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Whether you like to be the life of the party all of the time or just some of the time, this week we are going to help you become the life of each and every tailgate! Plus, with a capable Kia vehicle, owning a tailgate has never been so easy. We encourage you to check out those tailgate tips below and be sure to stop in to see our team if we can assist you in getting behind the wheel. We hope to see you soon and look forward to working with you! Come see the team at King Kia! Food & Drinks- no tailgate is complete without a great selection of snacks and drinks. Pack up the portable grill, be sure that you have enough propane to cook those yummy tailgate foods and bring the proper utensils needed to cook. When it comes to your cooler, use frozen bottles of water to keep your things cold. When they thaw, you’ll then have bottled water without having to take up any extra space. Plastic Tote Bin- when it comes time to clean up, a plastic tote can keep things organized and will keep your backseat free from garbage and messy plates from rolling around. You can load it up, easily carry it to your vehicle and store it in the back when the party's over. Pop-Up Table- every tailgate needs a table. Pop-up tables are both easy to use and will save space in the back of your Kia! Plus, when it is time to take everything down just fold it in half and head off to the game! Pop-Up Tent- often times a pop-up tent isn’t thought about until you’ve been standing in the scorching hot sun for about 20 minutes. The fall is known for weather swings and can be cold one day and boiling hot the next. Prepare to keep your things shaded with a pop-up tent. Clean Up- cleaning up means the tailgate is over. But, with the right tools, the cleanup process can be fun, too! Bring hand sanitizer, wipes to clean off the grill, table, and perhaps your Kia, and be sure to pack a few garbage bags. You never know who may join the party but leave their trash!

Your Kia is a great investment to keep you on the road for all the miles ahead! So it just makes sense that you’ll want to take care of your vehicle and keep it looking good for as long as possible. Did you know that when you care for your car’s exterior properly, you’re also making sure that future damage is lessened and even eliminated in some cases? For example, when you decontaminate the paint, you make it harder for the paint to be damaged and start rusting away? Wax is not only great for a shine on your vehicle, but it keeps particulates from getting into the paint and causing microabrasions! These and our other car care tips listed below can same you a whole lot of time and money down the road! So, check them out below and, if you don’t have the time to act on these tips yourself, bring your car into the King Kia Service Center and let us do the job for you! Schedule your service appointment today! King Kias Exterior Care Tips: Wash Your Car Make sure that you’re washing your car properly. Whenever you wash your vehicle, make sure you’re using an automotive soap or shampoo in conjunction with a microfiber cloth or wash mitt. There are a lot of great YouTube videos out there about washing your car properly - take a look! Just make sure that you’re washing your vehicle regularly and not damaging the paint when you do it. Wax On Waxing your vehicle is the next important step. The wax (or protectant spray) not only makes sure that your paint looks great after you’ve washed it, but it can protect from dust, dirt, and other debris that can damage your car's exterior. Try A Clay Bar These can be bought at pretty much any auto parts store, or online, and are very effective in removing stuck-on or embedded contaminants from your paint and restoring the shine. Always lubricate the surface before using your clay bar, and follow the directions (or a video) to make sure you’re treating your paint well. Remember To Check Your Undercarriage If you find that your vehicle is susceptible to rust, or you’ve had problems with rust on your past vehicles, consider getting your vehicle undercoated to make sure that the undercarriage stays strong and free of rust, regardless of the weather. Touch Up The final thing to do is to spot-check and spot-fix if needed. If you notice a scratch on your vehicle, take care of it with touch-up paint and polish to keep rust from developing. If the scratch is deep, bring it to us as soon as possible so that we can take care of it for you. Always keep a weather eye out!

The spring season is upon us, are you and your vehicle ready for it?! Chances are, your vehicle is not after the winter season, and our team right here at King Kia wants to help get things back on track. This week we have put together a list of spring service tips to help you have a successful spring season full of fun and adventures. Check out those details below, snag a service offer on our specials page, and be sure to schedule your service appointment online today! We look forward to working with you and your Kia this March! Let’s get started! Wash Your Ride As temperatures are warming up, it’s important to visit the car wash and treat your vehicle to a little TLC. Make sure to wash the undercarriage of your vehicle to get rid of any winter buildup and debris. It’s also a great idea to have the interior of your vehicle detailed to ensure a fresh, clean start to spring. Check Your Battery Wintertime is known for making batteries weak and it’s important to have your battery tested to ensure its health. Also, if your battery is older than four years old, it’s a good rule of thumb to invest in a new one. Fill Up The Fluids During the winter, your vehicle’s fluids tend to drain easily and quickly. And with spring around the corner, you should be stopping in to have your fluids topped off and be sure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid too. Inspect & Align Your Tires Winter driving can be brutal on your tires and it’s important to ensure that there are no leaks, bulges, and lack of tread on your tires. Stop in and allow our team to inspect your tires, fill up to proper PSI levels, rotate and align them. Get Under The Hood While we’re at it, pop open to the hood (when cold) and give everything underneath a good look over. Inspect hoses, belts, caps, air filters, and make sure they are not cracked or damaged. If they are, be sure to schedule an appointment and have them replaced as soon as possible. Also, make sure your air filters are replaced so your air conditioning is ready when warm weather is officially here.

Can you hear that? It’s the sound of our Christmas Playlist already on repeat for the next few days! Have you created your own playlist? No? Well, lucky for you, you’ve come to the right place because this week, we have our Christmas playlist listed out below for you to enjoy! Whether you’re still wrapping, baking, and cooking or you’re done for the season, we encourage you to spread some cheer with these classics in your Kia! And if you’re looking to upgrade your ride before the new year, King Kia is here to help you with your needs! So, hurry on in to see our team today! King Kia's Holiday Playlist: All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey Last Christmas - Wham! It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Michael Buble Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande Rockin Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Mariah Carey Mistletoe - Justin Bieber Santa Baby - Ariana Grande Let It, Snow! Let It, Snow! Let It, Snow! - Frank Sinatra What Christmas Means To Me  - Stevie Wonder Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer - Dean Martin Last Christmas - Ariana Grande Thank God It’s Christmas - Queen Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry Frosty The Snowman - Ella Fitzgerald Shake Up Christmas - Train Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley I Still Believe In Santa Clause - LeAnn Rimes

One of the best parts of summer is getting to go on a road trip with your pet! But, before you hit the road in these hot temperatures, it’s important to know a few things about keeping your pet safe while traveling. We know you might know the basics and some of our tips may be refreshers but some might be new and will make your trip easier than ever before! Check out our travel tips below and if you have questions, we encourage you to ask your veterinarian to be sure your pet is up for making the trip! And if you’re looking to upgrade your ride to a brand new Kia, browse our available inventory today! King Kia’s Tips For Traveling With Your Pet: Never leave your pet alone in the vehicle. When traveling, plan your bathroom stops in dog-friendly places like parks or rest stops. Make sure your vehicle is ready for the trip. Whether you just stopped in to have service or it’s been some time, make sure that everything seems to be in proper working order. The last thing you need is to be dealing with a breakdown or broken AC along the way. Start early in the day. While summer temperatures are high in the mornings too, it’s a great idea to start the day early while temperatures are at their lowest. Take your pet for a walk or a little exercise while the temperatures are still bearable. Offer water often. Sometimes when traveling we forget to take a drink of water and if we’re forgetting, so is our pet. So it’s important to offer water often to ensure they are staying hydrated throughout the day. Also, grab a collapsible water bowl, they offer convenience and are easy to clean. Beware of the pavement. When temperatures are climbing, the asphalt temperature is hot as well. When you stop to hop out for a potty break or to stretch the legs, look for shady areas with grass. This will keep your pet from burning their paws. If you can’t find a grassy area, spread a towel on the ground to protect their paws while stretching or pour some water on the ground to cool it off. Watch out for signs of heat stress. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very dangerous conditions that even our pets can suffer from. Look out for lethargy, vomiting, agitation, uncontrollable panting, foaming at the mouth, and tongue and gums that turn from red to blue to gray. And always consult your veterinarian before traveling with your pet.

April showers bring May flowers, and may flowers cause allergy flare-ups. King Kia knows how hard it can be to enjoy beautiful spring drives when you’re suffering from allergy symptoms. So, we’ve come up with a guide of several ways to help allergy proof your vehicle. Read our tips listed below and get your ride spring ready! Oh, and if you don’t have the time or tools to follow along with some of our tips, you can schedule a service with our quick and efficient service professionals at King Kia in Gaithersburg, MD. We’ll thoroughly prep every inch of your vehicle for the season ahead and help you enjoy your rides in comfort. King Kia’s Guide to Allergy Proofing Your Vehicle: Wash Your Vehicle (Inside & Out) Wipe down your dashboard, steering wheel, controls, door handles, trim, and windows with a car safe cleaner to rid your cabin of any allergens. Rinsing off the air pollen that may have clung to the exterior of your vehicle can prevent it from being swept into your cabin. Replace The Cabin Air Filters Your old filters could be dirty and clogged and no longer do a good job of sifting out contaminants from the air being pumped into your cabin. Your filter should be replaced at least twice a year. Vacuum Frequently Frequently vacuum the carpets, mats, and seats to help remove all the dirt, pollen, and other allergens you may have tracked in. Replace Cloth Mats With Rubber Ones Rubber or plastic floor mats don’t hold moisture and house molds and mildews like the fabric ones do and rubber/plastic is much easier to rinse clean. Keep Pets Secure If traveling with your pet, you should always secure them in a carrier. It is the safest way for them to travel and has the added bonus of containing some of the fur and dander they may be shedding.

Finding the perfect gift for your significant other can be difficult, and if you don’t have the budget to buy them a new Kia, we understand. But we want to help make sure that you treat your loved one right, regardless of your budget. That’s why this week we have a couple of ideas that are sure to make your significant other smile and have you getting tons of brownie points for it! If you’re not about buying everything heart-shaped, then stick to something that is more sentimental than tangible. We have a couple of automotive displays of affection that are sure to show your significant other just how much you care about them without breaking the bank this Valentine’s day! Sweet Things To Do For Your Boo: Clean of their ride: It’s February and in most of the country we are experiencing snowfall. Get up a little earlier and take a few minutes to wipe the snow off their vehicle’s windshield, mirrors, and the rest of their vehicle! Don’t forget to start the car so they can get into a toasty vehicle! Have Their Coffee Ready To Go: It’s no secret the world runs on coffee, so take a second to get your significant other’s coffee ready and place it in the cupholder so that when they get in their toast vehicle their coffee, tea, cocoa, etc. is ready for them and they can take on the day! Maybe even stash some chocolate hearts in the cupholder for a sweet treat later in the day! Do Some Simple Preparation: If you’re on top of your gift-giving this year, order a small clip-on vase that attaches to the vehicle’s dashboard or clips onto the vehicle’s vents. Place a rose inside the vase or leave a valentine or two for a really cute surprise! Fill Up Their Gas Tank: A full tank = a full heart. Do something as simple as filling up their gas tank and put a smile on your loved one’s face when they slip behind the wheel! Pump Their Ride: If you have a couple of extra bucks and you’re willing to spend it on your loved one, bring their ride for a professional cleaning and interior detailing or if you live in a warm place and the weather is nice, do a little DIY to show just how much you care! Make Them A Mixtape: Make them a personalized playlist of love songs or songs that mean a lot to you both as a couple. This will be perfect for the commute to and from work and will really hit the soft spot! Find The Perfect Ride For Two Here: ​​ https://www.kingautokia.com/searchnew.aspx

Are you listening? Can you hear that sound? It’s our holiday playlist on repeat and luckily for you, we’re going to share this holiday season! Below, you’ll find our holiday playlist that will get any party started and help break the ice with friends or family you haven’t seen in quite some time! So, put it to good use, turn it up, and enjoy the season of giving! Cold December Night - Michael Bublé Little Drummer Boy - Josh Groban Silent Night - Idina Menzel Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Straight No Chaser White Christmas - Josh Groban When You Wish Upon A Star - Idina Menzel Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Pentatonix Winter Wonderland - Andra Day Silver Bells - Dean Martin Santa Baby - Michael Bublé Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Take 6 This Christmas - Seal You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Darius Rucker All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey My Favorite Things - Dave Brubeck Ready to upgrade your ride? Come see our team these last few days and allow us to help you slip behind the wheel of a new vehicle for less than you expected! There are HUGE savings happening at  King Kia & we promise you won’t regret stopping in. So hurry on over and let our team help you find the next perfect King Kia for you and your budget! Happy Holidays! Upgrade Your Ride Right Here: https://www.kingautokia.com/searchnew.aspx

So, you want to stay warm in your vehicle this holiday season but what do you know about keeping your ride warm? If the answer is not much, we have you covered! Check out our tips on this week’s blog and be sure to upgrade your ride or service it to ensure no issues going into the holiday season! We hope to see you and your ride soon! Got a garage? Park in there! If you are lucky enough to have a garage, put it to good use. Parking your vehicle inside your garage will give you a jump start on warming up your vehicle. And if you have leather seats, you won’t have to think about how cold your bottom is when you’re driving down the road. Another added bonus, you won’t have to clean off your vehicle from snow or ice! Block heaters, not remote starters. Remote starters are very convenient additions to your vehicle, but did you know that block heaters can do the same job without burning as much fuel? Engine block heaters can cost as low as $30 and can even be set on a timer to warm up your ride while you’re getting ready for the day! Drive it, don’t idle it. Many drivers don’t know that driving their vehicle will actually warm it up faster than letting it idle for a long period of time in your driveway. When you push start and hit the road, your engine is working hard which then turns that energy into heat which will warm up your cabin making you toasty warm faster! Wait 10 seconds and go. Most newer vehicles these days are equipped with stop-start technology which means your vehicle will turn off when it comes to a full and complete stop. Why is this so important? Well, not only does this feature save you fuel, in the long run, it’s better for the environment. And don’t worry - those 10 seconds are not enough time for your engine to cool down. So, you’ll leave toasty warm!

Have you ever been stranded because your vehicle won’t start? Well, if you haven’t you are one of the lucky ones. But eventually, it might happen to you! And there are some things that you might want to know what caused this, how to avoid it, and what to do in the event that you do find yourself in this situation. Luckily for you, that’s exactly what we are going to discuss. So, grab a seat, buckle up, and let us take you on a ride! Put these helpful tips to good use this upcoming season and come see our team for some service for your vehicle! What Caused My Dead Battery - Leaving headlights, interior lights, flashers, or the radio on when your vehicle isn’t running Using the air conditioner or heat when your vehicle isn’t running Low air temperatures, causing your battery to freeze Lack of battery maintenance Not starting your vehicle for long periods of time Failure of voltage regulator within the alternator How To Avoid A Dead Battery - The easiest way to put your mind to ease that you won’t be in this situation is to service your battery regularly to make sure there are no issues. This is exceptionally important when temperatures start to drop drastically or after driving long miles. A technician can test your battery to ensure that it’s still in a good, healthy condition. Be smart with your vehicle. Don’t use certain features like the radio, chargers, or lights for long periods of time without starting your vehicle. This puts a lot of stress on your battery and can end up killing your battery altogether. Avoid extreme temperatures if you can. We encourage you to park your vehicle in your garage (if you have one). This can cut back on exposure to extreme temperatures and won’t be the mortality of your battery. What To Do When Your Battery Dies - Of course, the first answer is to jump-start your vehicle. It’s always a great idea to keep a set of jumper cables inside your vehicle for emergencies whether that is you or another driver. Also, keep in mind that you should never try to jump-start a battery if it is cracked or visibly leaking acid. Roadside assistance is a beautiful thing and is almost necessary. If you do find yourself stranded and in need of help, be sure to call roadside assistance for help. This is especially helpful if you are on the highway and can’t flag down another driver. Plus, it’s safer to stay in your vehicle while a trained professional addresses the situation. Service With Us Today & Avoid A Dead Battery: https://www.destinationkia.com/Schedule-Service.html

We’re gearing up for another season change right here at King Kia! Before the leaves start falling and temperatures are dropping, we want you to stop in to see the team right here and let us help you get your vehicle ready for the season change. But what should we be focusing on? Our list below of four services is to help you get your vehicle ready for the fall season. We hope you’ll spend some time looking over those services, schedule your appointment online today, and stop by to prep your vehicle with us. We look forward to seeing you, let’s get started! Car Battery With the changes of seasons coming quickly, it’s a great time to stop in to see our team for a diagnostic testing to ensure that your battery is healthy and ready to take on the winter temperatures. Plus, ask to have your cables and terminals checked for corrosion and properly tightened. Winter is known for killing batteries, stop in, and let’s have your battery properly maintenanced before the change of seasons! Headlights As our cars age, our headlights tend to become cloudy or even hazy, especially on vehicles that are continuously parked outside in the elements. While the days get shorter, we will be using our headlights much more these days which means it’s very important to ensure that your headlights are the brightest they could possibly be. Whether it’s a headlight conditioning, replacement of the bulbs, or replacing your headlights altogether, our team can assist you with all of your needs. Tires Responsible driving all starts at the tires. Monthly tread inspections can help you stay on top of when it’s time to replace your tires. If you have noticed that your tires are less than ⅛-inch of tread, then it’s time to upgrade. While all-season tires might be a cheaper option up front, choosing a set for both summer and winter, offers more well-rounded performance. Stop in to see our team and let us help you choose the right tires for your vehicle! Wipers Did you know that it’s a great option to replace your wipers every six months? Typically, your wipers should be replaced twice a year to ensure top performance. Before the fall season, it’s a great option to upgrade those wipers and choose a pair that are specifically designed for winter weather as we are quickly heading that way. Also, if you’re looking to extend the lifespan of your wipers, we encourage you to clean them with a paper towel and glass cleaner each time you stop to get gas. Your Service Appointment Waits Here! >> https://www.kingautokia.com/schedule-service.html

Alright, you got your bags packed and you’re ready to hit the road one last time this summer with friends, family or maybe you’re going by yourself! There’s one thing you won’t want to leave home without and that is your road trip survival kit! Huh?! Yea, your road trip survival kit. Filled with all things road trip and some necessities you’ll want along the way, we have that guide for you listed out below! Check it out and be sure to pack up your items before heading out on your last summer expedition! Road Trip Survival Kit: A GPS or Smartphone Map App Light, non-messy snacks Small cooler packed with water to keep everyone hydrated. Emergency Kit - Flashlight, batteries, jumper cables, tire inflator, umbrella, AAA roadside emergency contact information. Non-Emergency Kit - trash bags, tissues, cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, and travel-size toiletries. Portable chargers to keep your devices charged and ready to go An itinerary to keep you on track A playlist of your favorite songs A good book to keep you occupied if you’re a passenger Extra clothing - sneakers, warm sweater, rain jacket. Weather is unpredictable, plan accordingly Oh, and one more reminder! Service your ride with us here at King Kia before hitting the road! This summer has had some extreme weather and that means your vehicle has been working extra hard to get you to where you want to be and there is no time for a breakdown during your last summer road trip! So, head over to our service specials page, grab a service offer and give us a call to schedule your service appointment. We’re here to make your life easy - stop by today!