Kia Optima Towbars

Kia Optima Towing Specifics

The Kia Optima was first introduced in 2000 by the South Korean manufacturer as a mid-size car, designed with impressive towing capabilities. The range currently includes an estate and saloon model. We will cover the towing specifics of this model below.

Kia Optima Estate Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a Kia Optima Estate vehicle are done so with a dedicated electrics kit, rather than a universal electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit not only ensures all modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors are functional but also helps to keep your vehicle's warranty unaffected.

We offer both universal and dedicated electrics kits for the Kia Optima Estate vehicle towbars, but be aware that universal electrics kits can invalidate any manufacturer warranty your vehicle has and may also require a bypass relay.

Check your Kia warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All tow bars for the Kia Optima Estate models will require a bypass relay if universal electrics are fitted.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

Whereas a dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar.

All Kia Optima Estate models will not require coding.

Coding is used to update your vehicles software in order for it to run coherently with the new towbar through the dedicated electrics.

Bumper Cuts

Depending on the towbar, Kia Optima Estate models will require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar.

All Kia Optima Estate models have towbars that require non-visible and no bumper cuts.

Nose Weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball, it is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Nose weight varies depending on the towbar you choose and are displayed under each tow bar below.

All Kia Optima Estate models have a nose weight of 60kg up to 85kg.

Towing Weight

Towing weight is the weight that a Kia Optima Estate vehicle can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For a Kia Optima Estate vehicles, the towbars have a towing weight capacity of 1300kg up to 1930kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your Kia Optima Estate vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

Kia Optima Saloon Towing Specifics

The Kia Optima Saloon was launched into the market in 2012. If you have 2012 onwards Kia Ceed Saloon it is important you correctly determine which model you have to ensure you get the correct towbar. You can find this information in your vehicle’s log book.

Kia Ceed Saloon Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a Kia Optima Saloon vehicle are done so with a dedicated electrics kit, rather than a universal electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit not only ensures all modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors are functional but also helps to keep your vehicle's warranty unaffected.

We offer both universal and dedicated electrics kits for the Kia Optima Saloon vehicle towbars, but be aware that universal electrics kits can invalidate any manufacturer warranty your vehicle has and may also require a bypass relay.

Check your Kia warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All tow bars for the Kia Optima Saloon models will require a bypass relay if universal electrics are fitted.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

Whereas a dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar.

All Kia Optima Saloon models will not require coding.

Coding is used to update your vehicles software in order for it to run coherently with the new towbar through the dedicated electrics.

Bumper Cuts

Depending on the towbar, Kia Optima Saloon models will require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar.

All Kia Optima Saloon 2012-2015 models have towbars that require non-visible and no bumper cuts.

All Kia Optima Saloon 2016 onwards models have towbars that require non-visible and visible bumper cuts.

Nose Weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball, it is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Nose weight varies depending on the towbar you choose and are displayed under each tow bar below.

All Kia Optima Saloon 2012-2015 models have a nose weight of up to 60kg.

All Kia Optima Saloon 2016 onwards models have a nose weight of 80kg up to 85kg.

Towing Weight

Towing weight is the weight that a Kia Optima Saloon vehicle can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For all Kia Optima Saloon 2012-2015 vehicles, the towbars have a towing weight capacity of 1300kg up to 1930kg.

For all Kia Optima Saloon 2016 onwards vehicles, the towbars have a towing weight capacity of 1300kg up to 2500kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your Kia Optima Saloon vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.