2013 Kia Soul Transmission Flush

[@hey.hombre]

I just need to top off the transmission fluid. Couldn't I just remove the plug on the side and add fluid?

[@TomCollins-dz1jh]

i just did my 2012 kia soul, i used pennzoil atf multi vehicle synthetic. my car has 102000 so i wanted to check the trans fluid. guy i got it from doesnt know history and only had it for a year. no issues on test drive but i want to make sure its good. when i drained it the fluid was still red. i was suprised. i dont think it has ever been done. so i put in the 4 qts and tested and all is good. i drained old fluid into qts to see how many came out. 3 qts of old fluid came out. so maybe it was low due to mileage. thanks for the info on this job.

[@jafo3814]

Thanks for the video. It was very informative and learned that I am not up for the challenge to do it myself.

[@Funnychannel-22-d9e]

wowzers

[@Allenw154]

That is a partial change as there is still trapped fluid. Those two tubes with yellow and red paint are ATF cooler lines. I believe the Red GOES OUT to cooler and the Yellow RETURNS from cooler. You can use either. Yellow clears a little more. After standard draining, screwing back in the drain plug, just disconnect one line, attach your own extension hose/tube to a bucket. Turn on the car and it will pump out the remaining fluid. Obviously, you should be filling while its pumping to make sure it doesn't go dry. When the drained fluid turns clear red, you can stop the engine. Reconnect your lines. Measure how much you took out, and make sure to fill the correct back. If you started with 8 quarts and drained 7 quarts waste, you should fill till you have 1 quart left.

[@hey.hombre]

What is the size of the socket or Allen socket for the fill cap?

[@steven2025sc]

How come you didnt change the transmission filter? 🤔

[@Rengoleban]

Idid everything but the oil dont wanna go trhu. Its comming up when i put the oil

[@StevePerkio]

The drain plug is a 24MM or 15/16" wrench or socket. Also my 2012 Kia Soul took exactly 4 quarts after a full pan drain when it was cold from sitting overnight. The worst part about this is filling the trans back up, it took forever! If you rush the fluid will spill everywhere. I made a very small hole in one of the quart bottles and let it trickle into the funnel (actually set the bottle upside down in the funnel) and that worked out better and I flushed my brake fluid while I was slowly filling the trans back up. Thank you for the video. Perk

[@eugene4817]

@ 3.30 in the video you see two hoses next to each other (bottom of screen) attached to color coded tubes, red and yellow paints. Disconnect hose with yellow mark before refilling ATF, that will allow air to escape and filling will be fast and easy.

[@clarkdarius8700]

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[@bohuxley5050]

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[@gunnerjace8627]

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[@Phunku]

@@eugene4817 I thought it was the red marked hose you disconnect, not the one yellow one or does it not matter?

[@irisbaez1972]

My 2012 doesn't spin the tires when I put in on the drive. instead, my engine light come on.

[@lukasgoza4493]

Do so have fluid in it?

[@eastcoastroadrunner]

I have a 2017 Kia soul 60,000mi, have done a drain and filll on my trans fluid twice now. Here is the fast version. Don't touch anything on top under the hood. Jack it up, remove the plastic underliner. Drain the trans fluid. Clean the bolt. Put the trans fluid into a clean container so it can be measured (typically a little over three quarts) take an identical container or Mark that container add clean fluid to it to the same level. Take out the level plug on the side of the transmission. Use a little hand pump you can get at the auto parts store for eight bucks or if you want to get fancy getting electric one. Pump the same exact amount of fluid in through the side level hole. If the car is jacked up in the front the car will be leaning back so the fluid won't come out. Put the side plug back on. Start it up look for leaks should all be good put your plastic engine cover back on underneath and you're good to go literally only takes about as long to change the oil. No need to remove parts on top of the engine to access the fill hole. Use the side level plug pump it back in.

[@lukasgoza4493]

Not bad. Hopefully you still run the cleaning cycle, and let the level plug do it's thing. I still like to remove the air box and fill extra fluid in from the top. That way I know any floating particles will get washed out in the cleaning cycle. Either way still pretty genius to come up with your own method.

[@eastcoastroadrunner]

@@lukasgoza4493 in the spring I'm adding a transmission cooler an external inline transmission filter with magnet and a transmission sending unit temperature gauge because I tow with it and I've had friends that need a new transmissions at 100,000 just after warranty these are Mitsubishi transmissions which aren't known for high quality so I'll do my best to keep it alive, works fantastic so far. When I add that stuff I will have to go the traditional route but for quick normal changes every 30,000 I just pump the same amount in I took out takes 10 minutes, no I don't then level off the car and check if fluid comes out...lol, I do the same thing on my wife's Honda. And that's how Honda recommends you do it.

[@lukasgoza4493]

You should post some of your own videos! That temp gauge sending unit sounds nice! I bet that will definitely keep your temps well regulated under the extra stress. You probably already know this just want to put it out there, but always mount the trans cooler directly to the radiator; that way the "cooled" transmission fluid isn't too cold when it cycles back threw... Sounds nice though, you ever think about ways to build it into a track car?

[@eastcoastroadrunner]

@@lukasgoza4493 nope, I don't believe in that the trans cooler will be mounted after the outport on the radiator. From everything I research transmissions last longer the cooler they stay they don't need to be up to a certain temperature. The transgaudge sending unit will be attached right at the output of the trans. Not sure where I'm putting the filter yet wherever has the most room. I also want to add a oil pressure and oil temperature sending unit plate that mounts above the oil filter on the engine. I really like to see oil pressure I bought a OBD2 connector gauge but that's mostly for emissions still doesn't have oil pressure available. I want to add a catch can also knowing how these GDI engines get a bad rap for burning oil and intakes clogging after 70,000. I do clean the intake every year and use 10/40 synthetic in the summertime.

[@lukasgoza4493]

Right they will last longer the cooler they stay, but you don't want to give it a cold shot when everything is hot. That's why cars that have a factory transmission cooler have it mounted inside the radiator.

[@steveb2528]

Question. On the pan there is an overflow plug on it. Why can’t you fill the tranny using this full level hole? Instead of messing with getting to the top plastic plug. Your still using the overflow hole on the pan as the final step of filling the tranny. Thanks.

[@lukasgoza4493]

Honestly I wish I could answer this for you, but I have no clue why its like this.

[@davidbloomberg9494]

You can use the view port to refill, but you need a pump & hose of some sort to get new fluid into the port

[@lamarwilliams3692]

I love your videos. I have a question ❓Is the same transmission fill cap on the 2021 kia Rio s

[@lukasgoza4493]

I really don't know? I only did this video because there wasn't one at the time and I had to do a lot of research to find this procedure. So figure I'd share what I found.

[@Benito-j9h]

2012 kia soul,6 quarts out,/6 quarts in!Ithought it was supposed to be 7 quarts?

[@davidbloomberg9494]

Does the 2013 not have an engine bay cover underneath ?? If so, that has to come off before starting the drain.....

[@lukasgoza4493]

My vehicle came used, and didn't have one. So I'm honestly not sure how to remove it or gain access through it.

[@jacobcortez4109]

Just watched this video because I’m about to attempt to do my first transmission fluid change / flush on my Kia Soul 2017 1.6… so someone told me you can’t change the entire oil if you have never changed the transmission fluid he said something about the transmission going into “shock” is that true ? (I have never done a transmission fluid change 117000 miles are on it)

[@lukasgoza4493]

I've never heard of that, but definitely research it a little more. I don't know everything... But from what I know about machinery and mechanics; that sounds like voodoo talk. To break it down simple you have a pan of oil, some gears, and a few electronic sensors if it's important. New oil will always be good for the first two, I guess it could make a sensor suddenly read differently, but if you put in the same stuff that came out, it will probably be good for the sensor too. As in the sensor was probably calibrated in a cleaner'ish solution of exactly what you just put back in. So there's no reason it should go into shock? I'm trying to decide what that would mean besides maybe resetting the computer if something like that happened. ... Although I will say I've heard stories that old ATF will help hold a slipping transmission from slipping, but at that point your just squeezing out those last few miles before it's starts slipping for good. Your better off changing it to protect what you have and if it's too late it's slipping and you need to get home, swap back in the old stuff and you might get a few more miles.

[@lukasgoza4493]

@@keelan1085 I'm definitely not a professional tech, but I've heard the kia soul has like a big rubber band in the transmission that helps with gear changes... Maybe the ATF fluid there using is somehow attacking that rubber bands material on a chemical level? Maybe try calling the kia dealership in your closest big city? I searched for days trying to find the information needed to make this video, because there doesn't seem to be much information on the Kia soul out there. My hopes being that the community would correct any mistakes I made and that eventually someone would come out with a better quality video. The transmission on this kia soul runs perfectly fine. We've put about 40,000 miles on the transmission since recording this video, and she still runs like new? But maybe I just got lucky?

[@anthonypacheco7606]

Did you also change the transmission filter? Does it matter if you change the filter?

[@lukasgoza4493]

I did not change the filter, though it would probably be a good idea too! If your fluid looks dirty definitely change the filter but if it's still clean I think you'd be good

[@anthonypacheco7606]

I've never changed the fluid and I have 125k miles on my kia soul... due to my understanding you have to take apart the whole transmission to get to the filter right?

[@belindamesa5836]

What mileage should you change it??? I have a 2018, with 40000 miles on it

[@lukasgoza4493]

Automatic transmission fluid is recommended change every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. I would do it at 50,000; then 100,000; 150,000; 200,000... For easy tracking and to keep it all clean.

[@somuchinfo]

do you take out the leveling plug while the car is running?

[@lukasgoza4493]

Yes it should be 1/4 warm and running.

[@somuchinfo]

@@lukasgoza4493 Thank You very much, I am doing mine this weekend. I really appreciate people like you taking the time to do videos to help people like me.

[@lukasgoza4493]

I appreciate people like you that take the time to watch the videos I've created 👍👍

[@korsu1234]

Some1 know if Its the same procdur to Kia Rio 2013

[@geelee8893]

thanks alot for the video .. nice exhaust too Im gonna copy u if u dont mind lol .. be easy bro

[@lukasgoza4493]

Yeah I don't mind, you'll have to cut your bumper out so the exhaust fits through. Which is kinda tough. I had to use a piece of black tubing to hide my mistakes... But it sounds good and my girlfriend really loves it! I need to re record the sound my mic didn't do it justice.

[@storminnorman5760]

Filter Change?

[@lrberg1206]

good question.

[@Malike420]

That would probably require un-bolting the entire area where the drain plug is...you could probably do it, just make sure to have some liquid gasket seal on hand ... would imagine same process as for dropping an oil pan . Clean/light sanding around bolt pattern , change filter then re-seal with gasket compound.

[@mrgodguy1]

Dont, you just dont. i was going to change the filter but you will have to remove the gearbox and pull it apart to get to the filter...

[@georgeyoung7523]

@@Malike420 They are not ment to pull apart. Note they are considered SEALED. Unless your an expert AVOID.

[@irisbaez1972]

@@georgeyoung7523 Yeah. that filter is behind the trans valves. it's just impossible to get to without open the stupid transmission. Stupid design.

[@caliplumber7553]

This video is very helpful. Is this process the same for a manual transmission??

[@lukasgoza4493]

No, most manual transmissions are just drain and fill. Where the fill plug is positioned to level the fluid. These transmissions are weird and unusual in my opinion. I'm also not a professional mechanic, just do my own fluid service on personal vehicles. ... And this vehicle specifically I had to do a bunch of research to find even the simplest maintenance procedures, so thought I would film the process for everyone else.

[@chief5981]

You were the only KZbin video to fill your Kia level. Everyone else was not jacks the front. 👍🏽 What was the purpose of the cleaning cycle?

[@lukasgoza4493]

The cleaning cycle is just designed into the transmission as part of the filling process. I'm not sure fully why they designed it that way, but my mind imagines all kinds of good stuff from it; so I'm a fan. Again I don't know the true purpose, besides to dilute the old fluid that never gets out so you start with just a little fresher ATF after each fill?

[@chief5981]

@@lukasgoza4493 alright.. Is there a drain plug on the torque converter or did I just make that up?? 😆

[@lukasgoza4493]

@@chief5981 Most of the transmissions I've ever delt with were a much simpler process. First time I looked at this transmission I saw the 3 ports (drain, fill, level) and was confused on why the fill wasn't the level. After a bit of research I decided to make a video on it. I'm not a professional mechanic, just a hobbyist.

[@marcosr2225]

How do u check the transmission fluid on a 2013 Kia Soul? It doesn’t have a dipstick

[@lukasgoza4493]

I don't think you can. No dipstick, and even the leveling plug won't let you stick your finger in there for a sample!? I honestly think the best you can do is just swap it out and assume it needed done. Then keep a schedule so every couple years you change it again... You can't even really take a sample without draining the whole pan???

[@TheMixedKid]

The star pattern on one bolt was impressive 🤣

[@Mylifeinfifa]

Can I do this on a Kia Rio 2014

[@lukasgoza4493]

I'm not sure? only familiar with the Kia soul.

[@gosgraproperties8687]

Thank you

[@lukasgoza4493]

No problem. Though I'm not exactly a mechanic, just like knowing how to change the fluids on my vehicles; and for some reason there's barely any information out there for Kia Soul. I had to do a lot of digging to figure this one out, so figured I would share what I learned.

[@AmaroqStarwind]

Yikes. That’s a long way to go just to change the transmission fluid.

[@lukasgoza4493]

@@AmaroqStarwind Just is what it is. That's how it's done.

[@centurionhomeinspectionsin2253]

That’s not a flush-that’s just a drain and refill. There’s easily 8 quarts or more in that transmission.

[@lukasgoza4493]

Ok.... "Transmission Refill" 👍

[@tonybernheim8365]

Check this out...All automatic transmissions have dark ATF after X miles...Thats clutch/seals material wearing off and that should not be flushed out...Always hot oil service/2-3 quarts drain...Add Hot Shots Stiction Eliminator Green Formula to refill....Check out Firepunk Performance to learn about HSS...

[@JimmieCorbin-f2u]

Very good video thanks

[@teoteo9021]

Don't flush 👎

[@lukasgoza4493]

Why not? You can't just run the same fluid forever.

[@jesschristie309]

Do you check the fluid level with the engine running?

[@lukasgoza4493]

yep. you overfill it. then let it idle until it gets a little warmed up; then pop the front cap. It does a cleaning cycle to the transmission, and then levels it.