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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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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

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. 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