KIA RIO HATCHBACK 2012 Owners Manual

Driving your vehicle
28
5
ESC OFF usage
When driving
It’s a good idea to keep the ESC turned
on for daily driving whenever possible.
To turn ESC off while driving, press the ESC OFF button while driving on a flat
road surface.
Never press the ESC OFF button while
ESC is operating (ESC indicator light
blinks).
If ESC is turned off while ESC is operat-
ing, the vehicle may slip out of control.
Hill-start assist control (HAC)
Hill start Assist Control is a comfort func-
tion. The main intend is to prevent the
vehicle from rolling backwards while driv-
ing off uphill on an inclined surface. HAC
holds the braking pressure builtup by
driver during stopping procedure for 2
seconds after releasing brake pedal.
During the pressure-hold period, the
driver has enough time to press the
accelerator pedal to drive off.
The braking pressure is reduced as soon
as the system detects the driver’s inten-
tion to drive off.WARNING- Operating ESC
Never press the ESC OFF button
while ESC is operating.
If the ESC is turned off while ESC is
operating, the vehicle may go out of
control.
WARNING- Activating HAC
Drivers should pay close attention
when activating the HAC. The vehi-
cle may roll backward causing an
accident due to insufficient brake
hold pressure.

529
Driving your vehicle
The HAC does not operate when thetransaxle shift lever is in the P (Park) or
N (Neutral) position.
The HAC activates even though the ESC is off but it does not activate when
the ESC has malfunctioned.Vehicle stability management
(VSM)
This system provides further enhance-
ments to vehicle stability and steering
responses when a vehicle is driving on a
slippery road or a vehicle detected
changes in coefficient of friction between
right wheels and left wheels when brak-
ing.
VSM operation
When the VSM is in operation, ESC indi-
cator light ( ) blinks.
When the vehicle stability management
is operating properly, you can feel a slight
pulsation in the vehicle and/or abnormal
steering responses (EPS). This is only
the effect of brake and EPS control and
indicates nothing unusual.
The VSM does not operate when:
Driving on bank road such as gradientor incline
Driving rearward
ESC OFF indicator light ( ) remains on the instrument cluster
EPS indicator light remains on the instrument cluster
VSM operation off
If you press the ESC OFF button to turn
off the ESC, the VSM will also cancel and
the ESC OFF indicator light ( ) illumi-
nates.
To turn on the VSM, press the button
again. The ESC OFF indicator light goes
out.
Malfunction indicator
The VSM can be deactivated even if you
don’t cancel the VSM operation by press-
ing the ESC OFF button. It indicates that
a malfunction has been detected some-
where in the Electric Power Steering sys-
tem or VSM system. If the ESC indicator
light ( ) or EPS warning light remains
on, take your vehicle to an authorized Kia
dealer and have the system checked.
The VSM is designed to function aboveapproximately 15 km/h (9 mph) on
curves.
The VSM is designed to function above approximately 30 km/h (18 mph) when
a vehicle is braking on a split-mu road.
The split-mu road is made of surfaces
which have different friction forces.

Driving your vehicle
30
5
The Vehicle Stability Management sys-
tem is not a substitute for safe driving
practices but a supplementary function
only. It is the responsibility of the driver
to always check the speed and the dis-
tance to the vehicle ahead. Always
hold the steering wheel firmly while
driving.
Your vehicle is designed to activate according to the driver’s intention, even
with installed VSM. Always follow all
the normal precautions for driving at
safe speeds for the conditions – includ-
ing driving inclement weather and on a
slippery road.Good braking practices
Check to be sure the parking brake isnot engaged and that the parking
brake indicator light is out before driv-
ing away.
Driving through water may get the brakes wet. They can also get wet
when the vehicle is washed. Wet
brakes can be dangerous! Your vehicle
will not stop as quickly if the brakes are
wet. Wet brakes may cause the vehicle
to pull to one side.
To dry the brakes, apply the brakes
lightly until the braking action returns to
normal, taking care to keep the vehicle
under control at all times. If the braking
action does not return to normal, stop
as soon as it is safe to do so and call
an authorized Kia dealer for assis-
tance.
Don't coast down hills with the vehicle out of gear. This is extremely haz-
ardous. Keep the vehicle in gear at all
times, use the brakes to slow down,
then shift to a lower gear so that
engine braking will help you maintain a
safe speed. Don't "ride" the brake pedal. Resting
your foot on the brake pedal while driv-
ing can be dangerous because the
brakes might overheat and lose their
effectiveness. It also increases the
wear of the brake components.
If a tire goes flat while you are driving, apply the brakes gently and keep the
vehicle pointed straight ahead while
you slow down. When you are moving
slowly enough for it to be safe to do so,
pull off the road and stop in a safe
place.
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, don't let your vehi-
cle creep forward. To avoid creeping
forward, keep your foot firmly on the
brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped.
WARNING- Tire/Wheelsize
When replacing tires and wheels,
make sure they are the same size
as the original tires and wheels
installed. Driving with varying tire
or wheel sizes may diminish any
supplemental safety benefits of the
VSM system.

531
Driving your vehicle
Be cautious when parking on a hill.Firmly engage the parking brake and
place the shift lever in P (automatic
transaxle) or in first or reverse gear
(manual transaxle). If your vehicle is
facing downhill, turn the front wheels
into the curb to help keep the vehicle
from rolling. If your vehicle is facing
uphill, turn the front wheels away from
the curb to help keep the vehicle from
rolling. If there is no curb or if it is
required by other conditions to keep
the vehicle from rolling, block the
wheels.
Under some conditions your parking brake can freeze in the engaged posi-
tion. This is most likely to happen when
there is an accumulation of snow or ice
around or near the rear brakes or if the
brakes are wet. If there is a risk that the
parking brake may freeze, apply it only
temporarily while you put the shift lever
in P (automatic transaxle) or in first or
reverse gear (manual transaxle) and
block the rear wheels so the vehicle
cannot roll. Then release the parking
brake. Do not hold the vehicle on the upgrade
with the accelerator pedal. This can
cause the transaxle to overheat.
Always use the brake pedal or parking
brake.

Driving your vehicle
32
5
The cruise control system allows you to
program the vehicle to maintain a con-
stant speed without depressing the
accelerator pedal.
This system is designed to function
above approximately 40 km/h (25 mph).
If the cruise control is left on, (CRUISE
indicator light in the instrument cluster
illuminated) the cruise control can be
switched on accidentally. Keep the cruise
control system off (CRUISE indicator
light OFF) when the cruise control is not
in use, to avoid inadvertently setting a
speed.
Use the cruise control system only when
traveling on open highways in good
weather.
Do not use the cruise control when driv-
ing in heavy or varying traffic, or on slip-
pery (rainy, icy or snow-covered) or wind-
ing roads or over 6% up-hill or down-hill
roads.✽ ✽
NOTICE
During normal cruise control operation,
when the SET switch is activated or
reactivated after applying the brakes,
the cruise control will energize after
approximately 3 seconds. This delay is
normal.
To set cruise control speed:
1. Press the CRUISE ON-OFF button on
the steering wheel to turn the system
on. The CRUISE indicator light in the
instrument cluster will illuminate.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which must be more than 40 km/h (25 mph).
CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING- Misuse cruisecontrol
Do not use cruise control if the traf-
fic situation does not allow you to
drive safely at a constant speed
and with sufficient distance to the
vehicle in front.
OUB051046
OUB051042
■ Type A
■Type B

533
Driving your vehicle
3. Move the lever (1) down (to SET-), andrelease it at the desired speed. The
SET indicator light in the instrument
cluster will illuminate. Release the accel-
erator at the same time. The desired
speed will automatically be maintained.
On a steep grade, the vehicle may slowdown or speed up slightly while goingdownhill.
To increase cruise control set
speed:
Follow either of these procedures:
Move the lever (1) up (to RES+) and hold it. Your vehicle will accelerate.
Release the lever at the speed you
want. Move the lever (1) up (to RES+) and
release it immediately. The cruising
speed will increase by 1.6 km/h (1.0
mph) each time the lever is operated in
this manner.
OUB051048
OUB051044
■ Type A
■Type BOUB051047
OUB051043
■Type A
■Type B

Driving your vehicle
34
5
To decrease the cruising speed:
Follow either of these procedures:
Move the lever (1) down (to SET-) and
hold it. Your vehicle will gradually slow
down. Release the lever at the speed
you want to maintain. Move the lever (1) down (to SET-) and
release it immediately. The cruising
speed will decrease by 1.6 km/h (1.0
mph) each time the lever is operated in
this manner.
To temporarily accelerate with the
cruise control on:
If you want to speed up temporarily when
the cruise control is on, depress the
accelerator pedal. Increased speed will
not interfere with the cruise control oper-
ation or change the set speed.
To return to the set speed, take your foot
off the accelerator.
OUB051048
OUB051044
■ Type A
■Type B

535
Driving your vehicle
To cancel cruise control, do one
of the following:
Depress the brake pedal.
Depress the clutch pedal with a manu-al transaxle.
Shift into N (Neutral) with an automatic transaxle.
Press the CANCEL switch. Decrease the vehicle speed lower than
the memory speed by 15 km/h (9
mph).
Decrease the vehicle speed to less than approximately 40 km/h (25 mph).
Each of these actions will cancel cruisecontrol operation (the SET indicator lightin the instrument cluster will go off), but itwill not turn the system off. If you wish toresume cruise control operation, movethe lever up (to RES+). You will return toyour previously preset speed.
To resume cruising speed at
more than approximately 40 km/h
(25 mph):
If any method other than the CRUISE
ON-OFF switch was used to cancel
cruising speed and the system is still
activated, the most recent set speed will
automatically resume when you move
the lever (1) up (to RES+).
OUB051049
OUB051045
■ Type A
■Type BOUB051047
OUB051043
■Type A
■Type B

Driving your vehicle
36
5
It will not resume, however, if the vehicle
speed has dropped below approximately
40 km/h (25 mph).To turn cruise control off, do one
of the following:
Press the CRUISE ON-OFF button
(the CRUISE indicator light in the
instrument cluster will go off).
Turn the ignition off.
Both of these actions will cancel the cruise control operation. If you want toresume the cruise control operation,repeat the steps provided in “To setcruise control speed” on the previouspage.

537
Driving your vehicle
Your vehicle may be equipped with the
ISG system, which reduces fuel con-
sumption by automatically shutting down
the engine, when the vehicle is at a
standstill. (For example : red light, stop
sign and traffic jam)
The engine starts automatically as soon
as the starting conditions are met.
The ISG system is ON whenever the
engine is running.
✽ ✽NOTICE
When the engine automatically starts by
the ISG system, some warning lights
(ABS, ESC, ESC OFF, ESC or Parking
brake warning light) may turn on for a
few seconds.
This happens because of low battery
voltage. It does not mean the system is
malfunctioning.
Auto stop
To stop the engine in idle stop mode
Stop the vehicle completely by pressing
the brake pedal.
You must reach a speed of at least 8km/h
(5mph) since last idle stop.
The engine will stop and the green AUTO
STOP indicator ( ) on the instrument
cluster will illuminate. If your vehicle is
equipped with the type B cluster, the
notice will illuminate on the LCD display. If you open the engine hood in auto stop
mode, the light on the ISG OFF button
will illuminate and ISG system is deacti-
vated. If your vehicle is equipped with the
type B cluster, the notice will illuminate
on the LCD display.
Turn the ignition switch to the START
position to start the engine manually.
ISG (IDLE STOP AND GO) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
OUB051006
OUB051007
■
Type A
■Type BOUB051020
OUB051021