With the warm weather we’re having, you know what that means: it’s construction season! Do you agree with the idea that in upstate NY there are two seasons? And those two seasons are winter and construction season? Let us know what you think.

Anyway, with the advent of construction season comes the increased need to understand the best ways to be safe when driving in work zones. Check out our tips for driving safely and legally and not stressing when you hit the cone zones and spot workers out repairing the potholes that good ol’ Mother Nature threw into the Northway and the street I live on in Troy. (This may or may not be a gentle plea to get my street repaved… so traffic gods, I hope you’re reading this!)

1. Stay Alert – don’t get distracted by your radio, your passengers, your Dunkin, your phone, or anything else, especially when you’re driving in a construction zone. Give the road your full, undivided attention.

2. Keep your headlights on – even during the day, it’s a good idea to switch on your headlights if you don’t have DRL’s.

3. Did we say pay attention? – Watch for road signs, brake lights, and other vehicles to see if people are slowing down, what the speed limit should be, and other important information about the traffic pattern.

4. Merge in time – don’t wait until the very last second to merge into the correct lane. If you see a sign that says “Lane Closed Ahead,” then get into the lane that’s going to be open and just stay there. You can zoom past that old lady in a Buick after you pass the construction area. Patience is a virtue!

5. Don’t tailgate – that being said, don’t be right up that old lady’s tailpipe the entire time you’re stuck behind her. That’s not only rude, it’s illegal.

6. Obey the speed limit – Sure, you can go 65 on the Northway, but if the work zone speed limit is 45 then slow the heck down and obey the speed limit! There are probably workers on the road working mere feet from where cars are, and you don’t want to get into a really serious accident. Also, ticket fines are doubled for speeding in work zones. So, there’s that as well.

7. Change lanes safely – don’t drive like a maniac! When you’re still in a construction area, change lanes like you are that old lady in the Buick and be safe about it.

8. Watch for flaggers and follow their instructions – don’t ignore those people with flags. They have a job to do and you can get ticketed for ignoring flaggers.

9. Expect the unexpected – work zones are one of the places on this earth where chaos has a tendency to reign, and you should not expect driving in one to be smooth sailing. Trucks, other vehicles, and machinery can enter your lane at any time and you need to be prepared.

10. PATIENCE IS KEY. This is in caps because it’s important. Be patient. It’ll be good.

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!

Driving in the spring can be a dangerous venture, especially when it’s really rainy and the roads get slick. Sure, we’ve all been through winter driving before, but there’s nothing quite like those spring rains making everything more slippery and dangerous! When the rain is coming down, those few minutes right at the beginning of the storm are the most dangerous and pose the most risk of hydroplaning. Learn how to avoid hydroplaning and what to do if you find yourself losing traction.

First of all, don’t panic! When you panic, you’re a lot more likely to slam on either the brakes or the gas, and neither will help you. Hydroplaning is when your front tires lose traction, and while braking slows down your front tires it locks the rear tires and causes you to spin out. Because hydroplaning can make your vehicle spin a little anyway, accelerating when you’re losing traction makes you lose control of the direction your vehicle is going to go in.

If you find this happening, look for an open spot in front of you on the road and try to gently steer your vehicle in that direction. Just like when you’re sliding on ice, don’t oversteer! Guide your vehicle in the direction you want to go without putting your foot on either the brake or the gas.

Avoiding hydroplaning is easy. Don’t use your cruise control in a rainstorm, because the water on the road and the loss of traction can trick your vehicle into thinking it needs to supply more power to the wheels. This means your vehicle will try to accelerate suddenly and, well, that’s a recipe for trouble. Some preventive measures you can take to avoid hydroplaning are to make sure that your tires are in good shape and have plenty of tread. Do the penny test to make sure your tires are in great shape – the deeper your tread, the more traction you’ll have in the rain. You should also go slower than you normally would – about 1/3 of your normal speed is about right.

Take care and good luck. Even though it’s technically only water falling out of the sky, rain is still dangerous in its own way!

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!

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