KIA Optima 2008 2.G Owner's Manual

613
In case of an emergency
TOWINGIf emergency towing is necessary, we
recommend having it done by an author-
ized Kia dealer or a commercial tow-truck
service. Proper lifting and towing proce-
dures are necessary to prevent damage
to the vehicle. The use of wheel dollies or
flatbed equipment is recommended.For trailer towing guidelines information,
refer to section 5 “Driving Tips”.
It is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the
rear wheels on the ground (without dol-
lies) and the front wheels off the ground.
When being towed by a commercial tow
truck and wheel dollies are not used, the
front of the vehicle should always be lift-
ed, not the rear.
✽ ✽
NOTICE• Do not tow the vehicle backwards
with the front wheels on the ground as
this may cause damage to the vehicle.
• Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Use wheel lift or flatbed equipment.
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In case of an emergency14 6When towing your vehicle in an emer-
gency without wheel dollies :
1. Set the ignition switch in the ACC posi-
tion.
2. Place the transaxle shift lever in N
(Neutral).
3. Release the parking brake.✽ ✽
NOTICEFailure to place the transaxle shift lever
in N (Neutral) may cause internal dam-
age to the transaxle.
Tie-down hook
(for flatbed towing)
CAUTION
Do not use the hooks under the front of the vehicle for towing purposes.
These hooks are designed ONLY for transport tie-down. If the tie-down hooks
are used for towing, the tie-down hooks will be damaged and this could lead
to serious injury.Tie-down hook
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In case of an emergency
Front towing hook1. Open the trunk lid, and remove the
towing hook from the tool bag.
2. Remove the hole cover pressing the
lower part of the cover on the front
bumper (1).3. Install the towing hook by turning it
clockwise into the hole until it is fully
secured (2).
4. Remove the towing hook and install
the cover after use.
Towing with a vehicle other than
a tow truck If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by an authorized Kia
dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
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In case of an emergency16 6If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain
secured to the emergency towing hook
under the front or rear of the vehicle. Use
extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it
and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hard-surfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, power train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
 Do not use the tow hooks to pull a vehi-
cle out of mud, sand or other condi-
tions from which the vehicle cannot be
driven out under its own power.
 Avoid towing a vehicle heavier than the
vehicle doing the towing.
 The drivers of both vehicles should com-
municate with each other frequently.✽ ✽
NOTICE• Attach a towing strap to the tow hook.
• Using a portion of the vehicle other
than the tow hooks for towing may
damage the body of your vehicle.
• Use only a cable or chain specifically
intended for use in towing vehicles.
Securely fasten the cable or chain to
the towing hook provided.
 Before emergency towing, check that
the hook is not broken or damaged.
 Fasten the towing cable or chain
securely to the hook.
 Do not jerk the hook. Apply steady and
even force.
 To avoid damaging the hook, do not
pull from the side or at a vertical angle.
Always pull straight ahead.
 Use a towing strap less than 5 m (16
feet) long. Attach a white or red cloth
(about 30 cm (12 inches) wide) in the
middle of the strap for easy visibility.
 Drive carefully so that the towing strap
is not loosened during towing.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing
the vehicle.
 Avoid sudden starts or erratic
driving maneuvers which would
place excessive stress on the
emergency towing hook and tow-
ing cable or chain. The hook and
towing cable or chain may break
and cause serious injury or dam-
age.
 If the towing vehicle does not move
easily, do not forcibly continue the
towing. Contact an authorized Kia
dealer or a commercial tow truck
service for assistance.
 Tow the vehicle as straight ahead
as possible.
 Keep away from the vehicle dur-
ing towing.
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In case of an emergency
When your vehicle is being towed
by another vehicle other than a tow
truck (in case of an emergency) Turn the ignition switch to ACC so the
steering wheel isn’t locked.
 Place the transaxle shift lever in N
(Neutral).
 Release the parking bake.
 Vehicles equipped with automatic
transaxles should not exceed 45 km/h
(28 mph) and should not be towed
more than 80 km (50 miles).
 Vehicles equipped with manual
transaxle should not be towed in
excess of 88 km/h (55 mph) and
should not be towed more than 645 km
(400 miles).
 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 steering system
will be disabled.
 If you are driving down a long hill, the
brakes may overheat and brake per-
formance will be reduced. Stop often
and let the brakes cool off.
✽ ✽
NOTICETo prevent internal damage to the
transaxle, never tow your vehicle from
the rear (backwards) with all four tires
in contact with the surface. Tips for towing a stuck vehicleThe following methods are effective
when your vehicle is stuck in mud, sand
or similar substances that prevent the
vehicle from being driven out under its
own power.
 Remove the soil and sand, etc. from
the front and the back of the tires.
 Place a stone or wood under the tires.

In case of an emergency18 6IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE The spare tire, jack, jack handle,
wheel lug nut wrench are stored in
the luggage compartment. Remove
the luggage under tray out of the way
to reach this equipment.
Removing the spare tire Turn the tire hold-down wing bolt
counterclockwise.
Store the tire in the reverse order of
removal.
To prevent the spare tire and tools
from “rattling” while the vehicle is in
motion, store them properly.
Important - use of compact
spare tireyour vehicle is equipped with a com-
pact spare tire. This compact spare
tire takes up less space than a regu-
lar-size tire. This tire is smaller than a
conventional tire and is designed for
temporary use only.
CAUTION
- Compact
spare
• You should drive carefully
when the compact spare is in
use. The compact spare
should be replaced by the
proper conventional tire and
rim at the first opportunity.
 The operation of this vehicle
is not recommended with
more than one compact spare
tire in use at the same time.
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In case of an emergency
The compact spare should be inflat-
ed to 420 kPa (60 psi).✽ ✽
NOTICECheck the inflation pressure after
installing the spare tire. Adjust it to
the specified pressure, as necessary.
When using a compact spare tire,
observe the following precautions:
 Under no circumstances should
you exceed 80 km/h (50 mph); a
higher speed could damage the
tire.
 Ensure that you drive slowly
enough for the road conditions to
avoid all hazards. Any road hazard,
such as a pothole or debris, could
seriously damage the compact
spare.
 Any continuous road use of this tire
could result in tire failure, loss of
vehicle control, and possible per-
sonal injury.
 Do not exceed the vehicle’s maxi-
mum load rating or the load-carry-
ing capacity shown on the sidewall
of the compact spare tire.
 Avoid driving over obstacles. The
compact spare tire diameter is
smaller than the diameter of a con-
ventional tire and reduces the
ground clearance approximately
25 mm (1 inch), which could result
in damage to the vehicle. Do not take the vehicle through an
automatic car wash with a compact
spare.
 Do not use tire chains on this tire.
Because of the smaller size, a tire
chain will not fit properly. This could
damage the vehicle and result in
loss of the chain.
 This tire should not be installed on
the front axle if the vehicle must be
driven in snow or on ice.
 Do not use the compact spare tire
on any other vehicle because this
tire has been designed especially
for your vehicle.
 The compact spare tire’s tread life
is shorter than a regular tire.
Inspect your compact spare tire
regularly and replace worn com-
pact spare tires with the same size
and design, mounted on the same
wheel.
CAUTION
- Compact
spare
This spare tire should be used
only for VERY short distances.
Compact spares should NEVER
be used for long drives or
extended distances.

In case of an emergency20 6Changing tires Jacking instructions The jack is provided for emergency
tire changing only.
Follow jacking instructions to reduce
the possibility of personal injury.
Tire replacement 1. Park on a level surface and apply
the parking brake firmly.
2. Shift the shift lever into R
(Reverse) with manual transaxle
or P (Park) with automatic
transaxle.
3. Activate the hazard warning flash-
er.
WARNING
- Changing
tires
 Never attempt vehicle repairs
in the traffic lanes of a public
road or highway.
 Always move the vehicle com-
pletely off the road and onto
the shoulder before trying to
change a tire. The jack should
be used on level firm ground.
If you cannot find a firm, level
place off the road, call a tow-
ing service company for
assistance.
 Be sure to use the correct
front and rear jacking posi-
tions on the vehicle; never use
the bumpers or any other part
of the vehicle for jack support.
(Continued)
(Continued)
 The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack causing serious
injury or death. No person
should place any portion of
their body under a vehicle that
is supported only by a jack.
 Do not start or run the engine
while the vehicle is on the
jack.
 Do not allow anyone to remain
in the vehicle while it is on the
jack.
 Make sure any children pres-
ent are in a secure place away
from the road and from the
vehicle to be raised with the
jack.
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621
In case of an emergency
4. Remove the wheel lug nut wrench,
jack, jack handle, and spare tire
from the vehicle.
5. Block both the front and rear of the
wheel that is diagonally opposite
the jack position.6. Loosen the wheel lug nuts coun-
terclockwise one turn each, but do
not remove any nut until the tire
has been raised off the ground.
WARNING
- Changing a tire
 To prevent vehicle movement
while changing a tire, always
set the parking brake fully, and
always block the wheel diago-
nally opposite the wheel being
changed.
 It is recommended that the
wheels of the vehicle be
chocked, and that no person
should remain in a vehicle that
is being jacked.
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In case of an emergency22 67. Place the jack at the front or rear
jacking position closest to the tire
you are changing. Place the jack
at the designated locations under
the frame. The jacking positions
are plates welded to the frame
with two tabs and a raised dot to
index with the jack.8. Insert the jack handle into the jack
and turn it clockwise, raising the
vehicle until the tire just clears the
ground. This measurement is
approximately 30 mm (1.2 in).
Before removing the wheel lug
nuts, make sure the vehicle is sta-
ble and that there is no chance for
movement or slippage.
9. Remove the wheel lug nuts by
turning them counterclockwise,
then remove the wheel.
10. Mount the spare tire into position
and install the wheel lug nuts
with the beveled edge inward.11. Once the wheel lug nuts have
been tightened, lower the vehicle
fully to the ground and continue to
tighten the lug nuts until they are
fully secured. Tighten the wheel
lug nuts firmly in a “star” pattern.
If you are unsure of the tightness
of the wheel lug nuts, have them
checked at the nearest service
station. The specified tightening
torque is 9~11 kgm (65-79 lbft,
88-107 Nm). Improperly tight-
ened wheel lug nuts could cause
brake pedal vibration while brak-
ing.
WARNING
- Jack location
To reduce the possibility of
injury, be sure to use only the
jack provided with the vehicle
and in the correct jack position;
never use any other part of the
vehicle for jack support.
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