Kia Forte (2024 year). Manual in english

Maintenance

Scheduled maintenance service

Normal maintenance schedule - Non Turbo Models

The following maintenance services must be performed to ensure good emission
control and performance. Keep receipts for all vehicle services to protect your war

ranty. Where both mileage and date are shown, the frequency of service is deter

mined by whichever occurs first.

I: Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.

R: Replace or change

Number of months or driving distance, whichever comes first

Months

108

120

132

144

Miles

×1,000

104

117

130

143

156

Tire rotation

Rotate every 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or 12months

Engine oil and engine

oil filter

(Gasoline) 2.0
MPI

Climate control air filter

Air cleaner filter(Engine)

Brake/clutch fluid

Inspect every 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or 12 months

Replace every 48,000 miles (78,000 km) or 48 months

Spark plugs

(Gasoline) 2.0
MPI

Replace every 96,000 miles (156,000 km)

Coolant (Engine)

At first, replace at 120,000 miles (195,000 km) or 120 months

After that, replace every 24,000 miles (39,000 km) or 24 months

12V Battery condition

Vacuum hose

Air conditioner refrigerant

Exhaust system

Brake lines, hoses and connections

Brake discs and pads

Suspension ball joints and mounting
bolts

Steering gear rack, linkage and boots

Air conditioner compressor

Parking brake (Hand type)

Drive shaft and boots

Fuel tank and fuel cap

Fuel lines, hoses and connections

Fuel tank air filter

Cooling system

Drive belts

Manual transmission (MT) fluid

No service required

Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)

fluid

Maintenance

Scheduled maintenance service

*1. As it is normal for engine oil to be consumed during driving, the engine oil level should be
checked on regular basis.
The engine oil change interval for normal operating conditions is based on the use of the rec

ommended engine specification. If the recommended engine oil specification is not used, then
replace the engine oil according to the maintenance schedule under severe operating condi

tions.
Never add any additives to the engine oil. Engine oil additives can change the properties of
engine oil and may cause serious engine failure.
*2. When adding coolant, use only deionized water or soft water for your vehicle and never mix
hard water in the coolant filled at the factory. An improper coolant mixture can result in serious
malfunction or engine damage.
*3. Inspect alternator, water pump and air conditioner drive belt and if necessary, repair or
replace. Inspect drive belt tensioner, idler and alternator pulley and if necessary correct or
replace.
*If the vehicle has been submerged in water or in a flooded area, the fluids should be changed as
a precaution.
• Fuel filter (gasoline engine): The fuel filter is considered to be maintenance free but periodic

inspection is recommended for this maintenance schedule depends on fuel quality.
-

If there are some important problems like fuel flow restriction, surging, loss of power, hard
starting problem etc., replace the fuel filter immediately regardless of maintenance sched

ule and consult an authorized Kia dealer for details.

Maintenance

Scheduled maintenance service

Maintenance Under Severe Usage Conditions - Non Turbo Models

The following items must be serviced more frequently on cars mainly used under
severe driving conditions. Refer to the chart below for the appropriate maintenance
intervals.

I: Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace

R: Replace

Severe Driving Conditions

A: Repeatedly driving short distance of
less than 5 miles (8 km) in normal tem

perature or less than 10 miles (16 km) in
freezing temperature.

B: Extensive low speed driving for long
distances.

C: Driving on rough, dusty, muddy,
unpaved, graveled or salt-spread roads.

D: Driving in areas using salt or other
corrosive materials or in very cold
weather.

E: Driving in heavy dust condition.

F: Driving in heavy traffic area.

G: Driving on uphill, downhill, or moun

tain roads.

H: Using for towing or camping and driv

ing with loading on the roof

I: Driving as a patrol car, taxi, other com

mercial use or vehicle towing.

J: Frequently driving under high speed
or rapid acceleration/deceleration.

K: Frequently driving in stop-and-go
conditions

Maintenance item

Maintenance opera

tion

Maintenance intervals

Driving condition

Engine oil and engine
oil filter

(Gasoline) 2.0
MPI

Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6

months

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I,J, K

Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)
fluid

Every 56,000 miles (91,000 km)

A, C, F, G, H, I,J, K

Manual transmission (MT) fluid

Every 72,000 miles (117,000 km)

C, D, F, G, H, I,J

Air cleaner filter

More frequently

C, E

Spark plugs

More frequently

A, B, F, G, H, I,K

Climate control air filter

More frequently

C, E, G

Parking brake (Hand type)

More frequently

C, D, G, H

Brake discs, pads and calipers

More frequently

C, D, E, G, H, I,J, K

Suspension ball joints and mounting
bolts

More frequently

C, D, E, G, H, I

Steering gear rack, linkage and boots

More frequently

C, D, E, F, G

Drive shafts and boots

More frequently

C, D, E, F, G, H, I,J

Maintenance

Explanation of scheduled maintenance items

Explanation of scheduled
maintenance items

The following parts require scheduled
maintenance.

Engine oil and filter

The engine oil and filter should be
changed at the intervals specified in the
maintenance schedule. If the vehicle is
being driven in severe conditions, more
frequent oil and filter changes are
required.

Drive belts

Inspect all drive belts for evidence of
cuts, cracks, excessive wear or oil satu

ration and replace if necessary. Drive
belts should be checked periodically for
proper tension and adjusted as neces

sary.

Fuel filter

Kia gasoline vehicles are equipped with
a lifetime fuel filter that is integrated with
the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or
replacement are generally not needed.
This may vary depending on fuel quality.
If you experience any of the following:
fuel flow restriction, surging, loss of
power, or a hard starting issue,
inspection and, if necessary, replace

ment may be needed. Have the fuel filter
inspected or replaced by an authorized
Kia dealer.

Fuel lines, fuel hoses and connec

tions

Check the fuel lines, fuel hoses and con

nections for leakage and damage. Have
an authorized Kia dealer replace any
damaged or leaking parts immediately.

Fuel tank and fuel cap

The fuel tank and fuel cap should be
inspected at those intervals specified in
the maintenance schedule. Make sure
that a new fuel tank or fuel cap is cor

rectly replaced.

Vacuum crankcase ventilation
hoses

Inspect the surface of hoses for evi

dence of heat and/or mechanical dam

age. Hard and brittle rubber, cracking,
tears, cuts, abrasions, and excessive
swelling indicate deterioration. Particular
attention should be paid to examine
those hose surfaces nearest to high heat
sources, such as the exhaust manifold.
Inspect the hose routing to ensure that
the hoses do not come in contact with
any heat source, sharp edges or moving
components which might cause heat
damage or mechanical wear. Inspect all
hose connections, such as clamps and
couplings, to make sure they are secure,
and that no leaks are present. Hoses
should be replaced immediately if there is
any evidence of deterioration or dam

age.

Air cleaner filter

A Genuine Kia air cleaner filter is recom

mended when the filter is replaced.

Spark plugs

Make sure to install new spark plugs of
the correct heat range.

When assembling parts, be sure to wipe
the inside and outside of the boot bot

tom of the ignition coil and the insulator of
the spark plug with a soft cloth to pre

vent contamination of the spark plug
insulator.

Maintenance

Explanation of scheduled maintenance items

Valve clearance (if equipped)

Inspect for excessive valve noise and/or
engine vibration and adjust if necessary.
An authorized Kia dealer should perform
the operation.

Cooling system

Check the cooling system components,
such as the radiator, coolant reservoir,
hoses and connections for leakage and
damage. Replace any damaged parts.

Coolant

The coolant should be changed at the
intervals specified in the maintenance
schedule.

Dual clutch transmission (DCT)
fluid

Inspect the dual clutch transmission fluid
according to the maintenance schedule.

Intelligent Variable Transmission
(IVT) fluid

The Intelligent Variable Transmission
(IVT) fluid should not be checked under
normal usage conditions. But in severe
conditions, the fluid should be changed at
an authorized Kia dealer in accor

dance

to the scheduled maintenance at the
beginning of this chapter. (Refer to the
"Maintenance Under Severe Usage
Conditions - Non Turbo Models" on page
8-14.)

NOTICE

The Intelligent Variable Transmission
(IVT) fluid color is amber. As the vehicle
is driven, the Intelligent Variable Trans

mission (IVT) fluid will begin to look
darker. This is normal, and you should

not judge the need to replace the fluid
based upon the changed color.

CAUTION

If the genuine oil that is developed for
best performance is not used, it may
cause the problems of transmission per

formance. (Refer to the "Recommended
lubricants and capacities" on page 9-7.)

Manual transmission (MT) fluid

Inspect the manual transmission fluid
according to the maintenance schedule.

Brake hoses and lines

Visually check for proper installation,
chafing, cracks, deterioration and any
leakage. Replace any deteriorated or
damaged parts immediately.

NOTICE

NHTSA Safety Corrosion Alert
NHTSA has warned all vehicle owners of
all brands that they must maintain their
vehicles in a manner which will prevent
brake hose and brake line failures due to
corrosion when such vehicles are
exposed to winter road salt and related
chemicals. While serious corrosion con

OBD078066

Maintenance

Explanation of scheduled maintenance items

ditions typically only manifest them

selves as safety issues after 7 years of
vehicle use, the corrosion process starts
immediately and thus underbody clean

ing maintenance must commence from
your vehicle's first exposure to road salts
and chemicals. NHTSA urges vehicle
owners to take the following steps to
prevent corrosion:

1. Wash the undercarriage of your vehi

cle regularly throughout the winter
and do a thorough washing in the
spring to remove road salt and other
de-icing chemicals.

2. Monitor the brake system for signs of

corrosion by having regular profes

sional inspections and watching for
signs of problems, including loss of
brake fluid, unusual leaks and soft or
spongy feel in the brake pedal.

3. Replace the entire brake pipe assem

bly if you find severe corrosion that
causes scaling or flaking of brake
components.

Brake/clutch fluid

Check the brake/clutch fluid level in the
brake/clutch fluid reservoir. The level
should be between "MIN" and "MAX"
marks on the side of the reservoir. Use
only hydraulic brake/clutch fluid con

forming to DOT 4 specification.

Parking brake

Inspect the parking brake system includ

ing the parking brake lever (or pedal) and
cables.

Exhaust pipe and muffler

Visually inspect the exhaust pipes, muf

fler and hangers for cracks, deteriora

tion, or damage. Start the engine and
listen carefully for any exhaust gas leak

age. Tighten connections or replace
parts as necessary.

Brake discs, pads and calipers

Check the pads for excessive wear, discs
for run out and wear, and calipers for fluid
leakage.

Suspension mounting bolts

Check the suspension connections for
looseness or damage. Retighten to the
specified torque.

Steering gear box, linkage &
boots/lower arm ball joint

With the vehicle stopped and off, check
for excessive free-play in the steering
wheel.

Check the linkage for bends or damage.
Check the dust boots and ball joints for
deterioration, cracks, or damage.
Replace any damaged parts.

Drive shafts and boots

Check the drive shafts, boots and
clamps for cracks, deterioration, or dam

age. Replace any damaged parts and, if
necessary, repack the grease.

Air conditioning refrigerant

Check the air conditioning lines and con

nections for leakage and damage.

Maintenance

Checking fluid levels

When checking engine oil, engine cool

ant, brake fluid, and washer fluid, always
be sure to clean the area around any filler
plug, drain plug, or dipstick before
checking or draining any lubricant or fluid.
This is especially important in dusty or
sandy areas and when the vehi

cle is

used on unpaved roads. Cleaning the
plug and dipstick areas will prevent dirt
and grit from entering the engine and
other mechanisms that could be
damaged.

Engine oil and filter

Checking the engine oil level

Engine oil is used for lubricating, cooling,
and operating various hydraulic compo

nents in the engine. Engine oil consump

tion while driving is normal, and it is
necessary to check and refill the engine
oil regularly. Also, check and refill the oil
level within the recommended mainte

nance schedule to prevent deterioration
of oil performance.Check the engine oil
following the below procedure.

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

(Gasoline) 1.6 T-GDi

1. Be sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Start the engine and allow it to reach

normal operating temperature.

OBD078103L

OBD078124L

Use a funnel to help prevent oil from
being spilled on engine components.
Use only the specified engine oil.
(Refer to "Recommended lubricants and
capacities" on page 9-7.)
• Do not spill engine oil when adding or

changing engine oil. Wipe off spilled
oil immediately.

• The engine oil consumption may

increase while you break in a new
vehicle and it will be stabilized after
driving 4,000 miles (6,000 km).

• The engine oil consumption can be

affected by driving habits, climate
conditions, traffic conditions, oil qual

ity, etc. Therefore, it is recommended
that you inspect the engine oil level
regularly and refill it if necessary.

Changing the engine oil and filter

Have engine oil and filter changed by an
authorized Kia dealer according to the
Maintenance Schedule at the beginning
of this chapter.
• If the maintenance schedule to replace

engine oil is exceeded, the engine oil
performance may deterio

rate, and

the engine condition may be affected.
Therefore, replace the engine oil
according to the mainte

nance

schedule.

Maintenance

Engine oil and filter

3. Turn the engine off, remove the oil

filler cap and pull the dipstick out.
Wait for 15 minutes for the oil to
return to the oil pan.

4. Wipe the dipstick clean and re-insert it

fully.

5. Pull the dipstick out again and check

the level. Check if the oil level is
between the F-L line, and if it is below
the L line, add enough oil to bring the
level to F line.

W ARNING

Radiator hose
Be very careful not to touch the radiator
hose when checking or adding engine oil
as it may be hot enough to burn you.

CAUTION

When you wipe the oil level gauge, you
should wipe it with a clean cloth. When
mixed with debris, it can cause engine
damage.

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

(Gasoline) 1.6 T-
GDi

OON071003

Maintenance

Engine coolant

• To keep the engine in optimal condi

tion, use the recommended engine oil
and filter. If the recommended engine
oil and filter are not used replace it
according to the maintenance sched

ule under severe usage conditions.

• The purpose of the maintenance

schedule for engine oil replacement is
to prevent oil deterioration and it is
irrelevant to oil consumption. Check
and refill engine oil regularly.

W ARNING

Used engine oil may cause irritation or
cancer of the skin if left in contact with
the skin for prolonged periods of time.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory ani

mals. Always protect your skin by wash

ing your hands thoroughly with soap and
warm water as soon as possible after
handling used oil.

Do not leave used engine oil within the
reach of children.

CAUTION

The engine oil is very hot immediately
after the vehicle has been driven and
can cause burns during replacement.
Replace the engine oil after the engine
oil has cooled down.

NOTICE

Never add any additives to the engine
oil. Engine oil additives can change the
properties of engine oil and may cause
serious engine failure.

Engine coolant

The high-pressure cooling system has a
reservoir filled with year round anti

freeze coolant. The reservoir is filled at
the factory.

Check the antifreeze protection and
coolant level at least once a year, at the
beginning of the winter season, and
before traveling to a colder climate.

Checking the coolant level

W ARNING

Radiator cap
Never attempt to
remove the radiator or
inverter cap while the
engine is operating or

hot. Doing so might lead to cooling sys

tem and engine damage and could
result in serious bodily injury from
escaping hot coolant or steam.

• Turn the engine off and wait until it

cools down. Use extreme care when
removing the radiator cap. Wrap a
thick towel around it, and turn it coun

terclockwise slowly to the first stop.
Step back while the pressure is
released from the cooling system.

When you are sure all the pressure
has been released, press down on the
cap, using a thick towel, and continue
turning counterclockwise to remove it.

• Even if the engine is not operating, do

not remove the radiator cap or the
drain plug while the engine and radia

tor are hot. Hot coolant and steam may
still blow out under pressure, causing
serious injury.

Maintenance

Engine coolant

W ARNING

Cooling fan
Use caution when
working near the blade
of the cooling fan. The
electric motor

(cooling fan) is controlled by engine
coolant temperature, refrigerant pres

sure and vehicle speed. It can operate
even when the engine is not running.

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

(Gasoline) 1.6 T-GDi

Check the condition and connections of
all cooling system hoses and heater
hoses. Replace any swollen or deterio

rated hoses.

The coolant level should be filled
between F and L (or MAX and MIN)
marks on the coolant level gauge when
the engine is cool.

If the coolant level is low, add enough
specified coolant to provide protection
against freezing and corrosion. Bring the
level to F (or MAX), but do not overfill. If
frequent additions are required, see an
authorized Kia dealer for a cooling sys

tem inspection.

NOTICE

Make sure the coolant cap is properly
closed after refill of coolant.

Otherwise the engine could be over

heated while driving.

1. Check if the radiator cap label is on

straight.

Engine room front view

2. Make sure that the tiny protrusions

inside the coolant cap are securely
interlocked.

OBD071005

OBD078133L

OJA070150L

Maintenance

Engine coolant

Engine room rear view

Recommended engine coolant

• When adding coolant, use only deion

ized water or soft water for your vehi

cle and never mix hard water in the
coolant filled at the factory. An
improper coolant mixture can result in
serious malfunction or engine dam

age.

• The engine in your vehicle has alumi

num engine parts and must be pro

tected by an ethylene-glycol with
phosphate based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.

• DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol

coolant or mix them with the specified
coolant.

• Do not use a solution that contains

more than 60% antifreeze or less than
35% antifreeze. This would reduce the
effectiveness of the solution.

For mixture percentage, refer to the fol

lowing table.

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

(Gasoline) 1.6 T-GDi

W ARNING

Radiator cap
Do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine and radiator are
hot. Scalding hot coolant and

steam may blow out under pressure
which may result in serious injury.

Changing the coolant

Have the coolant changed by an autho

rized Kia dealer according to the Mainte

Ambient Tem

perature

Mixture Percentage (vol

ume)

Antifreeze

Water

°F (-15°C)

-13

°F (-25°C)

-31

°F (-35°C)

OBD071134

Ambient Tem

perature

Mixture Percentage (vol

ume)

Antifreeze

Water

-49

°F (-45°C)

OBD071006

OBD071133L

Maintenance

Brake/clutch fluid

nance Schedule at the beginning of this
chapter.

CAUTION

Put a thick cloth or fabric around the
radiator cap before refilling the coolant
in order to prevent the coolant from
overflowing into engine parts such as
the generator.

Brake/clutch fluid

The brake fluid acts to transmit force to
the brake when the driver depresses the
brake pedal. Brake fluid must be main

tained periodically to ensure that the
brakes operate smoothly.

Checking the brake/clutch fluid
level

Check the fluid level in the reservoir
periodically. The fluid level should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the reservoir.

1. Before removing the reservoir cap

and adding brake/clutch fluid, clean
the area around the reservoir cap
thoroughly to prevent brake/clutch
fluid contamination.

CAUTION

Proper fluid
Only use brake/clutch fluid in the brake
system. Small amounts of improper flu

ids can cause damage to the brake sys

tem.

2. Periodically check that the fluid level

in the brake/clutch fluid reservoir is
between MIN and MAX. The level will
fall with accumulated mileage. This is
a normal condition associated with the
wear of the brake linings. If the

OBD071007

Maintenance

Washer fluid

fluid level is excessively low, have the
brake system checked by an autho

rized Kia dealer.

Use only the specified brake/clutch fluid.
(Refer to "Recommended lubricants and
capacities" on page 9-7.)

Never mix different types of fluid.
In the event the brake system requires
frequent additions of fluid, the vehicle
should be inspected by an authorized
Kia dealer.

When changing and adding brake/
clutch fluid, handle it carefully. Do not let it
come in contact with your eyes. If
brake/clutch fluid should come in con

tact with your eyes, immediately flush
them with a large quantity of fresh tap
water. Have your eyes examined by a
doctor as soon as possible.

CAUTION

Brake/clutch fluid
Do not allow brake/clutch fluid to con

tact the vehicle's body paint, as paint
damage will result.

Brake/clutch fluid, which has been
exposed to open air for an extended
time should never be used as its quality
cannot be guaranteed. It should be dis

posed of properly.

CAUTION

To maintain your

vehicle’s best brake

and ABS/ESC performance, use Kia
gen

uine brake fluid as in the

specification. (Classification: SAE J1704
DOT4 LV, ISO4925 CLASS-
6,FMVSS116 DOT-4)

Washer fluid

Checking the washer fluid level

The reservoir is translucent so that you
can check the level with a quick visual
inspection.
• Check the fluid level in the washer

fluid reservoir and add fluid if neces

sary. Plain water may be used if
washer fluid is not available. However,
use washer solvent with antifreeze
characteristics in cold climates to pre

vent freezing.

W ARNING

Flammable Fluid
Do not allow the washer fluid to come in
contact with open flames or sparks. The
windshield washer fluid reservoir is flam

mable under certain circumstances. This
can result in a fire.

W ARNING

Coolant
• Do not use radiator coolant or anti

freeze in the washer fluid reservoir.

• Radiator coolant can severely obscure

visibility when sprayed on the wind

shield and may cause loss of vehicle
control.

OBD071008

Maintenance

Wiper blades

3. Remove the climate control air filter

cover while pressing the lock on the
left side of the cover.

4. Replace the climate control air filter.

5. Reassemble in the reverse order of

disassembly.

When replacing the climate control air
filter install it properly. Otherwise, the
system may produce noise and the
effectiveness of the filter may be
reduced.

Wiper blades

Blade inspection

NOTICE

Commercial hot waxes applied by auto

matic car washes have been known to
make the windshield difficult to clean.

Contamination of either the windshield or
the wiper blades with foreign matter can
reduce the effectiveness of the
windshield wipers. Common sources of
contamination are insects, tree sap, and
hot wax treatments used by some com

mercial car washes. If the blades are not
wiping properly, clean both the window
and the blades with a good cleaner or
mild detergent, and rinse thoroughly with
clean water.

CAUTION

To prevent damage to the wiper blades,
do not use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near
them.

OBD071014

OJA070096

1JBA5122

Maintenance

Wiper blades

Blade replacement

When the wipers no longer clean ade

quately, the blades may be worn or
cracked, and require replacement.

To prevent damage to the wiper arms or
other components, do not attempt to
move the wipers manually.

Aftermarket wiper blades may result in
wiper malfunction and/or failure. It is
recommended to use certified Kia parts.

Front windshield wiper blade

For your convenience, move the wind

shield wiper blades to the service posi

tion as follows;

After turning off the engine, move the
wiper switch to the single wiping (MIST)
position within 20 seconds and hold the
switch more than 2 seconds until the
wiper blade is in the fully up position.

CAUTION

Wiper arms
• Do not allow the wiper arm to fall

against the windshield, since it may
chip or crack the windshield.

• Do not pull wiper arm forward, since

the arm could chip the hood paint.

Type A

1. Raise the wiper arm.
2. Lift up the wiper blade clip (1). Then

pull down the blade assembly (2) and
remove it.

3. Install the new blade assembly.

4. Return the wiper arm on the wind

shield.

OBD071015

ODEEV098016NR

ODEEV098017NR

Maintenance

Battery

For best battery service

• Keep the battery securely mounted.

僅

Keep the battery top clean and dry.

僅

Keep the terminals and connections

clean, tight, and coated with petro

leum jelly or terminal grease.

• Rinse any spilled electrolyte from the

battery immediately with a solution of
water and baking soda.

• If the vehicle is not going to be used

for an extended time, disconnect the
battery cables.

W ARNING

Risk of explosion

Keep lit cigarettes and all other
flames or sparks away from
the battery.

The battery contains hydrogen

-- a highly combustible gas
which will explode if it comes in
contact with a flame or spark.

Keep batteries out of the reach
of children because batteries
contain highly corrosive SUL

FURIC ACID and electrolytes.

Do not allow battery acid to contact your
skin, eyes, clothing or paint finish.

Wear eye protection when
charging or working near a
battery. Always provide venti

lation when working in an

enclosed space.

Always read the following
instructions carefully when
handling a battery.

If any electrolyte gets into
your eyes, flush your eyes with
clean water for at least 15 min

utes and get immediate medi

cal attention. If electrolyte gets on your
skin, thoroughly wash the contacted
area. If you feel pain or burning sensa

tion, get medical attention immediately.

An inappropriately disposed
battery can be harmful to the
environment and human
health. Dispose of the battery

according to your local law(s) or regula

tion.

The battery contains lead. Do
not dispose of it after use.
Please return the battery to an
authorized Kia dealer to be

recycled.
Never attempt to recharge the battery
when the battery cables are connected.

W ARNING

Risk of electrocution
Never touch the electrical ignition sys

tem while the vehicle is running. This
system works with high voltage which
can shock you.

OBD071016

Maintenance

Battery

W ARNING

Recharging battery
Never attempt to recharge the battery
when the battery cables are connected.

W ARNING

Battery lead compound
Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead com

pounds. Wash hands after handling.

Battery recharging

Your vehicle has a maintenance-free,
calcium-based battery
• If the battery becomes discharged in a

short time (because, for example, the
headlights or interior lights were left on
while the vehicle was not in use),
recharge it by slow charging (trickle)
for 10 hours.

• If the battery gradually discharges

because of high electric load while the
vehicle is being used, recharge it at
20~30 A for two hours.

When recharging the battery, observe
the following precautions:
• The battery must be removed from the

vehicle and placed in an area with
good ventilation.

• Do not allow cigarettes, sparks, or

flame near the battery.

• Watch the battery during charging,

and stop or reduce the charging rate
in following cases:

1. the battery cells begin gassing

(boiling) violently

2. the electrolyte temperature of any

cell exceeds 120

°F (49 °C).

• Wear eye protection when checking

the battery during charging.

• Disconnect the battery charger in the

following order.

1. Turn off the battery charger main

switch.

2. Unhook the negative clamp from

the negative battery terminal.

3. Unhook the positive clamp from the

positive battery terminal.

• Before performing maintenance or

recharging the battery, turn off all
accessories and stop the vehicle.

• The negative battery cable must be

removed first and installed last when
the battery is disconnected.

Reset items

The following items should be reset after
the battery has been discharged or the
battery has been disconnected.
• Auto up/down window (Refer to

"Power windows" on page 4-33.)

• Sunroof (Refer to "Sunroof (if

equipped)" on page 4-41.)

• Trip computer (Refer to "Trip Com

puter" on page 4-69.)

• Climate control system (Refer to "Cli

mate control system" on page 4-91.)

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

Tires and wheels
For proper maintenance, safety,
and maximum fuel economy,
you must always maintain the
recommended tire inflation pres

sures and stay within the load
limits and weight distribution rec

ommended for your vehicle.

Recommended cold tire infla

tion pressures
All tire pressures should be
checked when the tires are cold.
"Cold Tires" means the vehicle
has not been driven for at least
three hours or driven less than 1
mile (1.6 km).
Recommended pressures must
be maintained for the best ride,
vehicle handling, and minimum
tire wear.
For recommended inflation pres

sure, refer to "Tires and wheels"
on page 9-6.
All specifications (sizes and pres

sures) can be found on a label
attached to the driver's side cen

ter pillar.

W ARNING

Tire underinflation
Inflate your tires consistent with
the instructions provided in this
manual.Regularly check the tire
inflation pressure, and correct it
as needed. Driving on under-
inflated tires not only compro

mises your vehicle's driving sta

bility but also may lead to tire
damage and the risk of an acci

dent.Severe under inflation (10
psi (70 kPa) or more) can lead to
severe heat build up, causing
blowouts, tread separation and
other tire failures that can result
in the loss of vehicle control.This
risk is much higher on hot days
and when driving for long peri

ods at high speeds.

Failure to maintain specified
pressure may result in excessive
wear, poor handling, reduced fuel
economy, deformation of tire
and/or wheel, harsh ride con

OUB071018

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

ditions, possibility for additional
damage from road hazards, or
result in tire failure.

Tire pressure
Always observe the following:

•

Check tire pressure when the
tires are cold. (After vehicle has
been parked for at least three
hours or hasn't been driven
more than 1 mile (1.6 km) since
startup.)

•

Check the pressure of your
spare tire each time you check
the pressure of other tires.

•

Never overload your vehicle.
Be careful not to overload a
vehicle luggage rack if your
vehicle is equipped with one.

•

Warm tires normally exceed
recommended cold tire pres

sures by 4~6 psi (28~41
kPa). Do not release air from
warm tires to adjust the
pressure or the tires will be
underinflated.

W ARNING

Tire Inflation
Overinflation or underinflation
can reduce tire life, adversely
affect vehicle handling, and lead
to sudden tire failure. This could
result in loss of vehicle control
and potential injury.

Checking tire inflation pres

sure
Check your tires once a month or
more.
Use a good quality gauge to
check tire pressure. You cannot
tell if your tires are properly
inflated simply by looking at them.
Radial tires may look prop

erly

inflated even when they're
underinflated.
Check the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are cold. "Cold"
means your vehicle has been sit

ting or at least three hours or
driven no more than 1 mile (1.6
km).
1.Remove the valve cap from the

tire valve stem.

2.Press the tire gauge firmly

onto the valve to get a pres

sure measurement. If the cold
tire inflation pressure matches
the recommended pressure on
the tire and loading informa

tion label, no further adjust

ment is necessary.

3. If the pressure is low, add air

until you reach the recom

mended amount.

4. If you overfill the tire, release

air by pushing on the metal
stem in the center of the tire
valve.

5.Recheck the tire pressure with

the tire gauge.

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

6. Be sure to put the valve caps

back on the valve stems. They
help prevent leaks by keeping
out dirt and moisture.

Inspect your tires frequently for
proper inflation as well as wear
and damage. Always use a tire
pressure gauge.
Tires with too much or too little
pressure wear unevenly. This
could result in poor handling,
loss of vehicle control, and sud

den tire failure leading to acci

dents, injuries, and even death.
The recommended cold tire pres

sure for your vehicle can be found
in this manual and on the tire label
located on the driver's side center
pillar.

Tire rotation
To equalize tread wear, it is rec

ommended that the tires be
rotated every 6,000 miles
(10,000 km) (for Non-Turbo
engine), 8,000 miles (13,000
km) (for Non Turbo engine) or
sooner if irregular wear develops.
During rotation, check the tires
for correct balance.
When rotating tires, check for
uneven wear and damage.
Abnormal wear is usually caused
by incorrect tire pressure,
improper wheel alignment, out of-
balance wheels, severe brak

ing

or severe cornering. Look for

Directional tires (if equipped)

bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of tire. Replace the tire if you
find either of these conditions.
Replace the tire if fabric or cord
is visible. After rotation, be sure
to bring the front and rear tire
pressures to specification and
check lug nut tightness. (proper
torque is 79~94 lb·ft [11~13
kgf·m])
Refer to "Tires and wheels" on
page 9-6.
Disc brake pads should be
inspected for wear whenever
tires are rotated.

Without a spare tire

OJA070097

CBGQ0707A

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

Rotate radial tires that have an
asymmetric tread pattern only
from front to rear and not from
right to left.

W ARNING

Mixing tires

•

Do not use the compact spare
tire (if equipped) for tire rota

tion.

•

Do not mix bias ply and radial
ply tires under any circum

stances. This may cause
unusual handling characteris

tics.

Wheel alignment and tire bal

ance
The wheels on your vehicle were
aligned and balanced carefully at
the factory to give you the lon

gest tire life and best overall per

formance.
In most cases, you will not need
to have your wheels aligned
again. However, if you notice
unusual tire wear or your vehicle
pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset.
If you notice your vehicle vibrat

ing when driving on a smooth
road, your wheels may need to
be rebalanced.

CAUTION

Wheel weight
Improper wheel weights can
damage your vehicle's alumi

num wheels. Use only approved
wheel weights.

Tire replacement
If the tire is worn evenly, a tread
wear indicator (A) will appear as
a solid band across the tread.

This shows there is less than 1/16
inch (1.6 mm) of tread left on the
tire. Replace the tire when this
happens.
Do not wait for the band to
appear across the entire tread
before replacing the tire.
The Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) works by comparing the
speed of the wheels. The tire size
affects wheel speed. When
replacing tires, all 4 tires must
use the same size originally sup

plied with the vehicle. Using tires

OUM076204L

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

of a different size can cause the
ABS and Electronic Stability Con

trol (ESC) to work irregularly.
It is best to replace all four tires at
the same time. If that is not
possible, or necessary, then
replace the two front or two rear
tires as a pair. Replacing just one
tire can seriously affect your
vehicle's handling.

NOTICE

We recommend that when
replacing tires, use the same
originally supplied with the vehi

cles. If not, that affects driving
performance.

Compact spare tire replace

ment (if equipped)
A compact spare tire has a
shorter tread life than a regular
size tire. Replace it when you can
see the tread wear indicator bars
on the tire. The replacement
compact spare tire should be the
same size and design tire as the
one provided with your new vehi

cle and should be mounted on the
same compact spare tire wheel.
The compact spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a
regular size wheel, and the com

pact spare tire wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular
size tire.

Wheel replacement
When replacing the metal wheels
for any reason, make sure the
new wheels are equivalent to the
original factory units in diame

ter,

rim width and offset.
A wheel with an incorrect size
may adversely affect many
things: wheel and bearing life,
braking and stopping abilities,
handling characteristics, ground
clearance, body-to-tire clear

ance, snow chain clearance,
speedometer and odometer cali

bration, headlight aiming and
bumper height.

CAUTION

Wheels
Wheels that do not meet Kia
specifications may fit poorly and
result in damage to the vehicle or
unusual handling and poor vehi

cle control.

Tire traction
Tire traction can be reduced if you
drive on worn tires, tires that are
improperly inflated or on slip

pery

road surfaces.
Tires should be replaced when
tread wear indicators appear.
Slow down whenever there is
rain, snow or ice on the road to
reduce the possibility of losing
control of the vehicle.

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

Tire maintenance
In addition to proper inflation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear.
If you find a tire is worn
unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are bal

anced. This will increase vehicle
ride comfort and tire life. Addi

tionally, a tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed from
the wheel.

Tire sidewall labeling
This information identifies and
describes the fundamental char

acteristics of the tire and also
provides the Tire Identification
Number (TIN) for safety standard
certification.

The TIN can be used to identify
the tire in case of a recall.

1. Manufacturer or brand
name
Manufacturer or Brand name is
shown.

2. Tire size designation
A tire's sidewall is marked with a
tire size designation. You will
need this information when
selecting replacement tires for
your vehicle. The following
explains what the letters and
numbers in the tire size designa

tion mean.
Example tire size designation:
(These numbers are provided as
an example only; your tire size
designator could vary depend

ing on your vehicle.)
P235/65R17 108T

•

P: Applicable vehicle type (tires
marked with the prefix "P" are
intended for use on passenger
vehicles or light trucks; how

ever, not all tires have this
marking).

•

235: Tire width in millimeters.

僅

65: Aspect ratio. The tire's sec

tion height as a percentage of
its width.

•

R: Tire construction code
(Radial).

•

17: Rim diameter in inches.

•

108: Load Index, a numerical
code associated with the maxi

mum load the tire can carry.

ODEEV098031NR

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

•

T: Speed Rating Symbol. See
the speed rating chart in this
section for additional informa

tion.

Wheel size designation

Wheels are also marked with
important information that you
need if you ever have to replace
one. The following explains what
the letters and numbers in the
wheel size designation mean.
Example wheel size designation:
7.0JX17

•

7.0: Rim width in inches.

•

J: Rim contour designation.

僅

17: Rim diameter in inches.

Tire speed ratings

The chart below lists many of the
different speed ratings currently
being used for passenger vehicle
tires. The speed rating is part of
the tire size designation on the
sidewall of the tire. This symbol
corresponds to that tire's
designed maximum safe operat

ing speed.

3. Checking tire life
Any tires that are over 6 years
old, based on the manufacturing
date, should be replaced by new
ones. You can find the manufac

turing date on the tire sidewall
(possibly on the inside of the
wheel), displaying the DOT code.
The DOT code is a series of
num

bers on a tire consisting of

num

bers and English letters. The

manufacturing date is desig

nated by the last four digits
(characters) of the DOT code.
DOT: X X X X X X X X OOOO
The front part of the DOT means
a plant code number, tire size
and tread pattern and the last four
numbers indicate week and year
manufactured.
For example:
DOT X X X X X X X X 1623 rep

resents that the tire was pro

duced in the 16th week of 2023.

W ARNING

Tire age
Replace tires within the recom

mended time frame. Failure to
replace tires as recommended
can result in sudden tire failure,
which could lead to a loss of con

trol and an accident.

Speed Rating

Symbol

Maximum Speed

112 mph (180 km/h)

118 mph (190 km/h)

130 mph (210 km/h)

149 mph (240 km/h)

168 mph (270 km/h)

Speed Rating

Symbol

Maximum Speed

186 mph (300 km/h)

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

4. Tire ply composition and
material
The number of layers or plies of
rubber- coated fabric in the tire.
Tire manufacturers also must
indicate the materials in the tire,
which include steel, nylon, poly

ester, and others. The letter "R"
means radial ply construction; the
letter "D" means diagonal or bias
ply construction; and the let

ter

"B" means belted-bias ply
construction.

5. Maximum Inflation Pressure

This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should be put in the
tire. Do not exceed the maximum infla

tion pressure Refer to "Tire and loading
information label" on page 5-56 for rec

ommended inflation pressure.

6. Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maxi

mum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the
tire. When replacing the tires on
the vehicle, always use a tire that
has the same load rating as the
factory installed tire.

7. Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire side

wall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example:

•

Treadwear 200

僅

Traction AA

•

Temperature A

Tires degrade over time, even
when they are not being used.
Regardless of the remaining
tread, we recommend that tires be
replaced after approximately six
(6) years of normal service. Heat
caused by hot climate or frequent
high loading conditions can
accelerate the aging process.

Tread wear

The tread wear grade is a com

parative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one-and-
a-half times (1½) as well on the
government course as a tire
graded 100.
The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual condi

tions of their use. Performance
may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and dif

ferences in road characteristics
and climate.
These grades are molded on the
side-walls of passenger vehicle
tires. The tires available as stan

dard or optional equipment on

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of per

formance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum
required by law.

Tire terminology and defini

tions
Refer to the following for detailed
definitions of the terms that are
found in the tire description.
Air Pressure The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward
on the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight The com

bined weight of optional acces

sories. Some examples of
optional accessories are auto

matic transmission, power seats,
and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio The relationship of
a tire's height to its width.
Belt A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between the

plies and the tread. Cords may
be made from steel or other rein

forcing materials.
Bead The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords that
hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire A pneumatic tire in
which the plies are laid at alter

nate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

your vehicle may vary with
respect to grade.

Traction - AA, A, B & C

The traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B and C.
Those grades represent the tire's
ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled
conditions on specified govern

ment test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.

Temperature -A, B & C

The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B and C represent

ing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test
wheel.
Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to
degrade and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of per

formance which all passenger
vehicle tires must meet under the

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

Cold Tire Pressure The amount
of air pressure in a tire, mea

sured in pounds per square inch
(psi) or kilopascals (kPa) before a
tire has built up heat from driv

ing.
Curb Weight The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment (including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and
coolant), but without pas

sengers

and cargo.
DOT Markings A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire signify

ing that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of
Transportation motor vehicle
safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also iden

tify the tire manufacturer, pro

duction plant, brand and date of
production.
GVW R Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating
GAW R FRT Gross Axle
Weight Rating for the Front
axle.
GAW R RR Gross Axle
Weight Rating for the Rear
axle.
Intended Outboard Sidewall
The side of an asymmetrical tire
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa) The metric unit
for air pressure.

Light truck (LT) tire A tire desig

nated by its manufacturer as pri

marily intended for use on
lightweight trucks or multipur

pose passenger vehicles.
Load ratings The maximum load
that a tire is rated to carry for a
given inflation pressure.
Load Index An assigned number
ranging from 1 to 279 that corre

sponds to the load carrying
capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure The
maximum air pressure to which a
cold tire may be inflated. The
maximum air pressure is molded
onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating The load
rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pressure for
that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle
Weight The sum of curb weight;
accessory weight; vehicle capac

ity weight; and production options
weight.
Normal Occupant Weight The
number of occupants a vehicle is
designed to seat multiplied by
150 lbs. (68 kg).
Occupant Distribution Desig

nated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall The
side of a asymmetrical tire that
has a particular side that faces
outward when mounted on a

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

vehicle. The outward facing side

wall bears white lettering or bears
manufacturer, brand, and/ or
model name molding that is
higher or deeper than the same
moldings on the inner facing
sidewall.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire A tire
used on passenger cars and
some light duty trucks and multi

purpose vehicles.
Ply A layer of rubber-coated par

allel cords.
Pneumatic tire A mechanical
device made of rubber, chemi

cals, fabric and steel or other
materials, that, when mounted
on an automotive wheel, pro

vides traction and contains the
gas that sustains the load.
Production options weight The
combined weight of installed
regular production options
weighing over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in
excess of the standard items
which they replace, not previ

ously considered in curb weight
or accessory weight. Examples
include heavy duty brakes, ride
levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
Recommended Inflation Pres

sure Vehicle manufacturer's rec

ommended tire inflation pressure
and shown on the tire placard.
Radial Ply Tire A pneumatic tire
in which the ply cords that

extend to the beads are laid at
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Rim A metal support for a tire
and upon which the tire beads
are seated.
Sidewall The portion of a tire
between the tread and the bead.
Speed Rating An alphanumeric
code assigned to a tire indicating
the maximum speed at which a
tire can operate.
Traction The friction between the
tire and the road surface. The
amount of grip provided.
Tread The portion of a tire that
comes into contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators Narrow
bands, sometimes called "wear
bars," that show across the tread
of a tire when only 1/16 inch (1.6
mm) of tread remains.
UTQGS Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards, a tire infor

mation system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire's
traction, temperature and
treadwear. Ratings are deter

mined by tire manufacturers
using government testing proce

dures. The ratings are molded
into the sidewall of the tire.
Vehicle Capacity Weight The
weight of designated seating
positions multiplied by 150 lbs.

Kia Forte (2024 year). Manual in english - page 14