Hard downshift transmission

[D.J.]

Just bought a 2020 GT2 and I'm noticing this issue pretty much every time I slow down to a stop. Seems worse in Sport mode, which is basically what I like to keep it in. Brought it back to Kia, who told me that: A. It's normal, because B. It's a dual-clutch transmission.

Regardless, they did the adaptive transmission reset.. I was told to drive it conservatively for a couple of days in Comfort mode. I did so for almost 2 weeks (in and still noticed the issue). And now, yeah - basically no change from before I brought it back to Kia. Still hard downshifts at around 25 mph and 15 mph.

Any suggestions or updates from those of you who've been dealing with this problem lately? Should I get an Xtool A30D as suggested above and try it myself? Or is not worth it, since the dealership supposedly already tried the reset??

Thanks for any advice!

Lol, what a pathetic experience of the dealership, sorry you had to go through that.

As a general question though, what do you dislike about feeling the downshifts into second and into first, especially in sport?

 

[monro]

Read earlier posts including the one I posted. This thing is fixed by grabbing an aftermarket tool to reset the shift points and clear adaptive values yourself. Kia dealers either don't know how to do it properly, are resetting the wrong thing, or are doing nothing and just saying they did it. Have to take into your own hands unfortunately on this one. Good news is when you get the right tool for it (see my earlier post for that) you can do it anytime you want. Good luck

Yes sir - Upon the recommendations in this thread, I ordered the Xtool A30D yesterday. Should have it by next week, and I'll give an update once I give it a try. I have zero faith in whatever it is that the dealership supposedly did to 'fix' my car, as there was literally no change in the car's performance afterwards. ..and they said it was a dual-clutch tranny... and therefore the hard downshifts are normal (?!?!)

I'm praying that the Xtool resolves my issue. I love everything about my car, but I can't stand the 3-2 and 2-1 'brake' blips!

 

[Thomby]

As a general question though, what do you dislike about feeling the downshifts into second and into first, especially in sport?

I'm praying that the Xtool resolves my issue. I love everything about my car, but I can't stand the 3-2 and 2-1 'brake' blips!

In my case it was just aggressive enough that I found myself anticipating it and backing off the brakes as it would lurch. Not the end of the world but annoying especially with passengers.

I have not had it return since using the Xtool back in January.

 

[Daeric23]

In my case it was just aggressive enough that I found myself anticipating it and backing off the brakes as it would lurch. Not the end of the world but annoying especially with passengers.

I have not had it return since using the Xtool back in January.

Interesting! I did mine with xtool and it came back relatively soon. What “procedure or steps” did you do that maybe I didn’t?

 

[Thomby]

Interesting! I did mine with xtool and it came back relatively soon. What “procedure or steps” did you do that maybe I didn’t?

Nothing special that I can remember. I ran it for 2020 because it didn't support 2022 (or 2021), and a while after contacting the seller they said they planned to add those years at some point so not sure if that's changed.

What mode do you usually drive in? I'm almost always in Smart, and it behaves there and in Eco. I think it's a little more aggressive in Sport as expected, but not jerky...I don't spend as much time there or in Comfort so not sure there. Also not sure whether the adaptive values carry across modes or if they're specific to each (ie if you spend all your time in Comfort, does it only adjust for that mode or also Smart?)

Edit: just ran some errands staying in Comfort, and the issue isn't there either. Very slight decel at downshift approaching a stop, but about as mild as could be. Basically like gently letting the clutch out in a manual downshift.

 

[monro]

Update - Got the Xtool A30D and performed the trans reset. Made no difference whatsoever.

Just my luck.

 

[Snowwhite]

did you do it with the car on or off? and, did you power cycle it afterwards if it was on when you did it?

I've also find mine gets worse if I don't hold the brake down until the car is completely done shifting into gear. both from P to D and R->D and D->R. it's exaggerated by the electronic shift, because it has about a second delay to it as well. But the A30D clears it right up.

 

[monro]

Car was technically off. I pushed the Start button twice (without pressing the brake), as was recommended earlier in this thread.

 

[Snowwhite]

Car was technically off. I pushed the Start button twice (without pressing the brake), as was recommended earlier in this thread.

ok. that's fine. weird the tool didn't help.

 

[JamesW]

I did mine this morning with an xtool. Worked perfectly couldn't be happier. 2019 GT

I had the problem arise around 4 months ago, at it's peak it was extremely jolting going from gears 4-3 and 2-1 (I think - 40kmh and 20kmh where the two speeds) in all modes, and felt like I was stamping on the brake when just coasting to a stop. My passengers felt it also. asked kia they said they couldn't see an issue after a test drive. Took the workshop manager out he said it's totally normal and they see it with all stingers, but he couldn't explain why it hasn't occured before.

I did research and while back at Kia for them to do the recall asked them to reset the values. They didn't confirm they did, but had told me they had fixed the 'transmission issue' suprise suprise car was exactly the same.

I did the manual way of fixing suggested in this thread. That seemed to half the jolt on those downshifts and it was livable if not ideal. Have lived with that for a few more weeks.

Bought an xtool recently and was very simple to reset following instructions in this thread. I made sure I followed the tool instructions after - which were turn off car wait 5 seconds turn on car.

Took it out for a 40 min drive and it's performing exactly how it did when I bought it. Buttery smooth I am so happy. I could tell before I'd even got to the end of my street.

Problem now is I had planned to do work in the garden today and instead I'm going to blast through a tank of fuel with cruising around at low speeds with a big smile on my face

Thanks everyone in this thread. Sometimes it's worth the risk to fix problems yourself than bang your head against the brick wall that is the dealership service centre.

 

[Plakchup]

Glad to hear the Xtool A30D helps with this. I just bough it too and going to give it a try. Mine shifts ok just was a tad bit harder in sport mode once or twice so going to try it. Should help. I think maybe also I shouldn't switch drive modes while the car is in motion? No idea. That's when I kinda noticed it did a bit harsher downshift once.

Definitely am not going to dealer for a simple thing I can do at home. And it was on sale for about $100 so not bad! Thanks for posting this information.

 

[D.J.]

Glad to hear the Xtool A30D helps with this. I just bough it too and going to give it a try. Mine shifts ok just was a tad bit harder in sport mode once or twice so going to try it. Should help. I think maybe also I shouldn't switch drive modes while the car is in motion? No idea. That's when I kinda noticed it did a bit harsher downshift once.

Definitely am not going to dealer for a simple thing I can do at home. And it was on sale for about $100 so not bad! Thanks for posting this information.

I really wish there was a way to quantify what qualifies as a "harsh" downshift.

What is "normal" vs "harsh"?

 

[Thomby]

I really wish there was a way to quantify what qualifies as a "harsh" downshift.

What is "normal" vs "harsh"?

In my case, it was enough of a lurch that I found myself easing off the brakes in anticipation. It wasn't some subtle thing that only the owner noticed, passengers could feel it.

I'd compare it to downshifting a manual and simply letting the clutch out fully vs. easing off it smoothly.

 

[D.J.]

In my case, it was enough of a lurch that I found myself easing off the brakes in anticipation. It wasn't some subtle thing that only the owner noticed, passengers could feel it.

I'd compare it to downshifting a manual and simply letting the clutch out fully vs. easing off it smoothly.

I get that, but isn't that normal for these cars? The downshifts can be felt!

 

[Plakchup]

I guess it's sorta normal on these cars. Somewhat a similar experience to what Thomby said but less for me. I did the reset using the Xtool A30D and definitely felt a pretty noticeable improvement in comfort mode. I only drove it for maybe 15 mins in comfort mode today and will test tomorrow in custom/sports mode.

But the reset definitely helped get a very smooth shifting feel overall with downshifts! Took me a few mins to figure out the mobile app to connect but once it was done it was super easy. I used the manual setting and used the 2022 stinger setting with no issues. Worth the $100 I guess.

 

[Thomby]

I get that, but isn't that normal for these cars? The downshifts can be felt!

If it were only in Sport mode, applied equally across gears, or only at higher speeds during more aggressive throttle/brake input, I might agree. In fact, I'd argue that it should increase shift aggressiveness in Sport or Smart-Sport, ease it off in Comfort or Smart-Comfort, and have it as smooth as possible in Eco or Sport-Eco.

But this was specific to the 3-2 downshift, at maybe 10mph, gently coasting/braking to stops, while in Comfort/Smart-Eco mode. Noticeable enough to be annoying, with no clear upside benefit elsewhere.

 

[Plakchup]

Drove it in custom/sport mode today after the reset.

Must say I am pleased with the result. Nice crisp downshifts and upshifts. Holds the revs nicely and downshifts smooth yet quickly. Also going from P to R or D is super smooth. Don't even feel anything.

It's like this reset gives the car a new feel!

 

[SRV]

I bought the XTool several years ago but never used it on my 2022 GT2. Can someone please provide the list of steps that are needed to reset/fix the harsh downshifting? My downshifts are very noticeable and I hope the XTool will smooth them out.

 

[Plakchup]

Sure thing. It was posted here earlier.

1. Turn car engine off
2. Turn on ignition (press ignition button twice without your foot on the break pedal. You should not be in "accessory" mode.
3. Plug in the XTool and connect to Bluetooth (assuming you've already gotten BT pairing, the app installed on your phone and established all connectivity already)
4. Select Special Function in the app.
5. Find the Gearbox Match menu.
6. Select car make and auto detect.
7. Reset gearbox learning option.

You might have to select the 2020 or 2022 year stinger. The transmission is the same. I updated my xtool (took a while) and i was able to select the 2022 stinger option. Did the reset. Turned ignition off. Let it sit for a good 30 secs or so. Turned on and went for a drive. Immediately noticed the smoother shifts in comfort. Sport/custom mode is pretty much perfect now too; crisp and quick shifts and proper downshifts with rev matching if you are slowing down bit faster.

I was a bit confused in the app to pair the Bluetooth. I kept trying to pair it on my phone but you have to select it in the app actually the xtool itself. That's all.

 

[SRV]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!