KIA Sorento 2008 1.G Owner's Manual

4
Ignition switch / 4-2
Starting the engine / 4-4
Automatic transmission / 4-5
Four wheel drive (4WD) / 4-10
Limited slip differential / 4-19
Brake system / 4-20
Steering wheel / 4-25
Cruise control system / 4-27
Electronic stability control / 4-30
Rear parking assist system / 4-33
Instrument cluster / 4-36
Gauges / 4-37
Warnings and indicators / 4-39
Multi-meter / 4-45
Lighting / 4-51
Wipers and washers / 4-54
Defroster / 4-57
Hazard warning flasher / 4-58
Manual climate control system / 4-59
Automatic climate control system / 4-66
Windshield defrosting and defogging / 4-75
Driving your vehicle

Driving your vehicle
2 4
Illuminated ignition switch
(if equipped)
Whenever a door is opened, the ignition
switch will be illuminated for your con-
venience, provided the ignition switch is
not in the ON position. The light will go off
approximately 30 seconds after closing
the door or when the ignition switch is
turned on.
Ignition switch and anti-theft
steering column lock
Ignition switch position
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. The ignition key can be
removed only in the LOCK position.
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key inward at
the ACC position (Type A) and turn the
key toward the LOCK position.
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-
trical accessories are operative.
ON
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. This is the
normal running position after the engine
is started.
Do not leave the ignition switch ON if the
engine is not running to prevent battery
discharge.
IGNITION SWITCH
PUSH
LOCKACCONSTART
E2BLA401A1KMA3013
1KMB3013
Type A
Type B

43
Driving your vehicle
START
Turn the ignition key to the START posi-
tion to start the engine. The engine will
crank until you release the key; then it
returns to the ON position. The brake
warning lamp can be checked in this
position.
✽
NOTICE
If difficulty is experienced in turning the
ignition key, turn the steering wheel
right and left to release the tension and
then turn the key.
Automatic transmission
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P (Park) position.
WARNING-Ignition key
• Never turn the ignition switch to
LOCK or ACC while the vehicle is
moving. This would result in loss
of directional control and braking
function, which could cause an
immediate accident.
• Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever
is engaged in 1
stgear for manual
transmission or P (Park) for auto-
matic transmission,set the park-
ing brake fully and shut the
engine off. Unexpected and sud-
den vehicle movement may occur
if these precautions are not
taken.
(Continued)
(Continued)
• Never reach for the ignition
switch, or any other controls
through the steering wheel while
the vehicle is in motion. The pres-
ence of your hand or arm in this
area could cause a loss of vehicle
control, an accident and serious
bodily injury or death.
• Do not place any movable objects
around the driver’s seat as they
may move while driving, interfere
with the driver and lead to an
accident.

Driving your vehicle
4 4
1. Make sure the parking brake is
applied.
2.Automatic Transmission -Place the
transmission shift lever in P (Park).
Depress the brake pedal fully.
You can also start the engine when
the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)
position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to START and
hold it there until the engine starts (a
maximum of 10 seconds), then
release the key.
4. In extremely cold weather (below
0°F / -18°C) or after the vehicle has
not been operated for several days, let
the engine warm up without depress-
ing the accelerator.
Whether the engine is cold or warm, it
should be started without depressing
the accelerator.The starter will not operate if:
Automatic Transmission -the shift lever
is NOT in the P (Park) or N (Neutral)
position.
STARTING THE ENGINE
CAUTION-Stall
If the engine stalls while you are in
motion, do not attempt to move the
shift lever to the P (Park) position. If
traffic and road conditions permit,
you may put the shift lever in the N
(Neutral) position while the vehicle
is still moving and turn the ignition
switch to the START position in an
attempt to restart the engine.
CAUTION
Do not engage the starter for more
than 10 seconds. If the engine stalls
or fails to start, wait 5 to 10 seconds
before re-engaging the starter.
Excessive or improper use of the
starter may damage it.
WARNING
Always wear appropriate shoes
when operating your vehicle.
Unsuitable shoes (high heels,ski
boots,etc.) may interfere with your
ability to use the brake and acceler-
ator pedal, and the clutch pedal (if
equipped).

45
Driving your vehicle
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (IF EQUIPPED)
OBL046900N
+ (UP)
- (DOWN)Sports mode
Automatic mode
The lock release button must be depressed while moving the shift lever. Depress the brake pedal and push the button when shifting.
The shift lever can be moved without depressing the lock release button.
Lock release button prevents shift lever movement
without first depressing the button.

Driving your vehicle
6 4
Automatic transmission operation
All normal forward driving is done with
the shift lever in the D (Drive) position.
To move the shift lever from the P (Park)
position, the brake pedal must be
depressed and the lock release button
must be depressed.
For smooth operation, depress the brake
pedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to a
forward or reverse gear.
WARNING- Automatic
transmission
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever is
in the P (PARK) position; then set
the parking brake fully and shut the
engine off. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
these precautions are not followed
in the order identified.
OBL046900 + (UP)
- (DOWN) Automatic
mode
Sports mode
CAUTION
• To avoid damage to your trans-
mission, do not accelerate the
engine in R (Reverse) or any for-
ward gear position with the
brakes on.
• When stopped on an upgrade, do
not hold the vehicle stationary
with engine power. Use the serv-
ice brake or the parking brake.
• Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P
(Park) into D (Drive), or R
(Reverse) when the engine is
above idle speed.

47
Driving your vehicle
Transmission ranges
P (park)
Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into P. This position locks the
transmission and prevents the front
wheels from rotating.
R (reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward.
N (neutral)
The wheels and transmission are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even on
the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or service brakes are applied.
D (drive)
This is the normal forward driving posi-
tion. The transmission will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence, provid-
ing the best fuel economy and power.
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing grades, depress the
accelerator fully, at which time the trans-
mission will automatically downshift to
the next lower gear.
(Continued)
• Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (PARK) position. Set
the parking brake fully,shut the
engine off and take the key with
you. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
you do not follow these precau-
tions in the order specified.
• Never leave a child unattended in
a vehicle.
WARNING-Automatic
transmission
• Shifting into P (Park) while the
vehicle is in motion will cause the
drive wheels to lock which will
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
• Do not use the P (Park) position
in place of the parking brake.
Always make sure the shift lever
is latched in the P (Park) position
so that it cannot be moved unless
the lock release button is pushed
in, AND set the parking brake
fully.
(Continued)
CAUTION
The transmission may be damaged
if you shift into P (Park) while the
vehicle is in motion.
CAUTION
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into or out of R
(Reverse); you may damage the
transmission if you shift into R
while the vehicle is in motion.

Driving your vehicle
8 4
Sports mode
Whether the vehicle is stationary or in
motion, sports mode is selected by push-
ing the shift lever from the “D” position
into the manual gate. To return to “D”
range operation, push the shift lever back
into the main gate.
In sports mode, moving the shift lever
backwards and forwards will allow you to
make gearshifts rapidly. The sports mode
allows gearshifts with the accelerator
pedal depressed.Up (+) : Push the lever forward once to
shift up one gear.
Down (-) : Pull the lever backwards once
to shift down one gear.
Snow mode
When taking off from a standstill on a
slippery road, push the shift lever forward
into the +(up) position. This causes the
transmission to shift into the 2nd gear
which is better for smooth driving on a
slippery road.
Push the shift lever to the -(down) side to
shift back to the 1st gear.
✽
NOTICE
 Upshifts take place automatically in
sports mode. However, the driver
must execute upshifts in accordance
with road conditions, taking care to
keep the engine speed below the red
zone because upshifts take place at the
higher engine rpm.
 In sports mode, only the four forward
gears can be selected. To reverse or
park the vehicle, move the shift lever
to the “R” or “P” position as required.
 In sports mode, downshifts are made
automatically when the vehicle slows
down. When the vehicle stops, 1st gear
is automatically selected.
 In sports mode, when the engine rpm
approaches the red zone shift points
are varied to upshift automatically.
✽
NOTICE
In the sport mode, if you push the lever
to shift and no shift occurs, the system is
acting to protect your safety and the
vehicle.
E4BLA402C + (UP)
- (DOWN) Automatic
mode
Sports mode

49
Driving your vehicle
Moving up a steep grade from a
standing start
To move up a steep grade from a stand-
ing start, depress the brake pedal, shift
the shift lever to D (Drive). Select the
appropriate gear depending on load
weight and steepness of the grade, and
release the parking brake. Depress the
accelerator gradually while releasing the
service brakes.
When accelerating from a stop on a
steep hill, the vehicle may have a ten-
dency to roll backwards. Shifting the
shift lever into 2 (Second Gear) while
in Sport mode will help prevent the
vehicle from rolling backwards.
Shift lock system
For your safety, the Automatic
Transmission has a shift lock system
which prevents shifting the transmission
out of P (Park) unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift the transmission out of P (Park):
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine or turn the ignition to
the ACC or ON position.
3. Depress the lock release button and
move the shift lever.
When the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position, the transmission cannot be
shifted from P (Park).
If the brake pedal is repeatedly
depressed and released with the shift
lever in the P (Park) position, a chattering
noise near the shift lever may be heard.
This is a normal condition.
Ignition key interlock system
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 cannot be
removed.

Driving your vehicle
10 4
For safe four-wheel drive opera-
tion
• Your vehicle allows you to drive in on-
road and off-road conditions.
• However, do not try to drive in deep
standing water, mud, or over steep
hills.
• When you are driving up or down hills
drive as close to straight up and down
the hill as possible. Use extreme cau-
tion in going up or down steep hills,
since you may flip your vehicle over
depending on the grade, terrain and
water/mud conditions.
• You must learn how to corner in a 4WD
vehicle as soon as possible. Do not
rely on your experience in convention-
al 2WD vehicles in choosing safe cor-
nering speed. You must drive more
slowly.
• Drive off-road carefully because your
vehicle may be damaged by rocks or
roots of trees. Become familiar with the
off-road conditions you are going to
drive before you start.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING - Four wheel
drive
Driving across the contour of steep
hills can be extremely dangerous.
This danger can come from slight
changes in the wheel angle which
can destabilize the vehicle or, even
if the vehicle is maintaining stabili-
ty under power, it can lose that sta-
bility if the vehicle stops its forward
motion. Your vehicle may roll over
without warning and without time
for you to correct a mistake that
could cause serious injury or death.
WARNING
Reduce speed when you turn cor-
ners. The center of gravity of 4WD
vehicles is higher than that of con-
ventional 2WD vehicles, making
them more likely to roll over when
you turn corners too fast.
WARNING
Do not grab inside of the steering
wheel when you are driving off-
road. Your arm may be hurt by a
sudden steering maneuver or from
steering wheel rebound due to
impact with objects on the ground.
This may cause you to lose steering
wheel control.