RWD Custom drive mode and traction control

[Sabs]

Question for those with RWD models.

I know the traction control is reduced under Sport mode. When using the Custom drive mode, with the drivetrain setting on "sport," is traction control reduced as it is in Sport mode? Or does it intervene more as it does in the Comfort drive mode?

 

[Ty Davis]

Good question here. I covered this in another thread.
The traction control/stability control has 3 modes.
Comfort, Custom with Suspension set to Sport, and Sport.
Comfort/Sport are self explanatory, but when you set the suspension to Sport mode in Custom this triggers more relaxed Traction Control/Stability control too. However, you won't find that custom mode behavior referenced in print by Kia anywhere. Still, it is clearly obvious on the street.

Be aware that this stability control WILL allow you to spin the car (oversteer) at low speeds under heavy throttle while turning if you have it set to Sport or Custom/Sport.

 

[Sabs]

Thanks for the info, just what I was looking for.

 

[stingerbeagle]

Thank you for confirming this. A few months ago I stopped using Sport mode entirely and configured my Custom mode to adjust only steering and transmission/throttle because of the oversteer. I wish there was a way to firm up the suspension without disabling the nannies.

Is it a normal pattern for cars to have their first-level sport mode reduce traction/stability control? I’m pretty sure my previous car didn’t mess with it unless I went to Sport PLUS, which required going past Sport.

 

[Sabs]

That would be nice, and I also feel we could use both a Sport and Sport Plus drive mode. Also, a custom drivetrain setting that’s somewhere in between Comfort and Sport... where throttle response and shifts are quicker, but it doesn’t hold low gears so much.
Both can be changed with aftermarket parts, though - suspension with the Mando controller, and throttle somewhat with a pedal controller.

 

[Dodger Blue]

Thank you for confirming this. A few months ago I stopped using Sport mode entirely and configured my Custom mode to adjust only steering and transmission/throttle because of the oversteer. I wish there was a way to firm up the suspension without disabling the nannies.

Is it a normal pattern for cars to have their first-level sport mode reduce traction/stability control? I’m pretty sure my previous car didn’t mess with it unless I went to Sport PLUS, which required going past Sport.

Honestly I find the handling in sport mode to be pretty civilized other than a slight rear end wiggle, unless the traction control systems are turned off manually. I can initiate a power slide if I try but the traction control still reigns everything in pretty aggressively.

There is a way to fine tune the electronic suspension, the ECS Control Module. I'm considering buying it since it's from the manufacturer of our suspension and their presets seem to be better than Kia's.

 

[narsnail]

I can get my rear end to slide in custom drive mode, but not sport as easily guess that explains why.