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September is here, and do you know what that means?! It’s tailgating season!! Now we all know the tailgate essentials– portable grill, fold-out chairs, assorted BBQ meats, and coolers filled with your beverage of choice! But, if you really want to be the hottest spot on the block, here are some fun trinkets from Destination Kia that will help you take your game day celebration to the next level! Take a look at our list below and, if you need a bigger ride to fit the whole team, upgrade into a brand-new Kia SUV! You can check out our available inventory online today! Destination Kia’s Tailgating Tips: Team Specific Paper Plates & Napkins: Team spirit means going the extra mile, so a cheap and easy way to show yours is with these pieces! Cornhole Bean Bag Toss: Get that competitive edge up by playing some games of your own! Plus it’s a great way to pass the time! Especially if you’re the sort to come extra early so you can get a good tailgating spot! Tailgating Canopy: You can get a stand alone tent or they even have canopies that attach directly to the rear hatch of your ride so that you and your possy can share some shade! Face Paint: A fun and easy way to get your team pumped up for the game! And you’ll have so much more fun taking photos and making memories! Chalk Markers: You can easily decorate your ride with these impermanent markers! They come off with water and soap and can spread game day cheer to any one that passes by!

Now that June is here and the temperatures are heating up, it’s never been more tempting to hit the road behind the wheel of your Kia. If you’ll be traveling sooner than later it might be a good idea to check out our ultimate list of road trip essentials below. The Destination Kia team wants to make sure you’re as prepared as possible so we’ve compiled all the items you should pack in case an issue arises with your vehicle or you find yourself in need of some helpful accessories. While many of these items could be useful in a pinch there’s no real substitute for routine service. Regular maintenance helps give you the peace of mind you need, knowing your Kia won’t be breaking down anytime soon. So head over to our site and request a service appointment today! Destination Kia’s List Of Road Trip Essentials: Keep your car on the road with these essentials License and registration A copy of your car insurance policy and the relevant contact numbers Your car’s manual A spare tire Roadside Emergency Kit Little road trip accessories that can make a big difference. Paper maps/ map apps (technology doesn’t always work, having a back is always a good plan) Spare  money in case of an emergency A notebook and pen in the case that you need to leave a note or write information down First aid kit Flashlight Bug spray Large water bottles Toilet roll Stay connected & Entertained Phone chargers Killer road trip playlist Don’t forget your camera for memories! Portable WiFi A good book or two Travel games for both the car and when you get to your destination

Happy New Year! Can you believe that 2024 is officially here?! We can’t but we want to start this new year off on the right foot. We have four important New Year’s resolutions for you and your vehicle. And while we hope you’re turning a new leaf this year, we want to encourage you to start the new year off behind the wheel of a brand new Kia! Hurry on in to see our team and let us help you find the perfect Kia sedan, SUV, or EV that fits into your budget and lifestyle! We look forward to working with you! Don’t Neglect Car Maintenance We know each year you say this, ‘I won’t slack on car maintenance.' And you might fall short on that. But we want to help you keep your vehicle happy and healthy all year long. It’s important to stay up to date on your oil changes, tire care, brake pads, and air filters. Learn Basic Maintenance Yourself If you’re concerned about the cost of maintenance, learn how to treat your car to some basic services yourself. There are a lot of tutorials on how to complete basic maintenance. Or simply stop in or schedule an appointment with our team to further assistance. Stop Driving Distracted Did you know on average about NINE people are killed by distracted driving each day. Which makes this a pretty good resolution to make happen. Stop reaching for something, changing your music, checking your phone, taking photos, checking emails/ social media, eating, and yes, putting on makeup or grooming yourself. Just leave this all in the past! Keep Your Vehicle Clean While for some this may be easy, for others keeping our vehicle clean might be a difficult task to stay on top of. But we encourage you to hold yourself accountable and take any trash with you when you exit your vehicle!

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.

Summer is coming to an end. I mean, it’s inevitable but this week we want to assure you that there is still plenty of time to take one last road trip before the sun sets on summer! But before you hit the road there are a few things you might want to pack up as your road trip survival kit! While most of these things are pretty simple and we guarantee that you already have them waiting around at your house. So take a peek at our guide and be sure to get everything in order! Road Trip Survival Kit: A GPS or Smartphone Map App Light, non-messy snacks Small cooler packed with water to keep everyone hydrated. Emergency Kit - Flashlight, batteries, jumper cables, tire inflator, umbrella, AAA roadside emergency contact information. Non-Emergency Kit - trash bags, tissues, cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, and travel-size toiletries. Portable chargers to keep your devices charged and ready to go An itinerary to keep you on track A playlist of your favorite songs A good book to keep you occupied if you’re a passenger Extra clothing - sneakers, warm sweater, rain jacket. Weather is unpredictable, plan accordingly Alright, so you have your list and now we want to remind you to service your vehicle or upgrade into a new Kia this August before heading out on the road. Why? Well, your vehicle has been through a lot this summer and it’s time to service before heading out for a long trip. Or if you’re better off upgrading altogether - come see our team! Worried about money? No worries - check out our online specials on a variety of new Kia models. We promise there is something for everyone at the right price here at Destination Kia. Just stop on by today!

Things are heating up here in Albany this summer and we want to help you get the most out of your vehicle and mileage! This week we have a variety of fuel economy tips to help you steer clear of the pump and behind the wheel! Take a look at our five most important fuel economy tips below and stop in to see our team to service your current vehicle or to upgrade into a brand new, more fuel-efficient Kia! Perhaps a hybrid? Who knows! Come see us and let our team help you choose your next, new Kia! Get Regular Oil Changes A quick oil change can really help boost your fuel efficiency. Dirty, old engine oil can decrease your fuel efficiency greatly. Thick, sludgy oil makes your engine burn more energy which makes your fuel economy go down. Maintain Proper Tire Pressure Keeping your tires at the proper inflation levels is a simple way to improve your gas mileage in the summer months. In fact, you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3% by keeping your tires at the proper PSI levels. Avoid Aggressive Driving If you’re the type of driver that weaves in and out of traffic, speeds up and slows down erratically, we’re here to tell you to knock that off. In fact, rapid acceleration can negatively affect your highway fuel economy by up to 33%. And even your city economy by 5%. So slow down and take your time! Reduce Your Speed We’re all guilty of having a heavy foot when we’re out and about on the road. But we want you to slow down because every 5 MPH over 50 is like paying $0.20 per gallon. So slow down and travel the speed limit. Plus, slower speeds are safer! Don’t Idle Your Engine We understand that in sweltering summer temperatures, you’ll want to turn your vehicle on to get the A/C pumping. But by keeping your engine idling, you're wasting your own dollars and you’re not even going anywhere! So start up the car and hit the road!

Spring is here and that means so are those pesky allergies! We want to help you stay allergy-free when you’re behind the wheel and this week’s blog will be your guide to allergy-proofing your ride. Whether you plan to take on all of these tasks or just a few, we encourage you to do them before pollen season officially hits and you’re crippled with your seasonal allergies. Check out our guide below and stop in to see our team if you’re ready to upgrade into a brand new Kia this month! Destination Kia's Allergy Proofing Tips: Clean Your Carpets: Your vehicle’s carpeting is known to be a home for allergens, dirt, dust, and all things nasty. The first way to allergy-proof your ride is to make sure your carpeting (and seating) is clean and dry. If you want to go the extra step, invest in all-season floor mats to make this process easier or to keep allergens from building up in your vehicle’s carpeting. Keep Your Windows Closed: Pollen season is quickly approaching and that means you’ll be sneezing in no time. Let’s cut back on those by keeping our windows closed when pollen is at its peak. We also recommend using only the recirculating cycle if or when you need to use your air conditioner in order to avoid pollen from entering your vehicle's cabin. Avoid Irritants: Many drivers think cleaning their vehicle with great smelling products or adding a new air freshener to their vehicle will make all those bad smells go away. And in some cases, it will. But those fragrances can actually irritate you and could lead to jump-starting those allergies or making them worse. So, avoid all that and choose something that will not irritate your nasal membranes. Change Your Air Filters Air filters are sometimes the most forgotten about thing in a person’s vehicle. While air filters are the barrier between you and the pollen inside your cabin, it is crucial to swap out your air filters at the start of each season for plenty of reasons. We recommend changing at the beginning of the spring season and checking back again towards the end to ensure smart, clean breathing when you’re inside your vehicle.

Have you been thinking about hitting the open road this Spring? Or planning out a nice long road trip for the summer? We don’t blame you for wanting to spend more time on the road in your incredible Kia! But before you go, we want to share a few helpful tips to help you conquer your next trip! Take a look at our list below and if you think your car may need a check-up before any long excursions, schedule a service appointment with Destination Kia’s qualified team of professionals today! Destination Kia’s Road Trip Tips: Clean Your Ride Before, During, & After The Trip From top to bottom, give your car a wash, vacuum, and be sure to throw out any trash or unnecessary items. You’ll regret not cleaning out your vehicle beforehand when you’re trying to pack up for your next adventure. Give Your Vehicle A Check Up Before leaving for your trip, we encourage you to have your vehicle looked over by a  service team to ensure things are in proper working order; especially if you’re headed out on a longer trip. From your fluid levels, brakes, tires, and anything else that can cause an issue, it’s important to make sure you’re ready to handle any situation. Have A Backup Plan It’s always important when hitting the road to have a backup plan, whether it’s additional options for activities to do for the day, lodging arrangements, or having alternative routes to your destination, it’s important to be able to change your plans on-the-fly if issues arise along the way. Bring Entertainment Options While rocking out on the road might be fun for a while it might get old after a couple of hours. Many of our newer Kai models come equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which allow you access to podcasts, audio books, and even have the capability to stream television and movies! Join A Roadside Assist Service While we hope you won’t be needing it, having roadside assistance is a great way to stay safe if things go south during your trip. Having access to these services will save you a lot of trouble and we strongly recommend it!

‘Tis the season to turn up the tunes and press play! This week we want to hand-deliver a holiday playlist to help you pass the time when you’re wrapping those presents, baking cookies, or heading out to see your family and friends. Check out our playlist below and if you’re ready to upgrade your ride, hurry on in to see our team before Toyotathon ends! Hurry in today! Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Straight No Chaser Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Take 6 You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Darius Rucker All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey When You Wish Upon A Star - Idina Menzel Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Pentatonix My Favorite Things - Dave Brubeck Cold December Night - Michael Bublé Little Drummer Boy - Josh Groban Silent Night - Idina Menzel White Christmas - Josh Groban Winter Wonderland - Andra Day Silver Bells - Dean Martin Santa Baby - Michael Bublé This Christmas - Seal Find Your Next Kia Here: https://www.destinationkia.com/searchnew.aspx

If you’re like us, you’re gearing up for another season change here in Albany! And this week we want to put your vehicle cleaning list to the top of your list to ensure a smooth transition into the new season! Below is a list of helpful ways to ensure your vehicle is getting what it needs so check it out and clean up your ride this September. Or if you're ready to ditch your old ride completely and start fresh, come see our team this month and let us help you find a brand new Kia that fits your needs and budget. We hope to see you soon! Undercarriage Cleaning Many car owners always keep the visible parts of their vehicle clean and sparkly. But what about the undercarriage of your vehicle? While your vehicle’s undercarriage is always just inches off the ground, it’s important to clean up and get rid of any road-borne impurities that come in contact with your undercarriage. Especially with slush and road salt quickly approaching in the upcoming winter months. It’s important to clean it well, clean it often. Exterior Protection This is a little easier but still a task that takes a bit of elbow grease to complete and complete right. Impurities that lie hidden in moisture can lead to slowly eating away at your paint job, no matter how good it is. It’s important to ensure your car is waxed periodically and put that protective barrier between your paint and the elements! Interior cleaning Everything you tread on outside of your vehicle always makes its way inside your car at one point or another. While it may be difficult to get out of the vacuum and get into all the nooks and crannies, it’s extremely important to do so. Apart from the feeling that comes from being in a clean interior, you don’t want to find yourself with upholstery damage because you neglected to clean your ride. Get out that vacuum and make it sparkle. And a pro tip, add a new air freshener to freshen up the interior smell of your vehicle! Shop Destination Kia Today! >> https://www.destinationkia.com/searchnew.aspx

Summer is coming to an end. I mean, it’s inevitable but this week we want to assure you that there is still plenty of time to take one last road trip before the sun sets on summer! But before you hit the road there are a few things you might want to pack up as your road trip survival kit! While most of these things are pretty simple and we guarantee that you already have them waiting around at your house. So take a peek at our guide and be sure to get everything in order! Road Trip Survival Kit: A GPS or Smartphone Map App Light, non-messy snacks Small cooler packed with water to keep everyone hydrated. Emergency Kit - Flashlight, batteries, jumper cables, tire inflator, umbrella, AAA roadside emergency contact information. Non-Emergency Kit - trash bags, tissues, cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, and travel-size toiletries. Portable chargers to keep your devices charged and ready to go An itinerary to keep you on track A playlist of your favorite songs A good book to keep you occupied if you’re a passenger Extra clothing - sneakers, warm sweater, rain jacket. Weather is unpredictable, plan accordingly Alright, so you have your list and now we want to remind you to service your vehicle or upgrade into a new Kia this August before heading out on the road. Why? Well, your vehicle has been through a lot this summer and it’s time to service before heading out for a long trip. Or if you’re better off upgrading altogether - come see our team! Worried about money? No worries - check out our online specials on a variety of new Kia models. We promise there is something for everyone at the right price here at Destination Kia. Just stop by today!

Are you ready for one last road trip behind the wheel of your Kia this summer? We were hoping you would say yes! I mean, if you’re anything like me, you try to hold on to the little bit of summer that we have left and whether you are headed to the lake, the beach, or any other favorite destination, this week’s blog will serve you well! We’re dishing out our guide to packing the ultimate road trip survival kit. No need to thank us, we are all about making your life easier here at Destination Kia! Take a look at our guide below and be sure to stop in to see our service technicians to service your ride before you head out for those long, hot grueling miles! We look forward to working with you and your Kia! Hurry in, today! For The Parents: Car chargers for devices GPS or Map App on smartphone Wipes, paper towels, or towels (you choose!) Light, non-messy snacks, and water to stay hydrated Emergency Kit - Flashlight, batteries, jumper cables, tire inflator, umbrella, AAA roadside emergency contact information. Non-Emergency Kit - trash bags, tissues, cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, and travel-size toiletries. For The Children: Sing-along songs to play Books to read Favorite toy, blanket, or pillow to stay comfortable Light, non-messy healthy snacks and water to stay hydrated Portable video games or DVD Player and movies List of games to play like “I Spy” or “License Plate Game” Tip For Everyone! Extra clothing - sneakers, warm sweater, rain jacket. Weather can be very unpredictable, plan accordingly and be sure you are ready to go no matter what the weather is! Start Off In A New Kia! >> https://www.destinationkia.com/searchnew.aspx