Kia Sportage: Dual clutch transmission: (if equipped)

Shift lever type: (if equipped)

Press the brake pedal and the lock release button while moving the shift lever.

Press the unlock button when changing the gear position.

The shift lever can be moved freely.

• P (Park)

• R (Reverse)

• N (Neutral)

• D (Drive)

Operation

• Press the brake pedal and move the lever to the desired position.

Manual mode

Operation

1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) into the manual mode gate.

   • Up (+): Push the lever forward once to shift up one gear.

   • Down (−): Pull the lever back once to shift down one gear.

2. Move the lever back to D (Drive) to resume automatic mode.

Shift lock

The shift lock prevents the lever from moving from P (Park) to R (Reverse) unless the brake pedal is depressed.

Operation

1. Press and hold the brake pedal.

2. Turn the vehicle to the ON position.

3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.

TIP

If you repeatedly press and release the brake pedal while the shift lever is in P (Park), you may hear a chattering sound near the lever. This is normal.

Overriding the shift lock

If the shift lever cannot be moved from P (Park) to R (Reverse), follow the override procedure below.

Operation

1. Keep the brake pedal depressed.

2. Turn the vehicle to the OFF position.

3. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

4. Carefully remove the shift knob boot.

5. Insert a suitable tool, such as a flat-head screwdriver, into the access hole and press down.

6. Move the shift lever to the required position.

7. Remove the tool from the shift lock override access hole, then refit the shift knob boot.

8. Have the system inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends contacting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Shift dial SBW type: (if equipped)

• P (Park)

• R (Reverse)

• N (Neutral)

• D (Drive)

Operation

1. Press the brake pedal and turn the dial to select the required gear position.

2. Press the P button to select P (Park).

Transmission ranges

When the ignition is in the ON position, the instrument cluster shows the selected transmission range, helping you confirm the Kia Sportage is in the intended gear.

P (Park)

Bring the vehicle to a complete stop before selecting P (Park). To shift out of P, press the brake pedal firmly and make sure the accelerator pedal is fully released. If you have followed these steps but still cannot move the dial out of P, refer to the shift lock override procedure. Always select P (Park) before switching off the engine.

N with the vehicle in the ON position

Operation

1. Switch off AUTO HOLD and release the parking brake.

2. Press the brake pedal.

3. Turn the shift dial to N (Neutral). A confirmation message will appear on the instrument cluster.

4. Press and hold the OK button on the steering wheel for more than one second.

5. After the confirmation message appears on the instrument cluster, switch off the engine.

Operating condition

• The vehicle must be in the ON position.

When the battery is discharged

Operation

1. Connect the battery cables to the jump-start terminals in the engine compartment. Refer to the Jump-starting section for further instructions.

2. With the vehicle in the ON position, release the parking brake.

3. Select N (Neutral).

Characteristics of the dual clutch transmission

The dual clutch transmission has seven forward gears and one reverse gear. When the shift dial is in D (Drive), the transmission selects the gears automatically to suit the driving conditions.

• The Kia Sportage dual clutch transmission combines the driving feel of a manual transmission with the convenience of automatic gear changes. It operates like a manual gearbox that shifts for you, without requiring the driver to select each gear.

• In D (Drive), the transmission shifts through the gears automatically, much like a conventional automatic. You may sometimes feel or hear a gear change as the actuators engage the clutches and select the next gear.

• The transmission uses a dry-type dual clutch system, designed to support responsive acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, it does not use a torque converter; instead, changes between gears are managed through clutch slip, particularly at lower speeds.

  As a result, gear changes may feel more noticeable, and a light vibration may occur while the transmission matches the speed of the transmission shaft to the engine shaft. These sensations are normal characteristics of a dual clutch transmission.

• The dry clutch transfers torque more directly, creating a direct-drive feel that may differ from the response of a conventional automatic transmission. This difference can be more apparent when moving away from a stop or travelling slowly in stop-and-go traffic.

• When accelerating rapidly from a low speed, engine speed may rise sharply as the dual clutch transmission selects the appropriate gear and the clutch slips. This is normal operation.

• When starting on an incline, press the accelerator smoothly and progressively. A gradual input helps reduce shuddering or jerky movement as the vehicle begins to move.

• At low speeds, quickly releasing the accelerator may produce a feeling of engine braking before the transmission changes gear. This is similar to the engine-braking effect of a manual transmission at low speed.

• When travelling downhill, you can select Manual Shift mode and choose a lower gear to help control the Kia Sportage’s speed without relying excessively on the brake pedal.

• Clicking sounds may be heard when you start or switch off the engine as the system performs a self-check. This is normal for the dual clutch transmission.

• During the first 1,500 km (1,000 miles), acceleration at low speeds may feel less smooth. During this break-in period, the shift quality and performance of the new vehicle are continually being optimised.

Automatic transmission: (if equipped)

Shift lever type: (if equipped) Press the brake pedal and the lock release button while moving the shift lever. Press the unlock button ...

Shift lock system

For added safety, the Kia Sportage automatic or dual clutch transmission includes a shift lock system. It prevents the transmission from being shifted from P (Park) to R (Reverse) unless the brake ...