Kia Soul EV Forum

Hello folks!

In the last week I've noticed a whirring sound when accelerating from a standstill, which fades out as I gain speed. I don't hear it when decelerating (I think). It's a new sound, previously my Soul EV has been wonderfully silent to drive.

I haven't noticed any change in the handling or other driving characteristics. I'm about to go on a long road trip (1800Km) and wonder if I should be concerned enough to take it in beforehand, or it can wait until I get back.

I did see someone elses post back in May that sounded similar in description, but their recording of the sound had expired.

I welcome any thoughts and advice.

Could the sound you are hearing possibly be the sound they added to protect deaf pedestrians?

Some of us Kona owners including myself have found that a change of gear oil clears up a whining sound. I think the Soul gearbox is much the same as in all the traditional Hyundai/Kia EVs, meaning the Kona/Niro/Soul/Ioniq. Of around 20 Kona and Niro owners who have changed their oil, 19 found it pitch-black.

It's an easy DIY, drain and refill with 1.05 L of a 70W-75 GL4 such as Redline MT-LV.