Brake system

Power brakes
Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes that adjust automatically through normal usage.

In the event that the power-assisted brakes lose power because of a stalled engine or some other reason, you can still stop your vehicle by applying greater force to the brake pedal than you normally would. The stopping distance, however, will be longer.

When the engine is not running, the reserve brake power is partially depleted each time the brake pedal is applied. Do not pump the brake pedal when the power assist has been interrupted.

Pump the brake pedal only when necessary to maintain steering control on slippery surfaces.

In the event of brake failure If service brakes fail to operate while the vehicle is in motion, you can make an emergency stop with the parking brake.

The stopping distance, however, will be much greater than normal.

WARNING - Parking brake Pulling the parking brake while the vehicle is moving at normal speeds can cause a sudden loss of control of the vehicle. If you must use the parking brake to stop the vehicle, use great caution in applying the brake.

WARNING - Brakes
• Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal. This will create abnormal high brake temperatures, excessive brake lining
and pad wear, and increased stopping distances.

• When descending a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear and avoid continuous application of the brakes. Continuous brake application will cause the brakes to overheat and could result in a temporary loss of braking performance.

• Wet brakes may result in the vehicle not slowing down at the usual rate and pulling to one side when the brakes are applied. After going through water, apply the brakes lightly to regain smooth braking performance.

Disc brakes wear indicator Your vehicle has disc brakes.

When your brake pads are worn and it's time for new pads, you will hear a highpitched warning sound from your front brakes or rear brakes (if equipped). You may hear this sound come and go or it may occur whenever you depress the brake pedal.

Please remember that some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when you first apply (or lightly apply) the brakes. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with your brakes.

NOTICE
To avoid costly brake repairs, do not continue to drive with worn brake pads.

WARNING - Brake wear
This brake wear warning sound means your vehicle needs service.

If you ignore this audible warning, you will eventually lose braking performance, which could lead to a
serious accident.

CAUTION
Always replace brake pads as complete front or rear axle sets to ensure smooth brake performance.

Parking brake


Parking brake
Applying the parking brake To engage the parking brake, first apply the foot brake and then without pressing the release button in, pull the parking brake lever up as far as possible. In addition it is recommended that when parking the vehicle on a gradient, the shift lever should be positioned in the appropriate low gear on manual transaxle vehicles or in the P (Park) position on automatic transaxle vehicles.

CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake applied will cause excessive brake pad (or lining) and brake rotor wear.

Releasing the parking brake


Releasing the parking brake To release the parking brake, first apply the foot brake and pull up the parking brake lever slightly. Secondly, depress the release button and lower the parking brake lever while holding the button.

WARNING - Parking brake • To prevent unintentional movement when stopped and leaving the vehicle, do not use the gearshift lever in place of the parking brake. Set the parking brake AND make sure the
gearshift lever is securely positioned in 1st (First) gear or R (Reverse) for manual transaxle equipped vehicles and in P (Park) for automatic transaxle equipped vehicles.

• Never allow a person who is unfamiliar with the vehicle or children to touch the parking brake. If the parking brake is released unintentionally, serious injury may
occur.

Check the brake warning light by turning


Check the brake warning light by turning the ignition switch ON (do not start the engine). This light will be illuminated when the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch in the START or ON position.

Before driving, be sure the parking brake is fully released and the brake warning light is off.

If the brake warning light remains on after the parking brake is released, there may be a malfunction in the brake system.

Immediate attention is necessary.

If at all possible, cease driving the vehicle immediately. If that is not possible, use extreme caution while operating the vehicle and only continue to drive the vehicle until you can reach a safe location or repair shop.

Parking on curbed streets • When parking your vehicle on an uphill grade, park as close to the curb as possible and turn the front wheels away from the curb so that the front wheels will contact the curb if the vehicle moves backward.

• When parking your vehicle on a downhill grade, park as close to the curb as possible and turn the front wheels toward the curb so that the front wheels will contact the curb if the vehicle moves forward.

WARNING - ABS Brakes
Your ABS is not a substitute for good driving judgement. You can still have an accident. In fact, your ABS will probably not be able to prevent an accident in the following driving conditions:
• Dangerous driving, such as neglecting safety precautions, speeding, or driving too close to the vehicle in front of you.

• Driving at high speed in situations providing considerably less traction, such as wet conditions where hydroplaning could occur.

• Driving too fast on poor road surfaces.

The ABS is designed to
improve maximum braking effectiveness on typical highways and
roads in good condition. On poor road surfaces, the ABS may actually reduce braking effectiveness.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
The ABS continuously senses the speed of the wheels. If the wheels are going to lock, the ABS repeatedly modulates the hydraulic brake pressure to the wheels.

When you apply your brakes under conditions which may lock the wheels, you may hear a “tik-tik’’ sound from the brakes, or feel a corresponding sensation in the brake pedal. This is normal and it means your ABS is active.

In order to obtain the maximum benefit from your ABS in an emergency situation, do not attempt to modulate your brake pressure and do not try to pump your brakes. Press your brake pedal as hard as possible or as hard as the situation warrants and allow the ABS to control the force being delivered to the brakes.

• Even with the anti-lock brake system, your vehicle still requires sufficient stopping distance. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

• Always slow down when cornering.

The anti-lock brake system cannot prevent accidents resulting from excessive speeds.

• On loose or uneven road surfaces, operation of the anti-lock brake system may result in a longer stopping distance than for vehicles equipped with a conventional brake system.

NOTICE


NOTICE
• If the ABS warning light is on and stays on, you may have a problem with the ABS. In this case, however, your regular brakes will work normally.

• The ABS warning light will stay on for approximately 3 seconds after the ignition switch is ON. During that time, the ABS will go through selfdiagnosis and the light will go off if everything is normal. If the light stays on, you may have a problem with your ABS. Contact an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

NOTICE
• When you drive on a road having poor traction, such as an icy road, and operate your brakes continuously, the ABS will be active continuously and the ABS warning light may illuminate.

Pull your car over to a safe place and stop the engine.

• Restart the engine. If the ABS warning light is off, then your ABS is normal.

Otherwise, you may have a problem with the ABS. Contact an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

NOTICE
When you jump start your vehicle because of a drained battery, the engine may not run as smoothly and the ABS warning light may turn on at the same time. This happens because of the low battery voltage. It does not mean your ABS is malfunctioning.

• Do not pump your brakes!

• Have the battery recharged before driving the vehicle.

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