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Kia, THE COMPANY
Thank you for becoming the owner of a new Kia vehicle.
As a global car manufacturer focused on building high-quality vehi-
cles with exceptional value, Kia Motors is dedicated to providing you
with a customer service experience that exceeds your expectations.
All information contained in this Owner’s Manual was accurate at the
time of publication. However, Kia reserves the right to make changes
at any time so that our policy of continual product improvement can
be carried out.
This manual applies to all models of this vehicle and includes descrip-
tions and explanations of optional as well as standard equipment. As a
result, you may encounter material in this manual that is not applica-
ble to your specific Kia vehicle.Drive safely and enjoy your Kia!
Forte, Forte Koup, Optima, Optima Hybrid, Sedona ACU Chronology Basis of Safety Defect Determination 573.6(c)(6) March 2014 Kia Motors America, Inc., (“KMA”) receives lawsuit complaint alleging non-deployment of frontal airbag in 2012 Kia Forte. Incident reported to NHTSA through Early Warning Reporting. The following is a list of vehicles with an Event Data Recorder (EDR) installed by the manufacturer. The list is of those vehicles that are capable of storing crash data records that can be recovered using commercially available equipment. The data table is sorted in order by year, make and model. This list ends with the 2014 model year. 2017 Kia Forte. THE ANTIDOTE TO HO-HUM. To download other great apps and tools to use with your Forte. JUST BETWEEN YOU AND ME. SMART AND LUXURIOUS. The 2017 Forte answers with a choice of two engines, including the new.
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i
Thank you for choosing a Kia vehicle.
When you require service, remember that your Kia dealer
knows your vehicle best. Your dealer has factory-trained tech-
nicians, recommended special tools and genuine Kia replace-
ment parts. It is dedicated to your complete customer satisfac-
tion.
Because subsequent owners require this important information
as well, this publication should remain with the vehicle if it is
sold.
This manual will familiarize you with operational, mainte-
nance and safety information about your new vehicle. It is sup-
plemented by a Warranty and Consumer Information manual
that provides important information on all warranties regarding
your vehicle.
We urge you to read these publications carefully and follow the
recommendations to help assure enjoyable and safe operation
of your new vehicle.
Kia offers a great variety of options, components and features
for its various models. Therefore, some of the equipment
described in this manual, along with the various illustrations,
may not be applicable to your particular vehicle.
The information and specifications provided in this manual
were accurate at the time of printing. Kia reserves the right to
discontinue or change specifications or design at any time
without notice and without incurring any obligation. If you
have questions, always check with your Kia dealer.
We assure you of our continuing interest in your motoring
pleasure and satisfaction in your Kia vehicle.
© 2015 Kia Canada Inc.
All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage and retrieval system or translation in
whole or part is not permitted without written authorization
from Kia Canada Inc..
Printed in Korea
Foreword
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8I
IntroductionHow to use this manual / Fuel requirements / Vehicle break-in process
Your vehicle at a glance
Exterior overview / Interior overview / Instrument panel overview / Engi
ne compartment
Safety features of your vehicle
Seats / Seat belts / Child restraint system / Air bag
Features of your vehicleKeys / Door locks / Tailgate / Windows / Hood / Fuel filler lid / Panoramic sunroof / Steering wheel / Mirrors/ Instrument cluster / Lighting / Wipers & Washers / Climate control system / Audio system / Etc.
Driving your vehicleBefore driving / Engine start/stop button / Transaxle / Brake system / Cruise control system /
Active ECO system / Winter driving / Vehicle load limit / Etc.
What to do in an emergencyRoad warning / Emergency while driving / Emergency starting / Engine overheat / Flat tire / Towing / Etc.
MaintenanceEngine compartment / Maintenance service / Engine oil / Engine coolant /
Brake fluid / Washer fluid /
Parking brake / Air cleaner / Wiper blades / Battery / Tire and wheels / Fuses / Etc.
Specifications & Consumer information
Index
table of contents
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1
Introduction
How to use this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Fuel requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
• Gasoline containing alcohol and methanol . . . . . . . . . 1-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Vehicle Break-In Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Vehicle Data Collection andEvent Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
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Introduction
21
We want to help you get the greatest
possible driving pleasure from your
vehicle. Your Owner’s Manual can
assist you in many ways. We strong-
ly 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 fea-
tures, important safety information,
and driving tips under various road
conditions.The general layout of the manual is
provided in the Table of Contents.
Use the index when looking for a
specific area or subject; it has an
alphabetical listing of all located in
the back of this manual.
Sections: This manual has eight sec-
tions 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 types of safety
instructions in this manual. These
instructions were prepared to
enhance your personal safety.
Carefully read and follow ALL proce-
dures and recommendations provid-
ed in these instructions.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
A NOTICE indicates interesting or
helpful 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 vehiclecould result if the caution isignored.
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Kia Edr Tool
13
Introduction
Your new Kia vehicle is designed to
use only unleaded fuel having a
pump octane number ((R+M)/2) of
87 (Research Octane Number 91) or
higher. (Do not use methanol blend-
ed fuels.)
Your new vehicle is designed to obtain
maximum performance with UNLEAD-
ED FUEL, as well as minimize exhaust
emissions and spark plug fouling.
Never add any fuel system cleaning
agents to the fuel tank other than
what has been specified. (Consult an
authorized Kia dealer for details.)✽ ✽
NOTICE
Tighten the cap until it clicks one
time, otherwise the Check Engine
light will illuminate.
Gasoline containing alcohol and
methanol
Gasohol, a mixture of gasoline and
ethanol (also known as grain alco-
hol), and gasoline or gasohol con-
taining methanol (also known as
wood alcohol) are being marketed
along with or instead of leaded or
unleaded gasoline.
Pursuant to EPA regulations, ethanol
may be used in your vehicle. Do not
use gasohol containing more than
10% ethanol, and do not use gaso-
line or gasohol containing any
methanol. Ethanol provides less
energy than gasoline and it attracts
water, and it is thus likely to reduce
your fuel efficiency and could lower
your MPG results. Methanol may
cause drivability problems and dam-
age to the fuel system, engine con-
trol system and emission control sys-
tem. Discontinue using gasohol of
any kind if drivability problems occur. Vehicle damage or drivability prob-
lems may not be covered by the
manufacturer's warranty if they result
from the use of:
1. Gasoline or gasohol containing
methanol.
2. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
'E85' fuel is an alternative fuel com-
prised of 85 percent ethanol and 15
percent gasoline, and is manufac-
tured exclusively for use in Flexible
Fuel Vehicles. “E85” is not compati-
ble with your vehicle. Use of “E85”
may result in poor engine perform-
ance and damage to your vehicle's
engine and fuel system. Kia recom-
mends that customers do not use
fuel with an ethanol content exceed-
ing 10 percent.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
Your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
does not cover damage to the fuel
system or any performance prob-
lems caused by the use of “E85” fuel.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
WARNING - Refueling
• Do not 'top off' after the noz- zle automatically shuts off.
Attempts to force more fuel
into the tank can cause fuel
overflow onto you and the
ground causing a risk of fire.
Always check that the fuel cap is installed securely to pre-
vent fuel spillage, especially
in the event of an accident.
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Introduction
41
Other fuels
Using fuels that contain Silicone (Si),
MMT (Manganese, Mn), Ferrocene
(Fe), and other metallic additives
may cause vehicle and engine dam-
age such as, but not limited to misfir-
ing, poor acceleration, engine
stalling, catalyst melting, clogging,
abnormal corrosion, life cycle reduc-
tion, etc.
Also the Malfunciton Indicator Lamp
(MIL) may illuminate.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
Damage to the fuel system or per-
formance problem caused by the use
of these fuels may not be covered by
your New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains harmful man-
ganese-based fuel additives such as
MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl
Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Kia does not recommend the use of
gasoline containing MMT.
This type of fuel can reduce vehicle
performance and affect your emis-
sion control system.
The malfunction indicator lamp on
the cluster may come on.
Use of MTBE
Kia recommends avoiding fuels con-
taining 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.
Do not use methanol
Fuels containing methanol (wood
alcohol) should not be used in your
vehicle. This type of fuel can reduce
vehicle performance and damage
components of the fuel system,
engine control system and emission
control system.
CAUTION
Your New Vehicle Limited
Warranty may not cover damageto the fuel system and any per-formance problems that arecaused by the use of fuels con-taining methanol or fuels con-taining MTBE (Methyl TertiaryButyl Ether) over 15.0% vol.(Oxygen Content 2.7% weight.)
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Kia Forte Reviews
15
Introduction
Fuel Additives
Kia recommends that you use good
quality gasolines treated with deter-
gent additives such as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, which helps
prevent deposit formation in the
engine. These gasolines will help the
engine run cleaner and enhance per-
formance of the Emission Control
System. For more information on
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline,
please go to the website (www
.top-
tiergas.com).
For Customers who do not use TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly,
and have problems starting or the
engine does not run smoothly, addi-
tives 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 12,000 km
or every engine oil change is recom-
mended. Additives are available from
your authorized Kia dealer along with
information on how to use them. Do
not mix other additives.
Operation in foreign countries
If you are going to drive your vehicle
in another country, be sure to:
Observe all regulations regarding registration and insurance.
Determine that acceptable fuel is available. 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, econo-
my 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 emer- gencies, to allow the brakes to seat
properly.
Don't tow a trailer during the first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) of opera-
tion.
VEHICLE BREAK-IN
PROCESS
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Introduction
61
This vehicle is equipped with an
event data recorder (EDR). The
main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an
air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle's
systems performed. The EDR is
designed to record data related to
vehicle dynamics and safety sys-
tems for a short period of time,
typically 30 seconds or less. The
EDR in this vehicle is designed to
record such data as:
* How various systems in yourvehicle were operating;
* Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were
buckled/ fastened;
* How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator
and/or brake pedal; and,
* How fast the vehicle was travel- ing. These data can help provide a bet-
ter understanding of the circum-
stances in which crashes and
injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data
are recorded by your vehicle only
if a non-trivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by
the EDR under normal driving con-
ditions and no personal data (e.g.,
name, gender, age, and crash loca-
tion) are recorded. However, other
parties, such as law enforcement,
could combine the EDR data with
the type of personally identifying
data routinely acquired during a
crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR,
special equipment is required, and
access to the vehicle or the EDR is
needed. In addition to the vehicle
manufacturer, other parties, such
as law enforcement, that have the
special equipment, can read the
information if they have access to
the vehicle or the EDR.
VEHICLE DATA COLLECTION AND EVENT DATA RECORDERS
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Exterior overview I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Exterior overview II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Interior overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Instrument panel overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
2
Your vehicle at a glance
Exterior overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Interior overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Instrument panel overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
2