GDI SERVICE ... THIS IS IMPORTANT TO DO...READ ON

I recently got a call from a customer of mine asking if the GDI service was something that was necessary for his Kia Optima.  He went on to say that the service writer had told him it was something he should do about every 15,000 miles or so. He was concerned that it was just something that they were selling that was not necessary. It's not outlandish as far as cost to have it done, though it can cost a bit for the service. Short answer here is YES, you really should have it done. The once a year cost to have the GDI service done is so worth it.

I had my Stinger GDI service yesterday. It has about 16,000 miles on it. The before and after was astonishing.  

What is GDI?  GDI stands for Gas Direct Injection. Simply put, your fuel delivery is injected straight into the cylinder (combustion chamber) rather than going through the intake valves as on a traditional engine. Bottom line, there is a trade off. As much as the GDI system is more efficient for fuel delivery and mileage, more responsive when you jump on the gas, it is a carbon builder. Carbon builds up on the valves and in the combustion chamber. Much like when you get sinus build up and can't breathe. Think of GDI service as a big dose of decongestant. Nothing feels better after having a bad head cold than being able to breathe again. 

When your engine can breath it feels better....like its old self.  Again, the results are like day and night.  We drive our GDI cars and over time lose a little power and performance .... We really don't even notice...We forget what that car drove like the day we purchased it. We get our oil changed, our tires rotated, filters changed and we just go on with life. 

So, I brought my car to my service department at Jim Marsh Kia, and had the service done. I wanted to see for myself if there was any difference in performance before and after. Let me tell you...When I drove home last night, it was amazing. The car performed like the day it rolled off the showroom floor.  I walked in this morning and the service manager, Blair, has this grin like "I told you...." and yes, he told me. 

GDI service is every bit as important as oil changes and should be part of your regular service schedule. Every 15,000 miles is what they recommend. Obviously the longer you wait, the more build up and the harder to do a thorough cleaning.  Prepare for an OMG moment after this service.  If you own a Kia with a GDI engine, and have not had this done, you need to get with your Kia service Department and schedule a time. It takes a couple of hours or so to do so bring a book to read.  If you don't get it done, your are doing a huge dis-service to yourself, your car and your wallet.  unaddressed engine carbon deposits can lead to expensive problems down the road.  In the Vegas area, call Jim Marsh Kia (702) 946-1000 and ask for the service department. They will schedule your GDI service appointment. 

As always, I am available to answer your KIA questions right here, or you can email me at: cashatkia@gmail.com, or just come by Jim Marsh Kia  8555 West Centennial Pkwy, Las Vegas and say Hi!

Have a KIA DAY!!

Kia Telluride

Hello boys and girls, if you haven't heard about the Telluride you've probably been asleep or under a rock somewhere. I've been selling Kia for 7 years and I have seen the introduction of many models... the K900, the Cadenza, the Niro, the Stinger (which I drive), and now the Kia Telluride which is our full-size SUV with 7 and 8 passenger capability. Price wise it's in line with the top end Kia Sorento SXL at around $50,000 for the fully equipped and in the upper 30s for the LX model which is also nicely equipped, beautiful vehicles.
Some of the features you'll find in the new fully equipped Telluride include video blind spot for left and right side where a picture of whatever is in your blind spot shows up in the middle of your instrument cluster ... captains chairs in the middle with  heated and cooled seats... also premium suede headliner a TalkBack feature which allows you to press a button on the dashboard and talk to your third row passengers without having to turn around and yell at them. it allows you to calmly say "Kids, don't make me come back there".... And allows them to talk back to you with such smart comebacks as" well he started it". You will also notice the enhanced entertainment system screen which now comes in a triple screen mode where you can have three things on the screen at once, plus you also get the added feature of the 360° surround view camera.

Another great thing that's featured on the S models and above include the smart driver pack which includes blind spot indicator, active Lane change warning indicators, Lane keep indicator, autonomous emergency braking, and of course smart cruise control.
all of these things help you to be more aware of what's going on around you on the road. All in all this is one of the best SUV values on the market for the price.  The best thing to do is just come into the dealership and test drive one.

 I rarely dedicate my blogs to promoting a specific model or a specific buying motif, But  I must tell you I've never seen an outpouring of clients for a single new vehicle introduced through the key line as I have with the Telluride. I cannot keep them on my lot. I'll get 5 in today and I'll have one left tomorrow. T

hey are available to pre-order but the best thing to do is keep your eye on the JimMarshKia.Com website and see when we have them in and then come on in and see what we can offer you for lease or purchase. If you live outside of Las Vegas visit your Kia dealership wherever you are and get more information on this amazing vehicle. Remember you can always get a hold of me right here on this blog page or you can email me at cashatkia@gmail.com

As always have a Kia day!

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!

Credit Myths

We all hate the whole checking credit thing when we go buy a car.  Many dealerships will get your social security number and blast it from here to the moon resulting in 15 or more "HITS" every time. Some dealerships will do a SOFT INQUIRY  which is no more than just running your score and history. Once you agree on terms and numbers, they will then "shop" to the lender they think you have the best chance of getting bought with.  Remember, if you are buying a car at a dealership the are required to do a credit check. Even if you are paying cash, they need to run your social through the national data base to make sure it is really YOU.  

Anyway, we all know to some degree what our credit looks like. If you don't, you should check it. Often.

Here is a link to a great article that you should read.

(Kudos to Huffpost)

 Credit Myths

Have a KIA day. and remember, you can direct your questions here or at
 cash at kia

#YESITIZ

#Yesitiz Facebook Page

Well, I have started a Kia Stinger Facebook page #Yesitiz.  NOt just for Stingers, although a lot of the info there is about the new Kia Stinger, which is an amazing GIANT step forward for Kia. I try to put the latest news about the Stinger there so all your research is in one place. But if you own a Kia of any type, please feel free to share your pictures and stories. We LOVE our Kias!

Here is the link

#Yesitiz Facebook page

Have a KIA Day!

My thoughts after a month with my STINGER

 Kia really got it right with this car. I have had mine for about a month, and really, every time I get in it I feel like this was the car I have always wanted. And #yesitiz a Kia. 



As far as features and style, it is up there with the Euro Lux cars.  It gets a lot of looks and a lot of parking lot attention. The drive is smooth, with just enough growl to make you remember you are in a GT. Yet, it's very easy to drive.  The Lane Keeping feature is something to get used to, but once you realize that the car is doing a little bit of thinking for you, it's really a comforting safety feature. 

I have no complaints about power whether in the 2.0 twin scroll turbo or the 3.3 v6 Twin Turbo.  It's plenty powerful enough for every day driving, and even has enough get up and get out for the wannabe street racer in all of us. 

My wife and I are both 6 feet tall or taller, and even though it is lower than our Cadenza (That we traded in for it) it is pretty entry / exit friendly. 

The hatch / trunk has a TON of room but you never feel as though you own a "hatchback".  Great for a large day at Sam's or Costco. 

Love the Android Auto feature. Very intuitive (As is Apple Carplay) and will probably be the end of onboard navigation in the future.  Pandora works seamlessly through the system.

The best way to put it, I think is that it is THE all around fun, practical, not pretentious (but VERY SEXY) driving machine. Once you own one, you will be peeking in the garage 4 or 5 times a day just to look at it and smile. 

Remember, if you have any questions about your Kia, please put them in the comments, or you can email me at    cashatkia@centurylink.net.  Wanna come see me? I am at Jim Marsh Kia, 8555 West Centennial Blvd. in Las Vegas. 702*946*1000 ... Ask for CASH. (It's a story I will tell you when your get there).

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!!

The Kia Stinger

The Stinger...Here is what I know.  We should see the first of this new super car roll out in the next couple of months...Hopefully before Thanksgiving. 😁

It will be a new model on a new frame. A fastback 4 door with a hatch. Much like the Jaguar XJ series four door.  It will be available in a 2.0 single turbo, rear wheel drive and a 3.6 twin turbo with available AWD. 

Bottom line, it will be a screamer and the full package with all the bells and whistles is expected to be about 25,000.00 less than the Jag with a much lower cost of ownership.  And don't forget the Kia 10 year 100,000
mile drive train coverage and our 5 year 60,000 mile bumper to bumper coverage. 

Here is a link to the Stinger to see more.
I will post a blog when it hits the showroom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puu0phAVEYs

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)