Kia Sportage: Automatic transaxle / Good driving practices

Kia Sportage QL (2015-2026) Owners Manual / Driving your vehicle / Automatic transaxle / Good driving practices

Never move the gear shift lever from P (Park) to any other position with the accelerator pedal depressed.
Never move the gear shift lever into P (Park) when the vehicle is in motion.
Slow down before shifting to a lower gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may not be engaged.
Always use the parking brake. Do not depend on placing the transaxle in P (Park) to keep the vehicle from moving.
Optimum vehicle performance and economy is obtained by smoothly depressing and releasing the accelerator pedal.

✽ NOTICE - Kickdown Mechanism

Use the kickdown mechanism for maximum acceleration. Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point. The automatic transaxle will shift to a lower gear depending on the engine speed.

Moving up a steep grade from a standing start

Ignition key interlock system

The ignition key cannot be removed unless the shift lever is in the P (Park) position. Even if the ignition switch is in the LOCK position, the key cannot be removed. If your vehicle is equipped ...

Moving up a steep grade from a standing start

To move up a steep grade from a standing 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 re ...

Other information:

Kia Sportage QL (2015-2026) Service Manual: Inhibitor Switch Description and operation

Description • The inhibitor switch is installed on top of transaxle, and is connected to the shift lever by a shift cable. • Inhibitor switch signals (S1, S2, S3, S4) are transmitted to the TCM according to the driver' ...

Kia Sportage QL (2015-2026) Owners Manual: Electronic power steering (EPS)

The power steering uses a motor to assist you in steering the vehicle. If the engine is off or if the power steering system becomes inoperative, the vehicle may still be steered, but it will require increased steering effort. Electronic power steering is controlled by a power steering control u ...