Hi, I have a 2016 Kia Soul + with 120,000 miles. Over the last year, I’ve noticed that after about 1,500 miles, my car starts making weird noises when accelerating. I check the oil and it’s either empty or really low. I get an oil change and everything goes back to normal. There’s no sign of leakage in my parking spot. 1,500 miles seems crazy, and it’s been a problem during road trips. I’ve always stuck to 3,000-5,000 miles between oil changes, but lately, I’ve been having this issue after 1,500 miles. My mechanic couldn’t find anything wrong, and I’ve even gotten a second opinion. Most of my driving is a 20-mile round trip daily for work in city traffic. I switched to high mileage oil last time. Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks!
I check my oil level every 1,000-1,500 miles and top it off if needed. I’ve read that GDI engines burn oil, especially at higher mileage. I have a 2017 Soul +, and after 72k miles, my engine died. Fortunately, it was fixed at no cost. I continue to use synthetic oil and change it every 5k miles.
The Variable Valve Timing (VVT) is very sensitive to oil pressure and cleanliness. It’s not something that’s talked about much. Start using synthetic oil with a high detergent content. I use Valvoline Restore and Protect. My 2017 with 120k miles burns about a quart every 2,200 miles. Kia should have recommended synthetic oil from the start. Open your oil filler cap and check for heavy varnish buildup.
I check mine weekly. Some people are blowing these engines because they’re running them without oil.
You need to check the oil more frequently and be ready to add a quart between oil changes. Otherwise, you might not have your car for long.
Take it to the dealer and ask for an oil consumption test. There’s a procedure they can follow that might reduce oil use. If you’re burning more than 1 quart in 1k miles, that qualifies. It could be a slow leak in the valve cover or a stuck PCV valve. Also, try replacing the PCV valve yourself and run a thicker oil like 10w30 to see if it helps.
@Nathan
It could be a faulty POS from a bad car manufacturer. Maybe that’s the issue. A more plausible explanation.
Evanson said:
@Nathan
It could be a faulty POS from a bad car manufacturer. Maybe that’s the issue. A more plausible explanation.
Does your vehicle have an issue I can help with? Every car manufacturer has issues with oil consumption in some of their engines at some point. At least Kia has a good warranty and honors it.
@Nathan
Nope, I’m selling it for salvage and will never own another Kia again. I’ve had enough of a car that burns oil due to poor design. I’ve owned several makes and models—Japanese and American—but this is the first time I’ve had an issue with a car that had regular service burning through oil like this. If I’d researched this car more, I would’ve traded it in and stayed far away.
@Evanson
What year, model, and how many miles? Some models are covered by warranty, regardless of whether you’re the first owner.
@Evanson
Not if you didn’t buy it from the dealer directly.
I’m curious, as a fellow Soul owner from the years that tend to have problems, does your oil light come on? I’d think it should if the oil’s almost out.
Ronald said:
I’m curious, as a fellow Soul owner from the years that tend to have problems, does your oil light come on? I’d think it should if the oil’s almost out.
I didn’t think my Soul had an oil light. The first time I ever saw it come on was when the engine seized.
@AnthonyWilson
Same here. My 2017 Kia left my 18-year-old stranded on the highway. No light, no warning—just knocking noises, a blinking engine light, and then it was done. If I had bought it from a dealer, I’d have driven it through their front window. Well, except it couldn’t even jump the curb now, so never mind.
Ronald said:
I’m curious, as a fellow Soul owner from the years that tend to have problems, does your oil light come on? I’d think it should if the oil’s almost out.
When you turn the ignition on, do you see a red symbol in the shape of an oil can or genie bottle? If so, that means the light works. If it’s off when the engine is running, you have sufficient oil pressure. I know Ford oil pressure switches are very low at around 8 psi, which is only enough at idle.
Ronald said:
I’m curious, as a fellow Soul owner from the years that tend to have problems, does your oil light come on? I’d think it should if the oil’s almost out.
No, they programmed the oil light to not come on. It’s all part of the conspiracy. No oil light. No immobilizer. It’s set up for failure.
@SophyGenesis
Heh. I always hear people say the engine was making noises or running rough, and then they checked the oil and it was almost gone. None of them ever mention the oil light coming on, and I find that hard to believe.
@Ronald
As hard to believe as Kia not adding immobilizers to several models for a decade? Believe it. I went through it, no oil light ever.
@Ronald
The first time I noticed my car burning oil quickly, the oil light did come on, but only flashed briefly when I went around a turn and the acceleration pushed the oil away from where it was needed. So the sensor works, but maybe it’s for a level well below when the light should actually come on.
@Ronald
That’s an oil pressure light, not a low oil light. If the oil pressure light comes on, from what I’ve been told, it’s more of an indication of a new engine you’ll be buying soon.