Kia Sportage Maintenance

Kia SportageMaintenanceThe importance of obtaining appropriate maintenancefor your vehicle cannot be overstated. Your KiaSportage is a significant investment. Provide for itsbasic maintenance on a regular, recurring basis andyour vehicle will function properly, last longer andyou'll save money. It will also keep you safe on theroads when you're traveling.

Oil Changes•It is critical that you change the oil inyour Kia Sportage in accordance withmanufacturer recommendations. It'scommon practice to change engine oilat 3,000 mile intervals under normalconditions. If you frequently drive in"stop-and-go" traffic or are often in dirtyand dusty conditions, you may increaseyour frequency. If you frequently dohighway driving, it's okay to stretch thefrequency. Also, if you have switched tousing synthetic oil, longer intervalsbetween oil changes are acceptable assynthetic oil doesn't break down asquickly as conventional motor oil. Keepyour engine lubricated to preventbreakdowns or something morecatastrophic such as total engine failure.Coolant Changes•Kia recommends you change engine coolant everyfive years or approximately 60,000 miles. Doing sominimizes the likelihood of engine overheating. Asyour Sportage's interior heating system is dependentupon the proper functioning of the engine's coolingsystem, you'll be happy during those colder monthswhen the heater is blowing hot air. Regular coolantchanges also helps to prevent rusting of your coolingsystem's internal parts, which may result in abreakdown.

TiresRotate your Sportage's tires at an interval of approximately7,500 miles. Many auto service centers offer tire rotation as apart of the oil change package now. Tire rotation is importantto avoid uneven wear that can result in poor performance andcompromise safety. Additionally, check tire pressure at leastweekly to ensure they're inflated to Kia's recommendation of35 psi (pounds per square inch). Improperly inflated tires canbe dangerous, have a negative impact gas mileage and reducetire life.Everything ElseDon't take for granted less obvious areas of vehicle maintenance.Monitor your brakes by feel and sound. If your brake pedal feels"spongy" or needs to be pushed all the way to the floor to stop yourSportage, have the brakes checked right away. Squealing brakesmay indicate time for replacement.Change your windshield wipersevery six months to ensure a high degree of visibility in inclementweather.Check your oil levels, coolant levels and tire pressure eachtime you stop for fuel. You will be forming a good habit by checkingthe critical items on your maintenance list with high frequency.Check your parking spot in the driveway or garage for fluids thatmay indicate a leak from within the engine compartment.Check your belts and hoses for softness, looseness or fraying andhave them replaced the moment there are indications of failingconditions.At least weekly, check your Sportage's lighting system.Your headlights, high-beams, tail lights, running lights, reverselights, hazard lights and turn signals should all be functioningproperly or replaced if malfunctioning.Article Source:http://www.ehow.com/way_5707574_kiasportagemaintenance.htmlImage Source:http://www.thomsonkia.com.au/sportage.html