515
Driving your vehicle
✽
✽NOTICE
• In sports mode, the driver must exe-
cute upshifts in accordance with road
conditions. Be cautious to keep the
engine speed below the red zone.
• In sports mode, only the 5 (or 6) for- ward 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 sports mode, downshifts are made automatically when the vehicle slows
down. When the vehicle stops, 1st gear
is automatically selected.
• In sports mode, when the engine rpm approaches the red zone, shift points
are varied to upshift automatically.
• To maintain the required levels of vehicle performance and safety, the
system may not execute certain
gearshifts when the shift lever is oper-
ated.
• When driving on a slippery road, push the shift lever forward into the
+(up) position. This causes the trans-
mission to shift into the 2nd (or 3rd)
gear which is better for smooth driv-
ing on a slippery road. Push the shift
lever to the -(down) side to shift back
to the 1st gear.
E060102AHM
Shift lock system
For your safety, the automatic transmis-
sion has a shift lock system which pre-
vents shifting the transmission from P
(Park) or N (Neutral) into R (Reverse)
unless the brake pedal is depressed.
To shift the transmission from P (Park) or
N (Neutral) into 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.
If the brake pedal is repeatedly
depressed and released with the shift
lever in the P (Park) position, a chattering
noise near the shift lever may be heard. It
is a normal condition. Shift-lock override
If the shift lever cannot be moved from
the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position into
the R (Reverse) position even though the
brake pedal is depressed, continue
depressing the brake pedal, then do the
following:
1. Carefully remove the cap covering the
shift-lock access hole.
2. Insert a key (or screwdriver) into the access hole and press down on the
key (or screwdriver).
3. Move the shift lever.
4. Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized KIA dealer immediately.
WARNING
Always fully depress the brake
pedal before and while shifting out
of the P (Park) position into anoth-
er position to avoid inadvertent
motion of the vehicle which could
injure persons in or around the
vehicle.
OHM058006N
Driving your vehicle
16
5
E060103AHM
Ignition key interlock system
The ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in the P (Park)
position. If the shift lever is in any other
position, the key cannot be removed.
E060200AHM
Good driving practices
Never move the gear shift lever from P
(Park) or N (Neutral) to any other posi-
tion with the accelerator pedal
depressed.
Never move the gear shift lever into P (Park) when the vehicle is in motion.
Be sure the vehicle is completely stopped before you attempt to shift into
R (Reverse) or D (Drive).
Never take the vehicle out of gear and coast down a hill. This may be
extremely hazardous. Always leave the
car in gear when moving.
Do not "ride" the brakes. This can cause them to overheat and malfunc-
tion. Instead, when you are driving
down a long hill, shift to a lower gear.
When you do this, engine braking will
help slow down the car.
Slow down before shifting to a lower gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may
not be engaged. Always use the parking brake. Do not
depend on placing the transmission in
P (Park) to keep the vehicle from mov-
ing.
Exercise extreme caution when driving on a slippery surface. Be especially
careful when braking, accelerating or
shifting gears. On a slippery surface,
an abrupt change in vehicle speed can
cause the drive wheels to lose traction
and the vehicle to go out of control.
Optimum vehicle performance and economy is obtained by smoothly
depressing and releasing the accelera-
tor pedal.
Driving your vehicle
18
5
E170000AHM
Engine power can be delivered to all front
and rear wheels for maximum traction.
4WD is useful when extra traction is
required on road, such as, when driving
on slippery, muddy, wet, or snow-covered
roads. These vehicles are not designed
for challenging off-road use. Occasional
off-road use such as established
unpaved roads and trails are OK. It is
always important when traveling off-high-
way that the driver carefully reduces the
speed to a level that does not exceed the
safe operating speed for those condi-
tions. In general, off-road conditions pro-
vide less traction and braking effective-
ness than normal road conditions. The
driver must be especially alert to avoid
driving on slopes which tilt the vehicle to
either side.
These factors must be carefully consid-
ered when driving off-road. Keeping the
vehicle in contact with the driving surface
and under control in these conditions is
always the driver's responsibility for the
safety of him/herself and his or her pas-
sengers.
E170201AHM
Tight corner brake effect
Tight corner brake effect is a unique
characteristic of four-wheel drive vehicles
caused by the difference in tire rotation of
the four wheels and the zero-degree
alignment of the front wheels and sus-
pension.
Sharp turns at low speeds should be car-
ried out with caution.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING- Off road driving
This vehicle is designed primarily
for on road use although it can
operate effectively off road.
However, it was not designed to
drive in challenging off-road condi-
tions. Driving in conditions that
exceed the vehicle's intended
design or the driver's experience
level may result in severe injury or
death.
CAUTION - 4WD
When turning sharply on a paved
road at low speed while in four-wheel drive (4L mode for full-time 4WD operation or 4L/4H mode forpart-time 4WD operation), steeringcontrol will be difficult.
CAUTION
Do not select four wheel drive on flat and normal roads.
Four-wheel driving on flat roads for a long period causes poor fueleconomy and noise and it alsocauses tires to wear faster.
Four-wheel driving on flat and normal roads can result in asevere binding and chatteringcondition when turning the steer- ing wheel.
Four-wheel driving on flat roads for a long period can also causethe differential oil temperature to increase, resulting in damage toparts in the power train.
Driving your vehicle
20
5
E170802AHM-EU
Part-time 4WD knob operation
2H ↔
↔
4H
Turn the transfer knob from the 2H mode
to 4H mode or 4H mode to 2H mode at
the speed below 50 mph (80 km/h). It is
not necessary to put the shift lever into
the N (Neutral) position. Perform this
operation when driving straight. There
will be a few seconds of time delay
before shifting into the desired mode.
If the weather is extremely cold (-15°C/
5°F) and the engine is not heated, trans-
fer from 2H mode to 4H mode when the
vehicle is stopped or at low speed. 4H
↔ ↔
4L
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Put the shift lever into the N (Neutral) position.
3. Turn the transfer knob to the 4H or 4L position.
4. Before shifting to other ranges from the N (Neutral) position, wait for the
corresponding indicator light to turn on
or off in the cluster.
✽ ✽NOTICE
If the mode is not shifted like the previ-
ous instructions, it will not transfer into
the selected mode and the correspon-
ding indicator light will continuously
blink.
OHM058010NOHM058011
CAUTION - 4WD
Always check the 4WD shift knob
and cluster to see if the systemhas been activated unintentional- ly.
Do not speed over 80 km/h (50 mph) in the 4H mode and 40 km/h(25 mph) in the 4L mode.
521
Driving your vehicle
Transfer mode Shift knob Indicator lightDescription
This mode is used when driving on normal roads and highway.
The engine power is distributed to all four wheels automatical-
ly without the driver's intervention in accordance with the road
conditions and driving conditions.
This mode is used when driving on slippery roads, such as
snowy and rainy roads at normal speed.
Maximum speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
This mode is used when increased traction is required, such as
climbing or descending hills, driving off-roads, and towing a
vehicle.
Maximum speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)4 4 W
W D
D
H
H I
I
4WD HI
4WD
LOW 4
4
W
W D
D
L
L O
O W
WAUTO
(Automatic
4-wheel drive)
4H
(High-speed
4-wheel drive)
4L
(Low-speed
4-wheel drive) (not illuminated)
✽
✽
NOTICE
4WD transfer has a time delay for a few seconds until the actual shift is made after turning the transfer shift knob.
When the 4WD transfer mode is shifted, it may cause mechanical noise. It is not a mechanical f\
ailure but a normal condition.
E170900AHM-EU
Full-Time 4WD Operation (if equipped)
CAUTION
When you stop the vehicle to transfer the shift knob, wait until the corresponding indicator light turns on or off to
depart. If the vehicle moves before the transfer is completed, the vehicle may be damaged.
(illuminated)
(illuminated)
Driving your vehicle
22
5
E170902AHM-EU
Full-time 4WD knob operation
AUTO ↔
↔
4H
Turn the transfer knob from the AUTO
mode to 4H mode or 4H mode to AUTO
mode at the speed below 80 km/h (50
mph). It is not necessary to put the shift
lever into the N (Neutral) position.
Perform this operation when driving
straight. There will be a few seconds of
time delay before shifting into the desired
mode.
If the weather is extremely cold (-15°C/
5°F) and the engine is not heated, trans-
fer from AUTO mode to 4H mode when
the vehicle is stopped or at low speed. 4H
↔ ↔
4L
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Put the shift lever into the N (Neutral) position.
3. Turn the transfer knob to the 4H or 4L position.
4. Before shifting to other ranges from the N (Neutral) position, wait for the
corresponding indicator light to turn on
or off in the cluster.
✽ ✽NOTICE
If the mode is not shifted like the previ-
ous instructions, it will not transfer into
the selected mode and the correspon-
ding indicator light will continuously
blink.
OHM058012NOHM058013
CAUTION - Mud or snow
Always check the 4WD shift knob
and cluster to see if the systemhas been activated unintentional- ly.
Do not speed over 80 km/h (50 mph) in the 4H mode and 40 km/h(25 mph) in the 4L mode.
523
Driving your vehicle
E170300AHM-EC
For safe four-wheel drive opera-
tion
Do not try to drive in deep standingwater or mud since such conditions
can stall your engine and clog your
exhaust pipes. Do not drive down
steep hills since it requires extreme
skill to maintain control of the vehicle. When you are driving up or down hills
drive as straight 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 conditions.
WARNING- Hills
Driving across the contour of steep
hills can be extremely dangerous.
This danger can come from slight
changes in the wheel angle which
can destabilize the vehicle or, even
if the vehicle is maintaining stabili-
ty under power, it can lose that sta-
bility if the vehicle stops its forward
motion. Your vehicle may roll over
without warning and without time
for you to correct a mistake that
could cause serious injury or
death.
HILL1HILL2
WARNING- Four-wheel
driving
The conditions of on-road or off-
road that demand four-wheel drive
mean all functions of your vehicle
are exposed to extreme stress than
under normal road conditions. Slow
down and be ready for changes in
the composition and traction of the
surface under your tires. If you
have any doubt about the safety of
the conditions you are facing, stop
and consider the best way to pro-
ceed. Do not exceed the ability of
yourself or your vehicle to operate
safely.
Driving your vehicle
24
5
You must consciously take the effort to
learn how to corner in a 4WD vehicle.
Do not rely on your experience in con-
ventional 2WD vehicles in choosing
safe cornering speed in 4WD mode.
For starters, you must drive more slow-
ly in 4WD.
Drive carefully off-road because your vehicle may be damaged by rocks or
roots of trees. Become familiar with the
off-road conditions where you are
going to drive before you begin driving.
Always hold the steering wheel firmlywhen you are driving off-road.
Make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts. If you need to drive in the water, stop
your vehicle, set your transfer to the 4L
mode and drive at less than 5 mph (8
km/h).
WARNING- Steering
wheel
Do not grab the inside of the steer-
ing wheel when you are driving off-
road. You may hurt your arm by a
sudden steering maneuver or from
steering wheel rebound due to
impact with objects on the ground.
You could lose control of the steer-
ing wheel.
WARNING- Wind danger
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- Driving
through water
Drive slowly. If you are driving too
fast in water, the water can get into
the engine compartment and wet
the ignition system, causing your
vehicle to suddenly stop. If this
happens and your vehicle is in a
tilted position, your vehicle may roll
over.
OHM058102
WARNING- 4WD
Reduce speed when you turn cor-
ners. The center of gravity of 4WD
vehicles is higher than that of con-
ventional 2WD vehicles, making
them more likely to roll over when
you turn corners too fast.