Towing
Towing service
If emergency towing is necessary, we recommend having it done by an authorized Kia dealer or a commercial tow-truck service. Proper lifting and towing procedures are necessary to prevent damage to the vehicle. The use of wheel dollies or flatbed is recommended.
It is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the rear wheels on the ground (without dollies) and the front wheels off the ground.
If any of the loaded wheels or suspension components are damaged or the vehicle is being towed with the front wheels on the ground, use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
When being towed by a commercial tow truck and wheel dollies are not used, the front of the vehicle should always be lifted, not the rear.
✽ NOTICE
If the EPB does not release normally, take your vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer by loading the vehicle on a flatbed tow truck and have the system checked.
WARNING - Side and curtain Air bag
If your vehicle is equipped with side and curtain air bags, set the ignition switch to the LOCK or ACC position when the vehicle is being towed.
The side and curtain air bag may deploy when the ignition is in the ON position, and the rollover sensor detects a rollover situation.
CAUTION - Towing
- Do not tow the vehicle backwards with the front wheels on the ground as this may cause damage to the vehicle.
- Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Use wheel lift or flatbed equipment.
- Do not tow the vehicle with four wheels in contact with the ground if it is a vehicle equipped with DCT or IVT. Otherwise, the transmission will be seriously damaged. Also, make sure not to tow the vehicle connecting it with other vehicles including camper vans.
When towing your vehicle in an emergency without wheel dollies :
1. Set the ignition switch in the ACC position.
2. Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
3. Release the parking brake.
CAUTION - Towing gear position
Failure to place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral) may cause internal damage to the transmission.
Removable towing hook
■ Front
1. Open the tailgate, and remove the towing hook from the tool case.
2. Remove the hole cover pressing the lower (front) part of the cover on the bumper.
3. Install the towing hook by turning it clockwise into the hole until it is fully secured.
4. Remove the towing hook and install the cover after use.
Emergency towing
■ Front
■ Rear
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by an authorized Kia dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing hook under the front (or rear) of the vehicle. Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only on hard-surfaced roads for a short distance and at low speed. Also, the wheels, axles, power train, steering and brakes must all be in good condition.
- Do not use the tow hooks to pull a vehicle out of mud, sand or other conditions from which the vehicle cannot be driven out under its own power.
- Avoid towing a vehicle heavier than the vehicle doing the towing.
- The drivers of both vehicles should communicate with each other frequently.
CAUTION
Using a portion of the vehicle other than the tow hooks for towing may damage the body of your vehicle.
- Attach a towing strap to the tow hook.
- Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use in towing vehicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain to the towing hook provided.
- Accelerate or decelerate the vehicle in a slow and gradual manner while maintaining tension on the tow rope or chain to start or drive the vehicle, otherwise tow hooks and the vehicle may be damaged.
- Before emergency towing, check if the hook is broken or damaged.
- Fasten the towing cable or chain securely to the hook.
- Do not jerk the hook. Apply it steadily and with even force.
- To avoid damaging the hook, do not pull from the side or at a vertical angle. Always pull straight ahead.
WARNING - Emergency Towing Precautions
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
- Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would place excessive stress on the emergency towing hook and towing cable or chain. The hook and towing cable or chain may break and cause serious injury or damage.
- If the disabled vehicle is unable to be moved, do not forcibly continue the towing. We recommend that you contact an authorized Kia dealer or a commercial tow truck service for assistance.
- Tow the vehicle as straight ahead as possible.
- Keep away from the vehicle during towing.
- Use a towing strap less than 5 m (16 feet) long. Attach a white or red cloth (about 30 cm (12 inches) wide) in the middle of the strap for easy visibility.
- Drive carefully so that the towing strap is not loosened during towing.
- The driver must be in the vehicle for steering and braking operations when the vehicle is towed and passengers other than the driver must not be allowed to be on board.
Emergency towing precautions
- Turn the ignition switch to ACC so the steering wheel isn’t locked.
- Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
- Release the parking bake.
- Press the brake pedal with more force than normal since you will have reduced brake performance.
- More steering effort will be required because the power steering system will be disabled.
- If you are driving down a long hill, the brakes may overheat and brake performance will be reduced. Stop often and let the brakes cool off.
- The vehicle should be towed at a speed of 25km/h (16 mph) or less within a distance of 20km (12.4 miles).
- If the car is being towed with all four wheels on the ground, it can be towed only from the front. Be sure that the transmission is in neutral. Be sure the steering is unlocked by placing the ignition switch in the ACC position. A driver must be in the towed vehicle to operate the steering and brakes.
CAUTION - Dual clutch transmission
- If the car is being towed with all four wheels on the ground, it can be towed only from the front. Be sure that the transmission is in neutral. Be sure the steering is unlocked by placing the ignition switch in the ACC position. A driver must be in the towed vehicle to operate the steering and brakes.
- To avoid serious damage to the dual clutch transmission, limit the vehicle speed to 15 km/h (10 mph) and drive less than 1.5 km (1 mile) when towing.
- Before towing, check the dual clutch transmission for fluid leaks under your vehicle. If the dual clutch transmission fluid is leaking, flatbed equipment or a towing dolly must be used.
CAUTION - Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)
Vehicles with Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) can only be towed to an ordinary vehicle when there is no IVT transmission oil leakage. If towing to an ordinary vehicle in the event of oil leakage, the transmission may be damaged. If towing to an ordinary vehicle in the event of oil leakage, the transmission may be damaged.
CAUTION - Intelligent Variable Transmission
- If the car is being towed with all four wheels on the ground, it can be towed only from the front. Be sure that the transmission is in neutral. Be sure the steering is unlocked by placing the ignition switch in the ACC position. A driver must be in the towed vehicle to operate the steering and brakes.
- To avoid serious damage to the Intelligent Variable Transmission, limit the vehicle speed to 15 km/h (10 mph) and drive less than 1.5 km (1 mile) when towing.
- Before towing, check the Intelligent Variable Transmission for fluid leaks under your vehicle. If the Intelligent Variable Transmission fluid is leaking, flatbed equipment or a towing dolly must be used.
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