Congrats on your 2013 Soul purchase James the flame! Not to "fan the flame" of the firepit of oil opinions, I would follow what the owners manual says until you have a reason not to.

More than likely a full synthetic 5W-20 or 30 would be a good place to start. If the car is burning oil, consider the high mileage oil.

Most importantly, change the oil on time, which may be at around 3500 miles under "severe usage" guidelines for hot weather Texas and if you drive short trips or in dusty areas.

 

I’m going to disagree with Geo a little bit.

In your owners manual they “allow” up to 10w30 for your engine in the US. I would use that first and monitor it for consumption. In other parts of the world without CAFE requirements, the oil the previous owner wrote under the hood is fine for your engine, especially in the Texas heat.

There’s a fella on another forum with the 1.6L GDI in a Hyundai Accent that wouldn’t hesitate to use 20w50 in the summer. He has almost 200k on that engine.

These engines are dirty. I would change it no more than 4,000 miles and check it regularly until you’re sure there is no oil consumption. Full synthetic is a good idea, any brand is fine. The cost difference isn’t much if you’re doing the oil change yourself.

 

I'm onboard with all that! I use 5W-30 in mine. Like you said the manual says 5W-20 and/or 30.

I think for James it should depend on how the engine is getting along with the oil now. He should probably pop in a new PCV valve & air filter.

 

I did put in a new air filter AND replaced the cabin air filter. The cabin filter looked as if it had NEVER been changed!! Totally covered with dust and dog hair! UGH!! Where is the PCV valve located? Easy to change? I did my own oil and filter changes myself.

 

Where is the PCV valve located? Easy to change?

Right on top of the engine. Very easy.

 

Some good information is given, when there's more than one person you'll always get different opinions. Suggest high milage full synthetic motor oil. The high-milage oil treats the rubber, which prevents oil leaks. I personally use Walmart brand synthetic motor oil $20 for 5 quarts and a middle-of-the-line oil filter $10. Living in Florida I use 10w-30 weight motor oil.

 

Thanks for help. I changed oil to 10w30 Castrol high milage full synthetic and used a Wix oil filter. I will change every 5000 miles or less. I ordered a PVC valve to be picked up today. # places wanted $81-$85 to change just my oil and filter!! I did it myself for $45 in 20 minutes on the ground! Very easy!

 

Update...I replaced the pvc valve even though the old one rattled very well. It was $16 at O'rileys. Peace of mind knowing it is new. One note...after changing my oil I now seem to hear a VERY light "ticking" in the engine with the hood up? It is so slight that I really can't hear it with the hood closed? Maybe it was there before but I don't think so. Any suggestions? I have double checked oil level and it is good. Engine has near 180,000 miles now.

 

It's a topic covered many times james, and of course ones own choice, on wether to use an OEM filter specifically designed for your car or a 3rd party. You mentioned using a WIX.

I'm lazy, and went the course of least resistance and use OEM filters. They are inexpensive and also, as GeekontheHill attests, great filters. For those still under warranty, it could make a claim "less complicated" by removing the 3rd party element.

 

I run 5w-30 fully syn in both my 2010 that has 220k and my 2014 that has 140k in NW Georgia... I would start there. 20w-50 is a bit thick for these small tight motors... just my 2 cents!

EDIT: And yes use OEM filters! Buy a few at the dealers or online. At the dealers you'll know they are real and not counterfeit which can apparently happen! Since I have 2 Souls now I just buy a 10 pack!

PS: Both of mine tick both for whatever reasons. In fact my Suzuki motorcycle with 80k ticks and in the motorcycle world a ticky valve is a good valve! I wouldn't worry if you only hear it with the hood open!

 

I would stay with the Castrol. These cars do not call for full synthetic.

 

 

Just my two cents, my '11 Soul + with the 2.0 auto has been on a steady diet of 5W20 full synthetic since it's first oil change...all Amsoil including filter...so far, so good...

 

With how many miles?

 

There is a reason the prior owner left a note under the hood stating to use 20w50. Notes like that almost always pertain to oil consumption.

Where you live in Texas, 20w50 would be a no-brainer. The lightest oil I would feed that engine is 10w40 - then cross your fingers it works.

Trip777

 

Wow!! Just left the Kia dealership. i purchased genuine Kia oil filters for my 2013 Soul with the 2.0 engine. They ONLY cost me $6.58 each!!!! With sales tax, 2 filters was ONLY $14.25!!!! I'm impressed! Part #26300 35505

 

Dam! They raped me I paid in January $10.50 for my 2020 LX 2.0 engine!

 

At all these prices they are still the cheapest oil filters I have purchased for ANY cars I have ever owned! And I have owned near 100 cars in my life!!

 

....And I have owned near 100 cars in my life!!

Wow

 

We use 5W20 extended performance synthetic oil here in British Columbia wildfire country where the temperatures range from -22C in the winter to 49C in the summer. (-8F to 120F). Oil loss is minimal. The Soul resides year round in a garage.

That said, if we were living in a place like eastern Texas, I would use 5W30 extended performance synthetic oil.

If a heavier grade of oil was called for I would immediately ask what was wrong with the engine and what critical maintenance had not been performed.

 

Damn, this is a tricky answer on this. As I'm sure you know 20/50 engine oil is designed for race engines! High sustained rpm engines that must hold up to higher heat from the stress of facing engines. When building a true race designed motor a ton of effort is designed into an expectation this engine must service 500 miles plus possibly another 100 on the outside. Never 100,000 miles of daily driving. No for emissions reasons all new engine design's keep tight clearances with expectations of little to no blow by etc . These tight clearances called for less viscosity as the spaces this oil was to pass through are not designed to give any space. Trying to push a 50 w oil through the limited space can best be compared to trying to suck a thick shake through a straw VS a soda through that straw! I fear you will find switching over from this oil at this point will likely result in clatter, potential oil burning out the tail pipe and heating issues. I have run in my 3 , 2.0 nothing but fully synthetic and the 5 w 20 it called for but have 75,000 miles less than you and live in warmer climate. I hope this helps. PS 45 years a mechanic wit ASE certs. So You could say I may have a clue on things.

 

I use Royal Purple 5w-20 and Mobile 1 high mileage 5w-20 back and forth. I am at 272k miles

 

That's an impressive odometer reading. What year & trim of Soul do you drive?