Kia Picanto: Automated Manual Transmission (AMT): (if equipped) / Transmission ranges. Parking

Transmission ranges

R (Reverse)

Select R (Reverse) when you need to drive the vehicle backwards. Observe the following conditions before engaging reverse.

NOTE

• Always bring the vehicle to a complete stop before selecting R (Reverse).

• The transmission will not engage reverse if the vehicle speed exceeds 2 km/h (1 mph) when you move the lever to R.

• Fully depress the brake pedal when selecting reverse. If the brake is not fully applied, the Press Brake indicator illuminates and the requested gear change does not take place.

N (Neutral)

In N (Neutral), the transmission does not transmit drive to the wheels. Select Neutral when restarting a stalled engine or when it is necessary to remain stopped with the engine running. Always depress the brake pedal before moving the shift lever from N (Neutral) into another gear.

WARNING

Do not select a driving gear unless your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal. Engaging a gear while the engine is running at high speed can cause the vehicle to move suddenly and rapidly. You could lose control and strike people or objects nearby.

D (Drive)

D (Drive) is the normal position for forward driving in your Kia Picanto. The transmission automatically selects the appropriate gear according to accelerator input and changes in vehicle speed. When additional power is needed for overtaking or climbing a hill, press the accelerator farther down until the transmission changes to a lower gear.

When starting off on an uphill

• Apply the parking brake firmly to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards while you prepare to move off.

• Keep the brake pedal depressed and select D (Drive). Check that the gear indicator in the instrument cluster shows 1st gear.

• Release the brake pedal and gradually apply the accelerator. As the vehicle begins to move, release the parking brake and continue applying the accelerator smoothly to move forwards.

When starting off on a downhill

• Depress the brake pedal and select D (Drive). Before moving off, confirm that the instrument cluster gear indicator shows 1st gear.

• Release the brake pedal and gently press the accelerator. The clutch engages as vehicle speed increases.

NOTE

• If a gear does not engage after moving the lever from N (Neutral) to D (Drive), M (Manual) or R (Reverse), try selecting the gear again. A brief delay and intermittent operating noises may occur during this process; these are normal characteristics.

• Always bring the vehicle to a complete stop and depress the brake pedal before selecting D (Drive).

• When changing from R (Reverse) to D (Drive), the transmission will not carry out the shift if vehicle speed exceeds 7 km/h (4 mph).

• Fully depress the brake pedal when selecting the gear. If the brake is not fully applied, the Press Brake indicator illuminates and the requested gear change does not take place.

Manual shift mode

Manual shift mode can be selected while the vehicle is stationary or moving. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) into the manual gate marked M. To restore automatic gear selection in Drive, move the lever back into the main gate. In manual mode, forward and backward movements of the lever let you request a higher or lower gear to suit the current driving conditions.

+ (Up): Push the lever forwards once to request a shift up by one gear.

− (Down): Pull the lever backwards once to request a shift down by one gear.

NOTE

• Manual shift mode provides access to the five forward gears only. Leave the manual gate and select R (Reverse) to reverse, or N (Neutral) when required by the parking procedure below.

• The transmission automatically changes down as the vehicle slows. Once the vehicle comes to a complete stop, 1st gear is selected automatically.

• If engine rpm approaches the tachometer’s red zone, the transmission automatically shifts to a higher gear.

• A movement of the lever towards + (Up) or − (Down) may not produce a gear change if the requested gear would place engine speed outside the permitted rpm range. Select upshifts to suit road conditions and monitor the tachometer to keep engine speed below the red zone.

• When moving away from a standstill on a slippery road, push the lever forwards towards + (Up) to select 2nd gear. Starting in second gear can help the Kia Picanto move off more smoothly on a slippery surface. Move the lever towards − (Down) to return to 1st gear.

Parking

Always bring your Kia Picanto to a complete stop before parking, and keep the brake pedal depressed while selecting the appropriate transmission position and applying the parking brake.

• On level ground, move the shift lever from D (Drive) or R (Reverse) into N (Neutral). Fully apply the parking brake before switching off the engine.

• When parking on a slope, the recommended position is D (Drive) when facing uphill or R (Reverse) when facing downhill. Apply the parking brake before turning off the engine.

  If the engine was stopped with the lever in D (Drive) or R (Reverse), depress the brake pedal and move the lever into N (Neutral) before restarting. Always take the key with you when leaving the vehicle.

WARNING

If you remain inside the vehicle with the engine running, do not hold the accelerator pedal down for an extended period. This can overheat the engine or exhaust system and cause a fire. Exhaust gases and exhaust components become extremely hot, so keep clear of the exhaust system. Never stop or park above flammable materials such as dry grass, paper or leaves, as heat from the vehicle may ignite them.