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One of my favorite parts of summer (and late spring that feels like summer) is driving around town with my windows and sunroof open, blasting some of my favorite tunes and enjoying a delicious extra-thick chocolate milkshake from our favorite stew and art supplies store. My little Soul is the perfect vehicle for this, by the way - with a bumpin’ sound system and those awesome vibes, I feel very cool when I do this. Try it sometime, seriously. Anyway, I have created a ~collection~ of some of my favorite songs to listen to on just this type of day, and you should definitely give it a listen and let me know what you think. THE LATE SPRING/EARLY SUMMER PLAYLIST OF YOUR POP MUSIC DREAMS Really Don’t Care - Demi Lovato, Cher Lloyd Fred Astaire - San Cisco Human - The Killers Take A Walk - Passion Pit Shut Up And Dance - WALK THE MOON Boogie Feet - Kesha, Eagles Of Death Metal Girls Chase Boys - Ingrid Michaelson Cool For The Summer - Demi Lovato Kissing Strangers - DNCE Holiday - Vampire Weekend Feel It Still - Portugal. The Man Échame La Culpa - Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato Girl Almighty - One Direction LA Devotee - Panic! At The Disco You’re Such A - Hailee Steinfeld Everybody Knows - Jukebox The Ghost Genius - Sia, Diplo, Labrinth, LSD Rock Bottom - Hailee Steinfeld, DNCE Turn these jams way up and enjoy the drive! Get A Soul Of Your Own

Something that you should know about your car’s battery is that the power that’s housed inside of it is an absolutely finite resource. One day, your battery will die. Of course, if you take good care of it and drive carefully, that day should be several years after you buy the battery, but eventually, it will perish and you’ll be powerless (get it) to stop it. That’s why you should know now how to change your battery, so that in the event that you need to do so, you can. First of all, the location of your battery is going to be in your owner’s manual. If you drive anything other than a regular old gasoline vehicle (i.e. a hybrid) you should 100% be checking your owner’s manual for instructions on how to change the battery. When you’ve located the battery, make sure you know which post is the positive one and which is the negative, and which color the cables are that are attached to them. The positive post will probably have a red plastic cover, a red cable, and a plus sign (+) stamped on the battery next to the positive post. If the cables are not color coded, put some tape on them and label the cables. With a wrench, loosen the nut or bolt that keeps the negative terminal and cable attached to the battery. Remove them from the battery, and then move on to the positive terminal. ALWAYS DO NEGATIVE FIRST! Check your battery to see if it is being held down by clamps or tie-downs or similar and remove them if they are there. Set all of your loose parts aside where they will not be misplaced while you switch out the battery. Now, lift out the battery without jostling it or tipping it. It is heavy, so be careful! Next, it’s time to install the new battery! Place it into the same spot the old battery was in and make sure it is oriented the same exact way the old one was. Take the plastic caps off of the battery posts, and if there are anti-corrosion washers included then slide those on. A good idea is to smear a thin layer of Vaseline onto the posts before attaching the terminals to the battery to prevent corrosion and make sure your vehicle is always getting as much power as it needs. Attach the terminals back on, positive first, and fasten it back down with the clamps/tie-downs that you removed before. Give the battery a little wiggle and make sure it doesn’t move. If it does, tighten the clamps holding it down. And… you’re done! Great job! Make sure you recycle your old battery - a quick Google search will let you know the best place to do that. Learn How We Can Help You

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. 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! Shop These Models Right Here

You’re a curious person, I know. That’s why you clicked on this blog! I am so happy you did. I have some great information for you that might satisfy your curiosity bone for a little bit. It’s about gasoline. You’ll love it. The first thing I am about to tell you is about the numbers on the gasoline pumps. It is that they mean something that you are about to learn. They mean the octane level of the gasoline, which is something you should know about. Octane is a hydrocarbon, which is a tiny molecule inside of gasoline. It is left over from the time that they made oil into gasoline, and a fantastic part of this is that octane is the most important molecule inside of the gasoline. There are other molecules, but they are not as desirable because of their lower combustion temperature. Octane has a higher combustion temperature which means that it is the best for engine performance and that it does not create a knocking sound from exploding too early. If you are now asking why not use the higher number gas, don’t you do it. Unless your engine tells you specifically that it only drinks high octane fuel, give it the regular stuff. It will save you Dollars and Cents and keep your engine happy. If you use high octane fuel in a regular octane engine it does nothing but waste your Hard-Earned Taxable Income and will not turn your engine into a Formula One Powerhouse. You may also wonder in your heart and mind why gasoline must tell you that it is unleaded. In the olden times and up until the 1990s, there was lead in gasoline. Scientists in the 1920s decided that even though it killed everyone, lead was something good to put in gasoline because it increased the octane level at very low cost. Everyone kept dying from lead poisoning, but they didn’t have to pay that much for gasoline so they were presumably okay with the trade-off. In the 1990s, people finally wised up and decided to say “No” to lead poisoning. After this, the level of lead in American blood as a whole decreased by 75%. Skip It And Get A Fuel Efficient Kia

Whether this is your first ever new car, or you 5th, buying a new car is SUPER exciting! You get to go to Destination Kia and take a test drive in all kinds of new vehicles until you find one that has all of the features you’re looking for and feels right. You’ll know when it feels right. The only tricky thing is what you need to bring with you when you buy the car. My first time buying a car, I was so excited that I totally forgot to bring my checkbook! If you’re trading in your current car there are some additional things you’ll want to bring with you. To make sure you’ve got everything you need and have a stress free and fun car buying experience, here is a list of some of the things you’ll need to bring with you. Proof of insurance. Most places will ask for proof of insurance, but if you don’t already have insurance because this is your first car purchase, it’s a good idea to have contacted an insurance company to figure out how much insurance will cost for the vehicle you’re looking at, and have them on standby when you plan to buy the vehicle. Talk to your bank or credit union and get pre-approved for the loan you’ll need. You may get something resembling a blank check (up to a certain maximum) that must be signed by you and the dealer. By getting pre-approved, you will know the total loan amount and interest rate you qualify for. Your Driver’s License. To be able to test drive the vehicle you’ll need to have your license, but you’ll also need it when you buy the vehicle. We will provide the DMV with the paperwork they need to get you driving your new car legally. But, if you need to transfer ownership of the vehicle yourself (or if you’d prefer to do it yourself), you should ask our representative for: The Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO), if the vehicle is brand new/has never been titled in NY. The current title, if the vehicle is used/pre-owned and has been titled before. A dealer’s invoice, to function as proof of sale and fees paid. That’s it! Remember that you need to get insurance for your vehicle as soon as it becomes yours – it’s illegal in New York to have an uninsured vehicle. So stop by Destination Kia today or check out our website to find your brand new car! Come Take A Test Drive Today

A lot of time and effort goes into owning a vehicle. Much like a small child, you need to keep it fed to keep it moving, and you are in constant need of changing something. Usually a fluid of some kind. There are so many fluids that keep your car working and running at its peak so it’s understandable that you’d need to change those fluids regularly, but what are those fluids and what do they do? Why are they so important to your vehicle’s performance? Well, in this week’s blog we’re going to discuss exactly that! It’s time we had a slightly better understanding of what’s happening in our cars, so hopefully, this will help! Engine Oil Engine oil lubricates the engine and absorbs heat. It is a necessary fluid in your vehicle and fortunately, checking your engine oil is pretty easy. Simply open the hood, remove the oil cap(it should be labeled, and if not consult your Owner’s Manual) to find the dipstick, take the stick out and wipe it off, put it back in and then finally take it out one more time. The stick will show you what your oil level is, and the color of the oil will tell you if it needs to be changed out. Make sure your car is off and has been off for at least 10 minutes before checking your engine oil. Some experts recommend you check your oil every time you fill up with gas, but checking once a month should be fine for newer vehicles. Transmission Fluid Your transmission fluid, much like the engine oil, lubricates your vehicle and in this case, keeps your vehicle’s gears moving. Checking your transmission fluid is a lot like checking your engine oil, except you will want your vehicle on when you check your transmission fluid. The fluid should be red, so if you notice that it’s brown and smells vaguely burnt, you should replace the fluid. Your transmission fluid should not get low, so if it does, stop by Destination Kia and we’ll check it out to see what’s going on. Transmission fluid should be checked at each oil change interval and replaced typically every 30,000 miles. Coolant Basically, coolant keeps your engine at its optimal temperature. Like transmission fluid, your vehicle’s coolant levels should not get low. If it does, your vehicle is most likely going to overheat, which can really burn a hole into your savings if enough damage is done. The most common reason your coolant level is low is because of a leak. You can usually identify a coolant leak by a very distinct sweet maple syrup smell. You can check your coolant level by checking the overflow reservoir (an opaque white container under the hood) and seeing if the fluid level is at or above the minimum line. If your coolant level is low, be sure to add the same type of coolant already in the vehicle. Check your coolant levels at least every 6 months, once before winter and once again before summer. Your coolant should be replaced every 2 to 3 years. Brake Fluid Brake fluid is another one that should never get low. If your brakes don’t feel as responsive or you feel like you need to use more pressure to stop, check your fluid first. Your brake fluid can be checked by looking through the brake fluid reservoir on the driver side of the vehicle and should be a golden color. If the fluid looks brown, you need to change the fluid. Check your brake fluid every time you have your oil changed and look to replace the fluid every 2 years. Power Steering Fluid Power steering fluid keeps your steering running smoothly. If you feel or hear a creaking as you steer, your power steering fluid may be running low. You can check the level by opening the hood and checking the reservoir. If you do notice the power steering fluid is low, it’s worth having your vehicle looked at by your friends at Destination Kia. Checking your power steering fluid monthly will help avoid any leak based issues. It’s also important to note that your power steering fluid may never need replacing, but it doesn’t hurt to keep track. Keeping up with all the various maintenance that your car needs to run efficiently isn’t as hard as you thought! At the very least it’s not quite as daunting a task as raising toddlers. So remember, if you have any questions about your fluid levels, your friends at Destination Kia will be happy to help. Just give us a call or stop by today! Get Your Car Serviced Today!

I don’t want to be harsh here, so I thought I’d start off in song. Under pressure, dun dun dun duh nuh nuh nuh. Your tires, specifically. As this season seems to be one in which Mother Nature is experiencing some mood swings, the temperatures are all over the place. Do you know what fluctuating temperatures mean for your tires? Under pressure, dun dun dun duh nuh nuh nuh. You guessed it! With each change in temp of 10 degrees or more, you should 100% check out your tire pressure as driving with low tire pressure is just throwing money away. I don’t know about you, but I have bills to pay and throwing money away is NOT in my budget. You know what is in my budget? Taking the steps to keep my tires in tip top shape. Which for a tire should be round. How, you might ask, does one check the tire pressure? Well, I am elated that you asked. It is actually a pretty simple process. Go to your local shopping center with an auto department, or even an auto shop, and get yourself a tire pressure gauge. I HIGHLY recommend the air pressured one, mostly because I have a pretty serious distrust of electronic measurements of any kind. The battery gets low and all of a sudden the numbers are all over the place and not even close to correct. Once you have your handy dandy tire pressure gauge, go to the tire in question and remove the air cap. Check said cap for cracks or busted threads inside the cap, if there are cracks, etc you can very likely locate replacement caps at the same establishment that you got the tire pressure gauge from. In the event the caps pass your casual inspection you can proceed to check the tire pressure. On the frame of your car, typically on the inside of your driver’s side door, you will find the optimum air pressure of your tires. Alternately, you can check your owner's manual to find your recommended tire pressure. This range is typically between 30 and 35 PSI(pounds per square inch). If your air is low based on the recommended tire pressure, you can fill up your tires at most gas stations for FREE or you can get a little portable air pump so that you can adjust your tire pressure as needed. Now that you have determined that your tire pressure is where it should be you can carry on with your life as planned! How exciting is that! Look at you out here being an adult and taking care of your car all by yourself! It’s some exciting stuff, friend. Keep up the good work and if you aren’t sure how your tires are doing and want to get them checked out by professionals, stop by Destination Kia today! Our Service Department will be more than happy to check out your tires for you! Get Your Tires Checked Today

You’re on your way home from work, you’ve rewarded yourself for a hard day with a delicious cupcake from Coccadotts, everything is going swell. Then you see it… the sinister orange-red glow of the check engine light. MISERY! DESPAIR! SUFFERING!!! THE UNADULTERATED HORROR!!!! *Starts ugly crying* Hold up! There are NUMEROUS reasons your check engine light may have come on, but the good news is that there’s typically no need to panic. So let’s wipe those tears away and take a few deep, cleansing breaths. Good good. MUCH better. Now that we have all taken a collective chill pill, we can go over why there is no need to panic. 1. It might be your gas cap DID YOU KNOW that a loose, cracked, or faulty gas cap can cause fuel to evaporate, which could totally result in your check engine light coming on? I feel ya. This would be a silly reason to get all worked up. It feels oddly similar to when you are desperately looking for your glasses, but it turns out that they are on your face. *Face Palm* So as a first order of business before you panic, check the gas cap. If this was indeed the issue, your check engine light should go off within 10 or 20 miles once you’re back on the road. 2. A certified mechanic should be able to diagnose the problem easily No need to sit and wonder what is wrong with your vehicle. You can stop by Destination Kia, where one of our certified mechanics can help sort out what’s caused the light to go on and what can be done. These folks are the SUPERHEROES of automotives. But like...no capes, because that would be SUUUUCH a hazard. 3. It’s typically not an urgent situation While you 100% should not just ignore your check engine light, there is no need to freak the second that light comes on. You will have plenty of time to drive yourself safely to Destination Kia where we can get you situated. You can let out that breath you’ve been holding. It’s all good. We’ve got this! 4. There are numerous reasons the light may come on Other than the quick fix of the gas cap, the other potential issues would be a little bit more challenging to diagnose yourself. Some causes include, but are not limited to damaged vacuum hose or ignition coil(s), a failing catalytic converter, or even worn out spark plugs. I’m gonna be real, I knew maybe 4 of those words. Which is why I trust all of my diagnostics to the certified mechanics at Destination Kia. They’ll tell you what’s up and have you back on the road in no time. So if your check engine light has been a source of distress in the past now you know that it’s not something to be ignored, it definitely doesn’t mean that the end is near. It’s ok to keep going, just make sure you have it checked out as soon as you can. Stop By Our Service Center Today