Does the Kia Rio have a timing belt or chain?

It sounds like a pretty nitty-gritty tech question, but is the camshaft in the engine of the Kia Rio timing belt or chain driven? There’s a good reason for knowing the answer, though, as it determines whether you need to add a crucial routine maintenance step to your ownership. In cars with a toothed rubber timing belt, the belt and its tensioners need to be changed at an interval recommended by the car’s manufacturer to avoid expensive belt failures which can ruin the whole engine. Ignore this maintenance at your peril. The good news is the GL4C engine as used in the Kia Rio since 2016 uses a timing chain which should be good for the life of the engine and not need any extra maintenance.

Can I get a spare key copy for a recently purchased 2010 Kia Rio?

Yes, there are plenty of companies selling replacement keys for this car. The cost will depend on whether it’s a conventional key or an electronically coded key with a remote locking function built in to it. Just be careful if ordering online, though, as some replacement keys include only the hardware and not the internal electronics. In many cases, you need to source the replacement key and then have a locksmith physically cut the key so that it works in your car. In some cases, you may have to prove ownership of the car before the locksmith will do this. Some keys then need to be electronically coded to `talk’ to the vehicle. If you want a no hassle experience, there are even locksmiths who will come to you and cut the key on site, but you’ll pay a call-out fee as well as the cost of the key itself.

What would be your recommendation when buying a small new car for teenage children learning to drive?

The popular MG3 is the model you’re referring to and you’re right; it hasn’t been locally crash-tested. But it does lack some important safety gear. Enough, we reckon, to knock it off your short-list. The MG lacks, for instance, important driver aids such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance, nor can these features be had by spending more on a fancier version. Which leaves us with your other two choices, the Hyundai i30 and Kia Rio. Even then, you’ll need to option up beyond the base-model to get (some of) those safety features, but these are not expensive cars to begin with, so the jump might not be as bad as you think. The other car to consider would be the SP Pure version of the Mazda 2. At $23,690, it’s not over-priced but it does have low-speed (up to 30km/h) autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning as well as rear cross-traffic alert. And a manual transmission? The MG 3 no longer offers one, both the Hyundai i30 and the Kia Rio are available with a six-speed manual option. The Mazda 2 Pure SP is automatic only, but you can get a six-speed manual on the base-model Mazda 2. I agree that youngsters taught to drive a manual car tend to be better drivers, but that’s not a universally held view these days. And the fact is that most young drivers will never be presented with a clutch pedal in the future, raising the question of why learn in the first place? The reality is that learning to drive a manual car gives you extra mechanical awareness and extra ability to multi-task behind the wheel.

What car should I buy to replace my 2006 Toyota Corolla?

There are still plenty of great small cars around within your budget, Agnes, and they all have good safety packages (or we wouldn’t recommend them). Look at offerings such as the Suzuki Swift Navigator (with the optional autonomous emergency braking) for around $17,000 (plus on-road costs) or the Kia Rio S at around $19,000 or Kia Picanto S (one size smaller than the Rio) at closer to $16,000. Both the Kias also feature the brand’s excellent seven-year warranty, capped-price servicing and free roadside assistance which is great peace of mind. The Volkswagen Polo is a classy drive but a little more expensive at closer to $21,000 for the 85TSi Comfortline. Actually, to be honest, you’ve missed the boat on bargain small cars by a couple of years. Firm favourites such as the Toyota Yaris and Mazda 2 have both been updated relatively recently and have recorded big price jumps in the process. The cheapest Yaris with an automatic transmission is now around $23,000 (it was less than $17,000 back in 2018) while the Mazda 2 Maxx went from being a sub-$17,000 proposition in 2018 to a $23,000 car by the time you add an automatic transmission in 2020.

What should I do if the transmission warning sign comes on in my 2020 Kia Rio?

I wouldn’t be taking the car to a transmission specialist…yet. Since the car is still under warranty, you need to give Kia every chance to sort it out for you. The good news is that this won’t cost you a cent, whereas taking it to an independent repairer will start emptying your wallet. You’re doing the right thing by keeping a close watch on the transmission temperature readings (provided that’s not at the expense of watching the road) and if overheating was what caused the warning light to illuminate, then I’d be of the view that the transmission fluid should be changed (at the very least) and an investigation carried out into why the transmission overheated in the first place. I haven’t heard of a rash of problems with the Rio GT-Line’s seven-speed DCT transmission in Australia, but Kia’s DCT gearboxes in other models have been known to give problems in other countries. Given our typical summer ambient temperatures, we probably won’t be immune from the same problems. This is not a Kia thing, by the way, but seems to be one of many problems that have plagued DCT (double-clutch) gearboxes over the years from a variety of car-makers. The clutch packs in these gearboxes have to slip to work and that’s a well-known cause of heat in any transmission. If they slip enough, they could conceivably cause the transmission to overheat at which point it will trigger the warning light you’re seeing as well as not operating properly and potentially doing internal damage. Both Ford and Volkswagen have discovered this the hard way, replacing many double-clutch transmissions under warranty over the years. It’s a bit hard to see why so many manufacturers are persisting with this technology, especially when the modern, multi-ratio conventional automatic is so compact, light and efficient these days.

Skoda Fabia 2017: Would it make a good first car?

I think that a Kia Rio would be an excellent choice as a first car. Especially since a Rio built in the time frame you’re looking at will still have a big chunk of its factory warranty left to run. The Kia seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty is the best around, really, and provided the car you buy has a complete service record, that warranty will be real peace of mind. Also, the Rio is known to be a good, solid car that has a good reputation for reliability and durability. The Skoda Fabia, meantime, suffers from the poor reputation of is dual-clutch transmission. The Fabia is also a bit of an orphan in Australia, meaning that it’s largely overlooked by buyers. That means it will potentially be more difficult to unload when you daughter looks to upgrade her car in a few years.

Kia Rio 2019: Is it economical to run premium petrol?

The Kia Rio only requires 91RON unleaded. The engine is tuned for that octane rating, so you won’t gain anything, apart from more space in your wallet, by switching to 95 or 98RON fuel. Despite every premium petrol marketing campaign suggesting otherwise, running on more expensive fuel won’t gain you any performance or greater fuel economy, so stick with 91.

What car should I buy that is reliable and safe?

You’ve got a limited budget, which will determine the car you can buy. It will be a relatively old car, so buy one in the best condition you can find, with the lowest odometer reading, a good service history, and the best safety rating. Try a Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Kia Rio, and Hyundai i30 from 2008/2009.

Kia Rio 2019: Problems with sports shift

You’re possibly trying to downshift at a speed that’s higher than it was designed to do. Try downshifting at a lower engine speed.

What hatchback should I buy?

Most small hatchbacks have similar width footwells, so I would suggest you try the most popular ones, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30, Kia Rio etc. to find the one that’s best for you.

Kia Rio 2006 Problems

No car is perfect, but we've gathered everything relating to the Kia Rio 2006 reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Used Kia Rio review: 2000-2015

8 Dec 2015 · by Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy reviews the first generation, second generation and third generation Kia Rio, from 2001, 2007 and 2012, as a used buy.

Rio troublesome to start when warm

Answered by CarsGuide 16 Oct 2015

It's clearly a happy camper when it's cold and it's getting the cold settings, it's clearly not when the cold settings are not in play. It could be a problem with the ECU, the crank angle sensor, the oxygen sensor, or the idle setting. You really need to go to a mechanic who can diagnose the problem for you.

Engine

Used Kia Rio review: 2000-2013

10 Jun 2014 · by Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 2000-2013 Kia Rio.

Used Kia Rio review: 2000-2012

13 May 2013 · by Ewan Kennedy

Kia Rio is a small-medium South Korean car that has picked up significantly in Australia since the launch of the all-new model of September 2011. After two generations of Rios with conservative ...

Problem starting Kia Rio

Answered by CarsGuide 13 Jul 2011

Check the battery, it might not have enough grunt to crank the engine and start it. Batteries are under enormous pressure at this time of the year and if they’re a bit down it will show up.

Engine

Ask Smithy Xtra Kia Rio start-up issue

Answered by CarsGuide 12 Jul 2011

Check the battery, it might not have enough grunt to crank the engine and start it. Batteries are under enormous pressure at this time of the year and if they’re a bit down it will show up.

Engine

Ask Smithy Xtra Kia Rio transmission oil replacement

Answered by CarsGuide 7 Jun 2011

The 2.5 litres you’ve drained is the oil that’s in the sump, the rest of the oil is in the torque converter and valve body and other parts of the transmission. The only way to remove all the oil is to flush the transmission through the cooler system. When auto trans specialists service a transmission they normally drain it as you have done and replace it with fresh oil, in so doing they freshen it up rather than completely replace it.

Transmission

Kia gearbox service

Answered by CarsGuide 29 Sep 2010

Take it back to the Kia dealer and demand it be fixed. Leave it with them until you are convinced they have fixed it, don't drive it away unless they can demonstrate to your satisfaction that it is fixed. In the meantime demand a replacement cars to drive while yours is being fixed.

Transmission

Paintwork under attack

Answered by CarsGuide 24 Feb 2006

Your son should find somewhere to park where the birds can't leave their calling cards. If they do, it's important to clean off the deposits as soon as possible. He should keep a rag and some high-quality paint cleaner in his car so he can use it the first chance he has. Regular washing and polishing also helps keep up appearances.

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