Kia Sportage: Emergency Starting

Jump-Starting

When it may be needed

• If the Kia Sportage will not start because the battery charge is low, you may need to jump-start it using a booster battery.

Procedure

1. Use a 12-volt booster battery and make sure its negative terminal is grounded. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, position the vehicles so they do not touch.
2. Switch off all electrical equipment that is not needed for starting.
3. Connect the jumper cables in the order shown in the illustration:
   • Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive terminal of the discharged battery (1).
   • Connect the other end of that cable to the positive terminal of the booster battery (2).
   • Connect one end of the second jumper cable to the negative terminal of the booster battery (3). Connect its other end to a solid, stationary metal point away from the battery (4). Keep the cables clear of anything other than the specified battery terminals and ground point, and do not lean over the battery while making the connections.
4. If you are using another vehicle as the power source, start that vehicle first and let it run at 2,000 rpm for several minutes.
5. Start the Kia Sportage with the discharged battery.
6. If the engine starts, disconnect the jumper cables: first remove the cable from the booster battery’s negative terminal (3), then disconnect the positive cable from the booster battery (2) and the discharged battery (1). If you cannot identify why the battery lost its charge, have the Kia Sportage inspected by a qualified workshop. Kia recommends contacting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

WARNING

Never check the battery electrolyte level. The battery could rupture or explode and cause serious injury.

• Keep flames and sparks away from the battery. It produces hydrogen gas, which can explode if exposed to a flame or spark. Follow the jump-starting procedure exactly to avoid serious injury or vehicle damage. If you are unsure how to make the connections, seek qualified assistance. Batteries contain poisonous, highly corrosive sulphuric acid. Wear protective glasses during jump-starting and take care not to get battery acid on your skin, clothing, or the vehicle.
• Do not attempt to jump-start the Kia Sportage if the discharged battery is frozen or its electrolyte level is low. The battery may rupture or explode.
• Do not let the positive (+) and negative (−) jumper cables touch each other, as this can create sparks.

CAUTION

• Use only a 12-volt jump-starting system. A 24-volt supply, including two 12-volt batteries connected in series or a 24-volt motor-generator set, can cause irreparable damage to the 12-volt starter motor, ignition system, and other electrical components.
• Do not connect a jumper cable from the booster battery’s negative terminal to the negative terminal of the discharged battery. This can overheat and crack the discharged battery, releasing battery acid. Connect one end of the negative cable to the booster battery’s negative terminal and the other end to a metal point well away from the battery.

Push-Starting

Do not push-start a Kia Sportage equipped with a manual transmission. Push-starting may damage the emission control system.

A vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission or dual-clutch transmission cannot be push-started.

If the engine will not start, follow the jump-starting procedure in the “Jump-Starting” section.

WARNING

Never tow the vehicle to start the engine. Once the engine starts, the Kia Sportage could move forward suddenly and collide with the towing vehicle.

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