Shift Flare

AllBlack07Optima · 09-24-2007, 05:57 PM

Just curious if anyone with the 5 speed auto transmission experiences extreme shift flare, usually with lag...

I notice this a lot driving through town, the RPM's will jump about 500-100 and slowly sink back down into the next gear.

If I am driving on the highway or quickly through town it feels fine, and sometimes it will even shift hard, especially when in stick-mode.

I wonder if there is a way to adjust some parameters to boost the pressure in the trans a little more at lower speeds... I have noticed a small amount of residue on the trans dipstick, so I was wondering if it's just me, or if any others have this issue.

Most of the Optimas that I road test dont usually do this, but a couple do, and it's more prominent with the 2.7's it seems.

Thanks

Optima · 09-25-2007, 11:47 AM

Check and see if there is a reflash update from the dealer. To be honest, Kia's transmission's especially the auto's are known for shift flare. Mine does it, even in sport mode.

joebunda · 09-25-2007, 04:12 PM

I have noticed the same issue in my '04 2.4L 4 spd auto. It seems less pronounced in manual shift, but that may be because I am usually shifting at higher RPM's in manual.

I have also noticed "flare" in auto when accelerating without change gears. Typically in 4th at steady speed on a highway when I give it a little gas, the RPM's will jump a couple 100 and then settle back.

I have just chalked it up to a curious quirk and have not worried about it.

joebunda · 09-26-2007, 12:51 PM

I checked kiatechinfo.com today. There is a TSB for "Automatic Transmission Adaptive Value Reset / Relearn" that may help. It states "All models".

web-starr · 10-18-2007, 04:00 PM

What you might be calling a flare is very similar to the torque converter locking and unlocking. GM vehicles seem to do this. I'm not sure of all the technical reasons for it other than for gas mileage, some converters will get to a point where the torque in = the torque out, and they are considered "locked", instead of amplifyingthe torque being applied.

If this is true, it is not necessarily a defect in the transmission, unless it is very sharp and harsh.

AllBlack07Optima · 12-04-2007, 02:06 AM

I am aware of TCC lock, but generally it will only activate during cruising situations...

I had it maintenenced and basically all we did was drain about 1/2 the fluid and put some more in, and it seemed to help quite a bit, also we reset the adapts and i drove it HARD and that seems to have firmed some stuff up.