Sportmatic is a manual shift function in automatic transmissions of Kia models. It is factory fitted or available as an option on almost all modern versions. The system has been available since 2001. This feature improves the vehicle's performance compared to a traditional automatic transmission.
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How Sportmatic works
The function of the Sportmatic is based on the traditional automatic transmission, which is equipped with a torque converter and planetary gear sets. Thanks to the firmware it is possible to switch gears manually. The controller receives information about the gear selected by the driver and keeps it in a certain range until a certain moment. To switch to manual mode, simply move the shifter to the left from the “D” position. Then a corresponding signal lights up to indicate that the manual mode is activated. Move the shifter to “+” or “-” to shift up or down.
Popular transmissions with Sportmatic function
| Index | Number of gears | Max. Torque, Nm | Max. Displacement, l | Type of drive | Year of manufacture | Applicable models |
| A5GF1 | 5 | 270 | 2,7 | Front wheel | 2005 | Forte TD; Carnival VQ; Opirus LD; Carens UN; Magentis MG |
| A5SR2 | 5 | 550 | 5.0 | Rear Wheel, 4WD | 2007 | Mohave HM; Sorento BL |
| A6LF3 | 6 | 380 | 3,8 | Front wheel, all-wheel | 2009 | Sorento UM; Carnival YP; SorentoXM; Carnival VQ |
| A8LF1 | 8 | 350 | 3.5 | Front wheel, all-wheel | 2016 | Sorento UM; Carnival YP; Sportage QL; Cadenza YG |
Frequent defects in gearboxes with Sportmatic function
| Defects | Gearboxes |
| The planetary gear sets wear out prematurely due to a sporty driving style. | A5GF1 |
| The solenoid valves fail quickly. | A5GF1 |
| The input and output speed sensors don't last long. This is usually caused by the gearbox overheating. | A5GF1; A6LF3 |
| Hydraulic valve body lines clog, causing transmission malfunction. | A5SR2 |
| The splines of the differential case can be damaged by regular and continuous spinning of the wheels. | A5SR2 |
| The plastic pan is very susceptible to mechanical damage. | A6LF3 |
| Firmware errors lead to defects in the gearbox. | A8LF1 |