Kia Sportage: Brake system - Driving your vehicle - Kia Sportage Owner's ManualKia Sportage: 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 somewhat 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 Operating 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 high-pitched 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 To apply the parking brake, pull the parking brake handle fully

Parking brake To apply the parking brake, pull the parking brake handle fully and firmly upward while applying the service brake.

CAUTION Driving with the parking brake applied will cause excessive brake pad and brake rotor wear.

To release the parking brake, pull the handle up slightly and push the release

To release the parking brake, pull the handle up slightly and push the release button, then lower the handle to the released position while holding the button in.

WARNING - Parking brake • To prevent unintentional movement when stopped, do not use just the gear shift lever to hold the vehicle in position. 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 the ignition switch ON (do not start

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.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)

WARNING - ABS Brakes Your ABS is not a substitute for good driving judgement. You can still have an accident. In fact, your ABS system will not be able to prevent an accident. You must especially avoid: • 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.

The ABS system continuously senses the speed of the wheels. If the wheels are going to lock, the ABS system 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 system is active. In order to obtain the maximum benefit from your ABS system 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 system 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 • If the ABS warning light is on and stays on, you may have a problem

NOTICE • If the ABS warning light is on and stays on, you may have a problem with the ABS system. 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 self-diagnosis and the light will go off if everything is normal. If the light stays on, you may have a problem with your ABS system. 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 yourABS system 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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