5 Tips for Test Driving Your Next Kia

Whether you've just bought your Kia or you've owned it for a while, you can keep it looking brand new just by giving it a good cleaning. Let's discuss the steps you can take to make your Kia look like it just came off the showroom floor. Start With a Proper Wash While washing your car might seem like an obvious way to keep your car clean, how to wash your Kia might not be so obvious. Many car owners use liquid dish soap, not knowing that this can strip the oil out of their car's finish. These oils play an important role in protecting your Kia's paint job. Instead of using dish soap, you should consider a cleaner that's specifically intended for use on vehicles. This type of cleaner can be purchased at any auto parts store, mass retailer, or even online. It's just as important to use the right cleaning tools as it is the right cleaning fluid. You'll want to use a wash mitt that won't scratch your vehicle. Rinse the mitt out beforehand to make sure it's clean. Doing so will ensure that there aren't any materials stuck to the fibers that could damage your car. After use, toss the wash mitt into the washing machine. After you've thoroughly washed your Kia, make sure it's completely dry by wiping it down with towels. Any excess water left on the car can cause rust. more Wax Your Car After you've made sure that your Kia is completely dry, give it a good waxing. Wax can prevent your paint job from fading. It can also reduce scratches caused by grit and other road debris. While you don't need to wax your car after every washing, it's a good idea to use a simple trick to see if your Kia does need waxed. If you spray the car with water and the water doesn't bead, it's time to apply wax. Don't Skip the Interior Cleaning out the inside of your car is another important component of maintaining a brand-new appearance. Start at the top and work your way down to the floor. That way you won't get the floor dirty from any debris you clean off from the dashboard and seats. A major source of dirt and debris is from the air conditioning vents. You'll need to clean them out so that when the AC is on, dirt won't blow all over your clean interior. A small brush, like a makeup applicator, can easily clean out the vents. Proceed with wiping down your dashboard with a suitable cleaner, removing trash from the floor, and vacuuming your seats and floors. Moving forward, keep a small trash bag in your car to collect trash. You can also put cupcake liners in your cupholders. These steps can help reduce the time you have to spend on future cleanings. Hopefully, you've found these tips to be helpful. By properly maintaining your Kia, you can enjoy it for years to come. Image via Flickr by thomaswanhoff used under CC By

The 2020 Kia Telluride runs smoothly, looks sporty, and has enough space for everyone. In essence, it has a do-it-all attitude that's ideal for any type of outdoor adventure. For an SUV that performs well and feels great in action, the Kia Telluride undoubtedly comes out on top. Here's a look at what makes it a perfect option for families. Ground Potential Hitting the road less traveled is an easy feat for the Telluride. An independent suspension system with dual stabilizing bars encourages a calm ride no matter how bumpy the road is. Torque vectoring control lets you steer with perfect precision around corners and curves. Plus, if you're headed off-road, available all-wheel drive can help you easily tackle uneven terrain. Another important aspect is fuel efficiency. Fortunately, the Telluride excels in that department. Highway ratings amount to 24 miles per gallon in all-wheel drive and 26 in front-wheel drive. Interior Comforts Inside the Telluride is a gorgeous display of finely crafted materials and must-have accessories. Cloth upholstery is standard for the base LX and S, while the EX and SX indulge in premium leather. The higher trims also toss in extras such as ventilated front seats and a smart power liftgate to keep things cool and convenient. more In addition, you've got a hidden cargo floor bin perfect for storing toys and personal items. You'll also find a power sunroof that provides a scenic outdoor view at any time of day. There's plenty of space, too. Captain's chairs in the second row offer seating for seven, while a standard three-seat layout pushes the total to eight. Multimedia Options The road trip necessities just keep coming. Use the standard 8-inch touch screen to access your smartphone's features via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Activate Quiet Mode to mute the radio in the back in case the kids fall asleep, or use the UVO link app on your smartphone to remotely lock/unlock the doors and locate your vehicle without a hassle. You can also opt for a fancier trim like the EX or SX to unleash even more, including a 10.25-inch touch screen, six USB charging ports, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The SX one-ups the group with an additional premium sound system that boasts 10 speakers and a subwoofer just for kicks. Safety Features The all-new Kia Telluride has a design that fares well with families. But what really sets the tone is the amount of high-end systems this SUV offers to keep you and your loved ones safe. The Driver Attention Warning feature, for example, sends out alerts once your eyes start to drift from the road. Meanwhile, Safe Exit Assist keeps passengers from leaving the vehicle until it's entirely safe to do so. This Kia companion also comes with three specific anchors for proper car seat placement and rollover-sensing, side-curtain air bags that jump into action during a collision. Splurge on the EX or SX to add extras like highway cruise control and an available LED head-up display with windshield-projected vehicle updates. The 2020 Kia Telluride makes every outing feel like an adventure. From picking up the kids at school to planning a road trip, it has all the comforts and conveniences of a perfect family SUV. Image via Flickr by JLaw45 used under CC By

If you intend to sell your car at some point down the road, maintaining its value is a process that encompasses its lifetime. Even if you think you'll drive your car until it's ready for the scrap heap, keeping it well maintained and preserving its value could keep it running a few extra years. Also, if you keep it in good enough condition, you still may be able to sell it instead of scrapping it for a few hundred bucks. Here are some expert tips to maintain your car's value. Stay on Top of Oil Changes This point has been driven into the ground, but for good reason. One of the most expensive components in your car is the engine, so keeping it running smoothly will save you the most money at the mechanic shop and prevent any sharp dips in your car's value. Oil works by coating the moving parts of your engine, preventing damage from friction and heating. Over time, the oil gets dirty, and the dirt is expelled through the oil filter. However, after about 3,000-5,000 miles, the filter and oil have just about had enough, and it's time for a change. The closer you change your oil to the 3,000-mile mark, the less work the new oil has to do cleaning up residual grime. more Don't Smoke in Your Car Once you've smoked in your car for a while, even a pricey detailing might not get the residual smell out. Over time, smoking in your car can also cause coloration issues in some of the interior pieces. Remember that roughly 78 percent of the population doesn't smoke, so you could be limiting your potential buyers significantly if you have smoked in your car heavily. Keep the Car Clean Keeping the upholstery and interior clean on a regular basis will prevent any spills or stains from setting in. It's OK to have some drive-thru fast food in your car but make sure you clean up any spills or messes after doing so. Repair Minor Damage, Preferably Before Winter Cars are exposed to some intense conditions through their lifetimes. Driving through the rain at 60 mph, having leaves or pine needles and small twigs falling on them, and dealing with a constant barrage of sand and salt from snow-covered roads all take their tolls. Over time, you're bound to get a few scratches or dings in the paint. The important thing is to have them fixed before a more intensive paint job is needed, and if you live in a state that gets snow, before winter rolls in. Those scratches and dings are cracks in your car's armor, paving the way for rust to set in. Taking care of your car's engine and overall appearance will do more than save you some money in mechanical labor. It will also help you maintain the value of your vehicle when trading it in or selling it.