Subaru Forester: Driving your vehicle / Winter driving

Severe winter conditions introduce unique challenges that can accelerate tire wear and impact overall vehicle performance. To navigate the colder months with confidence and maintain the peak condition of your Kia Telluride, it is essential to follow the comprehensive guidelines outlined in these sections.

Snowy or icy conditions

When facing deep snow or slick, ice-covered roads, ensuring your vehicle has the proper traction is paramount. Depending on the severity of the climate in your area, you may find it necessary to utilize dedicated winter tires or install approved tire chains to maintain control.

If you choose to equip your Kia Telluride with winter-specific tires, always select a set that matches the exact size and specifications of the original equipment tires. Deviating from these factory recommendations can compromise the vehicle’s safety systems and negatively impact its handling characteristics on the road.

In snowy or icy environments, aggressive driving behaviors—such as rapid acceleration, high-speed travel, abrupt braking, or sudden, sharp steering maneuvers—are exceptionally hazardous. These actions can easily lead to a loss of traction and control.

When slowing down, utilize engine braking by easing off the throttle. Abruptly slamming on the brakes on a slippery surface is a primary cause of skidding. Always maintain a generous following distance between your Kia Telluride and the vehicle ahead, and ensure all inputs to the brake pedal are smooth, steady, and gradual.

While installing tire chains can significantly improve forward traction in deep snow, they do not guarantee protection against side-sliding or lateral skids. Always drive with extra vigilance, regardless of the traction aids installed.

NOTE

Snow tires

When installing dedicated snow tires, ensure they are radial tires that align with the specific size, load rating, and speed rating of your original tires. For the most balanced handling and consistent performance across all winter weather conditions, it is strongly recommended to install a matching set of four snow tires.

It is important to understand that winter tires are optimized for cold, slippery surfaces and may provide less grip than your standard tires when driving on dry, clear pavement. Even when roads appear clear, continue to drive with caution and check with your tire manufacturer or a professional dealer for specific maximum speed recommendations for your chosen winter tires.

Furthermore, do not install studded tires on your Kia Telluride without first verifying regional and municipal regulations, as many areas enforce strict prohibitions or restrictions against their use due to road surface damage.

WARNING

Tire chains

Modern radial tires feature thinner sidewall construction, which can be vulnerable to damage from certain traditional metal tire chains. For this reason, fabric-based traction devices are generally recommended as a safer alternative for your Kia Telluride. Additionally, avoid mounting traditional metal chains on vehicles equipped with aluminum wheels, as the contact can easily mar or damage the wheel finish. If the use of tire chains is mandatory due to extreme conditions, strictly use:

• Fabric-type chains or traction aids specifically sized for 18, 20, and 21-inch tires.

Please note that any damage sustained by your Kia Telluride resulting from the improper selection, installation, or use of tire chains is not covered under the vehicle's manufacturer warranty.

When installing tire chains, ensure they are secured to the drive wheels as follows:

FWD or AWD systems:

• On FWD models, the front wheels provide the power, and therefore, the traction devices must be installed exclusively on the front tires.

• For AWD models of the Kia Telluride, tire chains must also be installed on the front tires only. To preserve the health of the AWD drivetrain, minimize the distance driven while chains are installed.

• Once chains are mounted, maintain a low speed. Should you hear any rhythmic clicking or metallic noise indicating the chains are making contact with the vehicle body or suspension, reduce your speed immediately until the noise subsides. To prevent long-term damage, remove the chains immediately upon reaching cleared, snow-free roads.

• Incorrectly sized or poorly installed chains can cause catastrophic damage to brake lines, suspension components, wheel wells, and the wheels themselves. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation manual precisely, ensuring the chains are as tight as possible. While chains are in use, never exceed 20 mph (30 km/h).

NOTE

Use high quality ethylene glycol coolant

Your Kia Telluride is factory-filled with high-quality ethylene glycol coolant, which is the only authorized formulation to be used in the system. This specialized coolant is essential because it proactively prevents corrosion within the cooling circuit, provides necessary lubrication for the water pump, and maintains a low freezing point. Ensure you replace or replenish the coolant strictly following the intervals found in the Maintenance section.

Before the arrival of winter, have your coolant tested by a professional to verify that its freezing point is appropriately calibrated for the lowest temperatures you expect to encounter.

Check 12V battery and cables

Cold weather places a significantly higher electrical load on the 12V battery system. Conduct a thorough visual inspection of the battery casing and cables as detailed in the Maintenance section. It is highly recommended to have your Kia Telluride serviced at an authorized Kia dealer to perform a professional battery health check and ensure it maintains a full charge capacity.

Change to “winter weight” oil if necessary

In regions experiencing extreme cold, transitioning to a lower-viscosity “winter weight” engine oil may be recommended to aid in cold starts. Please refer to the Recommended lubricants and capacities section for details. If you are uncertain about the appropriate oil viscosity for your specific driving environment, consult your local authorized Kia dealer for guidance.

Check spark plugs and ignition system

Regularly inspect your spark plugs according to the Scheduled maintenance service plan and replace them if signs of wear appear. Furthermore, perform a detailed check of all ignition wiring and related components to ensure there are no cracks, signs of aging, or potential electrical leakage.

To keep locks from freezing

To prevent door locks from seizing during a freeze, apply a small amount of an approved de-icer fluid or glycerin into the keyway. If ice has already formed over the lock, use an approved de-icing spray to dissolve it. Should the lock mechanism be frozen internally, a gently heated key may assist, but exercise extreme care when handling to avoid burning your fingers or damaging the key fob.

Use approved window washer anti-freeze

To ensure your visibility is never compromised, add an approved window washer anti-freeze solution to the reservoir, following the concentration instructions on the bottle. These solutions are available through authorized Kia dealers or reputable automotive parts retailers. Never attempt to use engine coolant or other non-automotive anti-freeze agents, as these substances can permanently damage the vehicle’s paint finish.

Don’t let your parking brake freeze

Under certain severe winter conditions, the parking brake may freeze if left applied, particularly when slush, snow, or water accumulates around the rear brake components. If there is a high risk of freezing, you may temporarily leave the parking brake disengaged while the Kia Telluride is shifted into P (Park). To ensure the vehicle remains stationary, always use wheel chocks to block the rear tires before releasing the parking brake.

Don’t let ice and snow accumulate under your vehicle

Deep snow and ice buildup under the fenders can interfere with critical mechanical systems, including steering and braking. When driving in heavy winter weather, periodically inspect the undercarriage to ensure that snow or ice is not obstructing the movement of the drive wheels or the steering linkage.

Carry emergency equipment

Depending on the regional weather severity, always stock your vehicle with a winter emergency kit. Recommended items include tire chains, heavy-duty tow straps, a powerful flashlight, emergency road flares, a bag of sand or salt for traction, a sturdy shovel, high-quality jumper cables, a window scraper, insulated gloves, a ground cloth, warm coveralls, and a thermal blanket.

Do not place objects or materials in the engine compartment

Never place cardboard, blankets, or any other insulating materials inside the engine compartment to retain heat. Such items can severely restrict airflow, lead to rapid engine overheating, or pose a major fire hazard. Any damage resulting from this practice is not covered under warranty.

Drive your vehicle when water vapor condenses and accumulates inside the exhaust pipes

If your Kia Telluride is left idling for extended periods during cold weather, water vapor may naturally condense and pool within the exhaust system.

While this accumulation may cause minor, temporary noise, it will drain effectively once the vehicle is driven at medium-to-high highway speeds, allowing the exhaust system to reach operating temperature and evaporate the remaining moisture.