Blog

Sometimes you hear a weird sound coming from your car or see a warning light pop up on your dashboard and you're not sure if it's something serious enough to see a mechanic. However, if you notice one of the following warning signs, you need to make an appointment with your mechanic right away. 1. Check Engine Light Comes On As much as we dread seeing the check engine light come on, it's actually giving us a chance to take care of engine issues before they become even more severe. The check engine light could signal anything from a faulty gas cap to a failing catalytic converter. If the check engine light is steady, it's not an emergency; but you still need to see a mechanic as soon as possible. If it's flashing, you need to have your vehicle looked at immediately so you can avoid extensive engine damage. more 2. Leaks Under the Car If you pull away from where you normally park and see evidence of major leaks on the ground, you need to see a professional as soon as possible. If you see water dripping from the front of the car on the passenger side, this is condensation from the air conditioner, and it's normal. However, if the drip is occurring toward the front of the car and it's brown or dark red, you could be leaking brake fluid, transmission oil, or engine oil. Bright green fluid indicates coolant leaks and needs taken care of so your engine doesn't overheat. 3. Smoke Under the Hood Smoke or steam coming from under the hood can indicate different issues depending on what color you see. Steam is typically white and is a sign that the radiator, pipes, or gasket are leaking. If you see steam, look at your vehicle's temperature gauge. If it's in the red, you need to pull over and let your vehicle cool down before you head to the mechanic. On the other hand, if you see blue smoke, you need to pull over and call a tow truck. This usually means you're burning oil, and letting it go too long may require a brand new engine. 4. Noisy Brakes While grinding, squeaking, or squealing sounds coming from your brakes are annoying, they're also important noises that need your attention. Many brake pads come with wear indicators that cause a squealing or squeaking sound when it's time to replace them. If you hear this sound you need to take your vehicle to a mechanic in order to avoid hearing the more serious grinding noise. Grinding indicates a major issue with your brakes. Often, this means you have no more brake pad left and you're rubbing metal on metal each time you hit the brakes. This is a significant safety concern and needs taken care of right away. Being aware of these warning signs will help you save money in the long run because you can stop a problem before it turns into an even larger issue.

Whether you know it or not, the cleanliness of your Kia is a reflection of you as a person, even if you aren't exactly the tidiest of people. However, you don't have to let the interior and exterior of your car go by the wayside. Instead, you can follow a few easy steps to keep your Kia immaculate. Once you begin to use these tips, you'll never have to worry about having a messy vehicle again. Here's how to do it. Stay Organized If you consistently have clutter or trash in your Kia, you probably have a problem with organization. To counteract this disorganization, take strides to follow a regimented plan. Start by setting a specific place for everything in your car. Once each item in your car has a proper location, it's easier to keep things orderly. In addition, use a small waste basket to collect trash, or make a concerted effort to take all the trash out of your Kia every time you exit the vehicle. more Cleaning the Seats One of the biggest problems that people have with interior cleanliness lies within the seating. Both cloth and leather seating have particular nuances that make them difficult to clean, especially without the proper tools and equipment. If you have cloth seating in your Kia, note that these surfaces are particularly susceptible to dirt and dust. To remove this, you need to take a high-powered vacuum and suck up any loose particles. After that, take an automotive cloth upholstery cleaner, apply it to the seats, and follow the directions to remove any other dirt. If you have a Kia with leather seats, you can still use a vacuum to get rid of the dirt and debris. However, you'll need a special leather cleaner to properly remove the extra grime. An added bonus of these cleaners is that they also restore the original shine and luster of your seating, making it look just as it did the day you bought it. Avoid the Automatic Car Wash At many gas stations, you'll see cheaper gas prices if you also choose to go through the automatic car wash. However, you need to resist this temptation. Sure, the automatic wash is easier and more convenient, but it doesn't do the Burns job that you can do with your own hands. If you're in a time crunch, it's better than nothing, but it pales in comparison to manual jobs. Washing at the Proper Time Even if you decide to wash your car yourself, there are proper times to undertake the task. Remember that the best day to wash your car is when it's overcast and somewhat cool outside. If you wash your car on a hot, sunny day, the soapy water evaporates much too quickly, resulting in soap spots all over your car. You'll also want to avoid waxing on these hot days, as the soap spots covered with wax are actually making your car dirtier. Cleaning your Kia like a pro isn't as hard as it seems. It just takes a little education and discipline. To make it easier, you also may want to set a schedule. That way, you clean your car the same way every time, and it stays cleaner longer.

When you get a new Kia Optima, one of the most important features you should take advantage of is the Bluetooth pairing. Using Bluetooth allows you to make and receive calls hands-free, which is a much safer option than using your handset. It's quick and easy to pair your iPhone 6 with your Kia Optima. Pairing Your Phone When you're getting ready to pair your phone to your car, make sure your phone is charged and turned on. You must also be connected to your service provider. Your car must also be running or have the ignition in the ACC position. Keep the car in Park while pairing your device. Since any prompts come through the car's sound system, it is also a good idea to have the radio volume turned up. more While you are in your car, turn on your phone. From the iPhone 6 home screen, select Settings. Choose Bluetooth. You will see a toggle for Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is currently turned off, the slider will be to the left and the bar will be gray. Slide the toggle to the right, which turns the bar green. This shows that Bluetooth is turned on. Select Phone on your Optima's display screen. Select Settings; then choose Pairings. Select Add to. Once the Bluetooth has been turned on in the car and your phone, they will search for each other. Under the Bluetooth settings on your phone, you will see your car's name. Select this. There will be a code on both the car's display and your phone. Make sure these match. Accept the connection on your phone. When your iPhone 6 and Kia Optima are paired, you will be able to make and receive calls easily. The car uses voice recognition technology, so you can easily make calls without ever picking up your phone. There are also phone controls on your steering wheel, allowing you to take calls, hang up, and more. Available Hands-free Options Depending on the Optima model you choose, you may be able to do more than simply make calls. Some models allow for audio streaming from your phone. This lets you listen to any music on your phone through your car's speaker system. When connected, your car's display system has access to your phone call history, your phone book, and the option for multiple call handling. You can connect multiple devices to your Optima. This allows you to ensure that no matter who is in the car or who is driving, hands-free calling is available. The first phone paired with the car is given priority, unless you change this in the car's phone pairing settings. Setting up the Bluetooth connection between your car and your phone is an important safety feature. You are able to stay focused on the road even when you have to take a call. Many states no longer allow you to take calls while you are driving unless you are using a hands-free option. Pair your phone and car as soon as possible. Bring your car into Burns Kia of Orangeburg to let us serve all your car needs. Image by Pedro Isaac Piedra Apolo via No Copyright