Kia Sportage: Driving with a trailer / Parking on hills

Generally, if you have a trailer attached to your vehicle, you should not park your vehicle on a hill. People can be seriously or fatally injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged if they unexpectedly roll downhill.

However, if you ever have to park your trailer on a hill, here's how to do it:

1.Pull the vehicle into the parking space. Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the curb (right if headed downhill, left if headed up hill).

2.If the vehicle has an automatic transaxle, place the vehicle in P (Park).

3.Set the parking brake and shut off the engine.

4.Place chocks under the trailer wheels on the down hill side of the wheels.

5.Start the vehicle, hold the brakes, shift to neutral, release the parking brake and slowly release the brakes until the trailer chocks absorb the load.

6.Reapply the brakes, reapply the parking brake and shift the vehicle to P (Park) for automatic transaxle.

7.Shut off the vehicle and release the vehicle brakes but leave the parking brake set.

When you are ready to leave after parking on a hill

1. With the automatic transaxle in P (Park), apply your brakes and hold the brake pedal down while you:

• Start your engine;
• Shift into gear; and
• Release the parking brake.

2. Slowly remove your foot from the brake pedal.

3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.

4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.