
Features of your vehicle
96 4
Charging System
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
Once you set the Engine Start/Stop
Button to the ON position.
- It remains on until the engine is
started.
When there is a malfunction with
either the alternator or electrical
charging system.
If there is a malfunction with either the
alternator or electrical charging system:
1.Drive carefully to the nearest safe
location and stop your vehicle.
2.Turn the engine off and check the
alternator drive belt for looseness
or breakage.
If the belt is adjusted properly,
there may be a problem in the elec-
trical charging system.
In this case, have the vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
Engine Oil Pressure
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
Once you set the Engine Start/Stop
Button to the ON position.
- It remains on until the engine is
started.
When the engine oil pressure is
low.
CAUTION
If the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (MIL) illuminates, poten-
tial catalytic converter damage
is possible which could result in
loss of engine power.
In this case, have the vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
CAUTION - Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (MIL)
Driving with the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (MIL) on may
cause damage to the emission
control systems which could
effect drivability and/or fuel
economy.

497
Features of your vehicle
If the engine oil pressure is low:
1.Drive carefully to the nearest safe
location and stop your vehicle.
2.Turn the engine off and check the
engine oil level (For more details,
refer to “Engine Oil” in chapter 7). If
the level is low, add oil as required.
If the warning light remains on after
adding oil or if oil is not available,
have the vehicle inspected by an
authorized Kia dealer.Low Fuel Level Warning
Light
This warning light illuminates:
When the fuel tank is nearly empty.
If the fuel tank is nearly empty:
Add fuel as soon as possible.
CAUTION - Engine
Overheating
Do not continue driving with the
engine overheated. Otherwise
the engine may be damaged.
CAUTION - Engine
damage
If the engine is not stopped
immediately after the engine oil
pressure warning light is illumi-
nated and stays on while the
engine is running, serious
engine damage may result.CAUTION - Low Fuel
Level
Driving with the Low Fuel Level
warning light on or with the fuel
level below “E” can cause the
engine to misfire and damage
the catalytic converter (if
equipped).

Features of your vehicle
148
4
Checking the amount of air
conditioner refrigerant and
compressor lubricant
When the amount of refrigerant is
low, the performance of the air condi-
tioning is reduced. Overfilling also
has a negative impact on the air con-
ditioning system.
Therefore, if abnormal operation is
found, have the system inspected by
an authorized Kia dealer.
The refrigerant label is located on
the underside of the hood.
WARNING - Vehicles
equipped with R-1234yf
Since the refrigerantis mildly flammable
and operated at high
pressure, the air con-
ditioning system
should only be serv-
iced by trained and
certified technicians.
(Refer to the SAE
J2845)
It is important that the correct
type and amount of oil and
refrigerant are used.
All refrigerants should be
reclaimed with proper equip-
ment.
Venting refrigerants directly to
the atmosphere is harmful to
individuals and environment.
Failure to heed these warnings
can lead to serious injuries.
OCK087007L

Driving your vehicle
4 5
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- Engine
exhaust
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, outside
mirror(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 driver should
not be used during vehicle
operation.

Driving your vehicle
42 5
LIMITED SLIP
DIFFERENTIAL (LSD)
(IF EQUIPPED)
Dynamometer testing
An AWD vehicle must be tested on a
special four wheel chassis
dynamometer.
An AWD vehicle should not be tested
on a 2WD roll tester. If a 2WD roll
tester must be used, perform the fol-
lowing procedure:1. Check the tire pressures recom-
mended for your vehicle.
2. Place the rear wheels on the roll
tester for a speedometer test as
shown in the illustration.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Place the front wheels on the tem-
porary free roller as shown in the
illustration.Limited Slip Differential (LSD) refers
to a system equipped with a mecha-
nism that controls the differential
functions of the wheels in the Rear-
Differential. It allows for an enhance-
ment in handling performance during
turning.
Never run wheels with one of them
lifted by the jack. It is extremely dan-
gerous for a vehicle equipped with
Limited Slip Differential.
Be sure to inject oil for exclusive use
of LSD when replacing Rear
Differential (for LSD) Oil.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
There could be slight noises coming
from friction plates inside LSD
when the LSD-equipped vehicle is
turning around, but it is a normal
sound in the process of LSD opera-
tion and the noises don’t indicate
vehicle failure.
Oil change is highly recommended in
case that the sound becomes louder.
WARNING
Keep away from the front of the
vehicle while the vehicle is in
gear on the dynamometer. The
vehicle can jump forward and
cause serious injury or death.
OCK057161

Driving your vehicle
142 5
Driving in flooded areas
Avoid driving through flooded areas
unless you are sure the water is no
higher than the bottom of the wheel
hub. Drive through any water slowly.
Allow adequate stopping distance
because brake performance may be
affected.
After driving through water, dry the
brakes by gently applying them sev-
eral times while the vehicle is moving
slowly.
Driving off-road
Drive carefully off-road because your
vehicle may be damaged by rocks or
roots of trees. Become familiar with
the off-road conditions where you
are going to drive before you begin
driving.
Highway driving
Tires
Adjust the tire inflation pressures to
specification. Low tire inflation pres-
sures will result in overheating and
possible failure of the tires.
Avoid using worn or damaged tires
which may result in reduced traction
or tire failure.
Never exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressure shown on the tires.
Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil
High speed travel consumes more
fuel than urban motoring. Do not for-
get to check both the engine coolant
and engine oil.
Drive belt
A loose or damaged drive belt may
result in overheating of the engine.
WARNING- Under/over
inflated tires
Always check the tires for proper
inflation before driving.
Underinflated or overinflated
tires can cause poor handling,
loss of vehicle control, and sud-
den tire failure leading to acci-
dents, injuries, and even death.
For proper tire pressures, refer to
“Tires and wheels” in chapter 8.
WARNING- Tire tread
Always check the tire tread
before driving your vehicle.
Worn-out tires can result in loss
of vehicle control. Worn-out tires
should be replaced as soon as
possible. For further information
and tread limits, refer to "Tires
and wheels" in chapter 7.

Driving your vehicle
146 5
Change to "winter weight" oil
if necessary
In some climates it is recommended
that a lower viscosity "winter weight"
oil be used during cold weather. See
chapter 8 for recommendations. If
you aren't sure what weight oil you
should use, consult an authorized
Kia dealer.
Check spark plugs and ignition
system
Inspect your spark plugs as
described in chapter 7 and replace
them if necessary. Also check all
ignition wiring and components to be
sure they are not cracked, worn or
damaged in any way.
To keep locks from freezing
To keep the locks from freezing,
squirt an approved de-icer fluid or
glycerine into the key opening. If a
lock is covered with ice, squirt it with
an approved de-icing fluid to remove
the ice. If the lock is frozen internally,
you may be able to thaw it out by
using a heated key. Handle the heat-
ed key with care to avoid injury.
Use approved window washer
anti-freeze in system
To keep the water in the window
washer system from freezing, add an
approved window washer anti-freeze
solution in accordance with instruc-
tions on the container. Window wash-
er anti-freeze is available from an
authorized Kia dealer and most auto
parts outlets. Do not use engine
coolant or other types of anti-freeze
as these may damage the paint finish.
Don’t let your parking brake
freeze
Under some conditions your parking
brake can freeze in the engaged
position. This is most likely to happen
when there is an accumulation of
snow or ice around or near the rear
brakes or if the brakes are wet. If
there is a risk the parking brake may
freeze, apply it only temporarily while
you put the gear shift lever in P
(Park, Automatic Transmission) and
block the rear wheels so the vehicle
cannot roll. Then release the parking
brake.