check engine KIA Optima 2007 2.G Owner's Guide

513
Driving tips
When you are ready to leave afterparking 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 forward 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 to 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.
✽ ✽
NOTICE• Due to higher load during trailer
usage, overheating might occur in hot
days or during uphill driving. If the
coolant gauge indicates over-heating,
switch off the A/C and stop the vehicle
in a safe area to cool down the engine.
• When towing check transaxle fluid more frequently.
• If your vehicle is not equipped with the air conditioner, you should install
a condenser fan to improve engine
performance when towing a trailer.
If you do decide to pull a trailerHere are some important points if you
decide to pull a trailer:
 Consider using a sway control. You can
ask a hitch dealer about sway control.
 After your odometer indicates 800 km (500 miles) or more, you can tow a
trailer. For the first 800 km (500 miles)
that you tow a trailer, don’t drive over
80 km/h (50 mph) and don’t make
starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle
“wear” in at the heavier loads.
 Always drive your vehicle at a moder- ate speed (less than 100 km/h (60
mph)).
 On a long uphill grade, do not exceed 70 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower.
 The important considerations have to do with weight:
Weight of the trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be? It
should never weigh more than the maxi-
mum trailer weight with trailer brakes. But
even that can be too heavy. If you feel that
the trailer is adversely affecting the move-
ment of your vehicle, reduce your speed,
avoid uneven or winding roads, avoid
roads with steep grades, and/or lighten
your trailer load.

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In case of an emergency
4. The coolant level should then bechecked. If the level in the reservoir is
low, look for leaks at the radiator hoses
and connections, heater hoses and
connections, radiator, and water
pump. If you find a major leak or anoth-
er problem that may have caused the
engine to overheat, do not operate the
engine until it has been corrected. Call
an authorized Kia dealer for assis-
tance. If you do not find a leak or other
problem, carefully add coolant to the
reservoir.If the engine frequently overheats, havethe cooling system checked and repairedby an authorized Kia dealer.
Jump starting Jump starting can be dangerous if done
incorrectly. Therefore, to avoid harm to
yourself or damage to your vehicle or
battery, follow the jump starting proce-
dures. If in doubt, we strongly recom-
mend that you have a competent techni-
cian or towing service jump start your
vehicle.✽ ✽ NOTICEUse only a 12-volt jumper system. You
can damage a 12-volt starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical
parts beyond repair by use of a 24-volt
power supply (either two 12-volt batter-
ies in series or a 24-volt motor generator
set).
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 serious injury.
EMERGENCY STARTING
WARNING
- Battery
• Keep all flames or sparks away
from the battery. The battery pro-
duces hydrogen gas which may
explode if exposed to flame or
sparks.
 Do not attempt to jump start the vehicle if the discharged battery
is frozen or if the electrolyte level
is low; the battery may rupture or
explode.
WARNING
- Battery
Never attempt to check the elec-
trolyte level of the battery as this
may cause the battery to rupture or
explode causing serious injury.

65
In case of an emergency
Do not allow the jumper cables to con-
tact anything except the correct bat-
tery terminals or the correct ground.
Do not lean over the battery when
making connections.
7. Start the engine of the vehicle with the booster battery and let it run at 2,000
rpm, then start the engine of the vehi-
cle with the discharged battery.If the cause of your battery discharging isnot apparent, you should have your vehi- cle checked by an authorized Kia dealer.
Push-starting Your manual transaxle-equipped vehicle
should not be push-started because it
might damage the emission control sys-
tem.
Vehicles equipped with automatic
transaxle cannot be push-started.
Follow the directions in this section for
jump-starting.
CAUTION
Never tow a vehicle to start itbecause the sudden surge forwardwhen the engine starts could causea collision with the tow vehicle.
CAUTION -
Battery cables
Do not connect the jumper cable from the negative terminal of thebooster battery to the negative ter-minal of the discharged battery. This can cause the discharged bat-tery to overheat and crack, releas-ing battery acid.

In case of an emergency66ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT PROTECTIONFuses A vehicle’s electrical system is protected
from electrical overload damage by
fuses.This vehicle has two fuse panels, one
located in the driver's side panel bolster,
the other in the engine compartment
near the battery.
If any of your vehicle’s lights, acces-
sories, or controls do not work, check the
appropriate circuit fuse. If a fuse has
blown, the element inside the fuse will be
melted.
If the electrical system does not work,
first check the driver’s side fuse panel.
Always replace a blown fuse with one of
the same rating.
If the replacement fuse blows, this indi-
cates an electrical problem. Avoid using
the system involved and immediately
consult an authorized Kia dealer.
Two kinds of fuses are used: standard for
lower amperage rating and main for high-er amperage ratings.
Fuse replacement ✽ ✽ NOTICEDo not use a screwdriver or any other
metal object to remove fuses because it
may cause a short circuit and damage
the system.
WARNING
- Fuse replace-
ment
 Never replace a fuse with any-
thing but another fuse of the
same rating.
 A higher capacity fuse could cause damage through overheat-
ing and possibly a fire.
 Never install a wire instead of the proper fuse - even as a temporary
repair. It may cause extensive
wiring damage and possibly a
fire.
1VQA4037
Normal
Normal
Blown
Blown
Normal Blown

67
In case of an emergency
Driver-side panel bolster1. Turn the ignition switch and all otherswitches off.
2. Open the cover. 3. Pull the suspected fuse straight out.
Use the removal tool (1) provided in
the engine compartment fuse/relay
box.
4. Check the removed fuse; replace it if it is blown.
Spare fuses are provided in the fusepanel.
5. Push in a new fuse of the same rating, and make sure it fits tightly in the clips.
If it fits loosely, consult an authorized Kia
dealer.
If you do not have a spare, use a fuse of the same rating from a circuit you maynot need for operating the vehicle, such as the audio fuse.If the headlights or other electrical com-
ponents do not work and the fuses are
OK, check the fuse block in the engine
compartment. If a fuse is blown, it must
be replaced.
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In case of an emergency86Engine compartment1. Turn the ignition switch and all otherswitches off.
2. Remove the fuse box cover by press- ing the taps and pulling up.
3. Check the removed fuse; replace it if it is blown.
4. Push in a new fuse of the same rating, and make sure it fits tightly in the clips.
If it fits loosely, consult an authorized Kia
dealer.
✽ ✽ NOTICEAfter checking the fuse box in the engine
compartment, securely install the fuse
box cover. If not, electrical failures may
occur from water leaking in.
Main fuse
If the MAIN fuse is blown, it must be
removed as follows:
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the nuts shown in the picture
above.
3. Replace the fuse with a new one of the same rating.
4. Reinstall in the reverse order of removal.✽ ✽NOTICEIf the MAIN fuse is blown, consult an
authorized Kia dealer.
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Maintenance67Chart symbols:I - Inspect these items and their related parts. If necessary, correct, clean, refill, adjust or 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 an authorized Kia dealer at
the frequencies indicated to help ensure
safe, dependable operation of your vehi-
cle.
Any adverse conditions should be
brought to the attention of your dealer 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 during or after use is nor-
mal).
At least monthly: Check coolant level in the coolantrecovery reservoir.
 Check the operation of all exterior lights, including the stoplights, turn sig-
nals and hazard warning flashers.
 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 condi- tioning hoses for leaks or damage.
 Check windshield washer spray and wiper operation. Clean wiper blades
with clean cloth dampened with wash-
er 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.
WARNING
- Radiationcoolant
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 burns or
other serious injury.

Maintenance87At least once a year : Clean body and door drain holes.
 Lubricate door hinges and checks, andhood hinges.
 Lubricate door and hood locks and latches.
 Lubricate door rubber weatherstrips.
 Check the air conditioning system before the warm weather season.
 Check the power steering fluid level.
 Inspect and lubricate automatic transaxle linkage and controls.
 Clean battery and terminals.
 Check the brake fluid level.
Owner maintenance precautions Improper or incomplete service may
result in problems. This section gives
instructions only for the maintenance
items that are easy to perform.
As explained earlier in this section, sev-
eral procedures can be done only by an
authorized Kia dealer with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during
the warranty period may affect war-
ranty coverage. For details, read the
separate Kia Warranty & Consumer
Information Manual provided with the
vehicle. If you're unsure about any
servicing or maintenance procedure,
have it done by an Authorized Kia
Dealer.
WARNING
- Maintenance work
 Performing maintenance work on
a vehicle can be dangerous. You
can be seriously injured while per-
forming some maintenance pro-
cedures. If you lack sufficient
knowledge and experience or the
proper tools and equipment to do
the work, have it done by an
Authorized Kia Dealer.
 Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It
becomes even more dangerous
when you wear jewelry or loose
clothing. These can become
entangled in moving parts and
result in injury. Always remove all
loose or hanging clothing and all
jewelry before working on the
engine.

711
Maintenance
ENGINE OILChecking 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 in this section.)
✽ ✽ NOTICEAlthough oil filters may have the same
external appearance, their internal
designs differ significantly. These filters
are not interchangeable. To avoid poten-
tial engine damage, use only the speci-
fied filter. Consult an authorized Kia
dealer.
WARNING -
Radiator hose
Be very careful not to touch the
radiator hose when checking or
adding the engine oil as it may be
hot enough to burn you.
WARNING
Used engine oil may cause irritation
or cancer of the skin if left in con-
tact with the skin for prolonged
periods of time. Used engine oil
contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory ani-
mals. Always protect your skin by
washing your hands thoroughly
with soap and warm water as soon
as possible after handling used oil.
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