Kia Seltos: Maintenance / Engine coolant

Contents:

• Changing the coolant

The Kia Seltos high-pressure cooling system uses a reservoir filled with year-round antifreeze coolant. This coolant is installed at the factory and is designed to help protect the engine from overheating, freezing, and internal corrosion.

Check the antifreeze protection and coolant level at least once a year, preferably at the beginning of the winter season, and before driving the Kia Seltos to a colder climate.

WARNING

Radiator/Inverter cap

Never attempt to remove the radiator cap or inverter cap while the engine is running or hot. Doing so may damage the cooling system and engine, and escaping hot coolant or steam could cause serious bodily injury.

Recommended coolant

When adding coolant to your Kia Seltos, use only deionized water or soft water. Never mix hard water with the factory-filled coolant. An improper coolant mixture can cause serious malfunction, corrosion, overheating, or engine damage.

• The engine in the Kia Seltos contains aluminum components and must be protected with a phosphate-based ethylene-glycol coolant to help prevent corrosion and freezing.

• Do not use alcohol-based or methanol-based coolant, and do not mix these products with the specified coolant.

• Do not use a mixture containing more than 60% antifreeze or less than 35% antifreeze, as this can reduce cooling and freeze-protection performance.

• The cooling circuit of a vehicle equipped with a heat pump system may freeze in extremely low temperatures if the antifreeze concentration is below 45%.

Refer to the following table for the proper coolant mixture percentage by ambient temperature.

WARNING

Radiator cap

Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine and radiator are hot. Scalding coolant and steam may escape under pressure and could cause serious injury.

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

NOTICE

Make sure the coolant cap is properly closed after refilling coolant.

If the coolant cap is not secured correctly, the engine may overheat while driving.

1. Check that the radiator cap label is positioned straight toward the front.

   

   Engine room front view

2. Make sure the small protrusions inside the coolant cap are securely interlocked.

   

   Engine room rear view

Changing the coolant

Have the coolant in your Kia Seltos changed by an authorized Kia dealer according to the Maintenance Schedule listed at the beginning of this chapter.

CAUTION

Place a thick cloth or fabric around the radiator cap before refilling coolant to help prevent overflow from reaching engine components such as the alternator.