If you’re experiencing issues with your 2010 Kia Soul’s battery, a wireless car scanner can be invaluable. However, getting an accurate State of Health (SOH) reading from your Kia dealer requires careful attention. Dealers often rely solely on the Kia Diagnostic Unit (KDU), which might not provide the complete picture. Some dealers may attempt to update the Battery Management System (BMS) believing it improves the Guess-o-Meter (GoM) reading. Unfortunately, this often resets the BMS to default values, resulting in artificially high SOH readings exceeding 70% and masking potential battery problems.
To ensure a precise diagnosis, familiarize yourself with Kia Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) PS548. Request that the dealer explicitly follow the procedure outlined in the TSB, emphasizing the importance of reading BMS data before applying any updates. Applying updates first can skew the SOH reading, preventing an accurate assessment. Highlight the crucial steps in a copy of the TSB and bring it to the dealer’s attention. A reading below 70% should trigger a report to Kia Corporate, potentially leading to a battery replacement.
You can also independently calculate your Soul’s battery SOH. After fully charging and resetting the miles/kWh display (it will show “–“), record your mileage and battery percentage (if not at 100%). At the next charge, note the mileage and battery percentage before plugging in and record the miles/kWh value. Subtract the initial mileage from the current mileage and divide the result by the miles/kWh value to determine kWh consumed. Then, divide this figure by the difference in battery percentages expressed as a decimal (e.g., a 10% difference is 0.1). This calculates the usable battery capacity at a 100% charge. Finally, divide this result by your Soul’s nominal battery capacity (27, 30, 39.2, or 64 kWh, depending on the specific model) and multiply by 100 to obtain the SOH percentage. This method has been verified against professional diagnostic tools and provides comparable results.
By understanding these procedures and utilizing a wireless car scanner compatible with your Kia 2010 Soul, you can proactively monitor your battery health and ensure accurate diagnoses, potentially saving you time and money in the long run. A reliable wireless scanner empowers you with the knowledge to address battery concerns effectively and confidently. While a trip to the dealership is sometimes necessary, understanding how to interpret the data and advocate for proper testing procedures is essential for Kia Soul owners.
