beautypg.com

Driving your vehicle – KIA Optima Hybrid 2013 User Manual

Page 254

background image

5 33

Driving your vehicle

Hazardous driving conditions

When hazardous driving conditions are
encountered such as water, snow, ice,
mud, sand, or similar hazards, follow
these suggestions:
• Drive cautiously and allow extra dis-

tance for braking.

• Avoid sudden braking or steering.
• When braking with non-ABS brakes

pump the brake pedal with a light up-
and-down motion until the vehicle is
stopped.

Do not pump the brake pedal on a vehi-
cle equipped with ABS.
• If stalled in snow, mud, or sand, use

second gear. Accelerate slowly to
avoid spinning the drive wheels.

• Use sand, rock salt, or other non-slip

material under the drive wheels to pro-
vide traction when stalled in ice, snow,
or mud.

Rocking the vehicle

If it is necessary to rock the vehicle to
free it from snow, sand, or mud, first turn
the steering wheel right and left to clear
the area around your front wheels. Then,
shift back and forth between 1st (First)
and R (Reverse) in vehicles equipped
with a manual transaxle or R (Reverse)
and any forward gear in vehicles
equipped with an automatic transaxle. Do
not race the engine, and spin the wheels
as little as possible. If you are still stuck
after a few tries, have the vehicle pulled
out by a tow vehicle to avoid engine over-
heating and possible damage to the
transaxle.
The ESC system should be turned OFF
prior to rocking the vehicle.

SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS

WARNING -

Downshifting

Do not downshift with an automatic
transaxle while driving on slippery
surfaces. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid
and result in an accident.

CAUTION -

Vehicle
rocking

Prolonged rocking may cause
engine overheating, transaxle dam-
age or failure, and tire damage.

This manual is related to the following products: