Curious...AWD converted to RWD.

[SKStinger]

Confirmed.

45 miles with no fuse. Every function from smart cruise, ABS, and auto start stop remains functional. Seems like all we need is a LSD (Limited Slip Differential) and we have best of both worlds.

I pulled mine and went for a short drive just before I put it into storage and my monthly UVO report showed an Electronic Stability Control fault. I’m guessing it just detected the fuse is missing as the there are no codes showing in the car on the DIS.

Does it feel as though ESC is on and working?

 

[Callum]

I pulled mine and went for a short drive just before I put it into storage and my monthly UVO report showed an Electronic Stability Control fault. I’m guessing it just detected the fuse is missing as the there are no codes showing in the car on the DIS.

Does it feel as though ESC is on and working?

UVO did not report any faults, just checked again. ESC and Stability worked for me. My butt dyno ( @MekstingerGT ) didn't feel any faster, just more exciting. What trim level is your GT? Mines a GT2, not sure if that changes anything.

edit: I see your in Canada. I think your UVO system is far more indepth than ours. Probably why you got that fault, and I didn't through UVO

These cars really need a LSD, I was able to lay down a really nice 11 after putting my foot down in first gear while rolling. My buddy behind me said it was pretty sweet looking.

 

[SKStinger]

UVO did not report any faults, just checked again. ESC and Stability worked for me. My butt dyno ( @MekstingerGT ) didn't feel any faster, just more exciting. What trim level is your GT? Mines a GT2, not sure if that changes anything.

edit: I see your in Canada. I think your UVO system is far more indepth than ours. Probably why you got that fault, and I didn't through UVO

These cars really need a LSD (Limited Slip Differential), I was able to lay down a really nice 11 after putting my foot down in first gear while rolling. My buddy behind me said it was pretty sweet looking.

The fault only shows on the detailed monthly report. When I run a status check on UVO I get “all systems normal”.

It’s a GT Limited or the same as the GT2.

 

[Callum]

The fault only shows on the detailed monthly report. When I run a status check on UVO I get “all systems normal”.

It’s a GT Limited or the same as the GT2.

Interesting, are you doing this on your computer or phone? Any screen shots you can share?

 

[SKStinger]

Here’s a screenshot. I’m not sure why the report duplicates each section but its always done that for me.

 

[Callum]

Here’s a screenshot. I’m not sure why the report duplicates each section but its always done that for me.

The USA UVO app is a joke. I'll check later today once I can get out to the car!

 

[SKStinger]

The USA UVO app is a joke. I'll check later today once I can get out to the car!

Yeah the Canadian one isn't that great either. I'm not overly concerned by what this report says, it's likely the scan that runs didn't detect power from the AWD system so reports a fault and the only place they have to log it on that shitty report is under ESC.

Next time you're driving, try turning the stability control on and off and see if any faults appear or the car feels any different. I assume we can turn ESC on and off? I've never actually tried.

 

[Callum]

Yeah the Canadian one isn't that great either. I'm not overly concerned by what this report says, it's likely the scan that runs didn't detect power from the AWD system so reports a fault and the only place they have to log it on that shitty report is under ESC.

Next time you're driving, try turning the stability control on and off and see if any faults appear or the car feels any different. I assume we can turn ESC on and off? I've never actually tried.

I cycled mine about 20 times last night during my drive. I confirmed it does work, just like a RWD Stinger. Smart Cruise verified as well. I turned on/off all the driver aids trying to product an error code but nothing.

It was if the car had no idea.

 

[SKStinger]

I cycled mine about 20 times last night during my drive. I confirmed it does work, just like a RWD Stinger. Smart Cruise verified as well. I turned on/off all the driver aids trying to product an error code but nothing.

It was if the car had no idea.

Ok. Thanks for doing that. I can’t wait to test it out some more too in the spring.

When you get your UVO report let me know if you get the same fault.

 

[WildBill]

I looked into this a few months ago. I was initially concerned that removal of the fuse would cause some sort of damage to the center diff but I no longer think so. I believe it is what they are using on FWD vehicles to do partial / variable torque AWD.

In the stinger it is just reversed. It is RWD by default and transfers some of the torque to the fronts.
This video did a good job of explaining a similar system. Though I have no idea if it is the exact system used on the Stinger.

 

[Callum]

I looked into this a few months ago. I was initially concerned that removal of the fuse would cause some sort of damage to the center diff but I no longer think so. I believe it is what they are using on FWD vehicles to do partial / variable torque AWD.

In the stinger it is just reversed. It is RWD by default and transfers some of the torque to the fronts.
This video did a good job of explaining a similar system. Though I have no idea if it is the exact system used on the Stinger.

The transfer box is rated for 1,000NM of torque. Even if we run RWD we are still nowhere near the limit.

I’m convinced this can be a big thing for the AWD guys. The LSD would really make the AWD’s the better of the two. Obviously this “hack” has just really been discovered and might lead to more options down the road.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I’m not sure what you getting at, other than your constant posts that aren’t contributing to anything other than fluffing up your post count with useless comments.

It was late. I fixed it; "And you are 200 lbs overweight."

This is pointless (imho) to take an AWD that weighs 200 lbs more than RWD, and disconnect the front wheels, turning the machinery into dead weight. You will go drag your car and lose against a genuine RWD every time. The weight distribution on an AWD is predicated on the thing having power to ALL wheels, so thinking that the handling is the same is also wrong.

(How long do my posts have to be, exactly, to fulfill your criteria of "useful"?)

 

[Mike04SVT]

It was late. I fixed it; "And you are 200 lbs overweight."

This is pointless (imho) to take an AWD that weighs 200 lbs more than RWD, and disconnect the front wheels, turning the machinery into dead weight. You will go drag your car and lose against a genuine RWD every time. The weight distribution on an AWD is predicated on the thing having power to ALL wheels, so thinking that the handling is the same is also wrong.

(How long do my posts have to be, exactly, to fulfill your criteria of "useful"?)

I agree. If you wanted a RWD car maybe just by a RWD car. A true RWD will be weigh less/be faster off the line BUT this is hella cool for us AWD guys that want to have a little fun. I also wonder about Gas mileage. Would turning my AWD off during longer highway runs improve the MPG? I think the idea of a cabin switch is awesome.

 

[MekstingerGT]

I think we have the best of both worlds. I love awd in the rain/snow but I also love rwd for "peeling out". I understand it wont be a true rwd. When I got the car I wanted awd but part of the agreement with the wife was it had to be the awd just in case she needs to drive it. So now with a simple removal of the fuse I can have fun driving around town and still take the car to snow!

 

[SKStinger]

I agree. If you wanted a RWD car maybe just by a RWD car

Would have but can’t in Canada.

 

[SKStinger]

It was late. I fixed it; "And you are 200 lbs overweight."

This is pointless (imho) to take an AWD that weighs 200 lbs more than RWD, and disconnect the front wheels, turning the machinery into dead weight. You will go drag your car and lose against a genuine RWD every time. The weight distribution on an AWD is predicated on the thing having power to ALL wheels, so thinking that the handling is the same is also wrong.

(How long do my posts have to be, exactly, to fulfill your criteria of "useful"?)

And your extensive testing has qualified all of this? What’s wrong with testing this out?

 

[Callum]

It was late. I fixed it; "And you are 200 lbs overweight."

This is pointless (imho) to take an AWD that weighs 200 lbs more than RWD, and disconnect the front wheels, turning the machinery into dead weight. You will go drag your car and lose against a genuine RWD every time. The weight distribution on an AWD is predicated on the thing having power to ALL wheels, so thinking that the handling is the same is also wrong.

(How long do my posts have to be, exactly, to fulfill your criteria of "useful"?)

Admittedly, woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning...sorry.

KIA is developing D-AWD which pretty much makes the Stinger (and G70 FWIW) RWD, well 98% RWD. The Chassis for the new "AWD" system is the same as ours, so I don't really think the handling will change drastically. This mod, or whatever you want to call it is just for shits and giggles. I don't think it's really a great idea for "track use" since we don't really understand what systems are and aren't online with the fuse out. I will continue to sort out what's what when you remove the fuse since this is a great option for those who don't have the RWD variant, or purchased the AWD and want to have some good old tire smoking fun.

No harm in playing around. I drove my car pretty much at the limits for a few moments and couldn't quite find any bad handling, or oddities in the way it handled

 

[SKStinger]

I don’t think it will have much of an impact on fuel economy but I’m curious to test it.

Maybe slightly in city driving but on the highway the system isn’t sending power to the front wheels unless slip is detected.

 

[Brian B]

I don’t think it will have much of an impact on fuel economy but I’m curious to test it.

Maybe slightly in city driving but on the highway the system isn’t sending power to the front wheels unless slip is detected.

My understanding is that the mechanical and electric control systems present for the Stingers AWD system means that the stinger AWD models have power to all 4 wheels continuously operating. Not just engaging the front wheels when power is needed at the front. Torque and power to front or rear wheels is variable depending on conditions and vehicle settings.
Im I wrong on this ?

 

[Callum]

My understanding is that the mechanical and electric control systems present for the Stingers AWD system means that the stinger AWD models have power to all 4 wheels continuously operating. Not just engaging the front wheels when power is needed at the front. Torque and power to front or rear wheels is variable depending on conditions and vehicle settings.
Im I wrong on this ?

The system can decouple the front end when cruising, powering down that 4WD system. KIA has a few internal documents about how the vehicle operates in RWD only mode above 60KPH unless the sensors detect the need for traction upfront (high speed turns, low traction, etc). Pulling the fuse decouples the clutch packs 100%, so the car reverts to a default RWD mode. I'm honestly not sure why it does not throw a code, or error lamp but the car seems to be 100% functional in every aspect from my testing.