Kia EV9 2024 Manual page 359

Driving your vehicle
Before you drive, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical
connector(s), lights, tires and mirror
adjustments. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer and
then apply the trailer brake controller by
hand to en sure the brakes are working.
This also checks the electrical connec -
tion.
During your trip, occasionally check to
en sure that the load is secure and the
lights and trailer brakes are working.
Following distance
Stay at least twice as far behind a vehi -
cle ahead as you would when driving
your vehicle without a trailer. This can
help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance when
you're towing a trailer. Because of
increased vehicle length, drive much far -
ther beyond the past vehicle before you
can return to your lane.
Backing up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, move your hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly
and 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 shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn signals when towing a
trailer.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle has
different turn signal flashers and extra
wiring. The green arrows on your instru -
ment panel will flash whenever you sig -
nal a turn or lane change. Properly
connected, the trailer lights will also
flash to alert other drivers you're about
to turn, change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash for
turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. You may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signals
when, they are not. It's important to
occasionally check that the trailer bulbs
are working. Check the lights every time
you disconnect and then reconnect the
wires.
Do not connect a trailer lighting system
to your vehicle's lighting system. Use
only an approved trailer wiring harness.
Have an authorized Kia dealer install a
wiring harness.
WARNING
Failure to use an approved trailer wiring
harness could result in damage to the
vehicle's electrical system and/or cause
personal injury.
Detection of trailer light connec -
tion
This function only works with genuine
Kia accessories (tow bar and wiring har -
ness) that recognize when a trailer is
connected and consequently communi -
cates with other vehicle systems. Trailer
recognition works as follows: When a
trailer socket is plugged in, either
depress the brake pedal or activate the
Trailer towing
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