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Driving your vehicle
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
2GHN3001
The lock release button must be depressed while moving the shift lever. Depress the brake pedal and push the button when shifting.The shift lever can be moved without depressing the lock release button.
+ (UP)
- (DOWN)Sports mode
Automatic mode
Lock release button prevents shift lever
movement without first depressing the
button.
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Driving your vehicle64
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Automatic transaxle operationAll normal forward driving is done
with the shift lever in the D (Drive)
position.
To move the shift lever from the P
(Park) position, the brake pedal must
be depressed and the lock release
button must be depressed.
For smooth operation, depress thebrake pedal when shifting from N(Neutral) to a forward or reversegear.
✽ ✽
NOTICE• To avoid damage to your
transaxle, do not accelerate the
engine in R (Reverse) or any for-
ward gear position with the brakes
on.
• When stopped on an upgrade, do not hold the vehicle stationary
with engine power. Use the service
brake or the parking brake.
• Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive), or R
(Reverse) when the engine is
above idle speed.
2GHA3002A
+ (UP)
- (DOWN)
Automatic
modeSports mode
WARNING
- Automatic
transaxle
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (PARK) position; then
set the parking brake fully and
shut the engine off. Unexpected
and sudden vehicle movement
can occur if these precautions
are not followed in the order
identified.
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Driving your vehicle
Sports modeWhether the vehicle is stationary or
in motion, sports mode is selected by
pushing the shift lever from the “D”
position into the sports mode. To
return to “D” range operation, push
the shift lever back into the automat-
ic mode.
In sports mode, moving the shift
lever backwards and forwards will
allow you to make gearshifts rapidly.
In contrast to a manual transaxle, the
sports mode allows gearshifts with
the accelerator pedal depressed.Up (+) : Push the lever forward once
to shift up one gear.
Down (-) : Pull the lever backwards
once to shift down one gear.
Snow modeWhen driving on a slippery road,
push the shift lever forward into the
+(up) position. This causes the
transaxle to shift into the 2nd gear
which is better for smooth driving on
a slippery road. Push the shift lever
to the -(down) side to shift back to
the 1st gear.
✽ ✽
NOTICE• Upshifts do not take place auto-
matically in sports mode. The
driver must execute upshifts in
accordance with road conditions,
taking care to keep the engine
speed below the red zone.
• In sports mode, only the five for- ward gears can be selected. To
reverse or park the vehicle, move
the shift lever to the “R” or “P”
position as required.
• In sports mode, downshifts are made automatically when the
vehicle slows down. When the
vehicle stops, 1st gear is automati-
cally selected.
• In sports mode, when the engine rpm approaches the red zone shift
points are varied to upshift auto-
matically.
• To maintain the required levels of vehicle performance and safety,
the system may not execute cer-
tain gearshifts when the shift lever
is operated.
1GHA3002
+ (UP)
- (DOWN)
Automatic
modeSports mode
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Moving up a steep grade from
a standing startTo move up a steep grade from a
standing start, depress the brake
pedal, shift the shift lever to D
(Drive). Select the appropriate gear
depending on load weight and steep-
ness of the grade, and release the
parking brake. Depress the accelera-
tor gradually while releasing the
service brakes.
When accelerating from a stop on
a steep hill, the vehicle may have a
tendency to roll backwards.
Shifting the shift lever into 2
(Second Gear) while in Sport
mode will help prevent the vehi-
cle from rolling backwards.
Shift lock systemFor your safety, the Automatic
Transaxle has a shift lock system
which prevents shifting the transaxle
out of P (Park) unless the brake
pedal is depressed.
To shift the transaxle out of P (Park):
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine or turn the ignition
to the ON position.
3. Depress the lock release button and move the shift lever.
If the brake pedal is repeatedly
depressed and released with the
shift lever in the P (Park) position, a
chattering sound near the shift lever
may be heard. This is a normal con-
dition.
Ignition key inter lock systemThe ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in the P
(Park) position. If the ignition switch
is in any other position, the key can-
not be removed.
Page 308 of 322

Consumer assistance29Roadside Assistance is provided on all new 2006 model
Kia Vehicles from the date the vehicle is delivered to the
first retail buyer or otherwise put into use (in-service
date), whichever is earlier, for a period of 60
months/60000 miles.Toll Free Consumer AssistanceKia's toll-free Consumer Assistance hot line is staffed
from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST, Monday through Friday
and is accessible by dialing 1-800-333-4Kia.
For more information regarding assistance available,
please refer to your Kia Warranty & Consumer
Information Manual.Emergency Roadside AssistanceKia's toll free Roadside Assistance hot line is staffed 24
hours a day, 365 days a year and is accessible by dialing
1-800-333-4Kia.
Kia has set up a network of over 17,000 roadside assis-
tance providers. Should you accidentally run out of fuel,
require a battery jump, or need help changing a tire, a Kia
Roadside Assistance Representative will dispatch (at no
charge to you) someone to deliver a small quantity of
gas, change a flat tire with your inflated spare, or arrange
a battery jump to allow you to proceed to your destina-
tion. Kia also has a network of over 10,000 locksmiths to
help you when you’re locked out of your Kia, also at no
charge.In the event that mechanical difficulty renders your vehi-
cle undriveable, Kia’s Roadside Assistance
Representative will arrange to transport your vehicle to
the nearest Kia dealer or to an alternative service loca-
tion.
Your vehicle must be accessible to our dispatch transport
vehicle, as determined by our driver, to receive this serv-
ice. In the event that Kia does not have a dealer or an
alternative service location available in a particular loca-
tion, Kia will work with a reputable local service facility to
ensure that you receive prompt service. Warranty repairs
are performed at no cost.
Trip InterruptionTrip interruption expense benefits are provided in the
event that a warranty-related disablement occurs more
than 150 miles from your home, and the repairs require
more than 24 hours to complete. Reasonable reimburse-
ment is included for meals, lodging, or rental car expens-
es. Trip interruption coverage is limited to $100 per day
subject to a three day maximum limit per incident, and
you are required to contact the Kia Roadside Assistance
Center to obtain pre-authorization of expenses. Once the
Kia Roadside Assistance Center gives authorization for
trip interruption benefits, they will assist you in making
the necessary arrangements. Insurance deductibles,
expenses, and claims paid by your insurance company or
other providers are not eligible for reimbursement.
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