lights KIA Optima 2008 2.G User Guide

Driving your vehicle30 4Warning lights / audible indicators Checking operation All warning lights are checked by turning
the ignition switch ON (do not start the
engine). Any light that does not illuminate
should be checked by an authorized Kia
dealer.
After starting the engine, check to make
sure that all warning lights are off. If any
are still on, this indicates a situation that
needs attention. When releasing the
parking brake, the brake system warning
light should go off. The fuel warning light
will stay on if the fuel level is low.Anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light (if
equipped) This light illuminates if the key is turned
to ON and goes off in approximately 3
seconds if the system is operating nor-
mally.
If the light stays on, you may have a
problem with your ABS. Contact an
authorized Kia dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
Electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) sys-
tem warning
(if equipped)If ABS and BRAKE warning lights illumi-
nate at the same time while driving, your
vehicle has a problem with the ABS and
EBD system.
In this case, your ABS and regular brake
system may not work normally. Have the
vehicle checked by an authorized Kia
dealer as soon as possible.
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 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.✽ ✽
NOTICEIf the engine is not stopped immediately,
severe damage could result.
WARNINGS AND INDICATORS
ABS
ABS
WARNING
- Brake indica-
tors
If the both ABS and Brake warning
lights are ON and stay ON, your
vehicle’s brake system will not work
normally. You may experience an
unexpected and dangerous situa-
tion during sudden braking. In this
case, avoid high speed driving and
abrupt braking. Have your vehicle
checked by Authorized Kia Dealer
as soon as possible.

433
Driving your vehicle
Trunk lid open
warning (if equipped)This warning light activates when the
trunk is not closed securely.Door ajar warningThis warning light illuminates when a
door is not closed securely.Low fuel level
warningThis warning light indicates the fuel tank
is nearly empty. The warning light will
come on when the fuel level has dropped
to about 7~8 liters (1.8~2.1 gallons).
Refuel as soon as possible.
Headlight high beam
indicator This indicator illuminates when the head-
lights are on and in the high beam posi-
tion or when the turn signal lever is pulled
into the Flash-to-Pass position.Air bag warning
(if equipped) This warning light will blink or illuminate
for approximately 6 seconds each time
you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position.
If this indicator does not go out, or if it illu-
minates while the vehicle is being driven,
see an authorized Kia dealer for immedi-
ate service.
Malfunction indicator
(if equipped)This indicator light is part of the Engine
Control System which monitors various
emission control system components. If
this light illuminates while driving, it indi-
cates that a potential problem has been
detected somewhere in the emission
control system.
Generally, your vehicle will continue to be
drivable and will not need towing, but
have the system checked by an author-
ized Kia dealer as soon as possible.✽ ✽
NOTICEA loose fuel filler cap may cause the On
Board Diagnostic System Malfunction
Indicator Light ( ) in the instrument
panel to illuminate unnecessarily.
Always make sure that the fuel filler cap
is tight.
CHECKCHECK
AIR
BAG

Driving your vehicle34 4✽
✽
NOTICE• Prolonged driving with the Emission
Control System Malfunction
Indicator Lamp ( ) illuminated
may cause damage to the emission
control systems which could effect dri-
vability and/or fuel economy.
•If the
Emission
Control System
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ( )
begins to flash ON and OFF, potential
catalytic converter damage is possible
which could result in loss of engine
power. Have the Engine Control
System inspected as soon as possible by
an authorized Kia dealer.
ESC indicator
(Electronic Stability
Control) (if equipped) The ESC indicator will illuminate when
the ignition switch is turned ON, but
should go off after approximately 3 sec-
onds. When the ESC is on, it monitors
the driving conditions and under normal
driving conditions, the ESC light will
remain off. When a slippery or low trac-
tion condition is encountered, the ESC
will operate, and the ESC indicator will
blink to indicate the ESC is operating.ESC OFF indicator
(if equipped)The ESC OFF indicator will illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned ON,
but should go off after approximately 3
seconds. To switch to ESC OFF mode,
press the ESC OFF button. The ESC
OFF indicator will illuminate indicating
the ESC is deactivated. If this indicator
stays on in the ESC ON mode, the ESC
may have a malfunction. Take your car to
the authorized Kia dealer and have the
system checked.
Front fog light
indicator (if equipped) This light comes on when the front fog
lights are ON.Auto cruise indicator
(if equipped)CRUISE indicator
The indicator light illuminates when the
cruise control system is enabled.
SET indicator
The indicator light illuminates when the
cruise function switch (COAST/ SET or
RES/ACCEL) is ON.
CHECKCHECK
CHECKCHECK
CRUISESET
ESCESC
OFF

Driving your vehicle40 4Battery saver function The purpose of this feature is to pre-
vent the battery from being dis-
charged. The system automatically
turns off the headlights and parking
lights when the driver removes the igni-
tion key and opens the driver- side
door.
With this feature, the parklight will be
turned off automatically if the driver
parks on the side of road at night.
If necessary, to keep the lights on when
the ignition key is removed, perform the
following :
1) Open the driver-side door.
2) Turn the parking lights OFF and ON
again using the light switch on the
steering column.
Lighting control The light switch has a Headlight and a
parking light position.
To operate the lights, turn the knob at the
end of the control lever to one of the fol-
lowing positions:
(1) OFF position
(2) Parking light position
(3) Headlight position
Parking light position ( )When the light switch is in the parking
light position (1st position), the tail, posi-
tion, license and instrument panel lights
are ON.
LIGHTING
OMG045019
OMG045018C

441
Driving your vehicle
Headlight position ( )When the light switch is in the headlight
position (2nd position) the head, tail,
position, license and instrument panel
lights are ON.
High - beam operation To turn on the high beam headlights,
push the lever away from you. Pull it back
for low beams.
The high-beam indicator will light when
the headlight high beams are switched
on.
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the lights on for a
prolonged time while the engine is not
running.
Flashing headlights To flash the headlights, pull the lever
towards you. It will return to the normal
(low-beam) position when released. The
headlight switch does not need to be on
to use this flashing feature.
OMG045020
OMG045023
OMG045022

Driving your vehicle42 4Turn signals (A)The ignition switch must be on for the
turn signals to function. To turn on the
turn signals, move the lever up or down.
Green arrow indicators on the instrument
panel indicate which turn signal is oper-
ating. They will self-cancel after a turn is
completed. If the indicator continues to
flash after a turn, manually return the
lever to the OFF position.
Lane change signals (B)To signal a lane change, move the turn
signal lever slightly and hold it in position.
The lever will return to the OFF position
when released.
If an indicator stays on and does not
flash or if it flashes abnormally, one of the
turn signal bulbs may be burned out and
will require replacement.✽ ✽
NOTICEIf an indicator flash is abnormally quick
or slow, the bulb may be burned out or
have a poor electrical connection in the
circuit.
Front fog light (if equipped) Fog lights are used to provide improved
visibility and avoid accidents when visibili-
ty is poor due to fog, rain or snow etc. The
fog lights will turn on when the fog light
switch (1) is turned to ON (2) after the
headlight switch is turned on.
To turn off the fog lights, turn the switch
to OFF.✽ ✽
NOTICEWhen in operation, the fog lights con-
sume large amounts of vehicle electrical
power. Only use the fog lights when vis-
ibility is poor. Unnecessary battery and
generator drain could occur if the fog
lights are used excessively.
OMG045024
OMG045025

443
Driving your vehicle
Daytime running light
(if equipped)Daytime Running Lights (DRL) can make
it easier for others to see the front of your
vehicle during the day. DRL can be help-
ful in many different driving conditions,
and it is especially helpful after dawn and
before sunset.
The DRL system will make your high-
beam headlights turn OFF when:
1. The head light switch is ON.
2. The parking brake engaged.
3. Engine stops.
Windshield wipers Type AOperates as follows when the ignition
switch is turned ON.
OFF : Wiper is not in operation
INT : Wiper operates intermittently at
the same wiping intervals. Use
this mode in a light rain or mist. To
vary the speed setting, turn the
speed control knob (
1). (S : slow
operation, F: fast operation)
LO : Normal wiper speed
HI : Fast wiper speedMIST : For a single wiping cycle, push
the lever forward and release it
with the lever in the OFF position.
The wipers will operate continu-
ously if the lever is pushed
upward and held.
✽ ✽
NOTICEIf there is heavy accumulation of snow
or ice on the windshield, defrost the
windshield for about 10 minutes, or
until the snow and/or ice is removed
before using the windshield wipers to
ensure proper operation. ✽ ✽
NOTICE• To prevent possible damage to the
wipers or windshield, do not operate
the wipers when the windshield is dry.
• To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, do not use gasoline, kerosene,
paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.
• To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, do not attempt
to move the wipers manually.
WIPERS AND WASHERS
OMG045028L

447
Driving your vehicle
Front windshield deicer (if equipped)To activate the front windshield deicer,
press the front windshield deicer button.
The indicator on the button illuminates
when the deicer is ON.
The front windshield deicer automatically
turns off after 20 minutes or when the
ignition switch is turned off. To turn off the
defroster, press the front windshield
deicer button again.
The front windshield deicer is designed
to defrost wiper blades. If you want to
defrost and defog on the front wind-
shield, refer to “Windshield Defrosting
and Defogging” in this section.The hazard warning flasher causes the
rear tail lights and front turn signal lights
to flash on and off, which serves as a
warning to other drivers to exercise cau-
tion when approaching or passing your
vehicle.
To activate the flasher, depress the haz-
ard warning flasher switch. This switch
operates in any ignition switch position.
To turn the flashers off, depress the
switch again.
OMG045100
OMG065001
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER

Driving tips4 5BEFORE 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 is dangerous.
Drunk driving is the number one
contributor to the highway death
toll each year. Even a small amount
of alcohol will affect your reflexes,
perceptions and judgement. Driving
while under the influence of drugs
is as dangerous or more dangerous
than driving drunk.
You are much more likely to have a
serious accident if you drink or take
drugs and drive.
If you are drinking or taking drugs,
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.

57
Driving tips
Driving at night Because night driving presents more
hazards than driving in the daylight, here
are some important tips to remember:
Slow down and keep more distance
between you and other vehicles, as it
may be more difficult to see at night,
especially in areas where there may
not be any street lights.
Adjust your mirrors to reduce the glare
from other driver's headlights.
Keep your headlights clean and prop-
erly aimed on vehicles not equipped
with the automatic headlight aiming
feature. Dirty or improperly aimed
headlights will make it much more diffi-
cult to see at night.
Avoid staring directly at the headlights
of oncoming vehicles. You could be
temporarily blinded, and it will take
several seconds for your eyes to read-
just to the darkness.
Driving in the rain Rain and wet roads can make driving
dangerous, especially if you’re not pre-
pared for the slick pavement. Here are a
few things to consider when driving in the
rain:
A heavy rainfall will make it harder to
see and will increase the distance
needed to stop your vehicle, so slow
down.
Keep your windshield wiping equip-
ment in good shape. Replace your
windshield wiper blades when they
show signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield.
If your tires are not in good condition,
making a quick stop on wet pavement
can cause a skid and possibly lead to
an accident. Be sure your tires are in
good shape.
Turn on your headlights to make it eas-
ier for others to see you.
Driving too fast through large puddles
can affect your brakes. If you must go
through puddles, try to drive through
them slowly.
If you believe you may have gotten
your brakes wet, apply them lightly
while driving until normal braking oper-
ation returns.
Winter driving We recommend that you carry emer-
gency equipment, including 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
output capability of any battery, so it
must be in excellent condition to pro-
vide 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 1 (First)
or R (Reverse) with a manual transaxle
or P (Park) with an automatic transaxle
and block the rear wheels.