steering KIA CERATO 2008 Owner's Manual

Driving tips
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SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS
Hazardous driving conditions
When hazardous driving conditions
are encountered such as water,
snow, ice, mud, sand, or similar haz-
ards, follow these suggestions:
Drive cautiously and allow extra distance for braking.
Avoid sudden movements in brak- ing or steering.
When braking, pump the brake pedal with a light up-and-down
motion until the vehicle is stopped.
✽✽ NOTICE
Do not pump the brake pedal on a
vehicle equipped with ABS.
If stalled in snow, mud, or sand, use second gear. Accelerate slow-
ly to avoid spinning the drive
wheels.
Use sand, rock salt, tire chains, or other non-slip material under the
drive wheels to provide traction
when stalled in ice, snow, or mud. Rocking the vehicle
If it is necessary to rock the vehicle
to free it from snow, sand, or mud,
first turn the steering wheel right and
left to clear the area around your
front wheels. Then, shift back and
forth between 1 (First) and R
(Reverse) in vehicles equipped with
a manual transaxle or R (Reverse)
and any forward gear in vehiclesequipped with an automatic
transaxle. Do not race the engine,and spin the wheels as little as pos-
sible. If you are still stuck after a few
tries, have the vehicle pulled out by a
tow vehicle to avoid engine overheat-
ing and possible damage to the
transaxle.
✽✽
NOTICE
Prolonged rocking may cause engine
over-heating, transaxle damage or
failure, and tire damage.
WARNING - Downshifting
Downshifting with an automatic
transaxle, while driving on slip-
pery surfaces can cause an
accident. The sudden change intire speed could cause the tires
to skid. Be careful when down-
shifting on slippery surfaces.

Driving tips
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CAUTION
Failure to use an approved trail-
er wiring harness could result indamage to the vehicle electricalsystem and/or personal injury.
Following distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sud-
den turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance
up ahead when you’re towing a trail-
er. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
you can return to your lane.
Backing up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, just move your
hand to the left. To move the trailer to
the right, move your hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making turns
When you’re turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal. Do
this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sud-
den maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn signals when towing a trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle
has to have a different turn signal
flasher and extra wiring. The green
arrows on your instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal a turn or
lane change. Properly connected,
the trailer lights will also flash to alert
other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green
arrows on your instrument panel will
flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you
may think drivers behind you are
seeing your signals when, in fact,
they are not. It’s important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working. You must also check the lights every
time you disconnect and then recon-
nect the wires.
Do not connect a trailer lighting sys-
tem directly to your vehicle’s lighting
system. Use only an approved trailer
wiring harness.
Your Authorized Kia Dealer can
assist you in installing the wiring har-
ness.

In case of an emergency
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Towing with a vehicle other
than a tow truck
If towing is necessary, we recom-
mend you to have it done by an
Authorized Kia dealer or a commer-
cial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or
chain secured to the emergency tow-ing 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 distance and at low speeds.
Also, the wheels, axles, power train,
steering and brakes must all be ingood condition.
Do not use the tow hooks to pull a
vehicle out of mud, sand or other
conditions 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 communicate with each other fre-
quently.
OLD046020

OLD046021

In case of an emergency
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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 than645 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 steer-
ing system will be disabled.
If you are driving down a long hill, the brakes may overheat and brake
performance will be reduced. Stop
often and let the brakes cool off.
✽✽ NOTICE
To prevent internal damage to the
transaxle, never tow your vehicle
from the rear (backwards) with all
four tires in contact with the sur-face.
Tips for towing a stuck vehicle
The following methods are effective
when your vehicle is stuck in mud,sand or similar substances that pre-
vent 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.

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10
Maintenance services / 7-3 Normal maintenance schedule / 7-5
Maintenance under severe usage conditions / 7-9
Owner maintenance / 7-11Engine compartment / 7-14
Engine oil and oil filter / 7-17Engine cooling system / 7-18Brakes and clutch / 7-21Parking brake / 7-22
Power steering / 7-23Manual transaxle / 7-23Automatic transaxle / 7-24Lubricants and fluids / 7-26
Fuel filter / 7-27
Air cleaner / 7-28
Climate control air filter / 7-30
Wiper blades / 7-32Battery / 7-34
Tires and wheels / 7-36
Maintenance

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Maintenance
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
I : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.
R : Replace or change. *1: Adjust alternator and power steering (and water pump drive belt) and air conditioner drive belt (if equipped).
Inspect and if necessary correct or replace.
*2 : Check the engine oil level and leak every 500 km (350 miles) or before starting a long trip.
*3 : For your convenience, it can be replaced prior to it's interval when you do maintenance of other items.
MAINTENANCE
INTERVALS
MAINTENANCE ITEMNumber of months or driving distance, whichever comes first
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
Miles×1,000 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Km×1,000 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120
Drive belts *1 Gasoline I I I I I I I I
Diesel I I I I
Engine oil and Gasoline R R R R R R R R
engine oil filter *2
Diesel For Europe R R R R R R R R
Except Europe
Gasoline (2.0L)Engine timing belt
Tensioner/idler Gasoline (2.0L)
Air cleaner filter
I I R I I R I I
Air cleaner filter For Middle East
Spark plugs (Gasoline)
Replace every 10,000 km (6,000 miles) or 12 months
Inspect every 90,000 km (60,000 miles) or 48 months
and replace every 140,000 km (90,000 miles) or 72 months*3
Replace every 40,000 km (25,000 miles) *3
Replace every 15,000 km (10,000 miles)
Inspect when timing belt is inspected or replaced

Maintenance
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NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (cont.)
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I : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace. R : Replace or change.
Number of months or driving distance, whichever comes first
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
Miles×1,000 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Km×1,000 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120
Power steering fluid and hoses I I I I I I I I
Steering gear rack, linkage and boots I I I I I I I I
Driveshaft and boots I I I I I I I I
Tire (pressure & tread wear) I I I I I I I I
Front suspension ball joints I I I I I I I I
Bolt and nuts on chassis and body I I I I I I I I
Air conditioner refrigerant (if equipped) I I I I I I I I
Air conditioner compressor (if equipped) I I I I I I I I
Climate control air filter (if equipped) R R R R R R R R
Manual transaxle fluid (if equipped) I I I I I I I I
Automatic transaxle fluid (if equipped) For Europe
III IIRI I
Except EuropeIII II I I I
MAINTENANCE
INTERVALS
MAINTENANCE ITEM

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Maintenance
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MAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE USAGE CONDITIONS
The following items must be serviced more frequently on cars mainly used under severe driving conditions.
Refer to the chart below for the appropriate maintenance intervals.
R : Replace I : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replaceEngine oil and G asoline R Every 7,500 km (5,000 miles) or 6 months
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K
engine oil filterDiesel
For EuropeR Every 7,500 km (5,000 miles) or 6 months A, B, C, D, E, F,
Except EuropeR Every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 6 months G, H, I
Air cleaner filter R C, E
Spark plugs Gasoline R A, B, C, G, H, I, K
Engine timing belt, G asoline (2.0L) R Every 90,000 km (60,000 miles) or 48 months D, E, F, G
tensioner and idler
Manual transaxle fluid (if equipped)
REvery 100,000 km (62,000 miles)A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K
Automatic transaxle fluid For EuropeR Every 45,000 km (30,000 miles)A, C, D, E, F
(if equipped) Except Europe R
Every 40,000 km (25,000 miles)G, H, I, K
Steering gear rack, linkage and boots I
C, D, E, F, G
MAINTENANCE ITEMMaintenance
operation Maintenance intervals
Driving condition
Replace more frequently
depending on the condition
Inspect more frequently
depending on the condition Replace more frequently
depending on the condition

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Maintenance
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OWNER MAINTENANCE
Owner maintenance schedule
The following lists are vehicle checks and inspections that should be per-
formed by the owner or an
Authorized Kia Dealer at the fre-quencies indicated to help ensure
safe, dependable operation of your
vehicle.
Any adverse conditions should be
brought to the attention of your deal-
er as soon as possible.
These Owner Maintenance Checks
are generally not covered by war-
ranties and you may be charged for
labor, parts and lubricants used.
When you stop for fuel:
Check the engine oil level.
Check coolant level in coolant reservoir.
Check the windshield washer fluid level.
Look for low or under-inflated tires.
While operating your vehicle:
Note any changes in the sound of the exhaust or any smell of
exhaust fumes in the vehicle.
Check for vibrations in the steering wheel. Notice any increased steer-
ing effort or looseness in the steer-
ing wheel, or change in its straight-ahead position.
Notice if your vehicle constantly turns slightly or “pulls” to one side
when traveling on smooth, levelroad.
When stopping, listen and check for strange sounds, pulling to one
side, increased brake pedal travel
or “hard-to-push” brake pedal.
If any slipping or changes in the operation of your transaxle occurs,
check the transaxle fluid level.
Check automatic transaxle P (Park) function.
Check parking brake.
Check for fluid leaks under your vehicle (water dripping from the air conditioning system after use is
normal).
WARNING
Be careful when checking your
engine coolant level when the
engine is hot. Scalding hot
coolant and steam may blow out
under pressure. This could
cause serious injury.

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At least monthly:
Check coolant level in the engine
coolant reservoir.
Check the operation of all exterior lights, including the stoplights, turn
signals and hazard warning flash-
ers.
Check the inflation pressures of all tires including the spare.
At least twice a year
(i.e., every Spring and Fall) :
Check radiator, heater and air con- ditioning hoses for leaks or da-
mage.
Check windshield washer spray and wiper operation. Clean wiper
blades with clean cloth dampened
with washer fluid.
Check headlight alignment.
Check muffler, exhaust pipes, shields and clamps.
Check the lap/shoulder belts for wear and function.
Check for worn tires and loose wheel lug nuts.
At least once a year :
Clean body and door drain holes.
Lubricate door hinges and checks,and hood hinges.
Lubricate door and hood locks and latches.
Lubricate door rubber weather- strips.
Check the air conditioning system.
Check the power steering fluid level.
Inspect and lubricate automatic transaxle linkage and controls.
Clean battery and terminals.
Check the brake fluid level.