Blog

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.

Having a general understanding of how your car works, and what it requires in terms of regular maintenance, will help you keep your car running smoothly with less risk of more critical issues down the road. While just about everyone knows to change the oil regularly, there are some other protocols to follow regarding your vehicle's maintenance. Follow the Manufacturer's Recommendations Your vehicle will come with a suggested service routine. This will list several services, including how long to go between having them done. It is usually listed in miles. Some services will only need to be done once or twice throughout the entire life of the vehicle, or every 100,000 miles or so, while others are more routine. more Driving Under Extreme Conditions AAA suggests that some vehicles may need some services sooner based on how they are driven and what conditions they are being driven in. Some examples of extreme or severe conditions include being primarily used for short trips under five miles, ongoing stop-and-go or city driving, towing, and driving in extreme heat or cold. These stressors can wear down your vehicle faster and may require it to be serviced sooner. Unlisted Considerations Some parts of your car will simply wear down over time, despite not being listed on the manufacturer's recommended service guidelines. These are usually the components that fail and catch you off-guard on the road or during an annual state inspection. One example of this is the power steering hoses that carry fluid to and from the reservoir. Over time, these hoses will wear down and fail, which will cause a loss in power steering. You can still turn the wheel, but it will be very labor intensive, so catching a failure before it happens is ideal. Look for condensation or bulges on the hoses or a lower level of fluid in the reservoir. These all indicate there could be an issue with your power steering on the horizon. Brakes also wear out over time and tend to do so faster depending on how much and how aggressively they are used. The quality of the brake pad and the habits of the driver will determine how often they need to be changed. Typically, it ranges between 25,000 and 70,000 miles. Things like needing to press the brake pedal down further or the brake light on your dashboard coming on are indicators that service may be in order. Wheel bearings keep your tires turning smoothly despite being under the entire weight of the vehicle. If a bearing is starting to go out, you will begin to hear a moaning or groaning sound from one corner of the vehicle that changes with the speed you are driving. The noise will get louder until the bearing is fixed. If you're looking to have your car serviced for routine maintenance, feel free to give the experts at Gunther Kia service center a call. We are ready to help with whatever service-related questions you may have.

Chances are, if you have purchased a Kia in the last few years, you probably have a UVO system, but are you using your UVO to its fullest capacity? Read on to find out about all of the things UVO can do for you. What Is UVO? UVO, short for "your voice", is a voice-operated media control system that connects a number of the car's different systems into one easy-to-use centralized controller. It's also app-based, meaning you can interact with it by installing an app on your iPhone or Android. This greatly increases the usability and flexibility and allows new features to be continuously added. more The Three UVO Suites Kia has packaged various UVO features into three different suites, known as eServices, eco, and luxe. Each of these comes with the standard essentials and extra features specifically tailored to their profile. Read on to learn about some of our favorite standard and upgraded features. UVO Essentials: Parking Reminders If you've ever forgotten where you parked your car, you'll be happy to know that UVO has you covered. You can save your parking location right in the app on your phone, so you always can find your way back to your Kia. What's more, you can include parking and meter reminders as well. Say goodbye to unnecessary parking tickets! UVO Essentials: Curfew Limit, Speed, and Geofence Alerts If you're a parent, you'll love this group of features. The curfew limit lets you set a curfew time, and if UVO detects the vehicle being driven after this time, it can send an alert to your phone. The same goes for the speed alert, which will tell you and the driver if the vehicle is exceeding the max speed you've set. Last but not least, the Geofence limits the area in which the vehicle can be driven and sends an alert if the vehicle leaves this area. UVO Agent: Remote Locks, Climate Control, and More One of the greatest things about UVO is that you don't even have to leave your house to use it, and with the UVO Agent and Google Home, you can do even more from the comfort of your living room. Google Assistant will be able to heat or cool your Kia to the desired temperature, lock the doors, or start and stop electric charging on plug-in vehicles. Currently, this feature is only available on some models, but we hope Kia rolls it out to even more in the future. Some of the functions of the UVO Agent, such as remote charging and climate control, are also available with the UVO eco package. UVO Luxe: Prestige Club In this case, we saved the best for last. On top of all the other amazing benefits, UVO luxe owners also have access to Kia's exclusive call center. The call center representatives can offer help and information that will definitely upgrade your driving experience. This is only a small fraction of the many things you can do with Kia UVO. Don't have UVO yet? We recommend an immediate visit to your local Kia dealership to help get you into a UVO-enabled vehicle today.   Image provided by Kia

Older drivers are some of the most experienced drivers on the road, but they also have to deal with slower reaction times and constantly changing technologies. Here are just a few features that automotive manufacturers have introduced to help senior drivers. Forward Automatic Braking Even if a senior driver isn't tailgating, the diminishing reflex times that come along with the aging process can be dangerous in a car. Forward automatic-braking technology helps avoid the risk of a head-on collision by detecting the presence of another vehicle and applying the brakes to avoid an accident. This useful feature is also known as forward collision alert or forward collision warning, and it works by using laser, camera, or GPS sensors to scan a car's surroundings for nearby obstacles. more Lane Departure Warning We've all seen cars inadvertently swerving out of their lanes on the highway. This can be extremely dangerous, and senior drivers are at an increased risk of this behavior as a result of potentially decreased visual acuity. Fortunately, modern technology allows for a certain degree of automatic correction when this occurs. Also known as road departure mitigation or lane-keeping assistance, lane departure warning systems use visual, audio, and vibration cues to alert drivers that they are swerving outside of their lanes. Some systems can even automatically steer the vehicles back onto the right track. Adaptive Cruise Control Adaptive cruise control, also known as autonomous cruise control or traffic-aware cruise control, goes far beyond the capabilities of standard cruise control systems with which senior drivers are likely to be familiar. This new technology still automatically regulates your speed, but it also uses radar sensors to locate vehicles in front of you and maintain a safe driving distance at all times. Because adaptive cruise control can regulate both your acceleration and braking, it's an important safety feature that is especially handy on long road trips. GPS Navigation Even though mobile phones, and smartphones, in particular, are increasingly more common, plenty of senior drivers don't want to be bothered with the complicated features of these devices. That's why integrated GPS technology is such a convenient inclusion. By incorporating navigation software and displaying driving directions prominently on the dashboard, automotive manufacturers have made this particular element of driving technology as accessible and safe as possible. Rear Backup Cameras If you've ever parallel parked your car in a crowded city environment, you already know that it can be one of the trickiest driving maneuvers. This is especially true for senior drivers who may have limited mobility and be unable to crane their necks around to adequately check their blind spots when parking in this manner. Rear backup cameras provide a handy way to see what's directly behind the car, facilitating an easier and safer parking experience. While these features are both a tremendous convenience and a great way to increase driving safety, they are no substitutes for driving carefully. Be sure to select a vehicle with the safety features you need and always drive with caution.

Driving a car comes with inherent hazards, and you should always attempt to drive as safely as possible. Here are some common driving habits that could be putting you at risk. Driving While Tired You probably already know that you should never operate a vehicle while under alcohol or drugs, but what about when you're tired? Lots of morning commuters are running short on sleep, and this can actually have an effect on driving performance. Even the briefest lapse in attention can put you at risk of getting into an accident. You should make sure to get enough sleep before driving and don't be afraid to pull over if you're having trouble concentrating on the road. more Speeding You might be in a rush to get to work in the morning — or to get home in the evening. But it's worth slowing down to keep yourself and others safe on the road. Speeding consists of almost 30 percent of traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sticking to the speed limit will also help you to save money by getting better gas mileage and avoiding costly speeding tickets. If you're being tailgated by someone else who wants to exceed the speed limit, consider pulling over to let them pass you. Cell Phone Usage Texting and driving is a major problem, as it requires you to look at your cell phone's screen, taking your eye off the road and limiting your ability to react to driving conditions. Passing stricter laws across the country attempt to combat this problem. However, even placing a call on your cell phone is a risk, because you have to look at the screen and dial. Hands-free devices are also imperfect, as a telephone conversation is distracting even when you have both hands on the wheel. While mobile technology has plenty of useful features, like navigation software, it's best to leave your phone in the hands of a passenger or to pull over when you need to consult the screen. Using Your Seat Belt This is a real no-brainer — the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that seat belts can save almost 15,000 lives per year. But there are still millions of Americans who don't use them, whether they're going for a quick jaunt to the local store or a long-haul trip on the highway. This is one of the simplest things you can do to stay safe on the road; it requires virtually no effort and quickly becomes ingrained as a good driving habit. Understand the Right of way You've come to a four-way intersection, and there's another car that arrived at about the same time as you. Do you know which car has the right to go first? Brush up on the rules for these situations, and always be careful and ensure that your roadway is clear before proceeding. Most of us drive on a daily basis and tend to forget about the little habits that make up our everyday driving routines. Being mindful of your actions and avoiding bad habits will help you to stay safe.

Buying a new car is an exciting venture, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. If you've never shopped at a dealership or taken cars for test drives before, you may not know what to expect or how to get started. Follow these tips to test drive your next Kia like a pro and find the perfect model for your lifestyle. Start With Research The first thing to do before you step foot in a car is doing some research and deciding exactly what you're looking for in your next vehicle purchase. If you have a big family, you might want to consider minivans and three-row SUVs. On the other hand, commuting tends to be easier in a car that gets great gas mileage and has the latest tech features to keep you connected. Kia has a wide selection of options across most of the main vehicle segments, making it easier to choose the car that will suit your needs. more Schedule an Appointment Showing up at the dealership without an appointment can slow down the process significantly. If the other sales team members are already busy with customers who scheduled appointments, you may end up having to wait until someone is available to help you. When you have a specific Kia model in mind, the one you want could be out on another test drive, but scheduling an appointment will ensure that the car you want to drive is ready when you arrive. Walk Around the Exterior Once you have the car you want in mind, take a walk around the outside to see how everything looks from different angles. Make sure you like how the color appears in the daylight as well as at night. You should also look at features that will impact the overall look and feel of the exterior, such as the headlights, front grille, spoiler, and curves. Test the Inside When you're test driving a car, you're not just testing the way it drives. For many drivers, the interior comfort and space are more important than anything found beneath the hood. If you have young kids, bring their car seats to make sure they fit comfortably in the rear and are easy to install. The trunk or cargo area should be big enough to fit all your gear, while the seats should feel supportive and comfortable for both short and long trips. Try out the different tech features as well, including the infotainment interface and audio system. These will impact how much you enjoy the ride, so they're important to consider as well. Getting In and Out As you make your final decision, try climbing in and out of the car several times. You shouldn't have to stoop too low or bump your head just to get into your new car. If it's hard to get in from the start, you'll probably end up with a lot of bumps and bruises when you're trying to get in quickly. At Gunther Kia, we make it easy to test drive your dream car. Schedule an appointment and meet with one of our friendly, helpful sales team members to get the process started.

The good news is our cars have gotten more secure and harder to steal when they're sitting in the driveway. However, the bad news is that means if thieves want to steal a car they have to do it when it's running, which means they might attempt a carjacking. While it hopefully never happens to you, here's what you need to know about preventing, avoiding, and surviving a carjacking. Park in a Well-Lit Area According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, one-quarter of all carjackings happen in parking lots or parking garages. When you pull into a parking lot or garage, try to park in a well-lit area near the entrance of the building. Also try to avoid parking next to large vans, near wooded areas, or close to anything else that can block your view and give thieves a place to hide. Finally, consider backing into the parking space. In an emergency, it's easier to quickly pull out of a parking spot than trying to back out of one. more Lock Your Doors While it's obviously important to lock your doors when you arrive at your destination, you should also keep your doors locked and your windows rolled up as you're driving. Additionally, when you come to a stop at a stoplight, make sure you leave enough room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to quickly pull away if something happens. Put Down Your Phone We all know it's dangerous to use our phones while driving, but you also shouldn't be looking at your phone when you're approaching your vehicle or even just sitting in the driver's seat and waiting. When you're looking at your phone, you're distracted and not paying attention to your surroundings. Thieves know this and they might take that opportunity to strike. Have Your Keys Ready As you're approaching your car, you should always be paying attention to your surroundings. Look for anyone who's hanging around nearby, including people handing out flyers, asking for directions, or looking for money. Also, have your keys in your hand before you get to your vehicle. This way, you're not standing outside your car searching for them and making yourself a prime target. If anything doesn't feel right, turn around and go back to where you came from.   By following these tips you can do your best to prevent and avoid a carjacking. However, if one does occur, you also know what you need to do to survive the experience.

Use this step-by-step DIY guide to learn how to change your own oil! Schedule an appointment with our service department to get an oil change if you prefer to have someone else do it for you. more

Do you know how to jump start a car? Sometimes you can go years without ever needing to jump start your car or help out a friend with theirs. Use this step-by-step DIY guide to learn how to jump start a car. Our service department can replace your battery for you to make sure you're never in need of a jump. more

If you've shopped for a vehicle recently, then you've probably noticed that most modern models come equipped with an infotainment system. These systems provide a wide variety of useful apps that make for a rewarding driving experience. This is particularly true if you have access to UVO, the infotainment system you'll find in Kia vehicles. If you're interested in purchasing a new vehicle, learn more about UVO and the many benefits you can receive from this system when considering Kia. more What Is UVO? When you drive a Kia vehicle equipped with UVO, you'll be getting one of the most advanced infotainment systems to ever hit the market. The main difference between UVO and other infotainment systems is the ability to control your entire system using only your voice, providing you access to information and entertainment without having to take your hands off the wheel. Using simple voice commands, you can change the music on your stereo, request directions, and even make hands-free calls. Easy usage is what separates UVO from other infotainment systems you could choose. Entertainment Features Now that you have an idea of what UVO is and how it works, check out some of the impressive features you'll receive with this system, starting with entertainment. With UVO, you can enjoy a number of entertainment features. UVO provides several options for streaming music so that your every road trip has a great soundtrack. If you want a wide selection of music, you'll also love the available Pandora app and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. With a compatible smartphone, you can also stream your personal library directly to the Jukebox app. Or, if you prefer, you can upload your music directly to UVO so that you have your library with you wherever you go. Convenience and Security UVO offers several convenience and security features that you'll be sure to love. With these features, using your Kia vehicle is easier and more rewarding than ever before. To help you park your vehicle and avoid parking lot collisions, there is a rear-camera display that provides a wide angle view of the back of your vehicle. When you're out on the town, you can use the Parking Minder app to geotag your vehicle and then use your smartphone's GPS to help you get back to your car at the end of the night. UVO can also keep you safe when you're out on the road. If you experience a breakdown, you can use the Roadside Assistance feature to get in touch with an operator 24/7. The system can also transmit your location and information about the problem you are experiencing. When your airbag deploys after a collision, UVO has the ability to call 911 and connect you with Emergency Services. In some situations, UVO can even provide your location to Emergency Services. While almost every modern vehicle you can drive will come equipped with an infotainment system, none live up to the features you'll find with UVO. If you want to take advantage of the exciting UVO infotainment system, you should make sure to test drive a Kia vehicle at a local dealership.   Photo by Kia