Kia Sportage: Fuel Requirements

Unleaded Petrol

For Europe

For the best performance from your Kia Sportage, Kia recommends using unleaded petrol with an octane rating of RON (Research Octane Number) 95 or higher, or AKI (Anti-Knock Index) 91 or higher.

You may use unleaded petrol with an octane rating of RON 91–94 or AKI 87–90, but you may notice a slight reduction in performance or hear knocking sounds from the vehicle. Do not use fuels blended with methanol.

For Other Markets

Your new Kia Sportage is designed to run on unleaded fuel with an octane rating of RON (Research Octane Number) 91 or higher, or AKI (Anti-Knock Index) 87 or higher. Do not use fuels blended with methanol.

The engine is designed to achieve its intended performance with unleaded fuel while helping to minimise exhaust emissions and spark-plug fouling.

WARNING

• Do not continue filling the tank after the fuel nozzle shuts off automatically.

• After refuelling, check that the fuel cap is fitted securely. A properly secured cap helps prevent fuel from spilling in the event of an accident.

CAUTION

Never use leaded fuel. It can damage the catalytic converter and the engine control system’s oxygen sensor, affecting the vehicle’s emission-control system.

Do not add fuel-system cleaning agents to the tank unless Kia has specified them. For information about approved products, consult an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Petrol Containing Alcohol or Methanol

Gasohol is a blend of petrol and ethanol, also known as grain alcohol. Petrol or gasohol containing methanol, also known as wood alcohol, may also be sold alongside or in place of unleaded petrol.

Do not use gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol, or any petrol or gasohol containing methanol. These fuels may cause drivability problems and damage the fuel system, engine control system or emission-control system.

If you experience drivability problems while using gasohol, stop using it.

Vehicle damage or drivability problems caused by the following fuels may not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty:

1. Gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.

2. Petrol or gasohol containing methanol.

3. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.

CAUTION

Never use gasohol containing methanol. Stop using any gasohol product that affects the way your Kia Sportage drives.

Other Fuels

Do not use fuels containing silicone (Si), MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl), manganese (Mn), ferrocene (Fe) or other metallic additives. These substances may damage the vehicle or engine and can cause fuel-system plugging, misfiring, poor acceleration, engine stalling, catalyst melting, abnormal corrosion or reduced component life.

Use of these fuels may also cause the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) to illuminate.

NOTICE

Damage to the fuel system or vehicle performance problems caused by these fuels may not be covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Use of MTBE

Kia recommends avoiding fuel containing more than 15.0% MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) by volume, equivalent to an oxygen content of 2.7% by weight, in your Kia Sportage.

Fuel with an MTBE content above this limit may reduce vehicle performance and cause vapour lock or difficulty starting.

CAUTION

The New Vehicle Limited Warranty may not cover fuel-system damage or performance problems caused by methanol-containing fuel or fuel containing more than 15.0% MTBE by volume (2.7% oxygen by weight).

Do Not Use Methanol

Do not use fuel containing methanol, also known as wood alcohol, in your Kia Sportage. It may reduce vehicle performance and damage components of the fuel system, engine control system or emission-control system.

Fuel Additives

Kia recommends using unleaded petrol with an octane rating of RON (Research Octane Number) 95 or higher, or AKI (Anti-Knock Index) 91 or higher, in Europe. In other markets, the recommended minimum is RON 91 or AKI 87.

If you do not regularly use good-quality petrol containing fuel additives and have difficulty starting the engine or notice that it does not run smoothly, add one bottle of fuel additive to the tank when the engine oil is changed.

Fuel additives and instructions for their use are available from professional workshops. Kia recommends contacting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner for advice.

Driving in Foreign Countries

If you plan to drive your Kia Sportage in another country, make sure you:

• Follow all local requirements for vehicle registration and insurance.

• Check that fuel suitable for your vehicle is available.

Diesel Engine

Diesel Fuel

Use only commercially available diesel fuel that complies with EN 590 or an equivalent standard. EN stands for “European Norm.” Do not use marine diesel, heating oil or unapproved fuel additives. These can increase wear and damage the engine and fuel system. Using unapproved fuels or additives may also limit your warranty rights.

Your vehicle is designed for diesel fuel with a cetane number above 51. If both summer-grade and winter-grade diesel are available, choose the grade appropriate to the ambient temperature:

• Above −5°C (23°F): summer-grade diesel fuel.

• Below −5°C (23°F): winter-grade diesel fuel.

Monitor the fuel level carefully. If the engine stops because the tank is empty, the fuel circuits must be completely purged before the engine can be restarted.

CAUTION

For a diesel vehicle equipped with a DPF system, use regulated automotive diesel fuel.

CAUTION

• Diesel fuel with a high sulphur content (more than 50 ppm) or unspecified additives can damage the DPF system and may cause white smoke to be emitted.

• Do not allow petrol or water to enter the fuel tank. If either gets into the tank, it must be drained and the fuel lines bled to prevent the injection pump from seizing and the engine from being damaged.

Biodiesel

Commercially supplied diesel blends containing no more than 7% biodiesel, commonly called B7, may be used if the biodiesel meets EN 14214 or an equivalent specification. EN stands for “European Norm.” Do not use biofuel blends above 7% made from rapeseed methyl ester (RME), fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), vegetable oil methyl ester (VME) or similar products, or diesel blended with more than 7% biodiesel. These fuels may increase wear or damage the engine and fuel system. Repairs or replacement of components worn or damaged by unapproved fuels are not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

CAUTION

• Never use diesel, B7 biodiesel or any other fuel that does not meet the latest petroleum-industry specifications.

• Never use fuel additives or treatments unless they are recommended or approved by the vehicle manufacturer.

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