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!!

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!

Idle Stop and Go

A lot of Kias have the Idle Stop and Go system (ISG).  Looks like this:


It is meant to be a fuel saving device. Over time, if your engine is not running at stop lights, you will save some fuel.  It IS a good theory, but if you are old school like me, anytime your engine shuts down you go into a slight panic.  Used to mean something was terribly wrong.  

In my Stinger, the system defaults to ISG whenever you start the car, so I have to make sure I turn it off before I go very far.  This, of course, is a personal preference.  I think the ISG is a good thing in the long run.  Here is an excerpt from KIA explaing the system and how and when it activates. 

Have a KIA day!

Idle Stop and Go (ISG) Description

Idle Stop and Go (ISG) function automatically switches off the engine when the car is at a standstill and starts it again as soon as the brake pedal is released. This not only reduces fuel consumption, it also lowers emissions. Idle Stop and Go (ISG) function also has a built-in sensitivity to driving safety and comfort.
The engine is not switched off if certain conditions relating to safety and comfort have not been fulfilled (for example, when the engine oil is still cold, when the battery is running low or when the outside temperature is below 3º C or 37F). It can be deactivated by pressing the ISG OFF switch on the crash pad lower panel.

Sample scenario:
vehicle moving
the transmission lever position is in D-range. The brake pedal is released
the engine is running (vehicle moving)
the driver brakes until the vehicle comes to a standstill
the transmission lever position is in D-range. The brake pedal is pressed
the engine stops. The symbol “AUTO STOP” lights up in the instrument cluster
the driver wants to continue the journey
the transmission lever position is in D-range. The brake pedal is released
the engine is running again. The symbol goes out.

Operation Condition for the ISG Function
Will function if these conditions are met
- ISG OFF Switch is off
- switch (seat/door/hood) closed
- lever position in D or N range
- brake pedal pressed or released
- vehicle speed after driving higher than 8kmph (5mph)
- a/c system operating correctly
- engine coolant temperature over 78º C (172.4º F)
- brake pressure not below 35kpa
- battery SOC over 77% and temperature in the range of 2-55ºC (35.6-131ºF)
- Steering wheel – operating angle below 180º
- Parking condition – slope up hill <12%, down hill <8%
- no ISG related part errors

Won't function if:
- large steering angle when car is stopped
- low brake operating pressure
- turn on the a/c with max blower
- when battery condition is poor (low SOC)
- active defroster of front or rear glass
- unfasten driver's seat belt or open the door and hood
- on a steep slope
- with ISG system errors and other diagnosis
- ISG OFF switch is on 

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

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