Kia Optima 2017, Owner'S Manual, Page: 428 / 776

MANUAL TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
Manual transaxle operation
The button (1) must be pushed while
moving the shift lever.
The shift lever can be moved without
pushing the button (1).
OJF055209
• The manual transaxle has 6 forward
gears.
This shift pattern is imprinted on the
shift knob. The transaxle is fully
synchronized in all forward gears so
shifting to either a higher or a lower
gear is easily accomplished.
• Depress the clutch pedal down fully
while shifting, then release it slowly.
If your vehicle is equipped with an ig‐
nition lock switch, the engine will not
start when starting the engine with‐
out depressing the clutch pedal.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a
clutch lock system, the engine will
not start when starting the engine
without depressing the clutch pedal.
• The shift lever must be returned to
the neutral position before shifting
into R (Reverse).
Push the button located immediately
below the shift knob and pull the
gearshift lever to the left sufficiently,
and then shift into reverse (R) gear
position.
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into R (Re‐
verse) position.
Never operate the engine with the
tachometer (rpm) in the red zone.
CAUTION
• When downshifting from 5 (Fifth)
gear to 4 (Fourth) gear, caution
should be taken not to inadver‐
tently move the shift lever side‐
ways in such a manner that sec‐
ond gear is engaged. Such a dras‐
tic downshift may cause the en‐
gine speed to increase to the point
that the tachometer will enter the
red-zone. Such overrevving of the
engine may possibly cause engine
and transaxle damage.
• Do not downshift more than 2
gears or downshift the gear when
the engine is running at high speed
(5,000 RPM or higher). Such a
downshifting may damage the en‐
gine, clutch and the transaxle.
• When shifting between 5th and
6th gear, you should always push
the gear level all the way to the
right. You could otherwise shift
unintentionally into 3rd or 4th
gear and damage the transaxle.
• During cold weather, shifting may be
difficult until the transaxle lubricant
has warmed up. This is normal and
not harmful to the transaxle.
Driving your vehicle
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