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 the number of kilometers (miles) you can get from a liter (gallon) of fuel. To operate your vehicle as economically 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 jackrabbit starts or shift at full throttle, and maintain a steady cruising speed. Do not race between traffic lights. Try to match your speed to traffic so you do not have to change speed unnecessarily. Avoid heavy traffic when 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 your 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 or clutch pedal. This can increase fuel consumption and also increase wear on these components. In addition, driving with your foot on the brake pedal may 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 high or too low, causes unnecessary tire wear. Check tire pressure at least once a month.
• Make sure the wheels are aligned correctly. Incorrect alignment may result from hitting curbs or driving fast over rough surfaces. Poor alignment causes faster tire wear and may also lead to other problems as well as higher fuel consumption.
• Keep your vehicle in good condition. For the best fuel economy and to reduce maintenance costs, service your vehicle according to the maintenance schedule. If you drive your vehicle under severe conditions, more frequent maintenance may be required.
• Keep your vehicle clean. For maximum service life, your vehicle should be kept clean and free of corrosive materials. It is especially important that dirt, mud, ice, etc. are not allowed to accumulate on the underbody of the vehicle. This extra weight may 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 (not in traffic), turn off the engine and restart it only when you are ready to drive.
• Remember that your vehicle does not require prolonged warm-up. After the engine starts, let it run for 10-20 seconds before placing the vehicle in gear. In very cold weather, however, allow your engine a somewhat longer warm-up period.
• Do not "lug" or "overrev" the engine. Driving too slowly in a high gear causes the engine to lug. If this occurs, shift to a lower gear. Overrevving accelerates the engine beyond its safe limit. This can be avoided by shifting at the recommended speeds.
• Use the air conditioner economically. The air conditioning system is powered by the engine, so fuel economy decreases when it is in use.
• Open windows at high speed may reduce fuel economy.
• Fuel economy decreases with crosswinds and headwinds. To help compensate for some of this loss, reduce speed when entering these conditions.

Maintaining your vehicle in good operating condition is important for both economy and safety. In general, we recommend that your vehicle be serviced by an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING. Engine off while driving

Never turn off the engine to coast downhill or at any time when the vehicle is moving. The power steering and power brakes will not work normally without the engine running. Instead, keep the engine running and shift into an appropriate gear to use engine braking. In addition, turning the ignition off while driving may engage the steering wheel lock (if equipped), resulting in loss of vehicle control that may lead to serious injury or death.