AWD precautions

Tires

Always pay attention to tires for AWD vehicles.

AWD applies driving force to all four wheels, which means the condition of the tires greatly affects driving performance:

  • When replacing tires, be sure all 4 tires are of the same size, type, tread, brand, and load-carrying capacity. Do not equip your vehicle with tires of a different size or type than what was originally installed on your vehicle. This can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could lead to steering failure or rollover and cause serious injury.

  • Rotate the front and rear tire positions every 8,000 miles (13,000 km).

  • When it is cold outside, you should check each tire monthly and maintain the inflation pressure recommended on your Kia placard or tire inflation pressure label.

  • Install chains on all four tires of your AWD vehicle, and keep your travel distance as short as possible to prevent damage to the AWD system. For more information, refer to Winter driving.

Towing

Figure 1. AWD vehicle
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Figure 2. FWD vehicle
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You must tow AWD vehicles using a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground. For more information, refer to Towing.

Vehicle inspection

  • When the vehicle is on a lift, do not operate the front and rear wheels separately. Operate all four wheels together.

  • Never apply the parking brake while running the vehicle on a lift, as this might damage the AWD system.

WARNING

Your vehicle is equipped with tires that make handling and riding in your vehicle safer. Do not use tires or wheels that are different in size and type from the original ones. This can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could lead to steering failure or a rollover and result in serious injury. When replacing the tires, be sure that all four tires and wheels are the same size, type, tread, and brand and have the same load-carrying capacity.

WARNING

Jacked vehicle

While an AWD vehicle is being raised on a jack, never start the engine or cause the tires to rotate. If rotating tires touch the ground, your vehicle could move the jack and jump forward.

TIP

An AWD vehicle cannot be towed with sling-type equipment. Use a wheel lift or flatbed equipment.

Dynamometer testing

AWD vehicles must be tested with a special 4-wheel chassis dynamometer.

If you must use a 2WD roll tester, perform the following procedure:

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  1. Roll tester

  2. Temporary free roller

  1. Check the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle.

  2. Place the driven wheels on the roll tester (1) for a speedometer test.

  3. Release the parking brake.

  4. Place the non-driven wheels on the temporary free roller (2).

WARNING

Dynamometer testing

  • Do not use tires and wheels of a different size and type from the ones originally installed on your vehicle. Doing so can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, leading to steering failure or a rollover and causing serious injury.

  • Never start or run AWD vehicle while it is raised on a jack. The vehicle can slip or roll off the jack, causing serious injury or death to you or those nearby.

  • Keep away from the front of the vehicle while it is in gear on the dynamometer. The vehicle can jump forward and cause serious injury or death.

TIP

Never apply the parking brake while performing these tests.