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Maintenance
✽ ✽NOTICE
The Intelligent Variable
Transmission (IVT) fluid color is
amber. As the vehicle is driven, the
Intelligent Variable Transmission
(IVT) fluid will begin to look darker.
This is normal, and you should not
judge the need to replace the fluid
based upon the changed color.
Brake hoses and lines
Visually check for proper installation,
chafing, cracks, deterioration and
any leakage. Replace any deteriorat-
ed or damaged parts immediately.CAUTION
Use only specified Intelligent
Variable Transmission (IVT)fluid. The use of non-specifiedfluid (even marked as compati-ble with genuine) could resultin shift quality deteriorationand vibrations, and eventually,transmission failure.
(Refer to “Recommended lubri-cants and capacities” in chapter8.)
OBD078066
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Maintenance
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7
✽ ✽
NOTICE - NHTSA Safety
Corrosion Alert
NHTSA has warned all vehicle own-
ers of all brands that they must main-
tain their vehicles in a manner which
will prevent brake hose and brake line
failures due to corrosion when such
vehicles are exposed to winter road
salt and related chemicals. While seri-
ous corrosion conditions typically only
manifest themselves as safety issues
after 7 years of vehicle use, the corro-
sion process starts immediately and
thus underbody cleaning maintenance
must commence from your vehicle's
first exposure to road salts and chem-
icals. NHTSA urges vehicle owners to
take the following steps to prevent
corrosion:
(Continued)(Continued)
1. Wash the undercarriage of your
vehicle regularly throughout the
winter and do a thorough washing
in the spring to remove road salt
and other de-icing chemicals.
2. Monitor the brake system for signs of corrosion by having regu-
lar professional inspections and
watching for signs of problems,
including loss of brake fluid,
unusual leaks and soft or spongy
feel in the brake pedal.
3. Replace the entire brake pipe assembly if you find severe corro-
sion that causes scaling or flaking
of brake components.
Brake/Clutch fluid
Check the brake/clutch fluid level in
the brake/clutch fluid reservoir. The
level should be between the “MIN”
and “MAX” marks on the side of the
reservoir. Use only hydraulic
brake/clutch fluid conforming to DOT
4 specification.
Parking brake
Inspect the parking brake system
including the parking brake lever and
cables.
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719
Maintenance
Brake discs, pads, calipers
and rotors
Check the pads for excessive wear,
discs for run out and wear, and
calipers for fluid leakage.
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.
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Maintenance
20
7
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS
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.
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Maintenance
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil level
Engine oil is used for lubricationand cooling, so it is gradually con-
sumed during driving the vehicle.
Regularly check and manage the oil level using the following proce-
dure.
1. Be sure the vehicle is on levelground.
2. Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating tempera-
ture.
3. Turn the engine off and wait for a few minutes (about 15 minutes.
(with oil filler cap and dipstick
detached)) for the oil to return to
the oil pan.
4. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean, and reinsert it fully. 5. Check if the oil level is between
the F-L line and refill it if the oil
level is near the L line.
CAUTION - Replacing
engine oil
Do not overfill the engine oil. Itmay damage the engine.
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.
OSC078048N
■Smartstream G1.6
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Maintenance
22
7
Check if the oil level is between the
F-L line and refill it if the oil level is
near the L line.
Use a funnel to help prevent oil
from being spilled on engine com-
ponents.
Use only the specified engine oil.
(Refer to “Recommended lubricantsand capacities” in chapter 8.)
The engine oil consumption may increase while you break in a new
vehicle and it will be stabilized after
driving 3,750 miles (6,000 km).
The engine oil consumption can be affected by driving habits, climate
conditions, traffic conditions, oil
quality, etc. Therefore, it is recom-
mended that you inspect the
engine oil level regularly and refill it
if necessary.
The engine oil change interval is set for the purpose of preventing oil
deterioration, and is not related the
amount of oil consumption; so,
check and refill the amount of the
oil regularly.Changing the engine oil and
filter
Have engine oil and filter changed by
an authorized Kia dealer according
to the Maintenance Schedule at the
beginning of this chapter.
If exceeding the maintenanceschedule for replacement of
engine oil, the engine oil perform-
ance may deteriorate and the
engine condition may be affected.
Therefore, the replacement cycle
should be observed.
To keep the engine in optimal con- dition, use recommended engine
oil. If not using the recommended
oil, replace it according to the
severe usage maintenance condi-
tions.
OSC078049N
■Smartstream G1.6
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Maintenance
WARNING - Used engine
oil
Used engine oil may cause irrita-
tion or cancer of the skin if left in
contact with the skin for pro-
longed periods of time. Always
protect your skin by washing
your hands thoroughly with
soap and warm water as soon as
possible after handling used oil.
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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.
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