Kia Soul maintenance schedule
The Kia Soul maintenance schedule for the 2.0-liter engine (2023 owner’s manual) calls for an oil and filter change every 8,000 miles or 12 months and a tire rotation every 8,000 miles. The cabin air filter is replaced every 16,000 miles, the engine air filter every 24,000 miles, brake fluid every 48,000 miles, and spark plugs at 96,000 miles. Under severe use, oil moves to every 5,000 miles or 6 months.
On this page (8 sections)
How Kia schedules service on the Soul
Kia prints a fixed schedule in the owner’s manual with two parts: a normal schedule and a list of items to do more often under severe use. Each item is due at the miles or months shown, whichever comes first. If your Soul’s cluster has a service reminder, set it to match the schedule and reset it after each visit. How Kia handles this across its models: Kia maintenance schedule.
Service intervals by generation
We filled in the third generation from the 2023 manual. For 2010–2019 Souls, use your owner’s manual.
3rd generation (2020–2025)
Reminder system: Kia normal and severe schedules in the owner’s manual (2.0L).6 Oil changes: every 8,000 miles or 12 months (severe use: every 5,000 miles or 6 months).
| Service | When |
|---|---|
| Tire rotation | every 8,000 miles6 |
| Climate control (cabin) air filter | replace every 16,000 miles or 24 months6 |
| Engine air filter | replace every 24,000 miles or 36 months (more often in dust or on rough roads)6 |
| Brake fluid | inspect every 8,000 miles or 12 months; replace every 48,000 miles or 48 months6 |
| IVT fluid (Kia SP-CVT1) | no service required on the normal schedule; severe use: replace every 56,000 miles6 |
| Spark plugs (2.0L) | every 96,000 miles (more often in severe use)6 |
| Engine coolant | first at 120,000 miles or 120 months, then every 24,000 miles or 24 months6 |
2nd generation (2014–2019)
Reminder system: Check your owner’s manual. Oil changes: Check your owner’s manual.
1st generation (2010–2013)
Reminder system: Check your owner’s manual. Oil changes: Check your owner’s manual.
The IVT: no fluid change on the normal schedule
Kia’s IVT is a continuously variable transmission. On the 2023 Soul, Kia doesn’t list an IVT fluid change on the normal schedule at all. Under severe use, the manual calls for replacing it every 56,000 miles. The manual names Kia SP-CVT1 fluid. If you drive in heavy traffic, on hills, or with loads, the severe interval is the safer choice.
The 1.6-liter turbo with the dual-clutch transmission (2020–2022) has its own items in the manual. See also transmission fluid change.
Normal or severe?
Kia moves you to the severe column for driving such as short trips, stop-and-go traffic, long idling, dusty or rough roads, mountain driving, and commercial use. A Soul that lives in city traffic often fits. On the severe side, the oil interval drops to 5,000 miles or 6 months, and the air filters, IVT fluid, and spark plugs come sooner. Read normal vs severe maintenance.
Long-life items
Two items on the Soul have very long first intervals. Coolant is first replaced at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 24,000 miles or 2 years. Spark plugs on the 2.0-liter go 96,000 miles. Because these come up so rarely, they’re easy to miss on a used Soul; ask for the records. Guides: coolant flush, spark plug replacement.
Keep the record
Log the date, odometer, and the work done at every visit. If a warranty question comes up, receipts show the work was done on time. More: maintenance and warranty and car maintenance log.
FAQ
How often does a Kia Soul need an oil change?
Every 8,000 miles or 12 months on the 2023 Soul 2.0-liter under normal use, or every 5,000 miles or 6 months under severe use.
Does the Kia Soul IVT need fluid changes?
Not on the normal schedule in the 2023 manual. Under severe use, Kia calls for new Kia SP-CVT1 fluid every 56,000 miles.
When does a Kia Soul need spark plugs?
Every 96,000 miles on the 2.0-liter, or sooner under severe use, per the 2023 manual.
How often should I rotate the tires on a Kia Soul?
Every 8,000 miles, per the 2023 manual.
Milealot is an independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by Kia America. Kia and Soul are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to name the vehicles.
Sources
- 2022 Kia Soul Owner’s Manual, Recommended lubricants and capacities (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2022 Kia Soul Owner’s Manual, Tires and wheels (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2022 Kia Soul Owner’s Manual, Trailer towing (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2023 Kia Soul Owner’s Manual, Recommended lubricants and capacities (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2023 Kia Soul Owner’s Manual, Tires and wheels (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2023 Kia Soul Owner’s Manual, Scheduled maintenance service (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2023 Kia Soul Owner’s Manual, Trailer towing (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2023 Kia Soul Owner’s Manual, Fuel requirements (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2025 Kia Soul Owner’s Manual, Recommended lubricants and capacities (checked November 12, 2026)