i have a new EX and the 2.0l engine seems to be powerful enough to make it perform ok, but the transmission (automatic in my case) really seems to be crap. it doesn't downshift fast enough, makes the car seem sluggish at times, and could really use an extra gear to maximize the power band in the engine. i wonder why Kia didn't put the 5-speed auto in it like they did the SX? in any event, not sure much can be done about the transmission shift points, i saw someone posted a service bulletin about changing it up but since i bought mine last week, i assume that's already been done to it (sales guy said he took it to the service shop and had the bulletins done to it, no clue if he was bullshitting me or not...)
improve the transmission on EX?
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why didnt you buy the 5 speed manual if you wanted it to perform better. you dont have any control in an automatic like you do in a manual.
wife won that battle. she doesn't like manuals and will be driving it 30-40% of the time.
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78 Posts
or the EX Eco package... although they are harder to find that the standard EX models. They make a 5-speed auto for the 2.0L engine, but I do not know what would be involved if you were to try and swap transmissions. In time, I imagine there will be aftermarket transmissions available, but because the Forte is new to North America, it may take a while.
hmm, didn't even know they made an Eco package w/5 speed auto, that would probably address my concerns. basically you can stay in 2nd gear in the EX through almost 50mph+, 3rd and 4th are really sluggish/overdrive gears from what it appears.
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522 Posts
my sx auto is the same way i love the manual mode 1st gear to 30 mph and the speed limit at toping out in 2nd gear and 3rd i have to toped out that gear yet looking forward to trying it !!
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243 Posts
What you say is all true. But it performs like any 4 spd AT, IMO. I'd prefer a 5 spd, but once you go to 6 speeds and more in a AT, the trans becomes too busy, shifting too much actually.
The TSB greatly improved the downshift hesitation and also stretched the shifts out more instead of going into top gear right away at too low speeds. Check the build date on yours. If after 10/09, you shouldn't need the TSB. If before, get it done because it really helps.
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The AT has a manual shift feature, which I was using exclusively until I had the TSB done, which made a night and day difference.
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Are you aware that the 5 spd AT has a major issue with jerky 2-3 shift while cold? Be careful what you wish for : ) Besides, just use the manual shift feature and you'll get around your problem with how the 4 spd shifts and what gear it's in. It's the best of both worlds(theoretically), manual shifting but no clutch to deal with.
i did that tonight actually, worked pretty well, but i know my gas mileage will suffer, rarely got out of 3rd
Can anybody understand what 'my forte koup " is saying?
You might try using Capitals, commas , periods, and proper spelling.
It would show your intelligence .
Example.......
"My SX automatic is the same way. I love the manual mode. First gear to 30 mph and second gear topping out at the speed limit. I have not topped it out in third gear, but look forward to trying it."
That is how any High School grad would write it.
Really?
Are you stupid or just don't know?
The automatic transmission in a Kia Forte Koup are all 4 speed Sportmatic.
That means one can change gears at anytime, up or down , with a quick touch of the shift lever; up or down.Without taking your foot off the accelerator.
THAT, is TOTAL CONTROL over the engine/transmission !
anyway you could perhaps not be a douchebag in the thread? try actually adding some value to the topic posted, or, hold your tongue. no one that reads internet forums had any problems parsing/understanding what "'my forte koup" was saying, so why come and thread-crap?Can anybody understand what 'my forte koup " is saying?
You might try using Capitals, commas , periods, and proper spelling.
It would show your intelligence .
Example.......
"My SX automatic is the same way. I love the manual mode. First gear to 30 mph and second gear topping out at the speed limit. I have not topped it out in third gear, but look forward to trying it."
That is how any High School grad would write it.
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243 Posts
Yeh, there's a bit of a trade-off there. But if you keep it under 3k RPM on normal driving, you should still get excellent gas mileage. Keep in mind that almost all manual trans cars get better gas mileage ratings then the same car with a AT.i did that tonight actually, worked pretty well, but i know my gas mileage will suffer, rarely got out of 3rd
Really?
I wasn't aware automatics (even shiftable) allowed you total control to even redline or lug the engine if you wanted.
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522 Posts
can we all just be friends
hay gomer can we all just be friends. ???
hay gomer can we all just be friends. ???
That's because you have not driven a Sportmatic ,or as Mazda calls theirs,,, a Tiptronic.
Push the lever from the left "D" position over to the right Sportmatic position, and you can select any gear by tapping up or down.
Lug it down or hit red-line, up to you !
I guess this means you do not have a KIA Forte Koup, or do not know how to use it.
Which is it?
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52 Posts
I think what he ment is that most cars that have the sportmatic or triptronic dont allow you to rev past redline, or down shit 2 or 3 gears at once. I know in my old car with triptronic if i tapped to downshift 2-3 gears then floor it, the car would automatically shift up a gear to save the transmissions (not giving you total control) where as in a manual i can downshift 3 gears no problem... and wether or not the koup does that I am sure he doesnt know since he has the manual not the sportmatic
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2,604 Posts
No you cannot redline in an automatic transmission with sportmatic. The transmission will upshift before it lets you redline.
And by the way, why are you so angry? Not enough hugs or too many hugs, which is it?
What is the TSB? Mine was built before 10/09 : (, and where do I go to get this fixed? Any idea on the average cost?
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