towing KIA Sportage 2013 SL / 3.G Owner's Manual

Index
4I
Economical operation ··················\
··················\
················5-44
Electric power steering ··················\
··················\
··············4-34
Electrochromic mirror (ECM) ··················\
··················\
···4-37
Electronic stability control (ESC) ··················\
···············5-32
Emergency starting ··················\
··················\
··················\
····6-4Jump starting ··················\
··················\
··················\
········6-4
Push starting ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········6-5
Emergency tailgate safety release ··················\
················4-21
Emergency towing ··················\
··················\
··················\
···6-17
Emergency while driving ··················\
··················\
·············6-2
Emission control system ··················\
··················\
············7-59 Crankcase emission control system ··················\
·······7-59
Evaporative emission control system ··················\
·····7-59
Exhaust emission control system ··················\
···········7-60
Engine compartment ··················\
··················\
············2-4, 7-2
Engine coolant ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········7-18
Engine number ··················\
··················\
··················\
···········8-7
Engine oil ··················\
··················\
··················\
·················7-16\
Engine overheats ··················\
··················\
··················\
········6-6
Engine start/stop button ··················\
··················\
···············5-7
Engine temperature gauge ··················\
··················\
·········4-47
Engine will not start ··················\
··················\
··················\
···6-3
Evaporative emission control system ··················\
··········7-59
Exhaust emission control system ··················\
·················7-60\
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items ········\
········7-10
Exterior care ··················\
··················\
··················\
·············7-53 Exterior features ··················\
··················\
··················\
·····4-107
Roof rack ··················\
··················\
··················\
··········4-107
Flat tire ··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
······6-7 Changing tires ··················\
··················\
··················\
······6-8
Compact spare tire ··················\
··················\
···············6-13
Jack and tools ··················\
··················\
··················\
·······6-7
Removing and storing the spare tire ··················\
········6-8
Floor mat anchor(s) ··················\
··················\
·················4-10\
4
Fluid Washer fluid ··················\
··················\
··················\
·······7-22
Brake fluid ··················\
··················\
··················\
··········7-21
Folding the rear seat ··················\
··················\
··················\
3-12
Four wheel drive (4WD) ··················\
··················\
············5-21
Front seat adjustment - manual ···········\
··················\
···········3-5
Front seat adjustment - power ··················\
··················\
·····3-6
Fuel filler lid ··················\
··················\
··················\
············4-28
Fuel gauge ··················\
··················\
··················\
················4-48
Fuel requirements ··················\
··················\
··················\
······1-3
Fuses ·················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
·······7-45 Fuse/relay panel description ··················\
··················\
7-48
Main fuse··················\
··················\
··················\
·············7-47
Memory fuse ··················\
··················\
··················\
·······7-46
E
F

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

325
Safety features of your vehicle
3. Insert the tongue plate into the hole onthe belt assembly cover.C020105AAM❈ The actual feature may differ from the illus-
tration.
Stowing the rear seat belt
The rear seat belt buckles can be stowed
in the pocket between the rear seatback
and cushion when not in use. Routing the seat belt webbing through
the rear seat belt guides will help keep
the belts from being trapped behind or
under the seats.
After inserting the seat belt, tighten the
belt webbing by pulling it up.
1KMN3453OSL030024OLM039031
CAUTION
Remove the seat belt from the
guides before using. If you pull onthe seat belt when it is stored in the guides, it may damage the guidesand/or belt webbing.

Features of your vehicle
64
4
The sensing distance while the rear
parking assist system is in operation is
approximately 120 cm (47 in.).
When more than two objects are sensed at the same time, the closest
one will be recognized first.
Types of warning sound
When an object is 120 cm to 81 cm (47in. to 32 in.) from the rear bumper:
Buzzer beeps intermittently.
When an object is 80 cm to 41 cm (31 in. to 16 in.) from the rear bumper:
Buzzer beeps more frequently.
When an object is within 40 cm (15 in.) of the rear bumper:
Buzzer sounds continuously.
Non-operational conditions of
rear parking assist system
The rear parking assist system may
not operate properly when:
1. Moisture is frozen to the sensor. (It will operate normally when the moisture
has been cleared.)
2. The sensor is covered with foreign matter, such as snow or water, or the
sensor cover is blocked. (It will operate
normally when the material is removed
or the sensor is no longer blocked.)
3. Driving on uneven road surfaces (unpaved roads, gravel, bumps, gradi-
ent).
4. Objects generating excessive noise (vehicle horns, loud motorcycle
engines, or truck air brakes) are within
range of the sensor.
5. Heavy rain or water spray exists.
6. Wireless transmitters or mobile phones are within range of the sensor.
7. The sensor is covered with snow.
8. Trailer towing The detecting range may decrease
when:
1. The sensor is stained with foreign mat-
ter such as snow or water. (The sens-
ing range will return to normal when
removed.)
2. Outside air temperature is extremely hot or cold.
The following objects may not be rec-
ognized by the sensor:
1. Sharp or slim objects such as ropes, chains or small poles.
2. Objects which tend to absorb the sen- sor frequency such as clothes, spongy
material or snow.
3. Undetectable objects smaller than 1 m (40 in.) in height and narrower than 14
cm (6 in.) in diameter.

5
Before driving / 5-3
Key positions / 5-4
Engine start/Stop button / 5-7
Manual transaxle / 5-12
Automatic transaxle5-15
Four wheel drive (4WD) / 5-21
Brake system / 5-27
Cruise control system / 5-40
Economical operation / 5-44
Special driving conditions / 5-46
Winter driving / 5-51
Trailer towing / 5-54
Vehicle load limit / 5-63
Vehicle weight glossary / 5-68
Driving your vehicle

Driving your vehicle
54
5
E140000AFD
If you are considering towing with your
vehicle, you should first check with your
country's Department of Motor Vehicles
to determine their legal requirements.
Since laws vary the requirements for tow-
ing trailers, cars, or other types of vehi-
cles or apparatus may differ. Ask an
authorized Kia dealer for further details
before towing.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify
what the vehicle trailering capacity is for
your vehicle, you should read the infor-
mation in “Weight of the trailer” that
appears later in this section.Remember that trailering is different than
just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling,
durability, and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering requires correct equip-
ment, and it has to be used properly.
This section contains many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your
safety and that of your passengers.
Please read this section carefully before
you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the
engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies, and
tires are forced to work harder against
the load of the added weight. The engine
is required to operate at relatively higher
speeds and under greater loads. This
additional burden generates extra heat.
The trailer also adds considerably to
wind resistance, increasing the pulling
requirements.
TRAILER TOWING
CAUTION
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result incostly repairs not covered by yourwarranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow the advice in this section.WARNING- Towing a trail- er
If you don't use the correct equip-
ment and/or drive improperly, you
can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work
well - or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously or
fatally injured. Pull a trailer only if
you have followed all the steps in
this section.
WARNING- Weight limits
Before towing, make sure the total
trailer weight, GCW (gross combi-
nation weight), GVW (gross vehicle
weight), GAW (gross axle weight)
and trailer tongue load are all with-
in the limits.

Driving your vehicle
56
5
E140400AUN
Driving with a trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Before setting out
for the open road, you must get to know
your trailer. Acquaint yourself with the
feel of handling and braking with the
added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not
nearly so responsive as your vehicle is
by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical
connector(s), lights, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer mov-
ing and then apply the trailer brake con-
troller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This lets you check your electri-
cal connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lights and any trailer brakes are still work-
ing.
E140401AUN
Following distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehi-
cle ahead as you would when driving
your vehicle without a trailer. This can
help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
E140402AUN
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up
ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And,
because of the increased vehicle length,
you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to
your lane. Due to the added load to the
engine when going uphill the vehicle may
also take longer to pass than it would on
flat ground.
E140403AUN
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.
E140404AUN
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 near
the edge of the road. Avoid jerky or sud-
den maneuvers. Signal well in advance
before turning or lane changes.

557
Driving your vehicle
E140405AFD
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 trail-
er bulbs are still working. You must also
check the lights every time you discon-
nect and then reconnect the wires.
Do not connect a trailer lighting system
directly to your vehicle’s lighting system.
Use only an approved trailer wiring har-
ness.
An authorized Kia dealer can assist you
in installing the wiring harness.
E140406AFD
Driving on grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you
might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer
operate efficiently.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around 70 km/h (45
mph) to reduce the possibility of engine
and transaxle overheating.
If your trailer weighs more than the max-
imum trailer weight without trailer brakes
and you have an automatic transaxle,
you should drive in D (Drive) when tow-
ing a trailer.
Operating your vehicle in D (Drive) when
towing a trailer will minimize heat build up
and extend the life of your transaxle.
WARNING
Failure to use an approved trailer
wiring harness could result in dam-
age to the vehicle electrical system
and/or personal injury.

Driving your vehicle
58
5
E140407AUN-EA
Parking on hills
Generally, if you have a trailer attached to
your vehicle, you should not park your
vehicle on a hill. People can be seriously
or fatally injured, and both your vehicle
and the trailer can be damaged if they
unexpectedly roll downhill.
However, if you ever have to park your
trailer on a hill, here's how to do it:
1. Pull the vehicle into the parking space.
Turn the steering wheel in the direction
of the curb (right if headed downhill,
left if headed up hill).
2. If the vehicle has a manual transaxle, place the car in neutral. If the vehicle
has an automatic transaxle, place the
car in P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake and shut off the vehicle. 4. Place chocks under the trailer wheels
on the down hill side of the wheels.
5. Start the vehicle, hold the brakes, shift to neutral, release the parking brake
and slowly release the brakes until the
trailer chocks absorb the load.
6. Reapply the brakes, reapply the park- ing brake and shift the vehicle to R
(Reverse) for manual transaxle or P
(Park) for automatic transaxle.
7. Shut off the vehicle and release the vehicle brakes but leave the parking
brake set.
CAUTION
When towing a trailer on steep grades (in excess of 6%) payclose attention to the enginecoolant temperature gauge toensure the engine does not over- heat.
If the needle of the coolant tem-perature gauge moves across thedial towards “H” (HOT), pull overand stop as soon as it is safe todo so, and allow the engine to idleuntil it cools down. You may pro-ceed once the engine has cooledsufficiently.
You must decide driving speed depending on trailer weight anduphill grade to reduce the possi-bility of engine and transaxle overheating.
WARNING- Parking on a hill
Parking your vehicle on a hill with a
trailer attached could cause seri-
ous injury or death, should the trail-
er break loose or brake stops work-
ing.
WARNING- Parking brake
It can be dangerous to get out of
your vehicle if the parking brake is
not firmly set.
If you have left the engine running,
the vehicle can move suddenly. You
or others could be seriously or
fatally injured.

559
Driving your vehicle
When you are ready to leave after park-
ing on a hill
1. With the manual transaxle in Neutralor 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.E140500AUN
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 nuts
and bolts should be tight.
CAUTION
Due to higher load during trailer usage, overheating might occurin 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 transaxle fluid more frequently.