Shiftronic is a function of manual gear shifting in automatic and automated transmissions on Hyundai and Kia cars. It was first introduced in the late 1990s. It is today available for many car models of these makes. The Shiftronic function allows the driver to gain better control of his or her car. This is useful when slowing down, overtaking, driving downhill, or starting on ice. The transmission operates in automatic mode when the Shiftronic mode is not required.
Operating principle of transmissions with Shiftronic function
Special software ensures the Shiftronic function operation. There are two ways to engage manual mode: by moving the gear lever from the “D” position into a special slot, and then pushing it to “+” or “-”, or using the buttons with the same marks mounted on the steering wheel. Signals from the gear position sensor or steering wheel buttons are transferred to the transmission control unit, which sends commands for engaging a certain gear.
Popular transmissions equipped with Shiftronic function
| Gearbox code | Number of gears | Transmission type | Max engine capacity, L | Max engine torque, N·m | Car layout | Production start | Model applications |
| A5HF1 | 5 | AT with a torque converter and planetary gear sets | 3.8 | 400 | FWD, AWD | 2005 | Hyundai Santa Fe CM; Kia Carens UN; Hyundai Sonata NF; Kia Carnival VQ; Hyundai Grandeur TG; Kia Sorento XM; Kia Opirus LD; Hyundai Entourage VQ |
| A5SR1 | 5 | AT with a torque converter and planetary gear sets | 3.5 | 350 | RWD, AWD | 2002 | Kia Sorento BL; Hyundai Genesis ВН |
| A6MF1 | 6 | AT with a torque converter and planetary gear sets | 2.4 | 240 | FWD, AWD | 2009 | Kia Optima JF; Hyundai Grandeur HG;Kia Carnival YP; Hyundai Sonata YF; Kia Optima TF; Hyundai Tucson LM; Kia Carnival VQ; Hyundai Sonata LF; Kia Cadenza VG; Hyundai i30 GD; Kia Sportage SL; Hyundai Grandeur TG; Kia Sportage QL; Hyundai i40 VF; Kia Soul PS; Hyundai Tucson TL |
| A8LF1 | 8 | AT with a torque converter and planetary gear sets | 3.5 | 350 | FWD, AWD | 2016 | Hyundai Santa Fe; Kia Cadenza YG; Kia Carnival YP; Hyundai Tucson TL; Kia Sorento UM; Hyundai Sonata LF; Hyundai Grandeur IG; Kia Sportage QL |
| 7DCT (D7UF1) | 7 | Automated with dry dual clutch | 2.0 | 350 | FWD | 2015 | Veloster FS; Veloster JS |
Common malfunctions of Shiftronic transmissions
| Malfunctions | Transmissions |
| The solenoid of the valve body breaks down often. | A5HF1 |
| Aggressive driving style leads to destruction of planetary gears. | A5HF1; D7UF1 |
| Input and output speed sensors have short lifespan. | A5HF1; A6MF1 |
| Aggressive driving causes premature wear-out of the friction linings in the clutch of the torque converter. | A5SR1; A6MF1 |
| Overheating of the electronic control board occurs often. | A5SR1 |
| Untimely replacement of transmission oil leads to the clogged channels of the valve body and oil starvation. | A5SR1; A6MF1 |
| In the course of time bolts of the sun gear loosen. This results in the transmission slipping. | A6MF1 |
| Solenoid wiring harness fails. | A6MF1 |
| The transmission plastic pan cracks. | A6MF1 |
| Software malfunctions occur. | A8LF1 |
| Clutch wears down early. | D7UF1 |
Comment