Kia Rio YB Quiz

Driving with a trailer

In this manual: Driving with a trailer
Maintenance and Service — 0Driving the vehicle — 0Getting to know your vehicle — 0Vehicle security systems — 0Introduction — 0Vehicle exterior — 0Emergency Procedures — 0Infants and small children — 0Older children — 0Pregnant women — 0Injured persons — 0Airbag crash sensors — 0Airbag deployment conditions — 0Airbag non-deployment conditions — 0Battery saver function — 0Follow Me Home function (if equipped) — 0Headlamp welcome function (if equipped) — 0Light control — 0High beam operation — 0Front fog lights (if equipped) — 0Rear Fog Light — 0Headlight Beam Leveling Device (if equipped) — 0Battery saver function — 0Follow Me Home function (if equipped) — 0Headlamp welcome function (if equipped) — 0Light control — 0High beam operation — 0Front fog lights (if equipped) — 0Rear Fog Light — 0Headlight Beam Leveling Device (if equipped) — 0Replacing the Headlight, Parking Light, Turn Signal Light, or Front Fog Light Bulb — 0Headlight beam leveling for headlights and front fog lights — 0Turn signal light bulb replacement — 0Rear combination lamp bulb replacement — 0Additional brake light replacement (if equipped) — 0Interior lamp bulb replacement — 0
~5min read

Towing a trailer requires some experience. Before driving on public roads, become familiar with the trailer. Get a feel for steering and braking with the additional load the trailer represents.

Always remember that the vehicle with the trailer is much longer and does not respond to maneuvers as well as the vehicle alone.

Before driving, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety chains, electrical connectors, lights, tires and the position of the rear-view mirrors. If the trailer is equipped with electric brakes, drive the vehicle with the trailer, then manually activate the trailer brake controller to make sure the brakes work. This also checks the electrical connections.

While driving, check periodically that the load is secured and that the trailer lights and brakes are still working properly.

Following Distance from the Vehicle Ahead

When towing a trailer, the following distance from the vehicle ahead should be at least twice the distance required when driving without a trailer. This helps avoid situations that would require hard braking and sudden steering.

Overtaking

When towing a trailer, more space is needed in the opposite lane to complete an overtaking maneuver. Because the vehicle with the trailer is longer, the driver will need to travel a greater distance to pass the overtaken vehicle before returning to their own lane.

Reversing

Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. To move the trailer to the left, turn the steering wheel to the left. To move the trailer to the right, turn the steering wheel to the right. Always reverse slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you.

Turning

When turning while towing a trailer, make wider turns than usual. This helps avoid hitting soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects with the trailer.

Avoid jerky and sudden maneuvers. Signal planned actions to other drivers well in advance.

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer

When towing a trailer, the vehicle requires different turn signals and additional wiring. The green arrows on the instrument panel will flash each time the driver signals a turn or lane change. If the trailer lights are properly connected, they will also flash to warn other drivers when the vehicle is about to turn, change lanes or stop.

When towing a trailer, the green arrows on the instrument panel will flash when the turn signal is activated, even if the bulbs in the trailer lights have burned out. Therefore, it may appear that other drivers can see the signals the vehicle is sending when in fact they may not be visible to them. It is important to check the trailer lights from time to time to make sure the bulbs still work. Lights should also be checked each time the connectors are disconnected and then reconnected.

Do not connect the trailer lighting system directly to the vehicle's lighting system. Only use an approved wiring harness suitable for the trailer.

An authorized Kia dealer can help with installing the wiring harness.

WARNING Using a non-approved wiring harness may cause damage to the vehicle's electrical system and/or personal injury.

Driving on Hills

Before starting to descend a long or steep hill, reduce speed and shift to a lower gear. If the gear is not reduced, the brakes may have to be used so often that they overheat and stop working effectively.

When climbing a long hill, downshift and limit speed to approx. 70 km/h to reduce the risk of overheating the engine and transmission.

If the trailer being towed is heavier than the maximum trailer weight without brakes and the vehicle has an automatic transmission, drive with the shift lever in the D (Drive) position while towing the trailer.

Driving with the shift lever in the D (Drive) position while towing a trailer minimizes heat build-up and extends the service life of the transmission.

CAUTION
  • When towing a trailer up a steep grade (greater than 6%), watch the engine coolant temperature gauge closely to make sure the engine does not overheat.

    If the coolant temperature gauge moves toward the "H" (HOT) mark, pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Leave the engine running at idle to cool down. Once the engine temperature has dropped sufficiently, you can continue driving.

  • Select your speed when driving up a hill based on the trailer weight and the gradient, so that the risk of overheating the engine and transmission is kept to a minimum.

Parking on Hills

As a general rule, do not park the vehicle on a hill when a trailer is attached.

People can be seriously injured or killed, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be damaged, if the vehicle unexpectedly rolls down the hill.

WARNING - Parking on a Slope. Parking on a slope with a trailer attached may result in serious injury or death if the trailer becomes detached from the vehicle.

If you must park on a hill with a trailer attached, follow these steps:

  1. Position the vehicle in the parking space.

Turn the steering wheel toward the curb (to the right if the vehicle faces downhill, to the left if the vehicle faces uphill).

Test yourself

A quick Kia Rio YB quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.