Monday, December 31, 2012

Congratulations to Phil and Steven on another satistfied customer!

Dr_logo_web
"They were patient, yet quick and efficient when I had made up my mind. They were also very caring." Stop over at our DealerRater page to hear more of our customers thoughts.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Maintenance Tip: How To Create Your Own Roadside Emergency Kit

Kit
Have you ever been in this scenario? It's 11:00 p.m.; you're driving on a lone country road that's dark and desolate. You know in an instant that something's wrong. Controlling the vehicle becomes increasingly difficult and you ease the car to the side of the road. Getting out, you see that the left rear tire is flat and you're already running on your spare.

If you're lucky to have an account with the Auto Club and your cellular phone works, or are driving a Caddy with OnStar, help is only a phone call away. If not, you're either faced with having to hail a passing motorist or spend a night in the boonies. That is, unless you have a well-stocked emergency roadside kit in the trunk of your car.

When it comes to commuting or traveling any lengthy distance, a roadside emergency kit can mean the difference between getting back on the road or being stuck for a long period of time. A roadside emergency kit is the one item that every vehicle should have; yet most of us never carry any of the basic items to help you get back on the road quickly and safely.

Some of the basic items include:

  • 12-foot jumper cables
  • Four 15-minute roadside flares
  • Two quarts of oil
  • Gallon of antifreeze
  • First aid kit (including an assortment of bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic cream, instant ice and heat compresses, scissors and aspirin)
  • Blanket
  • Extra fuses
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Flat head screwdrivers
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Pliers
  • Vise Grips
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Tire inflator (such as a Fix-A-Flat)
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Rags
  • Roll of paper towels
  • Roll of duct tape
  • Spray bottle with washer fluid
  • Pocketknife
  • Ice scraper
  • Pen and paper
  • Help sign
  • Granola or energy bars
  • Bottled water
  • and heavy-duty nylon bag to carry it all in.

 

Granted, all these items practically necessitate a Ford Excursion to haul them down the road, but a basic version with two roadside flares, a quart of oil, small first aid kit, extra fuses, flashlight, Leatherman Tool (or any other multipurpose tool commonly containing pliers, wire cutters, knife, saw, bottle opener, screwdrivers, files and an awl), tire inflator, rags, pocket knife, pen and paper and a help sign will take up a minimal amount of trunk space.

A few companies offer pre-assembled emergency roadside kits, ranging from RightTrak's 58-piece Deluxe Auto Safety Kit ($24.00) to the 78-piece Auto First Aid Kit from Home First Aid ($39.95). While these kits contain the basics in a small convenient carrier, you might want to augment yours with a few of the items listed above to suit your needs.

Before you actually use your kit in an emergency situation, take some time to familiarize yourself with the items you've collected and how to use them properly. Also remember that the most important item is your own good judgment - stopping to change a tire in the high-speed lane is only an accident waiting to happen.

Unfortunately, there isn't "one tool for all roadside emergency needs." But with a little planning and a smidgen of trunk space, an emergency roadside kit can often save the day.

Courtesy of Edmunds.com

Thursday, December 20, 2012

2013 Kia Classic Moves To Aviara Golf Club In Carlsbad

Kia
Kia Motors America (KMA) and the LPGA today announced the fourth-annual Kia Classic will move in 2013 to Aviara Golf Club located at the Park Hyatt Resort in Carlsbad, Calif. The move comes with the announcement that KMA has signed a multi-year contract extension as title sponsor of the tournament. The 2013 Kia Classic, which will feature a 144-player field, will be played March 18-24.

"Kia is one of the fastest growing auto brands in the U.S.[1], and sports marketing initiatives such as our involvement with the LPGA have significantly raised awareness and consideration for the brand and our vehicles," said Michael Sprague executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "With the success of the past three tournaments, we are pleased to continue as title sponsor for the Kia Classic and bring the tournament to the luxurious Aviara Golf Club in 2013."

The venue for the 2013 Kia Classic, Aviara Golf Club, which was named by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as one of the best resort golf courses in America and the No.1 golf resort in San Diego according to the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, overlooks the beautiful Batiquitos Lagoon ecological reserve and is the only San Diego golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. Aviara features a memorable par-72 coastal layout that stretches 7,007 yards and is uniquely sculpted through rolling hillsides, native wildflowers and plenty of bunker and water challenges. The golf club is part of the AAA Five Diamond-rated Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, which features 329 guest rooms, four on-site restaurants, full-service spa, tennis courts, fitness facility and more.

"We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Kia for the Kia Classic," said LPGA Chief Marketing Officer Jon Podany. "Kia has been a terrific partner, and the Kia Classic is one of the core pillars of the opening of our domestic season on the West Coast. Kia has also done an outstanding job of integrating with the LPGA and activating behind the Kia Classic to make this tournament better every year. We look forward to many more years."

The 2013 Kia Classic sponsor exemption will be given to the winner of the UC Irvine Women's Golf Anteater Invitational presented by Kia, February 25-26 at the Santa Ana Country Club. This partnership will make the UC Irvine Women's Golf Anteater Invitational presented by Kia the only collegiate tournament in the country that will allow the winner to qualify for an LPGA event. Additionally, the Kia Classic will continue to host a hole-in-one giveaway contest for both the Pro-Am and the tournament with a 2013 Kia vehicle as the prize.

"The Kia Classic has established itself as one of the premier professional golf events, and we're honored to have the opportunity to host a field of the world's best female golfers," said Mark Stiebeling, General Manager for Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. "Our commitment to excellence will ensure that the players and fans alike are treated to a first-class experience on the golf course and throughout the resort."

In 2012, Taiwan native Yani Tseng, the No. 1 player on the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings, won the third-annual Kia Classic at the La Costa Resort and Spa. In 2011, the Kia Classic was the stage for another breakout win as Germany's Sandra Gal became a Rolex-First Time Winner with her thrilling one-shot victory over eight-time LPGA Tour winner Jiyai Shin at Industry Hills Golf Club.

Kia's Southern California-based LPGA tournament complements its sports marketing activities in the U.S., including its partnership with two-time LPGA winner Michelle Wie, who is the brand's official golf ambassador. Kia is also the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA (National Basketball Association), and recently completed its inaugural campaign in the Pirelli World Challenge auto racing series.

[1] Based on 5-year cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending November 2007 and November 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.

Courtesy of The Auto Channel

Monday, December 17, 2012

2013 Kia Forte Koup - $1,000 Cash Back

Forte
Cash back from Kia Motors American Inc. Must take delivery from a participating dealer and from retails stock from 12/4/2012 to 1/7/2013. Cash back offer when you purchase a new car and may not be combined with Special Low APR offer. Please see dealer for more information.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Catawba County United Way

The vision of Catawba County United Way is to be the most effective and efficient organization that identifies and prioritizies the greatest unmet human needs in the community, focuses human compassion, and mobilizes resources to meet those needs. Paramount Kia Hickory works along side this great organization and invites you to check in on their website to find out more.
http://ccunitedway.com/

This holiday season, help Paramount Kia Hickory help those in need!

Toys

Another great review for Paramount Kia Hickory!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

2014 Kia Forte

The Kia Forte had been showcased at the L.A Auto Show, where Kia motors said that the new Kia Forte will be arriving at dealerships in early 2013. So the the new Kia Forte represents the heart of KMA’s small-car line-up, replacing the current Forte, which had been a huge success story since its arrival in 2009. The new Kia Forte has been placed between Rio sub-compact sedan and the best-selling Optima mid-size sedan, and the new sedan includes an unexpected premium features. Lets take a look at the all new Kia Forte.

First the all-new 2014 Forte will be offered in LX and EX variants with a choice of an efficient 1.8-liter engine or a more powerful 2.0-liter engine. The stunning European design-inspired sedan that makes it clear the Korean auto manufacturer has another winner in its line-up of sought-after cars and CUVs.

“The all-new Forte significantly raises the bar, offering upscale amenities and eye-catching appeal,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing & communications, KMA. “When you combine exclusive available features like a ventilated driver’s seat and UVO eServices in a car with such an attractive design, it’s very clear the all-new Forte sets a new standard for the compact segment.”

Under the hood, the LX features a 1.8-liter powerplant, while the EX comes standard with a 2.0-liter engine. Both engines feature dual continuously variable valve timing and a lightweight intake manifold. The LX model, which has the 1.8-liter MPI inline four-cylinder engine, produces 148 horsepower available at 6,500 rpm and 131 lb.-ft. of torque on tap at 4,700 rpm, and the whole unit is mated to an standard six speed manual transmission or an optional six speed automatic gearbox. And the, EX model produces 173-horsepower at 6,500 rpm, from its 2.0-liter inline four cylinder GDI engine, and offers a robust 154 lb.-ft. of torque which is available at 4,700 rpm, the EX comes standard with a six speed automatic.

Outside, the car is longer (by 1.2 inches), lower (0.6 inches) and wider (0.2 inches) than the previous Forte sedan. With its 106.3-inch wheelbase, it is two inches longer than the present model, the all-new Forte rides on a McPherson strut front suspension and a coupled torsion beam rear axle. The offered drives are, Comfort, Normal and Sport, which vary steering effort at the touch of a steering wheel-mounted button. And the LX manual rides on 195/65R-15 tires, while 205/55R-16 tires on 16-inch alloy wheels are optional. The top-of-the- line EX is shod with the same 55-series tires. Low-profile 215/45-17 tires mounted on sporty 17-inch alloy wheels are optional.

Inside, the cabin features high-quality materials and soft touch points. There is an optional 4.2-inch color LCD screen nestled between the gauges in the EX models, Chrome bezels, and HVAC rotary knobs, and the optional push-button start. Additional chrome accents, standard Bluetooth hands free phone integration and power windows, mirrors and door locks enhance the all-new Forte’s premium feel. Optional leather seating trim, power sunroof, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear seat vents and HID head lights, which makes the car completely different from its competitors.

Click through the pictures and stay tuned for more updates.

Forte

Kudos to Jim for his excellent customer service!