Automatic transmission operation
The automatic transmission has 8 forward speeds and one reverse speed. The individual speeds are selected automaticall, depending on the balance between the fuel economy and the power.
The first few shifts on a new vehicle may be somewhat abrupt if the battery has been disconnected. This is a normal condition, and the shifting sequence will adjust after shifts are cycled a few times by the TCM (Transmission Control Module) or PCM (Powertrain Control Module).
For smooth operation, depress the brake pedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to a forward or reverse gear.
Automatic transmission
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Always check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for people, especially children, before shifting a vehicle into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
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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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Do not use the engine brake (shifting from a high gear to lower gear) rapidly on slippery roads.
The vehicle may slip causing an accident.
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To avoid damage to your transmission, do not accelerate the engine in R (Reverse) or any forward gear position with the brakes on.
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Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive) or R (Reverse) when the engine is above idle speed.
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When stopped on an incline, do not hold your Kia stationary with engine power. Use the service brake or the parking brake.
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Do not rely on the transmission to keep your Kia parked on an incline. Use the parking brake.
LCD display for warning message
A warning message is displayed on the LCD in a warning condition.
A: Transmission Hot! Park with engine on
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When driving under severe conditions such as repeated sudden starts and sudden acceleration, the transmission may overheat, and a warning sound and a warning message appear on the instrument cluster due to the self-protection mode.
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If this occurs, pull over to a safe location, stop the vehicle with the engine running, apply brakes and shift the gear to P (Park), and allow the transmission to cool.
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If the warning message continues to appear, have the system checked by a professional workshop. Visit an authorized Kia dealer to prevent unexpected accidents.
A: Vehicle Power limited due to high transmission temperature
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If the transmission continues to drive overheating and reaches its maximum temperature, the above warning message appears. In this case, the vehicle limits transmission power by its self protection mode.
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When such a situation occurs, normal driving is restricted until the transmission goes down to normal temperature, so after moving the vehicle to a safe place, shift the gear to P (Park) with the engine running and wait several minutes until the warning on the screen disappears.
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If the warning message continues to appear, have the system checked by a professional workshop. Visit an authorized Kia dealer to prevent unexpected accidents.
A: Trans cooled. Resume driving.
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When the message "Trans cooled. Resume driving" appears you can continue to drive your vehicle.