It’s Hot In Here: Your Tires
It’s getting hot in here, friends. By in here, I mean the Capitol District. Well, it’s getting hot all over the place, but it has really been heating up around here in particular. I know that I am all but melting in this weather. I wasn’t built for the heat, I was built for fall or spring weather. So if my car is anything like I am, it too is feeling the effects of the extreme heat. If you’ve ever had the misfortune of stepping on hot pavement barefooted, you know what your tires are dealing with on the daily. As such, your tires are going to be the most likely candidates to experience issues.
A shift in tire pressure is one of the most common issues that come with the change of temperature. Keeping an eye on the pressure is always a good idea, but particularly in the summer. You can expect the pressure in your tires will go up approximately 1lb for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If your tire is overinflated, there is a higher likelihood that your tire will blowout. If not completely blow out, you’ll definitely wear out the tires more quickly. A tire that is over inflated shows more wear along the center width of the tire than along its edges. When your tires develop uneven tread wear it could lead to those sneaky slow leaks showing up and the shortening of the overall life expectancy of your tire.
In addition to fluctuating tire pressure, tires can fail when there is increased friction, high-speed driving, excessive cornering and frequent braking. During periods of very high temperatures, these things can cause the tire to heat up beyond their design ratings and lead to a blowout.
Now, I know that all tires are created differently which means that they all have separate ratings for temperature, tread wear, load capability, and speed. Basically just take the time to get to know what those limits are so that you can avoid a tire blow out. Another way to possibly avoid a blowout is by making sure your tires are properly inflated. When your tires are under-inflated they are likely to get hotter easier than if they were inflated properly. In addition, under-inflated tires will result in poor gas mileage. You can reduce the risk of blowouts by slowing down on the highway and taking curves or corners more gently. Excessive heat can cause badly worn or old tires to fail even in careful driving.
So what have we learned here? In heat this extreme, take it slow out there on the road, it’s better to be safe than sorry. To be extra protected keep track of your tire pressure. I recommend keeping a tire pressure gauge in your car at all times. There are 3 kinds to choose from: Digital, Stick, and Dial. I prefer the dial tire pressure gauge so I don’t have to worry about technological malfunction, but everyone has their own preference. If you do find yourself with a tire blowout, you can stop by Destination Kia and we will be more than happy to replace your tire and check to make sure your other tires are in good shape. Drive safe, and stay cool!
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I Need Space to Fit The Junk In the Trunk
I am a gardener. I have been since I was a small child. My grandma taught me everything I needed to know. The difference between a weed and a very expensive plant that my grandmother planted intentionally that should 100% not be ripped from the ground by an overzealous 4-year-old (A lesson learned the hard way.) Gardening with my grandmother became a very important part of spring and summertime. As I grew up and moved into my own adult life and a new home away from my family, my love of gardening continued on!
I garden at a local community garden because living in an apartment building doesn’t really make for a lot of gardening space. Let me tell you, it is a process getting everything I need to the garden and back. Back in the day, I was attempting to garden with my Kia Forte. Guys, that is not a thing that will work out when you have the sheer volume of gardening equipment I have. My Forte was amazing for regular everyday driving, she is AMAZING on gas milage. But there was definitely not enough space to fit all of my junk in the trunk. I loved this car so much, but it was time for an upgrade.
Fortunately, I got a new 2017 Kia Sorento from Destination Kia, and now I am able to fit all of my tools, plants, and miscellaneous gear and still have room for my friend to fit in the front seat. The back rows of seats fold flat so that I can really make the most of the space, rather than having to play tetris around various seating. It makes my life INFINITELY easier.
Now, when I say that I’m gardening, you are likely imagining a small trowel or shovel, like 4 plants, a watering bucket, and maybe some gloves. Friend, this is gardening. It is a lifestyle, not a hobby. My Sorento is filled to the brim with full sized shovels of all shapes and sizes, rakes, garden hoes, a pick axe(big rocks, man. They can mess up your whole day), watering hoses, upwards of 30 plants, work boots, and a change of clothes because it gets real out there. No gloves, because gloves are for the weak (just kidding, you do you, friend!).
The one thing that has proved to be an issue is that when I am done in the garden, everything, and I mean literally everything is COVERED in mud. This basically means that my car is also now just a giant dirt stain. Which is tragic because my car is so pretty. I have learned that by getting the plastic floor mats from Destination Kia I am able to contain MOST of the mud and dirt. All I really have to do is a quick vacuum and my precious Kia is back to her former glory.
If you’re out in the world making things happen, you likely need space to achieve it. For me, the 2017 Kia Sorento is the perfect fit for my needs, and what I really need is for all of my gardening stuff to fit in my car. Now it does.
We Have a Dead Battery! CLEAR!
Sometimes resuscitating your car battery feels like a delicate medical procedure. Ok, everyone back up. I need a charged up vehicle, jumper cables, and some moral support, STAT! The vehicle was last seen charged this morning before work. The cause of battery death appears to be because the car door was left slightly ajar. Rookie mistake! How could I have done something so foolish! Now it’s time for me to find a good friend willing to donate some vehicle lifeblood (electricity if we’re being real about it) to me and my vehicle.
For those of you who have not had to jump your car before, let me walk you through the steps. Unfortunately, this is not my first time at the dead battery rodeo. As it turns out I’m not super great about closing my car doors. Jumping your car battery seems like a somewhat daunting task, but don’t you worry, it’s not that hard.
Just like the AA batteries you use for your TV remote, the two posts on the battery in your car has a negative side and a positive side. They don’t say negative or positive, but they do have a – symbol and a + symbol on the battery or on a cap that is covering the posts to tell you which post is which.
Sometimes, car manufacturers color code the cable wires to the battery posts to help you differentiate the positive from the negative even more. The red cable is positive, black cable is negative. This is important info to remember. I struggled with this as seeing red as positive goes against everything I ever learned in college. My thesis papers looked like a crime scene of red ink covering the pages. Red, to me anyway, has never looked like a good thing. I’m getting off topic, but the moral here is that you need to find a quick and easy way to remember that red is positive and black is negative. My way is Red is ready to go, which sounds vaguely positive.
The next thing to know is that the jumper cables are color coded, telling you exactly which end to connect to the post, so red to red and black to black. What’s most important is the sequence. Below I have listed the steps to follow to jump your car back to life!
- Take out your jumper cables.
- It’s good to have your own in your car just in case, otherwise, you’re at the mercy of whoever happens to be around to literally beg to for help.
- Place both vehicles in Park or Neutral and shut off the ignition in both cars. (DO NOT HAVE YOUR CAR ON WHILE YOU TRY TO ATTACH THE JUMPER CABLES!! YOU WILL LITERALLY DIE.)
- Engage both parking brakes as well (having your car roll away would really just be the cherry on top of this situation).
- Attach one of the red clips to the positive terminal of your battery.
- It has “POS” or “+” on it, or it’s bigger than the negative terminal.
- Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal of the other car. (Follow the order carefully. It’s important)
- Attach one of the black clips to the negative terminal on the other battery.
- Attach the last black clip to an unpainted metal surface on your car that isn’t near the battery.
- Use one of the metal struts that hold the hood open.
- Start the working vehicle and let the engine run for a few minutes.
- Try to start your vehicle.
- If it won’t start, make sure that the cables are properly connected and have the good Samaritan run his or her engine for five minutes. Then try to start your car again. If it still won’t start, your battery may be beyond help.
If your battery is beyond help, you can stop by Destination Kia for a new one and we’ll be happy to help you out!
So You Want to Breathe AND Drive?
Tis the season of extreme nasal distress, well for me at any rate. I can’t speak for you, but I am painfully allergic to basically my whole life. As such breathing has become something of an intense sport for me. It takes strategy, preparation, and often extreme measures. I have tried all of the allergy medications, and while Zyrtec has not failed me before, it is only effective to a point. I have started taking defensive measures to ensure that I can avoid allergy based misery when at all possible. I have allergy-proofed my home, and only recently started allergy-proofing my car. The difference it makes is crazy! I didn’t know how much of an allergy death trap my car was. It doesn’t help that I am, by nature, a messy person and my car collects all manner of garbage and random items. Every day before the allergy cleansing, I would get in my car and wonder if this was it. If this drive in my car would be my last. Fortunately, since cleaning out my car, I have been able to live another day.
In the hopes that others are familiar with this experience, I have collected a few tips on how to allergy-proof your vehicle so that you too can drive and breathe! What a novel idea!
There are three main steps to follow:
Phase 1: Clean. Clean out any messes or spills that may have worked their way into your seats and are causing mold to develop.Next vacuum, wipe down and rinse off the carpets, dashboard and steering wheel as often as you can. The dust and pollen will cover every surface of your car, mocking you and your inability to breathe without wheezing. With an old rag and a vacuum, you can surely fix their wagon!
Phase 2: Contain. So this might be a bit extreme but, so are my allergies. Have friends remove outerwear, the way pollen and dust typically get into your car. You can have a plastic bin in your truck where you can keep the offending clothes. I also recommend checking that the weather stripping is intact and every window/door shuts properly so allergens don’t creep into your car that way.
Phase 3: Replace. Check and replace your air filter regularly. Your friends at Destination Kia would be more than happy to help you with this if you’re unsure how to do it yourself. Having leather seats rather than cloth also make clean up much easier and provide fewer places for dust and mold to live. It wouldn’t hurt to replace your cloth floor mats with plastic ones, either.
Take care of yourself this allergy season! It’s tough out there, but following these steps will help you to actually enjoy, dare I say it, even enjoy this season without the fear of allergies ruining it for you!
Take A Ride On The Cool Side In The 2017 Kia Soul
I don’t know about you but for me when it comes to selecting a new vehicle it is important that this vehicle not only offers the performance, safety, and features that I want, I also want it to offer that “cool factor”. It’s not enough to know that I have a reliable vehicle, I want it to be reliable and make my friends envious. However, since I also live on a budget I need to have all of those standards checked off along with a price tag that is not going to have me living on a Ramen-only diet for the foreseeable future. Luckily for me, I found exactly what I was looking for right here at Destination Kia when I took a test drive in the 2017 Kia Soul.
Not only is this vehicle safe and efficient it is also fun to drive and comes at a price that I can afford. In fact, the starting MSRP for this vehicle is only $16,100! This is one car that definitely offers the “Cool Factor” that I was looking for, in fact, this car is so cool that it earned a spot on the 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 in 2017 list from Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.
“It’s exciting to see that the Soul continues to be recognized as the stand-out vehicle it is,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, Kia Motors America. “We’ve really upped the fun factor this year with a new turbocharged model and its personality is infectious regardless of which model a customer buys. The fact that it’s been consistently included on Kelley Blue Book’s list of 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 is a clear indication that the Soul offers the perfect blend of style and substance.”
This is now the sixth year in a row that the Soul has been recognized by KBB.com and it is no surprise that it made the list this year when you take a look at everything that you get for such an affordable price with the 2017 model. For starters, there are three trim levels (Base, Plus, and Exclaim) and they each come equipped with their own engine that helps to provide a unique level of power so you can pick the one that best meets what you want. Additionally, some of the standard features that you can find on this vehicle include Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, LATCH System, BLUETOOTH® Wireless Technology, FlexSteer™ with Normal/Comfort/Sport Driving Modes, Six-Way Adjustable Driver’s Seat, Power Windows with Driver One-Touch Auto-Down, and much more.
“The Kia Soul continues to find a spot on our list of 10 Coolest Cars under $18,000 because it delivers so much personality and versatility for the money,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “In fact, there are very few vehicles we can think of that offer more usable interior space, features and sheer presence for the money than the Kia Soul. It is truly a car whose value exceeds its cost.”
So do yourself a favor and head on over to Destination Kia and take a test drive in the 2017 Kia Soul and see why this is one cool car with a price tag that is even cooler!
“2017 Kia Soul Featured on Kelly Blue Book’s KBB.com 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 List.” Kia Motors America Newsroom. N.p., 05 Mar. 2017. Web. 01 June 2017. <http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/12599/2017-kia-soul-featured-on-kelley-blue-books-kbbcom-10-coolest-cars-under-18000-list>.
Discover The Destination Difference At Destination Kia
At Destination Kia we strive to provide our customers from Albany, Schenectady, Clifton Park, Queensbury, or Kingston, NY with top-quality service and a large selection of stylish, sophisticated, and affordable models. That is why we not only provide a full inventory of top-of-the-line new Kia models but we also offer a variety of discounts, specials, and incentives to help our valued customers get the vehicle they want at a price that will work with their budget. One of those incentives is our Military Rebate offer.
Memorial Day may be over but we are still proud to support our troops for all that they have down to help keep our country safe. That is why we want to take a moment to say thank you to all those who have served and are still serving. As part of our show of appreciation we are pleased to announce that members of the U.S. Military are entitled to a $400 Factory Rebate which can be applied on top of any existing new Kia offer available here at Destination Kia. You simply need to provide a DD214 or current LES to take advantage of this incredible offer.
In addition to incredible value we also offer an incredible selection of models to choose from here at our dealership. We carry more than 500 new Kia models that cover more than 14 acres right at one convenient location. Therefore, we are sure that you will have no problem finding a vehicle that will be perfect for all of your daily traveling needs when you stop by and take a look at all of the options that we have to offer. Additionally, each and every one of these vehicles comes included with a 10 year/100,000 mile Limited Warranty and Five Years if Roadside Assistance. Therefore, the value and convenience of your new model will stay with you long after you drive it off the lot. Plus, don’t forget that we offer the Destination Difference here at our dealership as well. This means that we offer three years of oil changes and car washes included with the purchase or lease of any New Kia!
We offer all of these incentives because we value all of our customers and we want you to get the most for your money when you lease or purchase a new vehicle from us. We work hard to ensure that we help to get everyone into the new Kia vehicle that is most suited for their lifestyle. Our dedication and the business of our dedicated customers are what has helped to earn us the title of #1 Volume Kia Dealer in the Eastern Region! That means from Maine to Maryland Destination Kia is at the top of the list!
Learn more about our incredible selection and our military rebate offer when you stop by ad see us here at 760 Central Ave, Albany, NY 1220. We look forward to getting you behind the wheel of a brand new Kia!
2017 Kia Soul & Sorento Recognized By U.S. News & World Report
The 2017 Best Cars For The Money list has been released by U.S. News & World Report and the 2017 Kia Soul and Sorento were both recognized for offering an impressive amount of features and capabilities all at an affordable price. In order to be included on this annual list, vehicles first must be evaluated by the publication. They look at vehicles within 20 different categories and compare all the models on specific factors including safety, reliability, and value, which is determined by combining the average price of the vehicle at the time of the awards with its five-year total cost of ownership.
“We’re honored that U.S. News named the Soul and Sorento winners within their respective categories for 2017,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning KMA. “The entire Kia model line – including our iconic urban passenger vehicle and three-row SUV – offers a winning blend of sophisticated design and user-friendly technology with a consistent emphasis on value.”
The 2017 Kia Soul took home top place in the Compact Car category with new features made available for the 2017 model year such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection, and UVO3 with e-Services with integrated Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™. These features will help to keep you safe while also upping your level of entertainment and connectivity while you are on-the-go.
For the 3-Row SUV category, the 2017 Kia Sorento was the winner. This model also adds new available features for the 2017 model year such as Autonomous Emergency Braking and Dynamic Bending Lights. With these features, visibility will always be at its best and you will be driving a vehicle that really does have your back since it can help to prevent a possible collision from ever happening.
Head on over to Destination Kia to take a test drive in either of these award-winning vehicles and discover which one would be the perfect fit for you. We are located at 760 Central Ave Albany, NY 12206 and our friendly staff would be happy to explore either of these two amazing vehicles. On top of being an incredible value, as U.S. News & World Report has already started, they are also both fun and functional. Therefore, they are the perfect option for anyone looking for something to transport the whole family, or a great model to get them around during the upcoming road trip season.
Kia Motors Issues Recall On Select Vehicles
As we recently mentioned to you, Kia Motors has announced a voluntary recall for several of their recent model year vehicles due to an engine issue.
The vehicles affected by this recall include:
- Select 2011-2013 Kia Optima vehicles equipped with the 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Engine or the 2.0L Turbo GDI Engine
- 2014 Kia Optima vehicles equipped with the 2.4L GDI Engine or the 2.0L Turbo GDI Engine produced at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia
- 2012-2014 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the 2.4L GDI Engine
- 2011-2013 Kia Sportage vehicles equipped with the 2.0L Turbo GDI Engine
A number of customers have been reporting a knocking noise coming from the engine that they believe is stemming from a larger problem which is why the recall has been issued. According to the manufacturer, the reasons for this knocking sound are that either some of the metal debris possibly may not have been removed completely from the oil passages of the crankshaft during the cleaning process or that a rough, uneven surface was created when the crankpins were put through their machining process.
Either one of these reasons could result in restricted oil flow which would cause the connecting rod bearing to wear unevenly and at a much faster rate than normal. Along with the knocking sound, you should look out for the check engine and/or oil pressure light to come on. This issue could result in complete engine failure, therefore, if you are experiencing any of these issues then we strongly encourage you to stop by Destination Kia immediately so that we can have one of our technicians inspect it for you.
Anyone who owns one of the aforementioned vehicles that are affected by this recall should expect to receive a letter in the mail sometime in late May. The reason for the delay is due to the fact that this recall was issued voluntarily by Kia Motors so the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) must first approve the recall action being taken before Kia can send out the notifications. The brand expects that only about 5-6 percent of the vehicles listed will actually be affected by this recall. However, be sure to be on the lookout for a letter and for any warning signs that your vehicle may be affected by this issue. If you do receive a letter be sure to contact us immediately to set up an appointment with our service center so that we can have this taken care of for you.
There will be no cost for these services since it is due to a manufacturer issue. However, if you have already experienced this problem and paid to had it corrected prior to this recall then you may be able to be reimbursed by Kia Motors. You simply have to mail a copy of the underlying repair receipt to Kia Motors, P.O. Box, 52410, Irvine, CA 92619-2410.
A Message From Destination Kia GM David Reali
Attention Valued Customers,
As some of you may have heard Kia has recently issued a voluntary recall for several of their models. At Destination Kia, we are not only concerned about the safety of our customers but we believe in full disclosure. With that in mind, our management team has been in daily communication with Kia Motors of America regarding this latest recall. Our latest update is that the letters from Kia will be going out in late May to owners with vehicles affected by this issue. Prior to the deployment of the letters, Kia Motors will be advising their dealers of the proper inspection procedure. That said, if you own one of the vehicles affected by this recall and you experience a knocking noise from the engine we encourage you to please contact us right away. Although we expect most owners of those models to be notified of this recall, it no way implies that all these models possess the engine problem. We thank you for your business and your patience in this matter. Feel free to call me directly with any questions or concerns.
David Reali
General Sales Manager (518) 482-0500 Ex 2101 dreali@destinationkia.com
Destination Kia Names A KDEP+ Certified Kia Dealer
Destination Kia is pleased to announce that we have been selected to receive recognition with one of the brand’s highest accolades, the Kia Dealer Excellence Program certification. Dealers that are presented with a KDEP+ certification have been recognized by Kia Motors America who demonstrate a high-quality level of performance and value within a number of areas such as sales, service, facility cleanliness, staffing and training requirements, and adherence to capacity standards.
Therefore, it is not only an honor to receive such high recognition for the premium level of quality that we strive for but since this award is only presented to a limited number of dealerships throughout the country we are proud to be part of that exclusive group.
Stop by and see us here at Destination Kia anytime and experience the premiere experience that all of our team members work to provide our customers as we help you find your next vehicle.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.