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When the weather is nice, there's no better way to spend a day than at a park. For parents in Columbia, South Carolina, there are lots of parks that make excellent choices when you want to spend some time in the sunshine with your little ones. We've listed our top five favorite local Columbia parks to help you plan your next outside outing and get pumped about some quality time in the fresh air. more Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park Located alongside the Columbia Canal, this park runs from the river diversion dam all the way up to Gervais Street. The trail is well-maintained and paved, perfect for little ones still unsteady on their feet. There are also plenty of benches along the way for rests, and it is well-lit at night. If your kids are a little older, they may enjoy fishing on the canal: there are multiple access points along the trail. Geocaching is popular in this area as well, which makes for a fun weekend adventure. There's plenty of parking and admission is free. The park can be found at 312 Laurel St. Granby Park The southernmost section of the Three Rivers Greenway, Granby Park is a 12-acre park with a paved walking trail that provides an easy walk for visitors, as well as substantial green areas for games of tag or imagination. The park also has public access to the Congaree, Saluda, and Broad Rivers, perfect for kids interested in fishing. The park is located at 100 Catawba Street. Restrooms are available on site. In addition to the paved walkway, there are a number of trails available for a more adventurous afternoon. Finlay Park Located in the bustling heart of downtown Columbia, Finlay Park encompasses 18 beautiful acres. There are two different playground areas, a lake, waterfalls, public fountain, and a seasonal snack bar open during the summer. In addition, it's one of the largest handicap accessible parks in the area and the gravel-lined sidewalks make easy rolling for strollers. The park's address is 930 Laurel Street. Free parking is available. Saluda Shoals Park One of the most popular local destinations during the summer, Saluda Shoals Park is a great place to explore South Carolina's beauty while enjoying quality time with your young ones. Tubing is one of the more popular attractions and is available on site; tubes can be rented for as little as $10. There's also a splash pad, educational exhibits, and a paved jogging trail along the river. Entrance to the park is $5 and a shuttle is available to take tubers back to their vehicles. The park is located at 5605 Bush River Road. South East Park Sprawling across 62-acres, there's plenty of room for fun at South East Park. This is the newest park in Columbia and it heavily features tennis courts but also has a play area and walking trails for interested parties. Restrooms are available on site and you can find the park at 951 Hazelwood Road. With plenty of room to play plus fascinating scenery and pleasant walks, these five parks are a great way to spend some time with your kids while enjoying the great outdoors. Image via Pixabay

The term concept car is often synonymous with sci-fi styled high tech vehicles that would seem as at home in a big budget film as they would in the concept section of an auto show. While Kia certainly has futuristic, hyper-stylized concept vehicles (take a look at the Ray or KV7), the brand has begun to develop concept vehicles that are not only realizable, they're actually purchasable. Enter the Kia Stinger: a 5-door hatchback sedan that is ultra-cool, ultra-stylish, and, uniquely enough, ultra-affordable. We've broken down four reasons why you should get excited about the 2018 Kia Stinger, one of Kia's best concept cars yet. more Drivability The Stinger was developed to compete with luxury vehicles like the Audi A5 and A7, Porsche Panamera,  and BMW 440i Gran Coupe, and while it may not be truly competitive against these vehicles, which can range over $90k, it can certainly hold its own against them, especially during driving tests. Rear-wheel drive keeps the Stinger firmly grounded, even on the twistiest roads, and ultra-precision handling makes it not only accurate but fun. A limited-slip differential keeps the responses brisk and energetic, and the race-track inspiration is clear in the pick up: the Stinger GT goes from 0 to 60 in just 4.7 seconds. It's powered by a 365-horsepower turbo V6 that delivers just enough power to really impress without overwhelming the driver. Interior Kia has based its reputation around fun yet affordable vehicles, and the Stinger seems like a definitive step up from the budget-friendly interiors the brand has been known for. Instead, even the lowest level Stinger has a leather-wrapped interior with elegant design accents that flawlessly incorporate the included technology in a refined, understated way. Unexpected sophistication seems to be the name of the game for the Stinger, leading to speculation that the Stinger may represent a shift in gears for Kia's design sensibility. Practicality While the Stinger is certainly designed to be fun, there are more than a few practical elements that will make the Stinger a popular choice for drivers who want to be able to efficiently use their vehicle for everyday activities while also maintaining a style edge and fun drive. The hatchback trunk is remarkably roomy and comes with handsfree lifting, making loading groceries and cargo a snap. The backseat also has plenty of space -- enough for at least two adults to sit comfortably for long drives and definitely more than enough for kids to sprawl out on family road trips. Pricing One of the most surprising aspects of the 2018 Kia Stinger is the price point. The base model Stinger, the 2.0L, starts at an impressive $31,900 MSRP, and the highest trim level, the GT2, comes in at $49,200. Considering that the Stinger was designed to compete with, or at least evoke, vehicles that are twice that range, the price point for the Stinger is more than impressive. This level of affordability helps drivers get into the car of their dreams without sacrificing their budget. The 2018 Kia Stinger is a fascinating vehicle that demonstrates Kia's dedication to quality, ingenuity, and innovation. If this concept car is any indication, Kia's future is looking bright indeed. 2018 Kia Stinger by Chad Horwedel, licensed via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Independent stores have quickly become more popular as an emphasis on local business has swept the shopping industry. For residents of Columbia, there are a number of fun, interesting local businesses that specialize in unique wares for everyone, from adventurers to homemakers. We've listed our top five favorite stores in Columbia to help you plan your next shopping outing. more Old Mill Antique Mall Filled with fascinating items, from antique furniture to textiles to crafts and more, Old Mill Antique Mall is a great place to pick up new decor or a unique gift for a friend. Located at 310 State Street, this store gets new items in daily, all reasonably priced. It's a great place to spend a few hours exploring the many different wares available. The store is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Saturday and 1:30 to 5:30 pm on Sunday. There are items sold by over 75 vendors, so be sure to check back regularly to see what's new. Mast General Store Mast General Store is a fascinating shopping destination with an incredible range of items for sale. Located in a historic landmark building, there are items for everyone at this general store. Kids will love the candy section, with over 500 types sold, while adventurers will appreciate the range of outdoors items, from clothing to camping accessories. As its name implies, Mast General Store sells a little bit of everything. You can browse their inventory online, but it's better to visit the store in person to see what's available. Be sure to check out the artisanal wares: Mast is dedicated to including items by local craftsmen in their store. Hipwazee Specializing in costumes and vintage clothing, both for sale and rent, as well as accessories and reproduction dresses, Hipwazee is a hip store with plenty of unique clothing to browse. It's an especially popular spot for shoppers interested in vintage and one-of-a-kind clothing. Hipwazee is located at 940 Harden Street and the hours are 11 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. Papa Jazz Record Shoppe With the best selection of vintage and modern vinyl in Columbia, Papa Jazz Record Shoppe is a must-visit for music lovers of all ages. They also sell other music-related items, making it a popular destination across the southeast -- after all, the store claims to be the largest in the region! Located at 2014 Greene Street, Papa Jazz Record Shoppe is open Monday through Saturday 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 12 to 5 pm. The Gourmet Shoppe The Gourmet Shoppe is a dream store for foodies. The store offers gourmet cookware, high-end spices and ingredients, and a stunning range of wines. A variety of cheeses are also available for purchase, as well as a ton of pantry items like preserves, honey, pasta, spreads, and dips. In addition, there's an onsite cafe and bakery serving up yummy meals and confections. The shop is located at 724 Saluda Avenue and is open from 9 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday. These five shops are just a sample of the many fantastic shopping destinations in Columbia. records by antonfortunato, licensed via CC BY-ND 2.0

The Kia Optima is one of the best selling Kia models thanks to its sleek, stylish exterior and elegant, spacious interior. Redesigned for 2018, the Kia Optima is making ripples in the sedan market thanks to its refined design. We've listed five reasons why the Kia Optima is the most stylish sedan on the market. more Comfort While design elements are important, without practicality, they aren't worth much. Luckily, Kia has incorporated elements that offer not only quality but utility. Comfort and usability are first-order concerns within the Optima, and they are addressed with solutions that both fulfill their purpose and add elegance to the overall design. The seats are an excellent example of marrying comfort and sophistication. Gorgeously created with smooth style lines and plush cushions, both the rear and front seats are designed to provide support while continuing the overall design schema. Accents While not the first things your eyes are drawn to when entering any vehicle, accents are still an important finishing touch for the interior. Bland or cheap accents can ruin even the most beautifully designed interior. However, the accents in the Optima perfectly balance the overall interior for a well-curated blend of materials. The accents are molded plastic but, instead of appearing cheap, it was carefully created in order to realistically mimic wood. This not only cuts down on costs but helps with overall durability. In addition, the placement of the ambient lights inside the interior highlights the accents as well as the larger design elements to create a cohesive aesthetic. Windows Another understated but important consideration is the use of windows. The Optima has large, thoughtfully positioned windows that not only make the vehicle's blindspot minimal, but also allow in plenty of light and add a cohesion to the exterior by balancing out the metallic accents and painted metal. A generous windshield makes the dashboard appear more expansive and is also sound-tempered to reduce interior noise. The rear windshield, when combined with the rear window, helps the backseat avoid the feeling of claustrophobia that plagues many sedans. Dashboard Complemented by the windshield, the dashboard contains not only the climate controls, but the infotainment touchscreen. Due to the multiple elements within the dashboard, it has to strike a balance between accessibility and comprehensiveness. By including many of the controls within the infotainment center, including navigation, entertainment, and vehicle information, the designers at Kia were able to keep the dashboard uncluttered. Exterior Complementing the windows is the beautifully designed exterior. Smooth style lines culminate in the front fascia, crowned with a metallic grille that balances out the sleekness of the exterior with a more aggressive design element to create a sense of togetherness that pulls the entire exterior together. In addition, the rear fascia is designed to provide the finishing touches, with smoothly modulated taillights that are designed to not only provide plenty of light to safely signal rear vehicles but complement the rest of the vehicle. These are just a few reasons why the Optima is the most stylish sedan. Kia-Optima_2014_1600x1200_wallpaper_07 by intdev, licensed CC BY-ND 2.0

If you're like millions of other people, you probably cringe with anxiety when you're approaching a construction site in your new Kia. As you drive over that gravel or newly paved road, you just know you're going to end up with tar on your shiny new paint job. One way or another, tar will probably find its way onto your vehicle's surface where it sticks like Elmer's Glue in a kindergarten classroom. Fortunately, with the right products, and some good pointers, you can wipe it away. These are four top tips from your friends at Burns Kia for removing tar from your paint job. more Gather Your Tools and Supplies To get started on this little project you'll need to gather up some tools and supplies.  We suggest tar remover, which is available in the auto supply stores. You can also use the following; WD-40, Goo Gone, or gasoline. Research and review the product that will work best for your vehicle. Also, gather some soft cloths and protective gloves. Choose a shaded area, such as your garage that is well ventilated. Apply the Chosen Remover Commercial products like tar remover, WD40, or Goo Gone will work best, but rumor has it there are also some everyday products, like gasoline, or peanut butter, that will do the job and remove tar from your car. See what you have available and apply your chosen product to the area on your car's body that was splattered with tar. If using anything but tar remover made specifically for removing tar, you will need to let the product sit on the tar for a minute or two. Wipe it Clean Make sure you don't use any abrasive cloths as they may scratch the surface of the paint making the situation much worse. Wait patiently for the product to do its job. Then wipe the area gently with a soft cloth. Do not rub vigorously or you could damage your paint job. If the tar didn't come off, re-apply the product or choose a new one. Unfortunately some types of tar are more difficult than others to remove, and the freshness of the tar and the temperature outside can affect the difficulty of removal. So the lesson is, be patient and try again. Wash and Inspect Your Car Once you remove the tar, look around for any other tar splashes you might have missed that also need to be removed. Then wipe the surface to remove any leftover residue from the removal product you applied. Leaving the product on for a long time could damage the paint job and cause discoloration, so don't leave it on too long. If for some reason the tar won't come off, take it to your dealership for advice. Then, wash your car thoroughly, because it's always nice to have a clean, shiny car. Your car is a big investment, and keeping both the outside and inside in like-new condition will help maintain its value. Therefore, It's important to look over your car periodically and be proactive in repairing and minimizing damage. Bring your car in routinely to the service professionals at Burns Kia to assure yourself that your vehicle will last as long as possible.   Image via Flickr by James Case

If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, you probably spend a lot of time trying to make your home as allergy friendly as possible. However, many people often forget to put the same effort into their cars. Typically what someone that suffers from allergies does is leave the car windows rolled up and set the ventilation system to recirculate. This does help, but there are also other ways to alleviate the symptoms. Burns Kia wants you to feel healthy and happy in your car. Here are three car care tips for allergy sufferers. more Remove Your Shoes You probably remove your shoes in your home to minimize allergens, and the same rule applies to your car. Whenever possible remove your shoes when you get in the car and put them in a sealed plastic bag. Shoes and outwear are the main way that allergens are often brought in from the outdoors. Have your kids remove their cleats when getting in the car after soccer practice and take off your coat before driving home. Keep these items in a separate area, like the trunk, until you get home. Watch Out for Mold Mold is always a big problem for allergy sufferers. Typically we aren't as careful with cleaning up spills in our vehicle as we are with our home, and this can lead to mold. Always clean up messes on the carpet and upholstery as soon as possible and do a thorough job. The surfaces need to be dry. Also, periodically look at the weather stripping around your car doors and windows to make sure it's intact. This will help prevent mold from forming by keeping the inside of your car dry. Placing rubber mats on the floors can also help reduce moisture buildup by protecting your carpets and making it easier to clean up any spills. Vacuum Often Unless you have leather or vinyl seats, dust mites can infiltrate your car upholstery as easily as they can your mattress at home. Be sure to vacuum your car seats on a regular basis to help remove dust mites, their waste, and the material they eat. It's best to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap allergens and minimize your exposure while you're cleaning. Did you know that many newer vehicles now have HEPA air filters built right into their heating and cooling systems? This can really help remove allergens as they circulate through the car air. If your vehicle has these, it's a good idea to have them checked and replaced on a regular basis. From the morning commute to a weekend of fun activities, most of us spend significant time in our cars. In fact, many people spend hours a day in their vehicle, so it's important to keep as allergy-free as possible. Removing your outwear when riding in the car, immediately and thoroughly cleaning up spills, vacuuming often, and replacing your air filters will all surely help reduce allergens. Image by yashima, Licensed via CC BY-SA 2.0

The Congaree Vista is a popular cosmopolitan area of Columbia, South Carolina, close to the banks of the Congaree River. The Vista was built around the old Gervais Street Train Station and includes many independently owned, upscale restaurants, spas, quaint hotels, charming shops, and trendy restaurants. Columbia's Congaree Vista neighborhood continues to be an epicenter for both history and culture to locals and tourists alike. Burns Kia recommends these five great waterfront restaurants in the Vista. more Pearlz Oyster Bar Pearlz Oyster Bar is a fun and fancy restaurant serving the best in fresh local seafood. Pearlz is best known for its variety of raw shellfish, assorted seafood, and tasty regional favorites. The bar offers a delicious array of Lowcountry and Gulf oysters, as well a great assortment of cold beers and refreshing cocktails. Some people consider Pearlz the heart of The Vista's lively restaurant environment. Longhorn Steakhouse If you like your steaks tender and juicy, you're going to love South Carolina Longhorn Steakhouse. Experience steak that is grilled to perfection and uniquely seasoned with their top-secret signature blend of spices. Pair it with an ice-cold beer, freshly baked honey wheat bread, chopped salad, delicious side dishes, and decadent desserts. Empire Supper Club Empire Supper Club has become an urban icon for Carolina's premier nightlife experience. It is open only on the weekends and there is usually a line to get in, but it's worth the wait. You'll enjoy their late night gourmet appetizers, state-of-the-art sound and light system, occasional live music, amazing celebrity performances, and more. From Roaring '20s nights to hysterical comedy shows that will have you rolling in the aisles, they always have something for everyone. Carolina Ale House Carolina Ale House has become a large regional concept, but with a local feel. They are committed to first-rate service and provide the best in award-winning food at an remarkable value. Carolina Ale House is a beloved family-friendly sports-themed bar and restaurant best known for food and fun. Their extensive menu goes beyond your typical sports bar fried food, and they have one of the largest ale selections in the area. The Pot Smoker BBQ One of the sisters that helped start this family-owned business developed her own barbecue sauce years ago, and that's how the Pot Smoker BBQ got started. She served it with her famous pork chops and chicken on Sundays after church, and the rest is history. All of their side dishes are homemade the way Grandma would make them, with lots of love. If barbecue is your thing, you'll be hog heaven. The Vista is a wonderful place to for happy hour, or to waste away a lazy weekend afternoon. Stroll along the waterfront, dine, shop, and relax at some of Columbia South Carolina's best restaurants and retail stores. From steak to seafood, gourmet coffee shops, or dinner entertainment, you'll find the perfect spot for you and your friends. Regardless of the season, or whatever your mood, The Vista is always fun and family friendly.   Image via Flickr by macabrephotographer

From ox carts to food carts, to modern day smoke shops and internet cafes, Five Points has never lost its charm. Throughout its historical evolution, this village neighborhood has kept its appeal and flavor. Always focusing on consistency, diversity, culture, and class, Five Points has a unique atmosphere of its own. We at Burns Kia encourage our customers to get involved in our local community, and there's no better place to do it than The Village. It's time to get off the beaten retail path by visiting Five Points. Five Points is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of work, or to just hang out with friends on the weekend. Where else can you see artists paint, watch street musicians entertain, shop artisans' wares, and find the perfect gift for just about anyone?  From unique galleries to hip consignment shops, Five Points is fun and fascinating. more Bohemian Bohemian is the perfect locally-owned destination for the latest in women's clothing, shoes, and every type of accessory. Their staff provides a friendly, fun-loving shopping environment where you feel like you belong. For over 25 years Bohemian has offered a unique retail assortment that is hard to find anywhere else. Gentleman's Closet Gentleman's Closet is the go-to store for men's high-end consignment clothing. James Bond probably secretly shopped there to create his own special style. You'll find all kinds of hip men's clothing, from suits, to polo shirts, and rock 'n roll tees. You'll leave feeling like a million bucks, but for only a fraction of what you would normally pay for the same quality. Loose Lucy's Loose Lucy's opened in 1992 and has been thrilling hippie lovers ever since. Columbia's original mom-and-pop retro shop features tie-dyes, incense, tapestries, and all kinds of fun funky fashion. PAV Gallery PAV Gallery brings Columbia area collectors and creatives the very best in local artwork, art lessons, and painting events. PAV Gallery is a perfect place to get your creative juices flowing. Pecknel Music Company Pecknel Music has been meeting the musical needs of Columbia, South Carolina, for about 50 years. Pecknel offers a wide variety of musical instruments, pro audio sales, sheet music, private lessons, and so much more. It's your one-stop music shop. Bar None Bar None is a cozy neighborhood bar where customers enjoy shuffleboard, cocktails, delicious food, and a comfortable atmosphere. Known for being the after-hours late-night spot in Columbia, it's open from happy hour to sunrise. Bar None is a perfect example of a classic neighborhood bar. Taneyhill's Group Therapy Need some therapy? Head to Taneyhill's Group Therapy bar instead. As Columbia's oldest bar, it still manages to feel contemporary but in an old-school way. Since 1978 it has provided the best in late night entertainment, drinks, and food. You'll dig their comfortable ambiance, friendly staff, and cheap drinks. Five Points is a charming and unique shopping village with an eclectic collection of restaurants, boutiques, and services. From designer clothing to gently used fashion, to original artwork and gourmet food, there is a little something for everyone.   Image via Flickr by nelsonMZ

Wondering where to spot the best fall foliage around Orangeburg? Here are some of the top locations in the area. more Congaree National Park Congaree National Park is an hour away from Orangeburg and is well worth the trip to see the fall colors. You can expect peak fall foliage here during the last week of October and the first week of November, but you should still be able to enjoy the colorful leaves through most of November.   Congaree is famous in the region for the incredible number of trees in the forest areas. The height of the canopy is greater than any other park in the state. Visiting during the fall is an excellent time to explore the different biodiversity. Take the river trail so that you can look out over Congaree River and see even more of the colorful landscape.   You can experience the fall foliage in Congaree park by hiking the trails. You can also rent a canoe or a kayak and exploring the park by paddling down Cedar Creek. There are over 25 miles of hiking trails, but if you're looking for something less strenuous, try the 2.4-mile flat boardwalks. Most of the park is flat, so even longer hikes aren't going to be too difficult. Manchester State Forest Another great place to see the fall foliage near Orangeburg is Manchester State Forest. It takes just over an hour to get there and is a fun place for kids and adults. Pack the mountain bikes if you want to explore the bike trails. You can also go hiking and jogging along some of the paths in the park. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, explore the trails on horseback.   You can spot many varieties of trees in Manchester State Park. It's also a good place to bird watch and look for native animals like foxes and turkeys. Pick up a trail map at the park entrance so you can find the best paths to explore the fall foliage. Santee State Park If you're looking for something closer to home, Santee State Park is an ideal option. It only takes 30 minutes to get to the park from downtown Orangeburg, and there’s so much to see and do there.   There are hiking and biking trails of varying difficulty levels. If you simply want to get out and see some fall foliage, take a walk on the Oak Pinolly Trail or the Sinkhole Pond Trail. Both are easy and only one mile long. For something more difficult, test your endurance on the Hiking/Biking Trail, which is 7.5 miles long and moderately difficult.   You can turn it into a weekend of adventure by setting up a tent in one of the camping areas or renting one of the park's cabins for the weekend. Staying here means you can wake up early and enjoy the beauty of the park and all of the fall colors before it gets too busy with visitors.   Autumn is a great time to explore nearby parks and enjoy all that they have to offer. Pack a picnic and plenty of warm clothes so that you can have a full day of hiking and spotting those incredible fall colors. Image via Flickr by Kimberly Vardeman

The new 2018 Kia Optima is not only packed with the best features that you've always loved, but it's also loaded with some impressive new changes. more Safety Technology The 2018 Kia Optima is going to keep many of the excellent safety features that you loved in the 2017 model. You’ll still be able to enjoy autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, advanced smart cruise control, and blind-spot detection with rear cross traffic alert. However, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking assist were only optional in the 2017 version, all three will come standard on all 2018 model trim levels.   The new Optima will have even more safety technology available. For example, it gives drivers a surround-view monitor so that you can see your car from a bird's eye perspective. You'll never have a blind-spot again. Exterior Style The new 2018 Optima has several more options to amp up your exterior design. You can choose to have 16-, 17-, or 18-inch wheels that look sleek and hug the road better than ever before. There are also a few new colors to choose from depending on the trim level that you choose. New Trim Level Both the 2017 and 2018 Optima have five trim levels. However, one is being phased out and replaced with a new trim level. The SXL will no longer be available. There will, however, be an S trim level. The Optima S will have a 2.4-liter engine that delivers 185 horsepower. It also has an EPA-estimated 28 miles per gallon highway.   This new trim level is a much sportier option than what has ever been offered before. It comes standard with a front sport grille, a sports bumper with chrome accents, sport-style LED rear lights, and a rear spoiler. It will be less expensive than the SXL but have more standard options than the LX trim level. Interior Cargo Space The 2018 Optima is more spacious than ever. The interior cabin has 104.8 cubic feet of space. It can seat up to five adult passengers and now has more space than most other sedans in its class. There’s also slightly more trunk space now at 15.9 cubic feet. Entertainment Technology All trim levels of the 2018 Kia Optima will come standard with several entertainment technologies that were previously optional upgrades. This includes a 7-inch touchscreen display, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, a six-speaker audio system, and a rear camera display.   It's never been easier to connect and use your smart devices in your car. You can access everything from your contacts and text messages to your navigation and music without ever taking your hands off of the wheel or your eyes off the road.   There are so many reasons to get behind the wheel of a new 2018 Kia Optima. Whether you're looking for a family car packed with safety or a stylish sports sedan that has excellent fuel economy, the Optima has it all. Head to your nearest Kia dealership to test drive one today.   Image via Flickr by Michael Sheehan

Most cars come standard with power steering these days, but what exactly does that mean? Here’s a closer look at what power steering is and how it works. more How Power Steering Works Power steering is when hydraulic or electric actuators control energy to the steering mechanism. This means that the driver can use less effort to turn the steering wheels when driving at normal speeds. There are several parts involved in your car's power steering that help it function properly.   The pump provides the hydraulic power for the steering. This is controlled by the car's engine via a belt and pulley system. The pump has a set of retractable vanes that spin inside an oval-shaped chamber. As the vanes spin, they slowly pull hydraulic fluid in and then force it into the outlet at high pressure.   The next part that’s required in power steering is the rotary valve. The rotary valve senses force on the steering wheel. When you aren't using your steering wheel, you don't need power steering. It's only when you apply pressure that the rotary valve involves the rest of the power steering system. The steering gear is attached to the rotary valve. This helps the wheels turn without much effort. The History of Power Steering Power steering was first installed into a vehicle in 1876 by a man named Fitts. The next power steering system wasn't installed until 1903 when it was put in a Columbia five-ton truck. While many engineers tried to patent and manufacture other types of power steering for the commercial market after that, it wasn't until World War II that it was brought to the masses. During the war, the U.S. and British military wanted something that made it easier to steer the heavy armored cars and tanks.   The first commercial car company to debut power steering was Chrysler when it placed it in the Chrysler Imperial in 1951. General Motors then introduced it in its 1951 Cadillac models. Most new vehicles these days have power steering, with trends leaning toward front-wheel drive, wider tires, and greater vehicle mass, all of which increase the need for power steering assistance. What Would Driving Feel Like Without Power Steering? When power steering became standard in new vehicles, cars became heavier and lower to the ground. Trying to drive a modern car without power steering would be a tough workout and much more difficult than it was decades past.   Before power steering became the norm, cars usually had steering wheels that were much larger in diameter. This gave drivers a little bit more leverage when turning the wheel. Without power steering, you have to turn the wheel a lot more, and it takes much longer to turn than it does now. A car without power steering isn’t as responsive in turning or adjusting the wheels as a car with power steering.   Most seasoned drivers can remember a time when power steering was a luxury. Thanks to modern technology in auto manufacturing, driving is much easier and much more enjoyable. Image via Flickr by loubeat

Before you begin car shopping at Burns Kia, you'll need a hearty breakfast to power you through the day. Why not stop at one of these breakfast spots in Orangeburg to curb your appetite? more Mama’s Kountry Kooking When you go to a place called Mama’s Kountry Kooking for breakfast, you should expect a home-cooked hearty breakfast that will leave you stuffed. Mama’s has quite a few specialties. If you order either pancakes or French toast, they come with a side of bacon, corned beef, onion, link, or country sausages, or a ham, fish, or salmon patty. Mama’s also prepares plates of one or two biscuits and gravy. If you like hash browns, Mama’s has two options: loaded with ham and cheese or super loaded with ham, peppers, onions, cheese, and mushrooms. If you want a breakfast sandwich, Mama’s options are an egg with any meat, including bacon, ham, a sausage patty, or bologna. If you just want a basic breakfast, get eggs with grits, homefries, or hash browns plus a side of meat. Common Ground Cafe Common Ground Cafe is a coffee shop in Orangeburg that also sells a small selection of breakfast items. Common Grounds is actually the only place in Orangeburg where you can buy Starbucks Coffee, which is a great accompaniment to breakfast. Foodwise, you can purchase a couple different wraps, such as the breakfast pita wrap, which contains either bacon or turkey sausage with eggs and cheese, or a wrap that contains egg whites and cheese wrapped up in a Greek pita. The restaurant also serves simple, healthy options like yogurt and fruit with granola. If you want something from the bakery, you have multiple choices. Try a freshly baked muffin that comes in a variety of seasonal flavors, such as blueberry, lemon cranberry, apple cinnamon, and banana walnut. The cafe also bakes cinnamon rolls and cream cheese Danishes on a daily basis if you prefer sweets. Thelma’s Restaurant Thelma’s is a small restaurant that is more of a lunch and dinner place, but the eatery does serve a hearty breakfast. Thelma’s breakfast special comes with grits or hash browns, two eggs, toast, and your choice of bacon, sausage, ham, bologna, hamburger steak, or liver pudding. If you want to load up on carbs, you could order the other special, which is three pancakes and two eggs. The pancakes also come with the same selection of meats as the main special. Thelma’s serves two other specials, each one named after an owner, that will leave you stuffed all day. Sonny’s Mega Plate comes with two eggs, two pieces of bacon, one piece of bologna, one piece of sausage, grits or hash browns, and either a waffle or two pancakes. Thelma’s Gut Buster is a little smaller than Sonny’s but includes two eggs, two pieces of bacon, one piece of sausage, grits or hash browns, and either two pancakes or a waffle. Make sure you eat a hearty breakfast to keep you energized before you make your journey to Superior Kia to shop for a new or used car. Image via Flickr by Phil Denton