Just got a call from a customer who was "venting" about no spare tire. As a sales professional, I point out to ALL my customers that many new cars do not come with a spare tire. You will find instead a 'Tire Mobility Kit' which consists of a compressor to refill the tire and a can of sealer. This will enable you to re inflate the tire (as long as it is a puncture and not a blowout or sidewall damaging hole) and get to your nearest Kia dealership. Calling Kia Roadside assistance (1800-333-4KIA) will get you help in using the kit if you are unsure of your ability to do it. If you have a catastrophic tire issue, they will tow you to the nearest Kia dealership / service center.
This being said, if you do not know if you have a spare or not, go check. If you need a spare tire you can purchase a spare tire kit from a Kia parts department, or through your local tire center.
There is a reason that many cars come sans spare. It is a weight thing. In order to stay within Federal fuel efficiency standards, many manufacturers (not just Kia) are loosing the spare. The theory is that the extra 30-40 pounds of weight makes a difference in the long haul on fuel consumption. One of the other ways they are doing this is by instituting the Idle-stop-and-go system that shuts your car down at red lights, and restarts the engine when you take your foot off the brake. I personally hate this feature, and turn it off. I am old school...If I am at a light and the car quits running, my brain goes in to panic mode....'Something is wrong...' but that's just me and a topic for another blog.
Remember, you can get ahold of me here with questions or comments. I will do my best to answer any questions you have.
Have a Kia Day #Yesitiz
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!
