Blog

King Kia wants to wish you a happy fall! That’s right, it’s fall and before we know it the temperature outside is going to be dropping low. However, some of you might know that your tire’s PSI is probably going to be dropping low with the temperature. In fact, the outside weather can affect your tire in a big way. Outside temperatures can cause tire pressure to vary by as much as 1 psi per 10 degrees. If your tire pressure drops too low, you can cause problems/ damage to your vehicle and even put your and your passenger’s safety in jeopardy. So to avoid this from happening to you when the temperatures drop low, be sure to check out our PSI tips and tricks below or schedule your service appointment with us today! Why it’s important to check your tire pressure… Your safety Longer lasting tires Improved handling and control Reduced risk of accidents and blowouts Better fuel economy Reduced carbon footprint Tips for Checking and Filling Your Tires When the temperature drops, we suggest checking your tire pressure. Outside temperatures can cause tire pressure to vary by as much as 1 psi per 10 degrees. What’s the right PSI level? The recommended PSI for your vehicle’s tires is determined by the vehicle’s manufacturer and the recommended tire size. You can find this information in your owner’s manual or on the placard inside of the door edge, glove box door, or fuel door. In most newer vehicles, your vehicle will alert you when your vehicle’s tires fall below the recommended PSI Do NOT use the max PSI that is printed on the tire sidewall. The pressure amount on the tire is normally the maximum allowed pressure. Over-inflation can lead to poor handling and comfort, overheating, and blowouts. How to properly inflate your tires. If you do not have air at home, most gas stations have an air pump for you to use. Remove dust caps from the tires’ valve stems. Insert your tire gauge into the tire valve and leave it in for a few seconds When you remove it, the gauge will provide a PSI reading If the tire gauge’s recorded reading is higher than the manufacturer-recommended rating, press the gauge tip on the valve stem until you hear air leak out. Check the tire pressure again. If the reading is lower than recommended, you will need to fill the tire with air. When filling the tire, firmly press the air-hose into the valve, as you did with the tire gauge When you think you’ve added or let out enough air, check the pressure a few times with the gauge. Return the valve dust caps. Service Your Kia Tires Now: https://www.thekiatiresource.com/?uid=7A8CDB5C-04FF-498C-A177415036182021

Cleaning your ride shouldn’t be a hassle. It shouldn’t take up your entire weekend. And it shouldn’t leave you frustrated. This week, we have three ways to focus on your vehicle so you can get the job done quickly and easily in your free time. We encourage you to take a look at those tips below, get out there to clean up your ride, and celebrate a fresh start to a new month! And as always, if you’re ready to upgrade into a brand new Kia - come see our team right here this month! Undercarriage Cleaning Many car owners always keep the visible parts of their vehicle clean and sparkly. But what about the undercarriage of your vehicle? While your vehicle’s undercarriage is always just inches off the ground, it’s important to clean up and get rid of any road-borne impurities that come in contact with your undercarriage. Especially with slush and road salt quickly approaching in the upcoming winter months. It’s important to clean it well, clean it often. Exterior Protection This is a little easier but still a task that takes a bit of elbow grease to complete and complete right. Impurities that lie hidden in moisture can lead to slowly eating away at your paint job, no matter how good it is. It’s important to ensure your car is waxed periodically and put that protective barrier between your paint and the elements! Interior cleaning Everything you tread on outside of your vehicle always makes its way inside your car at one point or another. While it may be difficult to get out of the vacuum and get into all the nooks and crannies, it’s extremely important to do so. Apart from the feeling that comes from being in a clean interior, you don’t want to find yourself with upholstery damage because you neglected to clean your ride. Get out that vacuum and make it sparkle. And a pro tip, add a new air freshener to freshen up the interior smell of your vehicle! Your New Kia Waits Here! >> https://www.kingautokia.com/searchnew.aspx

Happy July! Can you believe that this month is almost gone and we’re almost into our last month of summer?! We surely can’t believe it - time is flying! This week we are focusing on ensuring that your vehicle is ready for all that is to come in the last few weeks of summer! While you can do most of these services at home, we encourage you to stop in to see our team and let us get your vehicle ready. Ready to learn about those summer service tips? Check it out below! 5 Summer Services: Check your coolant system When temperatures are rising, it’s important to keep cool. Ourselves and our vehicles. In addition to checking up on the coolant fluid levels, it’s important to check the state of the hoses and the coolant reservoir. Any leaks should be addressed as soon as possible. And hoses should be firm. Windshield wipers While it is summer, it is bound to rain at a point to help cool things off. That means you need a good set of wipers that will keep excess water off your windshield and your vision clear. A good habit to start is checking on your wipers every time you stop for gas or change them every oil change. Engine belts Over time your engine belt can become loose, deteriorate, and start to squeal. It’s important to have your engine belt checked to ensure there are no cracks, missing pieces, and that there is the right amount of tension. Tires While you should be checking your tires year-round, summer is a great time to ensure that tire pressure levels are correct and you still have a good amount of tread still. Summer is the season of road trips, so it’s important to keep up to date with your tires. Plus, be sure to check up on your spare tire as well. Air Filters Winter is known for clogging your windshield-washer nozzle and your car’s air filters. So, when summer hits, it’s important to make sure these areas are clean and ready to go. Sometimes you can change filters yourself but if you’re not sure, ask a technician! Schedule Your Service Here! >>> https://www.kingautokia.com/schedule-service.html

Say goodbye to the stress of packing! With the Fourth of July just days away, we are confident many of you will be packing up the car and hitting the road for some fun in the sun. Lucky for you, we have your ultimate packing checklist. No, we’re not talking about a checklist for a pair of shoes or your bathing suit, this is everything you’ll need while in the car in case you run into a bump in the road and important things to have on long drives. So, before you hit the road, be sure to take a peek below and get your ride ready for a long drive. And if you haven’t scheduled your regular maintenance appointment, be sure to do that online now! Keep your car on the road with these essentials License and registration A copy of your car insurance policy and the relevant contact numbers Your car’s manual A spare tire Roadside Emergency Kit Little road trip accessories that can make a big difference Paper maps/ map apps (technology doesn’t always work, having a back is always a good plan) Spare  money in case of an emergency A notebook and pen in the case that you need to leave a note or write information down First aid kit Flashlight Bug spray Large water bottles Toilet roll Stay connected & Entertained Phone chargers Bluetooth/wireless hands-free kit for your mobile phones Killer road trip playlist Don’t forget your camera for memories! Portable WiFi A good book or two Travel games for both the car and when you get to your destination Find Your Dream Road Trip Ride Here!

Spring checking in - are you ready for an adventure? We thought so! And we’re ready to help you get ready for all of those springtime adventures. That all starts right here on our blog and this week we are discussing all things air filters. And if you haven’t swapped those babies out in a while, it’s definitely time to schedule an appointment with our team and hurry on by! We look forward to working with you and your Kia and we hope to see you soon for some air filter maintenance! The Purpose of Filters The answer is pretty easy, your vehicle air filter keeps debris, dirt, leaves, and other particles out of your engine so that it can operate at peak efficiency. Filters are often composed of pleated paper or cardboard material and are either rectangular or cylinder in shape. Neglecting to change your air filters can lead to: Decreased engine power Poor acceleration Poor engine health Higher RPMs leading to more wear on your engine The Benefits of Changing Filters It’s been known that when you change your air filter, your fuel mileage can increase upwards to 14% for more modern cars. Changing your filters can prolong the life of your vehicle since these trapped dirt, debris, and other particles can lead to costly repairs on your engine. Keep a close eye on your filters and consider changing them every time you have an oil change. How To Know When To Change Filters should be changed around every 15,000 to 60,000 miles depending on the make of your vehicle. If you find yourself traveling dusty or dirty roads more often, your filters will likely need to be replaced more often. Keep an eye on these tops signs to ensure when to swap: Your vehicle is having issues with acceleration Your RPMs are higher than normal A visual inspection of your filter shows it to be dirty Schedule Your Service Appointment Today!

Happy February! Can you believe that we already had a big snowstorm this month?! And while we are digging out here at the dealership, we put together a few winter driving tricks to help you conquer the winter snow here in Gaithersburg! Check out that guide below and we hope you take advantage of these tips this winter. And when you’re ready to service your vehicle, schedule your appointment with our team online today. We look forward to getting your vehicle in proper condition this season! Deal With Skids When skids happen, it’s important not to panic, stay calm, and don’t stab on the brakes. For a front-wheel skid, ease off the gas, in a moment or two, the wheels should regain traction. Then aim where you want to go as your traction returns. For rear skids, quickly turn the steering wheel in the same direction the rear is sliding. Ease off the gas and brakes. Steer back in the original direction when you regain traction. Constantly Assess Traction During a snowy/ icy drive, it’s important to continuously assess your traction situation. If your vehicle is equipped with ABS systems, traction-control systems, or stability-control systems, your vehicle is more likely to have a successful trip. But don’t rely strictly on these systems. It’s important to stay vigilant and cautious when on the road. Drive Smooth Be deliberate, gentle, and gradual. It’s important to drive smoothly and make no jerky movements that can cause an accident slip on the road. A good life hack is to pretend you’re driving with a hot cup of coffee in your lap and you don’t want to spill it. Look Ahead & Look Here When roads get more slippery, you should be looking farther down the road and anticipate what to do next. If there are turns, slow way down. When roads are wet, allow double the stopping distance and triple with snow, and even more with ice. Use extra caution and concentration. If you feel your vehicle beginning to slide, always look where you want your vehicle to go, not where it’s heading at the current moment. Schedule Service Here!

Happy Holiday’s Kia lovers! Can you believe that it’s already the week of Christmas? It’s hard for us to believe that we’re already getting ready to close up on 2020 but we want to get you ready for the holiday season with a few tips from the CDC. Whether you’re hosting or attending a holiday party, we want to help keep your family safe and healthy. Check out all of those tips below and hurry on in to see our team for a test drive in one of our amazing new 2021 or 2020 models! Let’s talk safety tips first! Attending a Winter Holiday Celebration Have conversations with the host ahead of time to understand expectations for celebrating together. Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, utensils, and condiment packets. Wear a mask indoors and outdoors. Avoid shouting or singing. Stay home if you are sick or have been near someone who thinks they may have or have been exposed to COVID-19. It’s okay if you decide to stay home and remain apart from others. Do what’s best for you. Hosting a Winter Holiday Celebration Have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together. Limit the number of guests. Have a small, outdoor celebration with family and friends who live in your community, weather-permitting. Have extra unused masks available for your guests and encourage everyone to wear them inside and outside. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use. If celebrating indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible. You can use a window fan in one of the open windows to blow air out of the window. This will pull fresh air in through the other open windows. Have a separate space for guests to wash their hands or provide hand sanitizer. Keep background music volume low so guests don’t need to shout. Cancel your gathering if you or someone who lives with you is sick or has been near someone who thinks they have or has COVID-19. It’s okay if you decide to postpone or cancel your gathering. Do what’s best for you. Food and Beverages at Celebrations Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils. Avoid going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen. Use single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packets, and disposable items like food containers, plates, and utensils. Use a touchless garbage can, if available. Consider Other Winter Holiday Activities Host a virtual celebration with friends and family Gather virtually for a gift exchange or activity Throw a virtual dance party Enjoy the winter weather, if you live somewhere with snow Browse Our Inventory Today!

Happy Thanksgiving week! If you’re anything like us, you’re just as excited to scooch your chair up to the table and feast this week! But first, it’s important to stay safe and healthy this season. We have put together a list of ways that you can stay healthy. We encourage you to check all of those details out below and be sure to share them with your family and friends. Also, if you’re ready to upgrade to a brand new Kia, we encourage you to hurry in this holiday season and take advantage of great specials and incentives that are happening here at King Kia! Wear a mask Wear a mask with two or more layers to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Always wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin. Your mask should fit snugly against the sides of your face. Stay at least 6 feet away Remember that people without symptoms may be able to spread COVID-19 or flu. Staying 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others, who don’t reside with you, is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick. Wash your hands Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Keep hand sanitizer with you and use it when you are unable to wash your hands. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for extra caution. Consider other Thanksgiving Activities While you might not be able to gather, consider hosting a virtual Thanksgiving dinner or activity to interact with those who are unable to gather. Try sharing recipes that are new to the table or share old memories with one another. Consider playing a game together or watch sporting events together. Shopping sales online & with family can remind you of the days spent together flipping through ads and catalogs together. Arrive In A Brand New Kia! Shop Here!

Are you ready to upgrade into a brand new Kia this month but the entire car buying process is scary to you? Don’t stress - this week we are debunking 5 car buying myths and hopefully will help put your mind at ease when you stop in to upgrade your vehicle with our team. Take some time to check out those details below, browse our inventory, and schedule an appointment with us to answer any questions you might still have. We look forward to working with you soon! Your own financing is better Most customers think that bringing their own financing is best but when you choose to finance through the dealership, you’ll have access to various discounts whether it’s on the vehicle of your choosing or your interest rates. Wait to mention your trade-in Absolutely not! We recommend bringing up your trade up front and be honest about what you’re looking to achieve when you trade in your vehicle with us. Being upfront with our team can save you time and money. So mention it upfront and let’s get you behind the wheel sooner rather than later! The internet is the best place for a great deal Buying a new vehicle online isn’t always your best option. The lease or finance rate, trade-in price, and other factors play into getting the best deal on a new vehicle. We encourage you to stop in and visit with our finance team for the best possible deal on a brand new vehicle! Paying with cash will get you the best price Paying for a new vehicle in cash isn’t always the best option. Choosing the right finance option for you is important and something our finance team can assist you with. Waiting until the end of the month will get you a better deal When you shop at our dealership, you’ll have access to great offers and incentives all month long. And on a variety of models, too. So there’s no reason to wait until the very end of the month to grab a great deal. Shop all month long and get a great price no matter what! Upgrade Into A Brand New Kia!

It’s that time of year again, things are getting spooky and we’re ready to celebrate! But before you head out, it’s important to remember that things are looking much differently this year so it’s important to check with local officials to ensure that events are taking place in your community. And if they are, we encourage you to use our tips below that will help you and your family stay safe and healthy this weekend! Or if you’re looking for alternative options, we have you covered this Halloween! Check out those details below and be sure to visit the CDC’s website if you’re in need of further information. Virtual Costume Parties - Today’s age offers plenty of technology to a wide variety of audiences which means you can use them to your advantage this Halloween weekend! We recommend setting a time with friends and family that you all can join and enjoy the time together! And don’t forget to pass out the virtual candy! Make Masks A Costume Prop - We know that it might be difficult to get your kiddos to wear those masks but if you make it part of their costume, you might have a winning way to stay safe this weekend. Some great options are surgeons, superheroes, or even evil characters! Be sure to double line with an approved mask! Spooky Movie Night Things definitely look a lot different this year so maybe it’s time to switch up those traditions! Like having a spooky movie night instead of heading out to trick or treat! Of course, we recommend some fan-favorite age-appropriate movies like Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, or Hocus Pocus! Did we say that one twice?! Outdoor Community Events - If your community is having a few outdoor events, we encourage you to attend but be safe and mindful of you and your family while in attendance. Be sure to pack your masks and extras in case. Hand sanitizer is also a must-have these days. Always choose events where physical distancing and one-way walkthroughs are enforced. As always, remind your children of potential dangers when out and about and to always be on alert. And now you have all those tips and tricks but what if you’re ready to treat yourself to a new Kia this October? Then we encourage you to stop in to see our team this week and let us help you upgrade into a brand new Kia that fits your budget and lifestyle. From the new Seltos, Stinger, and even the K5 - there are plenty of options waiting for you all right here at King Kia! Hurry in today! Stay Spooky In A New Kia!

Would you admit if you were a bad driver? What if you practiced poor driving habits, would you admit that? Probably not and we don’t blame you. But this week we’re here to help you decipher those poor driving habits and why it’s important to shake those out of your system this October! And if you’re in need of upgrading and starting fresh in a new Kia, the team at King Kia is here to assist you with all of your vehicle needs. First, let’s talk about those habits, and then let’s get you behind the wheel! Using your cellphone while behind the wheel. We know it might be difficult to ignore your phone when you’re behind the wheel, but it’s essential to your safety that you keep your eyes on the road ahead. Distracted driving has become an increasingly important issue, more states have cracked down on the usage of a mobile device when driving. Driving with headphones on Listening to music coming through your vehicle’s radio can be distracting enough. Now add headphones to your ears. This is shutting out important vehicle and road noises that may be key indicators something is wrong. Changing lanes without signaling Whether you’re in heavy traffic or not - it’s important to signal when you’re turning or changing lanes. Drivers need to know your intentions. Don’t be lazy, turn your blinker on and be a good driver. Speeding We get it, you’re running late and traffic isn’t heavy - it’s easy to step on it a little bit. But did you know that in 2015, IIHS reported 27% of crash fatalities were related to speeding? In short, slow down and get there safe. Tailgating Following a vehicle too close while not paying close enough attention is a recipe for disaster. And can even result in a ticket. Keep at least one car length behind and stay safe. Not having your headlights on Only needing your headlights at night is a habit to break. When weather conditions are poor or you’re traveling at dusk, turn them on. It’s important to make your presence known when you’re on the roadway. Not wearing a seatbelt Click it or ticket. It’s pretty simple and it keeps you safe. According to NHTSA—at least 27 million Americans still don’t buckle up yet seatbelts saved almost 14,000 lives in 2015 alone. So do us a favor, buckle up. Upgrade Into A New Kia Today!

Fall is here and October is car care month! Did you know that? No?! Well, it is. This means if there’s any time that is most perfect to service your vehicle, it’s right here this month at King Kia! Below is a list of 10 helpful car care tips to ensure that you don’t miss an inch when ensuring your vehicle is safe to be on the road. Not sure if you can handle the DIY service? Not to worry - we can assist with that! Schedule a service appointment with our team online today and let us know how and what we can do for you or your Kia! We hope to see you soon! Schedule your appointment today! 10 Car Care Tips: Check your tires tread and PSI levels Replace your windshield wipers and add washer fluid Check and fill all other fluids Ensure that all of your interior and exterior lights are properly working Inspect your brakes and ensure they’re working properly Turn up the heat & ensure your heater is working properly Stop in to take care of outstanding maintenance (tire rotation, oil changes, filter replacements) Address your known vehicle concerns Store summer tires properly/ store classic vehicles properly Accessorize for the season (is your winter car care kit ready to go?) Snag A Service Appointment Here!