steering KIA Sportage 2007 JE_ / 2.G Owner's Guide

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Driving tips
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After off-road drivingRemove any brush or debris that has
collected on the underbody, chassis
or under the hood. These accumula-
tions can be a fire hazard.
After driving in mud or sand, clean
and check the brake linings.
Accumulation of mud or sand can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage. Also,
check the fuel lines and cooling sys-
tem for any leakage. Your vehicle will
also require more frequent service
due to off-road use.
WARNING
- Water
Driving through rushing water
can be dangerous. Deep water
can sweep your vehicle down-
stream and you and your pas-
sengers could drown. If it’s only
inches deep, it can still wash
away the ground from under
your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle.
Never drive through rushing
water.

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Driving tips
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Following distance Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sud-
den turns.Passing You’ll need more passing distance
up ahead when you’re towing a trail-
er. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
you can return to your lane.
Backing up Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, just move your
hand to the left. To move the trailer to
the right, move your hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.Making turns When you’re turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal. Do
this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sud-
den maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn signals when towing a trailer When you tow a trailer, your vehicle
has to have a different turn signal
flasher and extra wiring. The green
arrows on your instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal a turn or
lane change. Properly connected,
the trailer lights will also flash to alert
other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green
arrows on your instrument panel will
flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you
may think drivers behind you are
seeing your signals when, in fact,
they are not. It’s important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working. You must also
check the lights every time you dis-
connect and then reconnect the
wires.

In case of an emergency16
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Towing with a vehicle other
than a tow truck If towing is necessary, we recom-
mend you to have it done by an
Authorized Kia dealer or a commer-
cial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or
chain secured to the emergency tow-
ing hook under the front or 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 distance 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
vehicle out of mud, sand or other
conditions from which the vehicle
cannot be driven out under its own
power.
 Avoid towing a vehicle heavier than the vehicle doing the towing.
6KMA4026
 Front1KMA4027
 Rear

In case of an emergency18
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When your vehicle is being
towed by another vehicle
other than a tow truck (in case
of an emergency)  Turn the ignition switch to ACC so
the steering wheel isn’t locked.
 Place the transaxle shift lever in N (Neutral).
 Release the parking bake.
 Vehicles equipped with automatic transaxles should not exceed 45
km/h (28 mph) and should not be
towed more than 80 km (50 miles).
 Vehicles equipped with manual transaxle should not be towed in
excess of 88 km/h (55 mph) and
should not be towed more than
645 km (400 miles).  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 steer-
ing system will be disabled.
 If you are driving down a long hill, the brakes may overheat and brake
performance will be reduced. Stop
often and let the brakes cool off.
✽ ✽ NOTICETo prevent internal damage to the
transaxle, never tow your vehicle
from the rear (backwards) with all
four tires in contact with the sur-
face.
Tips for towing a stuck vehicleThe following methods are effective
when your vehicle is stuck in mud,
sand or similar substances that pre-
vent the vehicle from being driven
out under its own power.
 Remove the soil and sand, etc.
from the front and the back of the
tires.
 Place a stone or wood under the tires.

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Maintenance services / 7-3
Maintenance schedule / 7-4
Owner maintenance / 7-8
Engine compartment / 7-11
Engine oil and oil filter / 7-13
Engine cooling system / 7-15
Brakes and clutch / 7-18
Parking brake / 7-19
Drive belts / 7-20
Power steering / 7-21
Steering wheel / 7-22
Automatic transaxle / 7-23
Manual transaxle / 7-25
Rear differential (4WD) / 7-25
Transfer case (4WD) / 7-25
Lubricants and fluids / 7-26
Air cleaner / 7-27
Climate control air filter / 7-28
Wiper blades / 7-29
Maintenance

Maintenance67
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONTINUED)
Kilometers or time in months, whichever comes first
× 1,000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96 104 112 120 128
# Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64
Automatic transaxle fluid (1) I I I R I I I R I I I R I I I R
Chassis & underbody bolts & nuts I I I I I I IIIIIII III
Tire condition & inflation pressure I I I I I I IIIIIII III
Wheel alignment (4)
Tire rotation
Steering operation & linkage I I I I I I IIIIIII III
Power steering fluid & lines I I I IIIII
Driveshaft u-joints L L L L L L LLLLLLL LLL
Driveshaft dust boots I I I I I
Safety belts, buckles & anchors I I I I I I IIIIIII III
Lock, hinges & hood latch L L L L L L LLLLLLL LLL
MAINTENANCE
INTERVALS
MAINTENANCE
ITEM
Inspect when abnormal condition noted
Rotate the tires every 12,000 km
Chassis and body (Continued)

Maintenance87
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OWNER MAINTENANCE Owner maintenance schedule The following lists are vehicle checks
and inspections that should be per-
formed by the owner or an
Authorized Kia Dealer at the fre-
quencies indicated to help ensure
safe, dependable operation of your
vehicle.
Any adverse conditions should be
brought to the attention of your deal-
er as soon as possible.
These Owner Maintenance Checks
are generally not covered by war-
ranties and you may be charged for
labor, parts and lubricants used.
When you stop for fuel: Check the engine oil level.
 Check coolant level in coolantreservoir.
 Check the windshield washer fluid level.
 Look for low or under-inflated tires.
While operating your vehicle: Note any changes in the sound of the exhaust or any smell of
exhaust fumes in the vehicle.
 Check for vibrations in the steering wheel. Notice any increased steer-
ing effort or looseness in the steer-
ing wheel, or change in its straight-
ahead position.
 Notice if your vehicle constantly turns slightly or “pulls” to one side
when traveling on smooth, level
road.
 When stopping, listen and check for strange sounds, pulling to one
side, increased brake pedal travel
or “hard-to-push” brake pedal.
 If any slipping or changes in the operation of your transaxle occurs,
check the transaxle fluid level.
 Check automatic transaxle P (Park) function.
 Check parking brake.
 Check for fluid leaks under your vehicle (water dripping from the air
conditioning system during or after
use is normal).
WARNING
Be careful when checking your
engine coolant level when the
engine is hot. Scalding hot
coolant and steam may blow out
under pressure. This could cause
burns or other serious injury.

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Maintenance
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At least monthly: Check coolant level in the coolantrecovery reservoir.
 Check the operation of all exterior lights, including the stoplights, turn
signals and hazard warning flash-
ers.
 Check the inflation pressures of all tires including the spare.
At least twice a year
(i.e., every Spring and Fall) : Check radiator, heater and air con- ditioning hoses for leaks or da-
mage.
 Check windshield washer spray and wiper operation. Clean wiper
blades with clean cloth dampened
with washer fluid.
 Check headlight alignment.
 Check muffler, exhaust pipes, shields and clamps.
 Check the lap/shoulder belts for wear and function.
 Check for worn tires and loose wheel lug nuts.
At least once a year : Clean body and door drain holes.
 Lubricate door hinges and checks,and hood hinges.
 Lubricate door and hood locks and latches.
 Lubricate door rubber weather- strips.
 Check the air conditioning system before the warm weather season.
 Check the power steering fluid level.
 Inspect and lubricate automatic transaxle linkage and controls.
 Clean battery and terminals.
 Check the brake fluid level.

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Maintenance
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT
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1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Air cleaner
5. Fuse box
6. Negative battery terminal
7. Radiator cap
8. Positive battery terminal
9. Auto transaxle oil dipstick (if equipped)
10. Engine oil dipstick
11. Engine coolant reservoir
12. Windshield washer fluid reser- voir



2.0L Gasoline Engine

Maintenance12
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1KMB7015
1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Air cleaner
5. Fuse box
6. Negative battery terminal
7. Radiator cap
8. Positive battery terminal
9. Auto transaxle oil dipstick
(if equipped)
10. Engine coolant reservoir
11. Engine oil dipstick
12. Windshield washer fluid reser- voir



2.7L Gasoline Engine