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Introduction & some noob questions

2K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  CanuckInAKia 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello all,

Just picked up a new to me 2012 Kia Sorento LX V6 AWD with the 3rd Row seating. I am coming out of a 2006 Honda Accord Coupe and am excited for the roof rails, additional space, and ability to tow.

I have looked through the forums and already found some good information. I look forward to borrowing ideas and helping out when I can. Over the past few days of driving I have come up with a few questions and was hoping for a hand. I looked through the forums so hope I am not repeating any questions from other posts. Feel free to share the link if I overlooked something.

1. With the smart key (Push start) is there any way to lock the vehicle while it is running? I don't have remote start and want the car to warm up before I drive it. With my old car I would just use 2 keys and manually lock the doors. I can't figure out how to lock the doors & hatch in the Sorento with the vehicle running. Anyone have any luck with this?

2. Removing Seats: Anyone have pictures with the second and third row removed. I have seen third row out but wonder how level the floor surface is without any rear seats. I often camp and occasionally pull in somewhere late and it’s just easier to sleep in the car then set up a tent in the dark. Wondering if it may be worth it to remove both rows on longer trips when the seats aren’t needed. I saw the post with the 3rd row out and custom insert but nothing with the 2nd row out.

3. Floor Mats: Does anyone have weathertech floor mats for the 3 row version of the Sorento? The third row will be used very sparingly and I am wondering if the mat fits over this well? Is there enough room for it to be stored in the small space with the 3rd row up for short periods of time?

4. Cross bars: Seem to be a lot of different options for cross-bars. Anyone have experiences, good or bad, with certain brands/styles. I will mostly be using this for a kayak and possibly a bike if I hold off on hitch installation.

5. Trailer hitch: Some inconsistencies seem to come up with people who installed trailer hitches. Everything I have seen requires dropping the exhaust (temporarily) and cutting through the heat shield. Some have mentioned not having to do these things. If you installed a hitch can you post if you had to do this or not and what model of hitch you used.

6. Trailer wiring: Have many put in the lighting on their own. It looks time consuming but simple enough. I just want to be sure it looks clean, is away from moving parts and exhaust, and holds up well. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Cheers!
 
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#2 ·
Hey , so I only have a answer for question #1 . You can lock your doors with the car still running , I love in a place where it is-40 in the winter an with out a remote start it's no fun. Get in an start it . Open drivers side door . Press lock buttonon door , you will notice all doors will lock , then " only" the drivers door will unlock again. Remove key part from your fob , leave fob in car get out an u only have to lock the drivers door with key . Hope this helps
 
#3 ·
5. Trailer hitch: Some inconsistencies seem to come up with people who installed trailer hitches. Everything I have seen requires dropping the exhaust (temporarily) and cutting through the heat shield. Some have mentioned not having to do these things. If you installed a hitch can you post if you had to do this or not and what model of hitch you used.

6. Trailer wiring: Have many put in the lighting on their own. It looks time consuming but simple enough. I just want to be sure it looks clean, is away from moving parts and exhaust, and holds up well. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Cheers!
The trailer hitch I installed was the Curt 13073 Class 3 hitch. It is much better looking than the stock hitch and much cheaper, very clean looking. Installation was easy and you do need to drop the muffler a little bit, but not unbolt anything. Mainly just take the rubber hangers off. I did cut a part of the heat shield, which was insignificant and will not affect the muffler operation, heat dissipation, etc. You don't really have to cut the heat shield, but you want those bolts to be flush and tight against the frame. Now, I didn't cut as much of the heat shield as you don't really need much to expose the frame, not nearly as much as in the instructional video that you can view of the installation. I also didn't have to trim my bumper like I've seen some have to. Mine fit nice and snug but didn't intrude into the bumper requiring the old trusty dremel tool. Your spare tire will also fit a little offset back underneath, but again it is insignificant and not a big deal at all. It doesn't hang down or reduce clearance. This will be my third Curt hitch and I'm thoroughly satisfied.

As far as the wiring harness, since you have a V6, it will just be plug and play, no wiring of anything necessary. The connector is under the driver-rear bumper going towards the wheel well. Good luck.
 
#4 ·
4. I use Yakima round cross bars and the Yakima clamps on the rails. Works OK. Any cross bars left in place hurt gas mileage, so mine are always off except when I actually use them. Bars with an aero profile might be better, but still create some added resistance. I'd take off the rails and use Yakima brackets for the bars if I knew how to take the rails off. (I think it is easy, pop off the plastic cap at each end, unbolt the rails, bolt on covers over the bolts. But it might not be that easy, and I don't want to make an unsightly mess experimenting.)
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the info all.

Really glad when I saw the vehicle was pre-wired for trailer lighting.

Been a good ride so far. Had a lot of time behind the wheel over Christmas and mostly happy with things so far. Speakers would be the biggest complaint, followed by a little worse gas milage than expected but I guess those things will go in another forum. Great lights and HOT heated seats have made themselves a favourite.

I will be continuing to keep my ear to the ground for deals on floor mats, cross rails, and a hitch if anyone hears of any deals applicable to folks up here in Canada:)
 
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