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An Easy Guide To Understanding Fuel Levels | Gaithersburg, MD

  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!
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Own The Tailgate This Fall With These Tips | Gaithersburg, MD

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!

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King Kia’s Car Care Tips To Keep Your Paint Job Intact | Gaithersburg, MD

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!

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Your Guide To A Successful Spring! Spring Service Tips Inside! | Gaithersburg, MD

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.