Adjusting your clock

It's that time again. Time to re-set your clock in your Kia. We are going to kill two birds with one stone here.  Here are instructions for setting to daylight savings time (which you will need in the spring). To "fall back" follow these steps and UN-CHECK the daylight savings time box. That will bring you back to standard time. Pretty simple.

As always, you can leave a question here, and I will answer it!  Thanks for visiting, and have a KIA Day!!

How to Adjust the Clock in Your Kia for Daylight Saving Time

To begin the process of adjusting your clock, make sure your car is either ON or in the ACCESSORY position. Find a safe spot to stop before you start going through the next steps.

Adjusting Time Via the UVO Infotainment System

• Press the Setup button on your instrument panel
• Select the Clock button on the touchscreen
• Set Daylight Saving Time to "On"
• Clock will adjust automatically

Adjusting Time Via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• Touch the gear-shaped Setup button on your touchscreen
• Swipe to the next page and select Date and Time
• Turn Daylight Saving Time on to automatically adjust time

And that's how you adjust your clock for Daylight Saving Time! Be sure to make the adjustment for March and November to avoid one of those awkward hour-off moments.

SOME OVERALL KIA SETTINGS TIPS

There are a multitude of settings in 'user settings' screen.  Here are some tips that will work for you. You may or may not have all of these, but most Kia cars have at lease some of them.  These are based on the Stinger GT2 which features pretty much everything you can get! 

Navigating the Display

It may not seem intuitive to everyone, but these days, many automakers put a button on the steering wheel that makes it possible for users to adjust some settings, such as turning off the chime notification of the Lane Departure Warning system. Such settings will be displayed on the LCD monitor behind the steering wheel. To get to the main menu, press the steering-wheel mounted button that looks like two sheets of paper. The driver can press it multiple times to cycle through several menus, including fuel economy, driving range, G-force, and User Settings.

Upon arriving at the User Settings menu, another button right underneath the aforementioned button is used to move the selection on screen up or down, and pressing it acts as an “enter” or “okay” button. Use these directions to find the User Settings display. There’s plenty to cover.

User Settings

Upon reaching the User Settings screen, it may be a bit daunting at first. There’s multiple menus there, each with their own set of options. The list consists of:

• Heads-Up Display
• Driver Assistance
• Door
• Lights
• Sound
• Convenience
• Service Interval
• Reset

Here’s what each one covers.

Heads-Up Display (HUD)

For those not aware of what a head’s up display (HUD) is, a HUD displays the vehicle’s speed and other information on the windshield, and that allows a driver to keep their eyes on the road rather than glancing down at the information cluster located behind the steering wheel. The HUD options allow one to configure how and what content the HUD displays, if at all. If the consumer wishes to disable the HUD, they may turn it off. Otherwise, there are options to change the display shown on the windshield, including modifying its rotation, selecting what content is shown, and changing the size of the display and the color of the display, such as “RED” for easy visibility.

Driver Assistance

The 2018 Kia Stinger GT2 comes with a “Driver Attention Warning System” (DAW), and it’s an available option on the other Stinger trims. The DAW monitors the driver’s behavior and warns the driver if their driving behavior is abnormal compared to other recordings when driving. Users have the option to turn off the DAW along with many other advanced safety features that are standard in the Stinger GT2.

These options are:

• SCC Reaction Time – How quickly the smart cruise control (SCC) should react to modify its speed: fast, normal, or slow
• Driver Attention Warning Sensitivity – How sensitive the DAW should be to different driving behaviors: high, normal, or off
• Lane Safety – The driver may choose to whether to receive a lane departure warning when leaving their lane as well as turn on or off lane keep assist, the system that will try to force the car back into its proper lane if the turn signal is not on.
• Forward Collision Avoidance – This is a good feature to keep on. The vehicle will attempt to stop if sensing an imminent collision and no driver input.
• Forward Collision Warning – The primary to the above, a warning will chime to alert the driver to stop prior to taking over and applying pressure to the brakes automatically.
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert – The driver may choose to turn this on or off
• Blind Spot Collision Warning – The driver may choose to turn this on or off

Door Options

There are several options the driver can configure from this menu. They may choose whether the doors automatically unlock in the presence of the key fob, if the door requires the button on the door handle to be pressed twice (Two Press) to unlock, and if the doors lock up after being closed. Two more options are there for the liftgate. (1) Whether it should open manually or if it should act as a Smart Liftgate, i.e. in the presence of the key fob. (2) In the former, the driver can also choose whether the liftgate requires manual power or if it will open up itself once opened via the handle (a Power Liftgate).

Lights

This menu has several options for the lights inside and outside the car. Drivers can enable the one-touch turn signal option that allows them to simply flick the turn signal in the direction they wish, and the turn signal light will blink 3, 5, or 7 times; this can also be turned off for the regular manual operation. When entering the vehicle, ambient light turns on, and drivers may choose how bright the light is on a scale of 1-4, and they may choose one of the following colors: white, yellow, red, green, blue, or violet. Lastly, there is an option for the headlight delay to be turned on or off.

Sound

Pretty simple, the driver can choose the volume for the parking assist system and whether or not a “Welcome Sound” is played when they enter the vehicle.

Convenience

There are a few more options in this menu for ease of access and convenience.

• Seat Ease of Access – The driver can choose how far the seat is from the steering wheel upon entering the cabin before turning the vehicle on for ease of access.
• Steering Wheel Easy Access – Like Driver memory settings, this decides whether the steering wheel will move with the assigned key fob or should have its position moved manually up or down.
• Welcome Mirror/Light – Turn on/off the welcome lights when entering the car
• Wiper/Lights – Turn on or off this display
• Gear Position Pop On Display – Choose whether the gear should be displayed on the LCD monitor when switched.
• Icy Road Warning – This will alert the driver if the road conditions are slippery. Choose to turn this on or off.

Service Interval

Users can choose whether they want to receive vehicle maintenance reminders. Users can set the frequency they receive reminders as well as what services to be reminded about.

Other

These are miscellaneous options, such as whether to reset the fuel economy after ignition or fueling up. There are also unit choices, such as the fuel economy unit (US or UK gallon), the temperature unit (Fahrenheit or Celsius), the tire pressure unit (psi, kPA, or barometer), and the torque unit (lb-ft or Nm). Nothing special unless driving in another country.

Reset

Also self-explanatory. If selling the car or getting it used and want to return the car back to its factory settings, simply choose this menu. Like performing a factory reset on a computer, most of the settings and data will be reset to their defaults if not all of it.

Also, I have received questions about 'dipping' mirrors when in reverse. To activate the 'dipping' feature which allows the side mirrors to tilt down in reverse, you have to have one of the mirror adjustment buttons (left or right) depressed. If you do not have either depressed, (where the mirrors don't move if you try to adjust them) this feature is inactive. 

If you have any questions, please comment, or you can email me at  cashatkia@gmail.com

If you are in the market, let me know. I am in Las VEgas, Nv!!

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!

Video blog **NEW** POWER SMART TRUNK AND TAIlGATE

Click on the link for the video blog

https://youtu.be/-4ys0N4Pc7Q

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

Why Certified Pre Owned?

Are you Covered? Trust Kia Certified. Ever breakdown in the middle of vacation, or have a tire go flat from roadside debris? Kia Certified Pre-Owned vehicles come with numerous quality benefits not found with a typical used car purchase. Upon purchasing a Kia Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, you will receive a welcome package detailing the additional coverage provided, including Roadside Assistance and Towing / Rental / Travel Breakdown coverage. Kia Certified Pre-Owned benefits are available on a variety of Kia models. Make sure the Kia Certified logo appears on your next used vehicle. Kia Certified Pre-Owned vehicles provide you with peace of mind and assurance that you have purchased a quality used vehicle. By purchasing a Kia Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, you can be assured that you are investing in a quality product, which comes with a Pre-Owned Limited Powertrain Warranty. Choosing a Certified Pre-Owned Kia gives you the confidence of knowing every vehicle comes equipped with Kia's comprehensive:

• 10-year/100,000-mile Certified Pre-Owned Limited Powertrain Warranty
• 12 month/12,000 mile Platinum Coverage

• 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
• Towing/Rental/Travel Breakdown Coverage

• 150-Point Quality Assurance Inspection
• Free CARFAX® Report on vehicle history
• 10-Year Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Plan
• Eligible for Additional Failure Coverage

  • RENTAL CAR COVERAGE

Up to $35 per day for maximum of ten (10) days for car rental expense incurred due to a covered mechanical breakdown or manufacturer's warranty repair.

• TOWING COVERAGE

Up to $75 for towing charges per covered mechanical breakdown.

• TRAVEL BREAKDOWN COVERAGE

For breakdowns more than 100 miles from home you will be reimbursed up to $100 per day for a maximum of $500 per occurrence for food and lodging per covered mechanical breakdown.

• Certified is a great way to buy. Remember, you can always contact me at : cashatkia@centurylink.com

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)

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! 

Changing your thermometer from C to F or visa versa

I had a customer come in today who needed help changing his thermometer on the instrument panel from C to F.  He had no idea why it changed.  (He was messing around with is reset button and it will be clear when I explain).

It's a simple procedure.  If you want to change from Celsius to Fahrenheit or visa versa,  scroll your menu to the RANGE reading (distance to empty) and then hold the reset button for 5 or 6 seconds.  The temperature reading will change. That's all there is to it.  Useful for all those road trips to Canada or Mexico! :-)

Have a KIA Day!

Updating the GPS SD CARD in your Kia

I was asked if the dealership has updates for the navigation system in your Kia.  If your Kia has an SD Navigation card, it is best to just update from your PC onto the SD card that has your mapping on it.  I go to http://www.kia-gpsmap.us and enter the year and model.  The download runs about $149.00 US for the update.  (The new loaded card is about twice that cost).  Just follow the directions on the site.

The trend now is getting away from onboard navigation and is steering toward smartphone hard links (Apple Car Play / Android Auto). The advantage to this is that the mapping is from your phone direct to the screen and the maps are always current.  They work as well or better than the old onboard navigation system and there is no charge for updates.

I have not found any site yet that will let you download the navigation update for free. Sorry.

Advanced Smart Cruise Control

Once, a thing for Ultra High End cars, Kia now offers Advanced Smart Cruise control.  Kia has allowed me to use some of their video presentations to go into depth about certain features.  Smart Cruise Control is one.  It allows you to 'pace' the car in front of you, and adjusts your speed according to the speed of the car in front of you.  Take a minute and check out the video


Remember, You can always contact me at   cashatkia@centurylink.net or at Jim Marsh Kia, Las Vegas. 

Copy and paste this link
https://youtu.be/AlZX8dU9dZI

Have a Kia Day!

How do I play CDs in my new Kia that does not have a CD player??

Good Question

Many cars on the market are doing away with CD players. Many people opt to stream music from a service such as Pandora. You also have the option of XM radio and, of course, MP3 files on a thumb drive, which is what this is about.

You will notice that your Kia has a USB port in the front of the center console. This is a trickle charge for your phone, but also serves as a USB Data port for MP3 files on a thumb (Flash) Drive.

Get your favorite CDs and load them to your computer. In Windows they will save in Media Player as a WAV file. These can not be played through your system.  You must first convert them to an MP3 format. There are several conversion programs out there. Just google WAV to MP3.  After that, just move the MP3 file to the flash drive (drag and drop) and there ya go.  You can put hundreds of songs on a 8 or 16 Gigabyte flash. They are small, and portable. Play your MP3 files by putting the flash drive in the USB port in your car and then go to the MEDIA setting and it will pull the music up. 

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!

Smart Trunk / Tailgate on your Kia

Your new Kia Forte S, Optima  EX / SX, Sportage SX, Cadenza, Sorento EX / SX, Sedona EX and above and k900 feature the Kia Smart Trunk.  Standard on the Cadenza and K900 and an option on the rest.  

Your dealership may or may not have activated it prior to delivery. The easiest way to check it out is to lock your car, walk away from it for a minute and then go stand about a foot behind it.  If you have smart trunk / tailgate, you will hear three beeps along with tail light flashing, and a 4th beep that will either release the trunk (on the Forte, Optima and Cadenza, or lift the power tailgate on the Sportage, sorento and Sedona that is equipped with the feature). 

menu button

If nothing happens, this does not mean that you don't have the feature, it means it's not activated.  Get in the car and start it up.

Go to the Menu button on the steering wheel and press until you get to the USER SETTINGS Screen

user settings  / Door / OK

Now scroll down until you see DOOR
Press OK 

Scroll down until you see SMART TRUNK (Or GATE)

smart trunk / OK

Check the box by pressing OK then exit the screen by pressing the menu button on the steering wheel again. 

Get out of the car, lock it, walk 20 - 40 feet from vehicle, wait about 30 seconds.  Now go stand behind the vehicle and see if it works. Remember, the car needs a minute to arm the smart trunk, that's why you need to walk away from the vehicle. 

Also, remember not ALL Kias come with this feature. If it's not in the user settings, you don't have it.

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

OR, if you are in the Las Vegas area, come see me at Jim Marsh Kia. 8555 West Centennial.  

Have a KIA day!

Let's talk about your spare tire (or lack thereof)....

Ok Kia Owner!  Here's one that MIGHT just surprise you.   If you own a Soul, Optima, Forte, Rio and even some Sorentos and Sportages newer than about 2010, chances are you do NOT have a spare tire.  Now, before you panic, let's talk about this. 

Granted, your sales person should have shown you this at the time of the demonstration of the car, or during final delivery.  To be fair, it's a very easy thing to overlook. So, before you go back yelling and screaming, let's be clear.  About 80% of cars sold today (especially imports) do not have a spare tire.  They have a 'Mobility Kit' that allows you seal and reinflate the tire to drive and get it repaired.  There are a few reasons for this. 

Reason 1: Federal Regulations require a minimum gas milage target. One way that car makers increase milage is to reduce weight.  A mobility kit weights about 2 pounds compared to a spare, jack and lug wrench which can weigh somewhere around 25 to 30 pounds. Sometime more. That does not sound like a lot, but it does make a difference especially when combined with other weight saving measures. 

Reason2: The way tires are made now, 9 out of 10 flats are caused by a puncture. (Nail, screw, Bic pen..etc).  It is easier to seal and re inflate the tire and take it to be fixed.  (Especially at 2am on the side of the freeway. 

NO SPARE (Optima EX)

SPARE (Cadenza)

Reason 3: It's safer.  When you buy a Kia, you get Road Side Assistance for 5 years, 60,000 miles. That means, you make a call, a tow truck comes and either tows you to the nearest Kia dealership, or they change your tire (if you have a spare) or they help with your mobility kit. All without you getting your hands dirty.  And seriously, when was the last time you changed a tire by yourself??

Now, all this being said, if you are losing your mind over not having a spare tire in your life, it is a simple thing to go to your Kia dealership parts department and get a spare tire kit. This includes the donut spare, lug wrench and jack.  On average it's about $200.00.  (Plus you get to keep the mobility kit that came with the car, so you are double covered. 

Remember the number to Kia Roadside assistance is programmed your UVO eservices . 1800-333-4KIA

Thanks, and remember, Jim Marsh Kia in Las Vegas is THE place to buy your next KIA! Come ask for me, (CASH) and I will be glad to help.

Have a GREAT day!