Maintenance When Trailer Towing; If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer - Kia Carens 2014 Manual

Maintenance when trailer tow-
ing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you regularly pull a trail-
er. Important items to pay particular
attention to include engine oil, auto-
matic transaxle fluid, axle lubricant
and cooling system fluid. Brake con-
dition is another important item to
frequently check. Each item is cov-
ered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If
you're trailering, it is a good idea to
review these sections before you
start your trip.
Do not forget to also maintain your
trailer and hitch. Follow the mainte-
nance schedule that accompanied
your trailer and check it periodically.
Preferably, conduct the check at the
start of each day's driving. Most
importantly, all hitch nuts and bolts
should be tight.
CAUTION
• Due to higher load during
trailer usage, overheating
might occur in hot days or
during uphill driving. If the
coolant gauge indicates over-
heating, switch off the air con-
ditioner and stop the vehicle
in a safe area to cool down the
engine.
• When towing check transaxle
fluid more frequently.
• If your vehicle is not equipped
with an air conditioner, you
should install a condenser fan
to improve engine perform-
ance when towing a trailer.
Driving your vehicle

If you do decide to pull a trailer

Here are some important points if
you decide to pull a trailer:
• Consider using a sway control. You
can ask a hitch dealer about sway
control.
• Do not do any towing with your car
during its first 2,000 km (1,200
miles) in order to allow the engine
to properly break in. Failure to heed
this caution may result in serious
engine or transaxle damage.
• When towing a trailer, we recom-
mend that you consult an authorized
Kia dealer on additional require-
ments such as a towing kit, etc.
• Always drive your vehicle at a mod-
erate speed (less than 100 km/h
(60 mph)).
• On a long uphill grade, do not
exceed 70 km/h (45 mph) or the
posted towing speed
whichever is lower.
• The chart contains important con-
siderations that have to do with
weight:
limit,
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