Economical Driving

Fuel economy of your vehicle depends mainly on your driving style, where you drive and when you drive.

Each of these factors affects how many miles (kilometers) you can get from a gallon (liter) of fuel. To make your vehicle as economical as possible, use the following driving tips to help save money on both fuel and repairs:

• Drive smoothly. Accelerate at a moderate rate. Do not make quick starts or full-throttle shifts, and maintain a steady cruising speed. Do not race between traffic lights. Try to match your speed to traffic flow so you do not need to change speed unnecessarily. Avoid heavy traffic whenever possible. Always keep a safe distance from other vehicles so you can avoid unnecessary braking. This also reduces brake wear.
• Drive at a moderate speed. The faster you drive, the more fuel the vehicle uses. Driving at a moderate speed, especially on highways, is one of the most effective ways to reduce fuel consumption.
• Do not "ride" the brake pedal. This may increase fuel consumption and also increases wear on these components. In addition, driving with your foot resting on the brake pedal can overheat the brakes, reducing their effectiveness and possibly leading to more serious consequences.
• Take care of your tires. Keep them inflated to the recommended pressure. Incorrect inflation, either too much or too little, causes unnecessary tire wear. Check tire pressure at least once a month.
• Make sure the wheels are properly aligned. Improper alignment may result from hitting a curb or driving too fast over rough road surfaces. Poor alignment causes accelerated tire wear, may also lead to other problems, and increases fuel consumption.
• Keep your vehicle in good condition. For best fuel economy and lower maintenance costs, keep your vehicle serviced according to the maintenance schedule in Chapter 7. If you drive your vehicle under severe conditions, more frequent maintenance may be required (see Chapter 7 for details).
• Keep your vehicle clean. For maximum corrosion protection, your vehicle should be kept clean and not exposed to corrosive materials. It is especially important to prevent dirt, mud, ice, and similar materials from accumulating on the underbody. This additional weight can increase fuel consumption and also contribute to corrosion.
• Travel light. Do not carry unnecessary weight in your vehicle. Weight reduces fuel economy.
• Do not let the engine idle longer than necessary. If you are waiting (and not in traffic), turn off the engine and restart it only when you are ready to go.
• Remember that your vehicle does not require a long warm-up. After the engine starts, let it run for 10 to 20 seconds before shifting into gear. However, in very cold weather, allow the engine to warm up for a somewhat longer period.
• Do not "lug" the engine or "over-rev" it. Lugging means driving too slowly in too high a gear, causing the engine to knock. If this occurs, shift to a lower gear. Over-revving means running the engine beyond its safe limit. This can be avoided by shifting to the recommended speed.
• Use air conditioning economically. The air conditioning system is powered by the engine, so your fuel economy decreases when you use it.
• Open windows at high speed may reduce fuel economy.
• Fuel economy decreases with crosswinds and headwinds. To help compensate for this loss, drive more slowly in these conditions.

Keeping your vehicle in good condition is important for both economy and safety. Therefore, have an authorized Kia dealer perform scheduled inspections and maintenance.

WARNING - Engine Off While Driving

Never turn off the engine to coast down hills or at any time when the vehicle is in motion. Power steering and brake boosters will not function properly without the engine running. In addition, turning off the ignition while driving may engage the steering wheel lock, resulting in loss of steering control. Keep the engine running and shift to a lower gear suitable for engine braking effect.