The Official Stinger Feature Wishlist

[AV8R]

well it does have launch control doesn't it ?

Eject button is for the people who dont have sway bars..lol

 

[AV8R]

The white-on-silver LABELING of the navigation keys is virtually illegible during daylight hours. It constitutes a safety issue, as there is distraction when trying to locate the desired key. View attachment 15643

hey I wear glasses and I can see the labels just fine, maybe get your Black felt marker and go over the lettering in black?

 

[Ozstung]

My Canadian Stinger is connected to the internet 24/7. I had lots of beefs about the car I took delivery of in November of 2017. However Kia fixed them October 15, 2018. They won't admit it, but my car got new ECU programming that made changes primarily to the suspension, motor and transmission. Sport is stiffer and now acceptable for a street performance car. It was too soft before October 15. The transmission kept shifting back to 'D' from manual mode and now it doesn't. Since October 15 it stays in manual mode until the car stops. Only then does it go back to 'D'. In auto mode the car was never in the 'quite right' gear. Now, since Oct 15, I can leave it in full auto mode and drive the SH.. out of it and the transmission is bang on perfect. Always in the right gear and with waaay smoother downshifts. Oh yeah, now the KIA logo is popping up in the heads up display when I start the car and the graphic in the Driver Attention screen is a blue chart. Both new features since October 15. Finally, I have more time to give the unlock button a double tap to unlock all doors. Before Oct 15, I had 1 second or the second tap relocked the car. Now I have about 5 sec.

What do I still want improved?

- The headlights on low beam point too low. I understand you can't adjust them. They need to be inclined 1 or 2 degrees for appropriate reach.
- The brake rotors are not up to the 4100 lb car's demands. Mine have warped twice now and I'm in the market for a performance set of rotors.
- The chassis needs a rear seat bulkhead. The hatchback can stay. But add a removable bulkhead stiffener to take the twisting out of the chassis. ATTENTION AFTERMARKET!
- The gas tank is too small. Add another 60 miles to the range please. Also, the snorkle holds about a gallon. WTF??
- The low pass filter to the subwoofers is not set high enough. It seems the subs only work for 50hz or less. They should be pumping 100hz or less so you can feel something out of them. Source signals rarely go below 50hz.

All told. I LOVE MY STINGER. The car makes all the right sounds. Gets all the right looks. Has a top speed that makes me want to drive to Bonneville. Has the nicest interior on the road, and a body that is downright sensuous!

View attachment 17697 View attachment 17698 View attachment 17699

I'm wondering how Kia fixed your car to allow it to stay in manual mode? The Stingers gear box at least on mine. (the 2018 GT model) does not allow me to stay in manual mode for more than 8 seconds when not on the gas? As along as im accelerating or decelerating it will remain there. It was a common complaint amongst Stinger owners.

 

[BBB]

I'm wondering how Kia fixed your car to allow it to stay in manual mode? The Stingers gear box at least on mine. (the 2018 GT model) does not allow me to stay in manual mode for more than 8 seconds when not on the gas? As along as im accelerating or decelerating it will remain there. It was a common complaint amongst Stinger owners.

As long as you’re in sport mode and don’t come to a complete stop, manual mode will be engaged the entire time.

 

[Ozstung]

As long as you’re in sport mode and don’t come to a complete stop, manual mode will be engaged the entire time.

Well bless my cotton socks! I didn't know that. But then again I've probably been in sports mode for 5 minutes in a year. Cheers.

 

[MerlintheMad]

As long as you’re in sport mode and don’t come to a complete stop, manual mode will be engaged the entire time.

I thought that was common knowledge. I discovered this on my first road trip, two weeks into owning my Stinger: I drove the entire 2K plus miles in Sport mode and noticed at my first intersection that the thing switched to "D" at full stop; but all other times once I used the paddle shifters it stayed in manual mode (this was several thousand miles before I discovered manual gate on the GT1). The only exception was when I was in cruise control, coming down a steep enough grade that in order to maintain the set speed, the car took control of the shifting and downshifted into 5th gear to hold the car back: then fiddling with the paddle shifters produced nothing; the higher priority is cruise control.

 

[BBB]

I thought that was common knowledge. I discovered this on my first road trip, two weeks into owning my Stinger: I drove the entire 2K plus miles in Sport mode and noticed at my first intersection that the thing switched to "D" at full stop; but all other times once I used the paddle shifters it stayed in manual mode (this was several thousand miles before I discovered manual gate on the GT1). The only exception was when I was in cruise control, coming down a steep enough grade that in order to maintain the set speed, the car took control of the shifting and downshifted into 5th gear to hold the car back: then fiddling with the paddle shifters produced nothing; the higher priority is cruise control.

I’ve also seen a YouTube video showing someone banging off the rev limiter while in sport mode, indicating that while in manual mode, the car won’t upshift if you hit redline. I’m not sure if what I watched was acurrate? To see what happens, has anyone taken the car to redline while in manual mode and not manual shifted?

 

[upsidedown]

I'm wondering how Kia fixed your car to allow it to stay in manual mode? The Stingers gear box at least on mine. (the 2018 GT model) does not allow me to stay in manual mode for more than 8 seconds when not on the gas? As along as im accelerating or decelerating it will remain there. It was a common complaint amongst Stinger owners.

Well bless my cotton socks! I didn't know that. But then again I've probably been in sports mode for 5 minutes in a year. Cheers.

Don't get too excited Ozstung as you were right the first time. No one has fixed anything out here and according to a recent question of mine to KIA there are no plans for anything to be done. I think the owners overseas have a GT1 which from what I understand is not DBW like all our Australian models.

Why KIA gave it to the GT1 and not the DBW models I will never understand!

 

[MerlintheMad]

I’ve also seen a YouTube video showing someone banging off the rev limiter while in sport mode, indicating that while in manual mode, the car won’t upshift if you hit redline. I’m not sure if what I watched was acurrate? To see what happens, has anyone taken the car to redline while in manual mode and not manual shifted?

(I understand that the MY19 GTs, at least, have had the upshifting "nanny" removed. But the risk of engine damage is still slight even without the car taking over and upshifting. In my case, I am glad for the nanny. Read on.)

Heck yes. Back in July, when I tried out launch control, my very first effort I forgot that I was in manual gate. So when I launched, and forgot to upshift, the car upshifted for me when I "banged" into the red zone. "WTH just happened!?" That was my reaction. Then I was glad for the nanny that saved my engine from myself.

I posted about this (can't recall the thread now), and was reassured with the fact that Kia tests their engines for DAYS at red line, only pausing to replenish engine oil. Then finishes up the stress/torture test at 10% to 20% above red line for an additional ten to twenty hours;

Okay, cool! I can't really hurt my engine by red lining it, especially because my Stinger "takes over" and upshifts for me.

To cap this: just last week, I got a bee in my bonnet to try launch control again. When I got "pole position" at a red light and the highway was clear before me, I set up launch control. I did it this way: move my shifter to the left (manual gate), select Sport Mode, push the traction and stability control button down until both are disengaged; put left foot on brake, right foot on accelerator and wait for the moment just before the light turns green: push down on accelerator and the instant the green light turns, let off the brake. Zoom! Except that, the engine raced clear up into the red zone, upshifted a couple of times while I went "WTH is going on?!", aaagain. Instantly I knew that I had done it aaagain: what the heck does "manual gate" have to do with setting up launch control? Why did I do that?? It has something to do with my early use of Sport mode and manual gate at the same time. When I made the spontaneous decision to do a launch, I just unthinkingly put the shifter into manual gate first. I've got to stop doing that. I looked for another chance to do it again, to do it right finally: but so far, I've just had to live with the memory of effing up another launch control "episode": and this time in front of a whole bunch of people.

 

[Ozstung]

Don't get too excited Ozstung as you were right the first time. No one has fixed anything out here and according to a recent question of mine to KIA there are no plans for anything to be done. I think the owners overseas have a GT1 which from what I understand is not DBW like all our Australian models.

Why KIA gave it to the GT1 and not the DBW models I will never understand!

Thanks for clarifying that @upsidedown , I had a feeling I was correct. I saw the initial review of the carsguide Yellow Stinger 3.3si review and they stated it wouldn't hold manual gate. What I didn't know was it was exclusive to our model and the Gt. Did I hear the 2019 isn't effected by this??

 

[eflyguy]

what the heck does "manual gate" have to do with setting up launch control? Why did I do that??

Exactly - why did you do that. There is no way you're going to do a better job at judging shifts than the car itself. That's one of the many great features of this car, the transmission and shifting are superb - and some tuners are working to make it even better.

I have found only a few instances when manual shift was required, either during long steep descents in mountainous territory. or when I planned to put down a lot of power mid-corner on a road I know. Otherwise, it's pretty much redundant.

... which is drastically dissimilar to my daughters Challenger which absolutely requires manual shifting for any kind of spirited driving. It's as bad as my Sorento!

 

[MerlintheMad]

There is no way you're going to do a better job at judging shifts than the car itself.

That is true. Originally I tried launch control, forgetting that I had the trans in manual gate. Stupid. The subsequent launch went okay with me shifting, but I thought that "launch control" means "Control", you know? Not, "me do it me self". So will try a bona fide launch control next time: without forgetting and putting it in manual gate. I promise this to myself.

A fun way to accelerate from a standing stop is to use auto hold; brace your left foot on the dead pedal, position your right over the accelerator and then just hit it with one smooth press; shifting for yourself in this method is a lot of fun. I don't know how it compares a true launch control; probably, as you say, not "better". But it sure is fun.

 

[CaliSting]

Ok updated wish list from Cali

-Kia Badge delete option
-Active sway bars with cabin controlled firmness
-Deeper bucket sport seats
-Heated steering wheel
-Night vision alert system
-active sport muffler
-dual clutch manual tranny

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Ok updated wish list from Cali

-Kia Badge delete option
-Active sway bars with cabin controlled firmness
-Deeper bucket sport seats
-Heated steering wheel
-Night vision alert system
-active sport muffler
-dual clutch manual tranny

Won’t happen, the car is dead remember.

 

[Karl Davlin]

I would like an option to turn on heated seats/steering wheel on remote start, or better yet have a remote start "preset" where I can choose the climate control and heated/ventilated seat options I want on remote start.

Sounds like maybe the UVO phone app can do this... if we had that option in the US.

My 2014 Chevy Volt will turn on heated seats automatically based on temperature when using remote start. I wish my Stinger did the same...including the heated steering wheel.

 

[Metalmania82]

What do I still want improved?

- The headlights on low beam point too low. I understand you can't adjust them. They need to be inclined 1 or 2 degrees for appropriate reach.
- The brake rotors are not up to the 4100 lb car's demands. Mine have warped twice now and I'm in the market for a performance set of rotors.
- The chassis needs a rear seat bulkhead. The hatchback can stay. But add a removable bulkhead stiffener to take the twisting out of the chassis. ATTENTION AFTERMARKET!
- The gas tank is too small. Add another 60 miles to the range please. Also, the snorkle holds about a gallon. WTF??
- The low pass filter to the subwoofers is not set high enough. It seems the subs only work for 50hz or less. They should be pumping 100hz or less so you can feel something out of them. Source signals rarely go below 50hz.

All told. I LOVE MY STINGER. The car makes all the right sounds. Gets all the right looks. Has a top speed that makes me want to drive to Bonneville. Has the nicest interior on the road, and a body that is downright sensuous!

View attachment 17697 View attachment 17698 View attachment 17699

1. I haven't looked but are the headlights really not adjustable? I thought all vehicles had the ability to make minor adjustments through small gears somewhere on the headlight housings.

2. Totally agree. I'm right on the edge of acceptable specs for having them cut, haven't been able to get the dealer to do a 12mo/12k miles parts warranty on them. There are quite a few options out there as far as aftermarket rotors. I'm currently looking into getting a pair from Centric along with their pads.

 

[KikoTheAkita]

The white-on-silver LABELING of the navigation keys is virtually illegible during daylight hours. It constitutes a safety issue, as there is distraction when trying to locate the desired key. View attachment 15643

^^^ THIS !!! ^^^

 

[GenesisG70]

1. Dual clutch
2. More exterior and interior colors
3. Cloth seat options like Porsche Sport textile seats
4. Better exhaust note
5. Heated steering wheel standard
6. Option for full leather dash
7. Electrification

 

[Lawrence Williams]

1. Dual clutch
2. More exterior and interior colors
3. Cloth seat options like Porsche Sport textile seats
4. Better exhaust note
5. Heated steering wheel standard
6. Option for full leather dash
7. Electrification

Cool thoughts but at price point ,it's pretty good

 

[MikeyCanuck]

To add to this list:

To have independent bluetooth connection for audio playback and phone connection... my 2012 Ford Focus Titanium with Microsoft Sync has this! My kids will often want to play music that is only on their phone but I'd like to be able to have my phone connected for phone calls!