Driving KIA PICANTO 2010 User Guide

Features of your vehicle
20
4
✽✽
NOTICE
 If the power steering drive belt breaks or if the power steering pump mal-
functions, the steering effort will
greatly increase.
 If the vehicle is parked for extended periods outside in cold weather (below
-10°C/14°F), the power steering may
require increased effort when the
engine is first started. This is caused
by increased fluid viscosity due to the
cold weather and does not indicate a
malfunction.
When this happens, increase the
engine RPM by depressing the accel-
erator until the RPM reaches 1,500
rpm then release or let the engine idle
for two or three minutes to warm up
the fluid. D130200ASA
Electric power steering (if equipped)
Power steering uses the motor to assist
you in steering the vehicle. If the engine
is off or if the power steering system
becomes inoperative, the vehicle may
still be steered, but it will require
increased steering effort.
The motor driven power steering is con-
trolled by power steering control unit
which sense the steering wheel torque,
steering wheel position and vehicle
speed to command the motor.
The steering effort becomes heavier as
the vehicle’s speed increases and
becomes lighter as the vehicle’s speed
decreases for better control of the steer-ing wheel.
Should you notice any change in the
effort required to steer during normal
vehicle operation, have the power steer-
ing checked by an authorized Kia dealer.✽✽ NOTICE
The following symptoms may occur dur-
ing normal vehicle operation:
 The EPS warning light does not illu- minate.
 The steering effort is high immediate- ly after turning the ignition switch on.
This happens as the system performs
the EPS system diagnostics. When the
diagnostics is completed, the steering
wheel will return to its normal condi-
tion.
 A click noise may be heard from the
EPS relay after the ignition switch is
turned to the ON or LOCK position.
 Motor noise may be heard when the vehicle is at a stop or at a low driving
speed.
 The steering effort can suddenly
increase, if the operation of the EPS
system is stopped to prevent serious
accidents when the malfunction of
EPS system is detected by self-diagno-
sis.
 The steering effort increases if the
steering wheel is rotated continuously
when the vehicle is not in motion.
However, after a few minutes, it will
return to its normal condition.

421
Features of your vehicle
D130300AUN Tilt steering (if equipped)
Tilt steering allows you to adjust the
steering wheel before you drive. You can
also raise it to give your legs more room
when you exit and enter the vehicle.
The steering wheel should be positioned
so that it is comfortable for you to drive,
while permitting you to see the instru-
ment panel warning lights and gauges.D130301AEN
To change the steering wheel angle, pull
down the lock-release lever (1), adjust
the steering wheel to the desired angle
(2), then pull up the lock-release lever to
lock the steering wheel in place. Be sure
to adjust the steering wheel to the
desired position before driving.D130500AUN Horn
To sound the horn, press the horn sym-
bol on your steering wheel.
Check the horn regularly to be sure it
operates properly.
✽✽
NOTICE
To sound the horn, press the area indi-
cated by the horn symbol on your steer-
ing wheel (see illustration). The horn will
operate only when this area is pressed.
OSA040035
CAUTION
Do not strike the horn severely to operate it, or hit it with your fist. Donot press on the horn with a sharp- pointed object.
OAM049022
WARNING
Never adjust the angle of the steering wheel while driving. You
may lose steering control and
cause severe personal injury,death or accidents.
After adjusting, push the steering wheel both up and down to be
certain it is locked in position.

Features of your vehicle
22
4
D140100ASA
Inside rearview mirror
Adjust the rearview mirror so that the
center view through the rear window is
seen. Make this adjustment before you
start driving.
D140101BSA
Day/night rearview mirror (if equipped)
Make this adjustment before you start
driving and while the day/night lever is in
the day position.
Pull the day/night lever toward you to reduce the glare from the headlights of
vehicles behind you during night driving.
Remember that you may lose somerearview clarity in the night position.
D140200BSA
Outside rearview mirror Be sure to adjust the mirror angles
before driving.
Your vehicle is equipped with both left-
hand and right-hand outside rearview
mirrors. The mirrors can be adjusted
remotely with the control levers or remote
switch, depending on the type of mirror
control installed. The mirror heads can be
folded back to prevent damage during an
automatic car wash or when passing
through a narrow street.
MIRRORS
WARNING -
Rear visibility
Do not place objects in the rear
seat or cargo area which would
interfere with your vision through
the rear window.
OSA047037
Day
Night
WARNING - Rearview mir-
rors
The passenger’s side outside rearview mirror is convex. In
some countries, the driver’s side
outside rearview mirror is also
convex. Objects seen in the mir-
ror are closer than they appear.
Use your interior rearview mirror or direct observation to deter-
mine the actual distance of fol-
lowing vehicles when changinglanes.
WARNING
Do not adjust the rearview mirror
while the vehicle is moving. This
could result in loss of control, and
an accident which could cause
death, serious injury or property
damage.

Features of your vehicle
28
4
When the door is open, or if the engine is
not started within 1 minute, the tachome-
ter pointer may move slightly to the ON
position with the engine OFF. This move-
ment is normal and will not affect the
accuracy of the tachometer once the
engine is running. D150204AUNFuel gauge
The fuel gauge indicates the approxi- mate amount of fuel remaining in the fueltank.
The fuel tank capacity is given in sec-
tion 8.The fuel gauge is supplemented by
a low fuel warning light, which will illumi-
nate when the fuel tank is near empty.
On inclines or curves, the fuel gauge
pointer may fluctuate or the low fuel
warning light may come on earlier than
usual due to the movement of fuel in thetank.
CAUTION
Avoid driving with a very low fuel
level. If you run out of fuel, it could
cause the engine to misfire and result in excessive loading of thecatalytic converter.
WARNING - Fuel gauge
Running out of fuel can expose
vehicle occupants to danger.
You must stop and obtain addition-
al fuel as soon as possible after thewarning light comes on or when the
gauge indicator comes close to the
E level.
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine within the tachometer's RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine dam-age.

Features of your vehicle
30
4
D150300AUN
Warnings and indicators
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 anyare 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. D150301BSA
Engine temperature
indicator
The indicator shows the temperature of the engine coolant when the ignition
switch is ON. The red indicator illuminates if the tem-
perature of the engine coolant is above120±3°C (248±5.5°F).
Do not continue driving with an overheat-
ed engine. If your vehicle overheats, refer
to “Overheating” in the Index.
✽✽ NOTICE
If the red engine temperature indicator
illuminates, it indicates overheating that
may damage the engine.
D150302AUN
Air bag warning light (if equipped)
This warning light will illuminate for
approximately 6 seconds each time you
turn the ignition switch to the ON posi-tion. This light also comes on when the
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is
not working properly. If the air bag warn-
ing light does not come on, or continu-
ously remains on after operating for
about 6 seconds when you turned the
ignition switch to the ON position or start-
ed the engine, or if it comes on while
driving, have the SRS inspected by an
authorized KIA dealer.
Red

431
Features of your vehicle
D150335APA
Passenger’s front air bagOFF indicator
(if equipped)
The passenger’s front air bag OFF indi-
cator illuminates for about 4 seconds
after the ignition switch is turned to theON position.
The passenger’s front air bag OFF indi- cator also comes on when the passen-
ger’s front air bag ON/OFF switch is set
to the OFF position and turns off when
the passenger’s front air bag ON/OFF
switch is set to the ON position. D150303AUN
Anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light
(if equipped)
This light illuminates if the ignition switch
is turned ON and goes off in approxi-
mately 3 seconds if the system is operat-
ing normally.
If the ABS warning light remains on or
comes on while driving or does not come
on when the ignition switch is turned tothe ON position, this indicates that there
may be a malfunction with the ABS.
If this occurs, have your vehicle checked
by an authorized KIA dealer as soon as
possible. The normal braking system will
still be operational, but without the assis-
tance of the anti-lock brake system. Electronic brake force distri-
bution (EBD) system warning
light
If two warning lights illumi- nate at the same time while
driving, your vehicle may
have a malfunction with theABS 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.
CAUTION
If there is a malfunction of the pas-
senger’s front air bag ON/OFFswitch, the passenger’s front airbag OFF indicator will not illumi-
nate and the passenger’s front airbag will inflate in frontal impact crashes even if the passenger’sfront air bag ON/OFF switch is set
to the OFF position.
If this occurs, have an authorizedKIA dealer inspect the passenger’sfront air bag ON/OFF switch and theSRS air bag system as soon as pos-
sible.
WARNING
If the both ABS and brake warning
lights are on and stay on, your vehi-
cle’s brake system will not work
normally during sudden braking. In
this case, avoid high speed driving
and abrupt braking. Have your vehi-
cle checked by an authorized KIA
dealer as soon as possible.

Features of your vehicle
34
4
D150308ASA
Parking brake & brake fluid
warning light
Parking brake warning
This light is illuminated when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch in
the START or ON position. The warning
light should go off when the parking
brake is released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the warning light remains on, it may
indicate that the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is low.
If the warning light remains on:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. With the engine stopped, check the brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required. Then check all brake
components for fluid leaks. 3. Do not drive the vehicle if leaks are
found, the warning light remains on or
the brakes do not operate properly.
Have the vehicle towed to any author-
ized KIA dealer for a brake system
inspection and necessary repairs.
To check bulb operation, check whether
the parking brake and brake fluid warning
light illuminates when the ignition switchis in the ON position. Low brake vacuum pressure warning
(diesel engine only)
If the warning light remains on, it may
indicate that the brake vacuum pump has
a problem. Therefore you should avoid
high speed driving or sudden stop, and
you should depress the brake pedaldeeper and harder than usual when
braking. Make sure you have the brake
system checked and repaired by an
authorized KIA dealer.
WARNING
Driving the vehicle with a warning
light on is dangerous. If the brake
warning light remains on, have the
brakes checked and repaired imme-
diately by an authorized KIA dealer.WARNING
Continuous braking while driving on steep or long downhill may
cause to descend the vacuum
level in brake booster for a time
and turn on the warning light. In
this case, shift down the
transaxle. If the warning light illu-
minate continuously, stop the
vehicle in the safe location andwait until the warning light goes
off.
Driving the vehicle with a warn- ing light on is dangerous. If thebrake warning light remains on,
have the brakes checked and
repaired immediately by an
authorized KIA dealer.

435
Features of your vehicle
D150313AUN
Charging system warninglight
This warning light indicates a malfunction
of either the generator or electricalcharging 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. D150315AUN
Tailgate open warning light
This warning light illuminates when the tailgate is not closed securely with the
ignition switch in any position.
D150316AUN
Door ajar warning light
This warning light illuminates when a door is not closed securely with the igni-
tion switch in any position.
D150317ASA
Immobilizer indicator
(if equipped)
This light illuminates when the immobiliz-
er key is inserted and turned to the ON
position to start the engine.
At this time, you can start the engine. The
light will go out after the engine starts
running.
If this light blinks when the ignition switch
is in the ON position before starting the
engine, have the system checked by an
authorized KIA dealer.
D150318AUN
Low fuel level warning light
This warning light indicates the fuel tank
is nearly empty. When it comes on, you
should add fuel as soon as possible.
Driving with the fuel level warning light on
or with the fuel level below “E” can causethe engine to misfire and damage the
catalytic converter.

Features of your vehicle
36
4
D150320AUN-EU
Malfunction indicator (MIL)
(check engine light)
(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 malfunction has
been detected somewhere in the emis-sion control system. This light will also illuminate when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON posi-
tion, and will go out in a few seconds
after the engine is started. If it illuminates
while driving, or does not illuminate when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, take your vehicle to your near-
est authorized KIA dealer and have the
system checked.
Generally, your vehicle will continue to be
drivable, but have the system checked by
an authorized KIA dealer promptly. D150323AUN-EE
ESP indicator (Electronic
Stability Program)
(if equipped)
The ESP indicator will illuminate when
the ignition switch is turned ON, but
should go off after approximately 3 sec-
onds. When the ESP is on, it monitors the
driving conditions and under normal driv-
ing conditions, the ESP light will remain
off. When a slippery or low traction con-dition is encountered, the ESP will oper-
ate, and the ESP indicator will blink to
indicate the ESP is operating.
D150324AUN
ESP OFF indicator (if equipped)
The ESP OFF indicator will illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned ON,
but should go off after approximately 3
seconds. To switch to ESP OFF mode,
press the ESP OFF button. The ESPOFF indicator will illuminate indicating
the ESP is deactivated. If this indicator
stays on when ESP OFF is not selected,
the ESP may have a malfunction. Take
your car to an authorized KIA dealer and
have the system checked.
CAUTION
Prolonged driving with the
Emission Control System
Malfunction Indicator Light illumi-nated may cause damage to theemission control systems which could effect drivability and/or fuel
economy.
CAUTION
If the Emission Control SystemMalfunction Indicator Light illumi-nates, potential catalytic converterdamage is possible which could
result in loss of engine power. Havethe Engine Control System inspect-ed as soon as possible by anauthorized KIA dealer.
ESP
ESP
OFF

437
Features of your vehicle
D150334ASA
Electric power steering(EPS) system warning light
(if equipped)
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and
then it will go out when the engine starts. This light also comes on if the EPS has a
malfunction. If it comes on while driving,
have your vehicle inspected by an
authorized KIA dealer.
Manual transaxle shiftindicator (if equipped)
This indicator informs you which gear is
desired while driving to save fuel.
For example
: Indicates that shifting up to the 3rdgear is desired. (Currently the shift
lever is in the 2nd gear.)
: Indicates that shifting down to the 3rd gear is desired. (Currently the
shift lever is in the 4th gear.)
When the system is not working
properly, the Up & Down Arrow
(indicator) will blink (gear is not dis-
played). D150326APA
Lights on warning chime
(if equipped)
The lights on warning chime will sound if
the driver's door is opened and when the
headlight switch is left in the 1st or 2ndposition.
D150327AUN
Key reminder warning chime
(if equipped)
If the driver’s door is opened while the
ignition key is left in the ignition switch
(ACC or LOCK position), the key
reminder warning chime will sound. This
is to prevent you from locking your keys
in the vehicle. The chime sounds until the
key is removed from the ignition switch or
the driver’s door is closed. D150328ASA
Glow indicator
(Diesel engine)
The indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is placed at the ON posi-
tion. The engine can be started after the
preheat indicator light goes off. The illu-
minating time varies with the water tem-
perature, air temperature and batterycondition.
✽✽ NOTICE
If the engine does not start within 10
seconds after the preheating is complet-
ed, turn the ignition switch once more to
the LOCK position for 10 seconds, and
then to the ON position, in order to pre-
heat again.
EPS
CAUTION
If the glow indicator light continues to illuminate or blink on and off after the engine has warmed up orwhile driving, check the system byan authorized KIA dealer as soon as
possible.