How To Tell If You Need New Brakes | Gaithersburg, MD

The effects of winter weather on our roads becomes pretty apparent on those bumpy rides in the spring. But, some “bumps” are more serious than others. Potholes are usually caused through the expansions and contraction of groundwater. Water will seep into the cracks in the pavement, freeze and expand in the winter, and then thaw and leave gaps and voids in the pavement for more water to seep into and start the process all over again. Over time the structural integrity of the road is weakened and large chunks of pavement can become loose or displaced and potholes will form. Potholes come in various shapes and sizes and usually drivers only really avoid the big ones, but King Kia is here to tell you potholes are dangerous to drivers no matter their size. Below are some of the ways in which potholes can damage your vehicle. If you’re worried about the effects of your recent bumpy rides on your car, schedule a service appointment at the King Kia service center and our certified professionals will make sure your car is road ready. The Effects Of Potholes On Your Car: Wheel Misalignment This can happen when you hit one big pothole or overtime if you regularly drive on rough roads. Misalignment makes it harder to drive a straight course, puts undue stress on your suspension system, and impacts the lifespan of your tires as well. Shot Suspension System This system works to reduce the effects of driving over uneven or bumpy roads on your cabin and other driving components. It can get worn down over time or if abused by large sudden dips and make for unsafe driving conditions. Wheel and Rim Damage When your wheels come into contact with deep or jagged-edged potholes, rims can be dented and tires can get punctured or even blown out.

During the fall, we may come across a few rain showers that may lead to flooding. If you live in an area that floods often, you probably know the tricks to drive through a flood. The number one trick is don’t. Things often go wrong when trying to drive through flooding waters and risking your safety is not an option for us. This week, we have your guide on what to do when flood waters are rising and how to avoid potentially dangerous situations. You should always try to avoid driving through a flood for numerous reasons. Moving water can easily sweep your vehicle off the road or even worse, flip your vehicle upside down. Flooded areas are often times deeper than what they may appear to be. Steering clear of flooded areas will help keep you out of harm’s way and will not leave you stranded. Standing water should also be a no-no. Same as above, standing water can be misjudged and can lead to a dangerous situation if you try to drive through a “puddle” that is a lot deeper than originally thought. If you are forced to drive through standing water, try to get onto as much land as you can, let other vehicles pass by you first, drive slow and steadily to ensure you are not creating a bow wave. Once you’ve safely made it through, test your brakes to ensure that they are properly working. Go slow. When passing through any size of water on the roadway, go slow and take your time. Driving through water at fast speeds can potentially lead to a collision. You may lose contact with the road or lose steering control if you don’t take your time and go slow. To avoid this, slow down and if you feel yourself losing control, hold the steering wheel steady and slowly lift off your gas pedal until your tires regain contact with the roadway. Keep an eye out for hazards that may create dangerous situations. Look for manhole covers that can get lifted and moved in a flood, curbs can get lost and can do damage to wheels and tires if hit. Also, assume that water is contaminated and you may come across debris or harmful substances. Be alert and stay safe. Stay Safe In A New Kia!

We have all seen that tiny button on out dashboard, you know the one I'm talking about the red triangles, the one we never seem to need. Yeah, that one! Well, it’s not uncommon to know that this is your hazard button, but some people don’t know and that’s why I’m here, to drop some knowledge on you guys! The scientific definition for your hazards is that Hazard warning lights are a pair of intermittent flashing indicator lights that flash in unison to warn other drivers that the vehicle is a temporary obstruction. Aka they are those orangey-yellow lights that flash on and off when you or someone else is parked on the side of the road...see, knowledge! So where am I going with this...well hazards are not something you use in your everyday routine so I thought why not brush up on hazards so when you do need to use them you’ll be golden! What are hazard lights? Flashing lights used to bring attention to your vehicle for various reasons They are also called hazard flashers and hazard lights They are usually activated by pressing a button on the dashboard that looks like a red triangle Some cars might even active the hazards automatically in a crash When Should You Use Hazards? They are to warn other road users that you are a temporary hazard If you have broken down on the side of the road, you are changing a tire, or you are being towed When Shouldn’t You Use Hazards? When driving in traffic They should not be used when have parked illegally Leaving your hazards on while driving is unsafe because it overrides all other directions, like turn signals Need a service? Let us do it!