Kia K4: Driving your vehicle / Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)

• Always verify the surrounding area for people—especially children or pets—before shifting your Kia K4 into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).

• Before exiting the Kia K4, ensure the transmission is firmly in P (Park), the parking brake is fully applied, and the vehicle is turned off. Failing to follow these steps may result in unexpected and dangerous vehicle movement.

• When using the manual shift mode, exercise caution when downshifting on slippery or icy road surfaces. Rapidly shifting to a lower gear can cause the tires to lose traction and slip, potentially leading to a loss of vehicle control.

• To prevent internal damage to the Kia K4 transmission, do not accelerate while the vehicle is in R (Reverse) or any forward gear while the brakes are simultaneously engaged.

• Never shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive) or R (Reverse) while the engine is running at speeds higher than normal idle.

• When stopped on an incline, do not rely on the accelerator to keep your Kia K4 stationary. Always use the service brake or the electric parking brake.

• Do not depend solely on the transmission's P (Park) position to hold your Kia K4 on a steep incline; always engage the parking brake as a primary safety measure.

In the unlikely event of a transmission system failure, the gear position indicator on your instrument cluster will blink, and the Kia K4 may fail to move. Should this occur, please contact an authorized Kia dealer immediately for a professional diagnostic and repair.

If any warning message on your Kia K4 instrument cluster continues to blink or remains illuminated despite following the recommended cooling procedures, please have your vehicle checked immediately by an authorized Kia dealer to ensure continued safe operation.

• Attempting to shift the Kia K4 into P (Park) while the vehicle is still in motion will cause the drive wheels to lock immediately. This action can cause severe mechanical damage to the transmission and lead to a dangerous loss of directional control.

• Do not rely on the P (Park) position as a substitute for the parking brake. For maximum safety, always ensure the transmission is set to P (Park) and firmly engage the electronic parking brake before exiting the Kia K4.

• For safety reasons, never leave a child or pets unattended inside your Kia K4, especially with the ignition on.

• Repeatedly shifting into P (Park) while moving will significantly degrade the lifespan of your vehicle's transmission components.

Always bring the vehicle to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse). Engaging Reverse while the Kia K4 is still moving forward can cause internal transmission damage, except in the specific emergency scenarios detailed in the "Special driving conditions" section of your manual.

• Always park your Kia K4 in the P (Park) position and engage the parking brake. Leaving the vehicle in N (Neutral) while parked creates a significant safety hazard, as the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, potentially resulting in serious injury or property damage.

• Please note that once the ignition is turned to the OFF position, you will be unable to release the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) via the standard switch until the ignition is cycled back to ON.

• If your Kia K4 is equipped with the AUTO HOLD function, remember that if you switch the ignition to OFF, the EPB will engage automatically. It is recommended to deactivate the AUTO HOLD function before turning off the vehicle to ensure smoother subsequent operation.

Do not drive, coast, or park your Kia K4 while the transmission is in N (Neutral). Because the engine braking effect is unavailable in this position, you will have significantly reduced control over the vehicle's speed, which could lead to an accident.

For the longevity of the drivetrain, always come to a complete stop before shifting your Kia K4 into the D (Drive) position.

• Perform gear shifts according to current road conditions, while being mindful to keep the engine speed (RPM) within an appropriate and efficient range for your Kia K4.

• If you need to reverse or park your Kia K4, move the gear shift lever out of the manual gate and into the R (Reverse) or P (Park) positions as required.

• The transmission will automatically downshift as you slow down. When you bring the Kia K4 to a complete stop, the system will automatically select 1st gear for you.

• If the engine RPM becomes excessively high, the Kia K4 will automatically shift up to the next gear to protect the powertrain.

• To prioritize safety and mechanical longevity, the system may occasionally prevent specific gear shifts if it determines that requested action could compromise vehicle performance or safety.

• When driving on slippery or snowy surfaces, push the gear shift lever forward into the Up (+) position to select a higher gear. This helps reduce wheel torque and promotes smoother traction. To revert, pull the lever back into the Down (-) position.

• When navigating steep inclines, ensure the Kia K4 is in the correct gear (D for forward, R for backward). Checking the gear position on the instrument cluster is vital; driving in the wrong direction can stall the engine and severely compromise braking power.

• Always wear your seatbelt. Proper restraint significantly reduces the risk of injury in the event of a collision.

• Avoid excessive speed during cornering and refrain from sharp, abrupt steering maneuvers, which significantly increase the risk of a rollover in any vehicle, including the Kia K4.

• If the vehicle partially leaves the roadway, do not overcorrect with the steering wheel. Slow down gradually before steering back onto the paved lanes to avoid loss of control.

• Never exceed local speed limits.

• If your Kia K4 becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, you may attempt to "rock" the vehicle by gently alternating between forward and reverse gears. Only do this when there are no people or obstacles in the immediate vicinity, as the vehicle can lunge forward or backward unexpectedly once traction is regained.