Like most new Kia owners, you want to take great care of your car. Do you wonder how often it needs servicing? Do you know what systems require regular maintenance? Some of your Kia’s vital components need replacing based on mileage, while other parts are replaceable after a specific amount of time. Read on to learn how often your car requires routine maintenance to keep your Kia purring along.
Tire Maintenance
Check your tire’s air pressure once a month. It helps you get better gas mileage, and can save you money in the long run. Make sure you have a tire air pressure gauge. They’re an inexpensive tool you can pick up at a convenience store, and it quickly stores in your glove box.
Have your Kia’s tires rotated and balanced, and your alignment checked every six months or 6,000 to 8,000 miles to make sure your tires are wearing evenly. Tires are expensive to replace, and when they receive regular service, they last much longer.
Engine Oil Changes
Most drivers know all about oil — the lifeblood of every automobile’s engine. Oil lubricates your engine’s pistons and keeps them from overheating. Over time, this heat will break down oil’s lubricating properties, making it less effective at protecting your Kia engine’s moving parts.
So how often should you change your oil? That depends on factors such as the way you drive, and where you live. Here in Florida, where temperatures can reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, some mechanics recommend you change your oil every 3,000 miles. However, most people find that an oil change every 5,000 miles is fine.
Check Your Fluids
Above and beyond your Kia’s engine oil, your vehicle requires a variety of fluids to run smoothly, such as antifreeze, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. With some fluids, you can see directly into the tank, so it’s easy to determine when to refill it.
Otherwise, most fluids have gauges or dipsticks so you can check current levels. Don’t be afraid to get under the hood and see where your fluids are twice a year or at every oil change. If you’re running low, add more, and never ignore a leak.
Maintenance Reminders
Until your Kia reaches 36,000 miles, it should require very little maintenance to keep it heading down the highway. Anticipate a couple of oil changes and a tire rotation. As you start to accrue the miles, more frequent scheduled maintenance is necessary.
Your new Kia is outfitted with a maintenance reminder system. This system monitors a number of vehicle operating conditions and alerts the driver when it’s time to bring your car in for service. However, if you notice your Kia isn’t running its tip-top best, go ahead and bring it in regardless of your scheduled maintenance alerts.
When in doubt, read up on your Kia in the factory owner’s manual. This handy guide will have all your routine maintenance needs and when to do them. Your Fort Lauderdale dealership, where you purchased your new Kia, has a service department staffed with maintenance experts, so take advantage of dealer-recommended services today.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.