This week, we’re sharing a list of emergency supplies that you should always have in your vehicle. It’s important to be prepared (why do you think it’s the Boy Scout motto?) and we’re all about that kind of life. So, take a look at our list and make sure you’ve got these items on hand, just in case you need them. Just when you think you don’t, well, that’s always when you do.

1. Charged cell phone. Although this item will probably be on your person, it may make the difference between getting help fast and maybe not getting help at all.

2. First-aid kit with an assortment of Band-Aids, adhesive tape, gauze pads, aspirin, antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream or ointment, and anything particular to you or your family, like extra medication or other necessities, like Lactaid or similar.

3. Fire extinguisher, rated for Class B and Class C fires by the National Fire Protection Association or NFPA. The NFPA says Class B fires are those that involve flammable or combustible liquids, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene. Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment such as switches, panel boxes, and batteries. These are both dangers in a vehicle!

4. Three reflective warning triangles. While many prepackaged emergency kits contain one warning triangle, you should have three that are placed 50 feet apart to warn oncoming traffic. In a pinch, though, one will do.

5. Tire gauge. You should use the tire gauge in their car emergency kit to periodically check the air pressure in their spare tire.

6. Foam tire sealant is a quick, inexpensive way to repair many flats without changing the tire.

7. Jumper cables that are at least 10 feet in length and coated with at least 8-gauge rubber.

8. Flashlight and extra batteries. The flashlight should be waterproof.

9. Gloves

10. Rags

11. Duct tape, the universal fix-it solution. You should carry at least 10 feet of it.

12. Tow strap or tow rope that is strong enough to tow 6,000 pounds.

13. Multipurpose utility tool, like a Leatherman or a Swiss Army knife.

14. Rain poncho. Even an inexpensive plastic poncho is better than nothing when changing a tire in the pouring rain.

15. Drinking water.

16. Non-perishable snacks. Protein bars are a good choice.

We all know about those people out in the world called “millennials.” In fact, you (yes you, reading this right now) might even be one yourself! That’s totally cool. Millennials are the future! But one thing that’s probably an eternal fact about any generation is that no matter who you are, you probably need a car. Everyone has a different set of needs when it comes to transportation, and though it’s unfair to group millennials together and make blanket statements, we’re a little more interested in some things (like tech) than in other things (the intricacies of a manual transmission). Well, we’ve put together some of our favorite Kia vehicles for people of a ~certain age~ in this week’s blog! Take a look!

First up, the Kia Soul. This is a perennial favorite for a lot of good reasons. Not only does it look cool and unique, it’s got a really great way of tackling the road. And remember those hamster commercials where they were always rocking out because the sound system in the Soul was so good? Well, that’s legit – the Soul is famous in the Kia lineup for being the perfect car to bump your music in. And now that it’s 2018, the Soul comes with Kia’s UVO technology and eServices. The free UVO eServices app integrates your iPhone® with your vehicle to connect with 24-hour roadside assistance, monitor vehicle maintenance requirements, and much more. Wherever you park, UVO eServices can record your vehicle’s location and, if necessary, help you find it by using your compatible smartphone. We are all about that. Oh, and you can get it with a turbocharger. There’s that, too.

The Soul EV gets its own little paragraph because it’s like your standard Soul but with the added bonus of being extra-eco friendly on account of how it doesn’t use gas. It’s the same Soul style standard with a DC Fast Charge port, an estimated driving range of 0-111 miles, and 210 lb.-ft. of instant torque. You’ve got the same advanced in-car technology, but now fully charged with energy-smart innovations, like bio-based cabin materials and the UVO eco connectivity system. Unlike many EVs, all Soul EVs come standard with the quickest available charge port, the DC Fast Charge, which supplies an 80% charge to an empty battery in about 30 minutes. That’s in addition to two more convenient ways to charge. Whether you’re starting your day, leaving the office, or enjoying your road trip, you can always find a full charge. And if you want to save a little coin, every time you recharge your battery instead of gas up at the pump, you are saving money. Because an EV is propelled by only an electric motor (or motors), the system is cleaner and more streamlined than that of a gasoline vehicle, so maintenance costs are lower. Electric companies often times offer reduced electricity rates for EV owners, lowering the cost of charging your Soul EV at home. For example, several major car insurance companies also offer significant discounts to EV owners. More potential perks include rebates for home charger installation, free or preferred public parking, free charging at certain businesses, and reduced toll fees. Remember, every 60 gallons of gas used to power a car produces over half a ton of carbon dioxide. When you drive an EV, you produce zero CO2 tailpipe emissions. Go EV!

Next up is the Kia Niro, first the standard hybrid version and then the plug-in version! Yes, you read that right, the hybrid is the standard version of the Niro, which means whichever you choose you’re going to be saving some gas money. The Niro is the no-compromise vehicle. Thoughtfully designed to combine the benefits of the crossover and hybrid worlds. Like the forward-looking engineering and optimized fuel economy of a hybrid. And the versatile design and practicality of a crossover. It’s the high-style, high-MPG adventure vehicle made for the no-compromise driver. It also connects to your Google Home or Amazon Alexa, and with the same UVO system and bangin’ Harman/Kardon sound system, you’ve got the best hookup in town. From the Parallel Hybrid System and regenerative braking system, to the impressively efficient and fun-to-drive dual-clutch automatic transmission with Sport Mode, the Niro is the perfect pairing of optimized fuel economy and dynamic driving performance. And with a 10-year/100,00-mile warranty that covers the hybrid system, including the electric traction motor, you can drive the open road with confidence.

The Niro Plug-In is pretty much the same, but is totally electric! When it comes to saving dollars, is the next step in the electric evolution. Hit the open road with a hybrid system capable of going fully electric (EV mode) with the push of a button for trips around town. It’s also eligible for a High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) decal in select states, and Federal and tax rebates in select states can help make it more affordable than you think. How does it work? The Niro Plug-In Hybrid delivers versatility right down to its power source. With the push of a button, you can go all-electric using a high-density, lithium-ion polymer battery with an estimated EPA rated All Electric Range (AER) up to 26 miles. And you can be confident knowing you’ll never be stranded with its hybrid gas-electric HEV mode.

Take a look at these awesome vehicles and let us know when you want to take your test drive!

We all have our own specific skill sets, that’s for certain. My girlfriend can do all kinds of math in her head but can’t spell to save her life. I’m handy with the car, but I know I’m no good at things like plumbing. My girlfriend would also like to note that I seem to have a problem with washing the dishes and operating a vacuum cleaner. This is false and I just take care of those things when she’s not around.

Anyway, I wanted to share with y’all some of the things I’ve learned about at-home car repair over the years. As handy as you may be, and as in tune with your engine bay as you might think you are, there are some repairs that you really should just leave to the pros. I’ve found the shop techs at King Kia to really know their stuff, especially on my girl’s Sorento, and so I advise you to trust them when it comes to maintaining and repairing your car. These are the five things that above all I don’t think you should touch when you’re messing around under the hood. Let the pros handle these and you’ll have made a good choice.

1. Don’t touch the transmission. Don’t even change the fluid. If you make a mistake with the transmission you’re in for a much more expensive repair than you had on your hands before you decided to try and repair it.

2. Your windshield is another thing that you need to bring to glass professionals. Even those store bought kits that say they fix cracks, well. A professional will get the job done seamlessly, and the kit won’t provide satisfactory results. Just get a pro in there and you’ll be set.

3. Anything to do with wiring should be off-limits; trying to tinker with anything in the car that has a lot of delicate electronics is a bad idea. So no putting in a new sound system on your own! Do you know how bad electrical fires are? Stay away!

4. Don’t think about touching the fuel pump, either. This is not only a very precise part, but it requires precise installation and even the smallest mixup can total your engine from the inside out.

5. Don’t try your hand at engine diagnostics. This should be a no-brainer. The little code reader you can get that turns off the check engine light doesn’t actually fix anything, so why waste money that you could spend on getting what’s making the light come on repaired?

The weather is warming up and those winter potholes are getting bigger by the day. What does that mean? Construction season is nearly upon us! When you’re driving down the road, the chance is getting more and more likely that you’ll come across some folks improving our infrastructure, and you’ll need to drive extra safely around them. Not just because of the laws surrounding driving in a construction zone – but because there are people in the road and you just need to have the common courtesy to drive carefully! Here are our tips on driving safely in a work zone!

• Pay attention to the road. Don’t be distracted by things on the road or in your car, like your music or passengers. Make sure that all of your attention is on the road and the signs, as well as any traffic pattern changes or sudden stops in front of you.

• Make sure your headlights are on!

• Watch the other cars on the road with you – other drivers can be unpredictable, so you should be prepared for anything to happen.

• Merge when and where you should. Don’t wait until the last minute – this can be dangerous and puts you at a high risk of getting into a collision.

• Don’t tailgate other cars. Work zones should also be called “sudden stop” zones because people are definitely more liberal with the brakes than they would be elsewhere.

• Watch for speed limit signs and obey them. The speed limit can change several times, and if you get caught speeding through a work zone, the fines can be steep.

• Only change lanes when it’s safe to do so. I don’t know if you’ve gotten this part yet, but other drivers in work zones are unpredictable juggernauts.

• If you see a worker with a flag, follow their instructions.

• Have patience, not only with yourself but with other drivers and the workers on the road. You need to get to where you’re going, sure, but it’s better to be a little late and safe than never get there at all.

• Expect anything, because anything could happen.