Kia Soul (2020 year). Owner's manual - part 1

Introduction

2

1

Fuel requirements

INTRODUCTION

Fuel requirements

Your new vehicle is designed to use 
only unleaded fuel having a pump 
octane number ((R+M)/2) of 87 
(Research Octane Number 91) or 
higher. (Do not use methanol blend- 
ed fuels.)

Your new vehicle is designed to 
obtain maximum performance with 
UNLEADED FUEL, as well as mini-
mize exhaust emissions and spark 
plug fouling.

Never add any fuel system cleaning 
agents to the fuel tank other than 
what has been specified. (Consult an 
authorized Kia dealer for details.) 
䳜 Tighten the cap until it clicks one 

time, otherwise the Check Engine 

 light will illuminate.

WARNING

Refueling
䳜 Do not "top off" after the nozzle 

automatically shuts off. Attempts 
to force more fuel into the tank 
can cause fuel overflow onto you 
and the ground causing a risk of 
fire.

䳜 Always check that the fuel cap is 

installed securely to prevent fuel 
spillage, especially in the event of 
an accident.

Gasoline containing alcohol and 
methanol

Gasohol, a mixture of gasoline and 
ethanol (also known as grain alco-
hol), and gasoline or gasohol con-
taining methanol (also known as 
wood alcohol) are being marketed 
along with or instead of leaded or 
unleaded gasoline.

Do not use gasohol containing more 
than 15% ethanol, and do not use 
gasoline or gasohol containing any 
methanol. 

Either of these fuels may cause 
drivability problems and damage to 
the fuel system, engine control sys-
tem and emission control system.

Discontinue using gasohol of any 
kind if drivability problems occur.

Vehicle damage or drivability prob-
lems may not be covered by the 
manufacturer's warranty if they 
result from the use of:
1. Gasoline or gasohol containing 

methanol.

2. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol. 
3. Gasohol containing more than 

15% ethanol.

"E85" fuel is an alternative fuel 
comprised of 85% ethanol and 15% 
gasoline, and is manufactured 
exclusively for use in Flexible Fuel 
Vehicles. "E85" is not compatible 
with your vehicle. Use of "E85" may 
result in poor engine performance 

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1

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Introduction

Fuel requirements

and damage to your vehicle's engine 
and fuel system. Kia recommends 
that customers do not use fuel with 
an ethanol content exceeding 15%.

NOTICE

Your New Vehicle Limited Warranty 
does not cover damage to the fuel 
system or any performance prob-
lems caused by the use of "E85" 
fuel.

NOTICE

Never use any fuel containing meth-
anol. Discontinue use of any metha-
nol containing product which may 
inhibit proper drivability.

Other fuels

Using fuels that contain Silicone (Si), 
MMT (Manganese, Mn), Ferrocene 
(Fe), and Other metalic additives, 
may cause vehicle and engine dam-
age or cause misfiring, poor acceler-
ation, engine stalling, catalyst 
melting, clogging, abnormal corro-
sion, life cycle reduction, etc.

Also, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp 
(MIL) may illuminate.

NOTICE

Damage to the fuel system or per-
formance problem caused by the 
use of these fuels may not be cov-
ered by your New Vehicle Limited 
Warranty.

Use of MTBE

Kia recommends avoiding fuels con-
taining MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl 
Ether) over 15.0% vol. (Oxygen Con-
tent 2.7% weight) in your vehicle.

Fuel containing MTBE over 15.0% 
vol. (Oxygen Content 2.7% weight) 
may reduce vehicle performance 
and produce vapor lock or hard 
starting.

NOTICE

Your New Vehicle Limited Warranty 
may not cover damage to the fuel 
system and any performance prob-
lems that are caused by the use of 
fuels containing methanol or fuels 
containing MTBE (Methyl Tertiary 
Butyl Ether) over 15.0% vol. (Oxy-
gen Content 2.7% weight.)

Introduction

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1

Fuel requirements

Gasoline containing MMT

Some gasoline contains harmful 
manganese- based fuel additives 
Such as MMT (Methylcyclopentadi-
eny l Manganese Tricarbonyl). Kia 
does not recommend the use of 
gasoline containing MMT. This type 
of fuel can reduce vehicle perfor-
mance and affect your emission 
control system. The Malfunction 
Indicator Lamp on the cluster may 
come on.

Do not use methanol

Fuels containing methanol (wood 
alcohol) should not be used in your 
vehicle. This type of fuel can reduce 
vehicle performance and damage 
components of the fuel system, 
engine control system and emission 
control system.

Fuel Additives

Kia recommends that you use good 
quality gasolines treated with 
detergent additives such as TOP 
TIER Detergent Gasoline, which help 
prevent deposit formation in the 
engine. These gasolines will help the 
engine run cleaner and enhance 
performance of the Emission Con-
trol System.

For more information on TOP TIER 
Detergent Gasoline, please go to the 
website (www.toptiergas.com) For 
customers who do not use TOP TIER 

Detergent Gasoline regularly, and 
have problems starting or the 
engine does not run smoothly, addi-
tives that you can buy separately 
may be added to the gasoline.

If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is 
not available, one bottle of additive 
should be added to the fuel tank at 
every 12,000 km (7,500 miles) or 
every engine oil change is recom-
mended. Additives are available 
from your authorized Kia dealer 
along with information on how to 
use them. Do not mix other addi-
tives.

Operation in foreign countries

If you are going to drive your vehicle 
in another country, be sure to: 䳜 
Observe all regulations regarding 
registration and insurance. 䳜 Deter-
mine that acceptable fuel is avail-
able.

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Introduction

Vehicle break-in process

Vehicle break-in process

No special break-in period is needed. 
By following a few simple precau-
tions for the first 1,000 km (600 
miles) you may add to the perfor-
mance, economy and life of your 
vehicle.
䳜 Do not race the engine.
䳜 While driving, keep your engine 

speed (rpm, or revolutions per 
minute) between 2,000 rpm and 
4,000 rpm.

䳜 Do not maintain a single speed for 

long periods of time, either fast or 
slow. Varying engine speed is 
needed to properly break-in the 
engine.

䳜 Avoid hard stops, except in emer-

gencies, to allow the brakes to 
seat properly.

䳜 Don't tow a trailer during the first 

2,000 km (1,200 miles) of opera-
tion.

Risk of burns when parking or 
stopping vehicle

䳜 Do not park or stop the vehicle 

near flammable items such as 
leaves, paper, oil, and tire. Such 
items placed near the exhaust 
system can become a fire hazard.

䳜 When an engine idles at a high 

rpm with the rear side of the 
vehicle in close proximity of the 
wall, heat of the exhaust gas can 
cause discoloration or fire. Keep 
enough space between the rear 
part of the vehicle and the wall.

䳜 Be sure not to touch the exhaust/

catalytic systems while the 
engine is running or right after 
the engine is turned off. There is 
a risk of burns since the systems 
are extremely hot.

Introduction

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Vehicle data collection and event data recorders

Vehicle data collection and event 
data recorders

This vehicle is equipped with an 
event data recorder (EDR). The main 
purpose of an EDR is to record, in 
certain crash or near crash-like sit-
uations, such as an air bag deploy-
ment or hitting a road obstacle, 
data that will assist in understand-
ing how a vehicle's systems per-
formed. The EDR is designed to 
record data related to vehicle 
dynamics and safety systems for a 
short period of time, typically 30 
seconds or less. The EDR in this 
vehicle is designed to record such 
data as:
䳜 How various systems in your 

vehicle were operating;

䳜 Whether or not the driver and 

passenger safety belts were 
buckled/ fastened;

䳜 How far (if at all) the driver was 

depressing the accelerator and/or 
brake pedal; and,

䳜 How fast the vehicle was travel-

ing. 

These data can help provide a bet-
ter understanding of the circum-
stances in which crashes and 
injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are 
recorded by your vehicle only if a 
non-trivial crash situation occurs; 
no data are recorded by the EDR 
under normal driving conditions and 
no personal data (e.g., name, gen-

der, age, and crash location) are 
recorded. However, other parties, 
such as law enforcement, could 
combine the EDR data with the type 
of personally identifying data rou-
tinely acquired during a crash inves-
tigation.

To read data recorded by an EDR, 
special equipment is required, and 
access to the vehicle or the EDR is 
needed. In addition to the vehicle 
manufacturer, other parties, such 
as law enforcement, that have the 
special equipment, can read the 
information if they have access to 
the vehicle or the EDR.

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Your vehicle at a glance

Your vehicle at a glance

Exterior overview...................................................................... 2-2
Interior overview....................................................................... 2-5
Instrument panel overview ..................................................... 2-7
Engine compartment ............................................................... 2-9

Your vehicle at a glance

2

2

Exterior overview

YOUR VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Exterior overview

Front view

* The actual shape may differ from the illustration.
1. Hood

4-30

2. Head lamp (Features of your vehicle) 

4-92

Head lamp (Maintenance) 

7-63

3. Front fog lamp (Features of your vehicle) 

4-95

Front fog lamp (Maintenance) 

7-65

4. Wheel and tire (Maintenance) 

7-33

Wheel and tire (Specification) 

8-4

5. Outside rearview mirror 

4-45

6. Sunroof 

4-35

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2

2

Your vehicle at a glance

Exterior overview

7. Front windshield wiper blades (Features of your vehicle) 

4-99

Front windshield wiper blades (Maintenance) 

7-29

8. Windows 

4-25

9. Parking assist system

4-86

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Your vehicle at a glance

4

2

Exterior overview

Rear view

* The actual shape may differ from the illustration.
1. Door locks 

4-18

2. Fuel filler lid

4-32

3. Rear combination lamp (Maintenance) 

7-66, 7-67

4. High mounted stop lamp (Maintenance)

7-68

5. Rear window wiper blade

4-102, 7-30

6. Liftgate 

4-22

7. Antenna 

4-148

8. Rearview camera 

4-91

9. Parking assist system (Rear)

4-83, 4-86

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2

2

Your vehicle at a glance

Interior overview

Interior overview

* The actual shape may differ from the illustration.
1. Inside door handle

4-19

2. Power window switch

4-26

3. Central Door lock/unlock switch

4-20

4. Power window lock switch

4-29

5. Outside rearview mirror control

4-45

6. Outside rearview mirror folding

4-46

7. Fuel filler lid open lever

4-32

8. Instrument panel illumination control switch

4-49

9. LKA system On/OFF button

5-127

10.BCW On/Off button

5-101

11.Head-Up Display shutter On/Off button

4-81

12.ISG Off button

5-95

13.Parking distance warning On/Off button

4-83, 4-86

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Your vehicle at a glance

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2

Interior overview

14.ESC Off button

5-44

15.Steering wheel

4-39

16.Tilt and telescopic steering control lever

4-41

17.Inner fuse panel

7-48

18.Hood release lever

4-30

19.Transmission shift lever

5-18, 5-21, 5-27

20.Seat

3-5

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2

Your vehicle at a glance

Instrument panel overview

Instrument panel overview

* The actual shape may differ from the illustration.
1. Audio remote control buttons

Steering wheel audio controls (Refer to the "CAR MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM 
USER'S MANUAL".)

2. Driver's front air bag 

3-52

3. Horn 

4-42

4. Cruise control button

5-75, 5-79

5. Instrument cluster 

4-48

6. Lighting control lever 

4-93

7. Wiper and washer control lever

4-99

8. Ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button

5-9, 5-12

9. Audio (Refer to the "CAR MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM USER'S MANUAL".)
10.Hazard warning flasher

 6-3

11.Climate control system

 4-118

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Your vehicle at a glance

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2

Instrument panel overview

12.Front seat warmer / Seat air ventilation

4-135, 4-137

13.Power outlet

 4-138

14.Heated steering wheel On/Off button

 4-41

15.Drive mode button

 5-99

16.Center console storage box

4-132

17.Parking brake

5-40

18.Glove box 

4-132

19.Passenger's front air bag

 3-52

20.USB charger

 4-139

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Your vehicle at a glance

Engine compartment

Engine compartment

Gasoline Engine (Gamma 1.6 TGDI)

Gasoline Engine (Nu 2.0L MPI)

* The actual engine cover in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.
1. Engine coolant reservoir

7-20

2. Engine oil filler cap

7-18

3. Brake / clutch fluid reservoir

7-23

4. Air cleaner

7-26

5. Fuse box

7-49

6. Negative battery terminal

6-7, 7-31 

7. Positive battery terminal

6-7, 7-31

8. Engine oil dipstick

7-18

9. Radiator cap

6-8, 7-20

10.Windshield washer fluid reservoir

7-24

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Safety features of your vehicle

Safety features of your vehicle

Important safety precautions ................................................ 3-3
Seat ............................................................................................. 3-5
䳜 Feature of Seat Leather........................................................ 3-8
䳜 Front seat adjustment - manual seat................................ 3-8
䳜 Front seat adjustment - power seat.................................. 3-9
䳜 Headrest for front seat.......................................................3-11
䳜 Seatback pocket  ..................................................................3-14
䳜 Headrest for rear seat ........................................................3-14
䳜 Armrest..................................................................................3-15
䳜 Folding the rear seat............................................................3-15
Seat belts .................................................................................3-19
䳜 Seat belt restraint system .................................................3-19
䳜 Driver's seat belt warning...................................................3-20
䳜 Front passenger's seat belt warning ................................3-21
䳜 Seat belt - Driver's 3-point system with emergency 

locking retractor ...................................................................3-21

䳜 Seat belts - Front passenger and rear seat 3-point 

system with combination locking retractor.....................3-23

䳜 Stowing the rear seat belt..................................................3-25
䳜 Pre-tensioner seat belt.......................................................3-26
䳜 Seat belt precautions...........................................................3-28
䳜 Care of seat belts .................................................................3-30
Child Restraint System (CRS) ...............................................3-31
䳜 Children always in the rear .................................................3-31
䳜 Selecting a Child Restraint System (CRS) ........................3-32
䳜 Installing a Child Restraint System (CRS).........................3-34
Air bag - advanced supplemental restraint system.........3-40
䳜 How does the air bag system operate? ...........................3-41