2012 KIA Soul maintenance

Maintenance
30
7
Turn the engine off and wait until it
cools down. Use extreme care when
removing the radiator cap. Wrap a
thick towel around it, and turn it
counterclockwise slowly to the first
stop. Step back while the pressure is
released from the cooling system.
When you are sure all the pressure
has been released, press down on
the cap, using a thick towel, and con-
tinue turning counterclockwise to
remove it.
Changing the coolant
Have the coolant changed by an
authorized Kia dealer according to
the Maintenance Schedule at the
beginning of this section.
Put a thick cloth around the radiator
cap before refilling the coolant in
order to prevent the coolant from
overflowing into engine parts such as
the alternator.CAUTION - Removing
radiator cap
Never attempt to
remove the radiator cap while the engineis operating or hot.Doing so might lead
to cooling system and engine damage.

731
Maintenance
BRAKE/CLUTCH (IF EQUIPPED) FLUID
Checking the brake/clutch*
fluid level
Check the fluid level in the reservoir
periodically. The fluid level should be
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the reservoir.
Before removing the reservoir cap
and adding brake/clutch* fluid, clean
the area around the reservoir cap
thoroughly to prevent brake/clutch*
fluid contamination.
* if equippedIf the level is low, add fluid to the
MAX level. The level will fall with
accumulated mileage. This is a nor-
mal condition associated with the
wear of the brake linings and/or
clutch disc (if equipped). If the fluid
level is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch* system checked by an
authorized Kia dealer.
Use only the specified brake/clutch*
fluid. (Refer to “Recommended lubri-
cants and capacities” in section 8.)
Never mix different types of fluid.In the event the brake/clutch* system
requires frequent additions of fluid,
the vehicle should be inspected by
an authorized Kia dealer.
When changing and adding
brake/clutch* fluid, handle it carefully.
Do not let it come in contact with
your eyes. If brake/clutch* fluid
should come in contact with your
eyes, immediately flush them with a
large quantity of fresh tap water.
Have your eyes examined by a doc-
tor as soon as possible.
Brake/clutch* fluid, which has been
exposed to open air for an extended
time should never be used as its
quality cannot be guaranteed. It
should be disposed of properly.
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CAUTION - Proper fluid
Only use brake/clutch fluid in
brake/clutch system. Smallamounts of improper fluids(such as engine oil) can causedamage to the brake/clutch sys-tem.
CAUTION - Brake/clutch fluid
Do not allow brake/clutch* fluid
to contact the vehicle's bodypaint, as paint damage willresult.

Maintenance
32
7
WASHER FLUID
Checking the washer fluid
level
Check the fluid level in the washer
fluid reservoir and add fluid if neces-
sary. 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.
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WARNING - Windshield
fluid
Do not drink the windshield
washer fluid. The windshield
washer fluid is poisonous to
humans and animals.
WARNING - Flammablefluid
Do not allow the washer fluid to
come in contact with open
flames or sparks. The wind-
shield washer fluid clan is flam-
mable under certain circum-
stances. This can result in a fire.

733
Maintenance
PARKING BRAKE
Checking the parking brake
Check the stroke of the parking
brake by counting the number of
“clicks’’ heard while fully applying it
from the released position. Also, the
parking brake alone should securely
hold the vehicle on a fairly 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).
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Maintenance
34
7
AIR CLEANER
Filter replacement
It must be replaced when necessary,
and should not be washed.
You can clean the filter when inspect-
ing the air cleaner element.
Clean the filter by using compressed
air. Replace the filter according to the
Maintenance Schedule.
If the vehicle is operated in extreme-
ly dusty or sandy areas, replace the
element more often than the usual
recommended intervals. (Refer to
“Maintenance under severe usage
conditions” in this section.)
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CAUTION - Air filter
maintenance
Do not drive with the air clean-
er removed; this will result inexcessive engine wear.
When removing the air cleaner filter, be careful that dust ordirt does not enter the airintake, or damage may result.
Use a Kia genuine part. Use of non-genuine parts could dam-age the air flow sensor.

735
Maintenance
WIPER BLADES
Blade inspection
Commercial hot waxes applied by
automatic car washes have been
known to make the windshield diffi-
cult to clean.Contamination of either the wind-
shield or the wiper blades with for-
eign matter can reduce the effective-
ness of the windshield wipers.
Common sources of contamination
are insects, tree sap, and hot wax
treatments used by some commer-
cial car washes. If the blades are not
wiping properly, clean both the win-
dow and the blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent, and rinse
thoroughly with clean water.
Blade replacement
When the wipers no longer clean
adequately, the blades may be worn
or cracked, and require replacement.
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
or other components, do not attempt
to move the wipers manually.
The use of a non-specified wiper
blade could result in wiper malfunc-
tion and failure.
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CAUTION - Wiper blades
To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, do not use gasoline,kerosene, paint thinner, or othersolvents on or near them.

Maintenance
36
7
Front windshield wiper blade
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the
wiper blade assembly to expose
the plastic locking clip. 2. Compress the clip and slide the
blade assembly downward.
3. Lift it off the arm. 4. Install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
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CAUTION - Wiper arms
Do not allow the wiper arm tofall against the windshield,since it may chip or crack thewindshield.
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737
Maintenance
Rear window wiper blade
1. Raise the wiper arm and pull outthe wiper 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 pull it
slightly.
4. Place back the wiper arm to the proper position.
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
or other components, have an
authorized Kia dealer replace the
wiper blade.
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