tow KIA Optima 2009 2.G Owner's Guide

What to do in an emergency14
6 Do not take this vehicle through an
automatic car wash while the com-
pact spare tire is installed.
The compact spare tire should not be installed on the front axle if the
vehicle must be driven in snow or
on ice.
Do not use the compact spare tire on any other vehicle because this
tire has been designed especially
for your vehicle.
The compact spare tire’s tread life is shorter than a regular tire.
Inspect your compact spare tire
regularly and replace worn com-
pact spare tires with the same size
and design, mounted on the same
wheel. The compact spare tire should not
be used on any other wheels, nor
should standard tires, snow tires,
wheel covers or trim rings be used
with the compact spare wheel. If
such use is attempted, damage to
these items or other car compo-
nents may occur.
Do not use more than one compact spare tire at a time.
Do not tow a trailer while the com- pact spare tire is installed.

615
What to do in an emergency
TOWINGF080100AUNTowing serviceIf emergency towing is necessary, we
recommend having it done by an author-
ized KIA dealer or a commercial tow-
truck service. Proper lifting and towing
procedures are necessary to prevent
damage to the vehicle. The use of wheel
dollies or flatbed is recommended.For trailer towing guidelines information,refer to “Trailer towing” in section 5.
It is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the
rear wheels on the ground (without dol-
lies) and the front wheels off the ground.
If any of the loaded wheels or suspen-
sion components are damaged or the
vehicle is being towed with the front
wheels on the ground, use a towing dolly
under the front wheels.
When being towed by a commercial tow
truck and wheel dollies are not used, the
front of the vehicle should always be lift-
ed, not the rear.
HNF4015
D080B02NFD080B01NF
CAUTION
Do not tow the vehicle backwards with the front wheels on theground as this may cause dam- age to the vehicle.
Do not tow with sling-type equip- ment. Use wheel lift or flatbedequipment.
CAUTION
Before towing, check the level ofthe automatic transaxle fluid. If it isbelow the "HOT" range on the dip- stick, add fluid. If you cannot addfluid, a towing dolly must be used.
dolly

What to do in an emergency16
6When towing your vehicle in an emer-
gency without wheel dollies :
1. Set the ignition switch in the ACC posi-
tion.
2. Place the transaxle shift lever in N (Neutral).
3. Release the parking brake.
F080200AMGRemovable towing hook
(if equipped)1. Open the trunk lid, and remove the towing hook from the tool case.
2. Remove the hole cover pressing the lower part of the cover on the front
bumper. 3. Install the towing hook by turning it
clockwise into the hole until it is fully
secured.
4. Remove the towing hook and install the cover after use.
CAUTION
Failure to place the transaxle shiftlever in N (Neutral) may cause inter-nal damage to the transaxle.
OMG065011
OMG065012

617
What to do in an emergency
F080300AUNEmergency towingIf towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by an authorized
KIA dealer or a commercial tow truck
service.If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain
secured to the emergency towing 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 dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, power train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
Do not use the towing hooks to pull a
vehicle out of mud, sand or other con-
ditions 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 frequent-
ly. Before emergency towing, check that
the hook is not broken or damaged.
Fasten the towing cable or chain securely to the hook.
Do not jerk the hook. Apply steady and even force.
To avoid damaging the hook, do not pull from the side or at a vertical angle.
Always pull straight ahead.
CAUTION
Attach a towing strap to the tow hook.
Using a portion of the vehicle other than the tow hooks for tow-ing may damage the body of yourvehicle.
Use only a cable or chain specifi- cally intended for use in towingvehicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain to the towing hookprovided.
OMG065012OMG065013
FrontRear

What to do in an emergency18
6
Use a towing strap less than 5 m (16
feet) long. Attach a white or red cloth
(about 30 cm (12 inches) wide) in the
middle of the strap for easy visibility.
Drive carefully so that the towing strap is not loosened during towing.
F080301AUNEmergency towing precautions Turn the ignition switch to ACC so thesteering wheel isn’t locked.
Place the transaxle shift lever in N (Neutral).
Release the parking brake.
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 steering system
will be disabled.
If you are driving down a long hill, the brakes may overheat and brake per-
formance will be reduced. Stop often
and let the brakes cool off.
CAUTION
If the car is being towed with all fourwheels on the ground, it can be towed only from the front. Be surethat the transaxle is in neutral. Do not tow at speeds greater than 40km/h (25 mph) and for more than 25 km (15 miles). Be sure the steeringis unlocked by placing the ignitionswitch in the ACC position. A drivermust be in the towed vehicle to operate the steering and brakes.
WARNING
Use extreme caution when towing
the vehicle.
driving maneuvers which would
place excessive stress on the
emergency towing hook and tow-
ing cable or chain. The hook and
towing cable or chain may break
and cause serious injury or dam-
age.
If the disabled vehicle is unable to be moved, do not forcibly con-
tinue the towing. Contact an
authorized KIA dealer or a com-
mercial tow truck service for
assistance.
Tow the vehicle as straight ahead as possible.
Keep away from the vehicle dur- ing towing.
OUN046024

Maintenance16
7G060200AUNChanging the engine oil and filterHave engine oil and filter changed by an
authorized KIA dealer according to the
Maintenance Schedule at the beginning
of this section.
G070000AUNThe high-pressure cooling system has a
reservoir filled with year-round antifreeze
coolant. The reservoir is filled at the fac-
tory.
Check the antifreeze protection and
coolant level at least once a year, at the
beginning of the winter season, and
before traveling to a colder climate.G070100AMGChecking the coolant level ENGINE COOLANT
WARNING
- Removing
radiator cap
Never attempt to remove the radi-
ator cap while the engine is oper-
ating or hot. Doing so might lead
to cooling system and engine
damage and could result in seri-
ous personal injury from escap-
ing hot coolant or steam.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Turn the engine off and wait untilit cools down. 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 system. When you are
sure all the pressure 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 operat- ing, do not remove the radiator
cap or the drain plug while the
engine and radiator are hot. Hot
coolant and steam may still blow
out under pressure, causing seri-
ous injury.
WARNING
Used engine oil may cause irrita-
tion or cancer of the skin if left in
contact 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.

Index4I
Storage compartments··············\
··················\
··················\
··4-88
Sunroof··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
···4-27
Theft-alarm system ··················\
··················\
··················\
··4-10
Tire specification and pressure label ··················\
·············8-7
Tires and wheels ··················\
··················\
·················7-30\
, 8-3
Towing ··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
···6-15
Trailer Towing ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········5-39
Trunk ··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
······4-16
Vehicle break-in process ··················\
··················\
··············1-5
Vehicle certification label ··················\
··················\
············8-6
Vehicle identification number (VIN) ··················\
·············8-6
Vehicle load limit ··················\
··················\
··················\
·····5-46
Vehicle weight ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········5-51
Washer fluid ··················\
··················\
··················\
·············7-23
Windows ··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
4-18
Windshield defrosting and defogging··················\
··········4-85
Winter driving ··················\
··················\
··················\
··········5-36
Wiper blades ··················\
··················\
··················\
············7-25
Wipers and washers ··················\
··················\
··················\
·4-62TVW