed only from the front. Be
sure that the transmission is in
neutral. Be sure the steering is
unlocked by placing the Engine
Start/Stop button to ACC position.
A driver must be in the towed vehi-
cle to operate the steering and
brakes.CAUTION- Automatic
transmission
 To avoid serious damage to the automatic, limit the vehiclespeed to 10 mph (15 km/h) anddrive less than 1 mile (1.5 km)when towing.
 Before towing, check the auto- matic transmission for fluidleaks under your vehicle. If theautomatic transmission fluidis leaking, flatbed equipmentor a towing dolly must beused. 

Maintenance
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Maintenance services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
• Owner’s responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
• Owner maintenance precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Owner maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
• Owner maintenance schedule  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Scheduled maintenance service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items . . . 7-17
• Engine oil and filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
• Drive belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17\
• Fuel filter (for gasoline) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
• Fuel lines, fuel hoses and connections . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
• Vapor hose and fuel filler cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
• Vacuum crankcase ventilation hoses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
• Air cleaner filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
• Spark plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
• Valve clearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
• Cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
• Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. 7-18
• Automatic transmission fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
• Brake hoses and lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
• Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19\
• Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
• Brake discs, pads, calipers and rotors. . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20• Exhaust pipe and muffler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
• Suspension mounting bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
• Steering gear box, linkage &
boots/lower arm ball joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
• Drive shafts and boots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
• Air conditioning refrigerant  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
Engine oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-21
• Checking the engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-21
• Changing the engine oil and filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23
• Checking the coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23
• Changing the coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-25
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-26
• Checking the brake fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-26
Washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-27
• Checking the washer fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-27
Air cleaner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-28
• Replace the filter according to the Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-\
28
Climate control air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-29
• Filter inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-29
Wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-31
• Blade inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-31
• Blade replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-31
7 

75
Maintenance
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
You should exercise the utmost care
to prevent damage to your vehicle
and injury to yourself whenever per-
forming any maintenance or inspec-
tion procedures.
Should you have any doubts con-
cerning the inspection or servicing of
your vehicle, we strongly recom-
mend that you have an authorized
K900 Kia dealer perform this work.
An authorized K900 Kia dealer has
factory-trained technicians and gen-
uine Kia parts to service your vehicle
properly. For expert advice and qual-
ity service, see an authorized K900
Kia dealer.
Inadequate, incomplete or insuffi-
cient servicing may result in opera-
tional problems with your vehicle that
could lead to vehicle damage, an
accident, or bodily injury.Owner’s responsibility
✽ ✽NOTICE
Maintenance Service and Record
Retention are the owner's responsi-
bility.
You should retain documents that
show proper maintenance has been
performed on your vehicle in accor-
dance with the scheduled mainte-
nance service charts shown on the
following pages. You need this infor-
mation to establish your compliance
with the servicing and maintenance
requirements of your vehicle war-
ranties.
Detailed warranty information is
provided in your Warranty &
Consumer Information manual.
Repairs and adjustments required as
a result of improper maintenance or
a lack of required maintenance are
not covered by your vehicle war-
ranties.
We recommend you have your vehi-
cle maintained and repaired by an
authorized K900 Kia dealer. An
authorized K900 Kia dealer meets
Kia’s high service quality standards
and receives technical support from
Kia in order to provide you with a
high level of service satisfaction. 

77
Maintenance
WARNING- Maintenancework
Do not wear jewelry or loose
clothing while working under
the hood of your vehicle with
the engine running. These can
become entangled in moving
parts. If you must run the
engine while working under the
hood, make certain that you
remove all jewelry (especially
rings, bracelets, watches, and
necklaces) and all neckties,
scarves, and similar loose
clothing before getting near the
engine or cooling fans.WARNING- Touching metal parts
Do not touch metal parts
(including strut bars) while the
engine is operating or hot.
Doing so could result in serious
bodily injury. Turn the engine off
and wait until the metal parts
cool down to perform mainte-
nance work on the vehicle. 

Maintenance
20
7
Parking brake
Inspect the parking brake system
including the parking brake pedal
and cables.
Brake discs, pads, calipers
and rotors
Check the pads and discs for exces-
sive wear and calipers for fluid leak-
age.
Exhaust pipe and muffler
Visually inspect the exhaust pipes,
muffler and hangers for cracks, dete-
rioration, or damage. Start the
engine and listen carefully for any
exhaust gas leakage. Tighten con-
nections or replace parts as neces-
sary.
Suspension mounting bolts
Check the suspension connections
for looseness or damage. Retighten
to the specified torque.
Steering gear box, linkage &
boots/lower arm ball joint
With the vehicle stopped and engine
off, check for excessive free-play in
the steering wheel.
Check the linkage for bends or dam-
age. Check the dust boots and ball
joints for deterioration, cracks, or
damage. Replace any damaged
parts.
Drive shafts and boots
Check the drive shafts, boots and
clamps for cracks, deterioration, or
damage. Replace any damaged
parts and, if necessary, repack the
grease.
Air conditioning refrigerant 
Check the air conditioning lines and
connections for leakage and damage. When checking engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid,
always be sure to clean the area
around any filler plug, drain plug, or
dipstick before checking or draining
any lubricant or fluid. This is espe-
cially important in dusty or sandy
areas and when the vehicle is used
on unpaved roads. Cleaning the plug
and dipstick areas will prevent dirt
and grit from entering the engine and
other mechanisms that could be
damaged.
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS 

Maintenance
44
7
2. Tire size designation  
A tire’s sidewall is marked with a tire
size designation. You will need this
information when selecting replace-
ment tires for your car. The following
explains what the letters and num-
bers in the tire size designation
mean.
Example tire size designation:
(These numbers are provided as an
example only; your tire size designa-
tor could vary depending on your
vehicle.)
P205/55R16 89H
P - Applicable vehicle type (tires
marked with the prefix “P’’ are
intended for use on passenger
vehicles or light trucks; however,
not all tires have this marking).
205 - Tire width in millimeters.
55 - Aspect ratio. The tire’s section height as a percentage of its
width.
R - Tire construction code (Radial).
16 - Rim diameter in inches. 89 - Load Index, a numerical code
associated with the maximum
load the tire can carry.
H - Speed Rating Symbol. See the speed rating chart in this section
for additional information.
Wheel size designation  
Wheels are also marked with impor-
tant information that you need if you
ever have to replace one. The follow-
ing explains what the letters and
numbers in the wheel size designa-
tion mean.
Example wheel size designation:
6.0JX16
6.0 - Rim width in inches.
J - Rim contour designation.
16 - Rim diameter in inches. Tire speed ratings  
The chart below lists many of the dif-
ferent speed ratings currently being
used for passenger vehicles. The
speed rating is part of the tire size
designation on the sidewall of the
tire. This symbol corresponds to that
tire's designed maximum safe oper-
ating speed.
S 112 mph (180 km/h)
T 118 mph (190 km/h)
H 130 mph (210 km/h) V 149 mph (240 km/h)Z Above 149 mph (240 km/h)
Maximum Speed
Speed
Rating
Symbol 

Maintenance
46
7
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified govern-
ment test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one-and-a-
half times (1½) as well on the gov-
ernment course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate. Tires degrade over time, even when
they are not being used. Regardless
of the remaining tread, we recom-
mend that tires be replaced after
approximately six (6)  years of normal
service. Heat caused by hot climates
or frequent high loading conditions
can accelerate the aging process.
These grades are molded on the
side-walls of passenger vehicle tires.
The tires available as standard or
optional equipment on your vehicles
may vary with respect to grade.
Traction - AA, A, B & C 
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those
grades represent the tires ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on spec-
ified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction perform-
ance.
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead brak-
ing traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction char-
acteristics. 

747
Maintenance
Temperature -A, B & C 
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B and C, and represent the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C cor-
responds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the labora-
tory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.Tire terminology and definitions
Air Pressure:
The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward on
the tire. Air pressure is expressed in
kilopascal (kPa) or pounds per
square inch (psi).
Accessory Weight: This means the
combined weight of optional acces-
sories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmis-
sion, power seats, and air condition-
ing.
Aspect Ratio: The relationship of a
tire's height to its width.
Belt: A rubber coated layer of cords
that is located between the plies and
the tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead: The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords that
hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in
which the plies are laid at alternate
angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread. Cold Tire  Pressure:
The amount of
air pressure in a tire, measured in
kilopascals (kPa) or pounds per
square inch (psi), before a tire has
built up heat from driving.
Curb Weight: This means the weight
of a motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment, including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and
coolant, but without passengers and
cargo.
DOT Markings: A code molded into
the sidewall of a tire signifying that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation motor
vehicle safety standards. The DOT
code includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric des-
ignator which can also identify the
tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.