7 Kia Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Car in Great Shape for Years

Maintaining your car's tires might sound boring, but it's vital to keeping your vehicle running well. Remember, your tires are the only thing touching the road. Making sure they're in good shape means your car will drive smoothly, use less gas, and perform better overall. Not sure how to check your tires? No problem! We're ready to show you how to get started at Crain Kia of Bentonville. If you need a new set of tires near Rogers, AR, click here to place your order. Tire Pressure The first step to ensuring your car drives well and safely is to maintain the proper air pressure in your tires. This not only makes your car easier to control and stop but also helps you use less gas. The American Automobile Association (AAA) recommends checking your tire pressure every month. You can do this quickly with a digital or basic tire gauge. Here's an easy-to-follow guide on how to check your tire pressure. Checking Your Car's Tire Pressure Remove the cap on the tire's valve stem. Place the gauge reader at the end of the stem. Apply pressure for a tight seal for an accurate reading. Add or release air as needed. Utilize a compressor to supply air. You can stop at a gas station if you do not own one. If your tires are overinflated, place the non-rounded end of your gauge on the valve stem to discharge pressure. Checking Your Tire's Tread Keeping your car in top shape means ensuring your tires are in good condition. A quick way to see if you need new tires is by using the "penny test." This easy trick helps you check if your tires are worn out. According to a post by Bridgestone, car tires usually start with tread depths of about 10/32-inch or 11/32-inch. It's time to replace them when they wear down to 2/32-inch. The "penny test" lets you easily see if it's time for new tires. How to Use The Penny Test Hold a penny between the raises on the tire's tread, or "rib." When positioning the penny, make sure Lincoln's head is pointing down. Inspect to see if Lincoln's head is visible. If Lincoln's head hides behind the tread, your tires are above the 2/32 threshold. If you can see Lincoln's entire head, it's probably time to replace your tire. Looking after your car's tires might feel like a chore, but it's key to a smooth ride. This ensures your vehicle can brake properly and steer correctly. A simple way to check them is to use a penny and see if they're properly inflated. If you're unsure if you need new tires, schedule an appointment at Crain Kia of Bentonville in Bentonville, Arkansas!

It's crucial to regularly check the condition of your brakes to ensure your safety on the road. Your vehicle's braking system has many components, including brake pads, rotors, and so much more. There are clear warning signs of bad or worn-down brakes, and we at Crain Kia of Bentonville in Bentonville, AR, are here to inform you of symptoms to look out for. Are you shopping for an electric vehicle in NWA? Click here to learn about the 2024 Kia EV9! Screeching If you're driving down the road and notice a sound when you apply the brakes, it's time to take it in for a service appointment. According to AAA, a sharp, high-pitched, or grinding noise usually indicates that your brake pads are worn thin and must be replaced. Karim Nice, on HowStuffWorks ' blog, explains this sound is typically the brake pad's wear indicator, letting you know that it needs replacement. As the pad wears away, the wear indicator will contact the disc, creating this high-pitched squealing sound. Are you looking for an SUV near Rogers, AR? Click here to learn about the Kia Telluride! Vibration If you're driving down the road and notice a pulse or vibration in your brake pedal, this could indicate that your rotor is warped. On their blog, Autozone says grinding noises and longer or inconsistent braking distances indicate that your rotor needs replacement. They also state that rotors can last 60,000 miles if you primarily drive on the interstate but as early as 20,000 miles if you drive mainly in the city due to stop-and-go traffic. If your car needs new rotors, schedule an appointment with the Crain Kia of Bentonville service team! Click here to learn about the Kia Warranty! The Brake Pedal Pushing down your vehicle's brake pedal should deliver a firm press and a near-instant stop. However, according to Chantel Wakefield on Kelley Blue Book 's blog, if the brake pedal is squishy and spongy, this could indicate that your vehicle needs repair and can mean anything from a leaking brake line, low brake fluid, or air in the brake line, amongst several other potential issues. If your brake pedal feels squishy, it's best to schedule an appointment with our certified service team. Are you shopping for an SUV near Bella Vista, AR? Click here to learn about the 2024 Kia Seltos! Dash ABS Light The most obvious indication that your brakes need repair or examination is if your ABS light on the dash lights up. Dustin Hawley, on J.D. Power 's blog, explains that the ABS monitors your car's wheels to make sure they turn at the same speed and that the tracker detects abnormalities and alerts you via the light on your dashboard. When the light illuminates, it could indicate several issues, but Hawley says that it usually comes down to four. These are: A Malfunctioning ABS Module Low Fluid Levels Faulty Wheel Speed Sensors System is off Ensuring your vehicle's brakes are functioning properly is essential to your safety as well as others on the road. It's important to watch for abnormalities or possible issues with your car's braking system. Schedule your next service appointment at Crain Kia of Bentonville! Are you looking to purchase a new car in Bentonville, AR? Click here to learn about financing at Crain Kia!

We've all been there: you walk out to your car only to discover a new scratch or dent that definitely wasn't there before. It's frustrating, it's annoying, and it's a bummer. Dealing with car scratches and car dents can be a headache, but don't worry: there are things you can do to fix the damage and get your car looking like new again, up to and including taking it to your trusted local Kia dealer. Assess the Damage First things first: how deep is the scratch? How big is the dent? Is the paint damaged? These are all important questions to ask yourself before you start any repairs. For minor scratches and dents, you might be able to fix them yourself using a scratch removal kit or a plunger. But for deeper damage or damage to the paint, you might need to take your car to a professional. Dealing With Car Scratches Minor scratches can be frustrating to deal with, but luckily, they can often be fixed with relative ease. If the scratch is shallow and only affects the clear coat, you may be able to buff it out with a rubbing compound and a microfiber cloth. If the scratch is a bit deeper, it may need to be touched up with paint. This may be found at your local dealer. Make sure to choose the correct color for your car and follow the instructions on the paint can carefully. Typically, you'll need to clean the affected area, sand it down, and then apply several coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry in between. Once the paint is dry, you can use a rubbing compound to blend it in with the surrounding paint and make it look seamless. With a little bit of time and effort, your car will look as good as new! Dealing With Car Dents While it's never fun to see a dent on your vehicle, there are some things you can do. If the dent is minor, you might be able to fix it yourself using a vacuum cleaner. Simply place the vacuum over the dent and gently pull or push until the dent pops out. This method works best on larger, shallow dents. Another DIY method is using boiling water and a plunger. Pour the hot water over the dent, place the plunger over the dent, and push and pull until it pops out. When To Contact Your Kia Dealer If the scratch or dent is more severe and the DIY methods didn't work, it's time to take your car to a professional. Your Kia dealer has experienced technicians who can use specialized tools to carefully repair scratches and remove dents without damaging the paint job. They will assess the extent of the damage and provide an estimate for the cost of the repair. Depending on your insurance, you may be able to have the repair at least partially covered. It's important to address scratches and dents sooner rather than later, as they can lead to rust or other damage if left untreated, so, don't hesitate to take your car to a professional. If you've got a scratch or dent that needs some professional attention, contact Crain Kia of Bentonville right away to schedule your repair.