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Features of your vehicle
Tachometer (if equipped)
The tachometer indicates the
approximate number of engine revo-
lutions per minute (rpm).When moving the shift lever to the
“S” (SPORT) mode, the engine
tachometer is displayed while switch-
ing to SPORT mode.
Use the tachometer to select the cor-
rect shift points and to prevent lug-
ging and/or over-revving the engine.
Hybrid System Gauge
The hybrid system gauge indicates
whether the current driving condition
is fuel efficient or not.
ODEP049529L
ODEP049215N ■Type B - ECO mode selected
■Type B - SPORT mode selected
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with-
in the tachometer's RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine
damage.
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■Type A
■Type B
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Features of your vehicle
74 4
Outside Temperature Gauge
This gauge indicates the current out-
side air temperatures by 1°C (1°F).
- Temperature range : -40 ~ 60°C (-40 ~
140°F)
The outside temperature on the dis-
play may not change immediately
like a general thermometer to pre-
vent the driver from being distracted.The temperature unit (from °C to °F
or from °F to °C) can be changed by
using the “User Settings” mode of the
LCD display.
❈For more details, refer to “LCD dis-
play” in this chapter.
Dual clutch transmission shift
indicator
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■Type A
■Type B - ECO mode selected
■Type B - SPORT mode selectODEP049558L
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475
Features of your vehicle
This indicator displays which shift
lever is selected.
Reverse : R
Neutral : N
Sport mode : S
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Features of your vehicle
Driving Style
The driving style is displayed when
you are driving in ECO mode.
When you drive in SPORT mode,
each driving category will be dis-
played with “--”.
Energy Flow
The hybrid system informs the driv-
ers its energy flow in various operat-
ing modes. While driving, the current
energy flow is specified in 11 modes.
❈ For more details, refer to “Energy
Flow” in Hybrid System Overview
chapter.
Engine coolant temperature
This gauge indicates the tempera-
ture of the engine coolant when the
engine is running.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
When the gauge indicator gets out of
the normal range, toward the “H
(Hot)” position, it indicates over-
heating of the engine. It may dam-
age the engine.
Do not continue driving with the
overheated engine.
❈ ❈
For further information, refer to
“If the Engine Overheats” in the
chapter 6.
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Features of your vehicle
SPORT Mode Indicator
Light
This indicator light illuminates:
When the driver moves the shift
lever to S (Sport).
❈For more information, refer to
"Dual Clutch Transmission" in
chapter 5.
ECO Mode Indicator
Light
This indicator light illuminates:
When the driver moves the shift
lever to D (Drive).
❈Formore information, refer to
"Dual Clutch Transmission" in
chapter 5.
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517
Driving your vehicle
The dual Clutch Transmission
gives the driving feel of a manual
transmission, yet provides the
ease of a fully automatic transmis-
sion. Unlike a traditional automatic
transmission, the gear shifting can
be felt (and heard) on the dual
clutch transmission
- Think of it as an automatically
shifting manual transmission.
- Shift into Drive range and get fully
automatic shifting, similar to a con-
ventional automatic transmission.
Dual clutch transmission adopts
dry-type dual clutch, which is dif-
ferent from torque converter of
automatic transmission, and
shows better acceleration perform-
ance during driving. But, initial
launch might be little bit slower
than Automatic Transmission.
The dry-type clutch transfers torque
and provides a direct driving feeling
which may feel different from a con-
ventional automatic transmission
with a torque converter. This may be
more noticeable when starting from
a stop or low vehicle speed. When rapidly accelerating at low
vehicle speed, engine could rev at
high rpm depending on vehicle
drive condition.
For smooth launch uphill, press
down the accelerator pedal
smoothly depending on the current
conditions.
If you release your foot from the
accelerator pedal at low vehicle
speed, you may feel strong engine
brake, which is similar to manual
transmission.
When driving downhill, you may
use Sports Mode to downshift to a
lower gear in order to control your
speed without using the brake
pedal excessively.
When you turn the engine on and
off, you may hear clicking sounds
as the system goes through a self
test. This is a normal sound for the
dual Clutch Transmission.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death:
ALWAYS check the surround-
ing areas near your vehicle for
people, especially children,
before shifting a vehicle into
D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
Before leaving the driver’s
seat, always make sure the
shift lever is in the P (Park)
position, then set the parking
brake, and place the ignition
switch or ENGINE START/
STOP button in the OFF posi-
tion. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur
if these precautions are not
followed.
Do not use engine braking
(shifting from a high gear to
lower gear) rapidly on slip-
pery roads. The vehicle may
slip, causing an accident.
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Driving your vehicle
22 5
Manual mode
Whether the vehicle is stationary or
in motion, manual mode is selected
by pushing the shift lever from the D
(Drive) position into the manual gate.
To return to D (Drive) range opera-
tion, push the shift lever back into the
main gate.
In manual mode, moving the shift lever
backwards and forwards will allow you
to select the desired range of gears for
the current driving conditions.
+ (Up) : Push the lever forward once
to shift up one gear.
- (Down) :Pull the lever backwards
once to shift down one gear.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
• Only the six 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.
• Downshifts are made automatical-
ly when the vehicle slows down.
When the vehicle stops, 1st gear is
automatically selected.
• When the engine rpm approaches
the red zone the transmission will
upshift automatically.
• If the driver presses the lever to +
(Up) or - (Down) position, the trans-
mission may not make the request-
ed gear change if the next gear is
outside of the allowable rpm range.
Paddle shifter (if equipped)
The paddle shift function is available
when the shift lever is in the
sport/manual mode.
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![KIA NIRO HYBRID EV 2021 Owners Manual 523
Driving your vehicle
With the shift lever in the manual mode
Pull the [+] or [-] paddle shifter once
to shift up or down one gear.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
If you pull the [+] and [-] paddle
shifters at the KIA NIRO HYBRID EV 2021 Owners Manual 523
Driving your vehicle
With the shift lever in the manual mode
Pull the [+] or [-] paddle shifter once
to shift up or down one gear.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
If you pull the [+] and [-] paddle
shifters at the](/manual-img/2/58908/w960_58908-348.png)
523
Driving your vehicle
With the shift lever in the manual mode
Pull the [+] or [-] paddle shifter once
to shift up or down one gear.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
If you pull the [+] and [-] paddle
shifters at the same time, you cannot
shift the gear.
SPORT Mode / ECO Mode
When you drive after changing the
gear shift lever to manual mode, the
vehicle will automatically shift to
SPORT mode. When you drive the
vehicle after putting the gear shift
lever to ‘D’, the vehicle will automati-
cally shift to ECO mode. Each auto-
matic change in shift will be dis-
played on the instrument cluster.
ECO mode
This driving mode increases fuel effi-
ciency. The actual fuel mileage will
depend on your driving habits and
road conditions.
SPORT mode
This driving mode provides sporty
driving experience. Be aware that fuel
efficiency may decrease in this mode.Shift lock system
For your safety, the dual clutch trans-
mission has a shift lock system which
prevents shifting the transaxle from P
(Park) into R (Reverse) unless the
brake pedal is depressed.
To shift the transaxle from P (Park)
into R (Reverse):
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine or turn the ignition
switch or ENGINE START/STOP
button 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 chat-
tering noise & vibration near the shift
lever may be heard. This is a normal
condition.