shift lag fix for manual trans

[b18c5rodney]

hey all,

while perusing the veloster forum, i came across a thread about disconnecting the upper clutch switch to eliminate the shift lag in between gears...

i ran out and tried it on my 12' rio lx. OMG, awesome! car accelerates with no lag at all! it did get a tad choppy when lifting while in gear, but that seems to be the only drawback so far.

this one little mod that takes less then 10 seconds to do/undo has to be the best performance mod ever. if you have a manual trans rio, you have to try it out...

[accelerus]

details? link? pics?

I drive a 2012 6 speed Rio -- ive noticed the shift lag - but I guess in the 9 months I've owned the car I've gotten used to it. Would love some more info.

[b18c5rodney]

details? unplug clutch disconnect switch. look at your clutch pedal, follow it to the top and unplug the black connector for the pressure switch. drive car. seriously, it takes less then 10 sec to unplug.

the link wont have the same pics, since the veloster seems to have a different setup, as far as colored plugs.

oh, this will disable cruise, but my lx does not have it, so no love lost there.

[rdrfronty]

I've read that before in the other thread and was hoping it would work on our cars. So no check engine lights or etc. showing? I know I've read it might effect cruise control, but my Lx doesn't have it anyway. So moot point for me anyway. I really HATE the shift lag hesitation thing. Sounds like I need to go do this too.

[rdrfronty]

Well I just did mine too. Like b18c said, its super easy. No tools need other than perhaps a flashlight. The plug just has a squeeze clip on it - squeeze it, pull it off, and tuck the wire out of the way.
I just took a quick run around the block and first impressions are good. It appears to be "normal" acceleration/shifting versus the hesitating it's always had. And no lights or other issues noted.
Tomorrows trip to work will tell the true answer.
Thanks for the suggestion b18c!

[ZlleH]

Waiting for someone with a 2013 to confirm if this works...

[Dr Bob]

Originally Posted by b18c5rodney

While perusing the veloster forum, i came across a thread about disconnecting the upper clutch switch to eliminate the shift lag in between gears...

OK, so you might need a switch there to run the cruise control, but what idiot decided to use the switch to fool with the throttle reponse? Presumably KIA doesn't want you to slip the clutch during acceleration, but the take-up point is well before the switch is activated. -An error in design by someone who doesn't actually drive a manual?

[rdrfronty]

Ok, driven about 90 miles since the mod. And I have a 2013 Lx. Anyway, I fully recommend the mod. The acceleration, hesitations, etc. are much better. Makes the driving experience much better and like the car should have been from the factory. Only few issues or notes. First is my traction control light stays on all the time now. As far as I can tell its disabled, tirespin can be done easy enough. This is the active traction control light, not the light that comes on when you push the button to turn it off. For me it's a non issue since I detest traction control anyway. It's pretty worthless unless road conditions get real sketchy.
The other minor thing I noticed is the throttle is more sensitive to deceleration. For example while putting around in a single gear, if the throttle is lifted some, it make a pretty noticeable difference, a little lurch. To me it's not an issue, just different than the normal smoothness it always had. This mod also disables the up shift indicator. For me that's a bonus too - hated that idiot thing anyway. So only true issue is the traction control light being on, which is a little annoying to see. But no biggie. For those in snowy conditions, it might be one though. Of course it's simple enough to plug the sensor back in if needed.
But the actual driving experience is better for certain. Noticeably smoother and little hesitation now. It still has a bit of a flat spot under medium throttle or rpms. But I think that is likely right before the variable timing kicks in. We obviously have a much more agressive upper rpm timing map, and the factory economy tuning simply lacks a little before it kicks in. I really wish somebody would come out with a tune for these cars. They have great potential. I think this clutch mod, with it eliminating the hesitation, will put these cars solidly in the upper 7's for 0-60mph now. Only needed a couple tenths to do that per official testing numbers. A real tune that could take advantage of the timing maps could possible bring us down to the low 7's. And possibly with no loss with mpg's as long as you keep your foot out of it.
Granted low 7's isnt overly fast, but in a little 6spd car like we have, it would be plenty enough to be "fun". Granted I am likely different than most owners here, but I like the concept of a peppy little car that can still delivery the outstanding gas mileage these cars offer. I got the car to be a fun commuter for my long daily drive.
Sorry for going off topic. This little mod has just got me encouraged. And just made me love my car just a little more.
Clutch sensor disconnect - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

[RioBravo]

I just ran out to the car & disconnected mine. Haven't had a chance to drive it (still at work), but I cranked it up & no traction control light. Maybe when it's driven? I'll find out at 6am...

[rdrfronty]

My traction control light didn't come on either on the first little trip around the block, but next morning going to work it came on pretty quick.