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As a Kia owner, you should only use genuine OEM components available at your local Kia dealer for all vehicle repairs. OEM parts are engineered by Kia for your make and model, unlike aftermarket parts that are made by third-party manufacturers. Here is why buying OEM Kia parts is the smart choice for your vehicle. more 1. The Perfect Fit for Your Kia OEM components are an exact match for your Kia. They provide a seamless fit, function, and integration with your vehicle's systems. Since they are made using the same high-precision specifications as your original components, you can trust that they will align perfectly and perform optimally. This is unlike aftermarket parts, which often have integration issues and can prevent your Kia from running smoothly. 2. Promote Overall Automotive Health Factory parts keep all aspects of your vehicle running optimally. They support engine performance and uphold your Kia's reliability and safety standards. This leads to improved fuel economy and an enhanced driving experience. Generic parts may have inferior components that compromise the vehicle's performance or cause premature wear and tear on key components. 3. Enjoy Hassle-Free Ordering Buying OEM Kia parts through your trusted dealer makes the process smoother. Dealers keep an extensive inventory of parts in stock, ensuring fast ordering and installation. If you need a part that isn't available at the dealership, your dealer can order it from Kia and install it for you. Choosing your part is quick and easy, which isn't always the case when shopping for generic parts. 4. Preserve Your Kia's Warranty Generic parts can cause your vehicle's components to malfunction or wear out prematurely. The damage resulting from the use of unauthorized parts can invalidate your factory warranty and cost you money. Using original factory parts guarantees that your warranty will remain intact for years down the road. OEM Kia parts even come with a one-year warranty for further protection. 5. Save Money in the Long Run Although factory parts cost more upfront than generic ones, they save you money over the vehicle's lifetime. OEM components are built to last and made using high-grade materials, so they don't wear out fast. If you plan to sell your Kia in the future, using factory parts enables you to preserve the vehicle's value. As a result, you will make more money from the sale. Generic parts may be cheaper, but they tend to wear out faster and need repairs and replacement sooner than factory parts. This ends up costing you more money and hassle over time. Aftermarket parts diminish a vehicle's value over time, so if you sell the Kia, you will make less money. OEM components will keep your Kia running smoothly and safely. Since the parts are available at the local dealership, you can fix your vehicle and get it back on the road immediately. Contact Burns Kia to order genuine factory parts for your vehicle.

Your car’s air filter is vital for keeping your engine running smoothly. This small component makes the difference between efficient and inefficient combustion. The filter traps dirt and other debris, which prevents damage to your engine. In time the filter will become clogged, and you'll need a replacement. Your friendly Kia dealer in Orangeburg, SC can install a new one for you. These are signs it's time to change the filter. more Strange Engine Noises Air enters your car through the radiator grille and then passes into the air filter. This filter traps dust, so only clean air enters your engine. This is important, as dirt and debris in the air can damage sensitive engine components. Once the air passes through the filter, it arrives in the intake manifold. Fuel mixes with the air and is then injected into the cylinders so combustion can start. A clogged filter prevents enough air from entering the manifold. Combustion requires a 14:1 ratio of air to fuel. Without air, your engine will become fuel rich. The heady, fuel-filled atmosphere makes combustion more difficult. The lack of air hinders effective compression in the cylinders, and your spark plugs will struggle to fire. This causes strange noises like coughing and slurping to come from your engine. The Filter Is Dirty An air filter is one of your car's components that's easy to check without special tools or skills. The air filter is housed in the filter box behind the radiator grille. Its position is listed in your car's manual. If you want to check the condition of the filter yourself, check its position in the manual and then pop the hood. Once you open the filter box, you'll see the filter nestled inside. A good filter is white or cream. As it fills up with dirt, the filter's color will change. If you have a brown or black filter, your engine is suffering. Call our service department, and one of our Kia-trained technicians will replace the filter for you. A new, clean filter will dramatically increase your engine performance. Strong Fuel Smell As we saw above, your engine requires far more air than fuel for combustion. Combustion will become very inefficient when the filter is blocked and your engine doesn't have enough air. The spark plugs can't easily ignite in a fuel-rich environment, which means much of the fuel that enters the manifold won't burn. The high fuel concentration in the manifold allows some of the vapors to leak out. This is the strong fuel smell that will waft through your car window. A new filter provides numerous benefits for your car. Call us at Burns Kia today to schedule a service check-in. Image courtesy of JarkkoManty via Pixabay