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!

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

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!

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!!

Allow me to introduce myself....I am a Kia Product Specialist

Hello Fellow Kia Owners.  Allow me to introduce myself to you.  My name is Ron Twist. They call me Cash. (Having something to do with the fact that I am also a singer who tributes Johnny Cash, but that's another day) 

I am the Certified Product Specialist at Jim Marsh Kia in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

I am offering this blog to Kia owners who have questions about anything and everything Kia.  I will post tips on how to.....whatever.  From programming your Bluetooth to activating your UVO system.  I will be posting short videos as well explaining different systems. 

The Kia Lineup is amazing. Technology is advancing quickly so I will try to keep you up on it.  We will discuss the new Niro, Sedona Van, Sorento SUV, Optima, Optima Turbo, Forte, Soul, Rio, Sportage, and of course the amazing K900.  And we also are very excited about the new Kia STINGER GT coming this fall. 

I open this up to you to submit questions about anything involving our kia.  I have a vast network of resources.  I sell the product, and have for 5 years.  My whole family drives Kias, and trust me....they aren't what they used to be. They are a JD powers #1 pick and having Peter Schryer from Audi as a head designer does not hurt. 

So feel free to submit questions to be answered on this blog. Many people have the same questions you do.  You can submit here in the comments, or you can email questions to
                           cashatkia@centurylink.net

Remember, if you are in the Vegas Area, Jim Marsh Kia is #1 in Nevada. 

Have a great day!