Kia Optima: Features of your vehicle / Hood

Opening the hood

1. Pull the release lever to unlatch the hood. The hood should pop open slightly.

Only open the hood with the vehicle on a flat surface, engine is turned off, shift lever placed in P (Park) position and setting the parking brake.

2. Go to the front of the vehicle, raise the hood slightly, push the secondary latch (1) upward inside of the hood center and lift the hood (2).

3. Raise the hood. It will completely rise by itself after it has been raised about halfway.

Hood open warning

The hood warning message will appear on the LCD display when hood is open.

The warning chime will operate when the vehicle is being driven at or above 3 km/h (2 mph) with the hood open.

Closing the hood

1. Before closing the hood, check the following:

• All filler caps in the engine compartment must be correctly installed.
• Gloves, rags or any other combustible material must be removed from the engine compartment.

2. Lower the hood until it is about 30 cm above the closed position and let it drop. Make sure that it locks into place.

3. Check that the hood has engaged properly. If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not properly engaged. Open it again and close it with a little more force.

CAUTION - Hood obstruction

Before closing the hood, ensure that all obstructions are removed from the hood opening. Closing the hood with an obstruction present in the hood opening may result in vehicle damage.

WARNING - Fire risk

Do not leave gloves, rags or any other combustible material in the engine compartment. Doing so may cause a heat-induced fire.

WARNING - Unsecured engine hood

Always double check to be sure that the hood is firmly latched before driving away. If it is not latched, the hood could fly open while the vehicle is being driven, causing a total loss of visibility, which might result in an accident.