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Seasons are changing, so are the months which means those weather conditions are bound to change at any moment. And the best thing to do before those temperatures drastically change is to prepare for those weather changes. But where do you begin? We recommend starting in your vehicle’s trunk. Why? Well, this is because you most likely have stored a bunch of unnecessary gear in there which is hurting your vehicle more than you think it is helping. Not only does a heavy trunk lead to poor gas mileage but it can hurt you if your loose gear comes flying if you’re ever in a motor vehicle collision. So, this week we are going to give you a guide on cleaning, organizing, and preparing for the upcoming winter months. Take a look below and leave us some of your tips that help you get through those colder winter months! Clean: Start by cleaning your trunk from top to bottom. Take out all of the items that you’ve stored in there and separate them into two piles: keep and trash. Once you divided the items into the two piles, divide them into two additional piles whether you are going to keep these items in your vehicle or if these items should be placed within your household. Now that your trunk is clear, take some time to clean it. Using a vacuum, get rid of any dirt, grime, and build. If you want to go the extra mile, take it to a car wash and use a bit of soap to scrub out all the dirt. Organize: Organization is key. When you’ve decided which items belong in your vehicle, use organization tools to keep all these items in-place and from rolling around your trunk. Things like shower caddies, small totes, or pop-up totes can be great, easy, and cheap tools to keeping your items in the spot where they belong. Plus, an organized trunk will make finding your items easy. And in the event of a flat tire, it will be easy for you to get to your spare tire instead of having to remove all your items and replace when you’re finishing with the flat. Prepare: Winter months are coming, that means you might need to start preparing for what those months bring. Whether it is snow, rain, ice - you’ll need to pack a few necessities in your vehicle to make terrible conditions bearable. Always carry a phone charger, first aid kit, blanket or sweatshirt, jumper cables, gloves, and ice scraper. If you need a little extra weight in your vehicle, try adding a bag of sand or kitty litter in your trunk. These can also be used if your vehicle gets stuck and you need a bit of traction. Organize The Trunk Of A New Kia Today!

It’s that time or maybe it is not but one thing you should know is how to renew your license. And whether it is that time for you or not, you need to know. This week we have your guide to renewing your driver’s license and hope you’ll make a trip to the DMV sooner rather than later! You can choose to renew your license online, by mail, and in person. Your license will be valid for 8 years if you are over the age of 21 but in some circumstances, your license may only be valid from 5 to 8 years. You will receive a notice from the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) notifying you when it is time to renew. Your requirements vary based on whether your license is: valid, expired, suspended, lost, stolen, or damaged. To Renew Online: Your MD driver’s license number Your date of birth The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) or MVA PIN A form of payment for the renewal fee. To Renew By-Mail: Complete the renewal application Meet the vision requirements, if you are 40 years or older Ask your eye doctor to complete the Vision Certification section of the Include a check for the renewal fee To Renew In-Person: Bring your current MD driver’s license Have your photo taken Bring your Social Security card, W-2 form, and 1099 form Provide a new signature Pay the renewal fee For questions, reach out to your local DMV or visit their website. New License, New Kia!

October is finally here and that means that it may be time to swap out your summer tires for a fresh new set of winter tires. Or the ones that have been stored away. Whichever you choose, we want to help you properly store your summer tires away from any extreme temperature exposure, ozone, and possible heat sources. Here are a few tips to help you extend the life of your summer tires! Before storing your summer tires, give them a good wash. Get out the soap, tire brush, and bucket of water - cleaning off any dirt, grime, and built up brake dust will keep your tires healthier. If you choose to keep your wheels on your tires, clean them accordingly. Dry them completely and do not apply any type of tire dressing. Once dry, place each tire in its own separate airtight plastic bag. Avoid moisture at all costs and remove as much air as you can. Close up the bag tightly with tape or a zip tie to prevent oil evaporation. Place the tires in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. A basement or climate-controlled area works best whereas a garage or shed are often exposed to extreme temperatures. Your tires should also be stored away from sources of ozone like motors, furnaces, sump pumps, and switches. If you have enough room, store your tires vertically rather than stacking them horizontally. This reduces stress and distortion. If you choose to stack them without bags, stack them “white to white” and “black to black.” If you are leaving the tires on a vehicle, do not let the vehicle sit for an extended period of time. Long-term inactivity is extremely harmful to tires. Take the vehicle for a weekly drive to ensure that the tires maintain oil dispersion within the rubber compounds. Get Your Tire Information Here!

Whether you live in a neighborhood or pass through one on occasion, there are many things that you need to constantly be on the lookout for. Children playing, dogs running across the road, sidewalks, crosswalks, and everything in between. While many people believe driving through a neighborhood is a safe drive and doesn’t require much attention, the truth is is that it does. A drive must be at their most careful and vigilant when passing through a neighborhood. This week, we have a list of safety tips to help you pass through while being safe and keeping the neighborhood a safe place too. Drive slowly and take your time. A vehicle passing by at or under the reduced speed limit in neighborhoods can and will prevent a severe accident from happening. Don’t tailgate slower drivers. Give them space and let them take their time. Be polite to other drivers, bicyclists, and others who you are sharing the roadway with. Don’t pass, this could lead to dangerous situations. Be cautious when passing through intersections and turns. Be sure to look in all directions twice for potential hazards before advancing through the intersection. If children are nearby, there is a chance they may walk out in front of your without looking - be vigilant. Give pedestrians the right of way and look for people in the roadway or people who are looking to cross the road. Either slow down or come to a complete stop and let them pass by, especially if they are waiting in a crosswalk. Always use your lights. In dark areas, use your headlights to illuminate the roadway so you can see potential hazards. You may even need to use your high beams in some areas. Turn them on and go slow. And there you have it! Five safety tips for driving through a neighborhood! We hope you will use these in your everyday commute or the next time you have to pass through a neighborhood. Have others we didn’t mention? Let us know what tips you use or what ones you would like to see other drivers using when they pass through your neighborhood. Drive Safe, Choose Kia!

Buying a new vehicle can be very exciting, especially if this is the first time you get to choose exactly what you will be buying. And if it is your first time, there are a few things you’ll want to ask before signing on the dotted line. What are they? Well, we’ve done the hard work for you and below you will find a list of 10 questions that you should ask before deciding to officially buy the vehicle. Why ask these questions? Buying a vehicle is an expensive investment and it is important for you to fully understand what you are getting in your new vehicle and what you are paying for. Take the time to read the fine print to ensure you’re purchase makes sense for you and your budget. Can I take the vehicle for a test drive? Has the vehicle been damaged? Is there a warranty coverage? What is it? How much is the vehicle after fees and licensing? Are there any rebates on the vehicle? What are the mandatory fees that I will have to pay? Where is the nearest dealer/ authorized repair center? What is the term of the loan and what is the interest rate? Has the vehicle been used as a demo? Do I love this vehicle? Does it make me happy? One through ten are important and will help make the car buying process a seamless, pain-free experience for you. We encourage you to come up with any questions of your own and take the time to ask our sales team, they are here to help and our goal is to get you into the vehicle you and your wallet will love. Stop in to see us today for a test drive and let us get you behind the wheel of a perfect new Kia! Buy A New Kia Today!

Buying a new vehicle can be a long, hassled process and in some cases, you may just want to avoid it altogether. From choices to make and long hours waiting around at the dealership, we want to make sure the process is quick, easy, and hassle-free from start to finish. This week, we’ve dedicated our blog on what you’ll want to know when it comes buying a new Kia. Take a look below and stop in to see us for a test drive! Get Pre-approved: getting a pre-approved auto loan can speed up the buying process. If you’re already pre-approved, you won’t have to worry about the back and forth while inside the showroom. Also, if you are pre-approved before starting your vehicle search, you will have an idea of how much you can afford for a down payment and monthly payments. Know Your Trade Value: if you plan to trade in your old vehicle, do some research before stopping in. It is beneficial for you if you know what your vehicle is worth. 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. Personal Identification: if you’re ready to start the paperwork process, you will need a few items in order to ensure a quick, pain-free process. Be sure to bring in your driver’s license, a proof of insurance, current registration and the title to your trade (if you are trading in a vehicle.) These items are all necessary in order to get you out the door with your new car. If you forget any, the process can be held up. Review the Dea l: before you sign on the dotted line, 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 if you don’t understand something - it is your salesman's job to explain all of those nitty-gritty details. Take a Test Drive: it is important for you to test drive your vehicle 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 that just agreeing to something. Buy, Buy, Buy A New Kia!

The Fourth of July is almost here and we know you’ll be out and about, trying to catch the best fireworks show after your backyard BBQ. Well, we’ve got an idea for you: why not watch the fireworks from your Kia? It’ll make this year’s fireworks show the most comfortable one you’ve been to… ever! Check out our tips for watching the show from your car, and then have a fun, safe time on the 4th! So, the first thing you’ll want to do is find the perfect viewing spot for the show. You want somewhere you can park the car and still have a great view of the pyrotechnics. A good idea is to go scouting earlier in the day (or even the night before) and pick out a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C for where you’ll set up “camp.” Getting ready to head out is important - make sure you have all the things you need in the car. If you’ve got a vehicle like the Soul, Sportage, Sorento, Sedona, or even your Forte5, you might even point the trunk end towards the fireworks and set up a little picnic spot in the back. For that, you’ll need a blanket, maybe some pillows, and of course the food! If you’re driving, don’t indulge in alcohol, and make sure that if you are planning to imbibe that you have a designated driver who will not be partaking. Set up the blanket, relax, and enjoy the show! If you’re more of a front-seater, then recline those seats back and throw on your favorite soundtrack to make the show more personalized. Don’t want to get bit by bugs? When you watch the fireworks from your car, you won’t have that problem if the windows are closed. Another bonus is that you’ll be able to beat the traffic because you’ll already be in your car! Have a safe and happy Fourth, and enjoy the show! We’re Open July 4th!

Holidays mean road trips, at least in my family, and that also means that I have to be ready to entertain the kids AND my husband while we’re making the four hour trip to his mom’s house. Four hours to a kid (yes, my husband is fully a child on the inside… like all men are) seems like a million years, so I have devised a failproof kit for road trips that has everything I need as a driver and everything the kids need for entertainment. I’ve added some things to it so it’s more universal, but this should serve you well for any road trip occasion this season (and, honestly, any time of year). In The Car Blankets and pillows Music Folding chairs Reading material Camera Cash for toll roads GPS Binoculars Wet wipes Puzzle books and quiet toys for kids Pen, pencil, notepad Tissues, paper towels, toilet paper Small bags for garbage Vehicle Emergency Kit Flashlight, roadside signal flares or reflective cones/warning signs First aid kit Booster cables, wrenches, screwdrivers (basic toolkit) Gallon jug of water Extra washer fluid, oil, transmission oil, brake fluid Rags, workshop towels, old blanket Gloves Spare belts (alternator, fan and air conditioner belts) Candle, warm clothes, heavy blanket (for winter travel) Duct tape and WD40 Get Your Vehicle Ready For The Road

Weird question, but, what would you bring in your car if you had to live in it? Yeah, I feel the stares right now. Ever watch the show where people want to downsize therefore buy a small house that is portable? At first, I wondered why would people do this? Why would they give up so much room to live in this box-like house? I get it, less expensive, but does wanting to travel so much take priority? While trying to understand this, ever thought about living in your vehicle? Depending on what vehicle you have, it might be the same size if not close to the size of these tiny houses. What do people actually bring into those things? Can their dresser fit at all in that bedroom? Do some of those houses even have a bedroom? As I asked some people what they would want to bring with them if they had to live out of their vehicle. Food and drinks do not count! Here is what some said: Extra clothes - Being dirty and smelly won’t be great, so, pack that change of clothes! Pillows and one blanket- Sleeping might be an issue if you don’t have a pillow and a blanket depending on the weather Shoes!  If you don’t bring shoes, you might step on regret Toothpaste and Toothbrush- No makeup bag needed, but at least something to make you smell somewhat decent Deodorant- Again, be a lot fresher than you would be without it A Mattress- Depending on your vehicle, I guess you could add this to the list Glass or hard plastic water bottles- Bring these in case you need water and are traveling (saves money too) Although, depending on the person you might decide to bring other materials. Let us know what you would not go one single second without even if you were living in your car! What would you pack in these cars?