Kia Soul 2022 Intelligent Transmission System IVT User Manual

Introduction

Over the years, the technology in the automotive industry has advanced tremendously, and one of the important areas that has made considerable strides is gearbox systems. with keeping with this pattern, renowned automaker Kia Motors debuted the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), a cutting-edge transmission system, with its most recent model, the Kia Soul 2023. In comparison to conventional gearbox systems, the IVT provides improved performance, fuel efficiency, and a smooth driving experience. This introduction aims to explore the advantages and characteristics of the Kia Soul 2023’s Gearbox System IVT while showing how it affects the whole driving experience. The Transmission System IVT also incorporates a number of clever innovations that improve its functionality even more. For instance, it has a manual mode that enables users to choose their own gears and, if they so choose, have a more exciting driving experience. The IVT also features Kia’s Drive Mode Select system, which gives users the option to select between various driving modes (such as Eco, Normal, and Sport) to tailor the performance of the car to their preferences.

In order to guarantee dependability and durability, the IVT in the Kia Soul 2023 also goes through rigorous testing and quality control procedures. The IVT in the Kia Soul 2023 continues Kia Motors’ tradition of building durable, trustworthy gearbox systems into their vehicles. Driving a car with a gearbox system that has been designed to provide reliable performance over an extended period of time can provide drivers peace of mind.

Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)

The Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) automatically shifts depending on speed, and accelerator pedal position. The individual speeds are selected automatically, depending on the position of the shift lever.

1. Depress the brake pedal and the lock release button when shifting.
2. Press the lock release button when shifting.
3. The shift lever can be shifted freely.

Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) operation
For smooth operation, depress the brake pedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to a forward or reverse gear.

WARNING
Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)

1. Always check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for people, especially children, before shifting a car into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
2. Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever is in the P (Park) position; then set the parking brake fully and shut the engine off. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed in the order identified.
3. Do not use the engine brake (shifting from a high gear to lower gear) rapidly on slippery roads. The vehicle may slip caus-ing an accident.
4. Engage the gear and check the gear position from the cluster before driving with D (drive) when driving forward on a hill or down-hill, and R (reverse) when driving backwards. If you drive in the opposite direction of the gear positon, the engine is off and brake does not work, which is in danger.

CAUTION

1. To avoid damage to your transmission, do not accelerate the engine in R (Reverse) or any forward gear position with the brakes on.
2. When stopped on an incline, do not hold the vehicle stationary with engine power. Use the ser-vice brake or the parking brake.
3. Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive), or R (Reverse) when the engine is above idle speed.

Transmission ranges
The indicator in the instrument cluster displays the shift lever position when the ignition switch is in the ON position.

P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park). This position locks the transmission and prevents the front wheels from rotating.

WARNING

1. Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion will cause the drive wheels to lock which will cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
2. Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake. Always make sure the shift lever is latched in the P (Park) position and set the parking brake fully.
3. Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.

CAUTION
The transmission may be damaged if you shift into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion.

R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle backward.

CAUTION
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R
(Reverse); you may damage the transmission if you shift into R while the vehicle is in motion, except as explained in “Rocking the vehicle” in this section.

N (Neutral)
The wheels and transmission are not engaged. The vehicle will roll freely even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or service brakes are applied.

WARNING
Do not drive with the shift lever in N (Neutral). The engine brake will not work which could lead to an accident.

CAUTION
Always park the vehicle in “P”  (Park) for safety and engage the parking brake.

D (Drive)
This is the normal forward driving position. The transmission will automatically shift, providing the best fuel economy and power.
For extra power when passing another vehicle or climbing grades, depress the accelerator fully, at which time the transmission will automatically downshift to the next lower gear.

NOTICE
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into D (Drive).

Sports mode
Whether the vehicle is stationary 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 operation, push the shift lever back into the main gate.

SPORT mode manages the driving dynamics by automatically adjusting the steering effort and the engine and transmission control logic for enhanced driver performance.
In sports mode, moving the shift lever backward and forwards will allow you to select the desired range of gears for the current driving conditions.

1. Up (+): Push the lever forward once to shift up one gear.
2. Down (-): Pull the lever backward once to shift down one gear.

NOTICE

1. In sports mode, the driver must execute upshifts in accordance with road conditions, being careful to keep the engine speed below the red zone.
2. In sports mode, only the 8 forward gears can be selected. To reverse or park the vehicle, move the shift lever to the R (Reverse) or P (Park) position as required.
3. In sports mode, downshifts are made automatically when the vehicle slows down. When the vehicle stops, 1st gear is automatically selected.
4. In sports mode, when the engine rpm approaches the red zone, shift points are varied to upshift automatically.
5. To maintain the required levels of vehicle performance and safety, the system may not execute certain gearshifts when the shift lever is operated.
6. When driving on a slippery road, push the shift lever forward into the + (up) position. This causes the transmission to shift into the 2nd gear which is better for smooth driving on a slippery road. Push the shift lever to the (down) side to shift back to the 1st gear.
7. When SPORT mode is activated:
   1. The engine rpm will tend to remain raised over a certain length of time even after releasing the accelerator.
   2. Upshifts are delayed when accelerating.
8. In SPORT mode, the fuel efficiency may decrease.

Shift lock system
For your safety, the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) has a shift lock system that prevents shifting the transmission from P (Park) into R (Reverse) unless the brake pedal is depressed.

To shift the transmission from P (Park) into R (Reverse):

1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine or turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
3. Move the shift lever.

If the brake pedal is repeatedly depressed and released with the shift lever in the P (Park) position, a chattering noise near the shift lever may be heard. This is a normal condition.

WARNING
Always fully depress the brake pedal before and while shifting out of the P (Park) position into another position to avoid inadvertent motion of the vehicle which could injure persons in or around the vehicle.

Your vehicle is designed to go into protective mode if the driver inadvertently selects the R (Reverse) gear while the vehicle is being propelled forward. If this occurs, the engine, power brakes, and power steering will all deactivate. This model is designed to alert the driver to the gear-selection error and prevent damage to the transmission.

WARNING
Confirm the desired gear position is selected when driving on a graded road. If the protective mode is triggered on an incline, the driver may not become aware that the power braking and steering have been turned off which can increase the risk of an accident.

Shift-lock Override

If the shift lever cannot be moved from the P (Park) position into R
(Reverse) position with the brake pedal depressed, continue depressing the brake, then do the following:

1. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK/OFF position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Carefully remove the cap covering the shift-lock release access hole.
4. Insert a tool (e.g. flathead screw-driver) into the access hole and press down on the tool.
5. Move the shift lever.
6. Remove the tool from the shift-lock override access hole then install the cap.
7. Have the system inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorized Kia dealer.

Ignition key interlock system
The ignition key cannot be removed unless the shift lever is in the P (Park) position.

Good driving practices

1. Never move the shift lever from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to any other position with the accelerator pedal depressed.
2. Never move the shift lever into P (Park) when the vehicle is in motion.
3. Be sure the vehicle is completely stopped before you attempt to shift into R (Reverse) or D (Drive).
4. Never take the vehicle out of gear and coast down a hill. This may be extremely hazardous. Always leave the vehicle in gear when moving.
5. Do not “ride” the brakes. This can cause them to overheat and malfunction. Instead, when you are driving down a long hill, slow down and shift to a lower gear. When you do this, engine braking will help slow down the vehicle.
6. Slow down before shifting to a lower gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may not be engaged.
7. Always use the parking brake. Do not depend on placing the trans-mission in P (Park) to keep the vehicle from moving.

WARNING
Exercise extreme caution when driving on a slippery surface. Be especially careful when braking, accelerating or shifting gears. On a slippery surface, an abrupt change in vehicle speed can cause the drive wheels to lose traction and the vehicle to go out of control.

Optimum vehicle performance and the economy is obtained by smoothly depressing and releasing the accelerator pedal.

1. When driving uphill or downhill, always shift to D (Drive) for driving forward or shift to R (Reverse) for driving backward, and check the gear position indicated on the cluster before driving.
   Driving in the opposite direction of the selected gear can lead to a dangerous situation by shutting off the engine and affecting the braking performance.
2. Always buckle-up! In a collision, an unbelted occupant is significantly more likely to be seriously injured or killed than a properly belted occupant.
3. Avoid high speeds when cornering or turning.
4. Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp lane changes or fast, sharp turns.
5. The risk of a rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of your vehicle at highway speeds.
6. Losing control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the roadway and the driver oversteers to reenter the roadway.
7. In the event, your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow down before pulling back into the travel lanes.
8. Never exceed posted speed limits.

WARNING
If your vehicle becomes stuck in the snow, mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving it forward and backward. Do not attempt this procedure if people or objects are anywhere near the vehicle. During the rocking operation, the vehicle may suddenly move forward or backward as it becomes unstuck, causing injury or damage to nearby people or objects.

Moving up a steep grade from a standing start
To move up a steep grade from a standing start:

1. Depress the brake pedal, release the parking brake, and shift the shift lever to D (Drive).
2. Select the appropriate gear depending on load weight and steepness of the grade, and release the parking brake.
3. Depress the accelerator gradually while releasing the service brakes.

When accelerating from a stop on a steep hill, the vehicle may have a tendency to roll backward. Shifting the shift lever into 2 (Second Gear) will help prevent the vehicle from rolling backward.

FAQs

1. What is the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)?
   The Kia Soul 2023 uses a particular kind of continuously variable gearbox (CVT) called the Intelligent Variable gearbox (IVT). It offers smooth gear ratio changes for increased performance and fuel economy.
2. How does the IVT work?
   The IVT continuously varies the gear ratios using a belt and pulley system, which enables the engine to run at the most effective RPM range for any particular driving situation. It enables smooth acceleration and does away with fixed gears.
3. What are the advantages of the IVT?
   The IVT provides better fuel efficiency because the engine can always run at its best RPMs. Additionally, it offers a comfortable driving experience with seamless gear changes and quick acceleration.
4. Can I manually shift gears with the IVT?
   The Kia Soul 2023’s IVT does not have a manual gearbox. For optimum performance and efficiency, it is built to automatically modify the gear ratios dependent on driving conditions.
5. Does the IVT require regular maintenance?
   According to the owner’s manual, the IVT needs routine maintenance. This can entail routine fluid inspections and replacements.
6. Does the IVT have a torque converter?
   A torque converter is used by the IVT in the Kia Soul 2023 to transfer power from the engine to the gearbox.
7. Can I tow with a vehicle equipped with IVT?
   Kia Soul 2023 with IVT can tow, but only to a certain extent. For information on specific towing capacities and recommendations, it is crucial to examine the owner’s manual of the vehicle.
8. Does the IVT offer sport or eco-driving modes?
   Depending on the trim level and extra items, the IVT in the Kia Soul 2023 may offer various driving modes, such as sport or eco modes.
9. Is the IVT suitable for off-road driving?
   The IVT is primarily intended for use on roads, while it can handle some modest off-road driving conditions. A different gearbox, such as an all-wheel drive system, may be better appropriate for harsher off-road conditions.
10. Can the IVT be repaired if it malfunctions?
    It is advised to take your Kia Soul 2023 to a Kia-authorized service center for diagnostic and repair if the IVT is acting up. Any transmission-related problems can be resolved by qualified specialists.
11. Can the IVT be upgraded or modified for better performance?
    It is not advised to modify or upgrade the IVT because doing so can void the warranty and lead to unanticipated issues. For any performance-related enhancements, it is best to speak with Kia or accredited dealers.
12. Does the IVT provide good fuel efficiency?
    Yes, the IVT is made to increase fuel efficiency by letting the engine run at its most efficient RPMs. The actual fuel efficiency, however, will depend on a number of variables, including driving style, road conditions, and vehicle load.
13. Does the IVT require a special type of transmission fluid?
    The Kia Soul 2023’s IVT might need a particular kind of gearbox lubricant. For optimum performance and longevity, it is crucial to use the proper fluid as detailed in the owner’s manual of the vehicle.
14. Is the IVT covered under warranty?
    The Kia Soul 2023’s IVT is usually covered by the car’s warranty, yes. However, warranty coverage may differ based on the particular guidelines established by Kia or the store.
15. How does the IVT contribute to a smoother driving experience?
    The IVT’s capacity to continually change gear ratios makes it possible to accelerate smoothly and without interruption, doing away with the apparent gear shifts present in conventional gearboxes. Driving becomes more polished and comfortable as a result.

Useful Links

View Full User Guide: Kia Soul 2022 Owner’s Manual | Auto User Guide
Download Manuals: Owner’s Manuals and Documents | Kia