Kia Rio YB Quiz

Deciding to Tow a Trailer

In this manual: Deciding to Tow 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
~2min read

Below are some important points to consider when towing a trailer:

  • Consider using a trailer sway control system. For information on trailer sway control systems, consult your hitch dealer.
  • Do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has covered the first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) so that the engine can break in properly.
Failure to observe this rule may result in serious damage to the engine or transmission.
  • If you plan to tow a trailer, contact an authorized Kia dealer for information on additional requirements such as a towing kit.
  • Always drive at a moderate speed (below 100 km/h / 60 mph).
  • When climbing a steep hill, do not exceed 70 km/h or the towing speed limit for towing vehicles, whichever is lower.
  • Pay particular attention to weight:
    • Podjęcie decyzji o holowaniu przyczepy

    Trailer Weight

    Masa przyczepy

    What is a safe trailer weight? It must never exceed the maximum trailer weight with brakes. But even that value may be too high.

    The safe trailer weight depends on how the trailer will be used.

    For example, speed, gradient, road incline, outside temperature and how often the vehicle is used to tow a trailer are all important. The correct trailer weight may also depend on any special equipment fitted to the vehicle.

    Trailer Tongue Weight

    Masa dyszla przyczepy

    Trailer tongue weight is an important value to measure because it affects the vehicle's gross vehicle weight (GVW). This weight includes the weight of the empty vehicle ready for driving, any cargo carried in it, and the passengers travelling in it. If you are towing a trailer, the tongue weight must be added to the GVW, because the vehicle will also carry this weight.

    The trailer tongue weight should not exceed 10% of the total loaded trailer weight, and must stay within the maximum permissible trailer tongue load.

    After loading the cargo into the trailer, first weigh the trailer separately, then the tongue, to check that their weights are correct.

    If they are not, it may be possible to correct this by repositioning the cargo in the trailer.

    WARNING - Trailer
    • Never load the trailer so that more cargo is at the rear than at the front. About 60% of the load should be at the front of the trailer and about 40% at the rear.
    • Never exceed the maximum weight limits of the trailer or of the towing vehicle. Improper load distribution may cause damage to the vehicle and/or injury to passengers. Check the weights on an industrial scale or at a police traffic station equipped with a scale.
    • An improperly loaded trailer may cause loss of control of the vehicle.

    Test yourself

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