Again with the spare tire!

Just got a call from a customer who was "venting" about no spare tire. As a sales professional, I point out to ALL my customers that many new cars do not come with a spare tire. You will find instead a 'Tire Mobility Kit' which consists of a compressor to refill the tire and a can of sealer.  This will enable you to re inflate the tire (as long as it is a puncture and not a blowout or sidewall damaging hole) and get to your nearest Kia dealership. Calling Kia Roadside assistance (1800-333-4KIA) will get you help in using the kit if you are unsure of your ability to do it.  If you have a catastrophic tire issue, they will tow you to the nearest Kia dealership / service center. 

This being said, if you do not know if you have a spare or not, go check. If you need a spare tire you can purchase a spare tire kit from a Kia parts department, or through your local tire center.  

There is a reason that many cars come sans spare.  It is a weight thing. In order to stay within Federal fuel efficiency standards, many manufacturers (not just Kia) are loosing the spare. The theory is that the extra 30-40 pounds of weight makes a difference in the long haul on fuel consumption.  One of the other ways they are doing this is by instituting the Idle-stop-and-go system that shuts your car down at red lights, and restarts the engine when you take your foot off the brake. I personally hate this feature, and turn it off.  I am old school...If I am at a light and the car quits running, my brain goes in to panic mode....'Something is wrong...' but that's just me and a topic for another blog. 

Remember, you can get ahold of me here with questions or comments. I will do my best to answer any questions you have. 

Have a Kia Day   #Yesitiz

Some more Smart Trunk Tips

I have had several people ask about the Kia SMART TRUNK / TAILGATE.  Some clients don't even know they have it.  Remember to set it up in your SETTINGS so that when you walk up to back of the car, the trunk or power liftgate will open automatically.  (Found on EX models and above)

To maximize the Smart Trunk feature understanding:

• This feature can be activated in the instrument cluster settings menu (default setting from the factory is OFF). To enable the Smart Trunk, go to User Settings in the LCD Instrument Cluster modes.
• When the Smart Key fob is in your possession and you are near the back of the vehicle, within close proximity, the hazard lights will blink and a chime will sound for about 3 seconds as an alert that the Smart Trunk is about to open. Then the alert system will blink and chime two additional times before opening the Trunk. Once you are finished, simply close the rear trunk and it will lock automatically when you walk away.

KEY REMINDERS 

The Smart Trunk feature will not operate: 

• If doors are recently closed and locked upon exiting the vehicle. The Smart Key will be detected for 15 seconds within close proximity of the door handles (60 inches)
• When a door is not locked or closed
• When the Smart Key is in the vehicle

For additional information on the Smart Trunk operation, please refer to the vehicle Owner’s Manual.

Defining the safety features in your Kia...And there are a lot of them!

Ok! Lets talk about the safety features that you may have in your new Kia!!
Something that was introduced recently in the Kia product line that you may have in your new Kia is the DRIVE WISE Package.  It offers a plethora of very helpful function and is available on selected Cars, Suvs and vans. Lets look at some of these:

Back up camera:  Pretty basic. Almost every new car has one. They are very helpful in making sure that you are clear to go...no bikes, pets or small kids behind the car.  They are tied in many times with audible back up sensors for added safety that beep at you if there is something behind you.  Some models, like our SXL packages are available with a surround camera which gives you a view of everything around the car for 360 degree visibility.  Remember, all these safety features are not a substitute for actually looking around and seeing what is there. (just like you did BEFORE all this stuff).

Cross Traffic Alert: This is a nifty sensor that will let you know if someone is crossing your rear. 👉👈Especially helpful if you are in a Stinger 😁and have two large SUVs in your way as you try to back out of a parking space. 

Blind Spot Warning: Again, helpful, but be aware of who is around you. (Sometimes you may accidentally turn off the blind spot system and , well, you get it).  If someone is in your blind spot, you will see an icon light up on the driver's side or passenger's side view mirror.  If you have your turn signal on, it will beep at you. I think this is probably the most important feature to have aside from the rear camera. 

Lane DepartureWarning System:   This will help you pay attention to the road, but is by no means a substitute for driver awareness. Two cameras up behind the rear view mirror read the lines on the road.  If you drift out of the lane without a turn signal, it will warn you that you are drifting, and in the case of the active system (available in some models) may even attempt to bump you back into your lane. I tend to turn this system off in city driving. It activates at about 40mph, and can be annoying in town where streets tend to have a lot of lines. 

Smart Cruise Control: Available of selected Kias.  It works like your old cruise control, but has radar that will pace the car in front of you at a pre set distance.  Slowing down and speeding up with the traffic flow. The link below will explain in detail the LDWS and Smart cruise.

smart cruise and lane change warning

Autonomous Emergency Braking:  I will let the Kia Video below go through this.  It's very informative.

Autonomous Emergency Braking Video


And of course, the most important safety feature is YOU. Drive wise, and drive alert. 

Remember, you can contact me any time by asking a question below, or e mailing me at cashatkia@gmail.com or if you are in Vegasm come see me at Jim Marsh Kia on West Centennial.

Have a KIA DAY!

SOME Summer Air Conditioning Tips

Hello. It's summer! I live in Las Vegas where summer is a serious matter. As I write this, we are looking forward to temps to hit 109* today. 

When we get this hot, I hear a lot of people come in and say that their A.C. is not cooling properly.  Trust me, All is working well.  There is a reason that your Air works great first thing in the morning or later at night. Maybe this will shed a bit of light on the big Air Conditioning Mystery. 

The Air Conditioner in your car is designed to cool the intake air about 15 to 20 degrees.  So, if you are 115 degrees outside, and the A.C. is pulling that air in, the best you can hope for is 95 to 100 degrees in the car. If you have good tint, you can look for a little better because you are not fighting solar heating as much. 

There are, in Kia products, several variations of air conditioning controls.

dual zone

Dual air allows the driver and passenger to set their comfort level individually on the driver and passenger side of the car. They can also be set for one universal temp. It also features an AUTO setting.

Single Zone

There is also a single / simple unit that allows for temp. and fan speed. 

The dual zone units also feature an AUTO button. This allows you to set a temperature that will remain constant. Much like your home heating a cooling units.

 Remember.  Just because you set it to 68, it will only cool the outside air 15-20 degrees. So, how do you cool it down even more?

dual zone / auto

There is a recirculation setting on all the A.C. units. You have seen it. It's the one with the arrow swooping around the car. 

This does exactly what it says it does. It recirculates the in-cabin air and continues to cool it 15-20 degrees at a time. So, when your 140 degree internal air is cooled to 125,  it will continue to cool it in a downward temperature spiral until the car is no longer a pizza oven.  You can run on recirculation all the time without really doing any harm to the system. you need to be patient with your A.C. system.  It can only do what it can do. 

As part of your spring prep for summer, have your A.C. checked. Especially in older cars.  There are do it yourself recharge systems available, but unless you really know what you are doing, I would let a pro check it. Only because the money you save doing it yourself can quickly become a couple of thousand dollars if you screw it up.  (I know from experience)

A.C. units have become smaller and a lot more efficient in that last 10 or so years.  There is very little vampire effect (bogging) in the new units, and if kept serviced will freeze you out. 

Hope this has helped. Stay cool. (The heat can bring out the worst in people. So keep your temper as cool as you car as you drive around in this heat!!)

Remember, you can always ask a question by commenting here, or e mail me at cashatkia@gmail.com.  

Thank you Bobbett who I work with who always has the answers!!

Have A Kia DAY!

Kia Purchase vs. Lease...Great, Clear explanation From Kia Site

Hi Everyone. It's been a while, I have been really busy selling Stingers! #Yesitiz.  We have discussed leasing Vs. Buying before, but here is a great breakdown from Kia's home page.  It it clear and answers most of the questions my customers have.  Check it out. Remember, you can always e mail me at  cashatkia@cox.net with any questions you have about your Kia. You can also submit questions in the comments below.  Hope this makes the question of Lease v. Purchase a little more clear for you.

Have a KIA Day!

Kia lease v. purchase

Interesting article about fuel door placement

Not Kia specific, but I hear this question often. Thank you All State for sharing
https://blog.allstate.com/gas-tanks-arent-on-same-side/?cid=CSY-AB-OB-KTNV+%28Scripps%29:KTNV+ABC%2CChannel+13%2CLas+Vegas%2CNevada%2CNews%2CWeather%2CSports%2CEntertainment%2CKTNV.com%2CAction+News+.%3A.+-+Homepage:Why+Do+Different+Cars+Have+Fuel+Doors+on+Different+Sides%3F


Have a Kia Day

#YESITIZ

Be aware of all the "safety features"

I had a man come in a while back who wanted to purchase an Optima for his 17 year old daughter.  She got her driver's licence about 4 months prior.  I asked him, since it was her first car, what features and price her was looking for.  Usually, a first car is something pre owned and priced low. 

His answer was that he wanted 'every safety feature known to man'. Blind Spot, Back Up camera, Lane Change warning, Crash warning, Smart cruise...The works. As a parent, I asked him why he wanted that?  He told me he wanted to make sure his daughter was always safe.  Now, I am not one to talk anyone out of exactly what they want, so, I asked him if it made more sense to teach his daughter to learn things the way WE did before depending on the car to everything for her.  If she were to think the car would do it all, she was asking for trouble. 

Remember that all these safety features are to assist you. Nothing beats paying attention to what's around you... behind you.... to the sides... I love all the safety features on my car.  But I know that with all that tech, nothing beats being an alert driver.  (Don't get me started on self driving cars)

In the end, he chose a nice new optima with a back up camera.  The rest was up to her to learn how to be a responsible driver. 

Just a note...When I was doing the Dad teaching his son to drive thing, I would cover the rear view mirror with my hand and ask my son what was behind him. After a while, he learned to check his mirrors every 20 seconds or so.  Now he is always aware of what is around him at all times. 

Have a Kia Day
#yesitiz

To Gap or not to Gap...There IS no question.

When you buy a car, be it a Kia or something else, and you finance that car, you will no doubt be offered GAP insurance while in the finance (business) office to sign your paperwork.  The cost of this will vary depending on the car, the amount financed etc.  

It's not one of those add ons that dealerships sell to make a ton of profit.  I have GAP on every car in my family. It is especially important if you are in a zero down situation with a moderate interest rate.  Here is how it works....

Lets say you buy a car that costs 20,000.00.  After taxes and dealer fees the amount to finance  comes to lets say 23,000.00 (just using round numbers here for example) Then, maybe you buy a service package. Now lets use a moderate interest rate of, say, 3.9%.  So after all is said and done you are financing lets say 25,000.00.

Everyone knows that your car loses about 100.00 or more a month in depreciation when you drive off.  So, if you get in an accident a year after you buy your car, your insurance will value the car less than the value you owe.  If that value is say 15,000.00 and you owe (minus remaining interest) 21,500.00.  (called negative equity). GAP will pay the outstanding 6,500.00.  If you don't have GAP, YOU are liable for that amount.  It's worth the extra 20.00 a month or so to have that peace of mind. 

When do you not need GAP?  

If you are at a 0% rate and put 20% down or more (buying equity) you are probably safe opting out of GAP. (Double check with the finance manager where you buy) BUT for about 90% of the buyers I sell to, I say "Fill the GAP!"  Pay a few dollars extra now to save a chunk later...and the possibility of hurting your credit.  As always, you can comment here, or ask any question you may have.  E mail me at cashatkia@centurylink.com or call me at Jim Marsh Kia in Las Vegas. 702*946*1000

Have a KIA Day!!

Using ANDROID AUTO and APPLE CAR PLAY

A lot of cars now, as you know, or may have noticed, had eliminated a few things.  One being your trusty CD player 😭(But hey, I had 8 tracks and cassette decks in my cars growing up. We have to flex with change. CD players are going the way of the 8 track and VCR. 😵

The other thing they are doing away with is on board Navigation.  All this being replaced Apple Car Play (tm) and Android Auto (tm) ...By pig tailing your smartphone to the USB data port in you car equipped with these services (free of charge, mind you) you bring up your phone's screen with all the legal to use while driving apps on your touch screen.  Pretty easy. You have access then to Google maps and can use your music player right out of your phone. 

Below is a quick link that shows you how all this great new tech works!

Have a Kia Day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7su5vN_XyMI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7su5vN_XyMI

A Word about General Maintainance

Believe it or not, a lot of people think that you buy a car and drive it.  Yes, but remember, like YOU, your car needs more than food. (fuel). It occasionally needs to go in for a routine physical. 

Any car you buy, be it a Kia or any other brand will give you in excess of 100,000 miles as long as you take care of it.  At the end of the day, most cars are built pretty much the same.  Engine, Transmission, drive line.  What is put into the car as far as options, leather, Navigation, sunroof, bells and whistles and of course, badging adds to the price and prestige.  It does not matter if you are in a Kia or a Mercedes, if you don't take care of it, your car won't be worth a hoot. 

Here is a little story.  True.  A customer came into the service department with car in tow.  The customer told the service writer that the engine was frozen up, would not run, and they would like a new engine under the 10 year 100,000 mile drive train coverage. After all the car only had 28 thousand miles on it. 

The service department put it on the rack, and indeed the engine was shot.  They also noted that there was no oil in the engine, just goopy sludge.  When the customer was asked when they had their last oil change, they informed the service manager that they had never changed the oil because they were never told that it was something they needed to do.  Surely the oil light was on. The customer said they did not pay attention to it figuring it meant there was plenty of oil in the car.  Kia did not cover this repair and the customer was out almost 5,000.00 for a new engine. 

Kia recommends oil changes every 7,000 miles to stay within coverage. We always tell people here at Jim Marsh 3-5,000 just to be sure.  DO IT!!

Tires should be rotated every other oil change, and DO your 15, 30 and 60,000 mile full service. It may cost you 5 or 600.00 to do, but will save you 4 or 5 times that if something goes bad. Cars have become very complicated. Several computer systems, sensors and gobs of electronics. 

With proper service you will get 200.000 plus miles out of our Kia. 

Remember you can always contact me at  cashatkia@centurylink.net

or if you are in the Las Vegas area, come by Jim Marsh Kia, 8555 W. Centennial, Las Vegas and ask for "Cash".

Have a Kia Day

Using Kia Installed Remote Start on your new Kia

The Remote start on Kia Products involves a few steps. Here is a Video showing you easy steps for remote start. Thanks to McDonald Automotive for this.

Using Kia Remote Start (video)

The Kia NIRO Hybrid. A different driving experience.

The Kia Niro is our latest addition to the Kia line.  It has been available for a few months now, and is a huge seller.  At 48-52 MPG in town and 43-46 on the highway, it has the attention of the hybrid driving community. 

It's the first fully dedicated crossover hybrid. Has tons of cargo space, and is not hard to look at.  

There are a lot of Hybrids out there. Right now most manufacturers have a hybrid on the market. What makes ours so special? Glad you asked.  

For one thing, the Niro has the Kia 10 year 100,000 mile warranty that also cover the hybrid battery. That's HUGE. It also features luxury appointments like leather, sunroof, intelligent navigation (which reads the future terrain and adjusts the charging process for optimum MPG's) lane change departure warning, smart cruise, blind spot indicator, rear camera, Android Auto (r) and apple Carplay (r) and a whole host of other cool stuff for a price tag lower than the less equipped competitors. But, enough with the ad..(lol) let's talk about the difference between a Hybrid and a non Hybrid. 

A Hybrid runs on both gas engine and electric power. (This is not an EV car, or a plug in). The engine charges the hybrid batteries, then the batteries take over, mostly in city traffic. When it runs on battery power, the gas engine is shut down.  Driving a Hybrid is an experience you have to get used to. You may be at a red light and the engine will suddenly quit. Normal.  The other thing you have to get used to is when you start the car, the engine may or may not start (depending on the battery charge) It's a little strange at first, but once you know the signs that the Hybrid power is on, it's like being in stealth mode. (Could have used it back when we were in high school and late for curfew). 

Or course, the thing that is a pleasure to get used to is the 50 MPG that the Niro provides!! True, it is not a muscle car. But, it will pass a lot more gas stations that most. 

For more info, feel free to email me at   cashatkia@centurylink.net, or come on into Jum Marsh Kia in Las Vegas. 8555 West Centennial. 702*946*1000  Ask for "CASH"

Have a Kia Day

A FEW THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IN THE HEAT

So, it was 117 degrees in Las Vegas yesterday. Cars were dropping like flies.  Mostly battery and tire issues.

So, you may or may not live in this 'surface of the Sun zone' but with summer here, there are some important things to remember to avoid calling Kia Roadside Assistance (1-800-333-4Kia).

Tires: Make sure your tires are in good shape. Also, make sure the pressures are correct. Remember, underinflation causes heat, Combine that with the road temps and you have the perfect storm for a blowout.  Tires are one of the first things to fail in heat like this. 

Battery: In Vegas, the average life span of a car battery is about 2 years.  Heat (and Cold) really take their toll on your car's battery.  You can go to your nearest Kia dealership (or favorite mechanic) and have your battery tested.  It's simple and usually free if you request it with other services such as an oil change.  I advise doing this every spring and fall just before the weather extremes hit.

A/C: HAVE YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED! One failure can lead to a lot of expense down the road.  I advise against the cans of A/C chargers at Walmart or the auto parts store. If your system is not running right it could be a whole host of things, and over charging the system without the proper tools is asking for trouble. GET IT DONE BY A PRO!

OIL: Make sure your oil changes are up to date, and your oil levels are full. Especially if you have a TURBO. Turbos get very hot without any help from mother nature.

Use a window shade.  They can reduce the temp by 30 or 40 degrees if you have to park in the sun. (Be sure to remove it before driving off though LOL)

Keep your windows open when parked. Even just an eighth of an inch. OR vent your sunroof.  This will keep heat pressure from building up and possibly blowing your windows out. Yes, it does occasionally happen. Don't make it you that it happens to. 

DO NOT LEAVE KIDS AND PETS IN THE CAR. EVER. FOR ANY REASON, NOT EVEN FOR 30 SECONDS. If you run in the house and trip and hurt yourself, or you get distracted, THEY CAN NOT GET OUT.  Use common sense. 

Or, the best thing. Park in the garage and don't got out in extreme heat if you don't have to.  Make a list of things you need to do and try to combine them into one trip. If you have to go out, do it early in the morning or later at night.  No matter how well you take care of the car, it will still prefer to not be driven when it's a hundred plus degrees out.

As always, you can direct your questions to this blog, or cashatkia@centurylink.net

Remember, if you are in Vegas, stop by Jim Marsh Kia and say Hi. Or call and make an appointment to drive your new Kia. 702*946*1000 and ask for "Cash"

Have a KIA day!