Snowy or icy conditions

To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it may be necessary to use snow tires or to install tire chains.

If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to select tires equivalent in size and type of the original equipment tires. Failure to do so may adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle. Furthermore, speeding, rapid acceleration, sudden brake applications, and sharp turns are potentially dangerous.

During deceleration, use maximum vehicle braking. Sudden brake applications on snowy or icy roads may cause skids to occur. Keep sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead. Apply the brake gently. Installing tire chains will provide greater driving force but will not prevent side skids.

Tire chains are not legal in all states. Check state laws before attaching tire chains.

CAUTION

• When the battery temperature is extremely low in winter, battery temperature optimization is performed.

  The optimization time may vary depending on the battery temperature and charging condition.

• If the high voltage battery level and temperature is too low, power may be limited. When the warning message is displayed, please charge the vehicle immediately.

  

  1: Charge immediately. Power limited.

  

  1: Power limited due to low EV battery temperature. Charge battery

Snow tires

If you mount snow tires on your vehicle, make sure they are radial tires of the same size and load range as the original tires. Mount snow tires on all four wheels to balance your vehicle's handling in all weather conditions. The traction provided by snow tires on dry roads may not be as high as your vehicle's original equipment tires. Drive cautiously even when the roads are clear. Check with your tire dealer for maximum speed recommendations.

Do not install studded snow tires without first checking local, state and municipal regulations for possible restrictions against their use.

WARNING

Snow Tire Size

Snow tires should be equivalent in size and type to the vehicle's standard tires. Safety and handling may be adversely affected.

Tire chains

When using tire chains, install tire chains only on the front tires.

Normal type

Fabric type

Since the sidewalls of radial tires are thinner, they can be damaged by attaching some types of snow chains Use of snow tires is recommended instead of snow chains. Do not attach tire chains on vehicles equipped with aluminum wheels; snow chains may damage to wheels. If snow chains must be used, use fabric snow chains to prevent damage to your vehicle. Damage to your vehicle caused by improper snow chain use is not covered by the warranty.

Install tire chains only on the rear tires.

Always check chain installation for proper attaching after driving approximately 0.3~0.6 miles (0.5~1 km) to ensure proper attachment. Retighten or reattach the chains if they are loose.

Chain installation

When installing chains, follow the manufacturer's instructions and attach them as tightly as possible. Make sure the snow chains are SAE class "S" certified. Drive slowly (less than 20 mph (30 km/h)) with chains attach. If you hear the chains contacting the body or chassis, stop and tighten them. If they still make contact, slow down until it stops. Remove the chains as soon as you begin driving on cleared roads.

When attaching snow chains, park the vehicle on level ground away from traffic. Turn on the vehicle Hazard Warning flashers and place a triangular emergency warning device behind the vehicle if available. Always place the vehicle in P (Park), apply the parking brake and turn off the vehicle before installing snow chains.

• The use of chains may adversely affect vehicle handling.

• Do not exceed 20 mph (30 km/h) or the chain manufacturer's recommended speed limit, whichever is lower.

• Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes, sharp turns, and other road hazards, which may cause the vehicle to bounce.

• Avoid sharp turns or locked-wheel braking.

CAUTION

Snow Chains

• Chains that are the wrong size or improperly installed can damage brake lines, suspension, body and wheels.

• Stop driving and retighten the chains any time you hear them contacting the vehicle.

Use high quality ethylene glycol coolant.

Your vehicle is delivered with high quality ethylene glycol coolant in the cooling system. It is the only type of coolant that should be used because it helps prevent corrosion in the cooling system, lubricates the water pump and prevents freezing. Be sure to replace or replenish your coolant Refer to More Details. Before winter, have your coolant tested to ensure that its freezing point is sufficient for the temperatures anticipated during the winter.

Check 12V battery and cables.

Winter puts additional burdens on the battery system. Visually inspect the 12V battery and cables (refer to More Details). The charge level of your battery can be checked by an authorized Kia dealer or service station.

To keep key locks from freezing

To keep the key locks from freezing, squirt an approved de-icer fluid or glycerine into the key opening. If a lock is covered with ice, squirt it with an approved de-icing fluid to remove the ice. If the lock is frozen internally, you may be able to thaw it by using a heated key. Handle the heated key with care to avoid injury.

Use approved window washer anti-freeze in system.

To keep the water in the window washer system from freezing, add an approved window washer anti-freeze solution in accordance with instructions on the container. Window washer anti-freeze is available from an authorized Kia dealer and most auto parts outlets. Do not use vehicle coolant or other types of anti-freeze as these may damage the paint finish.

Don't let your parking brake freeze.

Under some conditions your parking brake can freeze while in the engaged position. This is most likely to happen when there is an accumulation of snow or ice around or near the rear brakes or if the brakes are wet. If there is a risk that the parking brake may freeze, apply it only while putting the gear shifter dial in P (Park) and block the rear wheels so the vehicle cannot roll. Then release the parking brake.

Don't let ice and snow accumulate underneath.

Under some conditions, snow and ice can build up under the fenders and interfere with steering. When driving in severe winter conditions, periodically check underneath the vehicle to be sure the movement of the front wheels and the steering components are not obstructed.

Carry emergency equipment

Depending on the weather, carry appropriate emergency equipment. Some of the items you may want to carry include tow straps or chains, flashlight, emergency flares, sand, shovel, jumper cables, window scraper, gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, blanket, etc.