Spring is right around the corner (can you feel our excitement?!?!?!?) and with the change of seasons comes the change in our personalities that makes us go from lazy winter slobs bundled up in blanket burritos every night of the week in front of the Netflix – hey, we do it too – to beautiful springtime butterflies that love to clean and feel the fresh air on our faces. Understandably, we want you to be prepared for when you decide to spring clean your vehicle, which is absolutely something you should do. We don’t discourage that at all. But we do want to make sure you do it right, and that you don’t damage your vehicle unintentionally. Take a look at how to give your vehicle a fantastic spring clean, especially after this winter we’ve had, and then get to work!

1. Tackle your carpeting and upholstery by vacuuming the crevices in your seats, wiping your seats down with a damp cloth, and shaking out and vacuuming your carpets. Get the hose of the vacuum into all the crevices on the floor, as well, and really make sure to shake all the dirt out of your mats.
2. Wipe down your console and vacuum out the cupholders. Don’t get the electronics wet, but make sure you clean off any grime or stickiness that’s collected.
3. Organize everything in your glove box and other compartments. That’s a good place to stash trash in an emergency and then forget about forever, so make sure you take care of those spots.
4. Clean the insides and outsides of your windows, including your windshield. Fingerprints, dust, and frost marks can collect over the winter and now’s the time to get rid of all of that.
5. Clean out your trunk – winter debris and various other things can collect in your trunk and you don’t need to deal with that in the spring.
6. Wash your vehicle! Use a good vehicle shampoo and a warm day and make sure your vehicle is looking great. Spray down the undercarriage as well to knock loose salt. If you’re more of the full-service car wash type, then treat your vehicle (and yourself) to a nicer car wash that includes a protectant and undercarriage wash. Check out the Hoffman’s and get anything including and above the Ultimate Exterior (or Ultimate Full Service) wash!
7. Check out your wheels, including checking the tire pressure, cleaning your wheels and wells, and making sure that your tires are in good shape and your wheels and rims aren’t bent or broken anywhere.
8. Clean out your engine bay by getting rid of any dead leaves, debris, and dust that have collected in the bay and checking for animal nests (especially if you live in a more rural spot).
9. Consider applying a protectant like a spray or wax to your vehicle after you wash it. If you do choose to do this at home, then do it in the shade. Direct sunlight is never a good idea when you’re applying protectant.
10. Replace your wipers with ones that haven’t seen the ravages of winter. The salt, dirt, and other debris that gets thrown at your windshield with snow and road slush can do a number on your wipers, and with those spring showers that are coming, you’ll need your wipers to work well.

There’s a gene that all of us have that tells our brains that danger is fun and that we love to live on the edge. Even if it’s not as prevalent in your specific circumstances, I am sure that you’ve lived on the edge before! A great example of that danger-seeking instinct is when you don’t get gas often enough and then you end up driving your vehicle with the gas gauge pointing to “E.” Yeah, that’s dangerous. If you were thinking earlier that you weren’t a thrill seeker, well, you probably are.

Why? There are a few reasons it’s never a good idea to drive with the gauge on empty. The first is that it can totally burn out your fuel pump. The gas from your tank acts as a coolant for your fuel pump, so when there’s no gas all your pump has to use is air. This creates a lot of heat and burns out your fuel pump much faster than if you gave it enough gas to use.

Your gas gauge isn’t even fully accurate, to begin with. If you are familiar with the episode of Seinfeld where Kramer test drives a car with the gauge pointing to “E,” then you know that this could mean anything from 50 miles to .5 miles of gas left. A good practice is to never let your tank get below a quarter full.

Finally, a fact of life is that sediment collects at the bottom of every gas tank in the world over time, including yours. When your gas level goes down, the more likely it is that the sediment at the bottom of your tank will go through your fuel system. So, when you drive on empty, you’re stirring up that sediment and then sending that disgusting gas through your engine, which strains your fuel injectors and fuel lines and can make a total flush of your fuel system necessary.

The thing I want to leave you with today is a healthy fear of running on empty, and the understanding that you should never let your tank go below a quarter full. Capisci?

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%.

Folks, it’s that time of the month again – specials on your favorite new Kia models are here! Check them out, and then schedule your test drive online today!

First, we have the 2018 Kia Forte LX*. This is a fantastic sedan that’s perfect for the whole family… or for the professional on the go! Wherever you’re headed, you know you’ll enjoy getting there behind the wheel of the Forte LX. And even though it’s a brand new 2018 model, you can lease it for only $99 a month for 24 months with a down payment of $999! This is an incredible deal on a car you’ll love!

Next up is the 2018 Kia Optima LX*, another fantastic sedan with an aggressive grille that’ll let everyone on the street know that you have arrived. Whether you’re cruising through the city, enjoying that fantastic Albany skyline or just stopping at Bella Napoli for some creampuffs for that brunch at your mother-in-law’s, this car will turn heads no matter where you’re going. And it’s easier than ever to be the center of attention – you can lease the Optima LX for only $218 a month for 36 months… and pay absolutely nothing when you sign the lease.

For the more environmentally conscious, the 2017 Kia Optima PHEV* is the perfect choice. Because it’s a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, you’ll be getting over 100 MPGe and will never have to worry about stopping to fill up the tank. The best part, though? You can lease one of your own for only $248 a month for 36 months, with $0 down at signing.

If you’re more of the SUV type, you can choose between the fantastic 2018 Kia Sportage LX* or the 2018 Kia Sorento L*, both SUVs with Kia’s great engineering and the toughness to tackle anything from soccer practice to inclement weather to a spur-of-the-moment weekend adventure. You can lease the 2018 Sportage LX for $248 a month for 36 months with $0 due at signing (sales tax is included in the monthly payment!) and the 2018 Sorento L can be yours for 36 months for only $268 a month and $0 down!

If any of these great new vehicles appeal to you, head down to Destination Kia today and take a test drive! You’ll fall in love at first sight!

*All specials expire on 2/28/2018. See specials page for details.

Just because winter is already here doesn’t mean that you can’t check up on your car and make sure it can handle the weather that’s still yet to come. Sound like a plan to you? Here’s how to ensure that your vehicle is ready for this upstate winter!

• Make sure your radiator and coolant are in good shape – i.e. the level of your coolant is where it should be and your radiator is in working order.

• Use your garage! Clean it out if it’s full and start parking your car in it.

• If you don’t have a garage, use a car cover.

• Check your defrosters and make sure they work properly.

• Fill your windshield washer fluid, preferably with fluid that contains non-toxic antifreeze.

• Check your windshield wipers and consider replacing them with wipers specifically meant for winter use.

• Check your battery, which means checking the connections and the electrical system as well. Replace your battery if it is dying.

• Put your snow tires on your car if you have them. If not, consider investing in a set, or investing in tire chains or other tire traction accessories.

So, you know you’re supposed to get your oil changed every six months or 3,000 miles. Well, what if I were to tell you that this fact is not necessarily true? The frequency of your oil changes actually depends on these factors, among others:

• The age of your car

• The type of oil you use

• How many miles are on your car

• What conditions you usually drive in

• How hard you drive your car

Yeah, I know, I probably just turned your world on its head. It’s okay! We can get through this together. All you need to do is schedule your next oil change with us, and when you’re in the shop, talk to one of our service professionals about how often you specifically should get your oil changed. We might surprise you – and hopefully pleasantly!

Did you know that one of the most important and helpful things you can do for your vehicle is to check your oil at least once a month? Yeah, it is. Don’t know how? It’s very easy, and we’re about to tell you how to do it. Remember that this isn’t a substitute for regular oil changes, and only your dealer can tell you how frequently you should get your oil changed. Check out how to check your oil, and then remember to do it once a month.

• 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 area you 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.

Are you looking for ways to increase your fuel economy without having to get another new car? Well, Kia’s coming a long way in terms of fuel-efficient vehicles and even electric vehicles, but if you’re not ready to make the switch just yet there are several ways you can increase those MPGs in the vehicle you’re driving now. Check them out!

Don’t speed! It’s illegal, to begin with, and it decreases your MPGs. We all love to go fast on the Northway, but try to stay closer to the speed limit and see how it helps!

When driving on highways, use your cruise control. Speeding creates a lot of accidental acceleration and deceleration – with cruise control on, that’s eliminated. If you stay at a reasonable speed, that’s just the icing on the cake.

Don’t idle your vehicle. Idling not only wastes fuel but harms the environment. Restarting your car uses less gas than just a few seconds of idling, so just think about that next time you double park on Lark Street!

If you have a storage box or rack on your roof, switch to something that serves the same purpose but that’s rear mounted. It helps your vehicle be more aerodynamic, which saves fuel.

Finally, be safe. When you are driving, really focus on safety and being a model driver. When you focus, you’re more likely to drive in a way that maximizes your MPGs. Who knew!

If you are anything like me, you’re both an avid road tripper and also really really addicted to being prepared for anything. If you fit this description, I have the list for you! This is a long list of the things you might want to keep in your vehicle in case of things like boredom or real emergency – so feel free to pick and choose your favorites (or at least the things you think you’ll need the most) and then put them in some sort of storage device in your car. Thank me later!!!

In The Car

• Blankets and pillows

• Music

• Folding chairs

• Reading material

• Camera

• Cash for toll roads

• GPS

• Binoculars

• Wet wipes

• Puzzle books and quiet toys for kids

• Pen, pencil, notepad

• Tissues, paper towels, toilet paper

• Small bags for garbage

Vehicle Emergency Kit

• Flashlight, roadside signal flares or reflective cones/warning signs

• First aid kit

• Booster cables, wrenches, screwdrivers (basic tool kit)

• Gallon jug of water

• Extra washer fluid, oil, transmission oil, brake fluid

• Rags, workshop towels, old blanket

• Gloves

• Spare belts (alternator, fan and air conditioner belts)

• Candle, warm clothes, heavy blanket (for winter travel)

• Duct tape and WD40

Sometimes it feels like my car is a needy child. It’s always hungry for more gas, it pitches a fit in the cold weather. The oil always needs to be changed. Thank goodness I don’t need to put my car through college, I’d be in trouble! Uggg, so much effort to keep my car running! What’s the point!? Actually, why DO we need to change the oil in our cars? What does the oil even do for our car? Is it really necessary to put all this effort and money into our cars? As with most things in life, there is, in fact, a rhyme AND reason for the things we must do. So if you enjoy the benefit of driving yourself to work on a freezing cold morning such as this when the temperature was 1 degree, check out this cool info about why your oil is important to your car.

1. Lubricates the engine. All the moving parts that enable your engine to work create heat and will wear down the engine dramatically without proper oil lubrication. Make sure to refer to the owner’s manual to see what specific weight and grade of oil the vehicle requires and ensure it is kept at the recommended fill volume.

2. Temperature regulation. As mentioned above, your engine creates heat with all the moving parts. So, by maintaining clean and sufficient amounts of oil you are preventing too much friction and over-heating of the engine.

3. Protects engine from dirt. Dirt and dust manage to show up in the most unlikely places. I don’t know how it does it, I’m not a dirt scientist, but it just does. When it comes to your car, dirt particles are deadly to engines. Over time, dirt can cause corrosion and decrease the life of an engine oil traps that dirt and dust and breaks down into “sludge.” The ultimate goal, keep the engine clean, and it will stay working longer. Changing oil is an important part of keeping the engine clean.

4. Improves gas mileage. In addition to overheating, poor engine lubrication can lead to increased fuel consumption, so make sure there is enough clean oil in the engine.

5. Increases lifespan of the vehicle. Much like a diet of just fast food, not taking care of your vehicle will decrease its lifespan. By keeping up with maintenance you’ll be able to keep your vehicle running well much longer than if you don’t.

As it turns out, changing your oil and keeping up with your vehicle’s regular maintenance is actually important. Your car isn’t just being an overdramatic child. It needs these things to function.  Here at Destination Kia, we have a variety of service coupons that make this regular maintenance even more affordable. Come see how affordable and convenient routine maintenance and repairs at Destination Kia are. To make things even better, when you buy from Destination Kia you get 3 years of oil changes and car washes FOR FREE! Stop by today!