KIA Sedona (2018 year). Manual — part 28

Driving your vehicle

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5

If you are considering towing with
your vehicle, you should first check
with your country's Department of
Motor Vehicles to determine their
legal requirements.
Since laws vary the requirements for
towing trailers, cars, or other types of
vehicles or apparatus may differ. Ask
an authorized Kia dealer for further
details before towing.

You may require an additional wiring
harness connector to install a trailer
hitch. Please contact an authorized
Kia dealer for more details.

Your vehicle can tow a trailer.* To
identify what the vehicle trailering
capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in
“Weight of the trailer” that appears
later in this section.

TRAILER TOWING

CAUTION

- Trailer

installation

Follow instructions in this sec-
tion when pulling a trailer.
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result
in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.

WARNING

- Towing a

trailer

Always check your towing
equipment to confirm correct
equipment size and installation
before use. Using incompatible
or incorrectly installed trailer
equipment can effect the vehi-
cle operation and endanger you
and your passengers.

WARNING

- Weight

limits

Before towing, make sure the
total trailer weight, GCW (gross
combination weight),

GVW

(gross vehicle weight), GAW
(gross axle weight) and trailer
tongue load are all within the
limits.

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Driving your vehicle

Remember that trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in han-
dling, durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering requires
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.

This section contains many time-test-
ed, important trailering tips and safe-
ty rules. Many of these are important
for your safety and that of your pas-
sengers. Please read this section
carefully before you pull a trailer.

Load-pulling components such as
the engine, transaxle, wheel assem-
blies, and tires are forced to work
harder against the load of the added
weight. The engine is required to
operate at relatively higher speeds
and under greater loads. This addi-
tional burden generates extra heat.
The trailer also adds considerably to
wind resistance, increasing the
pulling requirements.

Hitches

It's important to have the correct
hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large
trucks going by, and rough roads are
a few reasons why you’ll need the
right hitch. Here are some rules to
follow:
• Will 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 car-
bon monoxide (CO) from your
exhaust can get into your vehicle,
as well as dirt and water.

• The bumpers on your vehicle are

not intended for hitches. Do not
attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.

• Kia trailer hitch accessory is avail-

able at an authorized Kia dealer.

Safety chains

You should always attach chains
between your vehicle and your trail-
er. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer so that the
tongue will not drop to the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains may
be provided by the hitch manufactur-
er or by the trailer manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recom-
mendation for attaching safety
chains. Always leave just enough
slack so you can turn with your trail-
er. And, never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.

Driving your vehicle

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5

Trailer brakes

If your trailer is equipped with a brak-
ing system, make sure it conforms to
your state’s regulations and that it is
properly installed and operating cor-
rectly.
If your trailer weight exceeds the
maximum allowed weight without
trailer brakes, then the trailer will also
require its own brakes as well. Be
sure to read and follow the instruc-
tions for the trailer brakes so you’ll be
able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
• Don’t tap into or modify your vehi-

cle's brake system.

Driving with a trailer

Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Before setting
out for the open road, you must get to
know your trailer. Acquaint yourself
with the feel of handling and braking
with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the
vehicle you are driving is now a good
deal longer and not nearly so respon-
sive as your vehicle is by itself.
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.

WARNING

- Trailer

brakes

Do not use a trailer with its own
brakes unless you are absolute-
ly certain that you have proper-
ly set up the brake system. This
is not a task for amateurs. Use
an experienced,

competent

trailer shop for this work.

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Driving your vehicle

Following distance

Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sud-
den turns.

Passing

You’ll need more passing distance
up ahead when you’re towing a trail-
er. 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 trailer to the left, just move your
hand to the left. To move the trailer to
the right, move your hand to the
right. Always 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
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects near the edge of the
road. Avoid jerky or sudden maneu-
vers. Signal 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
arrows on your instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal 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. Thus, you may
think drivers behind you are seeing
your signals when, in fact, they are
not. It’s important to check occasion-
ally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working. You must also check the
lights every time you disconnect and
then reconnect the wires.
Do not connect a trailer lighting sys-
tem directly to your vehicle’s lighting
system. Use only an approved trailer
wiring harness.
An authorized Kia dealer can assist
you in installing the wiring harness.

Driving your vehicle

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5

Driving on grades

Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before you start down a long or
steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get
hot and no longer operate efficiently.
On a long uphill grade, shift down
and reduce your speed to around 45
mph (70 km/h) to reduce the possi-
bility of engine and transaxle over-
heating.
If your trailer weighs more than the
maximum trailer weight without trail-
er brakes and you have an automat-
ic transaxle, you should drive in D
(Drive) when towing a trailer.
Operating your vehicle in D (Drive)
when towing a trailer will minimize
heat build up and extend the life of
your transaxle.

Towing up hill

• When towing a trailer on steep

grades (in excess of 6%) pay close
attention to the engine coolant
temperature gauge to ensure the
engine does not overheat.
If the needle of the coolant temper-
ature gauge moves across the dial
towards “H” (HOT), pull over and
stop as soon as it is safe to do so,
and allow the engine to idle until it
cools down. You may proceed once
the engine has cooled sufficiently.

• You must decide driving speed

depending on trailer weight and
uphill grade to reduce the possibil-
ity of engine and transaxle over-
heating.

CAUTION

Always use an approved trailer
wiring harness. Failure to use
an approved trailer wiring har-
ness could result in damage to
the vehicle electrical system.

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Driving your vehicle

Parking on hills

Generally, if you have a trailer
attached to your vehicle, you should
not park your vehicle on a hill. People
can be seriously or fatally injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged if they unexpected-
ly roll downhill.
However, if you ever have to park your
trailer on a hill, here's how to do it:
1.Pull the vehicle into the parking

space. Turn the steering wheel in
the direction of the curb (right if
headed downhill, left if headed up
hill).

2.If the vehicle has an automatic

transaxle, place the vehicle in P
(Park).

3.Set the parking brake and shut off

the engine.

4.Place chocks under the trailer

wheels on the down hill side of the
wheels.

5.Start the vehicle, hold the brakes,

shift to neutral, release the parking
brake and slowly release the
brakes until the trailer chocks
absorb the load.

6.Reapply the brakes, reapply the

parking brake and shift the vehicle
to P (Park) for automatic transaxle.

7.Shut off the vehicle and release the

vehicle brakes but leave the park-
ing brake set.

When you are ready to leave after
parking on a hill

1. With the automatic transaxle in P

(Park), apply your brakes and hold
the brake pedal down while you:

• Start your engine;
• Shift into gear; and
• Release the parking brake.

2. Slowly remove your foot from the

brake pedal.

3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear

of the chocks.

4. Stop and have someone pick up

and store the chocks.

Driving your vehicle

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5

Maintenance when trailer towing

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’s a good idea to
review these sections before you
start your trip.
Don’t 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.

• When towing check transaxle fluid

more frequently.

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

vehicle during its first 1,200 miles
(2,000 km) in order to allow the
engine to properly break in. Failure
to heed this caution may result in
serious engine or transaxle dam-
age.

• When towing a trailer, be sure to

consult an authorized Kia dealer
for further information on additional
requirements such as a towing kit,
etc.

CAUTION

- Air condition

Do not use the A/C while using
your vehicle to tow uphill. Due
to higher load during trailer
usage, overheating might occur
on hot days or during uphill
driving.

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Driving your vehicle

• Always drive your vehicle at a mod-

erate speed (less than 60 mph
(100 km/h)).

• On a long uphill grade, do not

exceed 45 mph (70 km/h) or the
posted towing speed limit,
whichever is lower.

• The chart contains important con-

siderations that have to do with
weight:

Engine

Item

Gasoline Engine

Lambda 3.3 GDI

Maximum trailer
weight (lbs. (kg))

Without brake system

1,000 (453)

With brake system

3,500 (1587)

Maximum tongue weight (lbs. (kg))

350 (158)

To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should
read the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in this sec-
tion.

Driving your vehicle

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5

Weight of the trailer

What is the maximum safe weight of
a trailer? It should never weigh more
than the maximum trailer weight with
trailer brakes. But even that can be
too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use
your trailer. For example, speed, alti-
tude, road grades, outside tempera-
ture and how often your vehicle is
used to pull a trailer are all important.
The ideal trailer weight can also
depend on any special equipment
that you have on your vehicle.

Weight of the trailer tongue

The tongue load of any trailer is an
important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
vehicle weight (GVW) of your vehi-
cle. This weight includes the curb
weight of the vehicle, any cargo you
may carry in it, and the people who
will be riding in the vehicle. And if you
will tow a trailer, you must add the
tongue load to the GVW because
your vehicle will also be carrying that
weight.

The trailer tongue should weigh a
maximum of 10% of the total loaded
trailer weight, within the limits of the
maximum permissible trailer tongue
load. After you've loaded your trailer,
weigh the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be
able to correct them simply by mov-
ing some items around in the trailer.

C190E01JM

Tongue Load

Total Trailer Weight

C190E02JM

Gross Axle Weight

Gross Vehicle Weight

WARNING

- Trailer

Always follow the loading
instructions provided with your
trailer.

Improper loading can

effect vehicle operation and
result in an accident.

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Driving your vehicle

VEHICLE LOAD LIMIT

The label located on the driver's door sill gives the original tire size, cold tire pressures recom-
mended for your vehicle, the number of people that can be in your vehicle and vehicle capacity
weight.

OYP054156N/OYP054157N/OYP054158N/OYP054159N/OYP054160N/OYP054161N

Tire and loading information label

Driving your vehicle

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5

Vehicle capacity weight:

7 persons : 1,158 lbs. (525 kg)
8 persons : 1,323 lbs. (600 kg)

Vehicle capacity weight is the maxi-
mum combined weight of occupants
and cargo. If your vehicle is equipped
with a trailer, the combined weight
includes the tongue load.

Seating capacity:

Total - 7 persons

(Front seat : 2 persons,
Rear seat : 5 persons)

- 8 persons

(Front seat : 2 persons,
Rear seat : 6 persons)

Seating capacity is the maximum
number of occupants including a
driver, your vehicle may carry.
However, the seating capacity may
be reduced based upon the weight of
all of the occupants, and the weight
of the cargo being carried or towed.
Do not overload the vehicle as there
is a limit to the total weight, or load
limit including occupants and cargo,
the vehicle can carry.

Towing capacity:

3.3L Engine
Without trailer brakes
: 1,000 lbs (453 kg)
With trailer brakes
: 3,500 lbs (1,587 kg)

Towing capacity is the maximum
trailer weight including its cargo
weight, your vehicle can tow

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Driving your vehicle

Cargo capacity:

The cargo capacity of your vehicle
will increase or decrease depending
on the weight and the number of
occupants and the tongue load, if
your vehicle is equipped with a trail-
er.

Steps for determining correct
load limit

1.Locate the statement "The com-

bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs.'' on your vehicle's plac-
ard.

2.Determine the combined weight of

the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.

3.Subtract the combined weight of

the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.

4.The resulting figure equals the

available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity. For example, if
the "XXX" amount equals 1,400
lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs.
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)

5.Determine the combined weight of

luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4.

6.If your vehicle will be towing a trail-

er, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehi-
cle.

Driving your vehicle

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5

Refer to your vehicle’s tire and loading information label for specific information about your vehicle's capacity weight
and seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers and cargo should never exceed your vehicle's
capacity weight.

C190F01JM

Item

Description

Total

A

Vehicle Capacity 1,400 lbs

Weight

(635 kg)

Subtract Occupant

B

Weight

300 lbs

150 lbs (68 kg) × 2

(136 kg)

C

Available Cargo and 1,100 lbs

Luggage weight

(499 kg)

Example 1

A

B

C

C190F02JM

Item

Description

Total

A

Vehicle Capacity 1,400 lbs

Weight

(635 kg)

Subtract Occupant

B

Weight

750 lbs

150 lbs (68 kg) × 5

(340 kg)

C

Available Cargo and

650 lbs

Luggage weight

(295 kg)

A

B

C

Example 2

C190F03JM

Item

Description

Total

A

Vehicle Capacity 1,400 lbs

Weight

(635 kg)

Subtract Occupant

B

Weight

860 lbs

172 lbs (78 kg) × 5

(390 kg)

C

Available Cargo and

540 lbs

Luggage weight

(245 kg)

A

B

C

Example 3

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Driving your vehicle

Certification label

The certification label is located on
the driver's door sill at the center pil-
lar.
This label shows the maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle. This is called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and
cargo.
This label also tells you the maxi-
mum weight that can be supported
by the front and rear axles, called
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).

To find out the actual loads on your
front and rear axles, you need to go
to a weigh station and weigh your
vehicle.Your dealer can help you with
this. Be sure to spread out your load
equally on both sides of the center-
line.

The label will help you decide how
much cargo and installed equipment
your vehicle can carry.

If you carry items inside your vehicle
- like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else - they are moving as
fast as the vehicle. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a crash,
the items will keep going and can
cause an injury if they strike the driv-
er or a passenger.

OEN056020

WARNING

- Over loading

Never exceed the GVWR for
your vehicle, the GAWR for
either the front or rear axle and
vehicle capacity weight.
Exceeding these ratings can
affect your vehicle’s handling
and braking ability.

Driving your vehicle

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5

✽

✽

NOTICE

Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be cov-
ered by your warranty. Do not over-
load your vehicle.

WARNING

- Loose cargo

Do not travel with unsecured
blunt objects in the passenger
compartment of your vehicle
(e.g. suit cases or unsecured
child seats). These items may
strike occupant during a sud-
den stop or crash.

WARNING

- Over loading

Do not overload your vehicle.
Overloading your vehicle can
cause heat buildup in your vehi-
cle's tires and possible tire fail-
ure, increased stopping dis-
tances and poor vehicle han-
dling all of which may result in a
crash.

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Driving your vehicle

This section will guide you in the
proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle
weight within its design rating capa-
bility, with or without a trailer.
Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of the vehi-
cle design performance. Before load-
ing your vehicle, familiarize yourself
with the following terms for determin-
ing your vehicle's weight ratings, with
or without a trailer, from the vehicle's
specifications and the certification
label:

Base curb weight

This is the weight of the vehicle
including a full tank of fuel and all
standard equipment. It does not
include passengers, cargo, or option-
al equipment.

Vehicle curb weight

This is the weight of your new vehicle
when you picked it up from your deal-
er plus any aftermarket equipment.

Cargo weight

This figure includes all weight added
to the Base Curb Weight, including
cargo and optional equipment.

GAW (Gross axle weight)

This is the total weight placed on
each axle (front and rear) - including
vehicle curb weight and all payload.

GAWR
(Gross axle weight rating)

This is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single
axle (front or rear). These numbers
are shown on the certification label.
The total load on each axle must
never exceed its GAWR.

GVW (Gross vehicle weight)

This is the Base Curb Weight plus
actual Cargo Weight plus passen-
gers.

GVWR
(Gross vehicle weight rating)

This is the maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle
(including all options, equipment,
passengers and cargo). The GVWR
is shown on the certification label
located on the driver’s door sill.

VEHICLE WEIGHT GLOSSARY