Safe AWD operation

Before driving

  • You must learn how to turn in an AWD vehicle. Do not rely on your experience with conventional Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles when you turn your vehicle in AWD mode. You must drive more slowly when using AWD.

  • Make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts.

  • Sit upright and closer to the steering wheel than usual. Adjust the steering wheel to a position you find comfortable for driving.

  • Always hold the steering wheel firmly when you drive on unpaved roads.

WARNING

AWD

  • Reduce your speed when turning. AWD vehicles have a higher center of gravity than conventional FWD vehicles, and are more likely to roll over when you turn too quickly.

  • Do not make quick steering wheel movements (such as sharp lane changes or fast, sharp turns).

  • The risk of a rollover greatly increases if you lose control of your vehicle at highway speeds.

  • In a collision, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.

  • Loss of control often occurs when 2 or more wheels leave the road and the driver overcorrects to reenter the road. If your vehicle leaves the road, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow down before you reenter the road.

WARNING

Steering wheel

OLQ2A095027

When you are drive on an unpaved road, do not grab the inside of the steering wheel. If you do so, a sudden steering maneuver or steering wheel rebound caused by impact with objects on the ground may hurt your arm, and you could lose control of the steering wheel.

NOTE

AWD

  • Do not drive in water higher than the bottom of your vehicle.

  • Check the condition of your brakes after you drive through mud or water. To do so, engage the brake pedal several times (as you drive slowly) until you feel normal braking forces return.

  • If you drive in off-road conditions such as sand, mud, or water, shorten your scheduled maintenance interval (refer to Scheduled maintenance service). Always wash your vehicle thoroughly, especially the underbody, after driving off-road.

  • The condition of the tires greatly affects AWD vehicle performance because driving torque is always applied to all four wheels. Be sure to equip your vehicle with four tires of the same size and type.

  • An AWD vehicle cannot be towed by an ordinary tow truck. If your vehicle must be towed, make sure a flatbed truck is used.

  • Compared to normal road conditions, on road or off-road conditions that necessitate using AWD expose your vehicle to extreme stress. When using AWD, slow down and be ready for changes in the composition and traction of the road surface. If you have any doubt about the safety of road conditions, stop driving and consider the best way to proceed.

Driving on snow-covered or icy roads

  • Start off slowly by engaging the accelerator pedal gently.

  • Use snow tires or tire chains.

  • Keep sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.

  • Using the engine brake helps with steering when you drive downhill. However, it is difficult to adjust the vehicle while coasting, so avoid using the foot brake as much as possible.

  • Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration, sudden brake engagement, and sharp turns to prevent skidding.

  • If the vehicle stops while you are driving uphill, it is difficult to start it again. Keep your distance from other vehicles and drive slowly.

NOTE

Mud or snow

If a front or rear wheel begins to spin in mud or snow, you can sometimes drive your vehicle out by further engaging the accelerator pedal. However, avoid continuously revving the engine at a high rpm, which could damage your vehicle’s AWD system.

Driving in sand or mud

  • Maintain slow, constant speed and engage the accelerator pedal slowly to ensure safe driving and prevent the wheels from slipping.

  • Maintain sufficient following distance from the vehicle ahead.

  • Reduce speed and always check road conditions.

  • To prevent getting stuck, avoid speeding, rapid acceleration, sudden braking, and sharp turns.

  • Your vehicle’s wheels may not operate when stuck in snow, sand or mud. This is to protect the transmission and is not a malfunction.

NOTE

Forcibly moving your vehicle to get it out of mud or sand can cause:

  • Damage to your vehicle

  • Damage to your tires

  • The engine to overheat

  • Damage to or breakdown of your transmission, differential, or AWD systems

If the wheels slip excessively after you enter a sandy or muddy road, your vehicle may fall into the sand or mud. In this case, place a stone or tree branch under the tire, then try to pull out the vehicle or get it unstuck by repeatedly moving back and forth.

Driving up or down hills

  • When you drive up or down a hill, drive as straight as possible. When you drive up or down a steep hill, be extremely cautious of vehicle rollover caused by the grade, terrain, water, or mud.

WARNING

Hills

Traversing steep hills can be extremely dangerous due to slight changes in the wheel angle that can destabilize your vehicle. Your vehicle can become unstable if it stops its forward motion (even if your vehicle maintains stability under power). Your vehicle may roll over without warning or enough time for you to correct a mistake that could cause serious injury or death.

Driving through water

  • Avoid driving in deep, standing water.

  • If you must drive in water, stop your vehicle, set it to TERRAIN MODE, and drive below 5 mph (8 km/h).

  • Do not shift the gear while driving in water.

WARNING

Driving through water

When you drive through water, drive slowly. If you drive through water too fast, the water can enter the engine compartment, get the ignition system wet, and cause your vehicle to suddenly stop. If this happens when your vehicle is in a tilted position, your vehicle may roll over.

Additional driving conditions

  • Become familiar with the off-road conditions before driving.

  • Always pay attention when driving off-road and avoid dangerous areas.

  • Drive slowly when driving in heavy wind.

  • Reduce the vehicle’s speed when turning. The center of gravity of 4WD vehicles is higher than conventional 2WD vehicles, making them more likely to roll over when you rapidly turn around corners.

  • Always hold the steering wheel firmly when driving off-road.

WARNING

Wind danger

If you drive in strong wind, your vehicle’s higher center of gravity lessens steering control, so you must drive more slowly.

Transmission overheated

OCL4M035100N

  1. Transmission Hot! Park with engine on
OCL4M035102N

  1. Trans cooled. Resume driving.

  • The transmission can overheat when you drive on extremely muddy or sandy roads.

  • When the transmission overheats, safe protection mode activates, and Transmission Hot! Park with engine on warning message appears on the instrument cluster and an audible warning sounds.

  • Pull over to a safe location, stop your vehicle with the engine running, engage the brake pedal, shift to P (Park), and allow the transmission to cool.

  • Driving conditions may worsen if you ignore this warning. You may experience abrupt shifts, frequent shifts, and jerkiness. To return to normal driving conditions, you should park your vehicle and allow the transmission to cool for a few minutes (with the engine on) before driving again.

  • You can continue to drive your vehicle when Trans cooled. Resume driving. message appears.

If any warning message on the instrument cluster continues to blink, have the system inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.