Kia Sportage: AWD (AWD/SNOW MODE)

The All Wheel Drive (AWD) system delivers 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.

Off road driving

This vehicle is designed primarily for on road use although it can operate effectively 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.

NOTICE

If the AWD warning light ( ) stays on the instrument cluster, your vehicle may have a malfunction with the AWD system.

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:

• Do not drive in conditions that exceed the vehicle's intended design such as challenging off-road conditions.
• Avoid high speeds when cornering or turning.
• Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp lane changes or fast, sharp turns.
• The risk of a rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of your vehicle at highway speeds.
• Loss of control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the roadway and the driver over steers to reenter the roadway.
• In the event your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply.

  Instead, slow down before pulling back into the travel lanes.

AWD (AWD/SNOW MODE)

AWD helps the vehicle to maintain its best driving performance by controlling 4 wheels, engine, transmission and braking according to road conditions such as snow, mud, sand, etc.

Advantages of AWD

• Enhance safety when driving straight.
• Improve performance when cornering.
• Ensure operability in tough driving conditions such as snow, rain, sand, etc.

Switching from/to SNOW MODE (if equipped)

You can switch f r om 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.

NOTICE

• Even though you turned off the vehicle in SNOW mode, DRIVE mode will be set when you restart the vehicle.
• When the AWD LOCK mode is deactivated, a shock may be felt as the drive power is delivered entirely to the front wheels. This shock is not a mechanical failure.

Brake lock on tight corners

This is a unique characteristic of a 4WD vehicle when making a slow rotation in 4WD Lock Mode. The driver will feel like the brake is applied due to the difference in tire rotation. Steering may be more difficult in a sharp turn on the paved road in 4WD Lock Mode.

WARNING

Do not make a fast, sharp turns when 4WD Lock Mode is ON. The steering may be difficult and the accident may happen.

AWD transfer mode selection

CAUTION

Normal road conditions

• Maintain DRIVE mode when driving on roads in normal conditions.
• Driving in AWD Lock mode on normal roads may damage the AWD system and cause mechanical vibration or noise.
• When driving under normal road conditions (especially when cornering) in AWD Lock mode, a driver may find minor mechanical vibration or noise, which is extremely normal phenomenon, not a malfunction. When AWD Lock mode is released, such noise or vibration will be immediately gone.
• 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.

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 difference 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 be difficult and the accident may happen.

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