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2010 Kia Forte

50 messages,  Last post on Mar 29, 2011 at 9:30 AM

You are in the Kia Forte / Forte Koup Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Forte, Kia Forte Koup, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 4 of 6

#29 of 50 Re: hmowner... [iluvmysephia1] by hmowner

Jun 29, 2010 (5:34 pm)

Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Jun 28, 2010 9:48 pm)
The issue is not really the shifter or the clutch. The shifter is a bit rubberly, but ok. The clutch is soft, but you get used it to very quick.
 
The main issue is the dead spot on the accelerator.
 
Without the throttle mod, there is about 3/4 inch dead spot when you press on the accelerator before the engine would respond. The impact of this dead spot is that when you shift and engage gear by releasing the clutch, it's very hard to find the right pressure to push down on the gas pedal to rev the engine and engage the gear correctly. First timer to Forte would either stall the engine (most common) or really chirp the tires because you over compensate. It took me about couple of weeks to get it right. Even after that, you really have to watch how you let out the clutch and give gas.
 
With the throttle mod, where you basically eliminate the dead spot, the gear shift is very smooth like any other "normal" stick shift

#30 of 50 So... by iluvmysephia1

Jun 30, 2010 (12:45 pm)

hmowner, I spose this was an ECU computer fix that Kia Motors did for all of you all with this problem then, paid for by Kia Motors?
 
Pardon me if I've missed it when you've talked about this problem before on this thread, but I'm still just a titch bit curious how it all worked out as far as the fix. And, of course, one would think that Kia Motors is no longer producing manual-trannied Forte sedans (or Koup's, for that matter) straight-from-the-factory anymore with this throttle problem. Kind of a DUH, but I just want to read of your concurrence on this matter. Thank you and happy Kia motoring to all of you.

#31 of 50 Re: So... [iluvmysephia1] by hmowner

Jun 30, 2010 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Jun 30, 2010 12:45 pm)
iluvmysephia1,
 
This is not a ECU fix, but a slight movement to one of the accelerator assembly that controls voltage output from the accelerator which in turn controls how the throttle responds. BTW, this is done via very minute shift of a plastic cover, either forward or backward. My guess is that this somehow changes the resistance setting within the assembly and thus changes the output voltage value associated with when the accelerator is in "idle" mode.
 
Please read the link above.
 
Anyway, after the "fix", you no longer feel the dead spot and the clutch/gas interaction feels like any other normal stick shift.

#32 of 50 hmowner... by iluvmysephia1

Jun 30, 2010 (10:54 pm)

thanks for that explanation. Sounds like Kia has fixed the problem for all of you all, then.

#33 of 50 2010 forte koup sx window leak by steven39

Jul 24, 2010 (12:01 pm)

hi folks,i have a 2010 kia forte koup sx and today i noticed that after washing my car that there was water dripping all over the passenger window where the speaker sits.all windows were closed shut while i was washing car.dealer can't figure it out.but the water is leaking in regardless.anyone else experiencing this problem??

#34 of 50 Forte EX w/ Fuel Economy Pkg- ever seen or driven one??? by igozoomzoom

Aug 04, 2010 (8:22 pm)

I've driven both a Forte EX with the 4-speed automatic transmission and the SX model with the 5-speed automatic. Both were great cars and the EX was actually the more pleasant highway car with a slightly softer ride and less road noise than the SX. The EX's only real flaw is the 4-speed automatic tranny! It was reluctant to downshift at highway speeds and when it finally did so, it was much more abrupt than I would have liked. The 5-speed auto in the SX responded much faster and downshifts were just as smooth as upshifts...of course, the added power of the 2.4L reduced the need for downshifts in most situations.
 
I would be very interested to see how the 5-speed automatic and 2.0L engine perform together, but that combination is only available in the EX with the "Fuel Economy Package". In addition to the 2mpg increase in city and hwy mileage, acceleration should be a bit better also- going faster and using less fuel sounds like a win-win setup to me! Hopefully the 5-speed auto would perform as smoothly in this application as it does in the SX model.
 
But I have never seen a Forte EX with the Fuel Economy Package on any dealer's lot. I've spoken with sales managers at three different dealerships and they've never seen one either. Have they actually made any of these or are do they only exist on paper???

#35 of 50 Re: Forte EX w/ Fuel Economy Pkg- ever seen or driven one??? [igozoomzoom] by conwelpic

Aug 05, 2010 (3:26 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Aug 04, 2010 8:22 pm)
I have read that when the 5-door Forte arrives it will have the new 6 spd auto in it.

#36 of 50 Re: Update on SX 6spd sedan [hmowner] by hmowner

Aug 22, 2010 (11:51 am)

Replying to: hmowner (Jun 27, 2010 1:21 pm)
For future Forte SX buyers:
 
Great Car for the money, but few things to know before you buy (I would, however, still buy the same car ):
 
- There's a "deadspot" on the accelerator which you may want to fix. check this forum or other Kia forum for "best throttle mod". Without it, the manual is so difficult to drive.
 
- When turning fast over a rough patch of road, the rear side of the car will skip.
 
- The steering wheel does not feel solid and responsive when driving at highway speed (when compared to honda). There's a bit of dead spot on the center.
 
- manual shift is not so smooth as compared to other cars (like Honda). 2nd gear and sometimes 5th gear goes in a bit rough. Dealer says it's normal - i.e. other Fortes has the same symptom)
 
- gear ratio between 2nd and 3rd gear is too great. 3rd gear feels "too tall".
 
- Weak air conditioner or lack or roof insulation causes the car to feel warm/hot during very humid and hot (90+ degrees) weather, even with the fan blowing at full.
 
- 17 inch low profile tire is NOT a good choice if you often drive on rough pavement. Car bangs around a lot You will feel every imperfection on the road. One way to mitigate is to keep the tire pressure at 31 - 32 psi.
 
- Great highway mileage ( 38 mpg when going at 65 mph, and about 32 mpg 80mph), but terrible city mileage ( about 20-21 mpg). When passing at highway speed, you will definitely want to down shift to 5th or 4th gear.
 
- Engine has "ticking sound" which the dealer and KIA says is normal, but I don't particularly like it
 
- Engine oil burn - it stops around 6,000 miles.
 
- The seats are bit firm and seems to about an inch narrower and/or shorter than other cars. It's a bit uncomfortable on long trips
 
- Blue tooth. Often, you have to pair the phone again as it stops from connecting automatically or stops from automatically downloading the phone book. You cannot talk with windows open... Too much background noise.
 
- Front bumper and front portion of the hood will chip easily. Check every week and use touch up paint to cover up noticeable damage (BTW, use a thin brush or tooth pick to apply the paint. Do NOT use the paint "PEN" which leave noticeable and ugly application marks)
 
- The inside of the engine will start to rust - especially the pure iron parts - during humid weather.
 
- Inside the engine compartment, certain black tape around wires would start to come loose. Just clip it.
 
- Sound. speed dependent volume control doesn't seem to always work.
 
- Ealge LS2 tires are VERY noisy on concrete highways. I started noticing the noise after about 4,000 wear on the tires.
 
- Stones/rocks hitting the rear tire wall sounds VERY loud.
 
- head light by itself doesn't seem to illuminate the road well. The fog light helps. BTW, the factory setting on low beam is too high and you probably will need to re-adjust.

#37 of 50 Re: Update on SX 6spd sedan [hmowner] by conwelpic

Aug 22, 2010 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: hmowner (Aug 22, 2010 11:51 am)
some very good points, have you considered forwarding these onto both KIA US and KIA Motors and also Kia Buzz as I'm sure they would be interested in getting feedback from an owner.

#38 of 50 Re: Update on SX 6spd sedan [hmowner] by steven39

Aug 22, 2010 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: hmowner (Aug 22, 2010 11:51 am)
hello,i have a 2010 kia forte koup sx with auto trans.the only issue i have had from the ones you have mentioned here is the bluetooth sometimes not connecting automatcly.yes this does happen to me on occasion as well for unknown reasons.but it does work and you do have to have the windows closed in order to be heard from the bluetooth system.as far as the a/c goes mine works very well down here in the south fla heat and iv'e actually had to turn it down a few notches because it got to cold..maybe the sedan forte sx has more issues than the koup version but i have had my car since march of this year and it's been pretty good overall.

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