Kia Sportage: LCD display messages

Shift dial SBW messages for automatic or dual clutch transmissions

Message	What it means
	This message appears when the vehicle is moving too fast for the requested gear change.
	This message appears when you try to change gear without pressing the brake pedal.
	This message appears if you select P (Park) while the vehicle is moving.
	This message appears if P (Park) is selected again or if the gear is overheated.
	This message appears when there is a problem with the function that engages P (Park).
	This message appears when there is a problem with the P (Park) button.
	This message appears when there is a problem with the shift dial.
	This message appears if the shift dial remains stuck or if the system detects a problem with the dial.

Dual clutch transmission warning messages

Message	What it means and what to do
	Use the foot brake or parking brake to hold the vehicle on an incline. In stop-and-go traffic on a hill, leave a suitable gap in front before moving forward. Use the foot brake to keep the vehicle stationary on the slope. Holding the vehicle on an incline with the accelerator, or allowing it to creep forward without pressing the brake, can overheat the clutch and transmission and may cause damage. The LCD will display a warning if this happens. If this warning is displayed, press the foot brake. Ignoring the warning may result in transmission damage.
	Repeated stop-and-go starts on steep slopes, sudden take-offs or acceleration, and other demanding driving conditions can raise the clutch temperature excessively. Continued overheating may damage the transmission clutch. NOTE In stop-and-go traffic, move the shift lever to N (Neutral) or P (Park) while the vehicle is stopped. This can reduce driving strain and help the transmission operate more smoothly. If the clutch overheats, the transmission’s protective mode may engage. The gear indicator on the cluster will blink, a chime will sound, and the LCD will display “Transmission temp. is high! Stop safely.” The vehicle may not drive smoothly. If this occurs, move to a safe place and stop with the engine running. With the brake pedal pressed, select N (Neutral), apply the parking brake, and allow the transmission to cool. Ignoring the warning can make the condition worse. Gear changes may become abrupt or frequent, and the vehicle may jerk. To help restore normal operation, stop the vehicle, press the foot brake or select P (Park), and let the transmission cool for several minutes with the engine running before driving again. Where conditions allow, drive smoothly to avoid placing unnecessary strain on the Kia Sportage dual clutch transmission.
	If you continue driving until the clutch reaches its maximum temperature limit, the message “Transmission hot! Park with engine On” will appear. The clutch will be disabled until it cools to a normal temperature. The display will show how long to wait for the transmission to cool. If this warning appears, pull over to a safe location and stop with the engine running. Apply the brakes, select P (Park), and allow the transmission to cool. When “Trans cooled. Resume driving.” appears, you can continue your journey. Drive smoothly whenever possible to help avoid excessive transmission heat. If any of these LCD warning messages continues to blink, have the system inspected for your safety. Kia recommends contacting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death, follow these precautions when using the Kia Sportage transmission:

• Before selecting D (Drive) or R (Reverse), check the area around the vehicle for people, especially children.

• Before leaving the driver’s seat, make sure the gear is in P (Park), apply the parking brake, and turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF. If you do not follow these steps, the vehicle could move suddenly and unexpectedly.

• Press the brake pedal fully before and while shifting out of P (Park). This helps prevent unintended vehicle movement that could injure someone inside or near the vehicle.

• After stopping, always select P (Park), apply the parking brake, and switch off the vehicle.

• Do not rely on P (Park) as a substitute for the parking brake. Select P (Park) and apply the parking brake fully.

• Never leave a child unattended in the vehicle.

• Do not drive with the gear in N (Neutral). The engine brake will not be available, which may create a hazardous situation.

• To avoid transmission damage, do not press the accelerator to move the vehicle while R (Reverse) or a forward gear is selected and the brake is applied.

• Do not rapidly downshift on slippery roads to use engine braking. The vehicle may skid and cause an accident.

• Never select P (Park) while the vehicle is moving. The drive wheels may lock, causing you to lose control.

• When parking on an incline, chock the wheels to help prevent the vehicle from rolling downhill.

• For safety, apply the parking brake whenever you select P (Park), except in an emergency parking situation.

• Dual clutch transmission precautions

  • Do not use aggressive engine braking by shifting rapidly from a higher gear to a lower gear on slippery roads. The tyres could lose traction and the vehicle may skid.

  • Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when selecting a gear. Shifting while the engine is running at high speed can make the vehicle move rapidly, risking loss of control and a collision with people or objects.

  • When stopped on a slope, use the service brake or parking brake to hold the vehicle. Do not use the accelerator pedal for this purpose.

  • If the transmission cannot shift into D (Drive) or R (Reverse), the D or R indicator on the cluster will blink. Have the system inspected by an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

CAUTION

• Always bring the vehicle to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse). Shifting into R while moving may damage the transmission, except when following the procedure described under “Rocking the vehicle.”

• For safety, park in P (Park) and apply the parking brake. If the vehicle is left in N (Neutral), it may roll and cause serious injury or damage.

• Once the vehicle is switched off, the electronic parking brake cannot be released.

• On vehicles with an electronic parking brake (EPB) and AUTO HOLD, the parking brake applies automatically when the vehicle is switched off. Turn AUTO HOLD off before switching the vehicle to OFF.

• Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive) or R (Reverse) while the engine is above idle speed. Selecting P (Park) while the vehicle is moving may damage the transmission.

NOTE

Manual mode

• Shift lever type

  • Choose upshifts according to road conditions and keep engine speed below the tachometer’s red zone.

  • The transmission downshifts automatically as the vehicle slows. When the vehicle stops, 1st gear is selected automatically.

  • As engine speed approaches the red zone, the system may change the shift points and upshift automatically.

  • To maintain vehicle performance and safety, the system may prevent certain requested gear changes.

  • On a slippery road, selecting 2nd gear can help the vehicle move more smoothly.

  • Always stop completely before shifting into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).

  • Do not shift into N (Neutral) while driving.

  • Make upshifts in line with road conditions and ensure engine speed remains below the red zone.

  • Manual mode provides access only to the six or seven forward gears available. Select R (Reverse) or P (Park) as needed to reverse or park the vehicle.

  • Fuel efficiency may decrease while using manual mode.

  • If you request an upshift (+) or downshift (−), the transmission may not change gear when the resulting engine speed would fall outside the permitted range.

• Dual clutch transmission

  • When manual mode is selected:

    Engine speed may remain higher than usual for a short time after you release the accelerator.

    Upshifts may be delayed while accelerating.

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 ...

Paddle shifters: (if equipped)

Operation Pull the [+] or [−] paddle once to shift up or down by one gear. This switches the Kia Sportage from automatic to manual shift mode. The paddle shifters do not operate at...