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Are you ready to start the new year off on a great foot? We sure hope so! And we say you should start right here on this week’s blog by deciding which New Year’s Resolutions work best for you. Looking to give back more? Do it. Looking to explore the great outdoors? Get on in. Seeking more family time on a beach somewhere? Plan it. This week we are discussing resolutions and we have a list of 10 most common ones below. So, check them out and get started because there’s no better time than right now to work towards becoming a better you! 10 New Year’s Resolutions: Read more books (one per month) Less screen time on your devices Eat more veggies and fruits Plan a vacation with friends or family Exercise more outdoors Drink more water Volunteer at your favorite shelters, nonprofits, etc. Explore new hobbies and clubs Donate old clothing Start journaling once a week We know you might think your resolutions are picked and you’re ready to conquer the new year but we have one more to add! And that’s to upgrade your ride this month. Whether you are looking to drive home a new sedan or SUV, we have just what you are looking for right here at King Kia! Hurry on in to see our team today! Your New Kia Waits Here!

Hey you! Yea, you! The one reading this. Are you ready to upgrade your old ride and slip behind the wheel of a brand new Kia that is 100% more stylish than your current ride? Maybe 120% more versatile and 150% safer? We thought you might be and this week we want to help you have a smooth, easy car buying experience. I mean, of course, you will because you chose King Kia as your dealer. But we can take things to the next step by preparing you for what is to come. Take these tips and be sure to put them to good use before stopping in to see our team this season! We look forward to working with you to get you into a brand new Kia. See you soon! Do Your Research Just like any purchase, you want to do a little bit of research instead of walking in blindly and confused about what you might be looking for. We suggest you start your search right here on our website. Find a vehicle type you like and one that’s right for your budget and browse the features and what this vehicle has to offer to you. Ask yourself, is this vehicle right for my lifestyle? And what about my budget? Get Pre-Approved Online You hate it. We hate it. Everyone hates that long wait time period when they are at the dealership waiting to be pre-approved for a loan for their new wheels. How can we avoid this? Get pre-approved before stopping in to see our team! Or choose to go to your bank and get the loan before stopping by. This can decrease your wait time greatly, which means you can be back on the road where you belong! Got A Trade? In this day in age, trade-ins are very common and a great way to lower your vehicle’s payment! So if you’re thinking about trading in your vehicle get a quote on that vehicle before coming in to see our team. There are a variety of online tools that can assist you with this process or you can stop in to see our team for that quote! Get an online quote here! Pro tip! Be sure to clean up your ride before. Clean rides tend to get a little more cash! Know Your Budget Often times, shoppers can be outside of their price range. Our online payment calculator can help you decide what you can afford and what you should be spending monthly on your vehicle. This is a great way to keep things right where you like them and without getting in over your head! Your Next Kia Waits For You Here!

Did you know topping off your gas tank can cause you to waste money and can even damage your vehicle? Wow! You didn’t know that? Well, lucky for you, this week we are dropping some knowledge to tell you about all the things wrong with topping off your gas tank and why that’s a habit you’ll want to put behind you going forward! Check out those reasons below and if you’re looking to upgrade your ride, come see our team today and let us help you get behind the wheel of a brand new Kia that best fits your budget, lifestyle, and wants! We look forward to seeing you soon! Gas topping hurts your wallet Often times, gas stations are equipped with a vapor recovery system that will feed vapors and gas from the pump back into the station’s tank once your tank is full. Why? This is to prevent vapors from escaping into the open air and environment, according to the EPA. That means an excess gas pumped into your tank that you’ve already paid for could end up back in the gas station’s storage tanks. Doing so can also cause damage to the station’s vapor recovery system which leads to the following…. Gas vapors are harmful to people & the environment Topping off your gas tank might be a good idea but if any gas spills out of your tank and onto the ground can cause harmful effects to both the environment and people. A damaged vapor recovery system will not be able to effectively protect people from harmful vapors which will lead to bad ozone days. So long story short, don’t overfill or top off your tank! Gas topping damages your vehicle Did you know that gas topping can damage your vehicle's vapor collection system? It’s true! And your vapor collection system is designed to reduce harmful emissions and manage fuel vapor making it a pretty important part of your vehicle. So, overfilling your tank sends excessive fuel into the charcoal canister or carbon filter which is strictly designed for vapor only. When fuel gets into this system, it will affect your vehicle’s performance and could damage the engine meaning hefty repair costs. Start Fresh With A New Kia!

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 break down 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 on by today! Take A Road Trip In A New Kia!

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 tastey wine paired with beautiful views that these vineyards have to offer. Just prepare to have a designated driver! Ride In Style This Summer In A New Kia!

Listen up, I know you pull up to the pump not really paying attention and just fill up the tank. But do you know what those numbers and fuel levels actually mean? If you’re anything like me, the answer is HECK NO! So, this week I want to help you understand what octane is, what those numbers at the pump mean, and why you should be filling up with the appropriate fuel levels! Take a look at our guide below and if you’re unsure of which level you should be using, check your owner’s manual or give us a call today! The real difference between fuel types: The most obvious difference between fuel types is the price point that comes along with them. When you pull up you’ll notice that “premium” fuel is more expensive and it’s a pretty obvious difference. In fact, premium fuel usually runs about 20 cents higher than regular fuel. In addition to those price tags, premium fuel has a higher octane level. The numbers you see, 92, 83 and 87, indicate how much octane is in the fuel. So in order to differentiate the octane levels, premium is a higher number and regular gas has a lower number. What is octane? Perfect question! Octane is exactly how much compression fuel can withstand before igniting inside your engine. A higher octane fuel will not pre-ignite or explode as quickly as lower octane gas. So, it’s important to fill up with the right fuel especially if your vehicle requires premium fuel. Why? Well, let us tell you…. Every Kia model and every other model on the road is designed to take in a specific type of fuel and while it may seem like a good idea to fill up on a lower level, it’s not. Doing so could leave you with a damaged engine and a hefty repair bill in the end. If your vehicle requires premium and you choose to fill up with lower levels, that combustion we talked about earlier, will occur faster. Which in turn, could lead to issues like your engine to make knocking noises, reducing your car’s power and fuel economy, and potentially causing engine damage. Again, that means a hefty repair bill will be coming your way! What if your vehicle requires lower levels and you choose to fill up on premium? Well, I'm here to tell you not to waste those dollars! Filling up with a higher octane fuel doesn’t have any real negative effects but it also doesn’t have any positive benefits. It’s basically neutral - so just fill up with what you’re supposed to! Your Dream Kia Is Right Here!

Did you know owning a vehicle is much more than just filling up the tank and driving off into the sunset? Well, of course, you did! And when you own a Kia, you know that a little service goes a long way in the health and happiness of your vehicle. So, while it’s still National Car Care Month, we want to provide you with our list of things that you should be checking for this spring before we head into the summer season. It’s most important to check up on these things when seasons change to ensure that extreme temperatures, road conditions, and other seasonal challenges haven’t affected your vehicle. Check out our guide below and if you’re not feeling up to the task of taking a look yourself, our service technicians would love to help you out. All you have to do is schedule a service appointment with our team today! We hope to see you and your vehicle soon! Things To Check Up On: Check on all of your vehicle’s fluids. Engine oil, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid, and others alike. If these fluids look dirty, be sure to swap them out or let a professional do it. Be sure to check on the hoses and belts under the hood of your vehicle. Check for cracking, bulging, and excessive wear and tear. Take a look at your battery, make sure it has tight connections, is corrosive free, and ready to take you the distance this summer. If you haven’t had an oil change recently, check up on your brake linings, rotors and drums. Hearing noises? It might be your exhaust system. Check for damage or leakage. Want great fuel economy and low-level emissions? Schedule an engine tune-up! Temperatures are on the rise - give your HVAC system a look over and have it serviced if you think your system is having issues. Fill up your tires to the proper PSI levels and check your tread levels. Look for uneven tread wear or excessive wear and tear. Your lighting is a vital component in your vehicle. Be sure to check over all the lighting fixtures and ensure that bulbs are in proper working condition. If your headlights look foggy, try reconditioning them first. Don’t forget about your windshield wipers. April is known for heavy rain showers. Don’t be caught in the rain with old, worn out wipers! Let’s Schedule Your Service Appointment Today!

It’s always best to start with a clean slate, no matter what it is that you’re cleaning. And now that springtime is here and in full swing, it’s time to get your Kia right and tight for all of your upcoming adventures! Let’s get right into it, shall we? Get rid of all the junk that has made your car it's home and separate it into two piles: keep and rehome or trash it. If you haven’t used specific items in more than three months, it’s time to part ways and clean out your vehicle. Whatever you are planning to keep, decide if it is necessary to keep it in your vehicle or if you can rehome it to either your garage or home. If you need help deciding on what type of things should be kept in your car, choose items like an emergency kit, a blanket, bottled water, windshield washer fluid. Think about items that you would need in case of an emergency and keep those items on hand and ready to use when you need them. Now, it’s time to decide exactly how you want to organize your belongings. We recommend using a shower caddy for items like windshield washer fluid, oils, and other objects that have a tendency to roll around your trunk. Not only will a shower caddy keep these items organized but it will also keep them upright and will prevent spilling. If you have children who come with a lot of miscellaneous items, try using a small tote to keep all those items in one location. You can also use a cargo organizer designed specifically for the trunk of a vehicle to keep all your items in one spot. If your glove box is an explosion waiting to happen, try using an expandable, tabbed folder for all of your important vehicle documents. Not only will this create more space in your glove compartment plus, but it will also keep the important things organized and easily accessible. Trash is nasty and we want to help you keep it to a minimum, so get yourself a portable trash can. Whether you choose something as simple as a designated plastic bag or a trash can designed for your vehicle, designate a location to dump your trash when you’re out on the road. And don’t forget to dump it or get rid of it when you stop! If you’re looking to keep your groceries organized and out of the way, try using hooks designed for doors or hangers to help keep squishable items off the floor. This will give you more space and will keep your groceries from getting squished. Organize A New Kia Today!

Spring is here! Oh, yeah! That means windows down, sunroof open, music up! Wait, wait, wait a dang minute! Just because spring is here doesn’t mean that we can skip over some routine vehicle maintenance. You’re probably wondering like what and if you read the title of this week’s blog you’ll have an idea! We want YOU to change your air filters! Why? Well, just read our reasons below and run don’t walk to King Kia for a filter replacement. Trust us, it’ll be worth it in the long run! You vs. Pollen No one likes riding around in a vehicle that there is visible pollen blowing out of the air vents. And if that’s the case, you definitely need a new air filter and you need to clean your vents. But let’s back up a little. If you are someone who neglects their filter, those allergens are blowing right through the vents regardless if you can see them or not. So, we recommend that you change your air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, at least. We even suggest going a step further and replacing it again after pollen season or at least inspecting it! Everyone Loves Clean Air Spring weather can be a bit unpredictable. You know it, I know it. One minute your A/C is on and the next the heat. I get it. Put swapping between the two during the spring season tends to put a lot of strain on our air filters and if they’re already partially deteriorated, those allergens and dirt particles are sneaking right through our filters. So, what do you do? You get a clean, new air filter. It’s that simple! Efficiency At Risk I said risk... Does that mean I have your attention now? I sure hope so because it’s true! A dirty or clogged air filter can greatly depreciate your fuel mileage and overall efficiency. In addition, a clogged filter could lead to your air or heating unit to become clogged as well. While this doesn’t mean hefty repair costs, it certainly could. So, just swap out your filters and stay away from the headache! We Have Filters! Schedule Service Here!

Springtime is right around the corner and that means a lot of rain is destined to head our way. And what happens when it rains a lot? That’s right - things get muddy. And if you’ve ever been struck with no idea what to do, you’re not alone. This week, I am here to help you get out of a muddy situation. So, check out that guide below and stop in to see our team to upgrade your ride to a more capable Kia vehicle! Be prepared for anything and everything. You may never know what will happen out there on the road and while that’s okay, we want to help set you up for success. Keep your vehicle’s tires at the correct PSI and with good tread. Also, if you do not have roadside assistance, it is worth looking into especially if you live in an area where muddy conditions occur frequently. Be sure that your vehicle is always packed with emergency supplies such as blankets, small shovel, tow cables, and other items alike. Rock your vehicle out. This can be a tricky way to free your vehicle and it can also be dangerous for your vehicle, so we only recommend doing this a few times. Keeping your wheels straight, gently step on the gas pedal and begin switching from drive to reverse. This creates a rocking movement and can sometimes free your vehicle from the mud by gaining traction. As we mentioned above, only do this a few times as this action can do damage to your engine or can create a deeper rut for you to sink into. Add traction. Vehicles tend to get stuck when there is little to no traction for the tires to grip onto. Whether this is due to your lack of tread on your tires or because your tread is gummed up with mud - you still need to get some traction in order to get yourself out. Use anything you have or can find, sticks, floor mats, a blanket or a traction aid, and place in front of your tires. This will help your tires grip and make its way out of the mud. Gently press on the gas and if you feel yourself moving forward continue doing what you’re doing. But if your vehicle isn’t budging, this won’t work. Call for help. At this point, you’ve done almost everything you can do by yourself unless you have friends, ask them for a push. But if your vehicle is still stuck in the mud this may be a good time to call roadside assistance, a tow truck or a friend to help tow your truck out of the mud. If you find yourself stuck on a busy roadway, this step might be the first one you should take instead of risking your safety. You are the shot caller - be safe and make the right choice. Choose Your Kia SUV Here!

Are you planning on trading in your vehicle sometime soon? We hope it’s for a brand new Kia from your favorite dealership, King Kia! This week, we want to help ensure that you have a smooth, pain-free trade-in process and we have a few tips that will help you out along the way. So, check out our tips below and stop in to see our team for a test drive in what could be your next new Kia! We will see you soon! Treat Your Vehicle Right Regularly servicing your vehicle is the best way you can treat your vehicle right. Not only does routine maintenance increase the lifespan of your vehicle, but it will also save you money in the long run. In addition, having those service records that show you have regularly serviced your ride will help get you more money when it comes time to trade-in your old ride. Fix Up Your Vehicle Nice Dings, dents, chips - any sort of cosmetic damage that your vehicle has, get it fixed and spend a little extra to have it fixed correctly by a professional. These types of things can greatly depreciate the value of your vehicle and will cause you to lose out on a few bucks when you’re ready to trade-in. Also, you want to make your vehicle look its best when you stop in to see us. Why? Well, it will 100% increase the value if your vehicle looks nice, so treat your old ride to a luxurious car wash right before stopping in to see us! Know The Value Of Your Trade Spend a little time and do your research before coming in to discuss options. There are many websites that can assist you in the appraisal process for your vehicle and knowing your vehicle’s value will make the negotiation process easier for everyone involved. Trade values are always at the discretion of the dealer and the value could vary depending on service and vehicle history. Take Advantage Of Our Monthly Offers Don’t forget about our monthly offers - whether service or new vehicle specials! They are here for you to take advantage of, don’t neglect them! We find that most of our customers overlook these deals and let the savings slip right out from under their fingertips! If you shop our offers PLUS have a trade that means you will save double time! Have Your Records Handy If you’ve been in an accident, we will want to see reports ensuring your vehicle was fixed plus your service/ maintenance records, so make sure you have them handy when you’re stopping in to discuss options with our team here at King Kia. Choose Your New Kia Here!

Temperatures are surely dropping and that can mean bad news for your vehicle, especially when you’re ready to head out for the day. Those diving temperatures overnight can turn your vehicle into a popsicle and nothing is worse than shivering for the entire duration of your ride. This week, I want to help you warm up your vehicle and make you toasty warm faster than before. Check out my tips below and stop in to see us for a test drive if your vehicle is on the older side and it’s time to upgrade! Don’t idle, drive. I use to think that turning my vehicle on and letting it idle for a while might actually be doing something. In fact, if you hop in and head out, your vehicle with warm up faster! HOW?! Well, when your vehicle is moving, the engine is working hard and creating heat which then makes its’ way into your cabin. If you leave your vehicle idling in your driveway, your engine isn’t working to create that heat. So, if you’re going to let it idle, give it a few minutes and then hit the road! Turn it off. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, it is actually beneficial to turn your vehicle’s engine off if you are waiting for more than 10 seconds. Why? Well, by sitting at a stop light idling, you’re actually wasting money and fuel. But will my car cool down? Nope! It would take more than just 10 seconds for your vehicle to cool down. So, you’ll still stay warm while saving fuel! Invest in Block Heaters. We all like to have that little remote starter in our vehicle to help warm up the vehicle. But we recommend investing in a block heater. Not only are these less expensive, block heaters can be set on a timer to do essentially what a remote starter does but instead of warming up your vehicle, a block heater is designed to warm up your actual engine. So, we recommend the block heater over a remote starter! Stay Warm In A New Kia!