🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Kia

Model:

Soul

Year:

2013

Engine:

1.6L GDI (Gamma MPi)

Engine Code:

G4FC

👋 Introduction

Vehicle Segment:

Subcompact crossover SUV / Compact car.

Target Audience:

Younger buyers, urban commuters, small families seeking practicality, style, and affordability.

Key Competitors:

Nissan Juke, Mini Countryman, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta.

Design Philosophy:

Distinctive, boxy, and urban-oriented design with a spacious interior for its size.

Unique Selling Points:

Ample interior space and cargo volume, unique styling, good value proposition, fuel efficiency.

📋 Manual Details

Covered Models:

2013 Kia Soul (All Trims with 1.6L GDI Engine)

Page Count:

Approx. 2000+ pages (typical for full factory service manual)

Manual Type:

Factory Service and Repair Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Digital (PDF)

📖 Manual Coverage

Engine Systems:

Engine mechanical, cylinder head, engine assembly, lubrication, cooling system, fuel system, ignition system, exhaust system, emission control systems, engine electrical, starter, alternator, ECU and sensors.

Transmission Systems:

Manual transmission (M/T) and Automatic transmission (A/T) operation, components, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair procedures.

Drivetrain Systems:

Front wheel drive (FWD) system, drive shafts, CV joints, differential.

Suspension Systems:

Front suspension (struts, control arms, ball joints), rear suspension (torsion beam axle, shock absorbers), wheel alignment.

Steering Systems:

Power steering system (hydraulic), steering column, steering rack, power steering pump.

Braking Systems:

Front disc brakes, rear drum brakes, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), brake hydraulics, parking brake.

Electrical Systems:

12V battery system, charging system, starting system, lighting, instrument panel, gauges, warning lights, power windows, power locks, mirrors, horn, wiper/washer system, interior lighting, exterior lighting.

Body And Interior:

Body structure, exterior panels, doors, hood, tailgate, bumpers, interior trim, seats, dashboard, headliner, sound insulation.

HVAC Systems:

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, refrigerant system, climate control, blower motor, evaporator, condenser.

Safety Systems:

Airbag system (SRS), seat belts, child seat anchorages (ISOFIX/LATCH).

Diagnostic Systems:

OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics II) system, trouble codes (DTCs), diagnostic procedures, scan tool usage.

Maintenance Procedures:

Scheduled maintenance, oil changes, filter replacements (oil, air, cabin), spark plug replacement, coolant flush, brake fluid flush, transmission fluid change, differential fluid change, power steering fluid flush.

Repair Procedures:

Engine overhaul, cylinder head gasket replacement, timing belt/chain inspection and replacement, fuel injector service, turbocharger removal/installation (if applicable), transmission overhaul/repair, clutch replacement, brake pad/rotor replacement, suspension component replacement, steering rack replacement, electrical component repair/replacement, body panel repair.

Troubleshooting Guides:

Systematic diagnostic flowcharts for common drivability issues, starting problems, electrical faults, HVAC malfunctions, brake issues, and more.

Diagnostic Troubleshooting:

Step-by-step procedures for diagnosing electrical circuits, fuel delivery problems, ignition timing issues, sensor faults, and communication errors using diagnostic tools and multimeter measurements.

Torque Specifications:

Detailed torque values for all critical fasteners across engine, chassis, and body components.

Depth:

Comprehensive: Covers basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, advanced diagnostics, and electrical system troubleshooting.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Format:

Searchable PDF with hyperlinked table of contents for easy navigation.

Print Quality:

High-resolution digital scans suitable for printing individual pages or the entire manual.

Binding Type:

N/A (Digital Format)

Paper Type:

N/A (Digital Format)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Name:

Gamma 1.6L MPI (Multi-Point Injection)

Engine Displacement:

1591 cc (97.1 cu in)

Engine Layout:

Inline-4 cylinder, DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshaft)

Bore X Stroke:

77.0 mm x 85.4 mm (3.03 in x 3.36 in)

Compression Ratio:

10.5:1

Horsepower Hp:

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

Torque Lb-Ft:

123 lb-ft @ 4850 rpm

Fuel Delivery:

Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPI)

Fuel Type:

Unleaded gasoline

Recommended Octane:

87 octane

Emission Control:

Catalytic converter, Oxygen sensors (O2S), Engine Control Unit (ECU) management.

Oil Type Specification:

API SN, ILSAC GF-5, SAE 5W-20

Oil Capacity Qts:

4.5 quarts (4.3 liters) with filter change

Coolant Type Specification:

Ethylene glycol-based coolant (Asian Pink or equivalent), 50/50 mix with distilled water.

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type:

6-speed Manual Transmission (M/T)

Transmission Type:

6-speed Automatic Transmission (A/T) with Sportmatic Sequential Shift Control

Automatic Features:

Lock-up torque converter, electronic control unit (ECU) for shift logic.

Automatic Transmission Fluid:

Kia SPII or SPIII Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) or equivalent (e.g., Dexron III/Mercon).

Manual Transmission Fluid:

GL-4 SAE 75W-85 or GL-4 SAE 75W-90 gear oil.

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity Qts:

Approx. 7.1 quarts (6.7 liters) for total fill, 3.0 quarts (2.8 liters) for pan drop and fill.

Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity Qts:

Approx. 2.2 quarts (2.1 liters)

📐 Dimensions

Length In:

160.6 inches

Width In:

69.5 inches

Height In:

63.4 inches

Wheelbase In:

101.2 inches

Passenger Volume Cu Ft:

96.8 cu ft

Cargo Volume Behind Rear Seat Cu Ft:

19.3 cu ft

Cargo Volume With Rear Seat Folded Cu Ft:

53.4 cu ft

Curb Weight Lbs:

2,734 - 2,900 lbs (depending on transmission and trim)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr Lbs:

4,079 lbs

Standard Wheel Size:

16-inch steel wheels with covers

Optional Wheel Size:

17-inch alloy wheels

Standard Tire Size:

205/55R16

Optional Tire Size:

215/45R17

Bolt Pattern:

5x114.3 mm (5x4.5 inches)

Center Bore Mm:

67.1 mm

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 stars (for 2013 model year in some configurations)

IIHS Rating:

Good in moderate overlap frontal, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. Top Safety Pick for some configurations.

ABS:

Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Ebd:

Standard Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

Esc:

Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Traction Control:

Standard Traction Control System (TCS)

Airbags:

Front driver and passenger airbags, front side-impact airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags.

Seat Belts:

3-point seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters for all seating positions, front seat belt height adjustment.

Child Safety:

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system for rear seats, child safety rear door locks.

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

Standard 160-watt, 6-speaker audio system with AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, SiriusXM Satellite Radio capability, USB/Auxiliary input jacks.

Optional Infotainment:

Available UVO entertainment system with voice recognition, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, 7-inch touchscreen display, rearview camera.

Camera Systems:

Optional rearview camera integrated with infotainment display.

Bluetooth:

Available Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operation and audio streaming.

Keyless Entry:

Standard keyless entry, optional push-button start with smart key.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil And Filter Change:

Every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.

Air Filter Replacement:

Every 22,500 miles or 24 months.

Cabin Air Filter Replacement:

Every 15,000 miles or 12 months.

Spark Plug Replacement:

Every 105,000 miles (iridium plugs).

Coolant Flush And Replacement:

Initial at 105,000 miles (5 years), then every 60,000 miles (3 years).

Brake Fluid Replacement:

Every 30,000 miles or 24 months.

Transmission Fluid Change Automatic:

Check every 30,000 miles, replace at 100,000 miles or as indicated by service indicator or severe driving conditions.

Transmission Fluid Change Manual:

Every 60,000 miles or 48 months.

Power Steering Fluid:

Kia Genuine Power Steering Fluid or equivalent DEXRON-III/MERCON ATF.

Common Complaints:

Occasional reports of oil consumption in some Gamma engines, premature wear of front suspension components (e.g., ball joints), and potential issues with the automatic transmission torque converter lock-up clutch in higher mileage vehicles.

Technical Service Bulletins Tsbs:

Potential TSBs related to HVAC system performance, infotainment glitches, or minor powertrain control module (PCM) recalibrations may exist and are detailed within the service manual.

📚 Vehicle History

Manufacturer:

Kia Corporation, South Korean automotive manufacturer.

Generation 1:

First generation Kia Soul launched in 2008 (globally) and 2009 (North America). The 2013 model year represents the latter part of the first generation, receiving a significant facelift.

Facelift Impact:

The 2012-2013 model years received styling updates, improved interior materials, and powertrain enhancements compared to earlier first-generation models.

Manufacturing Location:

Gwangmyeong, South Korea; also assembled in Malaysia and Vietnam for specific markets.

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Safety Award Mention:

Often recognized by IIHS and NHTSA for its safety performance in its class.

Fuel Economy Epa Estimate Mpg:

Approx. 27 MPG City / 32 MPG Highway (1.6L with Automatic Transmission)

Emisiones Certification:

Meets EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 / CARB LEV II standards for emissions.