Trailer Towing - Kia Sportage 2024 Owner's Manual

Driving your vehicle
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify
what the vehicle trailering capacity is for
your vehicle, refer to "Weight of the
trailer" on page 5-68 that appears later
in this section.
Remember that trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling,
durability, and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering requires correct equip -
ment, and it has to be used properly.
This section contains many timetested,
important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your
safety and that of your passengers.
Please read this section carefully before
you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the
engine, transmission, wheel assemblies,
and tires are forced to work harder
against the load of the added weight.
The engine is required to operate at rela -
tively higher speeds and under greater
loads. This additional burden generates
extra heat. The trailer also considerably
adds wind resistance, increasing pulling
requirements.
ONQ5A053034
NOTICE
Location of trailer mounting
The mounting hole for hitches are
located on both sides of the underbody
behind the rear tires.
Hitches
It's important to have the correct hitch
equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks
going by, and rough roads are a few rea -
sons why you'll need the right hitch.
Here are some rules to follow:
僅 Do you have to make any holes in the
body of your vehicle when you install
a trailer hitch? If you do, then be sure
to seal the holes later when you
remove the hitch.
If you don't seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust
can get into your vehicle, as well as
dirt and water.
僅 The bumpers on your vehicle are not
intended for hitches. Do not attach
rental hitches or other bumper-type
hitches. Use only a frame-mounted
hitch that does not attach to the
bumper.
僅 Any part of the rear number plate or
lighting devices of the vehicle must
not be obscured by the mechanical
coupling device. Please note that the
mechanical coupling device that is fit -
ted and not in use must always be
removed or repositioned if the rear
number plate and/or rear lighting
devices are obscured by any part of
the mechanical coupling device.
If the rear number plate and/or light -
ing devices can be obscured partially
by any part of the mechanical cou -
pling device, mechanical coupling
devices that can not be easily

Trailer towing

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