towing KIA PICANTO 2012 User Guide

Driving your vehicle
60
5
When you are ready to leave after park-
ing on a hill
1. With the manual transaxle in Neutral
or automatic transaxle in P (Park),
apply your brakes and hold the brake
pedal down while you:

and

2. Slowly remove your foot from the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly 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 nutsand bolts should be tight.CAUTION
Due to higher load during trailer
usage, overheating might occur
in hot days or during uphill driv- ing. If the coolant gauge indicatesover-heating, switch off the A/Cand stop the vehicle in a safe area
to cool down the engine.
When towing, check the transaxle fluid more frequently.
If your vehicle is not equipped with an air conditioner, you
should install a condenser fan toimprove engine performancewhen towing a trailer.

561
Driving your vehicle
If you do decide to pull a trailer
Here are some important points if you
decide to pull a trailer:
Consider using a sway control. You canask a hitch dealer about sway control.
Do not do any towing with your car dur- ing its first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) in
order to allow the engine to properly
break in. Failure to heed this caution
may result in serious engine or
transaxle damage.
When towing a trailer, be sure to con- sult an authorized KIA dealer for fur-
ther information on additional require-
ments such as a towing kit, etc.
Always drive your vehicle at a moder- ate speed (less than 100 km/h / 60mph).
On a long uphill grade, do not exceed 70 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower.
The chart contains important consider- ations that have to do with weight: Item
Gasoline 1.0 Gasoline 1.25 LPG 1.0
M/T A/T M/T A/T M/T A/T
Maximum trailer weight kg (Ibs.)Without brake
System 400
(882) -400
(882) 0 (0) 400
(882) -
With brake System 700
(1,543) -700
(1,543) 400
(882) 700
(1,543) -
Maximum permissible static
vertical load on the coupling
device kg (Ibs.)28 (62) 28 (62) 28 (62)
Recommended distance fromrear wheel center to couplingpoint mm (inch)635 (25) 635 (25) 635 (25)

Driving your vehicle
62
5
Weight of the trailer
What is the maximum safe weight of a
trailer? It should never weigh more than
the maximum trailer weight with trailer
brakes. But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your
trailer. For example, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature and how
often your vehicle is used to pull a trailer
are all important. The ideal trailer weight
can also depend on any special equip-
ment that you have on your vehicle.
Weight of the trailer tongue
The tongue load of any trailer is an
important weight to measure because it
affects the total gross vehicle weight
(GVW) of your vehicle. This weight
includes the curb weight of the vehicle,
any cargo you may carry in it, and the
people who will be riding in the vehicle.
And if you tow a trailer, you must add the
tongue load to the GVW because your
vehicle will also be carrying that weight. The trailer tongue should weigh a maxi-
mum of 10% of the total loaded trailer
weight, within the limits of the maximum
trailer tongue load permissible. After
you've loaded your trailer, weigh the trail-
er and then the tongue, separately, to
see if the weights are proper. If they
aren’t, you may be able to correct them
simply by moving some items around in
the trailer.
C190E01JM
Tongue Load Total Trailer Weight
WARNING -
Trailer
Never load a trailer with more weight in the rear than in the
front. The front should be loaded
with approximately 60% of the
total trailer load; the rear should
be loaded with approximately 40%of the total trailer load.
Never exceed the maximum weight limits of the trailer or trail-
er towing equipment. Improper
loading can result in damage to
your vehicle and/or personal
injury. Check weights and loading
at a commercial scale or highway
patrol office equipped with scales.
An improperly loaded trailer can cause loss of vehicle control.C190E02JM
Gross Axle WeightGross Vehicle Weight

6
Road warning / 6-2
In case of an emergency while driving / 6-3
If the engine will not start / 6-4
Emergency starting / 6-5
If the engine overheats / 6-7
If you have a flat tire / 6-8
If you have a flat tire (with TireMobilityKit) / 6-16
Towing / 6-21
Emergency commodity / 6-25
What to do in an emergency

65
What to do in an emergency
EMERGENCY STARTING
Connect cables in numerical order and
disconnect in reverse order. 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.
CAUTION
Use only a 12-volt jumper system.
You can damage a 12-volt startingmotor, ignition system, and other
electrical parts beyond repair byuse of a 24-volt power supply (eithertwo 12-volt batteries in series or a24-volt motor generator set).
WARNING - Battery
• Keep all flames or sparks away from the battery. The battery pro-
duces hydrogen gas which may
explode if exposed to flame orsparks.
If these instructions are not fol-
lowed exactly, serious personal
injury and damage to the vehicle
may occur! If you are not sure
how to follow this procedure,
seek qualified assistance.
Automobile batteries contain sul-
furic acid. This is poisonous and
highly corrosive. When jump
starting, wear protective glasses
and be careful not to get acid on
yourself, your clothing or on the
car.
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.
1VQA4001

619
What to do in an emergency
Distributing the sealant
Immediately drive approximately 3 km
(2 miles) to evenly distribute the
sealant in the tire.Producing the tire inflation pres- sure
1) After driving approximately 3 km (2
miles), stop at a suitable location.
2) Connect connection hose 9 of the compressor directly to the tire
valve.
3) Connect between compressor and the vehicle power outlet using
the cable and connectors.
4) Adjust the tire inflation pressure to 220 kPa (32 psi). With the ignition
switched on, proceed as follows.
- To increase the inflation pres- sure: Switch on the compressor,
position I. To check the current
inflation pressure setting, briefly
switch off the compressor. - To reduce the inflation pres-
sure: Press the button 8 on the
compressor.
WARNING
Do not let the compressor run for
more than 10 minutes, otherwise
the device will overheat and may
be damaged.
WARNING
The tire inflation pressure must
be at least 220 kPa (32 psi). If it is
not, do not continue driving. Call
for road side service or towing.
CAUTION
Do not exceed a speed of 60 km/h (35 mph). If possible, donot fall below a speed of 20 km/h (12 mph).
While driving, if you experienceany unusual vibration, ride dis-turbance or noise, reduce yourspeed and drive with caution until you can safely pull off ofthe side of the road.
Call for road side service or tow-ing.
CAUTION
If the inflation pressure is notmaintained, drive the vehicle asecond time, refer to Distributing the sealant. Then repeat steps 1to 4.
Use of the TireMobilityKit maybe ineffectual for tire damagelarger than approximately 4 mm (0.16 in).
Please contact the nearest KIAA/S center, or a workshop thatworks according to KIA repairprocedures with corresponding- ly trained personnel if the tirecannot be made roadworthywith the TireMobilityKit.

621
What to do in an emergency
TOWING
Towing service
If 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 wheeldollies or flatbed is recommended. 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 lifted,
not the rear.
OPA067015
A
B
C
dolly
OPA067016
OPA067017
CAUTION
Do not tow the vehicle with the
front wheels on the ground asthis may cause damage to thevehicle.
Do not tow with sling-type equip- ment. Use wheel lift or flatbedequipment.

What to do in an emergency
22
6
CAUTION
Failure to place the shift lever in N
(Neutral) may cause internal dam- age to the transaxle.
When towing your vehicle in an emer- gency without wheel dollies :
1. Set the ignition switch in the ACC posi- tion.
2. Place the shift lever in N (Neutral).
3. Release the parking brake.
Removable towing hook
(front, if equipped)
1. Open the trunk, and remove the tow-ing 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 fullysecured.
4. Remove the towing hook and install the cover after use. Emergency towing
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by an authorized
KIA dealer or a commercial tow truck
service.
OTA060010
OTA060012
Front
RearOTA060011

623
What to do in an emergency
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/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 tow hooks to pull a vehi-cle out of mud, sand or other condi-
tions 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 com- municate with each other frequently. 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 thecable or chain to the towing hook provided.
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.

What to do in an emergency
24
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.
Emergency towing precautions
Place the ignition switch in ACC so thesteering wheel isn’t locked.
Place the transaxle shift lever in N (Neutral).
Release the parking bake.
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 - Automatic
transaxle
If the car is being towed with all four wheels on the ground, it can
be towed only from the front. Besure that the transaxle is in neu-tral. Be sure the steering isunlocked by placing the ignition
switch in the ACC position. Adriver must be in the towed vehi- cle to operate the steering and
brakes.
To avoid serious damage to the automatic transaxle, limit thevehicle speed to 15 km/h (10 mph)and drive less than 1.5 km (1
mile) when towing.
Before towing, check the level of the automatic transaxle fluid. If itis below the "HOT" range on the dipstick, add fluid. If you cannot
add fluid, a towing dolly must beused.
OPA067014