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Kia Seltos SP2 (2021-2026) Owner's Manual / Maintenance / Scheduled maintenance service

Kia Seltos: Maintenance / Scheduled maintenance service

To help maintain proper emissions performance, reliability, and long-term durability of your Kia Seltos, the following maintenance services should be carried out according to the recommended schedule. Always keep receipts and service records for all maintenance work, as these documents may be required to support warranty claims and verify proper vehicle care.

When both mileage and time intervals are specified, service should be performed at whichever comes first.

I : Inspect and, if necessary, adjust, repair, clean, or replace.

R : Replace or renew.

Number of months or driving distance, whichever comes first

Months

12

24

36

48

60

72

84

96

108

120

132

144

Miles x 1,000

8

16

24

32

40

48

56

64

72

80

88

96

Km x 1,000

13

26

39

52

65

78

91

104

117

130

143

156

Tire rotation

Rotate every 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or 12 months

Fuel additives*1

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

Add every 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or 12 months

Engine oil and engine oil filter*2

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

Climate control air filter

I

R

I

R

I

R

I

R

I

R

I

R

Air cleaner filter (Engine)

I

I

R

I

I

R

I

I

R

I

I

R

Brake fluid

Inspect every 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or 12 months

Replace every 48,000 miles (78,000 km) or 48 months

Spark plugs

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

Replace every 96,000 miles (156,000 km)

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

Replace every 48,000 miles (78,000 km)

Coolant (Engine)*3

First replacement at 120,000 miles (195,000 km) or 120 months

Afterward, replace every 24,000 miles (39,000 km) or 24 months

Air conditioner refrigerant

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

Air conditioner compressor

Battery condition

Vacuum hoses

Brake discs and pads

Brake lines, hoses and connections

Suspension ball joints

Steering gear rack, linkage and boots

Exhaust system

Cooling system

Intercooler in/out hose, air intake hose

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

I

-

I

-

I

-

I

-

I

-

I

-

Drive shaft and boots

-

I

-

I

-

I

-

I

-

I

-

I

Propeller shaft

AWD

Parking brake

Hand type

Fuel tank and fuel cap

Fuel tank air filter

Fuel lines, hoses and connections

Drive belts (Engine)*4

-

-

-

-

-

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

Differential oil (rear)*5

AWD

Inspect every 40,000 miles (65,000 km) or 48 months

Transfer case oil*6

AWD

Inspect every 40,000 miles (65,000 km) or 48 months

Automatic transmission (AT) fluid*

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

No scheduled service required under normal operating conditions

Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) fluid*

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

No scheduled service required under normal operating conditions

*1 Fuel additives

If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, Kia recommends adding one bottle of approved fuel additive at the specified interval. These additives are available from authorized Kia dealers along with detailed usage instructions. Do not mix different types of fuel additives.

*2 Engine oil and engine oil filter

It is normal for a Kia Seltos engine to consume a small amount of engine oil during operation. Check the engine oil level regularly and top up when necessary.

The engine oil replacement interval for normal driving conditions is based on the use of the recommended Kia engine oil specification. If a different oil specification is used, replace the engine oil and filter according to the severe usage maintenance schedule.

Never add aftermarket additives to the engine oil. Such products may alter the oil's properties and could result in serious engine damage or reduced engine durability.

For maximum performance and long-term reliability, always use genuine Kia parts and approved lubricants when servicing your Kia Seltos. Regular maintenance helps preserve fuel efficiency, emissions performance, and overall driving safety.

*3 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 incorrect coolant mixture may cause serious engine malfunction, cooling system damage, or reduced long-term engine protection.

*4 Drive belts (Engine)

Inspect the alternator, water pump, and air conditioner drive belts. If necessary, have them adjusted, repaired, or replaced. The drive belt tensioner, idler pulley, and alternator pulley should also be checked and corrected or replaced when wear, noise, or improper tension is found.

*5 Differential oil

If your Kia Seltos has been submerged in water or driven through a flooded area, the differential oil should be changed as a precaution to prevent internal damage.

*6 Transfer case oil

If the Kia Seltos has been submerged in water or exposed to flooding, the transfer case oil should be replaced as a preventive measure.

* Transmission fluid

If the vehicle has been submerged in water or driven through deep flooding, the transmission fluid should be changed as a precaution. Water contamination can seriously affect transmission durability and operation.

Fuel filter (Gasoline engine)

The fuel filter in the gasoline engine is normally maintenance-free, but periodic inspection is recommended during scheduled maintenance, especially if poor fuel quality is suspected.

  • If safety-related symptoms occur, such as restricted fuel flow, engine surging, loss of power, difficult starting, or unstable operation, replace the fuel filter immediately regardless of the maintenance schedule. Consult an authorized Kia dealer for proper diagnosis and service.

Maintenance under severe usage conditions

I: Inspect and, if necessary, adjust, correct, clean, or replace.

R: Replace or change.

Maintenance item

Maintenance operation

Maintenance intervals

Driving condition

Engine oil and engine oil filter

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

R

Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months

D, H, I

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

R

Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K

Air cleaner filter

R

More frequently

C, E

Climate control air filter

R

More frequently

C, E, G

Automatic transmission (AT) fluid

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

R

Every 56,000 miles (91,000 km)

A, C, F, G, H, I, J, K

Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) fluid

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

R

Every 56,000 miles (91,000 km)

A, C, F, G, H, I, J, K

Differential oil (rear)

AWD

R

Every 72,000 miles (117,000 km)

C, E, G, H, I, J

Transfer case oil

AWD

R

Every 72,000 miles (117,000 km)

C, E, G, H, I, J

Spark plugs

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi

R

More frequently

A, B, F, G, H, I, K

(Gasoline) 2.0 MPI

R

More frequently

Steering gear rack, linkage and boots

I

More frequently

C, D, E, F, G, H, I

Suspension ball joints

I

More frequently

C, D, E, G, H, I

Brake discs, pads and calipers

I

More frequently

C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K

Parking brake

Hand type

I

More frequently

C, D, G, H

Drive shaft and boots

I

More frequently

C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J

Propeller shaft

AWD

I

More frequently

C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J

Severe Driving Conditions

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

B: Extended low-speed driving over long distances.

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

D: Driving in areas where road salt or other corrosive materials are used, or operating the Kia Seltos in very cold weather.

E: Driving in heavy dust conditions.

F: Driving regularly in heavy traffic areas.

G: Repeated driving on uphill, downhill, or mountain roads.

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

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

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

K: Frequent stop-and-go driving.

When the Kia Seltos is used under any of these severe conditions, maintenance should be performed more often to help protect the engine, transmission, AWD components, brakes, and suspension from accelerated wear.

Other information:

Kia Seltos SP2 (2021-2026) Owner's Manual: Defroster

The Kia Seltos is equipped with a defroster system designed to help remove frost, fog, and light ice from the rear window for better rear visibility. CAUTION To prevent damage to the conductors bonded to the inside surface of the rear window, never use sharp tools or abrasive window cleaners to clean the glass. If you need to defrost or defog the front windshield, use the windshield defogging and defrosting controls.

Kia Seltos SP2 (2021-2026) Owner's Manual: User Settings mode

In the Kia Seltos User Settings mode, you can customize several vehicle functions directly through the instrument cluster. This menu allows the driver to adjust cluster preferences, lighting behavior, door functions, convenience features, units, language, and reset options. Driver Assistance Cluster Lights Door Convenience Units Language Reset The available information and settings may differ depending on the systems and equipment installed in your Kia Seltos.