If you’re still driving a 2013 Kia Soul, chances are, you (or its previous owner, if you purchased it used) took pretty great care of it: topping off the brake fluid, getting its tires rotated, and keeping up with its routine oil changes. But, if you’re trying to perform an oil change yourself, you’ll first need to get familiar with its engine oil capacity.

If you’re looking for a new DIY project, or just looking to save some money on your vehicle’s routine expenses (who isn’t?), learning how to change your car’s oil yourself is a great place to start. But, before you roll up your sleeves and whip out your toolbox, you’ll first need to know a thing or two about your engine oil capacity.

And, if you drive a 2013 Kia Soul, you’ve clicked on the right article!

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, is here with this guide to what you need to know about its engine oil capacity. We’ll walk you through what you need to know about how much oil you need, what kind you should buy, and how to change your oil and oil filter yourself.

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2013 Kia Soul engine oil capacity

Not all 2013 Kia Souls have the same engine oil capacities. This particular model year will have one of two engines under its hood: a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine, or a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. The 1.6L 4-cylinder engine has an oil capacity of 3.3 L (or 3.49 quarts), while the 2.0L 4-cylinder engine has an oil capacity of 4L (or 4.23 quarts).

What kind of oil does a 2013 Kia Soul need?

Alright, now that you know much you need, you can just add the first 3.3 L or 4L bottle to your Amazon cart, right? Wrong! Each engine oil is different, and you will need to purchase one with the right specifications for your vehicle.

For a 2013 Kia Soul, Kia recommends that you use a fully synthetic SAE 5W-20. When it comes to something as particular as oil type, it’s important to stick with the manufacturer's recommendation.

If you’re completely new to the world of oil types and have no idea what the heck it means, we’ll explain it piece by piece. SAE stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers, the entity that regulates and codes oil types. The “W” stands for winter, and the 5 next to it indicates that oil still flows well in 0°F temperatures. The 20 at the end tells us that this oil type also performs well at your engine’s ultra-hot operating temperature of 212°F.

Basically, this specific oil grade means that it will maintain viscosity (or thickness) under a variety of temperature conditions.

How often to change oil on a 2013 Kia Soul

Kia

recommends that you change your oil 3,500 miles or 6 months—whichever comes first. However, if you notice any of the following signs, it’s probably time to check on your oil a little ahead of schedule:

Motor oil that needs changing is dark brown or black (Clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea. Dirty oil is like a cup of soda.)

Motor oil has a coarse or gritty feel to it, like someone mixed sand into it

Strange new noises coming from the engine

Oil, smoke, or burning smells coming from the engine

Decreased vehicle performance

To prevent any serious damage from going unnoticed, we’d also recommend that you check your oil levels at regular intervals, like once a month or after every other refuel.

MORE:

Kia tune-up cost

How to change your oil and filter

Ready to take a stab at changing your own oil? Here’s what you’ll need:

New oil filter

Filter wrench

17 mm socket wrench

Drain pan

Funnel

3.3L or 4L of 5W-20 oil

With all your materials at the ready, it’s time to begin changing your oil. First things first, run your engine for about five minutes so it reaches its normal internal operating temperature. Next, turn your car off and complete the following steps:

Open the hood of your car and remove the oil fill cap and loosen the yellow dipstick

Go underneath your car and position the drain pan beneath the oil drain plug

Using your socket wrench, remove the oil drain plug and allow the oil to drain into the pan. Be careful—the oil will still be hot!

Once all the old oil has drained out, take your filter to remove the old oil filter

Pour a little bit of your fresh oil into the new filter and attach it to your vehicle

Replace the oil drain plug with a new washer and tighten it to 25 lb-ft of torque

Refill your engine with fresh oil and replace the oil fill cap and dipstick

Run your engine for a couple of minutes to check for any leaks

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

Lastly, don’t forget to clean up! You should never dump dirty oil down a drain or throw it away in your garbage bin. Pour it into a sealed container and bring it to your local recycling center for proper disposal.

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Now that you know your 2013 Kia Soul’s engine oil capacity and how to change its oil, you’re well on your way to some major savings! And, if you want to add to it, download

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