Kia Seltos: Maintenance / Explanation of scheduled maintenance items

The following components require scheduled maintenance to help keep the Kia Seltos reliable, efficient, and safe during daily driving. Regular inspection also helps detect wear or damage before it becomes a larger repair issue.

Engine oil and filter

The engine oil and oil filter should be replaced at the intervals listed in the Kia Seltos maintenance schedule. If the vehicle is operated under severe driving conditions, such as frequent short trips, heavy traffic, towing, dusty roads, or repeated stop-and-go driving, more frequent oil and filter changes are required.

Drive belts

Inspect all drive belts for cuts, cracks, fraying, excessive wear, glazing, looseness, or oil contamination. Replace any belt that shows damage or deterioration. Drive belts should also be checked periodically for correct tension and adjusted when necessary to maintain proper accessory operation.

Fuel filter

Kia gasoline vehicles are equipped with a lifetime fuel filter integrated into the fuel tank. Under normal conditions, regular replacement is generally not required. However, service needs may vary depending on fuel quality. If you notice restricted fuel flow, engine surging, loss of power, poor acceleration, or hard starting, inspection and replacement may be necessary. Have the Kia Seltos fuel filter checked or replaced by an authorized Kia dealer.

Fuel lines, fuel hoses and connections

Check the fuel lines, fuel hoses, and all related connections for leaks, cracks, looseness, or other damage. Any damaged or leaking component should be replaced immediately by an authorized Kia dealer to help prevent fuel leakage and safety hazards.

Fuel tank and fuel cap

The fuel tank and fuel cap should be inspected at the intervals specified in the maintenance schedule. If replacement is required, make sure the new fuel tank or fuel cap is installed correctly and meets the proper Kia Seltos specifications.

Vacuum crankcase ventilation hoses

Inspect the surface of the vacuum crankcase ventilation hoses for signs of heat damage or mechanical wear. Hard, brittle rubber, cracks, tears, cuts, abrasions, and excessive swelling are signs of deterioration. Pay special attention to hose areas located near high-heat components, such as the exhaust manifold.

Check the hose routing to make sure the hoses do not touch heat sources, sharp edges, or moving parts that could cause damage over time. Inspect clamps, couplings, and hose connections to confirm they are secure and free from leaks. Any hose showing wear, deterioration, or damage should be replaced immediately.

Air cleaner filter

When replacing the air cleaner filter, a Genuine Kia air cleaner filter is recommended. A clean and properly fitted air filter helps protect the engine from dust and debris while supporting stable performance and fuel efficiency in the Kia Seltos.

Spark plugs

When replacing spark plugs, make sure new spark plugs with the correct heat range and specification are installed.

During assembly, wipe the inside and outside of the ignition coil boot bottom and the spark plug insulator with a soft cloth. This helps prevent contamination of the spark plug insulator and supports proper ignition performance.

Valve clearance

Inspect for excessive valve noise, abnormal engine vibration, or other signs of incorrect valve clearance. Adjustment should be performed when necessary. This procedure requires proper tools and technical knowledge, so it should be carried out by an authorized Kia dealer.

Cooling system

Check the cooling system components, including the radiator, coolant reservoir, hoses, and connections, for leakage, cracks, looseness, or damage. Replace any damaged parts promptly to help prevent overheating and protect the Kia Seltos engine.

Coolant

The coolant should be replaced at the intervals specified in the scheduled maintenance chart. Maintaining the correct coolant condition helps protect the engine from overheating, freezing, and corrosion inside the cooling system.

Automatic transmission fluid (AT)

Under normal driving conditions, the automatic transmission fluid in the Kia Seltos does not need to be checked by the owner. If service is required, have the AT fluid replaced by an authorized Kia dealer using the correct specified fluid.

NOTICE

AT fluid is normally red when it is new.

As the Kia Seltos is driven, the automatic transmission fluid may gradually become darker. This color change is normal and does not mean the fluid must be replaced based only on appearance.

CAUTION

Using a non-specified transmission fluid may cause transmission malfunction, poor operation, or serious transmission failure.

Use only the specified AT fluid recommended for the Kia Seltos. Refer to the vehicle specifications for more details.

Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) fluid

Under normal usage conditions, the IVT fluid in the Kia Seltos should not be checked by the owner. When the vehicle is operated under severe conditions, the fluid should be replaced by an authorized Kia dealer according to the scheduled maintenance requirements listed at the beginning of this section.

NOTICE

IVT fluid is usually light amber when new. As the vehicle is driven, the IVT fluid may become darker over time.

This is normal and the fluid should not be replaced based only on a change in color.

CAUTION

Transmission fluids

Using non-specified fluid, even if it is labeled as compatible with genuine fluid, may cause reduced shift quality, vibration, abnormal transmission behavior, and eventually transmission failure. Use only the specified Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) fluid for the Kia Seltos. Refer to the vehicle specifications for more details.

Brake hoses and lines

Visually inspect the brake hoses and brake lines for improper installation, chafing, cracks, deterioration, corrosion, or fluid leakage. Any damaged, worn, or leaking parts should be replaced immediately to maintain safe braking performance.

NOTICE

NHTSA Safety Corrosion Alert

NHTSA has warned vehicle owners of all brands that vehicles exposed to winter road salt and related de-icing chemicals must be maintained properly to help prevent brake hose and brake line failures caused by corrosion. Although severe corrosion-related safety problems often appear after several years of use, the corrosion process can begin from the first exposure to road salt and chemicals. For this reason, underbody cleaning and regular brake system inspections should begin early in the life of your Kia Seltos.

1. Wash the undercarriage of your Kia Seltos regularly throughout the winter, and perform a thorough cleaning in spring to remove road salt and other de-icing chemicals.

2. Monitor the brake system for corrosion by arranging regular professional inspections. Also watch for warning signs such as brake fluid loss, unusual leaks, or a soft and spongy brake pedal feel.

3. If severe corrosion causes scaling or flaking on brake components, replace the entire brake pipe assembly as required.

Brake fluid

Check the brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir. The level should remain between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks on the side of the reservoir. Use only hydraulic brake fluid that meets the DOT 4 specification.

Parking brake

Inspect the parking brake system, including the parking brake lever or pedal and the related cables. Proper parking brake operation helps keep the Kia Seltos securely in place when parked.

Exhaust pipe and muffler

Visually inspect the exhaust pipes, muffler, and mounting hangers on the Kia Seltos for cracks, corrosion, deterioration, looseness, or other damage. Start the engine and listen carefully for any signs of exhaust gas leakage. Tighten connections or replace damaged components as necessary.

Brake discs, pads and calipers

Check the brake pads for excessive wear, inspect the brake discs for runout, scoring, or uneven wear, and examine the calipers for fluid leakage or abnormal operation. Proper brake inspection helps maintain safe stopping performance in the Kia Seltos.

Suspension mounting bolts

Check the suspension mounting connections for looseness, wear, corrosion, or damage. If necessary, retighten the bolts to the specified torque using the correct service procedure.

Steering gear box, linkage & boots/lower arm ball joint

With the vehicle stopped and the engine off, check the steering wheel for excessive free play or unusual looseness.

Inspect the steering linkage for bending, looseness, or damage. Check the dust boots and lower arm ball joints for deterioration, cracks, tears, or other damage. Replace any damaged parts immediately to help maintain accurate steering control.

Drive shafts and boots

Inspect the drive shafts, boots, and clamps for cracks, deterioration, looseness, grease leakage, or damage. Replace any damaged parts and, if necessary, repack the grease to protect the drive shaft joints from wear.

Air conditioning refrigerant

Check the air conditioning lines and connections for refrigerant leakage, corrosion, or damage. If cooling performance has decreased, have the Kia Seltos air conditioning system inspected by a qualified service technician.

Checking fluid levels

When checking engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid, or washer fluid, always clean the area around any filler plug, drain plug, reservoir cap, or dipstick before inspection or draining. This is especially important when the Kia Seltos is driven in dusty, sandy, or unpaved-road conditions.

Cleaning these areas helps prevent dirt, grit, and debris from entering the engine, cooling system, brake system, or other components that may be damaged by contamination.