KIA Soul Transmission Fluid Dipstick Location and Ways to Check the Level

Whenever they hear about checking or changing the oil on a car, most people tend to think about the engine oil, since it is among the most important service operations that can be done to any vehicle. While this isn't a bad thing, it's important to know that the engine oil is not the only fluid that regularly needs to be verified and changed.

Fluid level check highlights

• Level of importance:High
• Time interval:Once every 6 months
• Needed expertise:Basic
• Needed tools:None
• Time taken:5-10 minutes
• Possible issues:Transmission failure, problems with torque converter, jerking, overheating, slipping.

How to check the transmission fluid level on a KIA Soul?

Checking the fluid is a relatively simple operation, but there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration when doing it, the most important being to check the fluid while at operating temperature and to do so while parked on a flat surface.

The process usually depends on the model of the car, but it could also depend on the year of manufacturing. On earlier models, to check the transmission fluid, all you need to do is open the hood and look for the transmission fluid dipstick (not to be confused with the engine oil dipstick), which is located in the front right corner of the engine (if looked at from the front of the car).

Simply take it out, clean it properly, put it back in and then check the fluid level and see if it needs to be topped up. Reading the level with a cold transmission could give you a false reading, so it's important to always keep this in mind. The best way to verify that the transmission fluid is at operating temperature is by using an OBD scanner since transmissions have temperature sensors fitted to them, which will give you the most accurate reading.

On other models, you might struggle to find the dipstick, but don't worry, it's not your fault, because there might actually be no dipstick at all. So, how do you check the fluid in this case? The operation requires a little bit more effort in this situation, but there's no need to panic since there isn't any rocket science involved in this process.

The transmission will have, usually on its side, a fill plug, which needs to be unscrewed. If fluid comes out, especially if it's flowing very fast and if there's quite a lot of it, it means that the transmission is overfilled. If nothing comes out, it usually means that there isn't enough fluid.

To make sure, you could slowly start adding fluid until it starts coming out, then wait for the excess to drip out, and then screw the fill plug back in and you're good to go. Checking the oil on a manual transmission is very similar to this process, but a little bit of research before doing it won't cause any harm to anyone.

Remember to always check the owner's manual or a good service book when deciding to check the fluid, since there might be certain steps that you shouldn't skip when doing so, depending on each vehicle's equipment. This is also useful since the manuals will usually tell you and also show you where to find the dipstick, or the fill plug, thus leaving no room for errors.

Are manual gearboxes different?

Manual gearboxes are way less complicated when compared to automatic transmissions, but they require transmission fluid to work, so in this aspect, they are identical. As always, fluids will never last as long as the components themselves, so it is good practice to do your research when it comes to service intervals and what fluids must be used.

Signs the transmission doesn't have enough fluid

• High transmission oil temperatures

An important aspect in the way an automatic transmission works is that the oil, unlike on a manual transmission, is not only used to lubricate the components but also to cool them down and to convert kinetic energy into hydraulic energy and reverse. Not having enough oil will definitely mean that there won't be enough cooling, possibly causing damage to the transmission.

• Strange noises from the gearbox

Any kind of strange noise coming from the transmission might raise concerns, but not all of them might be caused by very serious issues. For example, if you hear these noises when driving uphill, their cause might be a lack of fluid, since the transmission might be starved of fluid in this case.

• Engine revving higher than usual

Not having enough fluid might also cause the engine to rev higher than it normally does and it could also cause the torque converter not to lock up as well.

• The car will not move when in gear

Since automatic transmissions require fluid to work at all, the vehicle not moving anywhere when put in gear might be quite an obvious sign that there isn't enough fluid in the transmission.

• Difficult shifting on manual gearboxes

This will only apply to manual transmissions, but if the shifts have suddenly become a lot more difficult, that might be a sign of either a lack of transmission fluid or simply worn fluid.

What could cause fluid leaks?

• Bad gaskets and seals

With age, gaskets will almost always start leaking at some point, so this isn't an issue specific to the KIA Soul. The transmission oil pan gasket is one of the first places you should look for leaks since it usually sits under the car exposed to weather and damage at all times.

• Stripped threads on plugs

This is something that happens more often when someone has decided before you to mess with the plugs, so if you notice a leak at one of them and simply trying to gently tighten them doesn't solve the issue, then the threads might have been stripped.

• Damaged torque converter

A cracked or damaged torque converter could be the source of a fluid leak.

• Damaged transmission lines

The lines going from the transmission to the transmission fluid cooler can also be a cause of oil leaks in cars. They might be a little bit more difficult to diagnose, but just take your time and verify everything carefully. Check at the lowest points first, since the fluid will usually start dripping from there.

How to fix issues?

Fixing issues when it comes to transmissions is usually best left to specialists, of which there are many nowadays and you shouldn't have any problem finding a good shop to help you with servicing your transmission, regardless of whether it is a manual or an automatic.

However, if the operations seem simple and you have the necessary tools and equipment at home to repair any of the possible causes of your issues, you should definitely give it a go. Remember to always consult a service manual and do your research before doing any permanent damage to your transmission.

How to avoid problems in the future?

Avoiding problems is rather simple. Just make sure to check the fluids from time to time and make sure to look up the service interval for the transmission that your vehicle is equipped with. Also, checking for leaks and physical damage to related components would be good practice to avoid more expensive repair bills later.

Final thoughts

Transmissions are quite complex components on a car and, just like many other parts, require servicing from time to time, regardless of make and model. Lifetime sealed transmissions? Yeah, about that...