[conwelpic]

your right on the operation of a regular manual (driven manuals for over 35 years).

With regards the "sports mode" of the auto transmission. You can shift down if you wish, if you leave it too long it will do itself. Not sure if will help with fuel economy as I haven't used it enough to test it, just try it yourself over a few tankfuls and see. If your on the highway doing 70 mph and want to pass I presume at this point you are in the auto mode, then just press down on the accelerator and it will automatically downshift it will be far quicker than moving it to the left and then dropping it a gear -not really much point.

The only time I use the manual mode is in bad driving conditions like ice and snow where I use the gears to slow down the vehicle and not rely strictly on the brakes. (always liked that on a manual transmission) which can cause sliding. I may use it the odd time just to see how it performs in manual but don't bother with it much. You do not let off on the gas to operate it like a regular manual, it also controls so of the gears up to a point.

Just check it out yourself and get use to how it operates.

 

[conwelpic]

forgot another use, but not on this Kia but my previous one (a Rondo) which had the manual mode, but I used that a couple of times on very steep grades. One was a trip up and down Mount Washington in New Hampshire, where going up, I kept in 2nd most of the time, but coming down in sections I used first but even had to use the brakes frequently because it is so steep (12% grade). That is some drive

Also the drive over the Beartooth Pass in Wyoming/Montana border area where you climb near to 11,000 ft on the road - fantastic drive

 

[conwelpic]

So I'm wondering, is it safe to switch from full auto to sportsmatic or vice-versa while driving? Like on the highway? Or should that only be done while the car is in first gear at stop.

you can do it at any time you want to change - just try it!