What are your likes and dislikes with your Stinger?

[Volfy]

Other than my ancient GMC van, I have not used a physical car key for at least 15yrs, maybe far longer. Deleting the hatch lock cylinder is a mfg cost saving move I'm perfectly fine with. The rear doors don't have lock cylinders either. The logic is that you can always open the front door and push unlock button.

Car's are getting more and more expensive. Removing anything redundant and not absolutely necessary to help save cost is a plus, not a minus.

CR2032 coin batts are cheap, especially buying in bulk. I keep a dozen or so in stock at any one time. Not a big deal to change them out.

 

[JSolo]

How does one open the rear hatch if the hatch exterior button stops functioning (for those that don't have power lift)?

If it's a dead battery, sure you can lift the hood, apply 12V to the battery points then open. But what if the latch release solenoid itself has failed...

Need to somehow get the back seats down, reach all the way to the back, pop a small cover off and release the latch hold.

If it had a keyhole, none of the above would be necessary .

 

[Thomby]

I think @dasaint had a dyslexic moment and meant "interior"

Do the manual hatch lids have the same button left of the steering wheel, by the gas door release?

Being picky.... just wished our Stinger hatch had a hidden keyhole, just like the driver side

Ok I get it now. The driver's door is the only one with the backup key, and if the car battery is what's dead rather than the fob battery, even the interior hatch button (which I hope you're aware of apparently doesn't exist for the manual hatch) won't work...

How does one open the rear hatch if the hatch exterior button stops functioning (for those that don't have power lift)?

...but in this extremely uncommon scenario (car battery dead and need to get the hatch open without a charge/jump, or both interior & exterior hatch buttons broken), I think the extra few seconds to open the driver's door, reach to unlock the driver's rear door, flip down the rear set, and grab the manual pull handle that all trunks/hatches have, is a reasonable workaround.

 

[JSolo]

... reach to unlock the driver's rear door, flip down the rear set, and grab the manual pull handle that all trunks/hatches have, is a reasonable workaround.

Have you tried? It's quite the distance to reach. Are you gumby?

On the bright side, if the fuel filler release craps out, that's easily accessible from the inside --- Unlike in other kia products where there is no internal release.

 

[Thomby]

Have you tried? It's quite the distance to reach. Are you gumby?

On the bright side, if the fuel filler release craps out, that's easily accessible from the inside --- Unlike in other kia products where there is no internal release.

No, but I thought I'd seen it located against the driver's side fender and not too far from the rear seats. Maybe it was the fuel release handle I saw instead?

 

[Snicklefritz]

Do the manual hatch lids have the same button left of the steering wheel, by the gas door release?

No interior hatch popping button on manual lift hatch.

 

[dasaint]

For those of you that do your own maintenance/oil change.... the few times that I already done the oil change on the Stinger, I always catch myself scratching my head and cursing the Kia engineers. No reason why they put the oil housing/filter downward facing the ground. Especially, why they chose to do a oil filter housing. Removing the skid plate with (6) 10m bolts and a push pin. Not hard...but... some of you may get me. The 2.5t engine has plenty of space within the engine bay to have the oil filter housing in there. Otherwise, if not, Kia engineers should just kept it simple with a spin-on oil filter facing the ground for the 2.5t engine.

Has anyone tried replacing the front differential fluid? Pain in the @#$@. That would be another one to add to the "cons list".... if being picky. LOL I still love my Stinger.

 

[Volfy]

How does one open the rear hatch if the hatch exterior button stops functioning (for those that don't have power lift)?

If it's a dead battery, sure you can lift the hood, apply 12V to the battery points then open. But what if the latch release solenoid itself has failed...

Need to somehow get the back seats down, reach all the way to the back, pop a small cover off and release the latch hold.

If it had a keyhole, none of the above would be necessary .

If your battery is dead and needs a jump, you shouldn't attach the jump leads to the battery to the trunk anyway.

The proper placement for the jump leads are on the terminals under the hood, designed specifically for this purpose. To do that, you open the driver's door (which has a key lock cylinder) and pull the hood latch lever. Those jump attachments points are much closer to the starter motor, compared to the trunk floor, avoiding voltage drop over potentially 35-40ft of cable length (the jumper cables I keep in my vehicles are 20ft long).

The OM has instructions specifically telling you to attach to the points under the hood.

That said, for normal battery charging, I do attach a standard SAE charging lead to the battery directly. For that, you actually do not want to attach the charger to the jumping point under the hood - for the exact reason above - to avoid a long cable run. The logic is than since regular battery charging (topping off) is considered normal maintenance, your battery shouldn't be dead. So the trunk release button should still work.

 

[LordKOTL]

See, I have never in well over 70,000 miles ever experienced this.

Like I mentioned in other threads, I think a major culprit is *how* the Stinger GT? maintains speed when cruise control is engaged on a downgrade.

The other cars I have driven that try to slow the car down to maintain speed (off memory, an older Grand Caravan, Mazda3, and Dodge Challenger) would actively downshift. The stinger doesn't, it just applies the brakes. Thus, on long downgrades the stinger applies the brakes lightly and effectively rides them. The conclusion I drew is that the light brake pressure heats the rotors enough to partially melt the pads, causing the deposits.

I've found that either actively braking or downshfting manually negates it. I also think a lot of owners who don't experience the shudder likely don't rely on cruise control to allow their speed down on downgrades.

In my opinion, with so many cars that do downshift automatically to slow with their cruise control logic, Kia should have applied the same to the stinger.

Replaced my OEM pads with EBC red stuff. Did it at about 3,000 kms (about 1,800 miles from new).

I replaced mine with Powerstop Z26 Street Warriors. They are much, much better than stock. However, going down mile-plus long dowgrades only using cruise control to control speed does cause deposits, but at a much lower rate than stock. Braking manually and manually downshifting eliminates the issue.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Like I mentioned in other threads, I think a major culprit is *how* the Stinger GT? maintains speed when cruise control is engaged on a downgrade.

The other cars I have driven that try to slow the car down to maintain speed (off memory, an older Grand Caravan, Mazda3, and Dodge Challenger) would actively downshift. The stinger doesn't, it just applies the brakes. Thus, on long downgrades the stinger applies the brakes lightly and effectively rides them. The conclusion I drew is that the light brake pressure heats the rotors enough to partially melt the pads, causing the deposits.

I've found that either actively braking or downshfting manually negates it. I also think a lot of owners who don't experience the shudder likely don't rely on cruise control to allow their speed down on downgrades.

In my opinion, with so many cars that do downshift automatically to slow with their cruise control logic, Kia should have applied the same to the stinger.

I replaced mine with Powerstop Z26 Street Warriors. They are much, much better than stock. However, going down mile-plus long dowgrades only using cruise control to control speed does cause deposits, but at a much lower rate than stock. Braking manually and manually downshifting eliminates the issue.

Interesting observation. But my experience is different. Normal cruise control in the GT1 applies a downshift to 5th gear, resulting in 3,000 plus RPM to help maintain downhill speed. The brakes are used too, but downshifting automatically - even when in manual gate or Sport Mode with the paddle shifters engaged - is a consistent part of holding speed to the cruise setting.

 

[Ah GetFd]

Yes, for the 5 or whatever minute timeout, and only if you're freshly starting it. I'm talking about leaving a car that's already been running (something I've been able to do in every other car I've driven), or for example let my dog nap in the AC on a 95 degree day while I grab a meal on a road trip, or check out a property I'm working on, etc.

Other cars with key fobs simply won't let you lock them inside the car but have the lock function enabled from outside, so this shouldn't be rocket surgery.

It's 10 minutes according to the manual.

All States
It's illegal (here) to, whilst unattended (which is more than 3 metres from the vehicle) to;
- Leave a vehicle unattended with Motor Running
- Leave a vehicle with key in ignition
- Brakes not secured
- Doors Unlocked
- Windows down more than 2cm to 5cm depending on state. Most are 5cm

In NSW
You can leave your car’s window down 2cm, but you cannot leave the car running, or leave the windows down, or leave the car unlocked, or leave anyone aged 16 or under in the car, or leave the key in the ignition, if you’re going to be more than three metres away from the car.

So it really begs the question WHY? (Would you not rate your dog as vulnerable the same as a person under 16?)
If you left a dog in a car in 95 degree heat here you would probably return to find your window broken by a citizen and police waiting to place you under arrest.

The basic premis of not leaving your car running unattended is theft. Now, the Stinger you might not be able to drive away, but when it comes to insurance and the Insurance company asks how your vehicle was able to be driven away or attempted to be driven, and you say because I left it running, your insurance payout will be ZERO.

 

[Ah GetFd]

To my mind, at the time, a KIA was still "killed in action", a strange Asian manufacturer not considered as an option when there are so many others. The Stinger grabbed my attention and changed my mind. I didn't even know until I read up on the Stinger that KIA was part of the Hyundai group. KIA is not just equal to other manufacturers, it is superior to most. And now, assuming another new vehicle is in my future, it will most likely be another KIA and my expectations will be higher than ever.

Yes well Kia was acquired by Hyundai way back in 1998 for a 51% share holding. It's less now and whilst Kia I would consider a better brand than Hyundai, it has improved substantially since then.

The Kia Sportage was the main offering in 1993-

Originally it sourced Mazda Bongo engines it was recalled twice for rear wheels dismounting while driving. The Kia Sportage scored the lowest possible result in the Australian ANCAP crash tests – one star out of five. As well as a failure of the seat belts, the vehicle structure collapsed....

 

[Thomby]

It's illegal (here) to, whilst unattended (which is more than 3 metres from the vehicle) to

I do not (yet) live in a totalitarian country with everything dictated by eco-communists, so while I sympathize with the freedoms Australians have forfeited, your rule list is not relevant. And your scenario about broken windows and your overbearing police state makes even less sense, as the point is to secure a running car.

99% of cars can be locked while running, and it's common behavior here in many scenarios: securing a pet, firearm, or laptop on a road trip, job site, etc with severe weather. Many work vehicles in places like Alaska and Texas are kept running entire shifts, as are police cruisers (with rifles and often K9s). The Stinger appears unique in not having that ability.

 

[Ah GetFd]

Yeah you lost me at firearm.....

 

[Thomby]

I think you lost the rest of us at "my government regulates window opening to 2cm" lol. Even Middle Eastern dictatorships aren't so draconian.

C.S. Lewis said it best:

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”

 

[LordKOTL]

Interesting observation. But my experience is different. Normal cruise control in the GT1 applies a downshift to 5th gear, resulting in 3,000 plus RPM to help maintain downhill speed. The brakes are used too, but downshifting automatically - even when in manual gate or Sport Mode with the paddle shifters engaged - is a consistent part of holding speed to the cruise setting.

Interesting...mine doesn't do that. The RPMs are usually 2k or less depending on speed and gear unless I manually intervene usually gear 7 or at at freeway speed.

Is yours the manual or fully electronic shifter?

 

[Snicklefritz]

Interesting...mine doesn't do that. The RPMs are usually 2k or less depending on speed and gear unless I manually intervene usually gear 7 or at at freeway speed.

Is yours the manual or fully electronic shifter?

"Manual gate" is only available in the trims lower than GT2/Limited Canada, with the "T" shifter. You push it over to the left from "D" and your indicated gear shows instead of "D". The car will take over if you are being a moron, or you "ask" it to, for instance when you go WOT, you don't do a thing, just let the car upshift for you. But what does that have to do with electronic - shift by wire - and the car downshifting in cruise control to maintain speed downhill, I can't say. In cruise, at 70 plus MPH, mine drops into 5th gear - even if I am in manual gate - and the RPM is over 3,000. I can't see 7th gear doing anything at all to slow the car down. But 5th gear, that will do some slowing.

 

[LordKOTL]

"Manual gate" is only available in the trims lower than GT2/Limited Canada, with the "T" shifter. You push it over to the left from "D" and your indicated gear shows instead of "D". The car will take over if you are being a moron, or you "ask" it to, for instance when you go WOT, you don't do a thing, just let the car upshift for you. But what does that have to do with electronic - shift by wire - and the car downshifting in cruise control to maintain speed downhill, I can't say. In cruise, at 70 plus MPH, mine drops into 5th gear - even if I am in manual gate - and the RPM is over 3,000. I can't see 7th gear doing anything at all to slow the car down. But 5th gear, that will do some slowing.

I'm trying to see what is different between our cars as a possible explanation.

Mine is shift-by-wire. It might be an explanation why mine won't downshit automatically.

 

[BIG-D]

Had to really think about this...
What I don't like :
The overboost issue I had until I was tuned.
The smoke out of the turbos once I went catless
The hatch rattle that wasn't there until I took it in for its 1500km inspection after 6 months !!
Having to turn lane assist off and the speeding alerts on the HUD everytime I start the car...
It really should all be saved in our profile just like the trans mode and tc on or off in my humble opinion ?

What I like :

Everything about it minus what I typed above.

The looks, the excitement, the way it just piles on the miles effortlessly whether it is hot or cold outside.
The slides I can pull away from the lights with little effort or just drive normal.
The fact after 18500kms it still smells and looks like a NEW car even though I had to replace the rear bumper and have carbon parts fitted.

I won't drive it in the rain but, i have other cars for that.

They are holding value really well over here so I may sell it this year, don't know yet.

Peace.

 

[Ah GetFd]

I think you lost the rest of us at "my government regulates window opening to 2cm" lol. Even Middle Eastern dictatorships aren't so draconian.

C.S. Lewis said it best:

It probably explains why there are over 1 million car thefts in the USA per annum and 48,000 gun deaths. Probably stolen cars with their engines running with guns left inside. Probably a few dogs thrown into the mix.

I recall the USA banning lettuces a few years ago when SIX people died of Lysteria. Pity they didn't ban guns