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Feeling tired, angry, and stressed? Here’s how not to drive like it.

Sometimes when you’re out on the road it’s easy to lose one’s temper. We’ve all experienced the horn blaring, cursing, aggressive driving road rage beast before, whether it was ourselves or someone else with the bad attitude. You can avoid submitting to a cranky temper with these tips:


Sleep. Seriously, sleep. A full night. No excuses. Everyone is a grouch when they don’t get enough sleep, this is just a given.

Plan ahead! It’s okay to leave early. This gives you time to be able to conquer unforeseen road difficulties without the stress.

Treat rude behavior the same way you would in a restaurant. Would you lose your cool over someone cutting you off in line at a bodega? Probably not – it would be embarrassing, so don't do it!

3 Ways to Take the Words "Traffic Jam" Out of Your Vocabulary

1. Use an alternative form of transportation.  There’s no shame in riding your bike, taking the bus, or using the train to get to your destination.  And it’s cleaner for the environment.

2. Change your schedule.  Most of the country is at work Monday – Friday from 9:00AM until 5:00PM.  That means traffic is the heaviest during the half hour before and after these times.  If you are able to budget your time in a way that avoids even just one of the two traffic jams you hit daily, you’ll be happier for it.

3. If you’re dealing with infuriating traffic jams daily, maybe it’s time to rethink your route to work.  Think of it this way: it’s impossible for all the roads in your city to be congested at once.  Breaking from routine can be a beautiful thing– especially if your routine involves gridlock traffic.

Check Your Tire Pressure

Keep an air gauge in your car's center console as a reminder to check each tire once a month. Low tire pressure can cause dangerous blowouts, and tires under-inflated by only 6 pounds per square inch can reduce fuel economy by 5 percent and reduce tread life by 25 percent. Your car's specified tire pressure is posted on a sticker in the driver's side door frame. It's normal for tires to lose a pound or two of pressure a month.

July Service Specials

Make sure to stop by the dealership to take advantage of our July service specials! The month is coming to an end...don't let these pass you by! Check out our website to schedule your appointment here: http://bit.ly/U7Iw5V

How to Get a Successful Driver's License Photo

Once you are old enough to get your driver’s license photo taken, the preparation is essential. Take a look at these tips to take the best photo ever!
Do not wear white, it tends to make people look sickly under the lighting at the DMV.

-Avoid wearing t- shirts with slogans, plain shirts with soft colors such as blue, green and pink tend to be the best.
-If you are getting your photo taken during allergy season or if you have a cold, use eye drops and make sure your eyes wide open.
-Keep your hair neat and normal, today is not the day to try out a fancy hair do or new hair color.
-Ladies, know how to wear your makeup. Too much eye shadow tends to make your eyes disappear and too little makes you look like a zombie. Practice makes perfect!
-Like we said before, practice makes perfect! It may seem silly to practice smiling in the mirror but it can only benefit you in the end.
Be on time for your appointment and stay patient. DMV’s are notoriously slow but the wait will be worth a great picture!

What Does Your Check Engine Light Mean?

It’s one of the most common occurrences on the road, but how do you handle it?  If the “check engine” light comes on while you’re out and about, do you know what to do?  Here’s a hint: don’t panic!  Here are a few things to keep in mind:

The first thing you should do is pay attention to the sound and feel of your car. Is there smoke coming out of the tailpipe? Any odd mechanical rattling? You should stop and call for help if you notice anything abnormal about the way your vehicle is running.

If that’s not the case, think about where you were before the light came on. Did you just buy gas?  If so, the “check engine” light might be on to alert you that the gas cap is loose. Pull over, tighten the cap, and continue driving. If that was the source of the problem, the light will turn off by itself.

If you’re not fresh from fueling up and everything is still running normally (no smokey/electrical smells, mechanical noises, etc.) call our Service Department and make an appointment or schedule a visit with us online. We want to make sure you’re safe on the road—let us diagnose and repair the problem for you.

The perfect summer road trip requires more than just junk in the trunk.

If you’re getting ready to roll into your first summer road trip, the only thing on your mind is all the fun ahead of you.  Swimsuit, sunblock, and phone charger packed?  Check.  Sunglasses?  Yep.  What about the inflatable beach ball you forgot last year?  Done.  You even remembered extra towels–you’re good!   You understand how important it is to plan ahead.

But what’s rattling around behind you is just as important, maybe even more so.   We’re sure you’ve heard the common phrase, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.”  It applies to packing for your summer road trip too!  Tackle any problem that might pop up while you’re on the road by making sure you’ve got these essential items stowed in your trunk:

Tire-Changing Equipment (sounds obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how many people forget)!

Jumper Cables

Road Atlas (Because phones die and there’s not service everywhere.  Yes, we’re serious).

Gas cans (Fill ‘em up before you hit the road)

First Aid Kit

Camera (It’s a good idea to keep a cheap disposable in your trunk at all times, not just for capturing memories, but to use for documentation in case of a car accident).

If you’re more of a SOUL sister than a minivan mama, read this...

If you’re a “cool mom” that’s also budget-conscious, you probably have a hard time finding the right vehicle to suit all your needs.  You’ll need plenty of cargo space to haul road trip luggage and sports equipment, but you don’t want a double-wide wagon.  You refuse to pay the price that comes along with a gas-guzzling SUV, but you want your style to stay current.  And, to complicate it even further?  You aren’t rocking the minivan look– but you won’t compromise when it comes to safety.  Times are tough!

Luckily, the 2014 Kia Soul eats tough times for breakfast.  And it knows the importance of eating a well-balanced breakfast every day.  That’s why it’s the perfect blend of style, safety, and sass to fit right in with your busy–and cool– life.  Come see us to take one for a spin today!

Designed to Fit You - Kia Optima

The Kia Optima is optimized for the road and designed to fit you. Why shouldn’t a midsize sedan thrill? With a fusion of bold style, grin-inducing performance, and advanced technology, the Optima truly challenges midsize sedan conventions.

Here’s how to stop an accident before you even get in the car

-Put the cell phone down. 
Turn it off if the sound of a text alert or call will tempt you to check it.  This seems like an obvious one, but according to the Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving at ANY given daylight moment in America.

-Don’t eat or drink while driving.  
It’s tempting to swing by a drive-thru and hop back on the road to make good time on your trip. But think about the risks involved–fiddling with wrappers, finding condiment packages, and dealing with the mess made are all distractions that take your eyes off the road.  Think about whether shaving that extra hour off your trip is worth cutting your life or the lives of others short.

-Clean up & fuel up.
Make sure your windshield is clean, oil changed, and vehicle generally maintained BEFORE you start your travels! Seeing your check engine light switch on or struggling with low visibility due to windshield grime is an avoidable distraction–so avoid it.

Want to know how NOT to get pulled over? Here are the secrets.

1. Have situational awareness.  If traffic begins to slow, don't take it as your cue to weave in and out of lanes like a speed demon.  Chances are, there's a good reason it's coming to a halt.

2. Big Brother is everywhere, and he's waiting for you to slip up.  When you hit the road, do so with the knowledge that you are being watched.  From speed traps to red light cameras to that police car parked at the bottom of the hill, all eyes are on you.  Drive accordingly.

3. Leave the glitz and glamor to the movie stars.  Try not to call any extra attention to yourself.  A bright red Ferrari with a vanity plate and a bunch of bumper stickers is far more likely to get caught speeding than the understated beige minivan next to it.  

 

 

 

IF YOU DO GET PULLED OVER...

The best chance you have at not getting a ticket is to be polite.  Getting pulled over is a stressful event, but it's important not to panic.  As soon as panic sets in, people incriminate themselves inadvertently by volunteering information or becoming argumentative. Remember: police officers mean it when they tell you anything you say can and will be used against you in court!

Don't try to pretend you aren't guilty of at least one of these! (Especially #5!)

Nobody's perfect, right?  We all make mistakes, but sometimes those little imperfections can become downright embarrassing!  Here's a list of uh-ohs that have probably happened to all of us at some point.

#1. Leaving your turn signal on. We're talkin' miles after you've made that turn.

#2. Cutting someone off in traffic by accident.  No matter how apologetic your courtesy wave, it will not help you here.

#3. Not realizing the light has turned green!  Don't worry, though. The collective roar of cursing drivers and screaming car horns should rouse you from that daydream pretty quickly.

#4. Messing up while parallel parking.  Repeatedly.  You swear, you do it perfectly every time when there's nobody else in the car!

#5. Getting caught singing, dancing, digging for gold... Avoid the shame and keep these, er, personal habits at home.




How many of these cringe-worthy driving faux pas are YOU guilty of?  Join the conversation on our Twitter and Facebook pages!

Love letter to that certain special Kia

To my Kia,

 This Valentine’s Day, I want you to know how much I appreciate you.

You let me be myself without passing judgments

You never leave me in the dark about things.

 

You help me see things from a new perspective.

 

You’re there for me during stressful times.

 

 

…And help me protect what’s really important.

 

I can’t wait to see where this relationship goes.

Love,

Me

Now what? 5 things to do right after a fender-bender

Nobody ever wants or expects them, but car accidents happen every day.  If you suddenly find yourself involved in a fender-bender, the stress of the situation can jumble your thoughts, making you more likely to forget some important steps.  Here are a few things to keep in mind right after a car accident.

 

-Make sure everyone is okay before you exchange contact and insurance information with the other motorist involved.

 

-Report the incident to your insurance company, even if you are at fault.

 

-Take pictures.  Not only will this proof help when sorting things out withan insurance company, but it could serve as useful if there happens to be a dispute about the situation.  Taking notes is a good idea, too.

 

-Be careful who you talk to.  If you are contacted by the other motorist’s insurance company, it is best to direct them to your insurance company instead of speaking for yourself.  Sensitive situations like car accidents are best left to professionals!

 

-If there is a dispute with your insurance company, get an attorney.

Don't become a statistic. Here are three easy ways to avoid distractions behind the wheel.

REALITY CHECK: 

You are 23 times more likely to be in a car accident if you are driving distracted.

 

Consider what you're really putting at risk when your eyes leave the road.

-Put the cell phone down. 

Turn it off if the sound of a text alert or call will tempt you to check it.  This seems like an obvious one, but according to the Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving at ANY given daylight moment in America.

-Don’t eat or drink while driving.   

It’s tempting to swing by a drive-thru and hop back on the road to make good time on your trip.  But think about the risks involved--fiddling with wrappers, finding condiment packages, and dealing with the mess made are all distractions that take your eyes off the road.  Think about whether shaving that extra hour off your trip is worth cutting your life or the lives of others short.

-Clean up & fuel up.

Make sure your windshield is clean, oil changed, and vehicle generally maintained BEFORE you start your travels!  Seeing your check engine light switch on or struggling with low visibility due to windshield grime is an avoidable distraction--so avoid it.  Visit us online to schedule an appointment today to make sure everything is running tip-top.

Don't get down if you already broke your New Year's resolution. Start over with these!

Don't worry... your secret is safe with us!  But even for a highly skilled procrastinator like you, it's not too late to tackle 2014 with some positive goals.  Commit yourself to keeping at least three of these resolutions with your car for 2014.  You won't regret it-- not to mention the fact that you'll have a safer and happier year! 

IN 2014, I PROMISE TO...

-Make sure the gas cap is secure and tight. A loose gas cap can trigger the “Check Engine” or “service Engine Soon” light.
-Get regular oil changes.  It sounds simple because it is!  Plus, it's the best way to ensure the longevity of the engine.
-Keep the interior of my car clean.  It’s as simple as remembering to pick up after yourself.  Cleaning up a year’s worth of mess out of your car is a daunting task—make it a daily thing.  If you take out of the car what you brought in that day, it’s easy to maintain!
-Ensure my tires are properly inflated. When maintained on a regular basis, properly inflated tires improve gas mileage by more than 3 percent. 
-Test my battery every autumn. If your car’s battery is three years old or more, consider replacing it.  The chance of failure increases the longer you go without replacing it.
-Replace my windshield wipers every 6 months or 6,000 miles. 
Every 12 months or 12,000 miles, the brakes, spark plugs, and coolant will be check to ensure they are operating properly.


Which of these resolutions will you keep with your car?  Be sure to weigh in on our Twitter page and tell why you chose what you did.