- #20 of 49
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Re: 2005 Sportage MPG [boltguy]
by crazedcommuter
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Oct 15, 2006 (6:04 am)
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Replying to: boltguy (Oct 14, 2006 6:01 pm)
I live in the WV's Eastern Panhandle and am in Western Md. often, so we should get similar gas mileage after mine breaks-in. I don't have any of the vibration in the steering. Will a tire balance fix the issue? My Sportage came stock with the Goodrich T/A Traction Specs, what about yours? I bought the performance T/A Traction's 3 years ago as replacements for my work car and they were an excellent all around tire. I have read a few reviews on Tirerack.com about the T/A Specs wearing out at 20k miles. How have your's held up?
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- #21 of 49
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Re: 2005 Sportage MPG [crazedcommuter]
by boltguy
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Oct 17, 2006 (5:47 pm)
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Replying to: crazedcommuter (Oct 15, 2006 6:04 am)
I'm hoping a tire balance will fix the problem. The steering wheel shimmy gets worse when I'm braking hard. I hope that doesn't mean the brake rotors are warped. As for the T/A Specs, I think they're about average. I may make 40K on them, maybe. From what I've heard, the Specs aren't nearly as good as the original T/A Tractions. I'll definitely be looking for a different model tire when the time comes.
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- #22 of 49
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Re: 2005 Sportage MPG [boltguy]
by crazedcommuter
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Oct 29, 2006 (6:37 am)
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Replying to: boltguy (Oct 17, 2006 5:47 pm)
No problems at 1850 miles. Last tank mileage was 18 mpg in all city driving. We're off to a college soccer game in Columbia, Md. this weekend and we'll get a good concentration of highway miles.
My wife took it to Hersey, Pa. last weekend and claimed that the steering was pulling to the right on I-81, but I checked it out and didn't find the problem. Maybe the wind? It was blowing pretty good that day. Our friend went with us to the Prime Outlets last week and commented about how much nicer the interior of the Sportage is as compared to his Jeep Grand Cherokee along with a better ride. He's in the market for a new suv and said that he will test drive the Kia's 1st to see if the other suv's can measure up.
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- #23 of 49
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Re: 2005 Sportage MPG [crazedcommuter]
by boltguy
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Oct 30, 2006 (8:25 pm)
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Replying to: crazedcommuter (Oct 29, 2006 6:37 am)
I've also had passengers comment on how smooth the ride is in my '05. A little more insulation in the floor area, and this cute ute would be extremely quiet. Its already pretty nice. My steering was a little off when I first bought it, and had an alignment done under warranty, the only warranty item I've had so far.
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- #24 of 49
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Re: 2005 Sportage MPG [boltguy]
by jamieanne
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Nov 26, 2006 (9:53 am)
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Replying to: boltguy (Oct 30, 2006 8:25 pm)
I have an 05 AWD Sportage with lots of extras. I love the car with the exception of the mpg. I live in a valley with flat long roads mostly 50 mph. I work in a small town, not too much stop and start or waiting at lights so I wouldn't consider this city driving. I'm an easy on the car driver. My mileage is only 18.5 tops - lower if I go to the city or into the mountains. I complained to Kia - they responded with a brochure about how to drive efficiently. When I call the dealer, they tell me to change to premium gas which contradicts advice in the users manual. They also point to the small print on the sticker saying I should expect 16 to 29 mpg, so I am in the range. They also say, contrary to the advice of another poster that I must use the Kia filters no matter where I get my oil changed. hmm. Really, I feel stonewalled by the Kia dealership and the company. In my opinion they need to fix this problem.
I also see that the new advertising for the Sportage claims high fuel economy. Phooey!!
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- #25 of 49
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Kia mileage and filters
by crazedcommuter
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Nov 27, 2006 (8:08 am)
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Replying to: jamieanne (Nov 26, 2006 9:53 am)
Well I guess Kia is advertizing the "good" mileage of the Sportage compared to the Nissan Armada, Chevy Tahoe, or the Ford Explorer. I have friends with those vehicles and they are real gas hogs. The friend with the Armada is chomping at the bit to get rid of it due to the 10-12 city mpg. The loan is upside down so they are stuck with it for a few years. I hadn't heard about the Kia filter issue. I've run Purolator and Mobil 1 filters for years and testing shows these 2 filters to be top notch.
Did Kia tell you that the warranty is void if you use another brand name filter?
I knew before I bought it that the Sportage was not the greatest mpg suv. It is on a par with the Honda Element, CRV, Ford Escape, etc. The ride and interior are nicer than my Chevy Blazer and my friend's Grand Cherokee. I really want a hybrid suv but will wait for the prices and the technology to improve.
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- #26 of 49
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Re: Kia mileage and filters [crazedcommuter]
by csandste
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Dec 30, 2006 (1:44 pm)
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Replying to: crazedcommuter (Nov 27, 2006 8:08 am)
"Did Kia tell you that the warranty is void if you use another brand name filter?"
Having just bought an Optima this certainly caught my eye.
Do they give you the filter free? If not, that practice would be a blatant violation of Magnuson-Moss.
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- #27 of 49
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Re: Kia mileage and filters [csandste]
by crazedcommuter
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Dec 30, 2006 (6:28 pm)
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Replying to: csandste (Dec 30, 2006 1:44 pm)
I just hit the 3,000 mile mark on the Sportage. I have not yet changed the oil as the owners manual states 7,500 for the change, but I have traditionally dropped the oil on new vehicles at 3,000. I usually do all my oil changes with synthetic. As far as the exclusive use of KIA filters is concerned, I will call my neighbor who is the manager of the dealer from where i bought it. I will post his response. How do you like the new Optima?
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- #28 of 49
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Re: 2005 Sportage MPG [jamieanne]
by mkennett
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Feb 08, 2007 (10:18 am)
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Replying to: jamieanne (Nov 26, 2006 9:53 am)
just wanted to let you know the dealer cannot make you use any certain product and cannot void your warrenty for not using a Kia filter it is federal law in the United States. Look up "magnuson-moss warranty act" for more information and if the dealer still claims that you have to use a Kia filter i would call your state attorney because they are trying to scare you and being dishonest.
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- #29 of 49
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Bad Gas Mileage
by renzo07
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Feb 09, 2007 (11:27 pm)
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Hi Im Renzo, I'm from Albuquerque, NM and we just recently bought a brand new 2006 Kia Sportage EX 4WD, Fully loaded, Leather Interior, Sunroof, And We Love it, but It does terrible on gas, We Have to fill it up almost every 2-3 days and it's just not working for us, but we love it to pieces, its comfortable the ride is impressive and incredible, but I need advice in the Gas, Do I need to use Premium Gasoline, Or What Do I do? Also I need to take it in monday for a defective tire!!! Thanks!!! 
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