Kia Optima 2004 Owner's Manual page 94

SPORTS MODE
Shift lever
Automatic
mode
Sports mode
Whether the vehicle is stationary or in
motion, sports mode is selected by
pushing 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. In contrast to
a manual transaxle, the sports mode
allows gearshifts with the accelerator
pedal depressed.
4-10
DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
Up (+) : Push the lever forward once to
shift up one gear.
Down (-) : Pull the lever backwards once
to shift down one gear.
CAUTION :
• Upward shifts do not take place
automatically in sports mode. The
driver must execute upward shifts
in accordance with prevailing road
EMSA4006
conditions, taking care to keep the
engine speed below the red zone.
NOTICE :
• In sports mode, only the four for-
ward 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, downward shifts
are made automatically when the
vehicle slows down. When the vehi-
cle stops, 1st gear is automatically
selected.
• To maintain the required levels of
vehicle performance and safety, the
system may not execute certain
gearshifts when the shift lever is
operated.
• When driving away on a slippery
road, push the shift lever toward
into the +(up) position.
This caues the transaxle to shift into
the 2nd gear which is better for
smooth driving away on a slippery
road. Push the shift lever to the -
(Down) side to shift back to the 1st
gear.