KIA SOUL 2009 Owners Manual

Maintenance
30
7
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
G100100BUN-C1
Checking the automatic transaxle
fluid level
The automatic transaxle fluid level
should be checked regularly.
Keep the vehicle on the level ground with
the parking brake applied and check the
fluid level according to the following pro-
cedure.
1. Place the shift lever in N (Neutral) posi- tion and confirm the engine is running
at normal idle speed.
2. After the transaxle is warmed up suffi- ciently [fluid temperature 70~80°C
(158~176°F)], for example by 10 min-
utes usual driving, move the shift leverthrough all positions then place the
shift lever in N(Neutral) or P(Park)position. 3. Confirm if the fluid level is in the "HOT"
range on the level gauge. If the fluid
level is lower, add the specified fluid
from the fill hole. If the fluid level is
higher, drain the fluid from the drain
hole.
4. If the fluid level is checked in cold con- dition [fluid temperature 20~30 °C
(68~86 °F)], add the fluid to the “C”
(COLD) line and then recheck the fluid
level according to the above step 2.
WARNING - Transaxle fluid
The transaxle fluid level should be
checked when the engine is at nor-
mal operating temperature. This
means that the engine, radiator,
radiator hose and exhaust system
etc., are very hot. Exercise great
care not to burn yourself during
this procedure.
WARNING - Parking brake
To avoid sudden movement of the
vehicle, apply parking brake and
depress the brake pedal before
moving the shift lever.
CAUTION
Low fluid level causes transaxle slippage. Overfilling can causefoaming, loss of fluid and transaxle
malfunction.
The use of a non-specified fluid could result in transaxle malfunc-tion and failure.
OAM079009OSA077009
HOT
COLD

731
Maintenance
✽✽NOTICE
“C” (COLD) range is for reference only
and should NOT be used to determinetransaxle fluid level. ✽✽
NOTICE
New automatic transaxle fluid should be
red. The red dye is added so the assem-bly plant can identify it as automatic
transaxle fluid and distinguish it from
engine oil or antifreeze. The red dye,
which is not an indicator of fluid quali-
ty, is not permanent. As the vehicle isdriven, the automatic transaxle fluid
will begin to look darker. The color may
eventually appear light brown.
Therefore, have an authorized KIA
dealer change the automatic transaxlefluid according to the ScheduledMaintenance at the beginning of thissection.
Use only specified automatic transaxle
fluid. (Refer to "Recommended lubricantsor capacities" in section 8.) G100200AUN-U1 Changing the automatic transaxle fluid
Have the automatic transaxle fluid
changed by an authorized KIA dealeraccording to the Maintenance Scheduleat the beginning of this section.

Maintenance
32
7
WASHER FLUID
G120100ASA-C1
Checking the washer fluid level
Check the fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir and add fluid if necessary. Plain
water may be used if washer fluid is not
available. However, use washer solvent
with antifreeze characteristics in cold cli-
mates to prevent freezing. G140100ASA
Checking the parking brake
Check the stroke of the parking brake by
counting the number of “clicks’’ heardwhile fully applying it from the released
position. Also, the parking brake alone
should securely hold the vehicle on a fair-
ly steep grade. If the stroke is more or
less than specified, have the parking
brake adjusted by an authorized KIA
dealer.
Stroke :
5~7 “clicks’’ at a force of
20 kg (44 lbs, 196 N).
PARKING BRAKE
WARNING -
Coolant
Do not use radiator coolant or antifreeze in the washer fluid
reservoir.
Radiator coolant can severely obscure visibility when sprayed
on the windshield and may cause
loss of vehicle control or damage
to the paint and body trim.
Windshield Washer fluid agents contain some amounts of alcohol
and can be flammable under cer-
tain circumstances. Do not allowsparks or flame come in contactwith the washer fluid or the wash-
er fluid reservoir. Damage to the
vehicle or occupants could
occur.
Windshield washer fluid is poi- sonous to humans and animals.
Do not drink and avoid coming incontact with the windshield wash-
er fluid. Serious injury or death
could occur.
OAM079008OAM059004

733
Maintenance
FUEL FILTER (FOR DIESEL)
G150100ASA-ED
Draining water from the fuel filter
The fuel filter for diesel engine plays an
important role of separating water from
fuel and accumulating the water in itsbottom.
If water accumulates in the fuel filter, the
warning light comes on when the ignition
switch is in the ON position. If this warning light illuminates,
take your car to an authorized
KIA dealer and have drain the
water and checked the sys-tem. G150300ASA-AM
Extracting air from the fuel filter
If you drive until you have no fuel left or if
you replace the fuel filter, be sure to
extract air from the fuel system as it
makes it difficult to start the engine.
1. Pump up and down(1) approximately
50 times until the pump is hard.
2. Extract air from the fuel filter by remov- ing the bolt(2) with a cross-tip screw
driver and reinstall the bolt(2).
3. Pump up and down(1) approximately 15 times.
4. Extract air from the fuel filter by remov- ing the bolt(2) with a cross-tip screw
driver and reinstall the bolt(2).
5. Pump up and down(1) approximately 5 times.
✽✽ NOTICE

Maintenance
34
7
AIR CLEANER
G160100AAM Filter replacement
You can clean the filter when inspecting the air cleaner element.
Clean the filter by using compressed air. 1. Loosen the air cleaner cover attaching
clips and open the cover. 2. Wipe the inside of the air cleaner.
3. Replace the air cleaner filter.
4. Lock the cover with the cover attaching
clips.
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735
Maintenance
Replace the filter according to the
Maintenance Schedule.
If the vehicle is operated in extremelydusty or sandy areas, replace the ele-
ment more often than the usual recom-mended intervals. (Refer to“Maintenance under severe usage condi-
tions” in this section.)
G180100AUN Blade inspection
✽✽ NOTICE
Commercial hot waxes applied by auto-
matic car washes have been known tomake the windshield difficult to clean.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the wiper blades with foreign matter can
reduce the effectiveness of the wind-
shield wipers. Common sources of con-
tamination are insects, tree sap, and hot
wax treatments used by some commer-
cial car washes. If the blades are not wip-
ing properly, clean both the window and
the blades with a good cleaner or mild
detergent, and rinse thoroughly with
clean water.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the air cleaner removed; this will result in exces-
sive engine wear.
When removing the air cleaner fil- ter, be careful that dust or dirtdoes not enter the air intake, or damage may result.
Use a KIA genuine part. Use of nongenuine parts could damagethe air flow sensor or turbocharg- er.
WIPER BLADES
1JBA5122CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiperblades, do not use gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other solvents on or near them.

Maintenance
36
7
G180200AUN Blade replacement When the wipers no longer clean ade-
quately, the blades may be worn or
cracked, and require replacement.
G180201AUN
Front windshield wiper blade
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the wiperblade assembly to expose the plastic
locking clip.
2. Compress the clip and slide the bladeassembly downward.
3. Lift it off the arm.
4. Install the blade assembly in the reverse order of removal.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper
arms or other components, do not attempt to move the wipers manual- ly.
CAUTION
The use of a non-specified wiper
blade could result in wiper malfunc-tion and failure.
1LDA5023
CAUTION
Do not allow the wiper arm to fall against the windshield, since it maychip or crack the windshield.
1JBA7037
1JBA7038

737
Maintenance
G180202AED
Rear window wiper blade (if equipped)
1. Raise the wiper arm and pull out thewiper blade assembly. 2. Install the new blade assembly by
inserting the center part into the slot in
the wiper arm until it clicks into place.
3. Make sure the blade assembly is installed firmly by trying to pulling it
slightly.
4. Place back the wiper arm to the prop- er position.
OED076041OED076040

Maintenance
38
7
G190100AUN
For best battery service
Keep the battery securely mounted.
Keep the battery top clean and dry.
Keep the terminals and connections
clean, tight, and coated with petroleum
jelly or terminal grease.
Rinse any spilled electrolyte from the battery immediately with a solution of
water and baking soda.
If the vehicle is not going to be used for an extended time, disconnect the bat-
tery cables.
WARNING - Battery
dangers
Always read the following
instructions carefully when
handling a battery.
Keep lighted cigarettes and all other flames or sparks
away from the battery.
Hydrogen, a highly com- bustible gas, is always
present in battery cells and
may explode if ignited.
Keep batteries out of the
reach of children because
batteries contain highly
corrosive SULFURIC ACID.
Do not allow battery acid to
contact your skin, eyes,
clothing or paint finish.
(Continued)(Continued)If any electrolyte gets intoyour eyes, flush your eyes
with clean water for at least
15 minutes and get immedi-ate medical attention.
If electrolyte gets on your
skin, thoroughly wash the
contacted area. If you feel a
pain or a burning sensa-
tion, get medical attention
immediately.
Wear eye protection whencharging or working near a
battery. Always provide
ventilation when working in
an enclosed space.
An inappropriately dis- posed battery can be harm-
ful to the environment andhuman health.
Dispose the battery accord-
ing to your local law(s) orregulation.
(Continued)
BATTERY
OAM079015

739
Maintenance
G190200AUN
Battery recharging
Your vehicle has a maintenance-free,
calcium-based battery.
If the battery becomes discharged in ashort time (because, for example, the
headlights or interior lights were left on
while the vehicle was not in use),
recharge it by slow charging (trickle)
for 10 hours.
If the battery gradually discharges because of high electric load while the
vehicle is being used, recharge it at 20-
30A for two hours.(Continued)
When lifting a plastic-cased bat- tery, excessive pressure on the
case may cause battery acid to
leak, resulting in personal injury.
Lift with a battery carrier or with
your hands on opposite corners.
Never attempt to recharge the battery when the battery cablesare connected.
The electrical ignition system works with high voltage. Never
touch these components with theengine running or the ignition
switched on.
Failure to follow the above warn-
ings can result in serious bodily
injury or death.WARNING - Recharging
battery
When recharging the battery,
observe the following precautions:
The battery must be removed from the vehicle and placed in an area with good ventilation.
Do not allow cigarettes, sparks, or flame near the battery.
Watch the battery during charg- ing, and stop or reduce the charg-
ing rate if the battery cells begin
gassing (boiling) violently or if
the temperature of the electrolyte
of any cell exceeds 49°C (120°F).
Wear eye protection when check- ing the battery during charging.
Disconnect the battery charger in the following order.
1. Turn off the battery charger main switch.
2. Unhook the negative clamp from the negative battery terminal.
3. Unhook the positive clamp from the positive battery terminal.