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It’s a new year, and Destination Kia is back with some new tips for you! Now that the holiday season is starting to die down, and we’re starting to get back on track, it's important to remember that winter is still here. What does that mean for you? Well, we still have several months of winter ahead of us, and if your ride isn’t in shape for ever-changing conditions, then it’s time for a service appointment with the professionals here at Destination Kia. Just head over to our website to schedule your service appointment now! However, if you like to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty this week’s blog is for you! Take a peek below at our ultimate winter check-up! It’s always a good idea to see if everything is running smoothly, and if not, give us a call! Check and change the oil: Regular oil and filter changes will keep your engine’s life running longer Nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh-oil changes. Flush and change the cooling system: A 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good shape and prevent corrosion and deposits from building up inside the cooling system. Be sure to change your coolant once a year Change out transmission and differential oils: While not requiring frequent service, these fluids must be changed according to service intervals. Before topping off fluids, be sure that it is the proper oil and transmission fluid needed for your vehicle Clean it up: Washing your vehicle is obvious, but when it comes to cleaning the vehicle’s underside many of us fall short. Everything the vehicle ran over can also get stuck to the underside, hosing off winter salt and road grime is a good idea to keep from corrosion or build up. Grease it up: Everything with moving parts needs grease to survive, make sure the proper vehicle parts remain greased as needed Wax on, wax off: Nothing keeps your vehicle’s paint looking good and protected like a coat of quality wax. Wax should be applied every six months. Keep Driveline components Lubricated: Driveline components such as u-joints also require regular lubrication Protect it from harmful UVs: Protect the interior plastic by parking the vehicle in the shade, harmful UVs can deteriorate the plastic On sunny days, be sure to use a window deflector screen Applying a UV protectant to prevent the plastic and vinyl from drying out can also help Keep your wheels fresh to death: Inspect, clean, and repack wheel bearings with wheel bearing grease according to service intervals This is a pretty cheap task so you won’t break the bank doing so. Top off your brake fluid: Brake fluid   moisture, which causes components to corrode and fail Replacing the brake fluid and bleed system once a year will keep from damage happening Brake fluid is pretty cheap Schedule Your Kia Service Here: https://www.destinationkia.com/schedule-service.html

Hello, December! Winter is right around the corner and before we know it the snow will be falling. As the morning temperatures get colder, it’s important to keep an eye on what is happening under your hood. The cold temperatures can be harsh on our vehicles, and giving them a little TLC during this time can go a long way! So this week we are going to help you check your Kia’s oil to see if it’s time for changing. Below are step-by-step instructions. However, if your oil needs to be changed and you need assistance, head over to our site and schedule an appointment now! Checking Oil: How To Open the hood. Prop it so it stays open. Locate the oil dipstick next to the engine. It should have a yellow handle and/or be labeled. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a clean cloth or paper towel. Dip the stick all the way back in. Pull it out again and look at the oil level. If it’s in the middle of the hatched/indicated area, you’re good. More is better, less is okay, but if you’re lower than the recommended amount you’ll need to get your oil topped up and have your system checked for leaks. Look at the oil quality and color. If there are a lot of particles or if the oil looks sludgy, you need to get it changed as soon as possible. Put the dipstick back in. Close your hood. Looking to slip into a new, more reliable vehicle? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Shop our impressive line of Kia vans, sedans, and SUVs, to find the perfect ride for you! And be sure to take a peek at our December offers coming very soon! Schedule Your Oil Change Here: https://www.destinationkia.com/kia-oil-change.html

Hello, fall! Do you feel that cool crisp air in the breeze? That means fall is in fall swing and believe it or not, the winter months will be here before you know it. That means right now is the time to get your Kia in shape for whatever is coming our way this winter. Where to start? When to start? How to start? Don’t stress, we've got all you need to know in this week’s blog! We suggest starting with some fall cleaning. We’re sure your ride is in need of some TLC after traveling all summer long. So get ready to roll up your sleeves, because we’re cleaning this week! Don’t have time? Need help with repairs or maintenance? No problem, our team of certified professionals is here to help you! Just head over to our site to schedule your service appointment, and get your Kia in tip-top shape for fall 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! Click Here To Schedule Your Fall Service: https://www.destinationkia.com/schedule-service.html

Did you know October is car care month? Well, we sure hope you do because we have been telling you ALL MONTH LONG. But if it has slipped your mind, that’s alright but one thing we really want to focus on is your vehicle’s tires. Whether it’s checking the PSI or the tread or replacing them altogether, your tires play a very important role in keeping you safe. And of course, when something plays a vital role, you want to ensure that they are happy, healthy, and ready to perform. So, below you will find a few tips and tricks to making sure your tires are healthy and ready for those upcoming winter weather conditions! Let’s get started! Check The Depth: You should always be checking your tire’s tread depth, but if you’ve neglected your tires we’re here to remind you to evaluate the tread depth of your tires. Your tire tread helps you grip the roadway and keep your vehicle from slipping & sliding all over the road. The easiest tread depth test is to use a Penny. Take the coin and place it upside down into your tread, if you can still see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires. If not, you’re good to go for now! Check The Pressure: The important thing to check is the proper PSI levels that are listed in your vehicle owner’s manual, after finding this, we encourage you to use a tire pressure gauge to find your current PSI. This number will identify if you are either at the right level or below. If your tires are below, refill them until the read the proper level. Pro tip! Cole temperatures are known to give improper PSI levels, so be smart about when you’re checking your levels. Check The Condition & Age: As always, you should be checking the health and condition of your tires from day to day. You’ll want to look for things like any missing rubber, punctures, bulges, bumps or even cracks within the sidewalls of the rubber. Really anything that looks out of place should be taken seriously. Like everything else, tires have an expiration date and often times, we use them way past their end date. The best way to keep track is by checking the tread. Or ask your service technician. In addition, depending on the brand and type of tire you choose, some tires can last up to 50,000 miles. But keep track and ask questions! Schedule Your Service Appointment Here!

Getting ready to hit the road behind the wheel of your Kia? Whether your vehicle is new or a bit on the older side, we want to make sure that you won’t be left stranded on the side of the road because you forgot to service your ride. So, this week, we are bringing you our new May service offers that will get your ride in great shape while giving you the confidence that you are going to stay where you belong - on the road - during your next road trip! Once you have found the right service coupon that works for you, be sure to head over to our page and print your service coupon today! Hurry - these deals won’t last long and your vehicle deserves a little TLC this month! And for a pro tip - be sure to schedule your service appointment before stopping in to see our team. Save yourself some time and schedule your appointment online today! Full Synthetic Oil & Filter Change - $69.95* + tax Battery & Charging System Test - $19.95* Includes Battery test, charging system test, and starter test Make Your Own Discount - See specials page for details* 4-Wheel Alignment - $69.95* Destination Collision Center - $100 OFF* your deductible 27-Point Inspection - FREE* Special Military Discount - 10% OFF* any service Complimentary Car Wash* *All offers expire 5/31/2019. See specials page for full details. Print Your Coupons Here!

So, last week we discussed our monthly vehicle offers and now this week I am bringing you all of our service and parts specials that will get your Kia into tip-top shape before the upcoming winter months hit! Take a look below and be sure to print out your coupon or for ultimate convenience, send it directly to your smartphone. Finally, when you’ve got your coupon, schedule your appointment with our service department and let’s get your Kia ready! Help your car recover from those horrendous potholes with a 4-Wheel Alignment for ONLY $69.95.* Take advantage of our full synthetic oil and filter change this month and pay ONLY $69.95 +tax.* Plus, get a FREE 27-point inspection while you’re here with coupon!* Or take advantage of a complimentary car wash that is included with every service when you present a coupon.* Does your battery need a little TLC? For just $19.95* have your battery, charging system, and starter tested to ensure that your battery is ready for whatever weather may come our way! We are also offering our popular make your own discount coupon, the more you spend the more you’ll save!* Plus, take $100 OFF* your deductible when you work with our collision center! Lastly, as a thank you for their dedication and sacrifices - we are offering a special military discount that will get you 10% OFF* any service! In order to receive the discount, you must present the coupon and military ID card, veteran ID card or DD214. Are you ready for some service savings?! We sure are - stop in to see us today or schedule your appointment from the comfort of your home right here! Hurry, these deals won’t last long and you don’t want to miss out on amazing savings! *All specials expire 8/31/2018. See service specials page for full details. Print Your Coupon Here!

April is here and despite the chilly days Spring is here and it’s (mostly) in full swing. And do you know what Spring is a great season for? Changing your air filter! Yeah, we know, it’s probably not the first thing you think of when you think about the season but hey, it’s still important! Take a look at our blog about your air filter and then schedule your service appointment to have yours checked out today! You’re probably wondering why you would bother with the air filter at all if it’s just destined to get gross and block airflow to your engine when it gets grody enough. Well, think about it like this: the little hairs in your nose are designed to trap dirt and dust particles so that you don’t get them in your lungs. That dirt and dust, should it actually reach your lungs, is super unhealthy and can make your other body functions much more difficult. The air filter in your vehicle is the automotive equivalent of those little nose hairs. When your engine can breathe properly, it works a heck of a lot better. And if dust and dirt get into the engine, they can kill your power plant and bring down your MPGs, which can cause even more engine damage in the long run. The air filter itself is made of cotton, paper, or gauze because these materials trap dirt and still let air flow through. Of course, the filter can’t trap absolutely 100% of all dirt and dust particles, but it gets close with a solid 99% rate of entrapment. Interestingly, newer filters keep out less dirt at first because the filter needs to build up a “dust film” that decreases the size of the holes in the filter, and lets it trap more dirt. If your engine can’t get air because your air filter is SO dirty that it’s not even letting air in, your engine will suffer. The performance of your engine and your MPGs will both decrease. Your car can’t blow its nose, so you have to do the job yourself! This means making sure that the air filter is always fresh and clean. If it’s been over three years or 30,000 miles, then it’s probably time for a new air filter. Bring your vehicle in to Destination Kia for a service appointment and we’ll take a look at your air filter and replace it if needed. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and with us, you can always count on a great deal and great advice! Schedule Service Easily Online

Spring has sprung and it’s time to give your vehicle the springtime maintenance it deserves, especially after this winter we’ve had. (how many Nor’easters was it, again??) The maintenance in question is very important for making sure that your vehicle is not only in good shape to handle the coming seasons, but it is also aimed at fixing any damage or misalignment that might have occurred this winter because of snow, ice, bad road conditions, or just the amount of time you had to go between services. Check out what you need to tackle, and then schedule your spring service with us online! Start with your tires, even if you drive on all-season tires. If you do use all-seasons, this is the time to rotate them. By rotating tires seasonally, you extend the life of all four tires. Windshield wiper blades also get the short end of the winter weather stick. Colder temperatures are hard on rubber compounds, and slush from the road is not very helpful when it comes to maintaining the blades. This slush often carries with it corrosive salt used to melt road ice, which can really hurt your blades. Early spring is a good time to you’re running low after winter. Next, clean your vehicle’s undercarriage. There’s no magic solution to getting rid of the corrosive salt build-up but the best tool is a high-pressure sprayer. Pay special attention to the area around the front and rear bumpers. Once you’ve thoroughly sprayed the underbody, check for signs of rust and take the necessary steps to stop any small rust spots from eating away at your vehicle. We’ve all seen the “snow boogers” that form around bumpers and wheel wells. That’s the most likely place for road salt to begin the erosion process. While you’re at it, you might as well wash the whole car. Winter is not really the time to spend afternoons hosing off your vehicle and chances are it’s been a while since the last time you’ve washed your car. Examine your brakes. Like wipers, brakes take on a bigger role during wintertime and should be checked to ensure that they’re still in good shape. Listen for brake noises such as grinding, chatter, or squeals. Even if your brakes aren’t making any noises, it’s still a good idea for you or your mechanic to determine the amount of wear on the pads or drums. We often become accustomed to the feel of worn brakes, without realizing that we’ve become used to decreased stopping power. Check all automotive fluids and top them off if you need to. Driving in the winter requires your engine to work harder and condensation can cause moisture buildup in the engine that creates wear. If your car is due for scheduled maintenance, have the oil changes and be sure to use the proper formulation and viscosity recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Go over the interior of your vehicle. This includes taking out and washing floor liners. Vacuum and clean the carpets, and make sure they are dry before you put the liners back in. A nice, clean interior is one of the best parts of driving after all! Source: https://exchange.aaa.com/car-care/repair-maintenance/seasonal-car-maintenance/#.WpXIAZPwZTY Schedule Your Service Online Now!