Do You Have An Emergency Kit Ready?

Fall is in full swing and that means that Halloween is right around the corner! Take your spooky season spirit to the next level by decorating your vehicle! You could plan a fun costume/prop duo with your ride or just trick out your car for any trunk-or-treaters that pass by! Take a look at some of Destination Kia’s Halloween decorating tips and get into the mood this Halloween season! We can’t wait to see what you come up with! Destination Kia’s Halloween Decorating Tips: Road safety should always come first! First and foremost if you’re planning on driving your car, it is important to be sure that your decorations don’t become driving hazards. Secure your decorations firmly, keep window decals and stickers from obstructing view and remember not to hang anything from either your interior or exterior mirrors! Stationary vehicles are full of possibilities! If you’re using your vehicle as a prop or for Trunk-or-Treat purposes then by all means, go crazy! Just make sure the parking brake is on and that the keys aren’t within reach of any of your young trick-or-treaters! And it might also help to keep in mind that you’ll have to undecorate your vehicle next time you want to take a ride so don’t go overboard! Save yourself some cash by DIYing your decorations! Styrofoam, cardboard, construction paper, and corn syrup are your new best friends! Make your decorations exactly to your specific needs and get the kids involved so the whole family can have some Halloween fun! Match your costume to your cars! The scooby doo gang and their mystery machine, Batman and the batmobile, and so many more fun costumes you can do with your ride! Step it up a notch and use your vehicle as the ultimate prop!

Temperatures are dropping here in upstate New York and that means your car battery might be on its last leg. Whether you know it or not, your vehicle could leave you stranded and if you’re unsure what to do when your car battery dies, you will be in quite the predicament. Don’t worry though, we have you covered. This week, we have your guide on how to jump your vehicle in a few easy steps. Let’s get into it! Take out your jumper cables It’s a good idea to own your own set of jumper cables and store them in your car. If you don’t have jumper cables, call a friend or look for a good Samaritan who is will to assist you. Place both vehicles in park or neutral and shut off the ignition Both vehicles should be in park/ neutral, engines turned off, and both parking brakes should be engaged as well. Attach one of the red clips to the positive terminal of your battery Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal on the other vehicle. Attach one of the black clips to the negative terminal on the battery of the other vehicle. Attach the last black clip to an unpainted metal surface on your vehicle that is not near the battery. Using a metal strut that holds the bonnet open is perfect for this. Try to start your vehicle If your vehicle will not start, make sure that all cables are properly connected to the right terminals and have the person helping you, run their engine for about five minutes. After a few minutes, try starting your vehicle once again. If your vehicle still will not start, your battery might be beyond help and you’ll need to replace immediately. If you’re unsure how much life your battery has left, stop in to see us for a test and let our technicians take care of your battery! For comments or questions, give our service department a call. We are happy to assist you in any way we can! Stay Safe In A New Kia!

If you’re anything like me, your favorite kind of car wash is one you can drive into and let a few machines clean up your ride. But, if you are the hands-on, DIY kind of person you probably enjoy getting your hands a little dirty. Or in this case, a little clean. This week, we have dedicated our blog to giving you the run-down on the proper way to wash your ride without doing damage to the paint. Check it out our dos and don’ts below! Do put your car in a shaded area or in a garage. The hot summer sun will make proper car care and cleaning, much more difficult. Wash your car on your lawn, any runoff will be absorbed by the grass which is better for the environment. Do wet down your vehicle, thoroughly. All you need is a little sprinkle of water to rid your vehicle of any loose dirt or debris that have made your vehicle home. If you skip this step, expect scratches on your vehicle. Don’t use detergent or dish soap. There are many automotive soaps out there which is usually pH-controlled and has gloss enhancers. Use soaps designed specifically for your vehicle, not household soaps that can cause damage to your vehicle. Do wash your vehicle one section at a time and top to bottom. This will prevent dry soapy spots from forming on your vehicle. Do wet the car if temperatures are hot. Don’t let your vehicle dry in the sun, a shady spot or a garage will prevent water spots from forming on your vehicle. Do spend the extra few minutes drying your vehicle completely to avoid water spots. And there you have it, our complete list of dos and don’ts when it comes to a DIY car wash! We hope you use these tips the next time to grab the bucket and head out to scrub-a-dub your precious Kia! Buy A Clean Kia Today!