What problems does this car have? Very often I am asked this question by clients who have just bought a car or are just choosing which model to buy. I thought it would be nice to write a series of articles on the topic of diseases of certain cars to help the buyer in his choice. Since I worked as a car diagnostician for a long timeKia andHyundai I will write mainly about cars of these two brands.
In this article we will look at what owners of such a popular car as the Kia Rio Rb may encounter - this is a third generation model, 2011. Some information about the model:
- Start of production: 2011.
- Place of production: Hyundai plant in St. Petersburg.
- Body types: 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback and 3-door hatchback.
- Engines: Gamma 1.4 (107 hp) and 1.6 (123 hp).
- Transmission: 5-speed Manual transmission, 6-speed Manual transmission, 4-speed Automatic transmission, 6-speed Automatic transmission.
- Length: Sedan – 4366 mm, Hatch. – 4046 mm.
- Width: 1720 mm.
- Clearance: 160 mm.
- Safety: overall Euro NCAP rating 5 stars.
Door sills for Kia Rio 3, 4 and X-line
Kia Rio body, inside and outside
The body of the Kia Rio car is galvanized. There is some anti-corrosion coating. In general, we can say that the Rio is reliably protected from corrosion. Working with these cars every day, I almost never saw a rusty Rio. You can often find the opinion online that the paintwork of Koreans is very thin and unreliable, and that chips and cracks often occur from small stones. I can’t agree with this, much less count it among the significant shortcomings of this machine. Chips happen on absolutely all cars of any brand.
As for the interior decoration, I must admit, the quality of the plastic is not the highest. The instrument panel elements and the center console are made of rigid materials. Creaks and “crickets” are a common occurrence on the Rio, as on many cars in this price range. In general, the sound insulation of the Rio is quite mediocre. In the cabin, you can clearly hear the noise from the contact of the wheels with the road surface, the operation of the engine and suspension. This can be eliminated by making additional sound insulation of the car.
What often breaks:
- Heated seats, heating elements burn out.
- Power window button blocks. Can be easily repaired.
- Blocks of radio control buttons on the steering wheel. They just have to be changed.
All these breakdowns are eliminated and can hardly be considered decisive when choosing a car, but some amount, if any, should be “thrown off” from the selling price.
Repairing a heated seat, replacing it with a universal one, will cost up to $50. Repair of window lifter buttons - up to 1 thousand rubles, radio buttons with replacement up to $70. Prices are approximate if done at a dealership.
Cap with Kia logo! Price 338 rub.
Engine problems
The third generation Kia Rio has only two engines: 1.4 and 1.6 liters. Both are chain engines, which means you don’t have to change the timing belt every 60 thousand, which can be considered a plus. The chain runs for quite a long time, replacement according to regulations at 120 thousand mileage only in case of extraneous noise from the chain caused by its stretching. This happens extremely rarely.
Engine Gamma, Kia Rio 3
Kia Rio engines have a service life of 250 thousand km. This means that by such a mileage, most engines may experience significant wear of the cylinder-piston group, which means replacing the cylinder block (short block) assembly with a new one. The motors are aluminum and do not have repair dimensions for grooving. That is, you cannot order repair size pistons; they simply are not produced. Of course, replacing a cylinder block is very expensive, so a block liner service has appeared on our market. Thus, you can save a lot, but the cost of repairs will still be at least $1,500.
Tweeters (high purity speakers in the door) for Kia Rio.
By the mileage of 60 - 90 thousand in Rio, the catalytic exhaust gas converter (catalyst) often fails. It itself is expensive, so, unfortunately, in our country it is often not replaced, but simply knocked out. This results in more toxic exhaust and a louder exhaust sound.
But the breakdown of the catalyst itself is not as significant as the possible consequences. Structurally, the catalyst on Rio engines is located very close to the cylinder head. Because of this, when the catalyst breaks down, ceramic dust from it is sucked into the cylinders. It acts like an emery stone on the surface of the cylinder, leading to rapid wear and scuffing. The engine loses compression and consumes oil. You have to repair (liner) or replace the cylinder block. Therefore, if you “missed” the destruction of the catalyst, you will have to shell out a large sum for engine repairs.
If the Rio is equipped with gas equipment, you will have to keep in mind that the engine design does not have hydraulic compensators. This means that the valve clearances are adjusted manually. On a car with LPG, you will have to do this once every 40-90 thousand km, depending on the driving style and the quality of the LPG settings. The adjustment procedure is complicated and costs about $150 on official services.
Ignition coils often break on Rio. There are 4 of them, one per cylinder. The cost of one original is about $50. Usually occurs on runs over 50,000 km. The cause of the breakdown may be spark plugs that were not replaced in time.
At a mileage of about 50,000, a strong whistle may appear from under the hood of the Rio, especially on a cold engine. The cause of the whistle is usually the additional belt tensioner mechanism. equipment or the belt itself. Price: belt 900 rubles, tensioner 5000 rubles.
As far as engines go, that’s probably all.
Transmission
The manual transmission is reliable and does not have any common problems.
The machine is also quite simple and unpretentious, but still has some problems. At mileages of about 100,000, and sometimes earlier, jerking and shock may appear when switching. Another common symptom is a delay in engaging the reverse gear: you engage reverse, release the brake pedal, but the car does not move, after a second or two the gear is engaged and the movement begins. All these automatic problems can be treated by replacing the automatic transmission valve block. The price for this part is high, so be sure to check the car for these problems before purchasing. But this cannot be said that this is a very common malfunction.
Suspension
The suspension design is simple: MacPherson strut at the front, semi-independent split beam at the rear.
At mileages of 15 - 30 thousand, the stabilizer struts may begin to knock. Less commonly, wear on the stabilizer bushings occurs. Replacing these spare parts will not break your pocket, so it is difficult to call this a significant drawback.
In general, everything is simple at the back and there is practically nothing to break.
The Kia Rio's suspension is quite stiff, like many other cars in this class. Due to this rigidity and bad roads, wheel bearings sometimes fail at mileage of 50–60 thousand. Shock absorbers and springs last a long time, again, if you try, you can kill them at 50 thousand, but these are special cases.
On the first Rio, owners complained of a knock in the steering mechanism. The cause was the rack bushing. On cars produced in 2012, this factory defect has been eliminated.
In all Rios, the following symptom is sometimes encountered: the steering wheel rotates with uneven force, sometimes tightly, sometimes more easily, depending on the position of the steering wheel. The reason is in the steering rack, or more precisely, in the spool valve that bypasses the fluid flow. It can be replaced separately.
Results
So, when buying a used Rio, I advise be sure to check the following:
- Engine: do computer diagnostics and measure compression (nominal value 12.5 kg/cm2, difference between cylinders no more than 1 kg/cm2).
- Automatic transmission: also comp. diagnostics and test drive, make sure the gear shifts smoothly. Try changing gears from D to R on the spot, at idle speed, and make sure that the car starts off on a flat surface without pressing the gas pedal, There is no delay, and there is no noticeable impact when switching.
- Suspension: do a general diagnostic of the chassis with a mandatory check of all wheel bearings and a check of the steering rack. At idle, in place, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock, the rotation should be uniform, the force applied to the steering wheel should not change.
- Body: check the paintwork using a paint thickness gauge, this way you will find out whether the car was involved in an accident. The factory paintwork on the Kia Rio has a thickness of 120 - 140 microns.
Alexander Sokolov
What will be the minimum price: 1.4 manual (107 hp), front airbags, air conditioning, on-board computer, audio preparation (4 speakers), front electric windows.
Reviews of Kia Rio (sedan, hatchback):
Appearance:
- The air intake grille and the headlights framed in black give it a nice, harmonious look and a little bit of sporty aggressiveness.
In the cabin:
- Nice and informative dashboard
- The stove heats up cool, I don’t even turn it on full
- The plastic is hard, scratches easily and quickly starts to rattle
- Crickets in the dashboard and in the back, somewhere in the trunk area
- The air conditioner does not always cope with its tasks if the car is in the sun
- There is either room for passengers in the back or not. If the driver is taller than the sitting dog, then behind him there will be 10-15 centimeters of legroom for the passenger.
- It’s a bit cramped, the upper edge of the windshield “presses” in front, and the ceiling in the back. Here the Kia Rio is a minus.
- Problem with the seat heating: it’s stepless, once it’s warm, you have to turn it off, otherwise you’ll get fried
- 500 liters in such and such a little thing, 4 R16 wheels fit without problems and there is still room.
- if you fold the seats, the already rather large trunk becomes hefty - 1400 liters. I took a 140 cm bathtub, I took a sofa to the kitchen, from the outside and you can’t say that it will fit
Paintwork:
- Many people write that Koreans have a weak point - paintwork. This is true, both the varnish and the paint are applied very thinly, chipping often occurs down to the ground. Chips occur especially often on the front bumper, hood and fenders. Small, a millimeter or two - but a lot
Controllability:
- goes well on the highway, turns easily and predictably
- The steering wheel is bold when turning – the steering is quite sharp
- pleasant, correct electric power steering: when you park it turns easily, and at speed the steering wheel is filled with just the right amount of weight to feel control over the road.
- Fits through cracks in traffic jams great
Softness:
- The suspension is a bit harsh, you can't fly over the rails - your teeth are chattering
- very stiff suspension, you feel every hole with your butt
Speed:
- on a manual, but empty - drives great from a traffic light
- Automatic dynamics are so-so
Transmission:
- I really like the easy and precise shifting manual transmission.
- automatic transmission. seemed a little dull, on the highway when overtaking, I press on the gas - we only go for about a second and a half - something is too much
- Automatic transmission is slow and sometimes jerks when shifting
Brakes:
- When braking for the first time after parking for the night, something slows down so-so
Noise insulation:
- Where is this sound insulation? She’s not there, you can hear everything, as if the windows are open
- Due to the lack of sound insulation, it is normal to drive 60-80 km/h in the city, 100-120 on the highway. Then the engine howls, the road rattles, it’s even a little scary
Reliability:
- the car proved to be quite reliable, it did not suddenly and unexpectedly stop
- Only the trunk lock broke in two and a half years.
- For forty-seven thousand, two light bulbs burned out: the fog light and the license plate light. And that’s it, I only went to the service for maintenance.
- Closer to 100,000 mileage, hydraulic compensators begin to knock - this is a Kia Rio disease
Patency:
- as usual with such cars, the ground clearance is low (on a village road you can get caught by the protection), parking is not convenient everywhere, the thresholds jammed several times
- The ground clearance is very small - in winter you will sit in any snowdrift, and they will pull you out with no less than a jeep
Operating cost:
- inexpensive to maintain if serviced by a decent service center where the craftsmen are not inclined to cheat you out of money
- you don’t spend much more on repairs and maintenance of a Kia Rio than on a VAZ 2112
- There are not the slightest problems with spare parts, in the online store non-original consumables cost about the same as for a Lada
- Eats 92 gasoline, in the city with light traffic jams, but with air conditioning - 9 liters, on the highway without an air conditioner 5 liters, with it under 7
- when fully loaded, fuel consumption is high for a generally small car: in the city - up to 12 liters per 100 km. More details about the consumption of Kia Rio -
In cold weather:
- up to -30 when parked on the street it starts from the first turn
Other details:
- There is a USB input, it’s a cool thing and conveniently located. Music from the flash drive works great, no lag
- The beeper is cheerful, loud, everyone around reacts correctly
- Easy to sell, loses little in price
View Kia Rio technical data
and compare it with your current car or other models that interest you
Modification III Sedan 1.4 AT (107 hp) (2011-...) III Sedan 1.4 MT (107 hp) (2011-...) III Sedan 1.6 AT (123 hp) 4- speed (2011-2014) III Sedan 1.6 AT (123 hp) 6-speed (2014-...) III Sedan 1.6 MT (123 hp) 5-speed (2011-2014) III Sedan 1.6 MT (123 hp) 6-speed (2014-...) III Hatchback 5 doors. 1.1d MT (75 hp) (2011-...) III Hatchback 5 doors. 1.3 MT (85 hp) (2011-...) III Hatchback 5 doors. 1.4 AT (107 hp) (2011-...) III Hatchback 5 doors. 1.4 MT (107 hp) (2011-...) III Hatchback 5 doors. 1.4d MT (90 hp) (2011-...) III Hatchback 5 doors. 1.6 AT (123 hp) 4-speed (2011-2014) III Hatchback 5 doors. 1.6 AT (123 hp) 6-speed (2014-...) III Hatchback 5 doors. 1.6 MT (123 hp) 5-speed (2011-2014) III Hatchback 5 doors. 1.6 MT (123 hp) 6-speed (2014-...) III Hatchback 3 doors. 1.1d MT (75 hp) (2011-...) III Hatchback 3 doors. 1.3 MT (85 hp) (2011-...) III Hatchback 3 doors. 1.4 AT (107 hp) (2011-...) III Hatchback 3 doors. 1.4 MT (107 hp) (2011-...) III Hatchback 3 doors. 1.4d MT (90 HP) (2011-...) II Sedan 1.4 AT (97 HP) (2005-2011) II Sedan 1.4 MT (97 HP) (2005-2011) II Sedan 1.5d MT (109 hp) (2005-2011) II Sedan 1.6 AT (112 hp) (2005-2011) II Sedan 1.6 MT (112 hp) (2005-2011) II Hatchback 5 doors 1.4 AT (97 hp) (2005-2011) II Hatchback 5 doors. 1.4 MT (97 hp) (2005-2011) II Hatchback 5 doors. 1.5d MT (109 hp) (2005-2011) II Hatchback 5 doors. 1.6 AT (112 hp) (2005-2011) II Hatchback 5 doors. 1.6 MT (112 HP) (2005-2011) I Sedan 1.3 MT (75 HP) (2000-2002) I Sedan 1.3 MT (82 HP) (2002-2005) I Sedan 1.5 AT (108 hp) (2000-2005) I Sedan 1.5 AT (97 hp) (2003-2005) I Sedan 1.5 AT (98 hp) (2001-2003) I Sedan 1.5 MT (108 hp) (2000-2005) I Sedan 1.5 MT (97 hp) (2003-2005) I Sedan 1.5 MT (98 hp) (2001-2003) I Sedan 1.6 AT (105 hp) s.) (2003-2005) I Sedan 1.6 MT (105 hp) (2003-2005) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.3 AT (82 hp) (2002-2005) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.3 MT (75 hp) (2000-2002) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.3 MT (82 hp) (2002-2005) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.5 AT (108 hp) (2000-2005) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.5 AT (97 hp) (2003-2005) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.5 AT (98 hp) (2000-2003) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.5 MT (108 hp) (2000-2005) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.5 MT (97 hp) (2003-2005) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.5 MT (98 hp) (2000-2003) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.6 AT (105 hp) (2003-2005) I Station wagon 5 doors. 1.6 MT (105 hp) (2003-2005)
➖ Vibrations in the cabin
➖ Quality of finishing materials
➖ Noise insulation
pros
➕ Suspension
➕ Cost-effective
➕ Music
The advantages and disadvantages of the 2018-2019 Kia Rio in the new body were identified based on reviews from real owners. More detailed pros and cons of the 4th generation Kia Rio 1.4 and 1.6 with manual and automatic can be found in the stories below.
Owner reviews
First impressions of the car are the most positive. The engine gets up to temperature much faster than my Opel and stays there longer after switching off. The transition from 90 horses to 123 is very noticeable. I tried it on the Moscow highway, the speed is moderate, the engine runs easily. I'm driving at 120 km/h, but I feel like I'm driving at 80 km/h in my Opel.
The suspension works very well. The music sounds no worse than what I had before, but there I put a lot into it, but here everything is already there. Connecting your phone via Bluetooth is a convenient thing. The engine is practically inaudible. There is no aerodynamic noise. There are a bunch of different heating options, but it’s impossible to evaluate this now; we’ll evaluate it in the winter.
Cons: the wheels are clearly audible, blurring the impression. During warming up, a vibration is felt, I also felt it yesterday when I was making my way to my garage in traffic jams, mainly in 1st gear. Let's see what the run-in will give. The new plastic interior, of course, smells, but it’s not at all the smell that I felt in the new Renault Dusters. After them, my face burned until the evening, although I am not allergic.
Review of the new Kia Rio 1.6 manual 2017
Video review
Among the advantages, I would like to note the appearance, pleasant interior decoration. Clear transmission gear shifting. They say it's still warm in winter - we'll check. The radio receiver deserves special praise; it has never gone silent anywhere. A spacious shelf behind the passengers makes it good for transporting seedlings to the dacha.
You won’t be able to start quickly and butt heads at traffic lights. The clutch pedal is soft. The engine does not pull at the bottom, the torque is stretched. At speed it starts to prowl like a dog on a leash, but it won’t be boring on the road. The engine vibrates along with the seat and interior - don’t despair, not everyone has a vibrating seat at home, but they will have one in their car!
Elena Medvedeva, review of the new Kia Rio 1.6 (123 hp) manual transmission 2017
Modern look, the interior has become larger, but not by much. We wanted a mechanic, but this configuration is no longer available. I had to take an automatic, and they were right - it shifts clearly and smoothly, and the consumption has not increased significantly. With a full tank, it lasts for 750 km according to the computer. In reality, I think it won’t be much different.
The suspension has become better, softer, just right for our roads. It’s a long way from Logan, of course, but it’s not the same as the last one, where every joint was felt on the body. Added parking sensors, bluetooth, nice things. The lens headlights shine with a bang. Heated rear seats for children in winter are good.
Compared to the previous version, I was surprised by the lack of thermal and noise insulation of the hood... although the engine runs quietly. The spare wheel is full-size, but stamped! Although the car has disks, and there was a disk in the previous one.
Textile. Although the equipment is listed as “Prestige”, the material has become worse and can be treated with covers. And it killed me that there is no fabric door upholstery inside the cabin in ANY configuration! There is also no leather upholstery anywhere on the panel, which looked like a 5 on the last one!
With a good suspension, they installed terrible stock Nexxen tires, a complete pipe! They are noisy and do not maintain their trajectory, despite the fact that the car has become heavier. Initially the consumption was on average 11 liters. Yes, you have to pay for the automatic... I drove the first 1,000 km, fell, but not much, I would like to increase it to 9 liters.
Review of Kia Rio 1.6 (123 hp) with automatic transmission 2017
Where can I buy?
Transmission. We chose a manual transmission because the automatic transmission on the previous car was a little dull. The pedal had to be either pressed to the floor or released for the transmission to finally switch. It is impossible to catch the middle position.
Engine. There is enough power for overtaking. The gear is lower and you can overtake. OSAGO is cheap, 4,200 rubles per year, for two people with his wife.
Exterior. The car looks great, and better in person than in the photo. We chose white because it combines beauty and practicality.
Interior. Ergonomic and beautiful. I like the red backlight. The instrument panel is beautiful, the lighting turns on smoothly, gradually. The multifunction steering wheel makes me happy. The plastic on the dashboard is easily soiled (it’s better not to touch it with your fingers). The interior is spacious, but it will be a bit cramped for two big men in the front seats in down jackets in winter.
Noise insulation. Fine. It's good in the city, a little noisy on the highway, but not critical. In the future I want to glue the arches, doors, hood, and trunk. Along with replacing the standard speakers. It feels like you are playing low quality music.
Consumption. On a 1,000 km long highway, the consumption was 5.7-6.0 liters. In the city in winter 10 l. In cold weather with warm ups 12-14 liters.
Review of the new Kia Rio 1.4 manual 2017
What I liked:
1. The engine is torquey and overtakes confidently, especially when you push through the kickdown.
2. Decent light and very well-illuminated fog lights (give a clear boundary).
3. Handles well at high speeds (130-140 km/h).
4. Good climate control (warms up quickly and maintains the set temperature).
5. You can drive with low fuel consumption (at a speed of 90-100 km/h it fits into 6 liters).What I didn't like:
1. There is no armrest in this configuration (Lux package).
2. No Bluetooth.Now about the breakdowns. In less than two weeks and 3,000 km, the lamp in the central lamp burned out (or maybe for some other reason the lamp stopped working, today I’m going to the dealer).
Review of Kia Rio 4 1.6 (123 hp) with automatic transmission 2017
Kia Rio cars in their quality indicators are often close to models of famous Japanese brands. Their popularity in Russia has recently grown greatly, which is clearly evident from the increasing sales. KIA RIO manufacturers continue to improve this car, correcting design weaknesses. However, there are certain components in KIA RIO cars that more often than others fail and require repair.
Machine components that most often break down
Among these problem areas, first of all, it is necessary to note: -gearbox; – cooling radiator; – fuel system; – electrical wiring and electrical equipment; – individual parts of the body. Of course, if we talk, for example, about the fuel system, it does not mean that it is bad and no good. The point is that the fuel system is designed for a very specific brand of gasoline and fails if the fuel is not completely standard. The same goes for problems with electrical equipment, which sometimes cannot withstand the harsh conditions of the Russian winter.
The most common problems and types of repairs
Below is a description of breakdowns typical for Rio and the main methods for repairing them.
Transmission
The main signs of a malfunctioning gearbox are as follows:
- slipping when switching between gears;
- strange vibration at speed;
- jerking when accelerating;
- the required gear cannot be engaged.
If the listed symptoms are noticed, then it is necessary to repair the gearbox as quickly as possible. It should be borne in mind that repairing a gearbox is a very complex undertaking that requires a lot of time. The specifics of gearbox repair require that it be carried out by a team of at least two workers.
Cooling radiator
A common disease of KIA RIO is rapid contamination of the radiator. The main signs of a radiator leaving its normal state are: – antifreeze leak; – rapid engine overheating; – slow engine cooling. When repairing a radiator after dismantling it, it is necessary to identify damaged areas. To do this, place the radiator in water and watch for air bubbles rising from the leakage points. If the radiator has cracks or holes, it must be replaced with a new one. However, if you have certain skills, you can try to repair a damaged radiator yourself. To do this, you can try soldering weak points, using a special paste (cold welding), or pouring stop reagents into the radiator. In the best case, you can drive a repaired radiator for several years, but for the most part it starts leaking again very quickly and at inconvenient times. Therefore, the best way to repair a radiator is to replace it with a new one.
Fuel system
The main sign of a fuel system malfunction is gasoline leaking from the fuel tank. The main reasons for the appearance of a puddle of gasoline is damage to the gas tank or filler pipe. You cannot drive a car with such defects. A damaged fuel tank or filler pipe must be replaced immediately.
Electrical wiring and electrical equipment
As in most cars, the operating voltage of the negative grounding of the electrical equipment system of a KIA RIO car is 12 volts. Such voltage is not very dangerous to life, but in the event of a short circuit it can lead to failure of many electrical appliances and even to fire. Operating electrical equipment in Russian conditions can cause quite a lot of unpleasant moments. In this regard, it is necessary to regularly check the stability of the insulation and fastening of electrical wires. You need to make sure that the wires do not fray or touch each other.
The electrical system of the KIA RIO car is reliably protected from overloads by special fuses. They are located in two panels, one of which is located near the driver's seat, and the other in the engine compartment. When lights, bulbs, sensors and any other equipment fail, it is often enough to find the appropriate fuse and replace it with a new one. To carry out such a replacement, you do not need to contact the service station.
The main thing is not to confuse standard fuses with main fuses for high current.
Body problems
Corrosion of the KIA RIO body occurs quite often in our climate. Like any other car, the body of a KIA RIO may experience various scratches, chips, dents, violation of the geometry of body parts, and the like. In fact, many car enthusiasts can handle poor body repairs. But high-quality repairs, in which the geometry and surface of damaged body parts are completely restored to factory condition, can only be performed by experienced craftsmen using modern high-tech equipment.
In general, KIA RIO has an excellent paint coating, as well as excellent anti-corrosion treatment. A relatively weak point here is the sometimes observed accumulation of moisture in the trunk and, in connection with this, the development of local corrosion. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to carefully monitor such weak nodes and in a timely manner. BUT still, the main problem of the KIA RIO, like any other car, is the occurrence of mechanical damage associated with accidents or bad roads. To eliminate body damage, local or complex repairs are used. During local repairs, the original shape of the body is restored without replacing it with a new part. During a comprehensive repair, a part or parts of the body are removed and replaced with new ones. Also, body repair almost always includes paintwork, which is carried out using special paint sprayers in drying chambers.
All types of KIA RIO car repairs are best carried out in specialized technical centers of Kia dealers.
We will talk about the second generation Kia Rio; in fact, this is the brother of the Hyundai Verna ( ZR, 2012, No. 5 ). Let us remind you: the generally good “Vern” was let down most of all by its extremely unreliable electric power steering. The problem has not been resolved to this day, and the company’s representative office is silent.
There are fewer complaints about the Rio in terms of amplifier: before restyling, the model was equipped with a proven power steering, and after that - with an electric steering system, but not the same as that of the Verna. Hyundai uses capricious resistive torque sensors, while Kia uses optical ones. There was still a fly in the ointment: many owners complained about extraneous knocks in the steering mechanism. There was even a recall campaign, during which dealers changed the plastic bushings if tightening the spring-loaded rack pins did not help. More often the right bushing came loose, but the left one was also replaced at the same time: if the mechanism is disassembled and the bushings are relatively cheap, this solution is logical.
The lower universal joint of the steering shaft often made knocking noises - it became loose on the splines. This connection was simply filled with additional lubricant.
Steering ends last 60–70 thousand km, rods last two to three times longer. Moreover, the rods are replaced separately from the steering mechanism, which is now becoming less and less common.
LUCKY
The reliability of Hyundai-Kia cars depends to a large extent on which model was the pioneer in introducing new components and assemblies or fine-tuning old ones. “Rio,” one might say, was lucky: perhaps only the starter fell on its shoulders.
LET'S GET TO KNOW
Always remember about the poor placement of the climate control knob, designed to select the temperature: one wrong move and your knee breaks the circuit board of the device. It is specially made openwork in order to prevent injury in the event of an accident, but it breaks easily even with light pressure on the handle.
In frosty weather, the starter often fails. A trip to the dealer on a tow truck usually does not help - while the paperwork is being completed, the car warms up in the repair area and the starter comes to life. This floating defect has become so widespread that it united the owners on the club forum kiarioclub.ru . The company's representative office was silent on this matter. A survey organized at the forum revealed an interesting detail: the widespread nature of the defect began to appear at the end of 2010. It turned out that the starter manufacturer changed the design on August 27, 2010 and assigned a different catalog number to the unit. The old one was 3610026850 or 3610026852, and the new one was 3610026810 or 3610026860. No one really knows what exactly was changed: the representation, as was said, is water
I got it in my mouth, and dealers don’t repair starters. At best, they replace it under warranty. And at the same time they note that in 90% of cases the problem is solved by simply tightening and lubricating the power terminals of the solenoid relay.
DOES NOT POOR THE FURROWS
All engines are time-tested, once developed by Mitsubishi and have proven themselves well on Getz ( ZR, 2007, No. 11 ), "Matrix" ( 2008, № 4 ), "Elantra" ( 2009, № 6 ). With the advent of the electric booster, the power steering pump disappeared and the drive of the mounted units changed. With the timing belt, everything is the same as before: a toothed belt drives the exhaust camshaft, and the intake camshaft is connected to it by a separate chain at the rear of the unit (in the area of the fourth cylinder). We change the timing belt after 60 thousand km (according to the new regulations after 90 thousand km), and the chain is best done at the 120th thousand. Although it is often enough for up to 180 thousand km. When buying a used car, if you are not sure of its actual mileage, it is better to replace the belt and roller preventively.
Numerous firmware updates to the control unit have not made the engines less demanding on fuel quality. But they are tolerant of high resin content - the valves work without problems. True, dealers recommend washing the injectors without dismantling every 30–45 thousand km (this removes carbon deposits from the valves and their guides). We definitely change the candles after such an injection. High-voltage wires usually last 80–100 thousand km.
The engine radiator is less durable. Under the influence of reagents, it begins to leak along the lower left rolling after 60 thousand km (about 10% of cases). Keep an eye on the antifreeze level: if you miss it, the engine may suffer irreversible thermal shock!
The exhaust system has a corrugation connecting the manifold to the resonator. It lives for a long time, unlike the analogue on the Getz, since it is moved further away from the engine and its additional protection. But if the engine compartment protection is jammed and touches the corrugation, it will probably gnaw a hole in it. The infiltrated fresh air confuses the oxygen sensor, which fools the engine control unit. The Check Engine light comes on and your gas mileage skyrockets.
SOMEONE'S SLIPPERS
“Rio” put together suspension parts from its half-brothers and sisters: some from the Getz, some from the Elantra. From “Verna” I received rear shock absorbers that were leaking at 40 thousand kilometers; they also make noise. You can deal with knocking noises by placing foam rings under the boot. But it’s better to install Koni shock absorbers.
