[junksta]

When I bought my Sedona it seemed real zippy from the start, that may be a good thing but it would be nice if it could be backed off a little. Its too easy to spin the front tires on gravel when you takeoff. Is this normal? Any adjustments?

 

[Dr Bob]

Almost any car will spin the wheels on gravel. You have a large van with a fairly powerful motor; you might have to back off a little.

 

[junksta]

Yeah, I know most any vehicle can but mine seems a little more touchy than normal.
Be nice to take off with a little less g-force.

 

[Hi-Scan Pro]

Take off in second gear.

 

[junksta]

Take off in second gear.

Maybe that's the reason they give us a paddle shifter eh?

 

[Dr Bob]

Some cars with high torque have traction control. Sort of ABS working the other way. Nissan 350Z had that and I never turned it off.

 

[scooper]

Accelerator adjustment

I also don't like the throttle control on my 2011 Sedona 3.5. The van felt light and powerful for the test drive on a warm summer day, but after 7500 miles and a winter ... I find it overly touchy at takeoff and very easy to unintentionally spin out on slippery surfaces. Oddly it also seems inconsistent with respect to engine response vs pedal position? I suspect some computer reprograming would smooth things out and make it more linear. My dealer says they all drive like that? I'm planning to take a 2012 out for a spin at the next service to confirm. Anyway since no one else is complaining, either we do have a unique problem or I'll have to accept it.

 

[ajporter03]

My 2012 is the same way. Very aggressive engine response even when trying to be light on the throttle. I had a 2012 loaner as well, and it was the the exact same.

 

[scooper]

Thanks ajporter03 ... sounds like they're all the same. Otherwise very happy with the van, but I find this issue to be quite annoying when driving in frequent stop-squirt-and-go urban settings. The calibration is perfect for highway on-ramps though! But our friend's 2012 Sorento 3.5 FWD does not have the same overly aggressive throttle. So Kia should be able to offer a recalibration / improvement for the Sedona since they share the same engine & transmission now? I know that's unlikely given that it's the last model year but I can still hope?

 

[Hawker]

My 2012 with only 3K miles is the same way too. Sales Div. must have influenced this aggressive programing to leave the impression of lots of power. But as we're all finding out it's not the best when it comes to everyday driving. Simple reprogram would probably fix it, but manufacturer has little incentive after you've bought the car when 'they're all like that' will usually shut you up. Otherwise I like the car.

 

[ajporter03]

Sometimes I wish it wasn't so aggressive. I think it would help with gas mileage. But, at the same time, there is nothing quite like beating a high school age kid off the line and to the next red light. Sure doesn't make them very happy.

 

[Spike555]

The van that we just bought, '06 with 138k, the throttle was very touchy from a dead stop.
I cleaned the throttle body and all is well, just like a normal car.
The butterfly valve was carboned up and sticking.

 

[mike6412]

My 2012 Sedona is my third Kia and this throttle response is scary sometimes. This is my wife's daily driver and she seems to be somewhat used to it. For me i usually wear boots and only drive it on the weekends. This combination along with the idiot start/stop drivers makes a dangerous situation. The throttle position sensor on My 2002 jetta VW can be adjusted to match the computer when you replace it, I wonder if this is also the case with the Sedona?