The 2014 Kia Soul 2.0 is a wonderful little SUV that’s sure to turn some heads with its unique design. It also features a comfortable cabin with room for the

whole family

. But to keep your Kia Soul in prime condition, you’ll need to know its engine

oil

capacity—4.2 quarts.

Owning a car opens up a new world of freedom and self-reliance, but it’s not without its downsides. Those drawbacks most notably come in the form of maintenance, fuel and

car insurance expenses

. Replacing your own oil at home is an excellent way to cut down on those costs, but make sure you check your owner’s manual for the engine oil capacity before getting started.

If you don’t have access to the owner’s manual or just need a little extra help with your 2014 Kia Soul oil capacity, we’re here to help.

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2014 Kia Soul engine oil capacity

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in your 2014 Kia Soul holds 4.2 quarts or just under 4 liters of motor oil. Keep in mind that the above capacity is for Kia Souls with the 2.0-liter engine. If your Kia has a 1.6-liter engine, its oil capacity will be different.

It’s also important to remember that your

engine’s displacement

—the 2.0-liter space occupied by the engine’s cylinders—is not the same thing as its oil capacity, which is how much oil the motor can hold for use as a lubricant.

Engine oil capacity and displacement are entirely different numbers, and you should never use them interchangeably.

What kind of oil does a 2014 Kia Soul need?

Don’t rush out to buy your 4.2 quarts of oil just yet—the oil capacity is only one piece of the puzzle, and you’ll also need to know what type of oil your car needs. That’s correct—not all automotive motor oils are the same. And if you just grab the first jug of oil you see, you might wind up with the wrong type for your Soul.

When you get to the auto parts store, look for SAE 5W-20. That’s the oil that Kia recommends using in your 2014 Soul, and you should always stick with the manufacturer’s recommendation.

What does that combination of letters and numbers mean? Don’t worry. It’s actually a pretty simple code, and we’ll break it down for you.

The “SAE” stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers. They’re the group of scientists responsible for coming up with these motor oil codes.

The numbers, on the other hand, tell us how thick or viscous the oil is at hot and cold temperatures. The “5” explains how thick the oil is when it’s cold—which is easy to remember since it’s right in front of the “W,” which means winter—and the “20” tells us how viscous the oil is when the engine is hot.

Thinner oils have smaller numbers. These oils are ideal for automotive engines because they can move through the motor much more efficiently than thicker oil.

If you aren’t sure which 5W-20 oil to buy, consider these options:

Signature Series 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil

. This is Kia’s recommendation for your 2014 Soul.

Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic 5W-20 Motor Oil

. Mobil 1 is a great option with a cheaper price tag.

Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

. If your Kia Soul has more than 75,000 miles, this is the oil you need.

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How often to change the oil in a 2014 Kia Soul

Kia recommends changing the oil in your 2014 Soul every 7,500 miles. However, if you’re an infrequent driver, you might have an easier time remembering to replace the oil every six months.

Since it’s not uncommon to go quite a while between oil changes, it’s crucial that you check the level and condition of your oil regularly. One of the easiest ways to remember to do this is to pop the hood and inspect your oil every other time you fill the gas tank. No matter what method you use to remember, you should inspect your oil at least once a month.

When inspecting your oil, watch out for these signs that it needs to be replaced:

The oil looks black, dark brown, or sludgy (fresh oil is amber-colored and slightly transparent)

The oil feels gritty, dirty, or sandy

The engine emits unpleasant odors, like oil, smoke, or burning

The engine performance is suddenly poor

The engine is making new and strange sounds

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How to change your Kia Soul oil and oil filter

At this point, you know your oil type and capacity—all that’s left is to get started changing it! These are the tools you’ll need:

Something to life the car, like a jack and jack stands or ramps

A ratchet wrench with a 17-millimeter socket

A torque wrench

A drain pan

An oil filter wrench

A funnel

A rag or towel

Before you venture below the car, turn it on and let it run for about five minutes. Although it’s not necessary, this step will cause your engine to warm up, allowing the oil to drain more freely. Once the motor is warm, turn it off and follow the steps below.

Remove the oil fill cap and pull up the dipstick.

Slide under your Soul and remove the oil drain plug. Use your drain pan to catch and collect the old oil.

As the oil drains, remove the old oil filter.

Lubricate the gasket of the new filter with a thin layer of oil before screwing it into place. Do not over-tighten the new filter, and screw it on only until it is snug.

Reinstall the drain plug and tighten it to 25 lb-ft.

Fill the engine with fresh oil and then reinstall the fill cap.

After you finish these steps, turn your Soul back on and let it run for about 30 seconds. Next, turn the engine off and check the oil once more. Top off the level if necessary, and then double-check to ensure that the fill cap and dipstick are secure before closing the hood.

Finally, don’t forget to recycle your old oil. To do this, pour it into the new oil bottle and return it to the auto parts store.

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