check oil KIA Opirus 2008 1.G Owner's Manual

429
Driving your vehicle
Engine oil
pressure
warning
This warning light indicates the engine oil
pressure is low.
If the warning light illuminates while driv-
ing:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road andstop.
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.
Charging
system
warning
This warning light indicates a malfunction
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 genera- tor drive belt for looseness or break-
age.
3. If the belt is adjusted properly, a prob- lem exists somewhere in the electrical
charging system. Have an Authorized
Kia Dealer correct the problem as
soon as possible.
Safety belt warning
If the driver’s lap/shoulder belt is not fas-
tened when the key is turned ON or if it is
unfastened after the key is ON, the safe-
ty belt warning light blinks until the belt is
fastened.
If the system does not operate as
described, see an Authorized Kia Dealer
for assistance.
CHECK
ENGINE OIL!RECHARGE BATTERY
CAUTION
If the engine is not stopped imme-diately, severe damage could result.

451
Driving your vehicle
Air conditioning system opera-
tion tips
• If the vehicle has been parked in directsunlight during hot weather, open the
windows for a short time to let the hot
air inside the vehicle escape.
• To help reduce moisture inside of the windows on rainy humid days,
decrease the humidity inside the vehi-
cle by operating the air conditioning
system.
• During air conditioning system opera- tion, you may occasionally notice a
slight change in the engine speed as
the air conditioning compressor cycles
on. This is a normal system operation
characteristics.
• Use the air conditioning system every month only for a few minutes to ensure
maximum system performance.
• When using the air conditioning sys- tem, you may notice clear water drip-
ping (or even pudding) on the ground
under the passenger side of the vehi-
cle. This is a normal system operation
characteristics. • Operating the air conditioning system
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 con-
ditioner refrigerant and compres-
sor lubricant
When the amount of refrigerant is low,
the performance of the air conditioning is
reduced. Overfilling also has a bad influ-
ence on the air conditioning system.
Therefore, if abnormal operation is
found, have the system inspected by an
authorized Kia dealer.
CAUTION
When the performance of the air
conditioning system is reduced it is
important that the correct type and amount of oil and refrigerant isu sed. Otherwis e, damage to the
compressor and abnormal system operation may occur.
CAUTION
When us ing the air conditioning
s ystem, monitor the temperature
gauge closely while driving up hill s
or in heavy traffic when out side
temperatures are high. Air condi- tioning system operation may
caus e engine overheating.
Continue to use the blower fan but turn the air conditioning system off
if the temperature gauge indicate s
engine overheating.
WARNING
The air conditioning system should
be serviced by an authorized Kia
dealer. Improper service may cause
serious injury to the per son per-
forming the service.

55
Driving tips
BEFORE DRIVING
Before entering vehicle:
• Be sure that all windows, outside mir-ror(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 controls 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 light goes out.
For safe operation, be sure you are famil-
iar with your vehicle and its equipment.WARNING- Driving under
the influence of alcohol or
drugs
Drinking and driving i s dangerous.
Drunk driving is the number one
contributor to the highway death
toll each year. Even a small amount
of alcohol will affect your reflexe s,
perceptions and judgement.
You are much more likely to have a
serious accident if you drink and
drive.
If you are drinking or taking drug s,
don’t drive. Do not ride with a driv-
er who has been drinking or taking
drugs. Choose a designated driver
or call a cab.
Driving while under the influence of
drugs i s as dangerous or more dan-
gerou s than driving drunk.

59
Driving tips
Winter driving
• We recommend that you carry emer-gency equipment, including tire chains,
a window scraper, windshield de-icer,
a bag of sand or salt, flares, a small
shovel and jumper cables.
• Make sure you have sufficient ethyl- ene-glycol coolant in the radiator.
• Check the battery condition and cables. Cold temperatures reduce the
capacity of any battery, so it must be in
excellent condition to provide enough
winter starting power.
• Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for cold weather.
• Check the ignition system for loose connections and damage.
• Use antifreeze-formulated windshield washer fluid. (Do not use engine
coolant antifreeze.)
• Do not use the parking brake if it might freeze. When parking, shift to P (Park)
with an automatic transaxle and block
the rear wheels.
Snow tires
If you mount snow tires on your Kia,
make sure they are radial tires of the
same size and load range as the original
tires. Mount snow tires on all four wheels
to balance your vehicle’s handling in all
weather conditions. Keep in mind that the
traction provided by snow tires on dry
roads may not be as high as your vehi-
cle's original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads are
clear. Check with the tire dealer for max-
imum speed recommendations.
Do not install studded tires without firstchecking local, state and municipal regu- lations for possible restrictions againsttheir use.
Driving in flooded areas
Avoid driving through flooded areas
unless you are sure the water is no high-
er 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 several
times while the vehicle is moving slowly.
WARNING- Snow tire size
Snow tires should be equivalent in
size and type to the vehicle' s stan-
dard tires. Otherwise, the safety and
handling of your vehicle may be
adver sely affected.

Driving tips
225
However, if you ever have to park your
trailer on a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your brakes, but don’t shift intogear.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brakes until the chocks
absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brakes. Apply your park- ing brake, and then shift to P (Park) for
an automatic transaxle.
5. Release the brakes.When you are ready to leave after parking on a hill
1. With the automatic transaxle in P (Park), apply your brakes and hold the
brake pedal down while you:
• Start your engine;
• Shift into gear; and
• Release the parking brake.
2. Slowly remove your foot from the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when trailer towing
Your vehicle will need service more often
when you regularly pull a trailer.
Important items to pay particular atten-
tion include engine oil, automatic
transaxle fluid, axle lubricant and cooling
system fluid. Brake condition is another
important item to frequently check. Each
item is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you find them quickly. If
you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review
these sections before you start your trip.
Don’t forget to also maintain your trailer
and hitch. Follow the maintenance
schedule that accompanied your trailer
and check it periodically. Preferably, con-
duct the check at the start of each day’s
driving. Most importantly, all hitch nuts
and bolts should be tight.
WARNING- Parking brake
It can be dangerous to get out of
your vehicle if the parking brake i s
not firmly set.
If you have left the engine running,
the vehicle can move suddenly. You
or other s could be s eriously or
fatally injured.
CAUTION
Due to higher load during trailer usage, overheating might occur inhot days or during uphill driving. Ifthe coolant gauge indicate s over-
heating, switch off the A/C and stop
the vehicle in a safe area to cool
down the engine.

Maintenance
67
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONTINUED)
Chart symbols:
I- Inspect these items and their related parts. If necessary, correct, clean, refill, adjust of replace.
R- Replace or change
L- Lubricate.
(1) Refer to the lubricant and coolant specifications in the Owner’s Manual
(2) More frequent maintenance is required if driving under dusty conditions.
(3) More frequent maintenance is required if the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions: a. Short-distance driving
b. Driving on dusty roads.
c. Extensive idling or slow-speed driving in stop-and-go traffic.
(4) If necessary, rotate and balance the wheels.
* Note: Check the engine oil and coolant levels every week.

77
Maintenance
OWNER MAINTENANCE
Owner maintenance schedule
The following lists are vehicle checks and
inspections that should be performed by
the owner or qualified service technician
at the frequencies indicated to help
ensure safe, dependable operation of
your vehicle.
Any adverse conditions should be
brought to the attention of your dealer or
qualified service technician or service
advisor as soon as possible.
These Owner Maintenance Checks are
generally not covered by warranties 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 reser-voir.
• 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 steering
effort or looseness in the steering
wheel, or change in its straight-ahead
position.
• Notice if your vehicle constantly turns slightly or “pulls” to one side when trav-
eling on smooth, level road.
• 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 oper- ation 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 condition-
ing 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.

711
Maintenance
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 reachnormal operating temperature.
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” later inthis section.)Changing the engine oil and filter
Change engine oil and filter according to
the Scheduled Maintenance at the begin-
ning of this section.
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Maintenance
147
BRAKES
Checking brake fluid level
Check the fluid level in the reservoir peri-
odically. The fluid level should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the reservoir.
Before removing the reservoir cap and
adding brake fluid, clean the area around
the reservoir cap thoroughly to prevent
brake fluid contamination.If the level is low, add fluid to the MAX
level. The level will fall with accumulated
mileage. This is a normal condition asso-
ciated with the wear of the brake pads. If
the fluid level is excessively low, have the
brake system checked by an Authorized
Kia Dealer.
Use only the specified brake fluid. (Refer
to “Recommended Lubricants” later inthis section.)
Never mix different types of fluid.
WARNING
When changing and adding brake
fluid, handle it carefully. Do not let it
come in contact with your eye s.If
brake fluid should come in contact
with your eyes, immediately flush
them with a large quantity of fre sh
tap water. Have your eye s examined
by a doctor as soon as possible.
WARNING
In the event the brake s ystem
requires frequent additions of fluid,
the vehicle should be inspected by
an Authorized Kia Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not allow brake fluid to contact the vehicle' s body paint, a s paint
damage will res ult. Brake fluid,
which has been exposed to open air for an extended time should never
be used as its quality cannot be guaranteed. It should be thrown
out. Don't put in the wrong kind of fluid. For example, just a few dropsof mineral-bas ed oil,such as
engine oil, in your brake system can damage brake system parts.
OGH057013

715
Maintenance
POWER STEERING
Checking the power steering fluid
level
With the vehicle on level ground, check
the fluid level in the power steering reser-
voir periodically. The fluid should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
level gauge attached to the cap.
Before adding power steering fluid, thor-
oughly clean the area around the reser-
voir cap to prevent power steering fluid
contamination.
If the level is low, add fluid to the MAX
level. In the event the power steering system
requires frequent addition of fluid, the
vehicle should be inspected by an
Authorized Kia Dealer.
✽
NOTICE
 To avoid damage to the power steer-
ing pump, do not operate the vehicle
for prolonged periods with a low
power steering fluid level.
 Never start the engine when the reser- voir tank is empty.
 When adding fluid, be careful that dirt does not get into the tank.
 Too little fluid can make the steering wheel heavier or strange noise can be
generated.
 The use of the non-specified fluid could reduce the effectiveness of the
power steering wheel and cause dam-
age to it.
Use only the specified power steering
fluid. (Refer to "RecommendedLubricants" later in this section.)
Power steering hose
Check the connections for oil leaks,
severe damage and the twists in the
power steering hose before driving.
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