Thread: A few issues on my 2012 Soul. Headlights, Temp control, Trans, wipers and Bluetooth

Hello, I just bought a 2011 Kia Soul (topic line says 2012 but it wont let me change it) at the end of last month. Over the last few weeks I have noticed a few problems and havent had time to go back to the dealer to ask about them. I appreciate any help anyone has to offer.

1: Headlights - When I turn my headlights on - all the other lights inside the car, like the dash and the screen that shows my stereo settings, etc gets dimmer to the point I can barely see anything. When I turn it on it clicks to times - I cant see a real difference when I click it forward once aside from my inside lights getting dimmer. On the 2nd click forward they get even dimmer and THEN the headlights come on. Is this normal? I would really like to be able to control the brightness inside so I can see the control panel.

2. Temp Control - when I turn on my heat or change the setting it is at - sometime the AC light will automatically come on even though I didnt push the button. I have been sitting in my car before wondering why its still cold only to see the AC was on the whole time. I have watched that light automatically come on when Im changing he settings and do not see a pattern that could be causing this.

3. When I first start driving each day I notice the transmission acts a bit dramatic when changing to first and then second gear - it kinda "chugs" forward a bit harder than any other time. After that though its fine.

4. Wipers - hopefully this one is simple - My wiper fluid keep freezing! It has the fluid from the dealers in there - did they put a cheap one in that freezes? I have to wait til the weather cools before I can use them.

5. The last one IDK if you can help me with - but when I try to make a phone call using blue tooth - it works fine if I say the phone number. BUt if I say "Call John" The voice keeps saying it doesnt understand my command - I only have this issue when I want to call by name.

Sorry for all the questions - thank you in advance!

1. On the left side of the steering wheel next to the ESC off button there is a dial. Push it all the way up after the click then it is on full brightness. When you flick on the parking lights this dial controls the interior brightness.

2. I know it's somewhere here on the forum. It something like you press the A/C button so many time rapidly and it will turn on or off it you want.

3. I have a 2011 also and would like to know why too.

4. I use rain x all season bug wipe. It's cheap and better than the dealer fluid I think. And it puts rain x on the windshield so when it rains and I'm on the freeway I don't have to use my wipers because the rain flies right off.

5. You have to use the name you entered in the phone. Plus if you have two of the same first name say the last name also. I found its easier for the car to hear that way. Sometimes it will say the wrong person and I have to start over. It's not a perfect system after all it is kia . Also it may help if you allow the car do download a copy of your phone book in the car settings.

Sorry for any errors. Typing on my iPhone.

For the phone thing, have you made a voice profile yet? Makes it a lot easier.

No, thank you! This helps a lot - Ill try this out tonight and look in the forum some more for 2 and 3

Gosecki - I didnt set it up - the guy at KIA did - he took my phone and said he was downloading something to it and that was that - I thought he said my phone book was part of the download. I wonder if I need to try it again?

For #2, when you turn the temp dial all the way to the left, the AC automatically comes on (that's the max AC setting). At least that's how it works in 2013.

And I think the voice profile setup that Goseki mentioned is only available if you have UVO

Originally Posted by ohmystars

Gosecki - I didnt set it up - the guy at KIA did - he took my phone and said he was downloading something to it and that was that - I thought he said my phone book was part of the download. I wonder if I need to try it again?

Voice profile is different. Go into settings, Voice, than scroll down to the second page. There you can make your own voice profile. You'll read about 10 commands and the computer will adjust to your voice. If you have multiple entries for John, it should ask you which one and display all the similar entries.

Ok thank you! Ill try this out

drain the windshield washer fluid and fill it up with windshield washer antifreeze, not sure if your temperatures in Iowa are similar to here in southern Ontario, but I use that all year round, then you never have to worry about temperature changes.

I've had my Soul 14 months now and I have yet to fill the windshield washer container - still waiting for the low fluid light to come on to make sure it works (I've had two services but but a bag over the cap and tell them not to fill it).

(see my signature)

contact the mod, he can change the heading for you.

I've had my Soul 14 months now and I have yet to fill the windshield washer container - still waiting for the low fluid light to come on to make sure it works (I've had two services but but a bag over the cap and tell them not to fill it).

My soul does not have a low fluid indicator(or it doesn't work). I ran it empty and no light.


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