Owner guide · Michigan City Kia · Michigan City, IN
Kia Soul Tire Pressure: The Right PSI and the TPMS Light
The Soul uses one cold tire pressure on every tire size, with a higher figure when it is fully loaded. This guide uses the 2025 Soul owner's manual (code SK3 on ownersmanual.kia.com), read November 4, 2026, for pressures by tire size, where the label is, how to check, what colder Michigan City weather does to the reading and what the tire pressure light means. Other model years can differ, so check the label on your vehicle.
33 psifront and rear, normal load (cold)
36 psifront and rear, maximum load
60 psicompact spare tire
1 psilost per 12°F drop, per Kia
What is the recommended tire pressure for a Kia Soul?
The 2025 Soul owner's manual lists 33 psi (2.3 bar, 230 kPa) front and rear, measured cold, for the 205/60R16, 215/55R17 and 235/45R18 tires at normal load, which the manual defines as up to 3 persons. At maximum load it lists 36 psi (2.5 bar, 260 kPa). The compact spare takes 60 psi (4.2 bar, 420 kPa). Your vehicle's figures are on the tire label on the driver's side center pillar.
Kia Soul tire pressures by size
| Tire size | Wheel size | Normal load, front and rear | Maximum load, front and rear |
|---|---|---|---|
| 205/60R16 | 6.5J x 16 | 33 psi (2.3 bar, 230 kPa) | 36 psi (2.5 bar, 260 kPa) |
| 215/55R17 | 7.0J x 17 | 33 psi (2.3 bar, 230 kPa) | 36 psi (2.5 bar, 260 kPa) |
| 235/45R18 | 7.5J x 18 | 33 psi (2.3 bar, 230 kPa) | 36 psi (2.5 bar, 260 kPa) |
| T125/80D16 compact spare | 4.0T x 16 | 60 psi (4.2 bar, 420 kPa) | 60 psi (4.2 bar, 420 kPa) |
From the Tires and wheels specifications table of the 2025 Soul web manual (SK3) on ownersmanual.kia.com, read November 4, 2026. The table lists one pressure for all three full size tires, the same front and rear; normal load is up to 3 persons.
Your tire size is printed on the tire sidewall. Kia says to use tires of the same type, size, brand, construction and tread pattern on all four wheels when replacing them. For high altitude, the manual notes that atmospheric pressure decreases, so check the tire pressure and add air when necessary; it lists 1.5 psi of additional pressure per kilometer above sea level.
Where to find the Soul tire pressure label
The manual says the tire label located on the driver's side center pillar gives the tire pressures recommended for your vehicle, and that all specifications (sizes and pressures) can be found on a label attached to the driver's side center pillar. Its TPMS section refers to the tire inflation pressure label on the driver's side center pillar outer panel.
If your Soul has tires of a different size than the label shows, Kia says you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.
How to check Soul tire pressure the way Kia recommends
Kia says to check tire pressure when the tires are cold, meaning the vehicle has been parked for at least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km), and to check the spare each time you check the other tires. Warm tires normally exceed recommended cold pressures by 4 to 6 psi (28 to 41 kPa); do not release air from warm tires to adjust them, or they will be underinflated.
- Use a good quality gauge. You cannot tell if your tires are properly inflated simply by looking at them; radial tires may look properly inflated even when they are underinflated.
- Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem and press the gauge firmly onto the valve.
- If the pressure is low, add air until you reach the recommended amount. If you overfill, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve, then recheck with the gauge.
- Put the valve caps back on. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Kia's checking section says to check your tires once a month or more, and its underinflation warning says to check and adjust pressure at least twice a month and before any long trips. You can also see tire pressures in the assist mode on the instrument cluster; they display 1 to 2 minutes after you start driving ("Drive to display" shows when stopped), and Kia notes the cluster reading may differ from a tire gauge.
Soul tire pressure in cold weather
Expect lower readings
Kia says tires typically lose 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F temperature drop, and that it is permissible to add 3 psi (21 kPa) to the standard specification if colder temperatures are expected soon.
Light on a cold morning
The low tire pressure telltale may appear in winter if the pressure was set in warm weather. Kia says this does not mean the TPMS is malfunctioning, because lower temperatures lower tire pressure.
Recheck when it changes
Kia says to check and adjust tire pressure when you drive from a warm area to a cold one or the reverse, or when the outside temperature is greatly higher or lower.
From the Tires and wheels specifications notice and the Low tire pressure position telltale topic of the 2025 Soul web manual, read November 4, 2026.
What the Soul tire pressure light means
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) detects the pressure of the tires and displays it on the cluster. When the TPMS warning indicators appear, one or more tires are significantly under-inflated. Kia says the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance.
If the telltale appears, the manual says to:
- Immediately reduce your speed, avoid hard cornering and anticipate increased stopping distances.
- Stop and check your tires as soon as possible.
- Inflate the tires to the pressure on the placard or label on the driver's side center pillar outer panel.
When the TPMS has a problem, the low tire pressure telltale blinks for about one minute and then stays on; Kia says to have the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible. Nearby radio transmitters, snow chains or electronic devices used in the vehicle can interfere with the TPMS. Kia also warns never to use a puncture-repairing agent it has not approved, because the sealant may damage the tire pressure sensor. Our service team can check tires and the TPMS; schedule service online.
Michigan City Kia service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. |
| Saturday | 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. |
From the service department hours in Michigan City Kia's website structured data, November 4, 2026. No Sunday service hours are listed. Holiday hours can differ.
Kia Soul tire pressure questions
What should the tire pressure be on a Kia Soul?
Kia's 2025 Soul owner's manual lists 33 psi (2.3 bar, 230 kPa) front and rear, measured cold, for normal load on the 205/60R16, 215/55R17 and 235/45R18 tires. At maximum load it lists 36 psi (2.5 bar, 260 kPa). The compact spare takes 60 psi.
What does normal load mean for the Soul?
The manual's tire table defines normal load as up to 3 persons. It lists 36 psi front and rear for maximum load.
Where is the Kia Soul tire pressure label?
On the driver's side center pillar. The manual says the tire label there gives the tire pressures recommended for your vehicle.
Why is my Soul tire pressure light on in cold weather?
The manual says the low tire pressure telltale may appear in winter or cold weather if the pressure was set in warm weather, because lower temperature lowers tire pressure. It does not mean the TPMS is malfunctioning. Check the tires cold and inflate them to the label pressure.
Can I add air for winter?
Kia's tire table notice says it is permissible to add 3 psi to the standard tire pressure specification if colder temperatures are expected soon, and that tires typically lose 1 psi for every 12 degrees F temperature drop.
Need your Soul tires checked?
Visit Michigan City Kia at 710 E. US Hwy 20 in Michigan City, IN. Our service team can check tire pressure, tread and the TPMS on your Soul.
Sources
Tire pressures, sizes, the label location, checking steps, cold-weather notes and TPMS guidance are from the 2025 Kia Soul owner's manual (SK3) on ownersmanual.kia.com, read November 4, 2026. Other model years can differ. Address and hours are from Michigan City Kia's own website. Image: Kia America.
- 2025 Soul Owner's Manual (SK3), Specifications: Tires and wheels (tire and wheel sizes, cold inflation pressures at normal and maximum load, compact spare, cold-weather and altitude notices), Kia America, read November 4, 2026
- 2025 Soul Owner's Manual (SK3): Tire specification and pressure label, Kia America, read November 4, 2026
- 2025 Soul Owner's Manual (SK3), Maintenance: Tires and wheels (recommended cold tire inflation pressures, tire pressure precautions), Kia America, read November 4, 2026
- 2025 Soul Owner's Manual (SK3): Checking tire inflation pressure, Kia America, read November 4, 2026
- 2025 Soul Owner's Manual (SK3): Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Kia America, read November 4, 2026
- 2025 Soul Owner's Manual (SK3): Low tire pressure position telltale, Kia America, read November 4, 2026
- 2025 Soul Owner's Manual (SK3): TPMS malfunction indicator, Kia America, read November 4, 2026
- 2025 Soul Owner's Manual (SK3): Tire replacement with TPMS, Kia America, read November 4, 2026
- 2025 Soul Owner's Manual (SK3) home: cover image, Kia America, read November 4, 2026
- Address, map coordinates, logo and service department hours (structured data), Michigan City Kia, November 4, 2026
- Schedule service page, Michigan City Kia, November 4, 2026
- Kia service center at Michigan City Kia, Michigan City Kia, November 4, 2026
