How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

e016188

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Jun 16, 2009
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Hello,

I have a 1991 Four Winns Freedom 190 I want to tow with my 2007 Kia Sedona. Two capacity of the van is rated at ~4000 lbs and the boat/drive/trailer is ~3100 lbs. I sold my truck. I brought a class 3 trailer hitch/wiring harness and installed.

The Kia is an EX trim level with 3.8 liter V6 and 5 speed automatic transmission. When I tow the boat should I manually keep the transmission out of 5th gear to avoid damage? How should I use the transmission to tow without damage.

Jim
 

Silvertip

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Re: How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

stay out of overdrive.
 

oldjeep

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Re: How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

It'll be fine. Same powertrain that was in my wifes Sorrento and your boat is the same size as mine. We used the Sorrento to tow for a couple years. The stay out of overdrive comment is usefull if you tow in the hills, on flat land that tranny will do just fine with that load in OD.
 

NYBo

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Re: How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

The ultimate authority is Kia, as per what's in the owner's manual. I have two tow vehicles. With one you lock out overdrive and with the other, you don't.
 

H20Rat

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Re: How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

At least in my kia borrego, it makes no mention of going into manual mode for trailering. I personally will usually tow in manual and stay in 5th most of the time, only dropping down to 4th on bigger hills.
 

e016188

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Re: How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

Hello,

I looked in the owners manual. No direction regarding manual lockout of OD for towing. I was thinking OD (with torque converter locked up) would be 5th gear and I would always run in 3rd or 4th manually to prevent the transmission from going into OD.

Jim
 

H20Rat

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Re: How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

Hello,

I looked in the owners manual. No direction regarding manual lockout of OD for towing. I was thinking OD (with torque converter locked up) would be 5th gear and I would always run in 3rd or 4th manually to prevent the transmission from going into OD.

Jim

Kia's (at least the one's i've owned) will use the torque converter lockup as a gear. So even if you have it locked in 5th, the computer can still unlock the torque converter as needed.
 

e016188

Cadet
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Messages
27
Re: How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

Hello,

I think I understand. If the shift lever is moved to 'manual position' torque converter is unlocked even in 5th gear. I simply move shift lever to manual position when towing and use 3rd 4th or 5th as appropriate.

jim
 

H20Rat

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5,204
Re: How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

Hello,

I think I understand. If the shift lever is moved to 'manual position' torque converter is unlocked even in 5th gear. I simply move shift lever to manual position when towing and use 3rd 4th or 5th as appropriate.

jim

The ECU still has the option to lock/unlock the torque converter in manual mode. It will only unlock it if the load increases enough to require it.
 

ricohman

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Re: How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

If you notice the rpm jumping around a bit, that's the convertor locking and unlocking. And that is not what you want.
On the other side is heat. When you are not locked in OD the convertor is slipping. How much will depend on the vehicle, the load, wind ect. An auto will generate more heat towing out of OD, so you have to watch your speed and your tranny temp gauge if you have one.
 

oldjeep

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Re: How to Tow Boat with 2007 Kia Sedona with Automatic Transmission

If you notice the rpm jumping around a bit, that's the convertor locking and unlocking. And that is not what you want.

That is the best advice regardless of what you tow with. If it is hunting for a gear, then do something to make it stop. My experience with the Kia 3.8 is that it has enough torque to pull way more than it is rated for. Pretty impressive little v6
 
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