Get Driving your vehicle -> All Wheel Drive (AWD) system Guide for Kia Sportage SUV Fifth Generation (2022-2026)

Driving your vehicle

All Wheel Drive (AWD) system

(if equipped)

WARNING

If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow,

mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt

to rock the vehicle free by moving it for

ward and backward. Do not attempt this

procedure if people or objects are any

where near the vehicle. During the rock

ing operation the vehicle may suddenly

move forward or backward as it

becomes unstuck, causing injury or

damage to nearby people or objects.

The All Wheel Drive (AWD) system deliv

ers engine power to front and rear

wheels for maximum traction.

-

AWD is useful when extra traction is

required, such as when driving slippery,

muddy, wet, or snow-covered roads.

-

If the system determines there is a need

for four wheel drive, the engine's driving

power will be distributed to all four

wheels automatically.

Moving up a steep grade from a

standing start

WARNING

Off road driving

To move up a steep grade from a stand

-

This vehicle is designed primarily for on

ing start:

road use although it can operate effec

-

僅 Depress the brake pedal, shift the

shift lever to D (Drive).

tively off road. However, it was not

designed to drive in challenging off-road

conditions. Driving in conditions that

exceed the vehicle's intended design or

the driver's experience level may result

in severe injury or death.

Select the appropriate gear depend

-

ing on load weight and steepness of

the grade, and release the parking

brake. Depress the accelerator gradu

-

ally after releasing the service brakes.

NOTICE

If the AWD warning light ( ) stays on

the instrument cluster, your vehicle may

have a malfunction with the AWD sys

-

tem. When the AWD warning light (

)

appears, have your vehicle checked by

an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY

or DEATH:

僅 Do not drive in conditions that exceed

the vehicle's intended design such as

challenging off-road conditions.

僅 Avoid high speeds when cornering or

turning.

5

16

Driving your vehicle

All Wheel Drive (AWD) system

僅 Do not make quick steering wheel

movements, such as sharp lane

changes or fast, sharp turns.

Switching from/to SNOW MODE

(if equipped)

僅 The risk of a rollover is greatly

increased if you lose control of your

vehicle at highway speeds.

僅 Loss of control often occurs if two or

more wheels drop off the roadway

and the driver over steers to reenter

the roadway.

ONQ5041131N

You can switch from DRIVE MODE to

SNOW mode by turning the knob. If you

turn the DRIVE/SNOW mode button

again, the vehicle will go back to DRIVE

MODE.

僅 In the event your vehicle leaves the

roadway, do not steer sharply.

Instead, slow down before pulling

back into the travel lanes.

NOTICE

AWD (AWD/SNOW MODE)

僅 Even though you turned off the vehi

cle in SNOW mode, DRIVE mode will

be set when you restart the vehicle.

-

AWD helps the vehicle to maintain its

best driving performance by controlling

4 wheels, engine, transmission and brak

ing according to road conditions such as

snow, mud, sand, etc.

-

5

僅 When the AWD LOCK mode is deacti

-

vated, a shock may be felt as the drive

power is delivered entirely to the front

wheels. This shock is not a mechanical

failure.

Advantages of AWD

僅 Enhance safety when driving straight.

僅 Improve performance when corner

-

ing.

僅 Ensure operability in tough driving

conditions such as snow, rain, sand,

etc.

5

17

Driving your vehicle

All Wheel Drive (AWD) system

AWD transfer mode selection

Transfer

Selection mode

mode

Description

僅

DRIVE MODE is used when driving on roads in normal

conditions, roads in urban areas, and on highways.

All wheels are in operation when a vehicle travels at a con

-

stant speed. Required tractions applying on front and rear

wheels vary depending on road driving conditions and

driving conditions, which will be automatically controlled

by the computing system.

DRIVE MODE

-

僅

When the cluster's DRIVE MODE display mode is selected,

the cluster displays the status of how four wheels' traction

forces are distributed.

SNOW mode is used to appropriately distribute the vehicle's

traction forces and prevent wheel slippage when driving on

snowy or slippery road.

SNOW

ONQ5041423N

The main goal of AWD Lock mode is to allow a driver to maxi

mize the vehicle's traction under extreme driving conditions

such as unpaved off-road, sandy roads, and muddy roads.

-

AWD LOCK

(Indicator lightis appear)

ONQ5041424N

僅 When you turn off AWD Lock mode, it

can lead to little shocks but this is a

normal phenomenon that lasts until

the traction forces on the front and

rear wheels of the vehicle are

released.

CAUTION

Normal road conditions

僅 Maintain DRIVE mode when driving

on roads in normal conditions.

僅 Driving in TERRAIN mode on normal

roads may damage the AWD system

and cause mechanical vibration or

noise.

僅 When driving under normal road con

-

ditions (especially when cornering) in

AWD Lock mode, a driver may find

minor mechanical vibration or noise,

which is extremely normal phenome

-

non, not a malfunction. When AWD

Lock mode is released, such noise or

vibration will be immediately gone.

5

18

Driving your vehicle

All Wheel Drive (AWD) system

WARNING

Brake lock on tight corners

This is a unique characteristic of a awd

vehicle when making a slow rotation in

awd Lock Mode. The driver will feel like

the brake is applied due to the differ

-

ence in tire rotation. Steering may be

more difficult in a sharp turn on the

paved road in awd Lock Mode.

Do not make a fast, sharp turns when

awd Lock Mode is ON. The steering may

ONQ5041421N

be difficult and the accident may hap

pen.

-

僅 When you are driving up or down hills

drive as straight as possible. Use

extreme caution in going up or down

steep hills, since you may flip your

vehicle over depending on the grade,

terrain and water/mud conditions.

For safe All Wheel Drive (AWD)

operation

NOTICE

5

All Wheel Drive

The conditions of on-road or off-road

that demand All Wheel Drive mean all

functions of your vehicle are exposed to

extreme stress than under normal road

conditions. Slow down and be ready for

changes in the composition and traction

of the surface under your tires. If you

have any doubt about the safety of the

conditions you are facing, stop and con

-

sider the best way to proceed.

ONQ5041422N

WARNING

僅 Do not try to drive in deep standing

water or mud since such conditions

can stall your engine and clog your

exhaust pipes. Do not drive down

steep hills since it requires extreme

Hills

Driving across the contour of steep hills

can be extremely dangerous. This dan

ger can come from slight changes in the

wheel angle which can destabilize the

-

skill to maintain control of the vehicle.

vehicle or, even if the vehicle is main

taining stability under power, it can lose

that stability if the vehicle stops its for

-

ward motion. Your vehicle may roll over

without warning and without time for

5

19

Driving your vehicle

All Wheel Drive (AWD) system

you to correct a mistake that could

cause serious injury or death.

僅 Always hold the steering wheel firmly

when you are driving on unpaved

roads.

僅 Make sure all passengers are wearing

seat belts.

WARNING

You must learn how to corner in a AWD

vehicle. Do not rely on your experience

in conventional FWD vehicles when cor

nering the vehicle in AWD mode. For

starters, you must drive slower in AWD.

WARNING

Wind danger

-

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.

WARNING

All Wheel Drive (AWD)

WARNING

Reduce speed when you turn corners.

The center of gravity of AWD vehicles is

higher than that of conventional FWD

vehicles, making them more likely to roll

over when you turn corners too fast.

Driving through water

Drive slowly. If you are driving too fast in

water, the water can get into the engine

compartment and wet the ignition sys

-

tem, causing your vehicle to suddenly

stop. If this happens and your vehicle is

in a tilted position, your vehicle may roll

over.

NOTICE

僅 Do not drive in water if the level is

higher than the bottom of the vehicle.

僅 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.

ONQ5041420N

WARNING

僅 Shorten your scheduled maintenance

Steering wheel

interval if you drive in offroad condi

-

Do not grab the inside of the steering

wheel when you are driving on unpaved

tions such as sand, mud or water

(refer to "Scheduled maintenance ser

-

roads. You may hurt your arm by a sud

-

vice" on page 8-8). Always wash your

vehicle thoroughly after off-road use,

especially cleaning the bottom of the

vehicle.

den steering maneuver or from steering

wheel rebound due to impact with

objects on the ground. You could lose

control of the steering wheel.

僅 Since the driving torque is always

applied to the 4 wheels the perfor

-

mance of the AWD vehicle is greatly

5

20

Driving your vehicle

All Wheel Drive (AWD) system

affected by the condition of the tires.

Be sure to equip the vehicle with four

tires of the same size and type.

Driving in sand or mud

僅 Maintain slow and constant speed.

Operate the accelerator pedal slowly

to ensure safe driving (wheel-slip pre

vention).

僅 A full time All Wheel Drive vehicle can

not be towed by an ordinary tow

truck. Make sure that the vehicle is

-

僅 Keep sufficient distance between your

vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

placed on a flat bed truck for moving.

僅 Reduce vehicle speed and always

check the road condition.

WARNING

僅 Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration,

sudden brake applications, and sharp

turns to prevent getting stuck.

All Wheel Drive (AWD) driving

僅 Avoid high cornering speed.

僅 Do not make quick steering wheel

movements, such as sharp lane

changes or fast, sharp turns.

僅 When the vehicle is stuck in snow,

sand or mud, the tires may not oper

-

ate.

僅 The risk of rollover is greatly

increased if you lose control of your

vehicle at high speed.

僅 This is to protect the transmission and

not a malfunction.

僅 In a collision, an unbelted person is

NOTICE

5

significantly more likely to die com

-

Moving the vehicle forcibly to get out of

mud or sand can cause damage/over

heat of the engine or damage/break

down of the transmission, differential or

awd system as well as damage to tires. If

excessive wheel slip occurs after enter

ing a sandy/muddy road, the vehicle

may fall into the sand/mud. When it hap

pens, put a stone or a tree branch under

pared to a person wearing a seat belt.

-

僅 Loss of control often occurs if two or

more wheels drop off the roadway

and the driver over-steers to re-enter

the roadway. In the event your vehicle

leaves the roadway, do not steer

sharply. Instead, slow down before

pulling back into the travel lanes.

-

the tire, and then try to pull out the vehi

cle, or try to get it unstuck by repeatedly

moving forwards and backwards.

-

CAUTION

Mud or snow

If one of the front or rear wheels begins

to spin in mud, snow, etc. the vehicle can

sometimes be driven out by engaging

the accelerator pedal further; however

avoid running the engine continuously

at high rpm because doing so could

damage the AWD system.

Transmission overheated

ONQ5041120L

5

21

Driving your vehicle

All Wheel Drive (AWD) system

Tire precautions

Always pay attention to tires for AWD

(all-wheel drive) vehicles.

When driving in all-wheel drive, driving

force is applied to all tires, and the driv

ing performance of the vehicle is greatly

affected by the degree of tire wear:

-

ONQ5041121N

A: Transmission Hot! Park with engine

on

僅 Each tire should be checked monthly

when cold and inflated to inflation

B: Trans cooled. Resume driving

pressure recommended by the vehi

-

僅 When driving on muddy and sandy

roads under the severe condition, the

transmission could be overheated.

cle manufacturer on the vehicle plac

ard or tire inflation pressure label.

-

僅 Replace the front and rear tire posi

-

僅 When the transmission is overheated,

the safe protection mode engages

and the "Transmission Hot! Park with

engine on" warning message will

appear on the LCD display with a

chime.

tions every 13,000 km (8,000 miles).

僅 When replacing tires, be sure to equip

all four tires with the same size, type,

tread, brand and load-carrying capac

ity. Do not use tire and wheel with dif

ferent size and type from the one

originally installed on your vehicle. It

-

僅 If this occurs, pull over to a safe loca

-

tion, stop the vehicle with the engine

running, apply the brakes and shift

the vehicle to P (Park), and allow the

transmission to cool.

can affect the safety and perfor

-

mance of your vehicle, which could

lead to steering failure or rollover

causing serious injury.

僅 If you ignore this warning, the driving

condition may become worse. You

Towing precautions

may experience abrupt shifts, fre

-

quent shifts, or jerkiness. To return to

the 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 engine on, before driving off.

僅 When the message "Trans cooled.

Resume driving" appears you can

continue to drive your vehicle.

If the warning messages in the LCD dis

-

play continue to blink, for your safety,

have the system checked by an autho

rized Kia dealer.

-

ONQ5051008_3

5

22

Driving your vehicle

All Wheel Drive (AWD) system

AWD vehicle

WARNING

Jacked vehicle

While the full-time AWD vehicle is being

raised on a jack, never start the engine

or cause the tires to rotate.

There is the danger that rotating tires

touching the ground could cause the

vehicle to go off the jack and to jump

forward.

ONQ5051133N

FWD vehicle

僅 Full-time AWD vehicles must be

tested on a special four wheel chassis

dynamometer.

NOTICE

ONQ5051132N

Never engage the parking brake while

performing these tests.

The AWD vehicle should never be towed

with the wheels on the ground. Your

vehicle must be towed with a wheel lift

and dollies or flatbed equipment with all

the wheels off the ground.

僅 A full-time AWD vehicle should not be

tested on a FWD roll tester. If a FWD

roll tester must be used, perform the

following:

5

* Refer to "Trailer towing (if equipped)"

on page 5-61.

CAUTION

The AWD vehicle cannot be towed with

sling-type equipment. Use wheel lift or

flatbed equipment.

WARNING

Your vehicle is equipped with tires

designed to provide safe ride and han

dling capability. Do not use tires and

-

wheels that are different in size and type

from the originally installed ones. It can

affect the safety and performance of

ONQ5051013N

[A]: Roll tester

[B]: Temporary free roller

your vehicle, which could lead to steer

-

1. Check the tire pressures recom

mended for your vehicle.

-

ing failure or rollover and serious injury.

When replacing the tires, be sure to

equip all four tires with the tire and

wheel of the same size, type, tread,

brand and load-carrying capacity.

2. Place the front wheels on the roll tes

ter (A) for a speedometer test.

-

3. Release the parking brake.

5

23

Driving your vehicle -> All Wheel Drive (AWD) system for Your Kia Sportage SUV Fifth Generation (2022-2026)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals