Notes on special driving conditions. Higher-risk driving conditions. Freeing a stuck vehicle. Driving in the dark. Driving in rain

Special driving conditions such as rain, snow, or darkness require an adapted driving style in the Kia Opirus. This chapter provides clear guidance on correct braking, the use of aids such as snow chains, and improving visibility at night. It also explains how to free the vehicle when it is stuck in snow or mud, including warnings about engine overheating caused by repeated acceleration. A valuable collection of practical safety information.

Higher-risk driving conditions

For driving in higher-risk conditions such as water, snow, ice, mud, or sand, we provide the following driving advice:

• Drive with particular care and keep a sufficient safety distance for braking maneuvers.
• Drive smoothly and avoid abrupt braking and steering maneuvers.
• When braking in vehicles without ABS, press the brake pedal repeatedly with light pressure (pumping) until the vehicle has come to a standstill.

NOTE

When braking in vehicles with ABS, do not pump the brake pedal. Instead, keep the brake pedal fully depressed.

• On snow, mud, or sand, pull away in second gear to prevent the drive wheels from spinning.
• If the drive wheels spin when starting off on ice, snow or mud, use sand, grit, snow chains or similar aids to provide traction to the drive wheels.

When driving on slippery surfaces, downshifting to a lower gear in vehicles with automatic transmission can lead to accidents. The sudden change in wheel speed may cause the wheels to lose traction and skid.

Be especially careful when downshifting on slippery surfaces.

Freeing a Stuck Vehicle

If the vehicle is stuck in snow, sand or mud, proceed as follows to free the vehicle. First turn the steering wheel left and right to create a little space for the stuck front wheels.

Then alternately drive slightly in reverse and forward to get the vehicle moving. Do not apply too much throttle and let the drive wheels spin as little as possible. If the vehicle cannot be freed after several attempts, have it pulled out of the snow or mud by a tow truck to avoid overheating the engine and possible damage to the drivetrain.

NOTE

Repeated unsuccessful attempts to free a vehicle over an extended period can cause engine overheating as well as transmission and tire damage.

Never let the drive wheels spin, especially not at speeds above 56 km/h. Rapid spinning of the wheels while the vehicle is stationary can cause the tires to overheat and burst, injuring bystanders.

Driving at Night

Since driving at night involves more risk than driving in daylight, we would like to give you the following advice:

• Drive at a moderate speed and keep greater distances from other road users to compensate for reduced visibility. This applies in particular to areas that are not lit.
• Adjust the mirrors so that the headlights of other vehicles do not dazzle you too much.
• Keep the headlights clean and, on vehicles without automatic headlight levelling, make sure the headlights are properly adjusted. Dirty and/or misaligned headlights reduce visibility when driving at night.
• Avoid looking directly into the headlights of oncoming vehicles, as it takes several seconds for your eyes to readjust to the darkness.

  During this period your vision is fully or partially impaired.

Driving in the Rain

Rain and wet roads can create hazardous driving conditions, especially if you are not used to slippery road surfaces. Please observe the following advice for driving in rainy weather:

• Heavy rain reduces visibility and lengthens braking distance.

  Therefore, adjust your driving speed to the prevailing conditions.

• Check the wiper blades at regular intervals to make sure they are in proper condition. Replace the wiper blades as soon as they no longer wipe the windshield streak-free or completely.
• If tread depth is low, there is a risk that the vehicle may skid during hard braking on wet roads, causing an accident. Check the tires at regular intervals to make sure they are in proper condition.
• Switch on the lights so that other road users can see you more easily.
• Driving quickly through large puddles and standing water on the road can reduce the effectiveness of the brakes.
• When you have to drive through puddles, try to drive through them slowly.
• If you suspect the brakes have become wet, lightly apply the brake pedal while driving to dry the brakes and restore full braking effectiveness.

The Kia Opirus 2003–2011 provides a safe driving experience with its equipment even under difficult conditions. Whether in wet conditions, in darkness or on uneven surfaces, the vehicle supports the driver with well-designed systems.

Especially on slippery roads, an adapted driving style helps to minimize the risk of accidents. This keeps the Kia Opirus a reliable vehicle even in adverse conditions.

The guidance on braking behavior and starting techniques helps you keep control of the vehicle at all times and avoid damage.