Today: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
Blog / Life Hack

Blog

All Life Hack Specials Informational Maintenance New Car Safety How To Pre-Owned Service Driving Awards Music Life Experience Winter DIY Accidents Community Event Holiday News Technology
PINK BLOG IMAGE

10 Questions To Ask Why Buying A New Kia| Gaithersburg, MD

July is in full swing and we are only a couple of weeks away from August. That means your chance to hit the road in a new Kia this summer is quickly slipping away. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your ride to a new or high-quality pre-owned vehicle, the team here at King Kia is ready to help! We invite you to start your search online or you can stop by the dealership for a test drive today! However, we want to make sure you’re confident in your new Kia purchase - so be sure to check out 10 questions to ask when purchasing a new vehicle below, and be sure your new ride checks off all your boxes! Ten Questions To Ask When Purchasing A New Vehicle: Does this vehicle fit my needs, lifestyle, and budget? Is this vehicle All-Wheel Drive? What is the vehicle’s warranty? What does that warranty cover? Are there any common repairs I should know about? Are there any additional costs and fees on the vehicle? How many miles are currently on the vehicle? What is the gas mileage and range of the vehicle? What other features does this vehicle have to offer? Are there any current incentives or specials on this vehicle? Can I trade my old vehicle in towards the new one? Now, head on over to browse our inventory and our specials page! Then stop in to see our team because we’re ready to get you behind the wheel. Don’t delay - you deserve a new ride! Let’s get you back on the road today!

Five Fun & Inexpensive Day Trips To Take This Summer | Gaithersburg, MD

Who doesn’t love a spontaneous road trip to fill the summer days? Everyone I hope. But if you’re not sure where to go this summer, let this week’s blog be your guide. We have listed out five fun and inexpensive road trip destinations that will help jump-start that summer fun without breaking the bank! Check them out below and be sure to avoid any roadblocks by stopping in to see us for a service appointment! Trust us, nothing is worse than blowing out a tire or being stranded on the side of the road because your ride overheated. So, let our technicians give your ride the green light to travel long distances! We hope to see you soon! C & O Canal - Whether you are looking to bike, jog, or just take a stroll, the historic C & O Canal is the perfect place to do it. Explore all that this 184-mile long trail has to offer because wherever you choose to explore, it’ll be a beautiful scenic route. Swallow Falls State Park - If you’re looking for a quick little trip to see some beautiful scenery, Swallow Falls is the place for you! All of these sites are easily accessible so if you’re not in for a hike, no worries! These falls offer beautiful views that will blow you away without having to spend half the day hiking! National Harbor - A popular place in the summer months, National Harbor is home to plenty of shopping, restaurants, and the Capital Wheel! Spend the day or the night - we promise you won’t regret spending your weekend here! Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo - If you have smaller ones traveling with you, this might be at the top of your list! Check out the animals up close and take a safari ride that you won’t forget. Take the family and let them roam this remarkable zoo! Maryland Vineyards - If you’re a lover of wine, there are dozens of vineyards to choose from across Maryland which several are open year-round! Enjoy the tasty wine paired with the beautiful views that these vineyards have to offer. Just prepare to have a designated driver! Ride In Style This Summer In A New Kia!

5 Ways To Keep Your Kia Cooler This Summer! | Gaithersburg, MD

Can you feel the heat consuming you? We sure can! The past few days have been HOT, to say the least. And while we know you still have errands to run, tasks to complete, and places to go, we want to help you keep your vehicle from burning up when you hop inside on a blistering hot day! So, check out those tips below and if you’re ready to upgrade into a cool new Kia, contact our team today! Let us help you get out of the heat and into a much-needed cooler vehicle! Use a sunshade or window visor. This is a great go-to method for drivers who are hoping to counteract the hot interior temperatures throughout the summer season. We recommend placing your sunshade or window visor each time you exit your vehicle for more than a few minutes. If you’re looking for a pro tip, put a sunshade on your rear windshield as well! Use a dash cover. Using a dash cover can make a big difference in making your vehicle’s interior more comfortable during hot temperatures. Dash covers will help you from touching hot vinyl surfaces and will also protect sensitive vinyl from any sun damage which can cause cracking and fading. Cover your steering wheel with a hand towel. Even when you use a sunshade, your steering wheel can still get very hot. Our recommendation is to place a small towel over your steering wheel. This will help keep your hands from burning when in contact with the steering wheel. Park in a shady area. When and if possible, park in shady areas. And if you’re going to be outside of your vehicle for an extended period of time, it’s worth a farther walk if you are able to park in the shade. You’ll be much happier that you parked farther away in the shade after your day out! Keep your possessions out of the sun. Keep any and all possessions, delicate or not, out of direct sunlight. Try storing your items underneath your seat or in a glove box. You can also throw a blanket over your possessions for extra measures. If you can’t find a place in your car that will conceal heat-sensitive goods, consider placing them in the trunk. Upgrade & Stay Cool This Summer!

Tips For An Easy Road Trip! | Gaithersburg, MD

Ready to hit the road this spring?! We don’t blame you - it’s the perfect time to get out and explore the open road. But before you go, we want to share a few helpful tips to help you conquer the road. We encourage you to browse all of those tips below and be sure to schedule a service appointment with our team online or over the phone today to give you greater peace of mind that your vehicle is prepared and in proper working condition! Clean your ride before & during the trip From top to bottom, give your vehicle a little TLC cleaning. Give it a wash, vacuum, and be sure to throw out any unnecessary items, wrappers, receipts, etc. You’ll regret not cleaning out your vehicle before hitting the road, trust us. Check in on your vehicle Before leaving for your trip, we encourage you to have our service team look over your vehicle to ensure things are in proper working order. From your fluid levels, brakes, tires, and anything else that can cause an issue, it’s important to make sure you’re ready to handle any situation. Have a backup plan It’s always important when road tripping to have a backup plan, whether it’s additional options to stop and grab gas, to stay or eat, or additional routes to take, it’s important to be able to change your plans on-the-fly if issues arise along the way. Preload entertainment options While the radio is a great entertainment option, crossing state lines and towns might cause issues with select stations. We encourage you to preload music, podcast, and additional entertainment options that might keep you engaged during the drive. We also recommend bringing a phone charger to keep your phone charged at all times. Join a roadside assist service While we hope you won’t be needing this, having roadside assistance is a great way to stay safe if things go south during your trip. Having access to these services will save you a lot of trouble and we recommend it greatly! Schedule Service Here!

Fuel Saving Tips Your Kia Wants! | Gaithersburg, MD

Can you believe we’re already halfway through April?! It’s hard to believe and if you’ve yet to take your first road trip of the season because of fuel mileage issues, we’re here ready to rescue you and your Kia! This week, we have put together a helpful list of 10 fuel-saving tips that will help you get the most out of your vehicle and fuel tank this spring! We encourage you to check out all of those details below and when you’re ready, schedule your service appointment online today to get the A+ grade on your vehicle before hitting the road! We look forward to working with you and your Kia - see you soon! 10 Fuel Saving Tips Keep your tires properly inflated at correct PSI levels Replace spark plugs early to save on fuel Replace/ check your air and cabin filters each time you get an oil change Always ensure that your vehicle is properly aligned Avoid hard acceleration in stop-and-go situations Keep your speed close to 55 MPH on highways to maximize efficiency Keep an eye on warning lights on your dashboard and assess properly Check for brake drag which can reduce your mileage Replace a failing thermostat Replace oxygen sensors before they go bad & cost you in fuel Schedule Your Service Today!

April Showers Bring Driving Tips! Details Inside! | Gaithersburg, MD

April showers bring May flowers but they also bring driving tips! This week we are diving deep into being behind the wheel when the rain starts to fall. And a few things you should be paying attention to even before you hit the road too! Check out these tips below, contact our team for a service appointment, and let’s conquer the weather this spring. And don’t forget to dust off those rain boots, we’re sure you will need them! We hope to see you soon! Wait Until The Weather Clears If you don’t feel comfortable behind the wheel during rain showers, postpone your travels and wait until the weather clears before heading out. There is no reason to put yourself in dangerous situations if not necessary. Double Check Your Vehicle It’s important to check your vehicle’s health year-round, but when it comes to April showers, we want to be looking for specific things. For example, we need to check our head and tail lights, windshield wipers, and our tires to ensure they’re not balding. Bald tires can reduce traction on wet roadways. Slow It Down As you should always adhere to the posted speed limit, when the roadway is wet, this is crucial. We encourage you to drive considerably slower since wet roads are dangerous and your vehicle reacts slower when it rains. Maintain A Safe Distance Between Cars As we said above, your vehicle reacts slower when it rains so it’s important to give yourself a little extra space between vehicles. You should leave several car lengths between you and the vehicle you are following. Avoid Standing Water Driving your vehicle through standstill water can cause hydroplaning and other dangerous situations for your vehicle. If you approach a puddle, wait for other vehicles to pass and avoid the area by changing lanes or steering around. Schedule Your Service Appointment Today!

Get Prepared For Your Next Car Buying Experience With These Tips! | Gaithersburg, MD

We’re taking care of business this month at King Kia and by that we mean we’re making your car buying experience easier that ever before when you choose to shop with us! Below, we have five tips to help you be prepared for your visit and make things easy. We know spending excess amounts of time at the dealership is something everyone tries to avoid and with these tips, your wait time could be cut in half. Check out these details below and when you’re ready to talk further details and upgrade, hurry on by to see our team at King Kia! Get Pre-Approved: getting a pre-approved auto loan before stopping in to see our team will speed up the buying process and keep you from waiting long periods of time while we’re dealing with the bank. Also, we recommend getting pre-approved before even starting your vehicle search, so you will have a better idea of your budget and what types of models you can afford. Know The Value of Your Trade: planning to trade in your old vehicle? Do a little research before stopping in. Not only is this beneficial for you, knowing your vehicle’s trade value can help you negotiate the deal and in some situations, can get you a lower payment. There are many tools available to you to use for research and find your vehicle’s trade value. A trade appraisal will also work as a starting point when it comes time to discuss your trade. Personal Identification: the paperwork process can be a pain in the butt and we recommend bringing in the right items on the first purchase visit in order to ensure a quick, pain-free process. Be sure to bring in your driver’s license, proof of insurance, current registration and the title to your trade (if you are trading in a vehicle.) These are all necessary in order to get you out the door with your new car and if you end up forgetting any, the process can be held up. Review Your Dea l: before you sign on the dotted line, you need to know what you are paying for, how much, and for how long. If you are going to be shelling out cash, you should know exactly what you are paying for. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before signing on the line and if you don’t understand something - it is your salesman's job to explain all of those nitty-gritty details. Don’t be afraid to ask! Take a Test Drive: we sure hope no one would ever purchase a vehicle without taking a test drive but if that’s the case, let us recommend to take one! A test drive is the most important thing to do before buying. This is a big investment and if you are not 100 percent happy, it’ll be a waste of time and money on your end! Even if you have to test drive the vehicle a few times and ask a million questions, it is better that you get everything you want than just agreeing to something you think you will like. Find Your Dream Vehicle Here!

Three Tips To Keep You & Your Kia Safe This Winter! | Gaithersburg, MD

Happy January! Can you believe that we’re almost already done with the first month of 2021? We hardly can but there is still some time left in the winter season and we want to help have a successful and safe winter season. Below, you’ll find a few seasonal life hacks that will help you out this season whether you’re staying in the area or you’re planning on traveling. We hope you’ll put them to good use and hurry in to see our team if you\’re ready to upgrade into a brand new Kia! Pack an emergency kit Being prepared for a variety of situations is important. And it’s a great idea to always be prepared for whatever whenever that’s why we encourage you to pack an emergency kit. This kit should include an extra coat, warm hat, gloves, and extra socks in your vehicle. It’s a good idea to keep a blanket, phone charger, flashlight, bottle of water, and a small non perishable snack on board as well. Foggy windows are a thing of the past When temperatures start to drop, foggy windows are no stranger to your vehicle. Foggy windows can lead to potentially dangerous situations and it’s important to defog your windows before heading out for the day. An easy way to defog your windows is to roll down your windows before leaving or keep a clean chalkboard eraser in your vehicle to wipe away the fog. Keep your vehicle clean During winter months, salt, dirt, and grime tend to accumulate underneath your vehicle. This grime buildup can lead to erosion on your vehicle and it’s important to clean that off as soon as possible. We encourage you to stay up to date on car washes on warmer days and park your vehicle in the garage. Upgrade Into A Brand New Kia Today!

A Great Test Drive Waits For You! Tips For A Fun Day At King Kia! | Gaithersburg, MD

At King Kia, we strive to offer our customers the very best service. Whether that is servicing their vehicle, purchasing parts, or upgrading their ride. This week that service is focused on helping you get the most and very best out of your test drive with our team. Below are a few tips to help you get started. And as always, if you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to our team or stop by the dealership! We are here for all of your vehicle needs. We hope to see you soon! Understanding what the test drive is The #1 goal of a test drive is to see if the vehicle is a good fit for you and your family. While spending a lot of money on a new vehicle, it’s important to ensure that the vehicle you’re test driving is really the right one and worth the money you’re going to spend. Take your time with the vehicle, go over all of the features, and don’t be pressured into purchasing something you don’t love through and through. Listen to the experts While your opinion matters most, there is also a time and place to listen to the car experts when it comes to features like comfort, convenience, power, etc. Car reviews can be a great source of information and can offer great insight that you perhaps didn’t notice during your test drive. Drive the vehicle as if you own it One mistake many new car buyers make is not driving the vehicle on your daily commute. We encourage you to take advantage of this time by driving back roads, busy streets, or highways if they are typically in your daily commute. This will help you get a better feel for how the ride will be once you purchase the vehicle. Don’t let shiny features blind you Oftentimes, buyers are blinded by specific features or price points. Don’t let this be you. Take all of the features into consideration before making a final decision. It’s a great idea to make a list of features that you’re looking for in a vehicle and check them off as you go. Find Your New Kia Here!

The 4th Of July Playlist Everyone Needs! Open Up For Details! | Gaithersburg, MD

Are you in charge of this year’s 4th of July playlist? Maybe you’re not sure where to start. There’s a lot to choose from and it can be confusing. We get it and we’re here to assist you with that! This week’s blog has 15 fan-favorite songs that will jumpstart any 4th of July party. And while we hope you’ll use this as a starting point, we encourage you to add in a few of your own party favorite songs! Brooks & Dunn, “Only in America” Lee Greenwald, “God Bless The U.S.A” Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Sweet Home Alabama” Katy Perry, “Firework” The Beach Boys, “Surfin USA” Toby Keith, “American Soldier” Woody Guthrie, “This Land Is Your Land” John Mellencamp, “Jack & Diane” Martina McBride, “Independence Day” Carrie Underwood, “All American Girl” Bruce Springsteen, "Born In The U.S.A." Bonnie McKee, "American Girl" Simon and Garfunkel, "America" Tom Petty, "American Girl" Brad Paisley, "American Saturday Night" Ready to arrive at the party in style? Then we encourage you to browse our online inventory, schedule a test drive, and take advantage of current incentives that are happening right here at King Kia! Have questions? Contact our team! Ready to get pre-approved? Do it all online today! We look forward to working with you and assisting you in finding the perfect Kia for you! See you soon! Your Next Kia Waits Here!!

Chill Out: How To Keep Your Vehicle Cool In The Summer Heat! | Gaithersburg, MD

Remember the days of getting into your vehicle and sitting on scorching hot seats? We sure do, and this week we are here to make that a thing of the past thanks to our five helpful tips on how to keep your vehicle cooler during the summertime! Take a look at those tips, give our team a call if you’re in need of purchasing a sun visor or if you’re ready to upgrade into a new Kia, we can help with that too! Contact our team today and let us help you with all of your vehicle needs! Use a sunshade or window visor. This is a great go-to method for drivers who are hoping to counteract the hot interior temperatures throughout the summer season. We recommend placing your sunshade or window visor each time you exit your vehicle for more than a few minutes. If you’re looking for a pro tip, put a sunshade on your rear windshield as well! Use a dash cover. Using a dash cover can make a big difference in making your vehicle’s interior more comfortable during hot temperatures. Dash covers will help you from touching hot vinyl surfaces and will also protect sensitive vinyl from any sun damage which can cause cracking and fading. Cover your steering wheel with a hand towel. Even when you use a sunshade, your steering wheel can still get very hot. Our recommendation is to place a small towel over your steering wheel. This will help keep your hands from burning when in contact with the steering wheel. Park in a shady area. When and if possible, park in shady areas. And if you’re going to be outside of your vehicle for an extended period of time, it’s worth a farther walk if you are able to park in the shade. You’ll be much happier that you parked farther away in the shade after your day out! Keep your possessions out of the sun. Keep any and all possessions, delicate or not, out of direct sunlight. Try storing your items underneath your seat or in a glove box. You can also throw a blanket over your possessions for extra measures. If you can’t find a place in your car that will conceal heat-sensitive goods, consider placing them in the trunk. upgrade into a new Kia today!

DIY Popsicle Guide Inside For A Little Summer Fun! | Gaithersburg, MD

Summer is quickly approaching here in Gaithersburg, and while we’re excited about the warmer temperatures, we’re also excited about all of the treats and foods that come with summertime. That includes fresh popsicles! And if you’ve never made your own popsicles at home, now is the perfect time to change that! Below is an easy DIY at-home popsicle guide! Check it out below and when you’re ready to pop them in the freezer, grab your keys and come see our team to upgrade into a brand new Kia before summer is officially here! Okay, popsicles first though! Things you’ll need: Popsicle mold (we recommend a silicone mold) Fruits and flavorings Popsicle sticks And of course, a freezer Step 1: First, you’ll want to mix your fruits together. If you’d like your popsicles to be on the sweeter side, add in flavors like honey, agave nectar, or sugar if needed. Don’t forget that when frozen, the flavor of the popsicle won’t be as strong. We suggest making your mixture slightly sweeter than you would a smoothie! Step 2: Now it’s time to pour your mixture into your mold! While the mixture will naturally expand when freezing, it’s important to leave a little space at the top of the mold. Let it freeze! Depending on the thickness of your popsicles, it should take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to freeze solid. Pro tip! Turn your freezer to the coldest setting possible. The quicker they freeze, the softer they will be in the end! Step 3: Finally, it’s time to unmold your popsicles and enjoy them! We suggest running your mold under warm water for about 10 seconds each. Then, your popsicles should pop right out and you can either enjoy them or place them back in the freezer for a snack later! Find Your Dream Kia Right Here!

Contact Us

Fill out this form below and we'll contact you shortly
*Required Fields