
Introduction
4 1
Other fuels
Using fuels that contain Silicone (Si),
MMT (Manganese, Mn), Ferrocene
(Fe), and Other metalic additives,
may cause vehicle and engine dam-
age or cause misfiring, poor acceler-
ation, engine stalling, catalyst melt-
ing, clogging, abnormal corrosion,
life cycle reduction, etc.
Also, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(MIL) may illuminate.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
Damage to the fuel system or per-
formance problem caused by the use
of these fuels may not be covered by
your New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains harmful man-
ganese-based fuel additives Such as
MMT(Methylcyclopentadienyl
Manganese Tricarbonyl). Kia does not
recommend the use of gasoline con-
taining MMT. This type of fuel can
reduce vehicle performance and affect
your emission control system. The
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the
cluster may come on.
Do not use methanol
Fuels containing methanol (wood alco-
hol) should not be used in your vehicle.
This type of fuel can reduce vehicle
performance and damage components
of the fuel system, engine control sys-
tem and emission control system.
Fuel Additives
Kia recommends that you use good
quality gasolines treated with deter-
gent additives such as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, which help pre-
vent deposit formation in the engine.
These gasolines will help the engine
run cleaner and enhance performance
of the Emission Control System. For
more information on TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, please go to the
website (www.toptiergas.com)
For customers who do not use TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly,
and have problems starting or the
engine does not run smoothly, addi-
tives that you can buy separately may
be added to the gasoline.
If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is not
available, one bottle of additive should
be added to the fuel tank at every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every
engine oil change is recommended.
Additives are available from your
authorized Kia dealer along with infor-
mation on how to use them. Do not
mix other additives.

Introduction
6 1
This vehicle should not be modified.
Modification of your vehicle could
affect its performance, safety or
durability and may even violate gov-
ernmental safety and emissions reg-
ulations.
In addition, damage or performance
problems resulting from any modifi-
cation may not be covered under
warranty.
If you use unauthorized electronic
devices, it may cause the vehicle to
operate abnormally, wire damage,
battery discharge and fire. For your
safety, do not use unauthorized
electronic devices.No special break-in period is need-
ed. By following a few simple precau-
tions for the first 600 miles (1,000
km) you may add to the perform-
ance, economy and life of your vehi-
cle.
Do not race the engine.
While driving, keep your engine
speed (rpm, or revolutions per
minute) between 2,000 rpm and
4,000 rpm.
Do not maintain a single speed for
long periods of time, either fast or
slow. Varying engine speed is
needed to properly break-in the
engine.
Avoid hard stops, except in emer-
gencies, to allow the brakes to seat
properly.
Don't tow a trailer during the first
1,200 miles (2,000 km) of opera-
tion. Do not park or stop the vehicle near
flammable items such as leaves,
paper, oil, and tire. Such items
placed near the exhaust system can
become a fire hazard.
When an engine idles at a high rpm
with the rear side of the vehicle in
close proximity of the wall, heat of
the exhaust gas can cause discol-
oration or fire. Keep enough space
between the rear part of the vehicle
and the wall.
Be sure not to touch the
exhaust/catalytic systems while
engine is running or right after the
engine is turned off. There is a risk
of burns since the systems are
extremely hot.
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS
VEHICLE BREAK-IN
PROCESSRISK OF BURNS WHEN
PARKING OR STOPPING
VEHICLE.

Your vehicle at a glance
6 2
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
OCK077001/OCK077002
1. Engine coolant reservoir....................7-23
2. Radiator cap ......................................7-25
3. Engine oil filler cap ............................7-21
4. Engine oil dipstick..............................7-20
5. Brake fluid reservoir ..........................7-26
6. Fuse box ............................................7-59
7. Windshield washer fluid reservoir......7-27
8. Air cleaner .........................................7-29
❈The actual engine compartment in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.
❈The battery is in the trunk.
■
■THETA II 2.0L T-GDI (Gasoline engine)
■ ■Lambda II PE 3.3L T-GDI (Gasoline engine)

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).

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
110 5
Various drive situations, which you
may encounter in SMART mode
The drive mode automatically
changes to ECO mode after a cer-
tain period of time, when you gen-
tly depress the accelerator pedal
(Your drive is categorized to be
mild.).
The drive mode automatically
changes from SMART ECO mode
to SMART COMFORT mode after
a certain period of time, when you
sharply or repetitively depress the
accelerator pedal.
The drive mode automatically
changes to SMART COMFORT
mode with the same driving pat-
terns, when the vehicle starts to
drive on an upward slope of a cer-
tain angle. The drive mode auto-
matically returns to SMART ECO
mode, when the vehicle enters a
leveled road. The drive mode automatically
changes to SMART SPORT, when
you abruptly accelerate the vehicle
or repetitively operate the steering
wheel (Your driving is categorized
to be sporty.). In this mode, your
vehicle drives in a lower gear for
abrupt accelerating/decelerating
and increases the engine brake
performance.
You may still sense the engine
brake performance, even when you
release the accelerator pedal in
SMART SPORT mode. It is
because your vehicle remains in a
lower gear over a certain period of
time.
The drive mode automatically
changes to SMART SPORT mode
only in dynamic driving situations.
In most of the normal driving situa-
tions, the drive mode sets to be
either in SMART ECO mode or in
SMART COMFORT mode.Limitation of SMART mode
The SMART mode may be limited in
following situations. (The OFF indica-
tor illuminates in those situations.)
The driver manually moves the
shift lever : It deactivates SMART
mode.
The cruise control is activated :
The cruise system may deactivate
the SMART mode. (SMART mode
is not automatically deactivated
just by activing the cruise system.)
The transmission oil temperature is
either extremely low or extremely
high : The SMART mode can be
active in most of the normal driving
situations. However, an extremely
high/ low transmission oil tempera-
ture may temporarily deactivate the
SMART mode, because the trans-
mission condition is out of normal
operation condition.