The Kia Sorento Thread [Merged]

[jrln]

Last time i checked, i did 5.8kms/ liter. But this was after i got my sorento from service last week. Mechanics there probably had heavy right feet. Before that i was doing 7-7.5kms/ liter mixed city and highway. Will probably get better after a few thousand kilometers.

An update on my Sorento though, I found a small patch of bubbles on my tailgate's paint. Seems like rust. My Sorento is less than a month old.

we average 8.5 mixed city and highway. parang mababa yata ang 7-7.5 average mo.

kawawa ka naman sa sorento mo. baka tama si oldblue - new-old stock yan na may mga problema talaga. just guessing though.

[short]

well, you guys are right, it's the last LX a/t sorento they had. was probably with the dealer since may or june 2006. what attracted me to it were the upgrades that came with the unit, power side mirrors, power antenna and 6 speaker stereo. well, who would've known that there would be a catch, or a lot of catches! i will be going back to the dealer tomorrow to deal with the remaining problems, how i wish i could ask for a replacement unit. i'm a bit concerned by the bubbles on my paint, there may be much more rust lurking in the hidden sheet metal!

[oldblue]

they gave the upgrades for free on your particular unit?

[gregg_g]

I did a 6km/L before, when I was really pushing my Sorento, but right now I am averaging 8 km/L... Sometimes you have to be light-footed, anyway you don't have to step on the gas deeply because the Sorento has that low-end torque, to push you through...

[jrln]

remember the clock on our sorento that went dead together with the remote unlock that wont function, the culprit was the audiovox alarm system that we purchased from and installed in the kia dealer.

actually, hindi lang yun ang naging problema. the door ajar lights did not work also plus the instrument cluster was malfunctioning a bit at startup.

they called an audiovox rep to fix the problem.
the service advisor mentioned that they also had to reconfigure the ECU because of that.
i asked the relation of the alarm system problem with the ECU and he told me na dun daw kasi naka-kabit or naka-tap yung alarm system. i do not know how true this is. can anyone shed some light to this?

but all is well now. everything functioning as they should be.

[short]

they gave the upgrades for free on your particular unit?

Hi Oldblue,

Yup they gave those "upgrades" free. Probably because the car was used as display and they had to show buyers their options.

Gregg_g,

yup, i have to agree, no need to floor the pedal too much as power is available early. had a full tank earlier, i got 7.8kms/liter. that's 2/3 highway, 1/3 city.

jrln,

really? that sucks man. the alarm system screwing up the ecu and stuff? that's weird, isn't it supposed to be tapped somewhere else? unless it has something to do with an immobilizer--ecu ba yun dapat nakakabit? anyway, i know nothing about car alarms, i'll check the installation manual that came with mine. i also have a dealer installed audiovox alarm that's too sensitive naman, the slightest tap on the car triggers the alarm. good to hear that everything's ok na though.

[OTEP]

The alarm is supposed to have its own ECU. The only place the alarm should interface with the vehicle is through the power source and through the door lock supervision by remote transmitter. So in essence, the vehicle ECU should not notice the presence of the alarm ECU. Even the engine kill for the alarm ECU typically uses a separate add-on module that just interrups electricity to the starter by keeping the circuit open when the alarm is armed or the alarm ECU is yanked out [e.g. by a thief gone wild].

Problems usually occur during installation, as the installer is 'checking' for the correct wires to tap onto. Some circuits may be inadvertently shorted (this is rare). Sometimes, the testing process can send wrong signals to the ECU. And yes, a reset or reflash should resolve this.

There should be a sensitivity adjustment for the alarm on the alarm ECU body itself (a small hole with a screw in it (you need those precision screwdrivers for watches, eyeglasses, etc.). Having a separate black box for the shock sensor and sensitivity adjustment is also becoming quite common in newer Taiwan-made alarm systems. Just trace the wire as it comes out of the main alarm ECU.

[short]

There should be a sensitivity adjustment for the alarm on the alarm ECU body itself (a small hole with a screw in it (you need those precision screwdrivers for watches, eyeglasses, etc.). Having a separate black box for the shock sensor and sensitivity adjustment is also becoming quite common in newer Taiwan-made alarm systems. Just trace the wire as it comes out of the main alarm ECU.

Exactly what i've been telling the dealer. It's just a minor knob adjustment that the installer needs to do. The service adviser kept on insisting that i bring my car to audiovox pa even if the audiovox technician is already at the dealer installing something. so, i followed what he said, from the dealer i brought the car to audiovox edsa. What did audiovox tell me? Sir, sana po pinagawa ninyo na lang sa casa, kasi nandun po yung technician namin. Frustrating! Kainis.

[OTEP]

Yep, that's why I just stand on my head on the driver's side floor and look for the d*mn thing. Of course, I remove the floormat first. hehehe.

Yung ibang tao sa casa kasi they only follow what the training video told them to do. Parang ayaw na mag-isip. Sa dami ng technicians ng casa, siguro naman hindi lang iisa ang marunong mag-adjust nun. O kahit hanapin na lang nila yung adjustment screw para sa iyo tapos ikaw na ang pumihit.

[Maranello01]

Refueled for the first time and I got a 8.25 km/l hope it improves as i put more mileage

I also have a carnival and I usually get 9.25km/l for almost the same route. Considering carnival engine is 2.9 the sorento should be at least more economical considering i adopt same driving style.

[jrln]

The alarm is supposed to have its own ECU. The only place the alarm should interface with the vehicle is through the power source and through the door lock supervision by remote transmitter. So in essence, the vehicle ECU should not notice the presence of the alarm ECU. Even the engine kill for the alarm ECU typically uses a separate add-on module that just interrups electricity to the starter by keeping the circuit open when the alarm is armed or the alarm ECU is yanked out [e.g. by a thief gone wild].

Problems usually occur during installation, as the installer is 'checking' for the correct wires to tap onto. Some circuits may be inadvertently shorted (this is rare). Sometimes, the testing process can send wrong signals to the ECU. And yes, a reset or reflash should resolve this.

There should be a sensitivity adjustment for the alarm on the alarm ECU body itself (a small hole with a screw in it (you need those precision screwdrivers for watches, eyeglasses, etc.). Having a separate black box for the shock sensor and sensitivity adjustment is also becoming quite common in newer Taiwan-made alarm systems. Just trace the wire as it comes out of the main alarm ECU.

ang galing mo, doc otep!
at least medyo naintindihan ko na.
salamat at may mga katulad nyo dito sa tsikot - always willing to explain and lend a hand.

[cocojam]

Refueled for the first time and I got a 8.25 km/l hope it improves as i put more mileage

I also have a carnival and I usually get 9.25km/l for almost the same route. Considering carnival engine is 2.9 the sorento should be at least more economical considering i adopt same driving style.

Thanks everyone for providing feedback on your mileage. At least I know my ride is performing within the normal range. Yup, I agree too that you dont have to have a lead foot with the Sorento given its good low-end torque. Will try experimenting on different driving styles to see how it affects my mileage.

[short]

Yep, that's why I just stand on my head on the driver's side floor and look for the d*mn thing. Of course, I remove the floormat first. hehehe.

Yung ibang tao sa casa kasi they only follow what the training video told them to do. Parang ayaw na mag-isip. Sa dami ng technicians ng casa, siguro naman hindi lang iisa ang marunong mag-adjust nun. O kahit hanapin na lang nila yung adjustment screw para sa iyo tapos ikaw na ang pumihit.

hahaha, i completely understand you. They limit themselves to what they've been told to do. I spoke with audiovox instead, sa kanila na lang, i don't want to go back to the casa anymore.

[alwayz_yummy]

kakagaling ko lang sa testdrive ng sorento sa quezon ave. ung ITIM!

magbigay na kaya ako ng earnest money...well worth the trouble...kahit test drive unit lang masaya na ako.

[OTEP]

kakagaling ko lang sa testdrive ng sorento sa quezon ave. ung ITIM!

magbigay na kaya ako ng earnest money...well worth the trouble...kahit test drive unit lang masaya na ako.

Andun ako ng 2pm, sayang hindi pa tayo nagkita.

[alwayz_yummy]

2pm??? ako 3pm,e... nauna pa nga ako sa may JAC dealer sa may nearer sa sto. domingo, nagtanong ng super-carry pick-up 4wd for my FIL. then umikot ako balik dun...sir otep, inoofer sa akin ung itim na test unit, less 10% sa b-new price after 1 month daw, 20-30% less sa 3 months. mag-earnest money lang daw ako at di na daw ipapagamit for testing, pang roving display nalang daw.

pwede na for 140ps, masaya na me, 5speed a/t pa. mukhang kung may cash tsatsaga ko na sa 140 kaysa sa bagong 170ps na sorrento.

gas 2wd pala ang sportage

[short]

kakagaling ko lang sa testdrive ng sorento sa quezon ave. ung ITIM!

magbigay na kaya ako ng earnest money...well worth the trouble...kahit test drive unit lang masaya na ako.

nice! black! that was my first choice. is it the new ex diesel? vgt isn't available yet right?

[OTEP]

AY,

Kung wala kang problems about maintaining black, ok na din yung offer. Matic naman iyan so wala kang worry sa clutch abuse. May 3 year warranty din naman yung unit. Ginagamit nga nilang roving display ang mga units. Nagpupunta sila sa mga nightspots, etc. in convoy to attract attention. Parang bar tour.

How much 'earnest' money is the dealership asking? Any other incentives?

OT: Ano ang engine nung JAC trucks? Parang Isuzu clone yung cabs nila.

[alwayz_yummy]

JAC parang isuzu/canter hybrids...may isuzu cabs, canter interior/engines, basta halo halo din...pero i still prefer ung surplus ng hapon, masmalalaki ang piyesa, may extras pa!. di ko tinignan masyado yun, sa 4wd supercarry pick-up * van ako concentrated,e...

ung black unit mismo na ginagamit dun, un na yun ang inoofer sa akin.(including the stickers pa ata pag kinuha ko..may white din) dun din kami nakabili ng 98 pride namin noon...kapit bahay namin ung dating ahente namin dun, na parang manager na kaya kilala na namin din dun....

di ko alam ang "earnest" money, aalamin ko nalang real soon, kontakin ko ung ahente uli...kung sakaling ok, madali lang naman paalis ung sticker, right?

[OTEP]

Madali lang naman but it can leave marks. Kung may comprehensive naman, gasgasin mo na lang yung buong unit and declare mong vandalism para hilamusan nila ulit (just in case hindi talaga maalis ang marks ng decals). Ok naman ang paint facilities ng Kia Quezon Ave. Sila gumagawa ng Kia show cars AFAIK. Yung gagastusin mo sa participation ay mas maliit pa din kesa sa discount na makukuha mo.

Pero pwede pang matanggal yan. Yung Hilux media unit wala namang gaanong marks nung inalis. Hindi mo mapapansin unless talagang isubsob mo ang mukha mo dun sa sasakyan.

Check mo din ang buong sasakyan for any damage. I'm assuming the vehicle is still covered by the 3 year warranty.

Diyan din galing '98 Besta ko. hehehe.