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

KIA ... LX/EX/SX/SXL ..WHAT'S WHAT!

Ok, So I will ask customers when they come in for a Kia Vehicle, "are you looking at an Lx, Ex or Sx?"  Many of them know already because, after all, the internet is a wealth of information. 

For those who are not in the know, here is what the different designations mean.

LX /GDI /FE  are designated as the lower end of the scale.  (I detest using the term 'base model' as it brings up connotations of manual windows, stick shift and am/fm radio. Actually our LX models are more about affordability thank trying to strip a lot of creature comforts.  All Kias come with bluetooth connectivity, am/fm/xm radio. many with CD players, although these days, CD players are going the way of cassette players as most folks listen to streamed media. but that's another blog....The typical LX model has upgraded cloth interior, cruise control, many have back up cameras, power driver's seats and of course all of them come with the Kia 10 year / 100,000 mile drive train coverage and the 5 year/60,0000 manufacturer coverage as well as 5/60,000 roadside assistance. 

EX models have a few more goodies, usually an upgrade to leather interior, sunroof options, navigation and upgraded stereo options, some feature upgraded engine size options (like on the Soul you go from a 1.6 to a 2.0 litre engine) ... Technology package options and more. 

The SX / SX limited will feature all the upgrades that are  are available including heated and cooled seats, electronic parking brake, some models have the heads up display, smart cruise, chrome package (SXL) and upgraded NAPPA Leather interior. 

I happen to drive a Kia Cadenza (K7) which is fully loaded, but one step below the SXL.  I grew up with Mercedes, Audi and Volvo. All amazing cars.  My Cadenza is my favorite car out of all the cars I have ever owned.  Euro Luxury without the Euro Luxury price or cost of ownership.

Remember, you can always get ahold of me at Jim Marsh Kia in Las Vegas. (702) 946-1000. Ask for Cash.

Also, you can e mail me at cashatkia@centurylink.net
I will be happy to address your questions!

Thanks and have a Kia Day!

Help! My 2017 Sportage gas door won't open!!

Thanks for the question.  Eventually, this person figured it out.  

To open the 2017 Kia Sportage gas cap door, you press it and it will spring open.  HOWEVER, when the car is locked, so is the gas door.  You must first unlock all the doors on the vehicle (two presses of the remote or use the door unlock switch on the driver's door.  

Remember, all the kia engines run fine on regular unleaded.  If you have a turbo, mid grade is a good idea.  The K900 runs best on 91 octane, and that is recommended. 

Have a GREAT Kia Day!

Eco / Normal /Sport Lets talk Drive Modes

Ok, So here you are in your new Kia. You spot a button that says DRIVE MODE or MODE. When you press it, you see that it takes you to ECO, SPORT and NORMAL (actually there is no 'normal' light, it's just blank).

Here is a quick education on what they do.

ECO MODE adjusts the shift points, fuel mix and the efficiency of the Air Conditioner.  You will notice that the car shifts at a lower RPM, and that the Air does not seem quite as cold.  The thinking behind this is that the lower the RPMs between shifts saves on gas in the long run.  You will really notice the difference between ECO and SPORT when you trying to pass that semi on the freeway. 

SPORT MODE is the 180 degree opposite of ECO mode. The car will climb in RPMs between shifts. Adding power, but reducing fuel efficiency a bit...But you will notice the difference between it and ECO mode.

NORMAL MODE is somewhere in between.  

Just as a side note, I always drive in sport mode. I find the small difference in miles per tankful is not worth the loss of power. But, this is a personal preference. Try all three and see which suites you best.  You might even try the "manual  +/- option.  We will talk about that next time along with how to properly use your paddle shifters if so equipped.

Remember, you can always submit Kia Question to me at  cashatkia@centurylink.net

AND if you are in the Las Vegas Area, stop by Jim Marsh Kia. 8555 West Centennial in Northwest Vegas.  I will happy to answer your questions!

Have a great KIA day!!