Segment:
Full-size Luxury Sedan
Target Audience:
Buyers seeking a spacious, comfortable, and feature-rich sedan with a focus on value and premium amenities.
Key Competitors:
Buick Park Avenue, Cadillac DTS, Lincoln Town Car, Chrysler 300M (and subsequent models like the 300).
Premium Appointments:
The Amanti was Kia's flagship sedan, designed to offer upscale features, a quiet and comfortable ride, and a distinctive styling that set it apart from other Kia models.
Value Proposition:
Offered a blend of luxury, performance, and amenities at a competitive price point compared to established luxury brands.
Coverage Summary:
Features, controls, maintenance/service schedules, DIY activities, towing, and safety considerations for the 2004 Kia Amanti.
Estimated Page Count:
Approximately 350-450 pages (typical for this class of vehicle in 2004)
Powertrain:
Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, ignition system, exhaust system, and transmission basics.
Chassis:
Braking system, steering system, suspension system, wheels, and tires.
Electrical:
Lighting, instrumentation, audio system, climate control, power accessories (windows, locks, seats), and basic electrical component locations.
Body:
Doors, windows, mirrors, hood, trunk, interior trim, and basic care.
Routine Maintenance:
Checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure checks and inflation, wiper blade replacement, bulb replacement (headlights, taillights, interior lights).
Diy Activities:
Minor repairs, such as changing engine air filter, cabin air filter, and jump-starting the vehicle.
Safety And Towing:
Proper towing procedures, safety precautions while driving, emergency procedures, and child restraint system installation.
Depth:
Focuses on owner-level understanding and basic maintenance; does not include in-depth diagnostic procedures or complex repair instructions typically found in a service manual.
Displacement:
3.5 Liters (3,497 cc)
Configuration:
DOHC 24-valve V6
Horsepower:
200 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
227 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-point Fuel Injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Regular Gasoline
Engine Oil Type:
API SJ or higher, SAE 5W-30 (or 10W-30 depending on climate)
Engine Oil Capacity:
Approx. 4.5 quarts (4.3 Liters) with filter change
Transmission Type:
5-Speed Automatic
Optional Transmission:
N/A (Only one transmission option offered for 2004)
Transmission Features:
Electronically controlled, with overdrive and lock-up torque converter for improved fuel economy.
Transmission Fluid Type:
Kia Genuine ATF SP-III (or equivalent Dexron III/Mercon compatible fluid)
Transmission Fluid Capacity:
Approx. 8.0 quarts (7.6 Liters) for a dry fill, lower for a fluid change
Passenger Volume:
Approximately 105-110 cubic feet
Trunk Volume:
Approximately 15-17 cubic feet
Curb Weight:
Approx. 3,700 - 3,900 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
Approx. 4,900 - 5,100 lbs
NHTSA Front Impact Driver:
Good (5-star equivalent for 2004 standards)
NHTSA Front Impact Passenger:
Good (5-star equivalent for 2004 standards)
IIHS Frontal Offset:
Acceptable/Good (depending on specific test year and configuration)
Traction Control:
Standard on most trims
Antilock Brakes:
Standard (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution:
Standard (EBD)
Airbags Front:
Driver and front passenger airbags
Airbags Side:
Available front side-impact airbags (often standard on higher trims)
Seatbelts:
Pretensioners and load limiters for front seats, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions.
Child Safety:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system, child safety rear door locks.
Audio System:
Standard AM/FM stereo with CD player, and optionally a premium audio system (e.g., Bose) with multiple speakers.
Climate Control:
Automatic climate control with dual-zone temperature settings was often a feature on higher trims.
Navigation:
Optional factory-installed GPS navigation system available on select trims.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control.
Parking Assistance:
Optional rear parking assist sensors.
Auxiliary Input:
Unlikely to have standard aux or USB inputs; typically relied on aftermarket solutions for modern device connectivity.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (under normal driving conditions). Consult manual for severe driving conditions.
Tire Rotation Interval:
Every 7,500 miles or 6 months
Engine Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000 - 30,000 miles, or as needed based on inspection.
Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000 - 30,000 miles, or as needed.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Platinum-tipped spark plugs typically last 60,000 - 100,000 miles. Check manual for exact specification.
Coolant Type:
Asian Vehicle Antifreeze/Coolant (OAT - Organic Acid Technology), typically orange or pink in color. Kia specification is essential.
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4
Power Steering Fluid Type:
ATF Dexron III/Mercon compatible fluid
Engine Mounts:
Premature wear and failure of engine mounts can lead to increased vibration and noise.
Radiator:
Cracking or leaking of the plastic end tanks on the radiator is a common failure point.
Transmission Shifts:
Occasional reports of harsh shifting or transmission control module (TCM) issues, often resolved with software updates or fluid changes.
Interior Rattles:
As with many vehicles of this era, interior trim pieces can develop rattles over time.
Kia Evolution:
Kia, as a brand, was growing its presence in North America during the early 2000s, moving from budget-friendly compacts to more upscale and larger vehicles to compete with established global automakers.
Amanti Introduction:
The Kia Amanti was introduced for the 2004 model year, serving as Kia's first dedicated full-size luxury sedan, built to challenge the premium segments of the market. It was based on a platform shared with Hyundai (the chassis was derived from the Hyundai XG platform).
Platform Basis:
Shared platform with the Hyundai XG Grandeur/XG350.
Production Start Year:
2003 (for 2004 model year)
Production End Year:
2006
Manufacturing Location:
South Korea