Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)
Dual clutch transmission operation
The dual clutch transmission has 7 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 ignition switch in the LOCK/OFF position. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed.
- Do not use engine braking (shifting from a high gear to lower gear) rapidly on slippery roads. The vehicle may slip causing an accident.
• 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
- Think of it as an automatically shifting manual transmission.
- Shift into Drive mode and get fully automatic shifting, similar to a conventional automatic transmission.
• Dual clutch transmission adopts a dry-type dual clutch, which is different from the torque converter of a automatic transmission, and shows better acceleration performance during driving, but the initial launch might be little bit slower than an Automatic Transmission.
• The dry-type clutch transfers torque and provides a direct driving feeling which may feel different from a conventional automatic transmission with a torque converter.This may be more noticeable when starting from a stop or low vehicle speed.
• When rapidly accelerating at low vehicle speed, the engine may rev at a higher rpm depending on vehicle drive condition.
• For a smooth launching uphill, press down the accelerator pedal smoothly depending on the current conditions.
• If you release your foot from the accelerator pedal at low vehicle speed, you may feel strong engine braking, which is similar to a manual transmission.
• When driving downhill, you may use Sports Mode to downshift to a lower gear in order to control your speed without using the brake pedal excessively.
• When you turn the engine on and off, you may hear clicking sounds as the system goes through a self test. This is a normal sound for the Dual Clutch Transmission.
WARNING
In the case of a transmission failure, the vehicle may not move and the position indicator (D, R) will blink on the cluster. In this situation, have the system checked by a professional workshop. Kia recommends to visit an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.
LCD display for transmission temperature and warning message
Transmission temperature Gauge
■ Type A
■ Type B
■ Type A
■ Type B
- Select trip computer mode on the LCD display and move to the transmission temperature screen to see the temperature of the dual clutch transmission.
- Try to drive so that the temperature gauge does not indicate a high temperature/overheating. When the transmission is overheated, the warning message will display on the LCD. Follow the displayed message.
- The transmission temperature is displayed in three colors (white, orange and red) as the temperature increases (if equipped with the color type cluster). The temperature gauge is displayed in one color (white) if equipped with the mono type cluster.
- An orange temperature gauge is dis-played right before the warning message appears on the LCD display. (if equipped)
CAUTION
An increased or high temperature on the transmission temperature gauge can appear when the vehicle is on an incline and stopped for a long time using the accelerator pedal and without depressing the brake pedal.
■ Type A
■ Type B
Normal (below marking 10)
• In order to maintain the optimal gear shift performance, drive so that the temperature gauge is below the point (below marking10).
✽ NOTICE
The transmission temperature may increase rapidly if clutch slip occurs excessively due to repeated stopand- go driving on steep grades and when Hill Hold is maintained for a long time. In order to prevent excessive temperature increase, use the brake during low speed driving or when stopping the vehicle on a hill.
Before entering High/Overheat (from marking 10 to 14)
■ Type A
■ Type B
- This zone shows what the dual clutch temperature of the DCT is close to entering the high/overheat zone. When the clutch temperature is within this zone (from marking 10 to 14), drive with minimal clutch slip so that that the temperature goes below marking 10.
- If the dual clutch temperature continues to increase and reaches marking 14, the warning alarm sounds and the temperature gauge pops up on the cluster. The DCT warning message is not displayed.
High/Overheat (from marking 15 to 16)
■ Type A
■ Type B
- This zone shows that the dual clutch temperature of the DCT has entered the high/overheat zone. The DCT warning alarm sounds, the warning message is displayed on the cluster and the temperature gauge disappears from the cluster. Follow the displayed warning message.
- To check the temperature status of the dual clutch when overheated, move to the temperature gauge screen by selecting the trip computer mode. Then, you can check the temperature status of the dual clutch.
DCT warning messages
■ Type A
■ Type B
This warning message is displayed when the vehicle is driven slowly on a grade and the vehicle detects that the brake pedal is not applied.
Steep grade
Driving up hills or on steep grades:
- To hold the vehicle on an incline, use the foot brake or the parking brake.
- When in stop-and-go traffic on an incline, keep some distance ahead before moving the vehicle forward. Then hold the vehicle on the incline with the foot brake.
- If the vehicle is held on a hill by applying the accelerator pedal or by creeping with the brake pedal dis-engaged, the clutch and transmission may overheat which can result in damage. In this situation, a warning message will appear on the LCD display.
- If the LCD warning is active, the foot brake must be applied.
- Ignoring the warnings can lead to damage to the transmission.
Transmission high temperature
- Under certain conditions, such as repeated stop-and-go launches on steep grades, sudden take off or acceleration, or other harsh driving conditions, the transmission clutch temperatures will increase excessively. Eventually, the clutch in the transmission could become overheated.
- When the clutch is overheated, the safe protection mode engages and the gear position indicator on the cluster blinks with a chime. In this situation, “Transmission temp. is high! Stop safely” warning message will appear on the LCD display, and driving may not be smooth.
- If this occurs, pull over to a safe location, stop the vehicle with the engine running, apply the brakes, shift the vehicle to P (Park), and allow the transmission to cool.
- If you ignore this warning, the driving condition may become worse. You may experience abrupt shifts, frequent shifts, or jerkiness. To return to normal driving condition, stop the vehicle and apply the foot brake or shift into P (Park). Then allow the transmission to cool for a few minutes with the engine on before driving off.
- When possible, drive the vehicle smoothly.
Transmission overheated
- If the vehicle continues to be driven and the clutch temperatures reach the maximum temperature limit, the “Transmission Hot! Park with engine on” warning will be displayed. When this occurs, the clutch is disabled until the clutch cools to normal temperatures.
- The warning will display a time to wait for the transmission to cool.
- If this occurs, pull over to a safe location, stop the vehicle with the engine running, apply the brakes, shift the vehicle to P (Park), and allow the transmission to cool.
- When the message “Trans cooled. Resume driving.” appears, you can continue to drive your vehicle.
- When possible, drive the vehicle smoothly.
If any of the warning messages in the LCD display continue to blink, for your safety, we recommend having the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.
Transmission ranges
The indicator in the instrument cluster displays the shift lever position when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park).
To shift from P (Park), you must depress firmly on the brake pedal and make sure your foot is off the accelerator pedal.
If you have done all of the above and still cannot shift the lever out of P (Park), see “Shift-Lock Release” in this chapter.
The shift lever must be in P (Park) before turning the engine off.
WARNING
- Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
- After the vehicle has stopped, always make sure the shift lever is in P (Park), apply the parking brake, and turn the engine off.
- When parking on an incline, chock the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling down.
- For safety, always engage the parking brake with the shift lever in the P (Park) position except for the case of emergency parking.
- Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle backward.
CAUTION
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you may damage the transmission if you shift into R (Reverse) while the vehicle is in motion.
N (Neutral)
The wheels and transmission are not engaged.
Use N (Neutral) if you need to restart a stalled engine, or if it is necessary to stop with the engine ON. Shift into P (Park) if you need to leave your vehicle for any reason.
Always depress the brake pedal when you are shifting from N (Neutral) to another gear.
WARNING
Do not shift into gear unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal. Shifting into gear when the engine is running at high speed can cause the vehicle to move very rapidly.You may lose control of the vehicle and cause accidents.
WARNING
Do not drive with the shift lever in N (Neutral).
The engine brake may not work, which may lead to an accident.
- Parking in N (Neutral) gear
Follow the steps below when parking and you want the vehicle to move when pushed.
1.After parking your vehicle, step on the brake pedal and move the shift lever to [P] with the engine start/stop button in [ON] or while the engine is running.
2.If the parking brake is applied, unlock the parking brake.
- For EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) equipped vehicles, push the brake pedal with the engine start/stop button in [ON] or while the engine is running to disengage the parking brake. If [AUTO HOLD] function is used while driving (If [AUTO HOLD] indicator is on in the cluster), press [AUTO HOLD] switch and [AUTO HOLD] function should turn off.
3.While pressing the brake pedal, turn the engine start/stop button [OFF].
- For smart key equipped vehicles, the ignition switch can be moved to [OFF] only when the shift lever is in [P].
4.Change the gear shift lever to [N] (Neutral) while pressing the brake pedal and pushing [SHIFT LOCK RELEASE] button or inserting, pressing down a tool (e.g. flathead screw-driver) into the [SHIFT LOCK RELEASE] access hole at the same time. Then, the vehicle will move when external force is applied.
CAUTION
- With the exception of parking in neutral gear, always park the vehicle in [P] (Park) for safety and engage the parking brake.
- Before parking in [N] (Neutral) gear, first make sure the parking ground is level and flat. Do not park in [N] gear on any slopes or gradients. If parked and left in [N], the vehicle may move and cause serious damage and injury.
- After the ignition switch has been turned off, the electronic parking brake cannot be disengaged.
- For EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) equipped vehicles with [AUTO HOLD] function used while driving, if the engine start/stop button has been turned [OFF], the electronic parking brake will be engaged automatically. Therefore, [AUTO HOLD] function should be turned off before the engine start/stop button is turned off.
D (Drive)
This is the normal driving position. The transmission will automatically shift through a seven-gear sequence, providing the best fuel economy and power.
For extra power when passing another vehicle or driving uphill, depress the accelerator pedal further until you feel the transmission downshift to a lower gear.
WARNING
Always fully depress the brake pedal before and while shifting out of the P (Park) position into another position to avoid inadvertent motion of the vehicle, which could injure persons in or around the car.
Paddle shifter
The paddle shifter is available when the shift lever is in the D (Drive) position or the manual mode.
With the shift lever in the D position
The paddle shifter will operate when the vehicle speed is more than 10 km/h (6.2 mph).
Pull the [+] or [-] paddle shifter once to shift up or down one gear and the system changes from automatic mode to manual mode.
When the vehicle speed is lower than 10 km/h (6.2 mph), if you depress the accelerator pedal for more than 5 seconds or if you move the shift lever from D (Drive) to manual Mode and move it from manual Mode to D (Drive) again, the system changes from manual mode to automatic mode.
With the shift lever in the sports mode
Pull the [+] or [-] paddle shifter once to shift up or down one gear.
✽ NOTICE
If the [+] and [-] paddle shifters are pulled at the same time, gear shift may not occur.
Shift-lock override
Type A
■ Type B
If the shift lever cannot be moved from the P (Park) position into the R (Reverse) position with the brake pedal depressed, continue depressing the brake, then do the following:
1. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK/OFF position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Carefully remove the cap (1) covering the shift-lock release access hole.
4. Insert a tool (e.g. flathead screwdriver) into the access hole and press down on the tool.
5. Move the shift lever.
6. Remove the tool from the shiftlock override access hole then install the cap.
7. Have the system inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends to visit an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.
Ignition key interlock system
The ignition key cannot be removed unless the shift lever is in the P (Park) position.
Good driving practices
- Never move the shift lever from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to any other position with the accelerator pedal depressed.
- Never move the shift lever into P (Park) when the vehicle is in motion. • Be sure the car is completely stopped before you attempt to shift into R (Reverse) or D (Drive).
- Never take the car out of gear and coast down a hill. This may be extremely hazardous. Always leave the car in gear when moving.
- Do not "ride" the brakes. This can cause them to overheat and malfunction. Instead, when you are driving down a long hill, slow down and shift to a lower gear. When you do this, engine braking will help slow the car.
- Slow down before shifting to a lower gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may not be engaged.
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