KIA Sportage 2012 SL / 3.G User Guide

Index
8I
Spare tireCompact spare tire ··················\
··················\
···············6-13
Compact spare tire replacement ··················\
·············7-35
Removing and storing the spare tire ··················\
········6-8
Special driving conditions ··················\
··················\
·········5-46 Driving at night ··················\
··················\
··················\
··5-48
Driving in flooded areas ··················\
··················\
·······5-49
Driving in the rain ··················\
··················\
················5-49
Hazardous driving conditions ··················\
················5-46
Highway driving ··················\
··················\
··················\
·5-50
Rocking the vehicle ··················\
··················\
··············5-47
Smooth cornering ··················\
··················\
·················5-48\
Speedometer ···············\
··················\
··················\
················4-46
Sports mode ··················\
··················\
··················\
·············5-17
Starting difficulties, see engine will not start ··················\
6-3
Starting the engine ··················\
··················\
················5-6, 5-9
Steering wheel ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········4-34 Horn ·················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
···4-35
Power steering ··················\
··················\
··················\
····4-34
Tilt steering ··················\
··················\
··················\
········4-35
Steering wheel audio control ··················\
··················\
···4-109
Storage compartment ··················\
··················\
·················4-98\
Center console storage ··················\
··················\
·········4-98
Glove box ··················\
··················\
··················\
···········4-98
Sunglass holder ··················\
··················\
··················\
··4-99
Sunroof, see panoramic sunroof ··················\
··················\
4-30
Sunvisor ·················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
4-101 Tachometer ················\
··················\
··················\
·················4-46\
Tailgate ················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
·····4-20
Emergency tailgate safety release ··················\
··········4-21
Tether anchor system ··················\
··················\
·················3-38\
Theft-alarm system ··················\
··················\
··················\
··4-13
Tie-down hook ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········6-19
Tilt steering ··················\
··················\
··················\
··············4-35
Tire specification and pressure label ··················\
·············8-8
Tires and wheels ··················\
··················\
·················7-30\
, 8-3 Checking tire inflation pressure ··················\
·············7-31
Compact spare tire replacement ··················\
·············7-35
Recommended cold tire inflation pressures ·············7-30
Tire care ··················\
··················\
··················\
·············7-30
Tire maintenance ··················\
··················\
··················\
7-35
Tire replacement ··················\
··················\
··················\
·7-34
Tire rotation ··················\
··················\
··················\
········7-32
Tire sidewall labeling ··················\
··················\
···········7-36
Tire traction ··················\
··················\
··················\
········7-35
Wheel alignment and tire balance ··················\
··········7-33
Wheel replacement ··················\
··················\
···············7-35
Towing ·················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
····6-15 Emergency towing ··················\
··················\
················6-17
Removable towing hook ················\
··················\
·········6-16
Tie-down hook (for flatbed towing) ··················\
·······6-19T

I9
Index
TransaxleAutomatic transaxle ··················\
··················\
·············5-15
Manual transaxle ··················\
··················\
··················\
5-12
Trip computer ··················\
··················\
··················\
··········4-48
Tripmeter ················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
··4-48
Vehicle break-in process ··················\
··················\
··············1-5
Vehicle certification label ··················\
··················\
············8-7
Vehicle handling instructions··················\
··················\
········1-5
Vehicle identification number (VIN) ··················\
·············8-6
Vehicle weight ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········5-68 Base curb weight ··················\
··················\
··················\
5-68
Cargo weight ··················\
··················\
··················\
······5-68
GAW (Gross axle weight) ··················\
··················\
····5-68
GAWR (Gross axle weight rating) ··················\
·········5-68
GVW (Gross vehicle weight) ··················\
·················5-68\
GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating) ··················\
···5-68 Washer fluid ··················\
··················\
··················\
·············7-21
Warnings and indicators ··················\
··················\
············4-52
Weight ·················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
·····5-68
Base curb weight ··················\
··················\
··················\
5-68
Cargo weight ··················\
··················\
··················\
······5-68
GAW (Gross axle weight) ··················\
··················\
····5-68
GAWR (Gross axle weight rating) ··················\
·········5-68
GVW (Gross vehicle weight) ··················\
·················5-68\
GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating) ··················\
···5-68
Wheel alignment and tire balance ··················\
···············7-33
Wheel replacement ··················\
··················\
··················\
··7-35
Windows ··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
4-22 Auto down window ··················\
··················\
··············4-23
Auto up/down window ··················\
··················\
·········4-24
Power window lock button ··················\
··················\
···4-25
Windshield defrosting and defogging ··················\
··········4-95 Defogging logic ··················\
··················\
··················\
··4-97
Winter driving ··················\
··················\
··················\
··········5-51 Snow tires ··················\
··················\
··················\
···········5-51
Wiper blades ··················\
··················\
··················\
············7-25
Wipers and washers ··················\
··················\
··················\
·4-72
V
W

1
How to use this manual / 1-2
Fuel requirements / 1-3
Vehicle handling instructions / 1-5
Vehicle break-in process / 1-5
Indicator symbols on the instrument cluster / 1-6
Introduction

Introduction
21
A010000AAM
We want to help you get the greatest
possible driving pleasure from your vehi-
cle. Your Owner’s Manual can assist you
in many ways. We strongly recommend
that you read the entire manual. In order
to minimize the chance of death or injury,
you must read the WARNING and CAU-
TION sections in the manual.
Illustrations complement the words in this
manual to best explain how to enjoy your
vehicle. By reading your manual, you will
learn about features, important safety
information, and driving tips under vari-
ous road conditions.The general layout of the manual is pro-
vided in the Table of Contents. Use the
index when looking for a specific area or
subject; it has an alphabetical listing of all
information in your manual.
Sections: This manual has eight sections
plus an index. Each section begins with a
brief list of contents so you can tell at a
glance if that section has the information
you want.
You will find various WARNINGs,
CAUTIONs, and NOTICEs in this manu-
al. These WARNINGs were prepared to
enhance your personal safety. You should
carefully read and follow ALL procedures
and recommendations provided in these
WARNINGs, CAUTIONs and NOTICEs.
✽ ✽


NOTICE
A NOTICE indicates interesting or help-
ful information is being provided.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in
which harm, serious bodily injury or
death could result if the warning is
ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in
which damage to your vehicle couldresult if the caution is ignored.

13
Introduction
A020101AHM-EU
Your new vehicle is designed to use only
unleaded fuel having a pump octane
number ((R+M)/2) of 87 (Research
Octane Number 91) or higher.
Your new vehicle is designed to obtain
maximum performance with UNLEADED
FUEL, as well as minimize exhaust emis-
sions and spark plug fouling.
A020103AUN-EU
Gasoline containing alcohol andmethanol
Gasohol, a mixture of gasoline and
ethanol (also known as grain alcohol),
and gasoline or gasohol containing
methanol (also known as wood alcohol)
are being marketed along with or instead
of leaded or unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasohol containing more than
10% ethanol, and do not use gasoline or
gasohol containing any methanol. Either
of these fuels may cause drivability prob-
lems and damage to the fuel system.
Discontinue using gasohol of any kind if
drivability problems occur.
Vehicle damage or drivability problems
may not be covered by the manufactur-
er’s warranty if they result from the use
of:
1. Gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.
2. Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.
3. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
CAUTION
Never add any fuel system cleaning agents to the fuel tank other thanwhat has been specified. (Consultan authorized Kia dealer fordetails.)
WARNING
• Do not "top off" after the nozzle automatically shuts off when
refueling.
Tighten the cap until it clicks, oth- erwise the Check Engine
light will illuminate.
Always check that the fuel cap is installed securely to prevent fuel
spillage in the event of an acci-
dent.

Introduction
41
"E85" fuel is an alternative fuel com-
prised of 85 percent ethanol and 15 per-
cent gasoline, and is manufactured
exclusively for use in Flexible Fuel
Vehicles. “E85” is not compatible with
your vehicle. Use of “E85” may result in
poor engine performance and damage to
your vehicle's engine and fuel system.
Kia recommends that customers do not
use fuel with an ethanol content exceed-
ing 10%.A020104AUN
Use of MTBE
Kia recommends avoiding fuels contain-
ing MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)
over 15.0% vol. (Oxygen Content 2.7%
weight) in your vehicle.
Fuel containing MTBE over 15.0% vol.
(Oxygen Content 2.7% weight) may
reduce vehicle performance and produce
vapor lock or hard starting.
A020105AUN
Do not use methanol
Fuels containing methanol (wood alco-
hol) should not be used in your vehicle.
This type of fuel can reduce vehicle per-
formance and damage components of
the fuel system.
Fuel Additives
Kia recommends that you use good qual-
ity gasolines treated with detergent addi-
tives such as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline, which help prevent deposit for-
mation in the engine. These gasolines
will help the engine run cleaner and
enhance performance of the Emission
Control System. For more information on
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline, please
go to the website (www
.toptiergas.com)
For customers who do not use TOP Tier
Detergent Gasoline regularly, and have
problems starting or the engine does not
run smoothly, additives that you can buy
separately may be added to the gasoline.
If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is not
available, one bottle of additive added to
the fuel tank at every 12,000 km (7,500
mile) or 12 months is recommended.
Additives are available from your author-
ized Kia dealer along with information on
how to use them. Do not mix other addi-
tives.
A020107AUN
Operation in foreign countries
If you are going to drive your vehicle in
another country, be sure to:
Observe all regulations regarding reg- istration and insurance.
Determine that acceptable fuel is avail- able.
CAUTION
Never use gasohol which containsmethanol. Discontinue use of anygasohol product which impairs dri-vability.
CAUTION
Your New Vehicle Limited Warrantydoes not cover damage to the fuelsystem or any performance prob-lems caused by the use of “E85” fuel.
CAUTION
Your New Vehicle Limited Warrantymay not cover damage to the fuelsystem and any performance prob-lems that are caused by the use offuels containing methanol or fuelscontaining MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) over 15.0% vol.(Oxygen Content 2.7% weight.)

15
Introduction
A090000AEN
As with other vehicles of this type, failure
to operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control, an accident or
vehicle rollover.
Specific design characteristics (higher
ground clearance, track, etc.) give this
vehicle a higher center of gravity than
other types of vehicles. In other words
they are not designed for cornering at the
same speeds as conventional 2-wheel
drive vehicles. Avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers. Again, failure to oper-
ate this vehicle correctly may result in
loss of control, an accident or vehicle
rollover.Be sure to read the “Reducing
the risk of a rollover” driving guide-
lines, in section 5 of this manual.
A030000AUN
No special break-in period is needed. By
following a few simple precautions for the
first 1,000 km (600 miles) you may add to
the performance, economy and life of
your vehicle.
Do not race the engine.
While driving, keep your engine speed (rpm, or revolutions per minute)
between 2,000 rpm and 4,000 rpm.
Do not maintain a single speed for long periods of time, either fast or slow.
Varying engine speed is needed to
properly break-in the engine.
Avoid hard stops, except in emergen- cies, to allow the brakes to seat prop-
erly.
Don't let the engine idle longer than 3 minutes at one time.
Don't tow a trailer during the first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) of operation.
VEHICLE BREAK-IN PROCESS
VEHICLE HANDLING
INSTRUCTIONS

Introduction
61
INDICATOR SYMBOLS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Seat Belt Warning Light
Turn Signal Indicator
ABS Warning Light*
Parking Brake & Brake Fluid
Warning Light
Malfunction Indicator
Low Fuel Level Warning Light
* if equipped Tailgate Open Warning Light
❈ For more detailed explanations, refer to “Instrument cluster” in section 4.
Charging System Warning Light
Door Ajar Warning Light
A050000ASL-EC
Front Fog Light Indicator*
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
Air Bag Warning Light
Shift Pattern Indicator*
(Automatic transaxle)
ESC Indicator
ESC OFF Indicator Cruise Indicator*
4WD system warning light*
4WD LOCK indicator*
DBC indicator*
Key out warning light*
KEY
OUT
ECOECOMINDERTM indicator*
Cruise SET Indicator*
High Beam Indicator
Manual transaxle shift indicator*
Electric power steeringEPS
Immobilizer Indicator*

2
Interior overview / 2-2
Instrument panel overview / 2-3
Engine compartment / 2-4
Your vehicle at a glance

Your vehicle at a glance
22
INTERIOR OVERVIEW
OSL010001N
1. Door lock/unlock button ....................4-16
2. Outside rearview mirror control switch ................................................4-43
3. Central door lock switch* ..................4-17
4. Power window lock button* ...............4-25
5. Power window switches ....................4-22
6. Rear parking assist system OFF button*...............................................4-63
7. Instrument panel illumination control switch*...............................................4-46
8. 4WD lock button* ..............................5-22
9. DBC button* ......................................5-36
10. ESC OFF button* ...........................5-32
11. Steering wheel tilt control* ..............4-35
12. Steering wheel ................................4-34
13. Fuse box .........................................7-45
14. Hood release lever ..........................4-26
15. Seats .................................................3-2
16. Fuel filler lid release lever ...............4-28
17. Air vents.................................4-82, 4-91
* if equipped
❈ The actual interior in the vehicle may differ from the illustration