KIA PICANTO 2006 Owners Manual

Driving your vehicle
10
4
1 23456789
CAUTION
Do not exceed the recommend-
ed maximum speeds in 2(Second Gear) or L (Low).Operating the vehicle at speeds above the maximum recom-mended, for 2 (Second Gear) orL (Low) may cause excessiveheat to develop which could result in damage to or failure ofthe automatic transaxle.
D (drive)
This is the normal forward driving
position. The transaxle will automati-cally shift through a 4-gear
sequence, providing the best fuel
economy and power.
For extra power when passing anoth-
er vehicle or climbing grades,
depress the accelerator fully, at
which time the transaxle will auto-
matically downshift to the next lower
gear.
2 (Second Gear)
Use 2 (Second Gear) for more power
when climbing hills and for increased
braking when going down hills. Thisposition also helps reduce wheel
spin on slippery surfaces. When the
shift lever is placed in 2 (Second
Gear), the transaxle will automatical-
ly shift from first to second gear.
L (Low)
Move the shift lever to this position in
hard pulling situations and for climb-
ing steep grades.

411
1 23456789
Driving your vehicle
O/D (Over Drive) system (if equipped)
Pressing the O/D system button can-
cels and engages the overdrive sys-
tem. When the O/D system is can-celled, the O/D OFF indicator illumi-
nates and the transaxle gear range is
limited to 1st through 3rd. The
transaxle will not shift to 4th gear
until the O/D system button is
pressed again to release the switch.When driving down a sloping road
with the transaxle in O/D (4th), you
can decrease the vehicle speed with-
out using the brakes by pressing the
O/D button.
When the ignition is switched OFF, O/D OFF mode is automatically can-celled.
O/D OFF Indicator
This indicator light illuminates in the
instrument panel when the O/Dmode is cancelled.
✽✽

NOTICE
If the O/D OFF indicator flashes, it
indicates an electrical problem with
the transaxle. Should this occur,have the vehicle checked by an
Authorized Kia Dealer as soon aspossible, except as explained in
“Rocking the Vehicle”.
1SAA3020

Driving your vehicle
12
4
1 23456789
Moving up a steep grade from
a standing start
To move up a steep grade from a
standing start, depress the brake
pedal, shift the shift lever to D
(Drive). Select the appropriate gear
depending on load weight and steep-
ness of the grade, and release the
parking brake. Depress the accelera-
tor gradually while releasing the
service brakes. Shift lock system (if equipped)
For your safety, the Automatic
Transaxle has a shift lock system
which prevents shifting the transaxle
out of P (Park) unless the brakepedal is depressed.
To shift the transaxle out of P (Park):
Type A
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Depress the lock release button
and move the shift lever.
Type B (If the ignition key inter-
lock system is equipped)
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine or turn the ignition to the ON position.
3. Depress the lock release button and move the shift lever.
If the brake pedal is repeatedly depressed and released with the
shift lever in the P (Park) position, a
chattering sound near the shift lever
may be heard. This is a normal con-dition. Ignition key interlock system(if equipped)
The ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in the P
(Park) position. If the ignition switch
is in any other position, the key can-
not be removed.

413
1 23456789
Driving your vehicle
Power brakes
Your vehicle has power-assisted
brakes that adjust automatically
through normal usage.
In the event that the power-assisted
brakes lose power because of astalled engine or some other reason,
you can still stop your vehicle by
applying greater force to the brake
pedal than you normally would. The
stopping distance, however, will be
longer.
When the engine is not running, the
reserve brake power is partially
depleted each time the brake pedal
is applied. Do not pump the brake
pedal when the power assist has
been interrupted.
Pump the brake pedal only when
necessary to maintain steering con-
trol on slippery surfaces.In the event of brake failure
If service brakes fail to operate while
the vehicle is in motion, you can
make an emergency stop with the
parking brake. The stopping dis-
tance, however, will be much greater
than normal.
BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING
- Parking brake
Pulling the parking brake while
the vehicle is moving at normal
speeds can cause a sudden
loss of control of the vehicle. If
you must use the parking brake
to stop the vehicle, use great
caution in applying the brake.
WARNING - Brakes
 Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal.This will create abnormal high
brake temperatures, exces-sive brake lining and pad
wear, and increased stoppingdistances.
 When descending a long or
steep hill, shift to a lower gear
and avoid continuous applica-
tion of the brakes. Continuousbrake application will cause
the brakes to overheat and
could result in a temporary
loss of braking performance.
(Continued)

Driving your vehicle
14
4
1 23456789
Disc brakes wear indicator
Your vehicle has disc brakes.
When your brake pads are worn and
it's time for new pads, you will hear a
high-pitched warning sound from
your front brakes or rear brakes (if
equipped). You may hear this sound
come and go or it may occur when-
ever you depress the brake pedal.
Please remember that some driving
conditions or climates may cause a
brake squeal when you first apply (or
lightly apply) the brakes. This is nor-
mal and does not indicate a problem
with your brakes.✽✽
NOTICE
To avoid costly brake repairs, do not continue to drive with worn brakepads.
WARNING - Brake wear
This brake wear warning sound
means your vehicle needs serv-
ice. If you ignore this audible
warning, you will eventually lose
braking performance, whichcould lead to a serious accident.
CAUTION
Always replace brake pads as complete front or rear axle sets.
(Continued)  Wet brakes may result in the
vehicle not slowing down atthe usual rate and pulling toone side when the brakes are
applied. Applying the brakes
lightly will indicate whether
they have been affected in this
way. Always test your brakesin this fashion after driving
through deep water. To dry the
brakes, apply them lightly
while maintaining a safe for-
ward speed until brake per-
formance returns to normal.

415
1 23456789
Driving your vehicle
Parking brake
To apply the parking brake, pull the
parking brake handle fully and firmly
upward while applying the service
brake.To release the parking brake, pull thehandle up slightly and push the
release button, then lower the handleto the released position while holding
the button in.
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake
applied will cause excessive brake pad and brake rotor wear.
1SAA30211SAA3022
WARNING - Parking brake
 To prevent unintentional
movement when stopped and
leaving the vehicle, do not use
the gearshift lever in place of
the parking brake. Set theparking brake AND make sure
the gearshift lever is securely
positioned in 1st (First) gear
or R (Reverse) for manual
transaxle equipped vehicles
and in P (Park) for automatic
transaxle equipped vehicles.
 Never allow a person who is
unfamiliar with the vehicle or
children to touch the parking
brake. If the parking brake is
released unintentionally, seri-
ous injury may occur.

Driving your vehicle
16
4
1 23456789
Check the brake warning light by
turning the ignition switch ON (do not
start the engine). This light will be
illuminated when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the
START or ON position.
Before driving, be sure the parking
brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off. If the brake warning light remains on
after the parking brake is released,
there may be a malfunction in the
brake system. Immediate attention is
necessary.
If at all possible, cease driving the
vehicle immediately. If that is not pos-
sible, use extreme caution while
operating the vehicle and only con-
tinue to drive the vehicle until you
can reach a safe location or repair
shop.
Parking on curbed streets 
When parking your vehicle on an
uphill grade, park as close to the
curb as possible and turn the front
wheels away from the curb so thatthe front wheels will contact the
curb if the vehicle moves back-
ward.
 When parking your vehicle on a
downhill grade, park as close to the
curb as possible and turn the front
wheels toward the curb so that thefront wheels will contact the curb if
the vehicle moves forward.
W-75

417
1 23456789
Driving your vehicle
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)The ABS system continuously sens-
es the speed of the wheels. If the
wheels are going to lock, the ABSsystem repeatedly modulates the
hydraulic brake pressure to the
wheels.
When you apply your brakes under
conditions which may lock the
wheels, you may hear a
“tik-tik ’’
sound from the brakes, or feel a cor-
responding sensation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and it means
your ABS system is active.
In order to obtain the maximum ben-
efit from your ABS system in anemergency situation, do not attempt
to modulate your brake pressure and
do not try to pump your brakes.
Press your brake pedal as hard as
possible or as hard as the situation
warrants and allow the ABS system
to control the force being delivered to
the brakes.
WARNING - ABS Brakes
Your ABS is not a substitute for
good driving judgement. You
can still have an accident. In
fact, your ABS system will prob-
ably not be able to prevent an
accident in the following drivingconditions:  Dangerous driving, such as
neglecting safety precautions,
speeding, or driving too close
to the vehicle in front of you.
 Driving at high speed in situa-
tions providing considerably
less traction, such as wet con-
ditions where hydroplaning
could occur.
(Continued)
(Continued) Driving too fast on poor road
surfaces. The ABS is
designed to improve maxi-
mum braking effectiveness on
typical highways and roads in
good condition. On poor roadsurfaces in poor condition,
the ABS may actually reduce
braking effectiveness.

Driving your vehicle
18
4
1 23456789
 Even with the anti-lock brake sys-
tem, your vehicle still requires suf-
ficient stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the
vehicle in front of you.
 Always slow down when cornering.
The anti-lock brake system cannot
prevent accidents resulting from
excessive speeds.
 On loose or uneven road surfaces,
operation of the anti-lock brake
system may result in a longer stop-
ping distance than for vehicles
equipped with a conventional
brake system.
✽✽
NOTICE

419
1 23456789
Driving your vehicle
✽✽NOTICE
When you jump start your vehicle
because of a drained battery, theengine may not run as smoothly and
the ABS warning light may turn on
at the same time. This happensbecause of the low battery voltage. It
does not mean your ABS is malfunc-tioning.