Lately, I've not heard anyone say anything about NOT getting good MPG on the KIA Soul.
But, with gas prices soaring in most parts of the country, I'm just curious as to what other members are doing to get the best MPG possible?

Compared to cars I've had in the past, I think I get pretty darned good MPG on my Gen-3 Soul. But I'm always looking for some way to
make it even better.

Any ideas?

We have a 2015 EX, aero dynamics of a brick but still get 7-8 L/100km and it's Lady Lead-foot primary car, so milage is pretty good as far as I see it.

 

Since my wife's car is a VW with a direct injection gasoline engine (GDI) I was surprised at the lack of emphasis from Kia on preventing carbon buildup. We have my wife's car chemically de-carboned regularly according to the VW schedule and it has never had any problems. At all. People we talk to that don't do that complain about rough idling, misfiring under load, and considerable loss of fuel mileage since new. My 2012 Kia Soul was very low mileage for its age (62K) and came with a stack of maintenance records. I didn't see anything showing de-carboning had been done, so bought a Berryman's kit and did it just before an oil change. I'd been driving it for several months and it seemed great, so did it as a preventative and to set a baseline for my maintenance schedule. I let it soak overnight and then did the recommended drive to clear out the carbon and man did that thing blow out some crud. I ran some errands, stopped at the gas station and dumped a bottle of Red Line fuel system cleaner and conditioner in (which Kia does recommend, though their brand), and then went home and changed the oil and filter. It appears from the records that the previous owner used Pennzoil, a good oil, but I changed over to full synthetic. I'd kept records of my fuel mileage since buying the car and I immediately picked up about 2 mpg at the first fill, and then about 4 mpg at the next fill. I'm getting to where it's going to need gas again, so will check it out again withing the next few days. Since I did the de-carbon, change to full synthetic, and fuel cleaner/conditioner at the same time I don't know which made the most difference, but suspect it was a good combination. I think the biggest surprise was how much more spunk the car now has, which means I need to keep my foot under control and not have too much fun. We bought the Kia to tow behind our motorhome but with gas prices the way they are we're driving it way more than we had intended, and man do we like it. Both the car and the mileage.

 

On my 2013, 1.6L, AT, I pretty much followed OEM recommendations. I always used top quality oil and Genuine KIA filters, and put a bottle of KIA recommended Techron fuel system cleaner in the tank a week or two before each 3k oil change. In six years and 75k+ miles, I never had any performance problems, and always got very good MPG, as high as 47mpg on a road trip.
I also used a little 'Prolong' anti friction oil additive, and ran my tires at 42psi, to increase steering performance and mpg.
That was a great little car, but so is my 2020 Soul. I do many of the same things on my 2020 that I did on my 2013, for better performance and mpg.
As well as driving in the P&G mode. (pulse & glide).
But I just feel like I'm missing something. There just has to be something more I can do to squeak out another mpg or two.
I'm looking for ideas! Elon Musk has an idea. More on that later.

 

I probably should be more clear on the carbon issue I mentioned in GDI engines, no matter who built the car. GDI engines have some fantastic benefits but carbon buildup, especially on the intake valves, is a problem that caught manufacturers off guard. The one thing that Kia is neglecting on the GDI engine maintenance recommendations, at least in my opinion, is chemical carbon cleaning as a regular maintenance function. Most engines inject into the intake or draw fuel through a carburetor or throttle body. having fuel in the intake airstream tends to wash the crud that the PCV system dumps into the intake, down past the intake valve and washing it, and into the combustion chamber to be burned. Since GDI engines inject the fuel directly into the combustion chamber to get better atomization, more efficient combustion, and therefore better mileage and cleaner emissions, there's no air-fuel mixture washing PCV crud through the intake and into the combustion chamber, so the crud builds up, eventually preventing the intake valve from seating and causing all kinds of other problems. If the buildup isn't bad the chemical approach cleans it up but if it's built up too much it has to be mechanically removed. Perfect example of ounce of prevention vs. pound of cure. The last shop I worked in did carbon cleaning and had a full schedule taking in jobs from dealers but now and then they'd start on one and then send it back as beyond help, so it's certainly possible to wait too long. The general recommendation that I've seen recommends doing the cleaning every 30,000 miles, so until I see something from Kia that's my plan. I just did a quick check to see whether there might have been an update and stumbled across this article that probably addresses the issue better than me. Keeping GDI and T/GDI Intake Systems Clean.

 

For as long as I've been driving a KIA Soul, (ten years) they have recommended the use of Techron as a fuel system and Injector cleaner.
If this were a Gen-3 only forum, which it's not, the topic of GDI engines would be a mute subject. There are NO Longer any GDI engines in the KIA Soul line.
In fact, the 1.6L engine and Turbos are gone too, as of the 2023 Souls. Seems like KIA is being Pro-Active in eliminating potential engine problems, and
simplifying their line.

So now we've got a 2.0L, 4cyl, DOHC, 16 valve, MPI, Atkinson Cycle, engine, that will give us better performance and fewer problems. It's a completely NEW engine, for the Gen-3 Souls.
I love mine, because she's a great performer, and gives me very good MPG. So far, as good as 47 mpg. But, if there is something I can do, to improve the MPG, without voiding my warranty, I'd like to know about it. It doesn't look like gas prices will be going back down any time soon.
Thus, the reason for this thread, which definitely pertains to the Gen-3, 2.0L, MPI engine, and NOT the GDI engines of yesteryear.

 

For as long as I've been driving a KIA Soul, (ten years) they have recommended the use of Techron as a fuel system and Injector cleaner.
If this were a Gen-3 only forum, which it's not, the topic of GDI engines would be a mute subject. There are NO Longer any GDI engines in the KIA Soul line.
In fact, the 1.6L engine and Turbos are gone too, as of the 2023 Souls. Seems like KIA is being Pro-Active in eliminating potential engine problems, and
simplifying their line.

So now we've got a 2.0L, 4cyl, DOHC, 16 valve, MPI, Atkinson Cycle, engine, that will give us better performance and fewer problems. It's a completely NEW engine, for the Gen-3 Souls.
I love mine, because she's a great performer, and gives me very good MPG. So far, as good as 47 mpg. But, if there is something I can do, to improve the MPG, without voiding my warranty, I'd like to know about it. It doesn't look like gas prices will be going back down any time soon.
Thus, the reason for this thread, which definitely pertains to the Gen-3, 2.0L, MPI engine, and NOT the GDI engines of yesteryear.

I just saw your reply and appreciate that you cleared up your intent to discuss only Gen-3's. It'd probably be a good idea to be clearer at the outset in the future if something is that important. There are a LOT of 1.6L's out there and they're great engines but they do need that extra maintenance step to avoid intake carbon buildup.
As far as the 2-0's, synthetic oil and fuel-efficient tires are the top two that I keep seeing in studies so at a minimum those are pretty proven. Since you're interested in fuel efficiency, I suspect that you're already on top of those.
My Kia gets its best mileage when it's hooked to my motorhome. Goes forever on little or no fuel. I don't want to talk about the motorhome fuel economy (or lack thereof) ...

 

It's all over the Internet, that Elon Musk has come up with an electronic gadget that can improve the gas mileage on most cars today.

I can hear the Nay-Sayers now, screaming "Snake Oil!".
With the idea that if Elon had anything to do with the development of the device, it might be worth trying.
It costs no more than a tank of gas, so what the heck?
Anyone else willing to give it a try?

EcoPlus Fuel Saver Reviews: Does Eco Fuel Saver Really Work! Read Consumer Reports

The Ecoplus fuel saver is a very small chip which can be used to control and optimize the rate at which a vehicle consumes fuel daily.

www.dailycal.org

 

I can hear the Nay-Sayers now, screaming "Snake Oil!".

Before I can be a "Nay-Sayer" I need to understand how it works - could you explain ?

Anything that alters the vehicles ECU would put your warranty at risk in the event of an engine failure.

Amazon.com

 

 

None whatsoever!

My original question was like, "what do you do to get better gas mileage?" That got no helpful responses, so I thought I'd throw in the Elon Musk gadget for a little "Color".
By the way, the guy in the video is a total waste of skin. Only a small part of his presentation was accurate. His quoted price for the device was WAY off! He sounded like he
may have been in England, or some such place. If there was even one chance in a hundred that the device might work, it would at least be worth looking into.
In the mean time, there are legitimate means by which any owner/driver can improve their own MPG without gadgets or voiding their warranty. And that's what I was looking for
when I started this thread.
I do have my own set of things that I do to increase my own MPG....but I was looking to see what other Soul owners do. I still don't have an answer to that question.
So I guess this thread was a waste of time, for which I apologize, and should maybe be closed.

 

Olympia, Washington? Isn't that the home of Olympia Beer? Well, Tumwater, anyway. I've consumed a boxcar load of that beer. But I've heard that it's been discontinued.

As for the Gen-1 Soul, with the 1.6L GDI engine, I had mine (2013) for 6 years and 75K+ miles. My first oil change was free from my dealer, all the rest, every 3k, I did in my own back yard,
using my own concrete ramps. Before every oil change, about two weeks, I would add a bottle of Techron to my gas tank. And, with every oil change, I'd add about 8oz of Prolong Anti Friction Additive to the crank case. My little car seemed to just LOVE the care I gave her, because she always ran great, even when I was working her hard, dragging my road or pulling someone out of a sand pit. For a car with only the 1.6L engine, I probably worked her too hard. * I was once accused of pulling 'Farm Implements' with my little Soul, which I never did!
But I do see the Gen-1's on the streets around here, every day. They sold like hotcakes back in the day.
At lunch today, one parked right nest to me. Da Ja Vu!

Nowadays, at 79, I get my oil changed at my KIA dealer, where I know they use only genuine KIA oil filters, and a top grade 5W30 oil. I also get their Bumper to Bumper inspection, tire rotation and car wash, for free. Their free coffee and donuts isn't too bad either. Then when I get her home, I add the Prolong, and check my tire pressure. If it's not raining, I might even pull the K&N air Cleaner and inspect it, or wash and re-oil it.
The recommended 33 psi in the tires, may be good for a soft squishy ride (Grandma would love it) but it's poor for top performance and the best MPG. I like a little more air, for better steering, improved performance and better MPG. (40+ psi is just about right) I also put extra wide tires on my car, for extra traction out here in the FL Sugar Sand. If I ever get stuck, I just drop the psi in the front tires down to about 20 psi, and gently drive away. Later I'll re-inflate my tires back to normal pressure.

And, you have a motorhome? No, I won't even ask about the MPG on that. I can only guess.
But even with that, there has to be 'Something' you can do to get better mileage, and pulling your KIA isn't one of them. Eh?
Thank you for your response,
Y'all have a great day now,

 

In retrospect, I suppose I should have just started off this thread by asking the question, "What do YOU do to improve YOUR own gas mileage, on YOUR KIA Soul?"

 

My newly acquired 2020 Soul with the 2.0 MPI engine gets basically the same mileage, as my now deceased 2016 Rio SX with the 1.6 liter engine did.

This is based on data from 250KM of daily Uber driving in the city where I live.

Not looking to improve on that FWIW as I am already quite pleased.

 

So, you're saying that a bigger engine, with more horsepower and higher torque, gets as good mileage as the smaller 1.6L engine got. I'd say that's pretty darn good!
And if I were driving my car, to make a living, I'd be doing everything humanly possible to get as good MPG as possible. And, there ARE things we can do to improve the performance and MPG of the Soul, over and above the car that's just come out of the factory.
So back to my original question.... What have YOU done to try to improve the MPG on YOUR car?

 

And if I were driving my car, to make a living, I'd be doing everything humanly possible to get as good MPG as possible

Not an untrue statement. But, this manufacturer (and others) have already done that.
From using 5W20 oil for less friction (wrong IMHO), in conjunction with hand slip fit loose piston rings (wrong IMHO), and crap such as auto stop/start, etc, to eke out every last possible rating for CAFE, etc. When you have to resort to gimmicks, you're technically at the end of the design rope.
I spend $750 CAD a month of regular fuel at present. If I save 2% that's $15 a month. Big deal, doesn't even get me a pizza delivered anymore. And, I honestly believe, that if there was actually 2% to save, KIA would have already done it for the aforementioned reasons.
Of course, I've never tried this before.

 

Just for general information: Back when I got my 2013 Soul with the little 1.6L engine, and joined the old forum, one guy that had the 2013 Soul with the 2.0L engine came on and reported that he had his car Dyno Tested and it produced 110 horsepower. He was SO proud, he even posted the Dyno sheet on the forum.
Well, that just tweaked my curiosity as to what the 1.6L engine would do on a Wheel Dyno.
So I found a local Speed Shop with a Dyno Jet wheel dyno that agreed to test my little Soul.
It was the smallest car those guys had ever Dyno testes and they were joking around about that, as they hooked it up on the Dyno stand. They also removed my K&N air cleaner and left the air box open, before the first of three pulls. During the best of three pulls, my little girl delivered 111.7 BHP (horsepower).....better than that 2.0L Soul mentioned earlier. When those guys saw the results on the computer screen, they were whooping, hollering and High Fiving each other. One guy told me that they had no idea that little 1.6L engine would spool up as fast as she did. She was screaming like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. lol

Here's Gertrude, my 2013 Soul on the Dyno Jet test stand (strapping her down)

And for the real Gearheads, here's the "Dyno Jet" test results. The test was ended when the rpm's hit the Rev Limiter, just short of 6500 rpm.
To say that I was pretty happy with the results, is an understatement. That test was run on E10 pump gas, with a shot of 'Prolong' in the crank case.
That test cost me $50. To get my 2020 Soul tested will cost me $159. So I've not done that yet. Ten years later, different shop and different price!

Sorry for going Off Topic.

 

Some explanation please! What is that gizmo supposed to do?

 

Why, it separates fools from their money.

 

Why? Just for information sake. I think I know what it's supposed to do, but if YOU showed a picture of it, I thought maybe you'd also post the claims made about it. There is no web link so a person could look it up on their own.
"Curious minds, want to know" lol

Also, who's idea was it, to require a Passport to enter Canada from the USA? When I went to "Expo 67" all I needed was my driver's license, to cross the border. I'll bet that seriously impacted the tourists traveling to Canada to spend their money.

 

IMHO, if you leave all things same along with driving habits then Ceratec may be one of the products that can improve fuel economy the most.
Driving habits contribute the most to the fuel economy changes, when I drive wife's car we get much better gas mileage 🤣

 

You're not the first guy who I've heard saying that. Very few women have the knack for High Miling. I'm sure that a few do, but, I just don't happen to know one.
I'm an old High Miler from way back. My dad started teaching me to drive when I was seven, then had me driving a BUS when I was nine.
He taught me the technique that I've heard in later years called P&G (Pulse & Glide). It works too! On my last road trip, in my 2020 Soul, where I was really driving for best mileage, I got 50.1 Avg MPG, according to the meter on the dashboard.
So what is Ceratec? That's not anything I'm familiar with. I suppose I could just Google it. Eh? But, if it's a surface lubricant....no thanks!
I only use "Prolong" a penetrating friction reducing oil additive. Been using it in all my engines now, for the past twenty two years.

I duplicated that road test one night, out on Interstate 75, at 80 mph, when my oil filter, improperly installed that same day, at a Walmart Store, came loose and dumped all my oil out on the highway.
With both the CE light and Oil light ON Brightly, I slowed down but drove another 15 miles to another Walmart Service Center where I got a new filter and a full shot of oil, for free. The engine was still running smoothly, with NO oil in the crankcase, and the oil change guy asked me how I did that. ??? I told him "I use Prolong." He just smiled, and walked away. Walmart used to sell Prolong.
I just buy it by the Gallon,,, it's much cheaper that way.
I used to change my own oil, in my back yard. Now my dealer does it for me.

The products for an oil change on my 2013 KIA Soul, Base Model, 1.6L AT.
I called this my most expensive oil change, because I added a Magnetic Drain Plug for another $7.

With no garage, I built concrete ramps in my back yard, for doing my own oil changes.
With a little Prolong in the engine and Techron in the gas tank, this little car ran like a scalded cat!

Cheers Mates,

 

Ceratec is a Liqui Moly product that mostly reduces friction and lasts a few oil changes, the coating that is.
Hmm, judging by the front plate on the car you must be a Prolong's dealer?

 

NO, I'm not a dealer in anything. I'm a 79 yr old, retired Computer Builder and Tech who really loves his little KIA Soul.
The big Prolong sign on my front Vanity Plate was only on my 2013 Soul, now long gone.

Once I tried Prolong, about 22 years ago, and proved to my self that it worked, I contacted the company and discovered that I could buy it by the gallon at big savings, and they would ship me one gallon at a time via UPS, for FREE!

Prolong is just one of several things I do to help my little 4-Banger get the best out of every gallon of gas, as is possible.
It wasn't quite so critical when gas prices were down under $2 per gallon, but today, with prices closer to $4 per gallon and rising, Gasoline has become Precious!

Another product that "Works for me" is the K&N Engine Air Cleaner. I keep mine well maintained, and it has done me a good job. And I'll never have to buy another Air Cleaner
for the lifetime of this car, or my lifetime, which ever comes first.

And, don't forget the "Techron" fuel system cleaner, the only such product suggested by, and even sold by KIA dealers.

I put one bottle of this in my fuel tank, about two weeks before every oil change. (now at 3750 miles, as per agreement with my KIA dealer).

I guess my efforts are paying off, because on my last 25.5 mile road trip, my MPG average, according to my CAR, was 50.1 Avg MPH.
Not bad, for a little car with the aerodynamics of a cement block. Eh?

Another little trick I like to use, that I found out about on the MPG forum web site, is to increase the air pressure in my tires to 40+ psi. The tires will roll easier and it doesn't take so much horsepower to push them down the road. That's just "basic mechanics 101." Give it a try....Air is free! A side effect of the higher air pressure is Quicker, More responsive, Steering.
I don't have to fight the tendency of my tires to "Wallow". They just go where I point them!
Some guys, have reported using air pressure in the 50 to 75 psi range, for max MPG. (they're called 'High Milers' )

Happy Motoring, Mates!


PS: Don't be afraid to try something that you've never tried before, and report your MPG here.

 

I wonder, if cars go through a Change of Life, like people do? Because ever since I filled up my gas tank at a Wawa station, a few days ago, my little gal has had a little more pep to her step. And I've not even added any Techron....yet.

Something HAS changed, but I just don't know what, or why.
Wawa gas is just generic gas. Nothing special, advertised or not.
She's only got about 14k on the meter, and just barely broken in. I guess she just decided that it was time to GO!
Or maybe it's a little something pre-programmed into the ECC.
Whatever it is.....I LIKE IT!

I tried out a "Fuel Saver" module that plugs into the OBDII port. It did nothing to improve my MPG.
When I took it apart and applied 12v and Gnd to the proper pins, it put on quite a little Light Show.

Sorry for the blurry picture.
The red LED stays on all the time, as does the Green LED. The Yellow LED flashes continuously as long as power is applied.
If the RESET button is pressed, the yellow LED will stop flashing while the button remains pressed, and will resume flashing when the button is released.
There are NO logic chips of any kind in this device. It's just a clever little Light Show. I could have built one, a whole lot cheaper.
Now we know!

I saw an expose' on one of these, where there was actually a computer chip of some kind attached to the lower left corner of the little board, like in the above pic. but that chip was not even connected to the two CAN pins in the module. So it had NO effect of any kind on the car's computer. Just another Light Show!

 

I hope that my last post, will answer some questions that other members may have had, about Fuel Savers, and save someone from wasting money, like I just did!
(this has been a public service message)

 

Gadgetry aside, the 2020 Soul, if properly driven is capable of some really great MPG.
Today, I took a little field trip of 25 miles, all on two lane state roads. I took it easy on the GO pedal, and my little girl rewarded me with 50.1 MPG, for my efforts.
If you understand mathematics, you know that to counter the really bad mpg that you get at stop lights and in heavy traffic, to get an average of 50.1 the car has to log mpg readings of WAY over 50 mpg.
You can see this for yourself, but resetting your trip meter while driving at about 50 mph. I've done this and seen the first MPG reading of way over 70 mpg.
I enjoy playing the MPG game, and I think my little Jem does too, even though I saw regular gas tor just $3.16 today.

Happy Motoring, Mates,

 

Yesterday, I filled my gas tank at my local Walmart/Murphy's gas station and I was very happy when I looked at the receipt:

That's got to be the lowest price I've paid for regular gas, in many months.

Cheers mates, and Happy Motoring,

 

MPG Update:

Today I filled up my gas tank at a local Wawa Gas Station. I got my receipt and wrote down my odometer reading on it.
When I got home, I entered the numbers into my Excel spreadsheet, as per usual. What was NOT usual was the numbers that my spreadsheet gave me back.
Brand new numbers I've never seen before: My mileage for the last tank full of gas was 36.9 mpg, and my cost per mile was only $0.087 per mile.

Since I got this Soul, in December of '21, those are the best numbers I've seen.

I've been doing some serious High Miling, and using overdrive (7th and 8th gear) as much as I can while holding my speed Down as much as possible.
It does take a little effort, but it seems to be paying off.

Happy Trails, Mates,