If you have a CD in the audio unit of your 2014 Kia Optima, remove it before you start removing the radio. If the unit won't eject the disc, take the car to an authorized Kia dealer. If you remove the unit with a disc installed, you can damage the load mechanism in the disc player. When you take the dash apart on your Optima, use a plastic trim tool or wrap the tip with masking tape if your trim tool is a thin, flat-head screwdriver. This protects the plastic trim pieces from damage as you pry the trim panels to release the hidden clips.
Disconnect the negative battery cable. Pry the end panel off the driver end of the dashboard. The end panel has five hidden clips along the edge of the panel.
Remove two screws from the bottom edge of the lower panel below the steering column and remove two screws from the far right end of the panel. Release eight hidden clips -- three across the top of the panel to the right of the steering column and five on the left of the column going down the left edge of the panel. Tilt the panel toward you enough to reach behind it. Disconnect the electrical connectors and remove the lower panel.
Remove two screws from the trim panel around the left side of the instrument cluster and vent grille. One screw is on the bottom of the panel and the other is on the left end of the panel. Pry the trim panel off, releasing three clips along the bottom of the panel, one on the left edge and two across the top of the panel. Remove the panel.
Pry along the edge of the trim panel around the radio and heating controls. Release three clips along the top, two down the right side and two across the bottom of the panel. Remove the panel
Remove three screws from the instrument cluster fascia panel -- one on the bottom, just above and to the left of the steering column, one on the lower left end of the panel and one on the top edge to the upper left of the instrument cluster. Remove the fascia panel.
Remove four screws from the heater control faceplate -- one on each side and two across the bottom. Release one clip on the left side of the faceplate and slide the heater control unit toward you. Disconnect the electrical connectors and the hose from the back of unit and remove the heater control unit.
Remove six screws from the radio faceplate -- three across the top of the panel and one on the left side and two across the bottom. Remove the faceplate. Remove four screws from the radio unit -- two on the top and two on the bottom. Slide the audio unit toward you. Disconnect the connectors on the back of the unit and remove it.
Hold the audio unit and connect the electrical connectors to the back of it. Slide the unit into the dash and install the four mounting screws. Install the radio faceplate and the six screws.
Connect the electrical connectors and the hose on the back of the heater control unit, set the unit in place and engage the clip. Install the four screws. Set the instrument cluster fascia panel in place and install the three screws.
Place the trim panel around the radio and heating controls and press it into place to engage the clips. Install the trim panel around the left side of the instrument cluster and vent grille. Engage the six clips and install the two screws.
Install the electrical connectors on the back of the lower panel and set the panel in place. Engage the eight clips and install the four screws. Position the end panel on the end of the dashboard and press it into place, engaging the four clips. Connect the negative battery cable and tighten the terminal nut to within a range of 35 to 53 inch-pounds.
