Kia Rio 2006 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2006 Kia Rio? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2006 Kia Rio issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2006 Kia Rio in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Ask Smithy Xtra Kia Rio transmission oil replacement
Answered by Graham Smith · 07 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.

Paintwork under attack
Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 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.

Kia gearbox service
Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 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.

Ask Smithy Xtra Kia Rio start-up issue
Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 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.

Problem starting Kia Rio
Answered by Graham Smith · 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.

Rio troublesome to start when warm
Answered by Graham Smith · 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.

Used Kia Rio review: 2000-2013
By Ewan Kennedy · 10 Jun 2014
Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 2000-2013 Kia Rio.
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Used Kia Rio review: 2000-2012
By Ewan Kennedy · 13 May 2013
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 shapes, the 2011 Rio came with stunning styling that pushes it ahead of many competitors from Japan and Europe from a visual point of view. Build quality wasn’t too bad on the first generation Rios, sold from July 2000, improved significantly in the gen-two cars from August 2005 and is impressive from 2011 onwards. The bodies of the older models were generally better assembled than their interiors, though we do see the occasional rough one inside and out.Tip: Don’t forget that professional inspection.The Kia Rio is sold as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback and has good interior space that can seat four adults, though two grownups and two or three kids is a more practical load.On-road dynamics and build quality have improved over the years and the latest models provide a fair degree of enjoyment for the keen driver. However, some may find the ride a little too firm on rough roads. Try it for yourself during your private road test.A good set of tyres can work wonders for the handling and steering feel of older Kia Rios.Kia Rio is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine in the pre-2005 series. If worked moderately it will sound and feel fine, but drive it hard and it gets noisy and can be harsh. Engine performance is generally fine as this is a relatively light car. But it can struggle a bit on hills, so it's smart to find a hilly area to do some of your pre-purchase road testing.The newer, from 2005, Rios have a more modern 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that’s significantly more powerful, smoother and significantly better in the refinement stakes. The engine was further improved in the 2011 series Rios.A lower cost 1.4-litre engine was added to the range in March 2007, its performance is OK if you’re willing to work at getting the best from the car.Transmission options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic in the first two Rio ranges. Six-speed units, both manual and automatic were a big feature of the all-new model that arrived in 2011, putting the car ahead of many of its rivals.The four-speed auto takes the edge of what performance the older engines do deliver. It’s smooth enough and obviously makes life simpler in the suburbs, the natural habitat of a vehicle like this.The experienced home mechanic can do a fair bit on a Kia Rio. Underbonnet access is good and these cars have old and tried technology. A workshop manual is a low-cost investment that can save you lots of hassles. Don’t do any safety-related work yourself, leave that to the professionals.Insurance is normally towards the lower area of mid-range, but seems to vary more than usual from one company to another. So it pays to shop around, as always make sure you understand what you get, and don’t get, for your premium.Poorly repaired crash damage will show as paint which doesn’t match from panel to panel; and/or a ripply finish in a panel. Check for tiny specks of paint on non-painted parts such as glass and badges. Look at the interior and boot for signs of general wear and tear.The engine should fire up within a second or so of the key being turned, even when it’s cold. As soon as it starts it should settle into a steady idle. There should be no smoke from the exhaust pipe even if the engine is worked hard. Letting it idle for about a minute, then flooring the throttle in a quick takeoff will aggravate the problem.A manual gearbox should be moderately light in its action and not crunch on any of the downchanges, no matter how fast they are made. The third-to-second gearchange is usually the first to give trouble. If the automatic transmission is slow at picking up a drive gear from Park or Neutral it may be because it’s due for a major overhaul.Check the brakes pull the Rio up squarely and that ABS, if fitted, operates when you push the pedal hard.Cars that have spent all their lives in the open air are far less desirable than those that have generally been kept under cover. Faded paint and dried out dashtops are the easiest way to pick ‘outdoor’ cars.
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Used Kia Rio review: 2000-2015
By Ewan Kennedy · 08 Dec 2015
Ewan Kennedy reviews the first generation, second generation and third generation Kia Rio, from 2001, 2007 and 2012, as a used buy.
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Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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