2021 KIA SPORTAGE Owners Manual

5
• Change to "winter weight" oil if necessary . . . . . . 5-159
• Check spark plugs and ignition system. . . . . . . . . . 5-159
• To keep locks from freezing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-159
• Use approved window washer anti-freeze in system. 5-159
• Don’t let your parking brake freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-159
• Don't let ice and snow accumulate underneath . . . 5-159
• Carry emergency equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-160
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-161
• Hitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
5-162
• Safety chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-162
• Trailer brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-162
• Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-163
• Maintenance when trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-166
• If you do decide to pull a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-167
• Tire and loading information label . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-169
Vehicle load limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-169
• Certification label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-173
Vehicle weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-174

Driving your vehicle
45
Be sure the exhaust system does
not leak.
The exhaust system should be
checked whenever the vehicle is
raised to change the oil or for any
other purpose. If you hear a change in
the sound of the exhaust or if you drive
over something that strikes the under-
neath side of the vehicle, have the
exhaust system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized Kia dealer.
WARNING- Engineexhaust
Do not inhale exhaust fumes or
leave your engine running in a
enclosed area for a prolonged
time. Exhaust fumes contain
carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless gas that can cause
unconsciousness and death by
asphyxiation.WARNING- Open liftgate
Do not drive with the liftgate
open. Poisonous exhaust gases
can enter the passenger com-
partment. If you must drive with
the liftgate open proceed as fol-
lows:
1. Close all windows.
2. Open side vents.
3. Set the air intake control at "Fresh", the air flow control at
"Floor" or "Face" and the fan
at the highest speed.

55
Driving your vehicle
Before entering vehicle
• Be sure that all windows, outsidemirror(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, at the exact interval
depending on the fluid. Further
details are provided in chapter 7,
“Maintenance”.
Before starting
• Close and lock all doors.
• Position the seat so that all con-trols are easily reached.
• Buckle your seat belt.
• 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
familiar with your vehicle and its
equipment.
BEFORE DRIVING
WARNING - Distracted driving
Focus on the road while driving.
The driver's primary responsi-
bility is in the safe and legal
operation of the vehicle. Use of
any handled devices, other
equipment or vehicle systems
that distract the drive should
not be used during vehicle
operation.

Driving your vehicle
65
WARNING- Check sur-roundings
Always check the surrounding
areas near your vehicle for peo-
ple, especially children, before
putting a vehicle into D (Drive)
or R (Reverse).
WARNING- Fire risk
When you intend to park or stop
the vehicle with the engine on,
be careful not to depress the
accelerator pedal for a long
period of time. It may overheat
the engine or exhaust system
and cause fire.WARNING- Loose objects
Securely store items in your
vehicle. When you make a sud-
den stop or turn the steering
wheel rapidly, loose objects
may drop on the floor and it
could interfere with the opera-
tion of the foot pedals, possibly
causing an accident.WARNING- Driving while intoxicated
Do not drive while intoxicated.
Drinking and driving is danger-
ous. Even a small amount of
alcohol will affect your reflexes,
perceptions and judgment.
Driving while under the influ-
ence of drugs is as dangerous
as or more dangerous than driv-
ing drunk.
WARNING- Proper footwear
Always wear appropriate shoes
when operating your vehicle.
Unsuitable shoes (high heels,
ski boots, sandals, etc.) may
interfere with your ability to use
the brake and accelerator ped-
als.

57
Driving your vehicle
Illuminated ignition switch
Whenever a front door is opened, the
ignition switch will illuminate for your
convenience, provided the ignition
switch is not in the ON position. The
light will go off immediately when the
ignition switch is turned on. It will
also go off after about 30 seconds
when the door is closed.
Ignition switch position
LOCK
The ignition key can be removed only
in the LOCK position.
ACC (Accessory)
The electrical accessories are opera-
tive. If difficulty is experienced turn-
ing the ignition switch to the ACC
position, turn the key while turning
the steering wheel right and left to
release the tension.
ON
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. This is
the normal running position after the
engine is started.
Do not leave the ignition switch ON ifthe engine is not running to preventbattery discharge.
START
Turn the ignition switch to the START
position to start the engine. The
engine will crank until you release
the key; then it returns to the ON
position. The brake warning light can
be checked in this position.
KEY POSITIONS (IF EQUIPPED)
OQL055065
OQL055066

Driving your vehicle
85
WARNING- Key holder
Do not place small purses, mul-
tiple keys, or other heavy acces-
sories on your vehicle key ring.
The driver can accidently push
these objects causing the ACC
position to change while in
motion and disrupt the proper
operation of some of the vehi-
cle's safety features.
WARNING- Leaving the Vehicle
To avoid unexpected or sudden
vehicle movement, never leave
your vehicle if the transmission
is not locked in the P (Park)
position and the parking brake
is fully engaged. Before leaving
the driver's seat, always make
sure the shift lever is engaged in
P (Park), set the parking brake
fully and shut the engine off.WARNING- Ignition switch
Never turn the ignition switch to
LOCK or ACC while the vehicle
is moving. This would result in
loss of directional control and
braking function, which could
cause an accident.WARNING
The anti-theft steering column
lock (if equipped) is not a sub-
stitute for the parking brake.
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever
is engaged in P (Park) for auto-
matic transmission, set the
parking brake fully and shut the
engine off. Unexpected and
sudden vehicle movement may
occur if these precautions are
not taken.

59
Driving your vehicle
Starting the engine
1.Make sure the parking brake isapplied.
2.Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park). Depress the brake pedal
fully.
You can also start the engine when
the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)
position. 3.Turn the ignition switch to START
and hold it there until the engine
starts (a maximum of 10 seconds),
then release the key.
It should be started withoutdepressing the accelerator.
4.Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the vehicle remains sta-
tionary.
Start driving at moderate engine
speeds. (Steep accelerating and
decelerating should be avoided.) If the engine stalls while you are in
motion, do not attempt to move the
shift lever to the P (Park) position. If
traffic and road conditions permit,
you may put the shift lever in the N
(Neutral) position while the vehicle is
still moving and turn the ignition
switch to the START position in an
attempt to restart the engine.
CAUTION- Starter
Do not engage the starter for
more than 10 seconds. If theengine stalls or fails to start,wait 5 to 10 seconds before re-engaging the starter. Improperuse of the starter may damageit.
WARNING- Steering
wheel
Never reach for any controls
through the steering wheel
while the vehicle is in motion.
The presence of your hand or
arm in this area could cause a
loss of vehicle control.

Driving your vehicle
105
Starting and stopping the engine for
turbocharger intercooler
1. Do not race or accelerate theengine immediately after starting.
If the engine is cold, idle for sever-
al seconds before sufficient lubri-
cation is ensured in the tur-
bocharger unit.
2. After high speed or extended driv- ing, requiring a heavy engine load,
run the engine on idle condition
about 1 minute before turning it off.
This idle time will allow the tur- bocharger to cool prior to shutting
the engine off.
CAUTION
Do not turn off the engine imme- diately after it has been subject-ed to a heavy load. Doing somay cause severe damage tothe engine or turbo charger unit.