Get Maintenance -> Tires and wheels Guide for Kia Sorento SUV 2023

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

僅 When replacing the AGM battery, use

Tires and wheels

parts for replacement from an autho

-

For proper maintenance, safety, and

maximum fuel economy, you must

always maintain the recommended tire

pressures and stay within the load limits

and weight distribution recommended

for your vehicle.

rized Kia dealer.

僅 Do not open or remove the cap on top

of the battery. This may cause leaks

of internal electrolyte that could result

in severe injury.

Reset items

The following items should be reset after

the battery has been discharged or the

battery has been disconnected.

僅 Auto up/down window (Refer to "Win

dow opening and closing" on page 4-

42)

Recommended cold tire inflation

pressures

All tire pressures should be checked

when the tires are cold. "Cold Tires"

means the vehicle has not been driven

for at least three hours or driven less

than 1 mile (1.6 km).

Recommended pressures must be main

tained for the best ride, vehicle handling,

and minimum tire wear.

For recommended pressure, refer to

"Tires and wheels" on page 7-31.

-

僅 Trip computer (Refer to "Trip informa

tion (trip computer)" on page 4-88)

-

僅 Climate control system (Refer to

"Automatic climate control system (if

equipped)" on page 4-146)

僅 Sunroof (Refer to "Panorama sunroof

(if equipped)" on page 4-52)

僅 Driver's seat position (Refer to "Driver

Position Memory System (if

equipped)" on page 4-26)

All specifications (sizes and pressures)

can be found on a label attached to the

driver's side center pillar.

僅 Trip computer information settings

(Refer to "LCD displays" on page 4-

88)

7

僅 Radio presets

僅 Clock

OMQ4AH080004

WARNING

Tire underinflation

Inflate your tires consistent with the

instructions provided in this manual.

Regularly check the tire inflation pres

-

sure, and correct it as needed; at least

twice a month and before any long trips

7

31

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

on the road. If you fail to observe this

precaution, you may be driving on

underinflated tires, which may not only

compromise your vehicle's driving stabil

ity, but may also lead to tire damage and

the risk of an accident. This risk is much

higher on hot days and when driving for

long periods at high speeds.

This could result in loss of vehicle control

and potential injury.

-

Checking tire inflation pressure

Check your tires once a month or more.

Use a good quality gauge to check tire

pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are

properly inflated simply by looking at

them. Radial tires may look properly

Failure to maintain specified pressure

inflated even when they're underin

-

may result in excessive wear, poor han

-

flated.

dling, reduced fuel economy, deforma

Check the tire's inflation pressure when

the tires are cold. "Cold" means your

vehicle has been sitting or at least three

hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6

km).

tion of tire and/or wheel, harsh ride

conditions, possibility for additional

damage from road hazards, or result in

tire failure.

1. Remove the valve cap from the tire

valve stem.

2. Press the tire gauge firmly onto the

valve to get a pressure measurement.

If the cold tire inflation pressure

matches the recommended pressure

on the tire and loading information

label, no further adjustment is neces

sary.

Tire pressure

Always observe the following:

僅 Check tire pressure when the tires are

cold. (After vehicle has been parked

for at least three hours or hasn't been

driven more than 1 mile (1.6 km) since

startup.)

僅 Check the pressure of your spare tire

each time you check the pressure of

other tires. (if equipped)

僅 Never overload your vehicle. Be care

ful not to overload a vehicle luggage

rack if your vehicle is equipped with

one.

-

3. If the pressure is low, add air until you

reach the recommended amount.

-

4. If you overfill the tire, release air by

pushing on the metal stem in the cen

-

ter of the tire valve.

5. Recheck the tire pressure with the tire

gauge.

6. Be sure to put the valve caps back on

the valve stems. They help prevent

僅 Warm tires normally exceed recom

-

mended cold tire pressures by 28 ~ 41

kPa (4 ~ 6 psi). Do not release air from

warm tires to adjust the pressure or

the tires will be underinflated.

leaks by keeping out dirt and mois

-

ture.

WARNING

Tire Inflation

Overinflation or underinflation can

reduce tire life, adversely affect vehicle

handling, and lead to sudden tire failure.

Inspect your tires frequently for proper

inflation as well as wear and damage.

Always use a tire pressure gauge.

Tires with too much or too little pressure

wear unevenly. This could result in poor

handling, loss of vehicle control, and

7

32

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

sudden tire failure leading to accidents,

Without a spare tire

injuries, and even death. The recom

-

mended cold tire pressure for your vehi

cle can be found in this manual and on

-

the tire label located on the driver's side

center pillar.

ODEEV098029NR

Tire rotation

To equalize tread wear, it is recom

Directional tires (if equipped)

-

mended that the tires be rotated every

13,000 km (8,000 miles) or sooner if

irregular wear develops.

During rotation, check the tires for cor

-

CBGQ0707A

rect balance.

Rotate radial tires that have an asym

metric tread pattern only from front to

rear and not from right to left.

-

When rotating tires, check for uneven

wear and damage. Abnormal wear is

usually caused by incorrect tire pres

-

sure, improper wheel alignment, out of-

balance wheels, severe braking or

severe cornering. Look for bumps or

bulges in the tread or side of tire.

Replace the tire if you find either of

WARNING

Mixing tires

Do not mix bias ply and radial ply tires

under any circumstances. This may

cause unusual handling characteristics.

these conditions. Replace the tire if fab

-

ric or cord is visible. After rotation, be

Wheel alignment and tire balance

sure to bring the front and rear tire pres

-

sures to specification and check lug nut

The wheels on your vehicle were aligned

and balanced carefully at the factory to

give you the longest tire life and best

overall performance.

tightness. (proper torque is 79 ~ 94 lbf·ft

[79 ~ 94 lbf·ft])

7

Refer to "Tires and wheels" on page 7-31.

If you notice unusual tire wear or your

vehicle pulling one way or the other, the

alignment may need to be reset.

If you notice your vehicle vibrating when

driving on a smooth road, your wheels

may need to be rebalanced.

Disc brake pads should be inspected for

wear whenever tires are rotated.

With a full-size spare tire (if equipped)

CAUTION

Wheel weight

CBGQ0706

Improper wheel weights can damage

your vehicle's aluminum wheels. Use

only approved wheel weights.

7

33

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

plied with the vehicles to avoid impact

ing driving performance.

-

Tire replacement

If the tire is worn evenly, a tread wear

indicator will appear as a solid band

across the tread.

Wheel replacement

When replacing the metal wheels for any

reason, make sure the new wheels are

equivalent to the original factory units in

diameter, rim width and offset.

A wheel with an incorrect size may

adversely affect many things: wheel and

bearing life, braking and stopping abili

ties, handling characteristics, ground

-

clearance, body-to-tire clearance, snow

chain clearance, speedometer and

odometer calibration, headlamp aiming

and bumper height.

OMQ4070103L

[A] : Tread wear indicator

CAUTION

Wheels

Wheels that do not meet Kia specifica

tions may fit poorly and result in dam

age to the vehicle or unusual handling

and poor vehicle control.

This shows there is less than 1/16 in (1.6

mm) of tread left on the tire. Replace the

tire when this happens.

Do not wait for the band to appear

across the entire tread before replacing

the tire.

-

The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) works

by comparing the speed of the wheels.

The tire size affects wheel speed. When

replacing tires, all 4 tires must use the

same size originally supplied with the

vehicle. Using tires of a different size can

cause the ABS and Electronic Stability

Control (ESC) to work irregularly.

Tire traction

Tire traction can be reduced if you drive

on worn tires, tires that are improperly

inflated or on slippery road surfaces.

Tires should be replaced when tread

wear indicators appear. Slow down

whenever there is rain, snow or ice on

the road to reduce the possibility of los

ing control of the vehicle.

-

It is best to replace all four tires at the

same time. If that is not possible, or nec

essary, then replace the two front or two

rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one

tire can seriously affect your vehicle's

handling.

-

Tire maintenance

In addition to proper inflation, correct

wheel alignment helps to decrease tire

wear.

NOTICE

If you find a tire is worn unevenly, have

your dealer check the wheel alignment.

Make sure the newly installed tires are

balanced correctly to increase vehicle

ride comfort and tire life. In addition,

When replacing tires, we recommend to

use the same type of tires originally sup

-

7

34

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

always rebalance the tire when the tire is

removed from the wheel.

cles or light trucks; however, not all

tires have this marking).

僅 255: Tire width in millimeters.

僅 45: Aspect ratio. The tire's section

height as a percentage of its width.

僅 R: Tire construction code (Radial).

僅 20: Rim diameter in inches.

僅 105: Load Index, a numerical code

associated with the maximum load

the tire can carry.

Tire sidewall labeling

This information identifies and describes

the fundamental characteristics of the

tire and also provides the Tire Identifica

tion Number (TIN) for safety standard

certification.

-

僅 V: Speed Rating Symbol. See the

speed rating chart in this section for

additional information.

Wheel size designation

Wheels are also marked with important

information that you need if you ever

have to replace one. The following

explains what the letters and numbers in

the wheel size designation mean.

Example wheel size designation:

8.5JX20

ODEEV098031NR

The TIN can be used to identify the tire

in case of a recall.

僅 8.5: Rim width in inches.

僅 J: Rim contour designation.

僅 20: Rim diameter in inches.

1. Manufacturer or brand name

Manufacturer or Brand name is shown.

7

2. Tire size designation

Tire speed ratings

The chart below lists many of the differ

ent speed ratings currently being used

for passenger vehicle tires. The speed

rating is part of the tire size designation

on the sidewall of the tire. This symbol

corresponds to that tire's designed max

imum safe operating speed.

A tire's sidewall is marked with a tire size

-

designation. You will need this informa

-

tion when selecting replacement tires for

your vehicle. The following explains

what the letters and numbers in the tire

size designation mean.

-

Example tire size designation:

(These numbers are provided as an

example only; your tire size designator

could vary depending on your vehicle.)

P255/45R20 105V

僅 P: Applicable vehicle type (tires

Speed Rating

Maximum Speed

Symbol

S

T

180 km/h (112 mph)

190 km/h (118 mph)

210 km/h (130 mph)

240 km/h (149 mph)

H

V

marked with the prefix "P" are

intended for use on passenger vehi

-

7

35

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

radial ply construction; the letter "D"

Speed Rating

Symbol

Maximum Speed

means diagonal or bias ply construction;

and the letter "B" means belted-bias ply

construction.

W

Y

270 km/h (168 mph)

300 km/h (186 mph)

3. Checking tire life

5. Maximum permissible inflation

pressure

This number is the greatest amount of

air pressure that should be put in the

Any tires that are over 6 years old, based

on the manufacturing date, should be

replaced by new ones. You can find the

manufacturing date on the tire sidewall

tire. Do not exceed the maximum per

-

(possibly on the inside of the wheel), dis

playing the DOT code. The DOT code is

a series of numbers on a tire consisting

of numbers and English letters. The

manufacturing date is designated by the

last four digits (characters) of the DOT

code.

-

missible inflation pressure. Refer to "Cer

tification label" on page 5-200 for

recommended inflation pressure.

-

6. Maximum load rating

This number indicates the maximum

load in kilograms and pounds that can

be carried by the tire. When replacing

DOT: XXXX XXXX OOOO

The front part of the DOT means a plant

code number, tire size and tread pattern

and the last four numbers indicate week

and year manufactured.

the tires on the vehicle, always use a tire

that has the same load rating as the fac

tory installed tire.

-

For example:

7. Uniform Tire Quality Grading

DOT XXXX XXXX 1623 represents that

the tire was produced in the 16th week

of 2023.

Quality grades can be found where

applicable on the tire sidewall between

tread shoulder and maximum section

width.

WARNING

Tire age

For example:

僅 Treadwear 200

僅 Traction AA

僅 Temperature A

Tires degrade over time, even when they

are not being used. Regardless of the

remaining tread, we recommend that

tires be replaced after approximately six

(6) years of normal service. Heat caused

by hot climate or frequent high loading

Replace tires within the recommended

time frame. Failure to replace tires as

recommended can result in sudden tire

failure, which could lead to a loss of con

-

trol and an accident.

4. Tire ply composition and mate

rial

The number of layers or plies of rubber-

-

conditions can accelerate the aging pro

cess.

-

coated fabric in the tire. Tire manufac

-

turers also must indicate the materials in

the tire, which include steel, nylon, poly

ester, and others. The letter "R" means

-

7

36

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

under controlled conditions on a speci

-

Tread wear

fied indoor laboratory test wheel.

The tread wear grade is a comparative

rating based on the wear rate of the tire

when tested under controlled conditions

on a specified government test course.

For example, a tire graded 150 would

wear one-and-a-half times (1½) as well

on the government course as a tire

graded 100.

+Grades B and A represent higher levels

of performance on the laboratory test

wheel than the minimum required by

law.

Tire terminology and definitions

Refer to the following for detailed defini

tions of the terms that are found in the

tire description.

Air Pressure The amount of air inside

the tire pressing outward on the tire. Air

pressure is expressed in pounds per

square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).

Accessory Weight The combined

weight of optional accessories. Some

examples of optional accessories are

automatic transmission, power seats,

and air conditioning.

-

The relative performance of tires

depends upon the actual conditions of

their use. Performance may depart sig

-

nificantly from the norm due to varia

-

tions in driving habits, service practices

and differences in road characteristics

and climate.

These grades are molded on the side-

walls of passenger vehicle tires. The tires

available as standard or optional equip

ment on your vehicle may vary with

respect to grade.

-

Aspect Ratio The relationship of a tire's

height to its width.

Belt A rubber coated layer of cords that

is located between the plies and the

tread. Cords may be made from steel or

other reinforcing materials.

Bead The tire bead contains steel wires

wrapped by steel cords that hold the tire

onto the rim.

Bias Ply Tire A pneumatic tire in which

the plies are laid at alternate angles less

than 90 degrees to the centerline of the

tread.

Cold Tire Pressure The amount of air

pressure in a tire, measured in pounds

per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa)

Traction - AA, A, B & C

The traction grades, from highest to low

-

est, are AA, A, B and C. Those grades

represent the tire's ability to stop on wet

pavement as measured under controlled

conditions on specified government test

surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire

7

marked C may have poor traction per

formance.

The traction grade assigned to this tire is

based on straight-ahead braking trac

tion tests, and does not include accelera

tion, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak

traction characteristics.

-

before a tire has built up heat from driv

ing.

-

Temperature -A & B

Curb Weight The weight of a motor

vehicle with standard and optional

equipment (including the maximum

capacity of fuel, oil and coolant), but

without passengers and cargo.

The temperature grades are A (the high

-

est) and B representing the tire's resis

-

tance to the generation of heat and its

ability to dissipate heat when tested

7

37

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

DOT Markings The DOT code includes

the Tire Identification Number (TIN), an

alphanumeric designator which can also

Outward Facing Sidewall The side of a

asymmetrical tire that has a particular

side that faces outward when mounted

identify the tire manufacturer, produc

-

on a vehicle. The outward facing side-

tion plant, brand and date of production.

GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

GAWR FRT Gross Axle Weight Rating

for the Front axle.

GAWR RR Gross Axle Weight Rating for

the Rear axle.

Intended Outboard Sidewall The side

of an asymmetrical tire that must always

wall bears white lettering or bears man

ufacturer, brand, and/or model name

molding that is higher or deeper than

the same moldings on the inner facing

sidewall.

-

Passenger (P-Metric) Tire A tire used

on passenger cars and some light duty

trucks and multipurpose vehicles.

Ply A layer of rubber-coated parallel

cords.

face outward when mounted on a vehi

-

cle.

Pneumatic tire A mechanical device

made of rubber, chemicals, fabric and

steel or other materials, that, when

Kilopascal (kPa) The metric unit for air

pressure.

Light truck (LT) tire A tire designated

by its manufacturer as primarily

intended for use on lightweight trucks or

multipurpose passenger vehicles.

Load ratings The maximum load that a

tire is rated to carry for a given inflation

pressure.

mounted on an automotive wheel, pro

-

vides the traction and contains the gas

or fluid that sustains the load.

Production options weight The com

-

bined weight of installed regular produc

-

tion options weighing over 2.3 kg (5 lbs.)

in excess of the standard items which

they replace, not previously considered

in curb weight or accessory weight.

Examples include heavy duty brakes,

Load Index An assigned number rang

-

ing from 1 to 279 that corresponds to the

load carrying capacity of a tire.

Maximum Inflation Pressure The maxi

-

ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty bat

tery, and special trim.

-

mum air pressure to which a cold tire

may be inflated. The maximum air pres

-

Recommended Inflation Pressure

Vehicle manufacturer's recommended

tire inflation pressure and shown on the

tire placard.

Radial Ply Tire A pneumatic tire in

sure is molded onto the sidewall.

Maximum Load Rating The load rating

for a tire at the maximum permissible

inflation pressure for that tire.

Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight The

sum of curb weight; accessory weight;

vehicle capacity weight; and production

options weight.

Normal Occupant Weight The number

of occupants a vehicle is designed to

seat multiplied by 68 kg (150 lbs.).

which the ply cords that extend to the

beads are laid at 90 degrees to the cen

-

terline of the tread.

Rim A metal support for a tire and upon

which the tire beads are seated.

Sidewall The portion of a tire between

the tread and the bead.

Occupant Distribution Designated

seating positions.

7

38

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

Speed Rating An alphanumeric code

use all year round, including snowy and

icy road conditions.

assigned to a tire indicating the maxi

-

mum speed at which a tire can operate.

All season tires are identified by ALL

SEASON and/or M+S (Mud and Snow)

Traction The friction between the tire

and the road surface. The amount of

grip provided.

Tread The portion of a tire that comes

into contact with the road.

on the tire sidewall. Snow tires have bet

ter snow traction than all season tires

and may be more appropriate in some

areas.

-

Treadwear Indicators Narrow bands,

sometimes called "wear bars," that show

across the tread of a tire when only 1.6

mm (2/32 inch) of tread remains.

UTQGS Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Standards, a tire information system that

provides consumers with ratings for a

Summer tires

Kia specifies summer tires on some

models to provide superior performance

on dry roads.

Summer tire performance is substan

-

tially reduced in snow and ice. Summer

tires do not have the tire traction rating

M+S (Mud and Snow) on the tire side

wall. if you plan to operate your vehicle

tire's traction, temperature and tread

wear. Ratings are determined by tire

-

manufacturers using government test

-

in snowy or icy conditions, Kia recom

-

ing procedures. The ratings are molded

into the sidewall of the tire.

Vehicle Capacity Weight The weight of

designated seating positions multiplied

by 68 kg (150 lbs.) plus the rated cargo

and luggage load.

Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire

Load on an individual tire due to curb

and accessory weight plus maximum

occupant and cargo weight.

Vehicle Normal Load on the Tire Load

on an individual tire that is determined

by distributing to each axle its share of

the curb weight, accessory weight, and

normal occupant weight and driving by

2.

mends the use of snow tires or all sea

-

son tires on all four wheels.

Snow tires

If you equip your vehicle with snow tires,

they should be the same size and have

the same load capacity as the original

tires.

Snow tires should be installed on all four

wheels; otherwise, poor handling may

result.

Snow tires should carry 28 kPa (4

psi)more air pressure than the pressure

recommended for the standard tires on

the tire label on the driver's side of the

center pillar, or up to the maximum

pressure shown on the tire sidewall,

whichever is less.

7

Vehicle Placard A label permanently

attached to a vehicle showing the origi

-

Do not drive faster than 120 km/h (75

mph) when your vehicle is equipped

with snow tires.

nal equipment tire size and recom

-

mended inflation pressure.

All season tires

WARNING

Do not use summer tires at tempera

tures below 7 °C (45 °F) or when driving

Kia specifies all season tires on some

models to provide good performance for

-

7

39

Maintenance

Tires and wheels

on snow or ice. At temperatures below 7

Low aspect ratio tires (if

°C (45 °F), summer tires can lose elastic

ity, and therefore traction and braking

power as well. Change the tires on your

vehicle to winter or all-weather tires of

the same size as the standard tires of

the vehicle. Both types of tires are identi

-

equipped)

Low aspect ratio tires, whose aspect

ratio is lower than 50, are provided for

sporty looks.

Because the low aspect ratio tires are

optimized for handling and braking, it

may be more uncomfortable to ride in

and there is more noise compare with

normal tires.

-

fied by the M+S (Mud and Snow) mark

ing. Using summer tires at very cold

temperatures could cause cracks to

-

form, thereby damaging the tires per

manently.

-

CAUTION

Because the sidewall of the low aspect

ratio tire is shorter than the normal, the

wheel and tire of the low aspect ratio tire

is easier to be damaged. So, follow the

instructions below.

Radial-ply tires

Radial-ply tires provide improved tread

life, road hazard resistance and

smoother high speed ride.

The radial-ply tires used on this vehicle

are of belted construction, and are

selected to complement the ride and

handling characteristics of your vehicle.

僅 When driving on a rough road or off

road, drive cautiously because tires

and wheels may be damaged. And

after driving, inspect tires and wheels.

僅 When passing over a pothole, speed

bump, manhole, or curb stone, drive

slowly so that the tires and wheels are

not damaged.

Radial-ply tires have the same load car

-

rying capacity, as bias-ply or bias belted

tires of the same size, and use the same

recommended inflation pressure.

Mixing of radial-ply tires with bias-ply or

bias belted tires is not recommended.

Any combinations of radial-ply and bias-

ply or bias belted tires when used on the

same vehicle will seriously deteriorate

vehicle handling. The best rule to follow

is: Identical radial-ply tires should always

be used as a set of four.

僅 If the tire is impacted, we recommend

that you inspect the tire condition or

contact an authorized Kia dealer.

僅 To prevent damage to the tire, inspect

the tire condition and pressure every

3,000 km (1,900 miles).

僅 It is not easy to recognize the tire

damage with your own eyes. But if

there is the slightest hint of tire dam

Longer wearing tires can be more sus

-

ceptible to irregular tread wear. It is very

important to follow the tire rotation

interval shown in this section to achieve

the tread life potential of these tires.

Cuts and punctures in radial-ply tires are

repairable only in the tread area,

age, even though you cannot see the

tire damage with your own eyes, have

the tire checked or replaced because

the tire damage may cause air leak

age from the tire.

-

僅 If the tire is damaged by driving on a

rough road, off road, pothole, man

because of sidewall flexing. Consult your

tire dealer for radial-ply tire repairs.

-

hole, or curb stone, it will not be cov

-

ered by the warranty.

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40

Maintenance -> Tires and wheels for Your Kia Sorento SUV 2023

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