KIA Sorento 2009 2.G Owner's Manual

43
Driving your vehicle
START
Turn the ignition key to the START posi-
tion to start the engine. The engine will
crank until you release the key; then it
returns to the ON position. The brake
warning lamp can be checked in this
position.
Automatic transmissionWhen turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P (Park) position.
WARNING
- Ignition key
• Never turn the ignition switch toLOCK or ACC while the vehicle is
moving. This would result in loss
of directional control and braking
function, which could cause an
immediate accident.
Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever
is engaged in 1
stgear for manual
transmission or P (Park) for auto-
matic transmission, set the park-
ing brake fully and shut the
engine off. Unexpected and sud-
den vehicle movement may occur
if these precautions are not
taken.
(Continued)
(Continued)
Never reach for the ignitionswitch, or any other controls
through the steering wheel while
the vehicle is in motion. The pres-
ence of your hand or arm in this
area could cause a loss of vehicle
control, an accident and serious
bodily injury or death.
Do not place any movable objects around the driver’s seat as they
may move while driving, interfere
with the driver and lead to an
accident.
WARNING
When you intend to park or stop the
vehicle with the engine on, be care-
ful not to depress the accelerator
pedal for a long period of time. It
may overheat the engine or exhaust
system and cause fire.

Driving your vehicle441. Make sure the parking brake isapplied.
2. Automatic Transmission - Place the
transmission shift lever in P (Park).
Depress the brake pedal fully.
You can also start the engine when the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to START and hold it there until the engine starts (a
maximum of 10 seconds), then
release the key.
4. In extremely cold weather (below 0°F / -18°C) or after the vehicle has
not been operated for several days, let
the engine warm up without depress-
ing the accelerator.Whether the engine is cold or warm, itshould be started without depressing the accelerator.
The starter will not operate if:
Automatic Transmission - the shift lever
is NOT in the P (Park) or N (Neutral)
position.
STARTING THE ENGINE
CAUTION
- Stall
If the engine stalls while you are in motion, do not attempt to move theshift lever to the P (Park) position. If traffic and road conditions permit,you may put the shift lever in the N (Neutral) position while the vehicleis still moving and turn the ignition switch to the START position in anattempt to restart the engine.
CAUTION
Do not engage the starter for morethan 10 seconds. If the engine stalls or fails to start, wait 5 to 10 secondsbefore re-engaging the starter. Excessive or improper use of thestarter may damage it.
WARNING
Always wear appropriate shoes
when operating your vehicle.
Unsuitable shoes (high heels, ski
boots,etc.) may interfere with your
ability to use the brake and acceler-
ator pedal, and the clutch pedal (if
equipped).

45
Driving your vehicle
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OBL046900N
+ (UP)- (DOWN)Sports mode
Automatic mode
The lock release button must be depressed while moving the shift lever. Depress the brake pedal and push the button when shifting.
The shift lever can be moved without depressing the lock release button.
Lock release button prevents shift lever movement
without first depressing the button.

Driving your vehicle64Automatic transmission operationAll normal forward driving is done with
the shift lever in the D (Drive) position.
To move the shift lever from the P (Park)
position, the brake pedal must be
depressed and the lock release button
must be depressed.
For smooth operation, depress the brakepedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to a forward or reverse gear.
WARNING
- Automatic transmission
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever is
in the P (PARK) position; then set
the parking brake fully and shut the
engine off. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
these precautions are not followed
in the order identified.
OBL046900
+ (UP)
- (DOWN)
Automatic
modeSports mode
CAUTION
To avoid damage to your trans-
mission, do not accelerate theengine in R (Reverse) or any for-ward gear position with the brakes on.
When stopped on an upgrade, do not hold the vehicle stationarywith engine power. Use the serv-ice brake or the parking brake.
Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive), or R(Reverse) when the engine is above idle speed.

47
Driving your vehicle
Transmission rangesP (park)Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into P. This position locks the
transmission and prevents the drive
wheels from rotating.
R (reverse)Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward.
N (neutral)The wheels and transmission are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even on
the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or service brakes are applied.D (drive)This is the normal forward driving posi-
tion. The transmission will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence, provid-
ing the best fuel economy and power.
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing grades, depress the
accelerator fully, at which time the trans-
mission will automatically downshift to
the next lower gear.✽ ✽NOTICEAlways come to a complete stop before
shifting into D (Drive).
(Continued)
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (PARK) position. Set
the parking brake fully, shut the
engine off and take the key with
you. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
you do not follow these precau-
tions in the order specified.
Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
WARNING
- Automatic
transmission
Shifting into P (Park) while thevehicle is in motion will cause the
drive wheels to lock which will
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake.
Always make sure the shift lever
is latched in the P (Park) position
so that it cannot be moved unless
the lock release button is pushed
in, AND set the parking brake
fully.
(Continued)
CAUTION
The transmission may be damagedif you shift into P (Park) while thevehicle is in motion.
CAUTION
Always come to a complete stopbefore shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you may damage thetransmission if you shift into Rwhile the vehicle is in motion.

Driving your vehicle84Sports modeWhether the vehicle is stationary or in
motion, sports mode is selected by push-
ing the shift lever from the “D” position
into the manual gate. To return to “D”
range operation, push the shift lever back
into the main gate.
In sports mode, moving the shift lever
backwards and forwards will allow you to
make gearshifts rapidly. The sports mode
allows gearshifts with the accelerator
pedal depressed.Up (+) : Push the lever forward once to
shift up one gear.
Down (-) : Pull the lever backwards once to shift down one gear.
Snow mode
When taking off from a standstill on a
slippery road, push the shift lever forward
into the +(up) position. This causes the
transmission to shift into the 2nd gear
which is better for smooth driving on a
slippery road.
Push the shift lever to the -(down) side to
shift back to the 1st gear.
✽ ✽ NOTICE• Upshifts take place automatically in
sports mode. However, the driver
must execute upshifts in accordance
with road conditions, taking care to
keep the engine speed below the red
zone because upshifts take place at the
higher engine rpm.
• In sports mode, only the four forward gears can be selected. To reverse or
park the vehicle, move the shift lever
to the “R” or “P” position as required.
• In sports mode, downshifts are made automatically when the vehicle slows
down. When the vehicle stops, 1st gear
is automatically selected.
• In sports mode, when the engine rpm approaches the red zone shift points
are varied to upshift automatically.✽ ✽ NOTICEIn the sport mode, if you push the lever
to shift and no shift occurs, the system is
acting to protect your safety and the
vehicle.
E4BLA402C
+ (UP)
- (DOWN)
Automatic
modeSports mode

49
Driving your vehicle
Moving up a steep grade from a
standing startTo move up a steep grade from a stand-
ing start, depress the brake pedal, shift
the shift lever to D (Drive). Select the
appropriate gear depending on load
weight and steepness of the grade, and
release the parking brake. Depress the
accelerator gradually while releasing the
service brakes.
When accelerating from a stop on a
steep hill, the vehicle may have a ten-
dency to roll backwards. Shifting the
shift lever into 2 (Second Gear) while
in Sport mode will help prevent the
vehicle from rolling backwards.
Shift lock systemFor your safety, the Automatic
Transmission has a shift lock system
which prevents shifting the transmission
out of P (Park) unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift the transmission out of P (Park):
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine or turn the ignition tothe ACC or ON position.
3. Depress the lock release button and move the shift lever.
When the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position, the transmission cannot be
shifted from P (Park).
If the brake pedal is repeatedly
depressed and released with the shift
lever in the P (Park) position, a chattering
noise near the shift lever may be heard.
This is a normal condition.
Ignition key interlock systemThe ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in the P (Park)
position. If the ignition switch is in any
other position, the key cannot be
removed.

Driving your vehicle10
4For safe four-wheel drive opera-
tion Your vehicle allows you to drive in on-
road and off-road conditions.
However, do not try to drive in deep standing water, mud, or over steep
hills.
When you are driving up or down hills drive as close to straight up and down
the hill as possible. Use extreme cau-
tion in going up or down steep hills,
since you may flip your vehicle over
depending on the grade, terrain and
water/mud conditions.
You must learn how to corner in a 4WDvehicle as soon as possible. Do not
rely on your experience in convention-
al 2WD vehicles in choosing safe cor-
nering speed. You must drive more
slowly.
Drive off-road carefully because your vehicle may be damaged by rocks or
roots of trees. Become familiar with the
off-road conditions you are going to
drive before you start.FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING -
Four wheel
drive
Driving across the contour of steep
hills can be extremely dangerous.
This danger can come from slight
changes in the wheel angle which
can destabilize the vehicle or, even
if the vehicle is maintaining stabili-
ty under power, it can lose that sta-
bility if the vehicle stops its forward
motion. Your vehicle may roll over
without warning and without time
for you to correct a mistake that
could cause serious injury or death.
WARNING
Reduce speed when you turn cor-
ners. The center of gravity of 4WD
vehicles is higher than that of con-
ventional 2WD vehicles, making
them more likely to roll over when
you turn corners too fast.
WARNING
Do not grab inside of the steering
wheel when you are driving off-
road. Your arm may be hurt by a
sudden steering maneuver or from
steering wheel rebound due to
impact with objects on the ground.
This may cause you to lose steering
wheel control.

411
Driving your vehicle
Always hold the steering wheel firmlywhen you are driving off-road.
Make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts.
Do not drive in water if the level is high- er than the bottom of the vehicle.
Check your brake condition once you are out of mud or water. Press the
brake pedal several times as you move
slowly until you feel normal braking
forces return.
Shorten your scheduled maintenance interval if you drive in off-road condi-
tions such as sand, mud or water (see
“Scheduled Maintenance” in the Index).
Always wash your car thoroughly.
Full-time 4WD operation
(if equipped)When 4WD is selected with the transfer
shift knob, the vehicle will switch to 4WD
operation after a few seconds.
WARNING
If you are driving too fast in water,
the water spray can get into the
engine compartment and wet the
ignition system, causing your vehi-
cle a sudden stop. If this happens
and your vehicle is in a tilted posi-
tion, your vehicle may roll over.
WARNING
If you are driving in heavy wind, the
vehicle's higher center of gravity
decreases your steering control
capacity and requires you to drive
more slowly.
LO WAU TO
E2BLA411B

Driving your vehicle12
4✽
✽
NOTICEWhen the vehicle shifts into 4WD mode,
a slight mechanical sound and vibration
may be felt and does not indicate a prob-
lem with the system. To avoid shift shock, when the vehicle is
stopped and you make a transfer case
shift using the transfer shift knob, wait
until the corresponding indicator light in
the instrument cluster illuminates before
driving.
Knob positionThis is used to set different positions.
AUTO
Full power delivered to front and rear
axle for increased traction. Use this mode
for normal on-road driving.
The 4WD LOW indicator light ( ) will
be turned off after blinking for a few sec-
onds to remind you that you are in the
AUTO mode.
LOW
Full power to both axles, including a
lower gear ratio for low speed applica-
tions that require extra power such as
wet pavement, snow-covered roads
and/or off-road.
LOW Mode is not recommended on dry
pavement.
The 4WD LOW indicator light
( )
will
be turned on after blinking for a few sec-
onds to remind you that you are in the
LOW mode.
Transfer shift knob operationAUTO ↔ ↔
LOW
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal (Manual transmission) or put the shift lever into
N (Neutral) position (Automatic trans-
mission).
3. AUTO ➝ ➝
LOW
: Turn the transfer shift knob to LOW mode.
LOW ➝
➝
AUTO
: Turn the transfer shift knob to AUTO mode.
4. Before releasing the clutch pedal (Manual transmission) or shifting to
other ranges from N (Automatic trans-
mission), wait for the corresponding
indicator light in the instrument cluster
to go ON or OFF.
4WD
LOW4WD
LOW
CAUTION
If the vehicle moves while the trans-
fer shift is in process, the gearbox may be damaged.