Kia Optima Manual page 294

Driving your vehicle
R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward.
CAUTION
- Shifting
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into or out of R
(Reverse); you may damage the
transaxle if you shift into R
(Reverse) while the vehicle is in
motion, except when "Rocking
the Vehicle" explained in this
chapter.
N (Neutral)
The wheels and transaxle are not
engaged. The vehicle will roll freely
even on the slightest incline unless
the parking brake or service brakes
are applied.
5 16
D (Drive)
This is the normal forward driving
position. The transaxle will automati-
cally shift through a
sequence, providing the best fuel
economy and power.
For extra power when passing anoth-
er vehicle or climbing grades,
depress the accelerator fully, at
which time the transaxle will auto-
matically downshift to the next lower
gear.
6-gear
+ + + +
Sports mode
Whether the vehicle is stopped or in
motion, sports mode is selected by
pushing the shift lever from the D
(Drive) position into the manual gate.
To return to D (Drive) range opera-
tion, 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.
S S S S p p p p o o o o r r r r t t t t s s s s
m m o o d d e e
m m o o d d e e
( ( ( ( U U U U P P P P ) ) ) )
- - ( ( D D O O W W N N ) )
- - ( ( D D O O W W N N ) )
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