Kia Optima: Starting the Engine

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

2. Manual Transmission - Depress the clutch pedal fully and shift the transmission into Neutral. Keep the clutch pedal depressed while turning the ignition switch to the start position. The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
Automatic Transmission - Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park). Depress the brake pedal fully.
You can also start the engine when the shift lever is in the N (Neutral) position.

3. Turn the ignition switch to START and hold it there until the engine starts (a maximum of 10 seconds), then release the key.

4. In extremely cold weather – below 0°F (–18°C) – or after the vehicle has not been operated for several days, let the engine warm up without depressing the accelerator.

Whether the engine is cold or warm, it should be started without depressing the accelerator.

✽ NOTICE

If the engine stalls while you are in motion, do not attempt to move the shift lever to the P (Park) position. If traffic and road conditions permit, you may put the shift lever in the N (Neutral) position while the vehicle is still moving and turn the ignition switch to the START position in an attempt to restart the engine.

If the engine fails to start when the engine is cold:

The engine is “cold” when the engine coolant temperature drops below 32°F/0°C. A no-start condition may be caused by an engine that has become flooded (has excessive fuel in the cylinders). If this is the case, use the starting procedure on the following pages.

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

2. Manual Transaxle - Depress the clutch pedal fully and shift the transaxle into Neutral. Keep the clutch pedal depressed while turning the ignition switch to the start position. The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
Automatic Transaxle - Place the transaxle shift lever in P (Park) or N (Neutral). Depress the brake pedal fully.

3. While fully depressing the accelerator, turn the ignition switch to the START position and hold it (a maximum of 10 seconds) to discharge the excess fuel.
If the engine starts, the engine speed will increase suddenly; release the key and the accelerator immediately.

4. If the engine has not yet started, release the accelerator after cranking the engine. Without depressing the accelerator, crank the engine until it starts (a maximum of 10 seconds).

If the engine fails to start when the engine is warm:

A no-start condition, characterized by failure to restart a warmed engine despite repeated attempts may be eliminated by using the following procedure.

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

2. Manual Transmission - Depress the clutch pedal fully and shift the transmission into Neutral. Keep the clutch pedal depressed while turning the ignition switch to the start position. The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
Automatic Transmission - Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park) or N (Neutral). Depress the brake pedal fully.

3. While depressing the accelerator about halfway, turn the ignition switch to the START position and hold it (a maximum of 10 seconds).

4. Permit the engine to idle for about 10 seconds before driving.

✽ NOTICE

Do not engage the starter for more than 10 seconds. If the engine stalls or fails to start, wait 5 to 10 seconds before re-engaging the starter. Improper use of the starter may damage it.

The starter will not operate if:

• Manual transaxle - the clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
• Automatic transaxle - the shift lever is NOT in the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position.

Excessive engine noise may occur if the engine has not been operated for an extended period. The noise should stop after the engine has reached normal operating temperature. If the noise does not stop, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.