Kia Seltos: Towing / Emergency towing

Contents:

• Emergency towing precautions

If a professional towing service is not available during an emergency, your Kia Seltos may be temporarily towed using a suitable cable, chain, or towing strap attached only to the emergency towing hook located under the front or rear of the vehicle.

Front

Rear

If towing is necessary, it is always best to have the Kia Seltos handled by an authorized Kia dealer or a professional commercial tow-truck service.

Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. A driver must remain inside the vehicle to steer properly and operate the brakes during towing.

This type of emergency towing should only be performed on hard, paved road surfaces, for a short distance, and at low speed. The wheels, axles, powertrain, steering system, and brakes must all be in safe working condition before towing begins.

• Do not use the towing hooks to pull the Kia Seltos out of mud, sand, snow, or any condition where the vehicle cannot move under its own power.

• Avoid towing a vehicle that is heavier than the vehicle performing the towing.

• The drivers of both vehicles should communicate frequently and clearly throughout the towing process.

  

  CAUTION

  Using any part of the vehicle other than the designated towing hooks may damage the body or structural components of your Kia Seltos.

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly and gradually while keeping steady tension on the towing rope, strap, or chain. Sudden movement may damage the towing hooks or the vehicle.

• Attach the towing strap securely to the towing hook.

• Use only a cable, chain, or towing strap designed specifically for vehicle towing. Fasten it securely to the towing hook provided on the Kia Seltos.

• Before emergency towing, inspect the hook carefully and make sure it is not broken, bent, cracked, or damaged.

• Secure the towing cable, chain, or strap firmly to the hook before any pulling force is applied.

• Do not jerk the towing hook. Apply force slowly, steadily, and evenly.

• To prevent damage to the hook, do not pull from the side or at a vertical angle. Always pull the Kia Seltos straight ahead whenever possible.

• Use a towing strap less than 16 ft (5 m) long. Attach a white or red cloth approximately 12 in (30 cm) wide to the center of the strap so it remains clearly visible to other drivers.

  

  Front

  

  Rear

• Drive carefully during towing so the towing strap does not become loose or slack.

• The driver must stay in the Kia Seltos to control steering and braking while the vehicle is being towed. No passengers other than the driver should remain inside the vehicle.

WARNING

Emergency Towing Precautions

Use extreme caution whenever emergency towing is performed on the Kia Seltos.

• Avoid sudden starts, sharp movements, or erratic driving maneuvers that could place excessive stress on the emergency towing hook and the towing cable, strap, or chain. These parts may break and cause serious injury or vehicle damage.

• If the disabled Kia Seltos cannot be moved safely, do not continue pulling it by force. Contact an authorized Kia dealer or a commercial tow-truck service for assistance.

• Tow the vehicle as straight ahead as possible to reduce side load on the towing hook.

• Keep all people away from the vehicle and towing equipment while towing is in progress.

Emergency towing precautions

1. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC position so the steering wheel does not lock while the Kia Seltos is being towed.

2. Release the parking brake completely before towing begins.

3. Press the brake pedal with more force than usual, because braking assistance will be reduced when the vehicle is not operating normally.

4. Expect heavier steering effort, since the power steering system will not provide normal assistance during emergency towing.

5. If the Kia Seltos is being towed down a long hill, the brakes may overheat and braking performance may decrease. Stop frequently and allow the brakes to cool before continuing.

6. If the vehicle is towed with all four wheels on the ground, it must be towed only from the front. Make sure the reduction gear or transmission is in N (Neutral), and confirm that the steering wheel is unlocked by placing the ignition switch in the ACC position. A driver must remain in the towed Kia Seltos to operate the steering and brakes.

7. To prevent serious damage to the AT or IVT, keep towing speed below 10 mph (15 km/h) and limit the towing distance to less than 1 mile (1.5 km).

CAUTION

AT/IVT

Kia Seltos vehicles equipped with AT or IVT may be towed by an ordinary vehicle only when there is no AT/IVT transmission oil leakage. If the vehicle is towed while transmission oil is leaking, serious transmission damage may occur. When any leakage is suspected, use a flatbed tow truck or proper towing dolly equipment instead.

CAUTION

AT/IVT

If the Kia Seltos is being towed with all four wheels on the ground, it must be towed only from the front.

Make sure the transmission is in N (Neutral). Also confirm that the steering is unlocked by placing the ignition switch in the ACC position. A driver must remain in the towed vehicle to control steering and braking throughout the towing procedure.

• Before towing, check underneath the Kia Seltos for AT/IVT fluid leaks. If AT/IVT fluid is leaking, flatbed equipment or a towing dolly must be used to avoid transmission damage.