Kia Sportage: Emergency precautions

Tyres

• Fit all four wheels with tyres that match in size, type, tread pattern, brand and load-carrying capacity.

• Do not fit tyres or wheels that differ in size or type from those originally specified for the Kia Sportage.

• Rotate the front and rear tyres every 10,000 km (6,500 miles).

• During cold weather, check tyre pressure monthly and inflate each tyre to the recommended pressure. Refer to the Tyres and Wheels section for details.

• Fit tyre chains to the front wheels. Keep chain use and travel distance to a minimum, as chains may damage the AWD system. Refer to the Tyre Chains section.

Towing

Never tow a Kia Sportage 4WD with its wheels rolling on the road. Use a flatbed tow truck, or suitable wheel-lift equipment with dollies, so that all four wheels are off the ground.

For information about towing a trailer, refer to the Trailer Towing section.

WARNING

• The Kia Sportage is equipped with tyres designed to provide safe handling and ride quality. Using tyres or wheels that differ in size or type from the original fitment may affect vehicle safety and performance, potentially causing loss of steering control or a rollover, with a risk of serious injury. When replacing tyres, fit all four wheels with tyres and wheels that match in size, type, tread pattern, brand and load-carrying capacity.

• Never start the engine or allow the tyres to rotate while a full-time 4WD vehicle is raised on a jack. If rotating tyres touch the ground, the vehicle could come off the jack or move forward.

CAUTION

• Do not tow an AWD vehicle using sling-type equipment. Use wheel-lift or flatbed equipment.

• When raising the vehicle, do not operate the front and rear wheels separately. All four wheels must be operated together.

• If the front and rear wheels must be operated while the vehicle is raised, release the parking brake.

Dynamometer testing

A 4WD vehicle must be tested on a dedicated four-wheel chassis dynamometer.

If a two-wheel-drive roller tester must be used, follow the procedure below.

1: Roller tester (speedometer)

2: Temporary free roller

Operation

1. Check the recommended tyre pressures for your vehicle.

2. Position the front wheels on the roller tester (A) for the speedometer test, as shown in the illustration.

3. Release the parking brake.

4. Position the rear wheels on the temporary free roller, as shown in the illustration.

WARNING

• Do not use tyres or wheels that differ in size or type from those originally fitted to your vehicle. This may affect vehicle safety and performance, potentially causing loss of steering control or a rollover, with a risk of serious injury.

• Never start or run a 4WD vehicle while it is raised on a jack. The vehicle could slip or roll off the jack, causing serious or fatal injuries to you or anyone nearby.

• Keep clear of the front of the vehicle while it is in gear on the dynamometer. The vehicle could move forward suddenly and cause serious or fatal injury.

NOTE

Do not apply the parking brake while carrying out these tests.

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