Page 105 of 312

MANUAL TRANSMISSION
(IF EQUIPPED)Manual Transmission Operation
The manual transmission has five for-
ward gears.
Press the clutch pedal down fully
while shifting, then release it slowly.A special safety feature prevents
inadvertent shifting from 5 (Fifth) to R
(Reverse). The gearshift lever must
be returned to the Neutral position
before shifting into R (Reverse).
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into R
(Reverse).
DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
4-7
✽ ✽
NOTICETo avoid premature clutch wear
and damage, do not drive with your
foot resting on the clutch pedal.
Also, don’t use the clutch to hold
the vehicle stopped on an upgrade,
while waiting for a traffic light, etc.
N
135
24R
S2BLA404
WARNING
- Manual
Transmission
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always set the parking brake
fully and shut the engine off.
Then make sure the transmis-
sion is shifted into 1st gear.
Unexpected and sudden vehicle
movement can occur if these
precautions are not followed in
the order identified.
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Automatic Transmission
Operation
The automatic transmission is elec-
tronically controlled.
All 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 ignition switch
must be in the ON position, the brake
pedal must be depressed and the
lock release button must be
depressed.
For smooth operation, depress the
brake pedal when shifting from N
(Neutral) to a forward or reverse gear.DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE4-10
PR
N
D
2
LO/D OFF
PRND2LS2BLA402C
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.
✽ ✽
NOTICE To avoid damage to your trans-
mission, 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 serv-
ice brake or the parking brake.
Do not shift from N (Neutral) or
P (Park) into L (Low), 2 (Second
Gear), D (Drive), or R (Reverse)
when the engine is above idle
speed.✽ ✽
NOTICEIf the Emission Control System
Malfunction Indicator Light ( )
flashes, it indicates an electrical
problem with the transmission.
Should this occur, have the vehicle
checked by an Authorized Kia
Dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK
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When driving down a sloping road
with the transaxle in O/D (5th), you
can decrease the vehicle speed with-
out using the brakes by pressing the
O/D OFF button.
When the ignition is switched OFF,
O/D OFF mode is automatically can-
celled.
O/D OFF indicator
This indicator light illuminates in the
instrument panel when the O/D mode
is cancelled.P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
rotating. Always come to a complete
stop before shifting into this position.DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE4-12✽ ✽
NOTICEIf the O/D OFF indicator flashes, it
indicates an electrical problem with
the transaxle. Should this occur,
have the vehicle checked by an
Authorized Kia Dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING
Shifting into P (Park) while the
vehicle is in motion will cause
the drive wheels to lock which
will cause you to lose control
of the vehicle.
Do not use the P (Park) posi-
tion in place of the parking
brake. Always make sure the
shift lever is latched in the P
(Park) position so that it can-
not be moved unless the lock
release button is pushed in,
AND set the parking brake
fully.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Before leaving the driver’s
seat, always make sure the
shift lever is in the P (PARK)
position. Set the parking
brake fully, shut the engine off
and take the key with you.
Unexpected and sudden vehi-
cle movement can occur if
you do not follow these pre-
cautions in the order speci-
fied.
Never leave a child unattend-
ed in a vehicle.
CAUTION
The transmission may be dam-
aged if you shift into P (Park)
while the vehicle is in motion.
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Page 114 of 312

Automatic Transmission
Operation
All 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 the
brake pedal when shifting from N
(Neutral) to a forward or Reverse
gear.DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE4-16
CAUTION
• Do not accelerate the engine
in R (Reverse) or any forward
gear position with the brakes
on.
When stopped on an upgrade,
do not hold the vehicle sta-
tionary 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.
WARNING
- Automatic
Transmission
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.
5BLA403 + (UP)
- (DOWN) Automatic
mode
Sports mode
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Transmission ranges
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
rotating. Always come to a complete
stop before shifting into this position.
R (Reverse)
Use this position for backing-up the
vehicle.N (Neutral)
The wheels and transmission are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely
even on the slightest incline unless
the parking brake or service brakes
are applied.
D (Drive)
This is the normal forward driving
position. The transmission will auto-
matically shift through a 5th gear
sequence, providing the best econo-
my and power.
For extra power when passing anoth-
er vehicle or climbing grades,
depress the accelerator fully, at which
time the transmission will automati-
cally downshift to the next lower gear.
DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
4-17
CAUTION
The transmission may be dam-
aged if you shift into P (Park)
while the vehicle is in motion.
CAUTION
Always come to a complete
stop before shifting into or out
of R (Reverse); you may dam-
age transmission if you shift
into R while the vehicle is in
motion.
WARNING
Shifting into P (Park) while the
vehicle is in motion will cause
the drive wheels to lock and
you will lose control of the
vehicle.
Always make sure the shift
lever is latched in the P (Park)
position so that it cannot be
moved unless the lock release
button is depressed.
Never leave a child unat-
tached in a vehicle.
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FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)For Safe Four-Wheel Drive Operation
Your vehicle allows you to drive in
on-road and off-road conditions.
However, do not try to drive in deep
standing water, mud, or over steep
hills.
When you are driving up or down
hills drive as close to straight up
and down the hill as possible. Use
extreme caution in going up or
down steep hills, since you may flip
your vehicle over depending on the
grade, terrain and water/mud con-
ditions.You must learn how to corner in a
4WD vehicle as soon as possible.
Do not rely on your experience in
conventional 2WD vehicles in
choosing safe cornering speed. You
must drive more slowly.
Drive off-road carefully because
your vehicle may be damaged by
rocks or roots of trees. Become
familiar with the off-road conditions
you are going to drive before you
start.DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE4-20
WARNING- Four Wheel Drive
Driving across the contour of
steep hills can be extremely
dangerous. This danger can
come from slight changes in the
wheel angle which can destabi-
lize the vehicle or, even if the
vehicle is maintaining stability
under power, it can lose that
stability if the vehicle stops its
forward motion. Your vehicle
may roll over without warning
and without time for you to cor-
rect a mistake that could cause
serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Do not grab inside of the steer-
ing wheel when you are driving
off-road. Your arm may be hurt
by a sudden steering maneuver
or from steering wheel rebound
due to impact with objects on
the ground. This may cause you
to lose steering wheel control.
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Always hold the steering wheel
firmly when you are driving off-
road.
Make sure all passengers are
wearing seat belts.
Do not drive in water if the level is
higher than the bottom of the vehi-
cle.
Check your brake condition once
you are out of mud or water. Press
the brake pedal several times as
you move slowly until you feel nor-
mal braking forces return.
Shorten your scheduled mainte-
nance interval if you drive in off-road
conditions such as sand, mud or
water (see “Scheduled Maintenance”
in the Index). Always wash you car
thoroughly.
DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
4-21
WARNING
Reduce speed when you turn
corners. The center of gravity of
4WD vehicles is higher than
that of conventional 2WD vehi-
cles, making them more likely to
roll over when you turn corners
too fast.
CAUTION
If you are driving in heavy wind,
the vehicle's higher center of
gravity decreases your steering
control capacity and requires
you to drive more slowly.
WARNING
If you are driving too fast in
water, the water spray can get
into the engine compartment
and wet the ignition system,
causing your vehicle a sudden
stop. If this happens and your
vehicle is in a tilted position,
your vehicle may roll over.
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For Safe Four-Wheel Drive
Operation
Your vehicle allows you to drive in
on-road and off-road conditions.
However, do not try to drive in deep
standing water, mud, or over steep
hills.
When you are driving up or down
hills, drive as close to straight up
and down the hills as possible. Use
extreme caution in going up or
down steep hills, since you can flip
your vehicle over depending on the
grade, terrain and water/mud con-
ditions.DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE4-26
WARNING
- Four-Wheel
Driving
The conditions on-road or off-
road that demand four-wheel
drive mean all functions of your
vehicle are exposed to more
extreme stress than under high-
way conditions. Slow down,
look ahead, and be ready for
sudden changes in the compo-
sition and traction of the sur-
face under your tires. If you
have any doubt about the safety
of the conditions you are fac-
ing, stop and consider the best
way to proceed. Do not exceed
the ability of yourself or your
vehicle to operate safely.
WARNING
- Steep Hills
Driving across the contour of
steep hills can be extremely
dangerous. This danger can
come from slight changes in the
hill angle which can destabilize
the vehicle. Even if the vehicle
is maintaining stability under
power, it can lose that stability if
the vehicle stops its forward
motion. Your vehicle may roll
over without warning and with-
out time for you to correct a
mistake that could cause seri-
ous injury or death.
HILL1/HILL2 Approach Hill Straight
Up/DownDo not Approach at
Angle
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