Kia CERATO 2018 Owner's Manual page 427

Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical
connector(s), lights, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working. This lets you check
your electrical connection at the same
time.
During your trip, check occasionally to
be sure that the load is secure, and
that the lights and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when driv‐
ing your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that re‐
quire heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You ll need more passing distance up
ahead when you re towing a trailer.
And, because of the increased vehicle
length, you ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you
can return to your lane. Due to the
added load to the engine when going
uphill the vehicle may also take longer
to pass than it would on flat ground.
Backing up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trail‐
er to the left, just move your hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right. Al‐
ways back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making turns
When you re turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal. Do this
so your trailer won t strike soft should‐
ers, curbs, road signs, trees, or other
objects near the edge of the road.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Sig‐
nal well in advance before turning or
lane changes.
Turn signals when towing a trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle
has to have a different turn signal
flasher and extra wiring. The green ar‐
rows on your instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal a turn or
lane change. Properly connected, the
trailer lights will also flash to alert oth‐
er drivers you re about to turn, change
lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green ar‐
rows on your instrument panel will
flash for turns even if the bulbs on the
trailer are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers behind you are seeing
your signals when, in fact, they are not.
It is important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still work‐
ing. You must also check the lights ev‐
ery time you disconnect and then re‐
connect the wires.
Do not connect a trailer lighting system
directly to your vehicle s lighting sys‐
tem. Use only an approved trailer wir‐
ing harness.
Have yourself assisted by a professio‐
nal workshop in installing the wiring
harness.
Kia recommends to visit an authorized
Kia dealer/service partner.
WARNING
Failure to use an approved trailer
wiring harness could result in dam‐
age to the vehicle electrical system
and/or personal injury.
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