← Back to Kia K5 GT
Owner's walkthrough

How to use your
Kia K5 GT

A practical, no-fluff walkthrough — starting procedure, where the gear selector hides, drive modes, infotainment, driver aids, and the features new owners always wish they'd found sooner.

01

How to start it

Step on the brake, press POWER (silver button on the dash). Hybrids stay silent in EV mode until you accelerate.

02

Where the gear selector is (and how to use it)

Console shifter with N/D notches and a paddle gate; Genesis adds a crystal jewel-cut dial on most trims.

03

Drive modes

Drive modes are accessed via the Drive Mode dial on the console. Available modes typically include Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, GT (EV6/EV9 GT). Each mode reshuffles throttle mapping, steering weight, adaptive dampers (if equipped), exhaust valves, and stability-control thresholds. On performance trims, an 'Individual' or 'Custom' slot lets you save your favorite combination so you can recall it with one click instead of nesting through menus.

04

Cluster & head-up display

The driver display is a 12.3-inch digital cluster. Use the steering-wheel left thumb-pad to cycle layouts (Classic, Sport, Navigation, Minimal). When in Sport / Track mode the cluster automatically swaps to a wide tach with gear indicator and tire-temperature readout. The head-up display brightness, height, and content are configured from Settings → Displays → HUD.

05

Infotainment & voice control

Infotainment runs on ccNC trinity display (cluster + climate + nav). Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; pair from Settings → Connections the first time, then it auto-connects whenever your phone is in range. Steering-wheel push-to-talk wakes the in-car assistant for nav, climate, calls, and messaging without touching the screen. The main display also hosts vehicle-specific apps: tire pressures, performance data recorder (where fitted), drive-mode customizer, and the camera views.

06

Driver assistance

Standard driver aids include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Toggle each system individually from the driver-assist menu (steering-wheel left-pad → Assistance). A surround-view camera and parking assist may be optional — turn them on once in settings and they default to active in tight spaces from then on.

07

Fueling

Premium unleaded (91 or 93 octane) is required on Kia performance models — the engine timing is set for it and lower octane causes audible knock and reduced power. Fuel-cap release is a button on the driver door panel; the cap is capless (just push the nozzle in).

08

Keys & phone-as-key

Beyond the physical key, this car supports Kia Digital Key 2. Set up phone-as-key from the Kia Connect app: it provisions a secure credential to your phone's wallet so a tap on the door handle unlocks the car and placing the phone on the wireless charging pad authorizes ignition. You can also share temporary keys to family members (with optional speed and area limits on performance trims) directly from the app.

09

First-week tips & easy-to-miss features

A few things every new owner tells us they wish they'd known on day one:

  • Download the brand app (Kia Connect) and pair it with your VIN before your first long trip — remote climate, charging/fuel-level checks, and remote lock-status save you walking back to the garage in winter.