Kia Soul 2023 Automatic Climate Control Owner’s Manual
Introduction
A sophisticated automatic climate control system is included with the Kia Soul 2023 to give you the utmost comfort and convenience. The vehicle’s interior temperature is monitored and maintained by the automatic climate control system using sensors and algorithms.
You can set your preferred temperature with the automatic climate control system, and it will automatically adjust the fan speed, airflow, and temperature to maintain the setting. This guarantees a cosy cabin atmosphere regardless of the weather outside.
The automatic climate control system offers a number of features in addition to temperature regulation, including dual-zone climate control, which enables the driver and front passenger to set different temperatures for their respective sides. Everyone in the car will experience individualised comfort thanks to this feature.
The automatic climate control system offers options for changing the direction of airflow as well. To direct the airflow to particular areas of the car according to your preferences and requirements, you can choose from a variety of modes like face mode, floor mode, or defrost mode.
Automatic climate control system
- Driver’s temperature control knob
- AUTO (automatic control) button
- Front windshield defroster button
- Rear window defroster button
- Air conditioning button
- Air intake control button
- Blower OFF button
- Fan speed control button
- Mode selection button
- Passenger’s temperature control knob
- SYNC button
- A/C display
NOTICE
Operating the blower when the ignition switch is in the ON position could cause the battery to discharge. Operate the blower when the engine is running.
Heating and air conditioning automatically
- Press the AUTO button. The modes, fan speeds, air intake and air-conditioning will be controlled automatically by setting the temperature.
- Turn the temperature control switch to the desired temperature.
- To turn the automatic operation off, select any button or switch of the following:
- Mode selection button
- Air conditioning button
- Front windshield defroster button (Press the button one more time to deselect the front windshield defroster function. The ‘AUTO’ sign will illuminate on the information display once again.)
- Air intake control button
- Fan speed control switch
The selected function will be con-trolled manually while other functions operate automatically. - For your convenience and to improve the effectiveness of the climate control, use the AUTO button and set the temperature to 72°F (22°C).
NOTICE
Do not place anything over the sensor located on the instrument panel to ensure better control of the heating and cooling system.
Manual heating and air conditioning
The heating and cooling system can be controlled manually by pressing buttons or turning knob(s) other than the AUTO button.
In this case, the system works sequentially according to the order of buttons or knob(s) selected.
- Start the vehicle.
- Set the mode to the desired position.
For improving the effectiveness of heating and cooling;
Heating:- Cooling:
- Set the temperature control to the desired position.
- Set the air intake control to the outside (fresh) air position.
- Set the fan speed control to the desired speed.
If air conditioning is desired, turn the air conditioning system on.
Press the AUTO button in order to convert to full automatic control of the system.
Mode selection
The mode selection button controls the direction of the air flow through the ventilation system.
The air flow outlet port is converted as follows:
Face-Level (B, D)
Air flow is directed toward the upper body and face. Additionally, each outlet can be controlled to direct the air discharged from the outlet.
Bi-Level (B, C, D, E)
Air flow is directed towards the face and the floor.
Floor-Level (A, C, D, E)
Most of the air flow is directed to the floor, with a small amount of the air being directed to the windshield and side window defrosters.
Floor/Defrost-Level (A, C, D, E)
Most of the air flow is directed to the floor and the windshield with a small amount directed to the side window defrosters.
Defrost-Level (A, D)
Most of the air flow is directed to the windshield with a small amount of air directed to the side window defrosters.
Instrument panel vents
The outlet vents can be opened or closed separately using the thumb-wheel. (if equipped)
Also, you can adjust the direction of air delivery from these vents using the vent control lever as shown.
Temperature control
The temperature will increase to the maximum (82 °F (28 °C)) by turning the knob to the extreme right.
The temperature will decrease to the minimum (62 °F (17 °C)) by turning the knob to the extreme left.
When turning the knob, the temperature will increase or decrease by 1 °F / 0.5 °C. When set to the lowest temperature setting, the air conditioning will operate continuously.
NOTICE
When starting the vehicle in cold weather using manual temperature control, operate the system in the following method to improve heating.
- Turn off or lower the blower, right after starting the engine.
Allow the engine to warm up during this time since the air flow from the heater is still cold.
After a few minutes of engine warm up, turn on or set the fan to a higher level and adjust the temperature set-ting to hot.
Adjusting the driver and passenger side temperature equally
- Press the “SYNC” button to adjust the driver and passenger side temperature equally. The passenger side temperature will be set to the same temperature as the driver side temperature.
- Turn the driver side temperature control knob. The driver and passenger side temperature will be adjusted equally.
Adjusting the driver and passenger side temperature individually
- Press the “SYNC” button again to adjust the driver and passenger side temperature individually. The illumination of button turns off.
- Operate the driver side temperature control knob to adjust the driver side temperature.
- Operate the passenger side temperature control knob to adjust the passenger side temperature.
Temperature conversion
You can switch the temperature mode from Centigrade to Fahrenheit as follows:
While pressing the OFF button, press the AUTO button for 3 seconds or more. The display will change from Centigrade to Fahrenheit, or from Fahrenheit to Centi-grade. If the battery has been discharged or disconnected, the temperature mode display will reset to Fahrenheit.
Controlling air intake
This is used to select the outside (fresh) air position or recirculated air position.
To change the air intake control position:
- Push the control button.
Outside (fresh) air position
With the outside (fresh) air position selected, air enters the vehicle from outside and is heated or cooled according to the function selected.
Recirculated air position
With the recirculated air position selected, air from the passenger compartment will be drawn through the heating system and heated or cooled according to the function selected.
Prolonged operation of the heater in the recirculated air position (without air conditioning selected) may cause fogging of the windshield and side windows and the air within the passenger compartment may become stale.
In addition, prolonged use of the air conditioning with the recirculated air position selected will result in excessively dry air in the passenger compartment.
Controlling fan speed
The fan speed can be set to the desired speed by operating the fan speed control button.
To change the fan speed:
- Press button right for higher speed, or press button left for lower speed.
- To turn the fan speed control off, press the front blower OFF button.
Air conditioning
- Press the A/C button to turn the air conditioning system on (indicator light will illuminate).
- Press the button again to turn the air conditioning system off.
WARNING
Reduced Visibility
Continuous use of the climate control system in the recirculated air position may allow humidity to increase inside the vehicle, which may fog the glass and obscure visibility.
WARNING
Recirculated Air
Continued use of the climate control system in the recirculated air position can cause drowsiness or sleepiness, and loss of vehicle control. Set the air intake control to the outside (fresh) air position as much as possible while driving.
WARNING
Sleeping with A/C on
Do not sleep in a vehicle with the air conditioning or heating on, as this may cause serious harm or death due to a drop in the oxygen level and/or body temperature.
Turning off the front air climate control
- Press the front blower OFF button to turn off the front air climate control system.
However, you can still operate the mode and air intake buttons as long as the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is in the ON position.
Automatic ventilation
The system automatically selects the outside (fresh) air position when the cli-mate control system operates over a certain period of time (5 minutes) in low temperature with the recirculated air position selected.
To cancel or reset the Automatic Ventilation
When the air conditioning system is on, select Face Level 
mode and press the recirculated air position more than five times within 3 seconds while pressing A/C button.
When the automatic ventilation is canceled, the indicator blinks 3 times. When the automatic ventilation is activated, the indicator blinks 6 times.
Scheduled Ventilation Control
The Scheduled Ventilation Control releases hot air in the vehicle to lower cabin temperature before getting in the vehicle.
Depending on the outside ambient temperature, the blower is operated for 5 to 15 minutes while the vehicle is parked.
Turning Schedule Ventilation
Control On or Off
The Schedule Ventilation Control can be turned on and off by selecting ‘Setup → Vehicle Settings → Automatic Ventilation Scheduled Ventilation Control’ from the infotainment system screen. Also, the starting time can be set within 24 hours. Schedule Ventilation Control operates only once when the feature is set.
System operation
Ventilation
- Set the mode to the position.
- Set the air intake control to the out-side (fresh) air position.
- Set the temperature control to the desired position.
- Set the fan speed control to the desired speed.
Heating
- Set the mode to the
position. - Set the air intake control to the outside (fresh) air position.
- Set the temperature control to the desired position.
- Set the fan speed control to the desired speed.
- If dehumidified heating is desired, turn the air conditioning system (if equipped) on.
- If the windshield fogs up, set the mode to the or position.
Operation Tips
- To keep dust or unpleasant fumes from entering the vehicle through the ventilation system, temporarily set the air intake control to the recirculated air position. Be sure to return the control to the fresh air position when the irritation has passed to keep fresh air in the vehicle. This will help keep the driver alert and comfortable.
- Air for the heating/cooling system is drawn in through the grilles just ahead of the windshield. Care should be taken that these are not blocked by leaves, snow, ice or other obstructions.
- To prevent interior fog on the windshield, set the air intake control to the fresh air position and fan speed to the desired position, turn on the air conditioning system, and adjust the temperature control to desired temperature.
Air conditioning (if equipped)
All Kia Air Conditioning Systems are filled with R-1234yf refrigerant.
- Start the vehicle. Press the air conditioning button.
- Set the mode to the position.
- Set the air intake control to the outside-air or recirculated air position.
- Adjust the fan speed control and temperature control to maintain maxi-mum comfort.
- When maximum cooling is desired, set the temperature control to the extreme left position, set the mode control to the MAX A/C position, then set the fan speed control to the highest speed.
CAUTION
Excessive A/C Use
When using the air conditioning system, monitor the temperature gauge closely while driving up hills or in heavy traffic when outside temperatures are high. Air conditioning system operation may cause vehicle overheating. Continue to use the blower fan but turn the air conditioning system off if the temperature gauge indicates vehicle overheating.
CAUTION
- The refrigerant system should only be serviced by trained and certified technicians to insure proper and safe operation.
- The refrigerant system should be serviced in a well-ventilated place.
The air conditioning evaporator (cooling coil) shall never be repaired or replaced with one removed from a used or salvaged vehicle and new replacement MAC evaporators shall be certified (and labeled) as meeting SAE Standard J2842.
CAUTION
When opening the windows in humid weather, air conditioning may create water droplets inside the vehicle. Since excessive water droplets may cause damage to electrical equipment, air conditioning should only be used with the windows closed.
Air conditioning system operation tips
- If the vehicle has been parked in direct sunlight during hot weather, open the windows for a short time to let the hot air inside the vehicle escape.
- To help reduce moisture inside of the windows on rainy or humid days, decrease the humidity inside the vehicle by operating the air conditioning system.
- During air conditioning system operation, you may occasionally notice a slight change in vehicle speed as the air conditioning compressor cycles. This is a normal system operation characteristic.
- Use the air conditioning system every month only for a few minutes to ensure maximum system performance.
- When using the air conditioning system, you may notice clear water drip-ping (or even puddling) on the ground under the passenger side of the vehicle. This is a normal system operation characteristic.
- Operating the air conditioning system in the recirculated air position pro-vides maximum cooling; however, continual operation in this mode may cause the air inside the vehicle to become stale.
- During cooling operation, you may occasionally notice a misty air flow because of rapid cooling and humid air intake. This is a normal system operation characteristic.
Climate control air filter (if equipped)
The climate control air filter installed behind the glove box filters the dust or other pollutants that come into the vehicle from the outside through the heating and air conditioning system.
If dust or other pollutants accumulate in the filter over a period of time, the air flow from the air vents may decrease, resulting in moisture accumulation on the inside of the windshield even when the outside (fresh) air position is selected. If this happens, have the cli-mate control air filter replaced by an authorized Kia dealer.
NOTICE
- Replace the filter according to the Maintenance Schedule. If the vehicle is being driven in severe conditions, such as dusty or rough roads, more frequent air conditioner filter inspections and changes are required.
- When the air flow rate suddenly decreases, the system should be checked at an authorized Kia dealer.
Checking the amount of air conditioner refrigerant and compressor lubricant
When the amount of refrigerant is low, the performance of the air conditioning is reduced. Overfilling also has a negative impact on the air conditioning system.
Therefore, if abnormal operation is found, have the system inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
WARNING
The oil and refrigerant in your vehicle’s air conditioning system is under very high pressure. If proper service procedures are not followed an explosion may result. To reduce the risk of serious injury or death, the air conditioning system in your vehicle should only be serviced by trained and certified technicians.
CAUTION
It is important that the correct type and amount of oil and refrigerant is used, otherwise damage to the vehicle may occur. To prevent damage, the air conditioning system in your vehicle should only be serviced by trained and certified technicians.
WARNING
Vehicles equipped with R-1234yf
Since the refrigerant is mildly
inflammable and operated at high pressure, the air conditioning system should only be serviced by trained and certified technicians. (Refer to the SAE J2845)
It is important that the correct type and amount of oil and refrigerant are used.
All refrigerants should be reclaimed with proper equipment. Venting refrigerants directly to the atmosphere is harmful to individuals and environment.
Failure to heed these warnings can lead to serious injuries.
Air Conditioning refrigerant label
Example
* The actual Air Conditioning refrigerant label in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.
Each symbol and specification on the air conditioning refrigerant label is represented below:
- Classification of refrigerant
- Amount of refrigerant
- Classification of Compressor lubricant
- Caution
- Flammable Refrigerant
- Requires Registered Technician to Service Air Conditioning system
Refer to “Refrigerant label” on page 8-12 for more detail on the location of air conditioning refrigerant label.
FAQs
- How does the automatic climate control system in the Kia Soul 2023 work?
The Kia Soul 2023’s automatic climate control system uses sensors to continuously check the interior temperature and adjust the airflow, fan speed, and temperature settings as necessary. - Can I control the automatic climate control system manually?
If you’d like more control over the system, you can manually change the settings for the temperature, fan speed, and airflow. - Are there separate controls for the driver and passenger sides?
Yes, the Kia Soul 2023 has a dual-zone automatic climate control system that enables the driver and front passenger to set their preferred temperatures independently. - Can I sync the temperature settings for both sides?
In order to ensure uniform comfort throughout the cabin, it is possible to synchronize the temperature settings for the driver’s and passenger’s sides. - Does the Kia Soul 2023 have rear-seat climate controls?
The passengers in the back seats do not have their own climate controls. However, the airflow from the front vents can be changed to provide comfort for the back seats. - How does the system adjust to changing external conditions?
To maintain a cosy cabin atmosphere, the automatic climate control system considers the outside temperature and humidity levels. - Can I set a specific temperature for the automatic climate control system?
Yes, you can use the controls to set a specific temperature or use the temperature increase and decrease buttons to change it. - Does the system have a feature to defrost or defog the windshield?
The defrost/defog feature of the automatic climate control system does, in fact, send warm air towards the windscreen to clear frost or fog. - Can I control the automatic climate control system remotely through a mobile app?
Kia Soul 2023 might provide mobile app remote control features that let you change the climate control settings before getting in the car. The vehicle’s manual or Kia should be consulted for details as specific app features may vary. - Does the system have an automatic recirculation feature?
Yes, the automatic climate control system can switch to recirculation mode to reduce the amount of outside air it draws in, aiding in more effectively maintaining the desired temperature. - Is there an option for seat ventilation or heating?
The Kia Soul 2023’s specific trim level and option selection will determine whether or not seat ventilation or heating is available. These features might be offered separately or as part of a package by some models. - How does the system handle air distribution?
The Kia Soul 2023’s automatic climate control system gives you the option to direct the airflow where you want it by choosing from floor, face, or defrost modes. - Can I adjust the fan speed automatically?
The fan speed is changed by the automatic climate control system according to the target temperature and the difference between the current and desired temperatures. - Does the system have a filter to improve air quality?
Yes, the Kia Soul 2023 is equipped with an air filter that helps remove dust, pollen, and other particles, providing better air quality inside the cabin. - Can I disable the automatic climate control system if I prefer manual control?
If you’d rather have complete control over the settings, you can turn off the automatic climate control system and switch to manual mode.
Useful Links
View Full User Guide: Kia Soul 2023 Owner’s Manual | Auto User Guide
Download Manuals: Kia | Owner’s Manuals and Documents | Kia