Dual clutch transmission operation

The dual clutch transmission has 8 forward speeds and one reverse speed.

The individual speeds are selected automatically in the D (Drive) position.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death:

  • ALWAYS check the surrounding 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 ENGINE START/STOP button in the LOCK/OFF position. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed.

  • When using Manual Shift Mode, use caution when shifting from a higher gear to a lower gear on slippery roads. This could cause the tires to slip and may result in an accident.

  • To avoid damage to your transmission, do not try to accelerate with the shift lever in R (Reverse) or any forward gear position with the brake engaged.

  • When stopped on a slope, do not hold the vehicle with accelerator pedal. Engage the service brake or the parking brake.

The Dual Clutch Transmission gives the driving feel of a manual transmission yet provides the ease of a fully automatic transmission. Unlike a traditional automatic transmission, the gear shifting can be felt (and heard) on the dual clutch transmission

  • Shift into Drive range and have fully automatic shifting, similar to a conventional automatic transmission.

  • Dual clutch transmission adopts wet type dual clutch, which is different from the torque converter of Automatic Transmissions, and has better acceleration performance when driving. However, initial launch may be a little bit slower than an Automatic Transmission.

  • When rapidly accelerating at low vehicle speed, the engine could rev to a high rpm depending on vehicle drive condition.

  • For a smooth launch uphill, depress the accelerator pedal smoothly.

  • If you release the accelerator pedal at low vehicle speeds, you may feel a strong engine brake, which is similar to a manual transmission.

  • When driving downhill, you may use Sports Mode to downshift to a lower gear to control your speed without using the brake pedal excessively.

  • When turning the engine on and off, you may hear clicking sounds as the system goes through a self-test. These are normal sounds for the Dual Clutch Transmission.

  • Always come to a complete stop before shifting into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).

  • Do not put the shift lever in N (Neutral) while driving.

WARNING

If there is a transmission failure, your Kia may not move, and the position indicator (D, R) will blink on the cluster. At this time, have the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.