Are you hitting the road for the holidays? It might be a good idea to brush up on your winter driving tips so you and your family can get to your destination stress-free! As a Kia driver, you have a love for speed, but it’s important to remember to slow down when you hit the road this holiday season! For information about driving tips, long-distance travel, and important maintenance tips, check out all the info below!
Driving Tips:
- Avoid driving while you’re fatigued.
- Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
- Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
- If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy, and snowy weather.
- Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
- Always look and steer where you want to go.
- Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
Long-Distance Driving Tips:
- Watch Weather Reports
- Service your vehicle before hitting the road
- Keep at least half a tank at all times
- If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you.
- Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled-up window to signal distress, if needed.
- Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice, or mud if you slide off the road
Tips For Driving In The Snow:
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for gaining traction and avoiding skids.
- Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
- The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds
- Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking.
- Don’t stop if you can avoid it.
- Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road.
- Make it known what kind of driving assistance you have (AAA, Roadside Assistance, etc.)
Now that you have the right tools to get you from point A to point B safely, be sure to request a service appointment so your Kia is in tip-top shape for all of your holiday travel!
Request Your Kia Service Here: https://www.kingautokia.com/schedule-service.html
Winter Driving Tips | Gaithersburg, MD
Thanksgiving is only one week away and if you’ll be hitting the road for your turkey dinner, you won’t be the only one! Expect traffic during your holiday travel, but pair that with poor weather conditions, and it could get messy. Avoid that headache with some helpful winter driving tips…it’s been a year, we could all brush up on this information!
Driving Tips:
- Avoid driving while you’re fatigued.
- Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
- Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
- If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy, and snowy weather.
- Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
- Always look and steer where you want to go.
- Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
Long-Distance Driving Tips:
- Watch Weather Reports
- Service your vehicle before hitting the road
- Keep at least half a tank at all times
- If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you.
- Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled-up window to signal distress, if needed.
- Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice, or mud if you slide off the road
Tips For Driving In The Snow:
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for gaining traction and avoiding skids.
- Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
- The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds
- Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking.
- Don’t stop if you can avoid it.
- Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road.
- Make it know what kind of driving assistance you have (AAA, Roadside Assistance, etc.)
If your vehicle is in need of service before you hit the road, be sure to schedule a service appointment and our service team will get your ride in tip-top shape in no time!
Schedule Your Kia Service Here: https://www.kingautokia.com/schedule-service.html
So, you want to stay warm in your vehicle this holiday season but what do you know about keeping your ride warm? If the answer is not much, we have you covered! Check out our tips on this week’s blog and be sure to upgrade your ride or service it to ensure no issues going into the holiday season! We hope to see you and your ride soon!
Got a garage? Park in there!
- If you are lucky enough to have a garage, put it to good use. Parking your vehicle inside your garage will give you a jump start on warming up your vehicle. And if you have leather seats, you won’t have to think about how cold your bottom is when you’re driving down the road. Another added bonus, you won’t have to clean off your vehicle from snow or ice!
Block heaters, not remote starters.
- Remote starters are very convenient additions to your vehicle, but did you know that block heaters can do the same job without burning as much fuel? Engine block heaters can cost as low as $30 and can even be set on a timer to warm up your ride while you’re getting ready for the day!
Drive it, don’t idle it.
- Many drivers don’t know that driving their vehicle will actually warm it up faster than letting it idle for a long period of time in your driveway. When you push start and hit the road, your engine is working hard which then turns that energy into heat which will warm up your cabin making you toasty warm faster!
Wait 10 seconds and go.
- Most newer vehicles these days are equipped with stop-start technology which means your vehicle will turn off when it comes to a full and complete stop. Why is this so important? Well, not only does this feature save you fuel, in the long run, it’s better for the environment. And don’t worry – those 10 seconds are not enough time for your engine to cool down. So, you’ll leave toasty warm!
Can you guys and girls believe that it is already November? Before we know it, winter will be in full swing, which means the snow will be falling sooner than later. Even though we have been pretty lucky with the weather so far, we have a feeling that will change within the next couple of weeks. So, right now is the perfect time to make sure your Kia is in tip-top shape for the months ahead. What does that mean for you? This means it’s time to check your fluid levels, tire pressure, battery, air filters, and the list goes on and on. It might seem like a lot, but with the help from our team of professionals, we are confident we can handle any services you need, big or small! However, we know service can become costly, which is why we have brand new service specials just for you! Take a peek below and be sure to head over to our site to print your special! While you’re there, be sure to schedule an appointment and leave the rest with us!
Service Offers:
Deluxe Car Wash & Disinfect
- Only $35.00*
Deluxe Car Wash & Full Disinfect
- Only $149.95*
Exterior Wash & Disinfect
- No Charge*
The Essentials Special
- Only $59.95*
Engine Air Filter or Cabin Air Filter Replacement
- Only $39.95*
Four-Wheel Alignment
- Only $99.95* with purchase & installation of 4 tires
Power Steering Fluid Service
- Only $129.95*
Coolant Flush Service
- Only $159.95*
Brake Fluid Service
- Only $149.95*
AND MORE!!
*All Specials Expire 11/30/2021. See Our Specials Page For Information.
Snag Those Offers Here: https://www.kingautokia.com/service-parts-specials.html
Spooky Halloween Treats | Gaithersburg, MD
BOO! Did I scare you?! Well, if that didn’t this might – can you guys believe Halloween is this weekend? That means winter is right around the corner! But before you freak out, take a deep breath because before we shift gears into winter, we have to celebrate Halloween! And even though Halloween might still look a little different this year for some of us, you can still enjoy the holiday! And a great way to celebrate is with some Halloween-themed spooky treats! Whether you’re hanging out at home or heading to a Halloween party, there’s something for everyone! Take a peek and get cooking! And if you need a new ride this November, remember to stop into King Kia and upgrade to a brand new Kia today!
Spooky Halloween Treats:
Mummy Brie
- Get the recipe from Delish.
Dead Velvet Cake
- Get the recipe from Delish.
Bloody Mary Syringes (21 & Over Only)
- Get the recipe from Delish.
Chocolate-Filled Pumpkins (Don’t be fooled, it’s cake!)
- Get the recipe from Delish.
Ghost S’mores Dip
- Get the recipe from Delish.
Dracula Dentures
- Get the recipe from Delish.
Black Magic Margaritas (21 & Over Only)
- Get the recipe from Delish.
Jack ‘O Lantern Quesadillas
- Get the recipe from Delish.
Mummy MeatballsGet the recipe from Delish.
Find Your Dream Kia: https://www.kingautokia.com/searchnew.aspx
Winter is right around the corner, and in order to ensure you and Kia don’t run into issues down the road, your friends at King Kia want to remind you that right now is the time to get your Kia into tip-top shape for the months ahead! As always, our team of certified professionals is ready to assist you with any size service or repair. Simply schedule your service appointment online today or give us a call! But while you’re here, we invite you to take advantage of this week’s blog! This week we are sharing some helpful tips on how to keep your Kia battery healthy for when the temperatures drop low. And if you find your ride needs a new battery, simply check out our service incentives for battery offers and schedule your appointment with the pros at King Kia!
Get Your Battery Tested:
- Is your car battery approaching 3 years old? Then it might be time to get it to check!
- We suggest stopping into our service department and having one of our mechanics test your battery for you.
- The cold temperatures tend to drain your car battery, so now is the time to ensure your battery is in shape for the winter months ahead!
Examine & Clean Your Battery
- Corrosion and build-up on battery terminals materialize over time. This build-up can keep your car from starting and is a poor conductor of electricity.
- Clean off any corrosion with a stiff wire brush. Make sure the battery connections are clean and tight.
- A dirty battery connection will weaken the charge. You should also look to see that the fasteners and cables are in good shape.
Don’t Leave Your Car Sitting
- With some of us still working from home, you might not be driving your vehicle around much these days. However, driving your car keeps a charge in your battery.
- So if you haven’t driven your car in a few days, turn on your vehicle and take it for a spin around the neighborhood!
Replace Your Battery
- At the end of the day, sometimes we just have to replace the batteries. If the battery in your car is 3-5 years old, it might be time for a new one.
- If your car shows any signs of a struggle when starting the engine, get your battery replaced.
- Be sure to take a peek at our service incentives to see if we are currently offering any incentives for battery maintenance/repairs/ or replacements
Schedule Your Service Appointment Today: https://www.flemingtonporsche.com/requestanappointment.html
Have you ever been stranded because your vehicle won’t start? Well, if you haven’t you are one of the lucky ones. But eventually, it might happen to you! And there are some things that you might want to know what caused this, how to avoid it, and what to do in the event that you do find yourself in this situation. Luckily for you, that’s exactly what we are going to discuss. So, grab a seat, buckle up, and let us take you on a ride! Put these helpful tips to good use this upcoming season and come see our team for some service for your vehicle!
What Caused My Dead Battery –
- Leaving headlights, interior lights, flashers, or the radio on when your vehicle isn’t running
- Using the air conditioner or heat when your vehicle isn’t running
- Low air temperatures, causing your battery to freeze
- Lack of battery maintenance
- Not starting your vehicle for long periods of time
- Failure of voltage regulator within the alternator
How To Avoid A Dead Battery –
- The easiest way to put your mind to ease that you won’t be in this situation is to service your battery regularly to make sure there are no issues. This is exceptionally important when temperatures start to drop drastically or after driving long miles. A technician can test your battery to ensure that it’s still in a good, healthy condition.
- Be smart with your vehicle. Don’t use certain features like the radio, chargers, or lights for long periods of time without starting your vehicle. This puts a lot of stress on your battery and can end up killing your battery altogether.
- Avoid extreme temperatures if you can. We encourage you to park your vehicle in your garage (if you have one). This can cut back on exposure to extreme temperatures and won’t be the mortality of your battery.
What To Do When Your Battery Dies –
- Of course, the first answer is to jump-start your vehicle. It’s always a great idea to keep a set of jumper cables inside your vehicle for emergencies whether that is you or another driver. Also, keep in mind that you should never try to jump-start a battery if it is cracked or visibly leaking acid.
- Roadside assistance is a beautiful thing and is almost necessary. If you do find yourself stranded and in need of help, be sure to call roadside assistance for help. This is especially helpful if you are on the highway and can’t flag down another driver. Plus, it’s safer to stay in your vehicle while a trained professional addresses the situation.
Service With Us Today & Avoid A Dead Battery: https://www.destinationkia.com/Schedule-Service.html
Happy Car Care Month! October is in full swing and that means we are getting closer and closer to the winter season. That means right now is the perfect time to get your Kia back into tip-top shape, if you haven’t started your fall maintenance yet. Lucky for you, our team here at King Kia is ready to get you and your vehicle in, out, and back on the road in no time! The best part – we have brand new October service specials that are sure to help you keep your hard-earned money in your wallet. So don’t wait any longer, take a peek below or head on over to our service specials page to claim your deal now. Then schedule your service appointment online or call us today! We hope to see you soon!
Service Offers:
Deluxe Car Wash & Disinfect
- Only $35.00*
Deluxe Car Wash & Full Disinfect
- Only $149.95*
Exterior Wash & Disinfect
- No Charge*
The Essentials Special
- Only $59.95*
Engine Air Filter or Cabin Air Filter Replacement
- Only $39.95*
Four-Wheel Alignment
- Only $99.95* with purchase & installation of 4 tires
Power Steering Fluid Service
- Only $129.95*
Coolant Flush Service
- Only $159.95*
Brake Fluid Service
- Only $149.95*
AND MORE!!
*All Specials Expire 10/31/2021. See Our Specials Page For Information
Snag Those Offers Here: https://www.kingautokia.com/service-parts-specials.html
Fall Cleaning Tips For Your Kia! | Gaithersburg, MD
King Kia wants to help you get your Kia ready for the changing season! We continuously preach how important regular maintenance is for your Kia’s performance. However, this is especially true when the weather starts shifting from fall to winter. We all know that the weather can change on the flip of a dime, so getting your Kia ready for winter sooner than later is the best way to go. Where to start? Well, we’ve got you covered there! If you’re in the mood for some DIY maintenance, take a peek below and get started on your automotive fall cleaning! Get your vehicles sparkling after a summer of travel and make sure it’s in shape for the months ahead. If you’re not much of a DIY-er, no problem! Leave it to the pros here at King Kia, and schedule your service appointment today!
Car Battery:
- Pop open your hood and brush away the dust. Fall is a great time to inspect your car battery to ensure there are no issues down the road when the colder weather creeps in!
- Make sure your engine cables and terminals are in good shape and retighten if necessary for good contact.
- Make sure there’s no corrosion or dirt build-up. If this is the case, this would be a good time to disconnect and clean them up.
- If your vehicle is newer and you have a maintenance-free battery with no removable caps, there’s not much for you to do besides peeking around the remainder of your hood to ensure there are no leaks, breaks, or issues.
Headlights:
- Many new vehicles have LED headlights that you can’t just pop out and clean, so you might need scheduled maintenance with our team if this is your situation.
- If you still have non-LED lighting, it’s important to clean/replace your headlights to avoid haziness.
- Clouded headlights can be a safety hazard, compromising night vision, and reducing the effectiveness of your headlights. This is especially dangerous in winter, where conditions are less than favorable and the darkness is more consistent.
- You can purchase a headlight cleaning kit, or use household items such as a toothbrush, baking soda, and the owner’s manual approved products.
Tires:
- Tire maintenance is always a must, not just during the winter months. However, your tires play a crucial role in your vehicle’s winter performance.
- The first thing you should do is to check your tire tread. When your tread is 2/32″ your tires are considered bald and you will need to replace your tires immediately. If your tire tread is above this you’re okay, but should consider replacing soon if it’s closer to balding.
- Most vehicles are purchased with all-season tires, which provide good performance all year round. However, if you live in a very snowy area, we highly suggest purchasing snow tires.
- Once your tires are on and in good condition, we suggest scrubbing away any dirt, grime, or buildup.
Wash & Wax:
- Chances are your vehicle needs good washing after all your summer travel. Between dirt, dead bugs, and even beach sand, your exterior probably isn’t shining like it used to.
- Give your vehicle a good cleaning, this means the top, sides, underneath, and even the tires.
- Once you’ve washed your car, it’s a good idea to wax your vehicle’s exterior. Getting a car wax is a great way to keep your car’s finish looking new.
- Waxing can be tricky, so be sure to check your owner’s manual for safe products from your vehicle or leave it to the pros in our service department!
Wipers:
- Windshield wipers maintenance is regularly overlooked. However, your wipers are extremely important for your vision behind the wheel…especially in the fall and winter months.
- Leaves will be falling very soon, and rain is no stranger to the fall months. This means you’ll need strong wipers to clear the leaves and rain off your windshield.
- Right after the leaves comes the snow, and anyone who has driven in a snowstorm knows how important your winters are.
- If your wipers are leaving streaks of water on your windshield, it’s time to replace or clean them.
- Although drivers rarely change them, wipers break down pretty quickly. In fact, they should be changed every 6-12 months.
Interior:
- It’s time to say goodbye to the trash that’s taken up a vacancy in your car! After traveling all summer long, it’s only normal your interior needs a little pick me up.
- We suggest grabbing a garbage bag, your vacuum cleaner, and some multi-surface cleaner.
- First started by taking everything out, and we mean everything!
- Then, vacuum away crumbs, dust, and whatever else is in there. Don’t forget to clean off whatever item you’ll be putting back in your vehicle.
- Then it’s time to dust, spray down your dash, console, gear shift, radio system, and of course windows!
- Finally, put whatever you’re keeping back inside your cabin in a neat and orderly way, and toss whatever is remaining!
Request Your Fall Maintenance Appointment Here: https://www.kingautokia.com/schedule-service.html
King Kia wants to wish you a happy fall! That’s right, it’s fall and before we know it the temperature outside is going to be dropping low. However, some of you might know that your tire’s PSI is probably going to be dropping low with the temperature. In fact, the outside weather can affect your tire in a big way. Outside temperatures can cause tire pressure to vary by as much as 1 psi per 10 degrees. If your tire pressure drops too low, you can cause problems/ damage to your vehicle and even put your and your passenger’s safety in jeopardy. So to avoid this from happening to you when the temperatures drop low, be sure to check out our PSI tips and tricks below or schedule your service appointment with us today!
Why it’s important to check your tire pressure…
- Your safety
- Longer lasting tires
- Improved handling and control
- Reduced risk of accidents and blowouts
- Better fuel economy
- Reduced carbon footprint
Tips for Checking and Filling Your Tires
- When the temperature drops, we suggest checking your tire pressure.
- Outside temperatures can cause tire pressure to vary by as much as 1 psi per 10 degrees.
What’s the right PSI level?
- The recommended PSI for your vehicle’s tires is determined by the vehicle’s manufacturer and the recommended tire size.
- You can find this information in your owner’s manual or on the placard inside of the door edge, glove box door, or fuel door.
- In most newer vehicles, your vehicle will alert you when your vehicle’s tires fall below the recommended PSI
- Do NOT use the max PSI that is printed on the tire sidewall. The pressure amount on the tire is normally the maximum allowed pressure.
- Over-inflation can lead to poor handling and comfort, overheating, and blowouts.
How to properly inflate your tires.
- If you do not have air at home, most gas stations have an air pump for you to use.
- Remove dust caps from the tires’ valve stems.
- Insert your tire gauge into the tire valve and leave it in for a few seconds
- When you remove it, the gauge will provide a PSI reading
- If the tire gauge’s recorded reading is higher than the manufacturer-recommended rating, press the gauge tip on the valve stem until you hear air leak out. Check the tire pressure again.
- If the reading is lower than recommended, you will need to fill the tire with air.
- When filling the tire, firmly press the air-hose into the valve, as you did with the tire gauge
- When you think you’ve added or let out enough air, check the pressure a few times with the gauge.
- Return the valve dust caps.
Service Your Kia Tires Now: https://www.thekiatiresource.com/?uid=7A8CDB5C-04FF-498C-A177415036182021
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.