Kia Seltos: Maintenance

Contents:

• Engine compartment
• Maintenance services
• Owner maintenance
• Scheduled maintenance service
• Scheduled maintenance service
• Explanation of scheduled maintenance items
• Engine oil and filter
• Engine coolant
• Brake fluid
• Washer fluid
• Parking brake
• Climate control air filter
• Wiper blades
• Battery
• Tires and wheels
• Fuses
• Light bulbs
• Appearance care
• Emission control system
• California perchlorate notice

Engine compartment

Open the hood of the Kia Seltos to inspect the engine compartment and identify the main service points. Always allow the engine to cool before touching caps, reservoirs, or other components.

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

* The actual engine compartment layout in your Kia Seltos may differ from the illustration depending on model, market, and equipment.

1. Engine coolant reservoir

2. Engine oil filler cap

3. Brake fluid reservoir

4. Air cleaner

5. Fuse box

6. Negative battery terminal

7. Positive battery terminal

8. Engine oil dipstick

9. Radiator cap

10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

* The actual engine compartment layout in your Kia Seltos may differ from the illustration depending on model, market, and equipment.

1. Radiator cap

2. Engine oil filler cap

3. Brake fluid reservoir

4. Air cleaner

5. Fuse box

6. Negative battery terminal

7. Positive battery terminal

8. Engine oil dipstick

9. Engine coolant reservoir

10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir

Maintenance services

Use care whenever performing maintenance or inspection work on your Kia Seltos. Incorrect procedures may damage the vehicle or cause personal injury.

If you have any doubt about inspecting or servicing the vehicle, have the work performed by an authorized Kia dealer.

An authorized Kia dealer has factory-trained technicians, proper diagnostic equipment, and genuine Kia parts to service the Kia Seltos correctly. For professional advice and reliable service, contact an authorized Kia dealer.

Inadequate, incomplete, or improper servicing may cause operating problems with your vehicle. These problems could lead to vehicle damage, an accident, or personal injury.

Regular maintenance helps keep the Kia Seltos dependable, safe, and efficient, especially when the vehicle is used in demanding driving conditions.

Owner's responsibility

NOTICE

Maintenance service and record retention are the responsibility of the Kia Seltos owner.

You should keep documents that prove proper maintenance has been performed on your vehicle according to the scheduled maintenance service charts shown in the following pages. These records may be needed to confirm that the Kia Seltos has been serviced in line with the maintenance requirements connected to the vehicle warranties.

Detailed warranty information is provided in the Warranty & Consumer Information manual supplied with your vehicle.

Repairs, adjustments, or component damage caused by improper maintenance or failure to complete required maintenance are not covered.

Have your Kia Seltos maintained and repaired by an authorized Kia dealer whenever professional service is required. Authorized Kia dealers follow Kia service quality standards and receive technical support from Kia, helping provide accurate service, proper repair procedures, and a high level of customer satisfaction.

NOTICE

NHTSA Safety Corrosion Alert

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a general warning to vehicle owners of all brands about the risks related to underbody corrosion. From the time you purchase your Kia Seltos, take the following steps to help prevent unsafe corrosion damage:

• Wash the undercarriage of your Kia Seltos regularly during winter and whenever the vehicle has been exposed to road salt, de-icing chemicals, or similar corrosive substances.

• Perform a thorough undercarriage wash at the end of the winter season.

• Have professional service technicians or governmental inspection stations inspect the vehicle annually for corrosion.

• Request an inspection immediately if you notice corrosion flaking, scaling, or rust damage, or if you detect changes in vehicle performance such as soft or spongy brakes, fluid leaks, reduced directional control, suspension noises, or rattling metal straps.

• NHTSA further advises that once a vehicle is 7 years old, these maintenance steps become especially important to help protect against unsafe corrosion conditions.

Owner maintenance precautions

Improper or incomplete service may cause problems with your Kia Seltos. This section provides guidance only for maintenance items that are simple and safe enough for an owner to perform.

As explained earlier in this section, several maintenance procedures require special tools, technical knowledge, and proper service equipment, and should be carried out only by an authorized Kia dealer.

NOTICE

Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage. For complete details, read the separate Warranty & Consumer Information manual provided with the Kia Seltos. If you are unsure about any inspection, service, or maintenance procedure, have it completed by an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING

Maintenance work

Do not wear jewelry or loose clothing while working under the hood of your Kia Seltos with the engine running. These items can become caught in moving parts. If the engine must be running during inspection or service work, remove all jewelry, especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces, and remove neckties, scarves, or any loose clothing before working near cooling fans or other moving components.

WARNING

Touching metal parts

Do not touch metal parts, including strut bars, while the Kia Seltos is operating or while the engine compartment is hot. Contact with hot metal parts may cause serious bodily injury. Turn the vehicle off and allow all metal components to cool before performing maintenance work.

Owner maintenance

The following lists include routine checks and inspections that should be performed by the Kia Seltos owner or by an authorized Kia dealer at the recommended intervals. These simple inspections help support safe, reliable, and dependable operation of your vehicle.

Any unusual condition, warning sign, fluid leak, abnormal noise, or change in vehicle behavior should be reported to your dealer as soon as possible.

Owner maintenance checks are generally not covered by the vehicle warranty. You may be charged for labor, parts, lubricants, or other materials used during inspection or service.

When you stop for fuel:

• Check the coolant level in the engine coolant reservoir.

• Check the windshield washer fluid level and refill it if necessary.

• Look for low, damaged, or under-inflated tires on your Kia Seltos.

• Check whether the front of the radiator and condenser are clean and free from leaves, dirt, insects, or other debris. If these parts are extremely dirty, blocked, or if you are unsure of their condition, have the Kia Seltos inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING

Hot coolant

Use caution when checking the engine coolant level, especially when the engine is hot. Hot coolant and steam may escape under pressure and can cause serious burns.

While operating your vehicle:

• Pay attention to any change in the exhaust sound or any smell of exhaust fumes inside the Kia Seltos.

• Check for vibration in the steering wheel. Also notice any increase in steering effort, looseness in the steering wheel, or a change in the straight-ahead steering position.

• Notice whether the vehicle constantly drifts or pulls slightly to one side while driving on a smooth, level road.

• When braking, listen and check for unusual sounds, pulling to one side, increased brake pedal travel, or a brake pedal that feels unusually hard to press.

• If slipping, hesitation, harsh shifting, or any change in transmission operation occurs, take your Kia Seltos to an authorized Kia dealer for inspection.

• Check that the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) P (Park) function operates correctly.

• Check that the parking brake holds the vehicle securely.

• Check for fluid leaks under the vehicle. Water dripping from the air conditioning system during or after use is normal.

At least monthly:

• Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir.

• Check the operation of all exterior lights, including brake lights, turn signals, headlights, taillights, and hazard warning flashers.

• Check the inflation pressure of all tires, including the spare tire. Also inspect the tires for wear, uneven tread wear, cuts, bulges, or other visible damage.

• Check for loose wheel lug nuts and have them tightened to the proper specification if needed.

At least once every 6 months:

• Check the radiator, heater, and air conditioning hoses for leaks, cracks, swelling, or other damage.

• Check the windshield washer spray pattern and wiper operation. Clean the wiper blades with a clean cloth dampened with washer fluid.

• Check the headlight alignment to help maintain proper nighttime visibility.

• Inspect the muffler, exhaust pipes, heat shields, and clamps for damage, looseness, corrosion, or unusual noise.

• Check the lap and shoulder belts for wear, damage, and proper operation.

At least once a year:

• Clean the body drain holes and door drain holes to help prevent water buildup and corrosion.

• Lubricate the door hinges and check the hood hinges for smooth operation.

• Lubricate the door locks, hood locks, and latches.

• Lubricate the door rubber weatherstrips to help maintain sealing and reduce wear.

• Check the air conditioning system for proper cooling performance.

• Inspect and lubricate the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) linkage and controls.

• Clean the battery and battery terminals to help ensure reliable electrical performance in the Kia Seltos.

• Check the brake fluid level and refill only with the recommended fluid if required.

• Visually inspect the steering, suspension, and chassis components for damaged, loose, or missing parts, as well as signs of wear or corrosion.

Scheduled maintenance service

Follow the Normal Maintenance Schedule for your Kia Seltos when the vehicle is usually driven under regular conditions and none of the severe operating conditions listed below apply.

Follow the Maintenance Under Severe Usage Conditions schedule if your Kia Seltos is driven in any of the following conditions, even occasionally but repeatedly.

• Repeated short-distance driving of less than 5 miles (8 km) in normal temperatures, or less than 10 miles (16 km) in freezing temperatures.

• Extended engine idling or long periods of low-speed driving.

• Driving on rough, dusty, muddy, unpaved, gravel, or salt-covered roads.

• Driving in areas where road salt or other corrosive materials are used, or operating the vehicle in very cold weather.

• Driving in heavy dust conditions.

• Driving regularly in heavy traffic areas.

• Repeated driving on uphill, downhill, or mountain roads.

• Using the Kia Seltos for towing, camping, or driving with cargo loaded on the roof.

• Using the vehicle as a patrol car, taxi, commercial vehicle, or for frequent vehicle towing.

• Frequent high-speed driving or repeated rapid acceleration and deceleration.

• Frequent stop-and-go driving, especially in traffic or urban conditions.

If your Kia Seltos is operated under any of the conditions listed above, inspections, replacements, and fluid refills should be performed more frequently. In these cases, use the severe usage maintenance schedule instead of the normal usage maintenance schedule.

NOTICE

For Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

Your Kia Seltos may be equipped with an Oil Life Management System. This system estimates engine oil life based on the driver's actual driving history and provides an alert when an engine oil change is required.

• If engine oil deterioration increases because of severe driving conditions, the remaining oil life warning may appear on the instrument cluster before the normal engine oil replacement interval. In this case, have the engine oil and oil filter replaced by an authorized Kia dealer.

• The Oil Life Management System is designed to operate correctly when the recommended engine oil is used. If the recommended engine oil is not used, replace the engine oil according to the severe usage maintenance schedule.

  Check the engine oil level regularly, because the system assumes that the engine oil is maintained at the proper level.

• Always reset the remaining engine oil life after every engine oil change. If it is not reset, the Oil Life Management System may display incorrect maintenance information.

• If no oil life alert appears before the maximum maintenance interval is reached, have your Kia Seltos checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

NOTICE

After 10 years or 100,000 miles (150,000 km), it is recommended to follow the severe maintenance schedule for the Kia Seltos to help maintain long-term reliability and safe vehicle operation.

Scheduled maintenance service ➤

Explanation of scheduled maintenance items ➤

Engine oil and filter ➤

Engine coolant ➤

Brake fluid

Brake fluid transfers braking force when the driver presses the brake pedal. The brake fluid in the Kia Seltos must be inspected and maintained periodically to help ensure smooth, consistent, and safe brake operation.

Washer fluid

Washer fluid is used with the windshield wipers to clean the windshield while driving. Check and refill the washer fluid regularly so the Kia Seltos windshield washer system is always ready when visibility is reduced by dust, mud, insects, or road spray.

Parking brake

Inspect the Kia Seltos parking brake system, including the parking brake lever and cables. Proper parking brake operation helps keep the vehicle secure when parked, especially on slopes or uneven surfaces.

Climate control air filter

The climate control air filter in the Kia Seltos should be replaced according to the maintenance schedule. If the vehicle is driven for long periods in heavily polluted cities, dusty areas, or on rough roads, the filter should be inspected more often and replaced earlier when necessary.

A clean climate control air filter helps improve cabin air quality and supports proper heating, ventilation, and air conditioning performance.

Wiper blades

When the wipers no longer clean the windshield properly, the blades may be worn, hardened, cracked, or damaged and should be replaced.

To prevent damage to the wiper arms or related components, do not attempt to move the wipers manually.

Using non-specified wiper blades on the Kia Seltos may cause poor wiping performance, noise, malfunction, or wiper system failure.

Blade inspection

Commercial hot wax treatments used by some automatic car washes may leave a film on the windshield, making it difficult for the wiper blades to clean properly.

Foreign material on the windshield or wiper blades can reduce wiper effectiveness. Common causes include insects, tree sap, road film, and hot wax from commercial vehicle washes. If the blades do not wipe cleanly, wash both the windshield and the wiper blades with a quality glass cleaner or mild detergent, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Battery ➤

Tires and wheels ➤

Fuses ➤

Light bulbs ➤

Appearance care ➤

Emission control system ➤

California perchlorate notice

Certain components used in the Kia Seltos may contain perchlorate materials that require special handling procedures. For additional information regarding proper handling and disposal requirements, refer to the official California environmental guidelines.

Notice to California Vehicle Dismantlers: Components containing perchlorate materials, including airbag inflators, seat belt pretensioners, and keyless entry remote batteries, must be disposed of in accordance with applicable California regulations. Proper disposal helps protect the environment and ensures compliance with legal requirements.