Rolling Smooth: Essential Tire Tips

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.

Your car belt is integral in providing power to essential vehicle components. The following signs from your Kia dealer will help you determine when there's a problem with the belt so you can replace it before your Sorento, Seltos, or Sportage breaks down. 1. The Belt Is Worn and Shiny Pop your head under the hood and inspect the belt. If the belt looks shiny and one side of the working edge is more worn than the other, it could be an alignment issue caused by the pulley. If the working edge of the belt looks shiny and worn down, ask your Kia technician to replace the belt as soon as possible. 2. The Belt Is Frayed or Cracked If you look at the belt and it's frayed or cracked halfway through the rubber, it's a sign the belt needs replacing. A cracked or frayed belt can snap without warning, causing damage to other parts under the hood. Your car won't run for long with a broken belt, and if you continue driving, it will cause damage to your engine and increase the repair costs. 3. There Are Missing Rubber Chunks in the Ribs Missing rubber and notches in the ribs are sure signs that it's time to replace the belt. The belt might still work fine, but it could snap and cause severe damage under the hood and an unexpected breakdown. Ask your Kia technician to replace the belt immediately when you notice notches or missing chunks in the rubber. 4. Your Hear Noises From Under the Hood Ticking noises from under the hood could be from a frayed or cracked belt, and squealing sounds are when there's moisture or oil on the belt. A broken belt will flap when it hits and damages other parts under the hood. When you hear noises from under the hood, get your car to your dealer ASAP. 5. The Belt Is Old Your car's belt is made of strong and durable rubber and can last 60,000 to 100,000 miles or even longer. Over time, with use, and exposure to extreme heat and moisture, the belt will wear, fray, and eventually crack. Check the belt regularly and when you take your car for an oil change, ask your Kia technician to inspect the belt thoroughly. With regular belt inspections, the technician will detect problems early before the belt wears too much and snaps, which will cause your car to break down and get you stranded next to the road. If your belt needs replacing, call Crain Kia of Bentonville today to schedule an appointment. The certified Kia technicians will perform an expert belt replacement and ensure your vehicle runs perfectly.