Types Of Gas A Kia Soul Takes (All Generations)

We do a lot of research on people’s specific questions about different cars on this blog. Today we will be discussing what gas is best suited for Kia Soul. Let’s, start with a quick answer:

All the models Kia Soul are compatible with using unleaded gasoline with an octane number of 87. Premium gasoline with an octane of 91 or higher is not recommended since it has no benefit for the Soul.

However, this does not tell us the whole story. We would look in-depth about what type of gas is suited for Soul and which one is not recommended. Also, we would talk about the mileage of different models of Soul. For this, we went through numerous owner’s manuals of different models of Kia Soul.

Want to save money on gasoline? earn up to $0.25/gallon every time you fill up? GetUpside is a free-to-use cashback app for US gas stations. Use coupon code “THEDRIVERADVISER25” and earn an additional $0.25/gallon the first time! Click here to download the app for Android or iOS.

Fuel Requirements Based On Engine Type

2020 – Present

In the 2020 – present Soul, Kia offers two different engine options. Except for the Soul Turbo, most of the Soul series is powered by a 147-hp 2.0-liter inline-four engine. The highest grade gets a 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4 with 201 horsepower. The CVT is standard on all trims with the normally aspirated engine.

Kia does not provide an AWD option; all grades use front-wheel drive. All models required unleaded gasoline with an octane number of 87 or ethanol content not exceeding 15%.

2014 – 2019

In addition to the electric variant, the 2018 Soul has three engines: a base 1.6-liter I-4 with 130 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque, a 2.0-liter I-4 with 161 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base 1.6-liter comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with a six-speed automatic transmission as an option.

The 2.0-liter I-4 is only available with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the 1.6-liter turbo-four is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Apart from the electric variant rest of the models, Kia Soul requires octane rating gasoline of 87.

2010 – 2013

The base model comes with a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 138 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission. Optional is a six-speed automatic transmission. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 164 horsepower is the next step forward. It comes with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions on the Soul Plus. These two perform the best in gasoline, with an octane rating of 87.

What Type Of Gasoline Can Or Can’t Be Used?

Under this section, we will briefly discuss the gasoline type that is preferable to your car and which is not preferred. Moreover, we will also discuss how different types of gasoline can provide serious harm to your engine if not taken care of. Some fuel content, such as detergents, are essential in your car’s fuel; if it’s not there, you need to add on your own. Let’s discuss further on this topic.

Addition of Detergents

Detergent additives are necessary compounds that aid in the prevention of deposits in engine combustion systems. There is a loss of horsepower, poor fuel efficiency, higher emissions, and poor idling due to filthy combustion systems.

As a result, additives aid in restoring overall engine performance and the prevention of new or further accumulation.

Kia recommends top Tier Detergent Gasoline because it enhances engine performance by decreasing engine deposits and in-use pollutants. Intake valves, fuel injectors, and other fuel system components are cleaned of deposits.

Gasoline Containing Methanol

Methanol is a clean-burning, high-octane gasoline blending component derived from non-petroleum energy sources such as natural gas, coal, and biomass.

Since the late 1970s, or for over thirty years of commercial experience and study, methanol with co-solvents has been commercially blended into gasoline (petrol) at various periods and locations. Study over the year has found that methanol may cause driveability problems and damage to the fuel system, engine control system, and emission control system.

Gasoline with Ethanol

According to the owner’s manual, gasoline with an ethanol concentration of less than 15% is advised for your Kia Soul. Flex-fuel vehicles use ethanol-based fuels with an ethanol percentage of 85 percent. If you put more than 15% ethanol in your Soul, the computer may think it’s running on a “low” fuel combination (too much air and not enough fuel).

As a result, the car’s computer usually reacts by infusing too much gasoline (to solve a problem that doesn’t exist), lowering your car’s gas mileage and performance.

You do not need to be concerned, as most petrol pumps in the United States have an ethanol level of less than 10%.

MTBE

MTBE, or methyl tertiary butyl ether, is an oxygenate used in gasoline has led to concerns about its effects on aquatic life. Kia advises against using fuels that contain more than 15.0 percent MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) (Oxygen Content 2.7 percent weight) in your vehicle as MTBE spreads more easily underground than other gasoline components due to its higher solubility in water.

The State of New York and many other states banned MTBE as a “fuel additive”, effective in 2004. Vehicle performance may be reduced, and vapor lock or hard starting may occur if the fuel contains more than 15.0 % MTBE.

MMT

In the owner’s manual of Kia Soul use of gasoline containing MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl) is strictly prohibited to prevent the reduction in Kia Soul engine performance.

There is concern that extended use of MMT will lead to the build-up of Mn-containing deposits on engine and emissions system components, thereby adversely affecting vehicle emissions performance and durability. Levels of MMT can cause increased emissions of conventional pollutants such as HC, CO, and NOx.

The new research from Ford and AAM provides compelling evidence that the use of MMT is detrimental, contributing to catalyst plugging, deteriorated performance. It results in reduced fuel economy and tremendous stress on vehicle components and pollution control systems.

Top Tier Detergent

TOP TIER Detergent is a rich-quality gasoline with detergent additives and is highly recommended by Kia Soul to help prevent deposits in the engine.

Carbon deposits in Kia Soul can result in a rough idle, acceleration hesitation, knocking/pinging, and reduced fuel economy, but the use of Top Tier gasoline allows engines to run cleaner and the Emission Control System to perform better.

This gasoline has 19 times fewer carbon deposits on injectors, intake valves, and in the combustion chamber when compared to regular gasoline. AAA also found Top Tier gasoline can have a cleansing and is on average just three cents a gallon more than non-certified gas that means the owner of Kia Soul can get a 5% better fuel economy with Top Tier gas than at current gas prices.

Visit the website www.toptiergas.com for more information on TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.

Reformulated Gasoline

Reformulated gasoline is a type of gasoline blended to burn cleaner than standard gasoline, reducing smog-forming and hazardous chemicals in the environment.

Your car’s engine will benefit from adequately blended reformulated gasoline, and fuel system components will operate better and last longer. Kia suggests using reformulated gasoline in the Soul since it will improve the engine’s performance and cause nil or minimal damage to the environment.

Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Kia Soul

What If I Hear A Knocking Noise From The Engine After Refilling?

Knocking sound in your engine, also described as pinging, is the most typical engine noise that often occurs if a mechanical problem can be fixed if diagnosed correctly and early.

Knocking sound can be caused when the air-fuel mixture is incorrect, which causes the fuel to burn in uneven pockets. One of the main reasons for knocking is using fuel having a low octane rating.

To prevent this from happening, use gasoline with an octane fuel rating at or above what the manufacturer recommends. Using high octane fuel provides more resistance to engine knock.

If you hear this noise, the consensus is that you should stop the car immediately and call a garage or nearby dealership before your engine becomes seriously damaged.

Does The Kia Soul Have a Good Gas Mileage?

2010 – 2021

From the beginning, the models of Kia Soul are available with the CVT 2.0 L engine to deliver 28 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while models with the 2.0 L six-speed and the manual transmission get an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. These figures are typical for the class.

With the 1.6 L seven-speed automatic transmission engine, Kia soul gets 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway with a combined mpg of 29. Soul with 1.6 L S6 automatic and 1.6 L manual S6 reaches an mpg of 25 and 24 in the city respectively, whereas on the highway they reach 30 mpg getting a combined mpg of 28 and 27 respectively.

2019 Kia Soul with a 1.6 L gasoline engine having seven speeds automatic transmission has a combined MPG of 28, a city MPG of 27, and a highway MPG of 31.

Engine	City	Highway	Combined
2.0 L CVT	28	33	30
2.0 L manual S6	25	31	27
1.6 L AM-S7	27	32	29
1.6 L AM-S6	25	30	28
1.6 L manual S6	24	30	27
1.6 L AM-S7	27	31	28

What’s The Gas Tank Size of a Kia Soul?

Kia Soul models with 1.6 L and 2.0 L automatic and the turbocharged engine have a tank size of 14.2 – 14.3 gallons or 64.5 – 65.0 Liters.

While the 2013 Kia Soul comes with a 2.0 L, manual six-speed transmission, and the 2011 Kia Soul with a 1.6 L engine, manual five-speed transmission has a tank size of 12.7 gallons or 57.7 Liters.

How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up Kia Soul?

It takes approximately $48 – $49 to fill up the tank size of 14.2 gallons entirely in Texas, the state with one of the cheapest gas in the US. At the same time, it could cost someone around $66.45 to $72.50 to fill up the tank in California of Kia Soul, the state with the most expensive gas in the US. In contrast, the 12.7 gallons tank in earlier Soul models would cost around $59.43 in California and $38.1 in Texas.

 Sources

• Gas Prices
• Fuel Economy of Kia Soul
• 2017 Owner’s Manual of Kia Soul
• 2021 Owner’s Manual of Kia Soul
• 2019 Owner’s Manual of Kia Soul
• 2010 Owner’s Manual of Kia Soul