Blog

Driving in the winter can present many challenges for drivers. If you live in an area where there is typically snow on the road, you will want to be extra careful while driving to ensure the safety of yourself and any passengers that are traveling with you.

When you are driving in the snow, you will want to accelerate and decelerate very slowly. By applying the gas slowly, you will be able to regain traction and ultimately avoid skidding. You should also take time to slow down for a stoplight since it takes longer to slow down on icy roads…

Here at Lion Country Kia, we believe that our dedication to customer service should continue even after our customers drive off of our lot. As such, we want to help our customers get the most out of their vehicles by learning more about them.

In particular, we think that drivers should be aware of how important your alternator is to your vehicle. When running smoothly, the alternator generates power for the electrical components in your car and keeps your battery charged up. Indeed, without the alternator, your battery would die very quickly.

 

Motor oil viscosity ratings can seem confusing. The numbers and letters have a very specific significance, and understanding what they mean will make you a better informed car owner.

The speed a motor oil flows at is known as its viscosity. If you've looked at the label on a container of oil, you might have seen a rating like 10w-30. This is its viscosity rating; the number in front of the ""w"" lets you know how fast it flows in cold temperatures. The second number indicates how quickly it flows when it has been in a warm engine. In…

Did you know that if your vehicle is not running in tiptop shape, it can negatively affect your fuel economy? Many drivers are unaware of that fact. At Lion Country Kia, we want to keep you as informed and knowledgeable as possible on all aspects of car ownership and maintenance, and that includes offer fuel economy tips.

Even with a well-maintained vehicle, there are still things you can do to improve fuel economy.

• Drive responsibly and within the speed limit.
• Use cruise control when possible.
• Use good tires that are properly inflated.
• Avoid letting engine run unnecessarily in cold...

You need fresh and clean air in order to stay healthy, and so does your vehicle. Your car is equipped with engine and cabin air filters that are designed to filter out dirt and debris in the air. The engine air filter keeps this dirt out of the engine, and cabin filters keep this dirty air from getting in your lungs.

Your engine and cabin air filters need to be changed on a regular basis. One sign of a dirty engine air filter is reduced acceleration when you step on the gas. You will notice a reduction in the cabin…

We believe that you should learn all about the various components of your vehicle and the way that each one works. We want you to understand what brake fluid is and why you need to have it in your vehicle.

Brake fluid helps you stop your car. When you press on your brakes, the brake fluid in the vehicle applies pressure to the brakes and helps you slow down. The fluid can get bad over time and it is important for you to have it changed every now and then. We can take out the old oil and put in…

Don't simply ignore the pressure light indicating tire pressure is low, take action today.

There are a couple of instances where you shouldn't be too worried about the tire pressure light going off in your vehicle. Colder weather drops of ten degrees will cause one pound of tire pressure to drop too. On top of that, your car tires are naturally losing a pound of pressure each month.

Things you should be worried about is when you see a drop in pressure in one tire and locate a small obstruction. Never remove the object yourself, but get to…

Part of being a responsible car owner is changing the oil on a regular basis. While many believe that you have to change the oil every 3,000 miles, this is generally not the case. Instead, try to have the oil changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or as specified by your owners manual.

It is perfectly acceptable to leave black or otherwise dark motor oil in your vehicle. For the most part, it means that the oil is collecting dirt and other debris so that it can't enter the engine itself. As long as you follow…

Very few situations are as aggravating as going to turn your vehicle on first thing in the morning only to hear a grinding or whining noise. Those are just two symptoms of a failing starter, and you should keep an eye out for any other warning signs that your starter might be nearing the end of its service life.

If you smell or see smoke when you turn the key, then the starting circuit might be damaged. The service team here at Lion Country Kia can quickly test the starting circuit to see if that is the problem. You should…

Road trips are a great way to get away for awhile while not having to spend a lot of money. Plan the route in advance to estimate fuel needs and costs. Save money along the way by camping out at night and barbecuing or grilling meals on a portable device. However, take possible bad weather into consideration and be prepared to stay at a hotel or in the vehicle should you encounter a storm.

Other expenses you might plan for include park or attraction admittance fees. You might want to do some shopping or pick up a few souvenirs along…