oil level KIA CERATO 2008 Owners Manual

Driving your vehicle
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Engine oil pressure warning
This warning light indicates the
engine oil pressure is low.
If the warning light illuminates while
driving:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road
and stop.
2. With the engine off, check the engine oil level. If the level is low, add oil as required.
If the warning light remains on after
adding oil or if oil is not available, call
an Authorized Kia Dealer.
✽✽
NOTICE
If the engine is not stopped immedi-
ately, severe damage could result.
Charging system warning
This warning light indicates a mal-
function of either the generator or
electrical charging system.
If the warning light comes on while
the vehicle is in motion:
1. Drive to the nearest safe location.
2. With the engine off, check the gen- erator drive belt for looseness or
breakage.
3. If the belt is adjusted properly, a problem exists somewhere in the
electrical charging system. Have
an Authorized Kia Dealer correct
the problem as soon as possible. Safety belt warning
Ty p e A
As a reminder to the driver and pas-
senger, safety belt warning light will
blink for approximately 6 seconds
each time you turn the ignition switchON.
If the driver’s lap/shoulder belt is not
fastened when the key is turned ON
or if it is unfastened after the key is
ON, the safety belt warning light
blinks for 6 seconds. If the system
does not operate as described, see
an Authorized Kia Dealer for assis-
tance.
Ty p e B
As a reminder to the driver, safety
belt warning light will blink or illumi-
nate for approximately 6 seconds
each time you turn the ignition switchON.

Driving your vehicle
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The air conditioning system
includes a function that automati-
cally turns the air conditioningcompressor off if engine coolant
temperature approaches an over
heating level. The air conditioning
compressor operation will resume
once engine coolant temperature
returns to the normal range. Also,the air conditioning compressor is
automatically turned off for a few
seconds when the accelerator isfully depressed (wide open throt-tle).
When operating the air condition- ing system use the outside (fresh)air position.
Operating the air conditioning sys- tem in the recirculated air position
does provide maximum cooling,
however, continual operation in this
mode may cause the air inside the
vehicle to become stale. Checking the amount of air
conditioner refrigerant andcompressor lubricant
When the amount of refrigerant is
low, the performance of the air con-
ditioning is reduced. Overfilling alsohas a bad influence on the air condi-tioning system.
Therefore, if abnormal operation is
found, have the system inspected by
an authorized Kia dealer.Air conditioner refrigerant and
compressor lubricant
✽✽ NOTICE
When the performance of the air
conditioning system is reduced it is
important that the correct type and
amount of oil and refrigerant isused. Otherwise, damage to the
compressor and abnormal system
operation may occur.
CAUTION
The air conditioning system should be serviced by anauthorized Kia dealer. Improperservice may cause serious injury.

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Driving tips
Diesel engine
Diesel fuel
Diesel engine must be operated only
on commercially available diesel fuelthat complies with EN 590 or compa-
rable standard. (EN stands for
"European Norm"). Do not use
marine diesel fuel, heating oils, or
non-approved fuel additives, as this
will increase wear and cause dam-age to the engine and fuel system.
The use of non-approved fuels and /
or fuel additives will result in a limita-
tion of your warranty rights. Diesel fuel of 52 to 54 cetane is used
in your vehicle. If two types of diesel
fuel are available, use summer or
winter fuel properly according to the
following temperature conditions.
Above -5°C(23°F) ... Summer typediesel fuel.
Below -5°C(23°F) ... Winter type diesel fuel.
Watch the fuel level in the tank very
carefully : If the engine stops through
fuel failure, the circuits must be com-
pletely purged to permit restarting.
Biodiesel
Commercially supplied biodiesel
blends of no more than 5% biodiesel,
commonly known as "B5 biodiesel"
may be used in your vehicle if it
meets EN 14214 or equivalent spec-
ifications. (EN stands for "European
Norm"). The use of biofuels made
from rapeseed methyl ester (RME),
fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), veg-
etable oil methyl ester (VME) etc. ormixing diesel with biodiesel will
cause increased wear or damage to
the engine and fuel system. Repair
or replacement of worn or damagedcomponents due to the use of non
approved fuels will not be covered by
the manufactures warranty.
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CAUTION
• Do not let any gasoline or water enter the tank. Thiswould make it necessary todrain it out and to bleed thelines to avoid jamming the injection pump and damagingthe engine.
In winter, in order to cut down incidents due to freezing,paraffin oil may be added to the fuel if the temperaturedrops to below -10°C(50°F).Never use more than 20% paraffin oil.
CAUTION
Never use any fuel, whether diesel or B5 biodiesel thatfails to meet the latest petrole-um industry specification.
Never use any fuel additives or treatments that are not rec-ommended or approved by the vehicle manufacturer.

Driving tips
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BEFORE DRIVING
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, with the exact interval
depending on the fluid. Further
details are provided in Section 7,
Maintenance. Before starting
Close and lock all doors.
Position the seat so that all con-
trols are easily reached.
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 lightgoes out.
For safe operation, be sure you are
familiar with your vehicle and itsequipment.
WARNING - Driving under
the influence of alcohol or drugs
Drinking and driving is danger-
ous. Drunk driving is the num-
ber one contributor to the high-
way death toll each year. Even asmall amount of alcohol will
affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgement.
You are much more likely to
have a serious accident if you
drink and drive.
If you are drinking or taking
drugs, don’t drive. Do not ridewith a driver who has beendrinking or taking drugs.Choose a designated driver orcall a cab. Driving while under the influ-
ence of drugs is as dangerous
or more dangerous than drivingdrunk.

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In case of an emergency
OVERHEATING
If your temperature gauge indicates
overheating, if you experience a loss
of power, or if you hear a loud knock-
ing or pinging noise, the engine has
probably overheated. Should any of
these symptoms occur, use the fol-
lowing procedure:
1. Turn on the hazard warning flash- er, then drive to the nearest safe
location and stop your vehicle; set
the automatic transaxle in P
(Park), or shift the manual
transaxle to N (Neutral) and apply
the parking brake.
2. Make sure the air conditioner is off.
3. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator, stop the engine and
call an Authorized Kia Dealer for
assistance. If coolant is not boiling out, allowthe engine to idle and open the
hood to permit the engine to cool
gradually.
If the temperature does not go
down with the engine idling, stop
the engine and allow sufficient
time for it to cool.
4. The coolant level should then be checked. If the level in the reser-
voir is low, look for leaks at the
radiator hoses and connections,
heater hoses and connections,
radiator, and water pump. If youfind a major leak or another prob-
lem that may have caused the
engine to overheat, do not operatethe engine until it has been cor-
rected. Call an Authorized Kia
Dealer for assistance. If you do not
find a leak or other problem, care-
fully add coolant to the reservoir.
If the engine frequently overheats,
have the cooling system checkedand repaired by an Authorized Kia Dealer.
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WARNING - Removing
radiator cap
Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine and radiator
are hot. Scalding hot coolant
and steam may blow out under
pressure. This could cause seri-
ous injury.

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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

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Maintenance
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NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (cont.)
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
Valve clearance *4
Gasoline
Vapor hose and fuel filler cap
I I I I
Fuel tank air filter (if equipped) I I R I I R I I
Vacuum and crankcase ventilation hosesGasolineIIII
Vacuum hose (for VGT) (if equipped) Diesel
III IIIII
Vacuum pump and vacuum hose DieselIII IIIII
Vacuum pump oil hose DieselIII IIIII
Fuel filterGasoline RR
Fuel filter cartridge *6
Diesel R R R R
Fuel lines, hoses and connections I I I I I I I I Cooling system
Inspect every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 48 months *5
Inspect “Coolant level and leak” every day
Inspect “Water pump” when replacing the drive belt or timing belt
I : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace. R : Replace or change. *4 : Inspect for excessive valve noise and/or engine vibration and adjust if necessary. A qualified technician should
perform the operation.
*5 : For your convenience, it can be replaced prior to it's interval when you do maintenance of other items.
*6 : If the diesel fuel specifications don't meet the European standards EN590, replace it more frequently.
Consult an authorized KIA dealer for details.

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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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Maintenance
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ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
Checking the engine oil level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating tempera-
ture. 3. Turn the engine off and wait for a
few minutes (about 5 minutes) for
the oil to return to the oil pan.
4. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean, and re-insert it fully.
5. Pull the dipstick out again and check the level. The level should
be between F and L.
If it is near or at L, add enough oil to
bring the level to F.Do not overfill.
Use only the specified engine oil.
(Refer to “Recommended Lubricants”in section 8.)
OHD076004
OLD058005
1.6L Gasoline Engine
Diesel EngineOLD056006
OLD058007
1.6L Gasoline Engine
Diesel Engine

Maintenance
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Changing the engine oil and filter
Have engine oil and filter changed by
an authorized KIA dealer accordingto the Maintenance Schedule at thebeginning of this section. The high-pressure cooling system
has a reservoir filled with year-round
antifreeze coolant. The reservoir is
filled at the factory.
Check the antifreeze protection and
coolant level at least once a week, atthe beginning of the winter season,
and before traveling to a colder cli-
mate.
Checking the coolant level
WARNING
Used engine oil may cause irri- tation or cancer of the skin if left
in contact with the skin for pro-
longed periods of time. Used
engine oil contains chemicals
that have caused cancer in lab-
oratory animals. Always protect
your skin by washing your
hands thoroughly with soap and
warm water as soon as possibleafter handling used oil.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
WARNING - Removing
radiator cap
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap while the engine
is operating or hot. Doing somight lead to cooling system
and engine damage and could
result in serious personal
injury from escaping hotcoolant or steam.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Turn the engine off and waituntil it cools down. Even then,
use extreme care when
removing the radiator cap.
Wrap a thick towel around it,
and turn it counterclockwise
slowly to the first stop. Step
back while the pressure is
released from the cooling sys-
tem. When you are sure all thepressure has been released,
press down on the cap, using
a thick towel, and continue
turning counterclockwise to
remove it.
Even if the engine is not oper- ating, do not remove the radi-ator cap or the drain plugwhile the engine and radiator
are hot. Hot coolant and steam
may still blow out under pres-
sure, causing serious injury.