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!!

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

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 

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)