Automatic Transmission Operation

The automatic transmission has 8 forward speeds and one reverse speed. Gear speeds are selected automatically depending on the position of the shift lever.

✽ NOTICE

The first few shifts on a new vehicle, or after the battery has been disconnected, may be somewhat harsh. This is normal, and the shift sequence will adjust after the TCM (Transmission Control Module) or PCM (Powertrain Control Module) has shifted several times.

For smooth operation, depress the brake pedal and press the release button when shifting from N (Neutral) to a forward or reverse gear.

WARNING! Leaving the Vehicle

Before leaving the driver's seat, always make sure the shift lever is in P (Park); then fully apply the parking brake and turn off the engine. Do not use P instead of the parking brake. Always make sure the shift lever is locked in P and fully apply the parking brake. Failure to observe these precautions may result in sudden vehicle movement.

CAUTION - Transmission

To prevent transmission damage, do not race the engine in R (Reverse) or any forward gear position with the brakes applied. The transmission may be damaged if you shift into P (Park) while the vehicle is moving.

When stopped on a slope, do not hold the vehicle with engine power. Use the service brake or the parking brake.

Transmission 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 into P (Park). This position locks the transmission and prevents the drive wheels from rotating.

Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is moving will lock the drive wheels, resulting in loss of vehicle control.

R (Reverse)

Use this position to drive the vehicle in reverse.

CAUTION - Shifting

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse). You may damage the transmission if you shift into R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving, except as described in this chapter.

N (Neutral)

The wheels and transmission are not engaged. The vehicle will roll freely even on the slightest slope unless the parking brake or service brake is applied.

- Parking in N (Neutral)

Follow the procedure below when parking if you want the vehicle to be able to be pushed.

1. After stopping the vehicle, depress the brake pedal and shift the shift lever to [P] when the ignition switch is in the [ON] position or the engine is running.

2. If the parking brake is applied, release the parking brake.
- For vehicles equipped with EPB (Electronic Parking Brake), depress the brake pedal with the ignition switch in the [ON] position or the engine running to release the parking brake. If the [AUTO HOLD] function is used while driving (if the [AUTO HOLD] indicator is illuminated in the cluster), press the [AUTO HOLD] switch to turn off the [AUTO HOLD] function.

3. While depressing the brake pedal, turn the ignition switch to [OFF].
- For vehicles equipped with a smart key, the ignition switch can be turned to the [OFF] position only when the shift lever is in the [P] position.

4. Move the shift lever to [N] (Neutral) while depressing the brake pedal, and at the same time insert a tool (such as a flat-blade screwdriver) into the [SHIFT LOCK RELEASE] access hole. The vehicle can then be moved by applying external force.

WARNING! Parking in Neutral

• Always park the vehicle in [P] (Park) for safety, except when parking in neutral, and apply the parking brake.
• Before parking in [N] (Neutral), make sure the parking surface is level and flat. Do not park in [N] on any slope or incline. If the vehicle is parked and left in [N], it may roll and cause serious damage or injury.

✽ NOTICE

• After the ignition is turned off, the EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) cannot be released.
• For vehicles with EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) with [AUTO HOLD] function, when the ignition switch is in the [OFF] position, the EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) is automatically applied. Therefore, [AUTO HOLD] must be turned off before the ignition switch is turned off.

WARNING - Starter

If the engine stalls while the vehicle is moving, do not attempt to move the shift lever to the P (Park) position. If traffic and road conditions allow, you may move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) position while the vehicle is in motion and press the ENGINE START/STOP button to attempt to restart the engine.

D (Drive)

This is the normal forward driving position. The transmission will shift automatically through a sequence of 8 forward gears, providing the best fuel economy and performance.

For additional power when passing another vehicle or climbing a hill, fully depress the accelerator pedal. The transmission will automatically downshift to the next lower gear.

Manual Mode

Whether the vehicle is stationary or moving, select manual mode by moving the shift lever from the D (Drive) position to the manual gate. To return to the D (Drive) range, move the shift lever back to the main gate.

In manual mode, moving the shift lever backward and forward allows you to shift gears quickly. Unlike a manual transmission, manual mode allows gear shifting with the accelerator pedal depressed.

Up (+): Push the lever forward once to shift up one gear.

Down (-): Pull the lever back once to shift down one gear.

• In manual mode, the driver must upshift according to driving conditions, making sure that engine speed remains below the red zone.
• In manual mode, only 8 forward gears can be selected. To reverse or park the vehicle, move the shift lever to the R (Reverse) or P (Park) position as required.
• In manual mode, downshifting occurs automatically when the vehicle decelerates. When the vehicle stops, 1st gear is automatically selected.
• In manual mode, when engine speed approaches the red zone, the shift points change to automatically upshift.
• To maintain the required level of vehicle performance and safety, the system may not perform some gear changes when using the shift lever.
• When driving on a slippery road, move the shift lever forward to the + (Up) position. This causes the transmission to shift to higher gears, which are better for smooth driving on slippery roads. Move the shift lever to the - (Down) position to shift back down to 1st gear.

Steering wheel paddle switch

The paddle shifter is available when the shift lever is in the D or manual mode position.

With the shift lever in D

Pull the paddle shifter [+] or [-] once to shift up or down one gear. The system changes from automatic mode to manual mode.

When vehicle speed is below 7 km/h, if the accelerator pedal is not pressed for more than 6 seconds (except in Drive Mode (SPORT, CUSTOM)), or if you move the shift lever from D (Drive) to manual mode and then back from manual mode to D (Drive), or if you pull the paddle shift [+] for more than 1 second, the system switches from manual mode to automatic mode. For more information, refer to Integrated Drive Mode Control System in chapter 5.

With the shift lever in manual mode

Pull the paddle shifter [+] or [-] once to shift up or down one gear.

✽ NOTICE

If you pull both the [+] and [-] paddle shifters at the same time, you will not be able to shift gears.

Shift Lock System

For your safety, the automatic transmission is equipped with 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 key to the ON position.

3. Move the shift lever.

If the brake pedal is pressed and released repeatedly with the shift lever in P (Park), a knocking or vibrating noise may be heard near the shift lever. This is normal.

WARNING. Shifting from Park

Always fully depress the brake pedal before and while shifting the shift lever out of P (Park) to prevent unintended vehicle movement, which may injure people inside or near the vehicle.

Releasing the Shift Lock

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

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

2. Apply the parking brake.

3. Carefully remove the cover (1) that covers the shift-lock release access hole.

4. Insert a tool (such as a flat-blade screwdriver) into the access hole and press down on the tool.

5. Move the shift lever.

6. Remove the tool from the shift-lock release access hole, then install the cover.

7. We recommend having the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

Ignition Key Lock System

The ignition key cannot be removed unless the shift lever is in the P (Park) position. Even if the ignition key is in the LOCK position, the key cannot be removed.

If your vehicle is equipped with an engine Start/Stop button, this button will not switch to the OFF position unless the shift lever is in the P (Park) position.