Dual Clutch Transmission Operation

The dual clutch transmission has eight forward speeds and one reverse speed. The individual gears are selected automatically when the shift lever is in the D (Drive) position.

• The advanced wet-type dual clutch transmission in your vehicle can be considered an automatically shifting manual transmission. It gives the feel of driving a manual transmission but provides the convenience of a fully automatic transmission.
• When D (Drive) is selected, the transmission will shift gears automatically, similar to a conventional automatic transmission. In a wet-type dual clutch transmission, engine torque is transmitted directly from the engine to the transmission through a clutch pack that is lubricated by oil. The primary purpose of the oil is to cool the clutch, and due to the lubricating properties of the oil and this cooling effect, gear shifts are smooth and direct.
• The wet-type dual clutch transmission provides better acceleration performance and improved fuel efficiency while driving. However, it differs from a conventional automatic transmission because it does not use a torque converter. Instead, shifting from one gear to the next is controlled by clutch slip, especially at low speeds. As a result, shifts may sometimes be more noticeable, and a slight vibration may be felt as the transmission shaft speed matches the engine shaft speed. This is a normal condition of a dual clutch transmission.
• A wet-type clutch transmits torque more directly and provides a direct driving feel, which may feel different from a conventional automatic transmission. This may be more noticeable when starting from a stop or driving at low speed, or when the vehicle is moving slowly from a standstill.
• When accelerating rapidly or decelerating, the engine speed may increase suddenly as a result of clutch slip while the dual clutch transmission selects the correct gear. This is normal.
• When starting on an incline, depress the accelerator pedal smoothly and gradually to avoid a shuddering or jerking sensation.
• When driving at low vehicle speed, if you release the accelerator pedal quickly, you may feel engine braking before the transmission shifts gears. This engine braking feel is similar to driving a manual transmission at low speed.
• When driving down a slope, you may want to move the shift lever to Manual Shift mode and downshift gradually to control vehicle speed without excessive use of the brake pedal.
• When starting and stopping the engine, you may hear clicking sounds while the system performs a self-test. This is a normal sound for the dual clutch transmission.
• During the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km), you may feel that the vehicle does not accelerate smoothly at low speeds. During this break-in period, the driving quality and performance of your new vehicle are continuously being optimized.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death:

• ALWAYS check the area around your vehicle for people, especially children, before shifting to D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
• Before leaving the driver's seat, always make sure the shift lever is in P (Park), then set the parking brake and turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement may occur if these precautions are not followed.
• Do not use aggressive engine braking (shifting from a high gear to a low gear) on slippery roads. This may cause tire slip and may lead to an accident.

NOTICE

• Always come to a complete stop before shifting to D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
• Do not move the shift lever to N (Neutral) while the vehicle is in motion.

WARNING

Due to a transmission malfunction, you may be unable to continue driving and the gear position indicator (D, P) on the instrument cluster will flash. Contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer to have the system inspected.

DCT Warning Messages

This warning message is displayed when the vehicle is moving slowly on a slope and the vehicle detects that the brake pedal is not applied.

Steep incline! Depress the brake pedal

Driving uphill or on a steep slope:

• To hold the vehicle on a slope, use the foot brake or the parking brake.
• When making frequent stops on an incline, leave a gap in front of you before the vehicle starts moving forward. Then hold the vehicle on the incline with the foot brake.
• If the vehicle is held or creeps forward on a slope by applying the accelerator pedal, the clutch and transmission may overheat, which may cause damage. In this case, a warning message will appear on the LCD display.
• If the warning message on the LCD display is active, the brake pedal must be depressed.
• Ignoring warnings may result in transmission damage.

High Transmission Temperature

• Under certain conditions, such as repeated stop-and-go starts on steep inclines, sudden takeoff or acceleration, or other severe driving conditions, the transmission clutch temperature may rise excessively.
• When the clutch temperature is too high, the warning message "Transmission Hot! Stop Safely" will appear on the LCD display, a warning chime will sound, and gear shifting may not be smooth.
• In this case, stop in a safe place, with the engine running, depress the brake pedal, shift the vehicle to P (Park), and allow the transmission to cool.
• If you ignore this warning, driving condition may deteriorate. You may experience harsh shifts, frequent gear changes, or jerking. To return to normal driving condition, stop the vehicle and shift to P (Park). Then allow the transmission to cool for several minutes with the engine running before driving away.
• Drive the vehicle smoothly whenever possible.

Transmission Overheated

• If the vehicle continues to be driven and the clutch temperature reaches the maximum temperature limit, the warning "Transmission Hot! Park with Engine On" will be displayed. When this occurs, the clutch is disengaged until the clutch cools to a normal temperature.
• The warning will display the waiting time for the transmission to cool.
• In this case, stop in a safe place, with the engine running, depress the brake pedal, shift the vehicle to P (Park), and allow the transmission to cool.
• When the message "Transmission Cooled. Resume Driving" appears, you may continue to drive your vehicle.
• Drive the vehicle smoothly whenever possible.

If any of the warning messages on the LCD display continues to flash, for your safety, contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer to have the system inspected.

Shift Ranges

The indicator in the instrument cluster shows the position of the shift lever when the ignition switch is in the ON position.

P (Park)

Always come to a complete stop before shifting to P (Park).

To shift out of P (Park), depress the brake pedal and make sure your foot is not on the accelerator pedal.

If you have done all of the above and still cannot move the shift lever out of the P (Park) position, refer to "Shift-Lock Release" in this chapter.

The shift lever must be in the P (Park) position before the engine is turned off.

WARNING

• Shifting to P (Park) while the vehicle is moving may cause loss of vehicle control.
• After stopping the vehicle, always make sure the shift lever is in the P (Park) position, apply the parking brake, and turn off the engine.
• When parking on a slope, place the shift lever in P (Park) and apply the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling down the slope.
• For safety, always apply the parking brake when the shift lever is in P (Park), except in an emergency parking situation.

R (Reverse)

Use this position to drive the vehicle in reverse.

NOTICE

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse). Shifting into R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving may damage the transmission.

N (Neutral)

The wheels and transmission are disengaged.

Use N (Neutral) if you need to restart a stalled engine, or if you need to stop with the engine running. Shift to P (Park) if you need to leave the vehicle for any reason.

Always depress the brake pedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to another gear.

WARNING

Do not shift into gear unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal. Shifting into gear when the engine is running at high speed may cause the vehicle to move very quickly. You may lose control of the vehicle and hit people or objects.

D (Drive)

This is the normal driving position. The transmission will shift automatically through an 8-speed sequence, providing better fuel economy and performance.

For additional power when passing another vehicle or driving uphill, depress the accelerator pedal fully. The transmission will automatically downshift to the next lower gear (or gears, depending on conditions).

The DRIVE MODE switch, located on the console near the shift lever, allows the driver to switch from NORMAL mode to SPORT mode.

Manual Shift Mode

Whether the vehicle is stationary or moving, manual shift mode is selected by pushing the shift lever from the D (Drive) position into the manual shift gate. To return to D (Drive), push the shift lever back into the main gate.

In Manual Shift mode, pushing the shift lever backward (B) and forward (A) allows you to select the desired gear range for the current driving conditions.

+ (Up): Push the lever forward (A) once to upshift one gear.
- (Down): Pull the lever backward (B) once to downshift one gear.

Information

• Only the eight forward gears can be selected in Manual Shift mode. To drive in reverse or park the vehicle, move the shift lever to R (Reverse) or P (Park) as needed.
• Downshifting occurs automatically when the vehicle decelerates. When the vehicle stops, 1st gear is automatically selected.
• When the engine speed approaches the red zone, the transmission will upshift automatically.
• If the driver pulls the lever to + (Up) or - (Down), the transmission may not perform the requested shift if the next gear is outside the allowable engine speed range. Shift up according to road conditions, making sure to keep engine speed below the red zone.

Shift Lock System

For your safety, the dual clutch transmission has a shift lock system that prevents shifting from P (Park) to R (Reverse) unless the brake pedal is depressed.

To shift from P (Park) to R (Reverse):

1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

2. Start the engine or turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

3. Move the shift lever to the R (Reverse) position.

Shift Lock Release

If the shift lever cannot be moved from P (Park) to R (Reverse) with the brake pedal depressed, continue depressing the brake pedal, then do the following:

1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK/OFF position.

2. Apply the parking brake.

3. Carefully remove the shift lever boot.

4. Move the shift lever while pressing the release button (1) with a tool (for example, a flat-blade screwdriver).

If you need to use the shift lock release, we recommend that the system be inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer immediately.