It's Time to Take Stock of what is in Your Car In Case of a Roadside Emergency | Keffer Kia

CREATE YOUR OWN ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT

• Spare tire, properly inflated – check every 6 months!
• Car jack and lug wrench – fits your car and you know how to work it!
• Preprogram your cell phone with 800 number for auto club roadside service
• Call CHP or local law enforcement for assistance to get you off the highway to safety

KIT BASICS:

• 12-foot jumper cables
• Four 15-minute roadside flares
• Emergency Red Reflector Triangle
• First aid kit
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Tire pressure gauge
• Rags
• Roll of duct tape
• A HELP sign, at least 8 inches
• Energy bars (change yearly)
• Bottled water (change yearly)
• Blanket
• Extra vehicle fuses
• Small tool kit
• Heavy duty nylon bag to keep the small items together
• Nylon rope, at least 12 feet
• Plastic tarp

NICE-TO-HAVE EXTRAS:

• Tire inflator (such as a Fix-A-Flat)
• A quart of motor oil
• Anti-Freeze
• Spray bottle with washer fluid
• Pocketknife
• Ice scraper
• Paper Towels
• Pen and paper
• Bungee cord - 12"
• Rain poncho
• Cable ties
• Work gloves
• Small fire extinguisher (ABC rated)

Source: http://www.ots.ca.gov/roadsideemergencykit.asp

Getting Your Teen Their First Car: A How To

Make sure you're setting them up for safety right from the start.

1. Choose the Right Car

Let's face it, if you left the decision up to your teen, you would probably end up with either a huge SUV or a suped up sports car, neither of which is particularly safe for a young, new driver. However, there are plenty of options out there to make both you and your teen happy. And with the right research, you can find a car that is not only fun to drive, but also safe and reliable, too.

Choosing a midsize car is the best way to go, according to The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and the Insurance Information Institute. Depending on your budget, you can opt for either a new or used model - just make sure the car is in good condition with updated safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Also, you'll want to check out crash test and safety ratings before making your final purchase.

Fuel efficiency is another important factor to consider, especially in today's economy. Unless you're willing to cover the cost of filling your son or daughter's tank each week, buying your teen a gas guzzler is probably not a good idea.

2. Get the Best Auto Insurance Rate

The truth is that no matter what car you choose, insuring your teen driver will increase your auto insurance rates. But there are some things that you can do to make these costs as manageable as possible. In fact, another great reason to opt for safety first at the car dealership is that it can help keep your auto insurance premiums down. Because safer cars tend to have a lower accident risk, they are usually less expensive to insure.

Another way to get the best auto insurance rates possible is to scope out potential discounts. If your teen is a full-time student, for instance, he or she may be eligible for a good student discount. Researching your options beforehand will help you to make an informed decision when trying to find the right car for your teen.

3. Set Boundaries

Choosing a good car and purchasing the right auto insurance are only the first steps in keeping your teen safe on the road. Talking with your teen about safe driving and setting clear rules and guidelines are also important. To ensure that your teen stays safe behind the wheel, you can:

Limit the number of passengers your teen can have in his or her car at any one time;

Establish a "no cell phone" policy to ensure that your teen does not text or call while driving;

Discuss what to do in cases of emergency, including accidents and adverse weather conditions.

Keeping Up with Your Car in the Heat of Summer | Keffer Kia

Staying on top of your car's operation in the hottest of temperatures can help keep you comfortable and safe all Summer long.

Summer can be tough on cars, especially during high temperatures when heat can destroy batteries and stress the cooling system and tires. As a precaution, these vehicle components should be checked periodically during summer to help avoid breakdowns and car problems, according to the Car Care Council.

Excessive heat and overcharging shorten the life of a battery. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which then damages the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate, which will eventually destroy a battery.

To get the most life out of a battery, the council recommends having the electrical system checked to make sure it is charging at the correct rate. If your car's battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it often, especially in hot weather and add distilled water if necessary. Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt can become a conductor, which drains battery power. If corrosion accumulates on battery terminals, it becomes an insulator and inhibits the current flow.

The cooling system also works harder during hot temperatures to prevent overheating of the engine. To keep the cooling system working effectively, the coolant and distilled water mixture for a vehicle's radiator should be 50:50. As a reminder, never open a hot radiator cap when checking the coolant level in the reservoir.

As a rule of thumb, the coolant should be changed annually on most vehicles. This will keep the cooling system fresh and clean inside, which helps prevent corrosion and assures that the coolant has the proper boiling point and protection. A pressure test, thermostat test, a cooling fan test and a visual inspection for leaks and corrosion should also be done annually. Hoses and drive belts should be checked for cracks, bulges or frayed edges.

The radiator should be kept clean by periodically using a garden hose and a soft brush to carefully remove bugs, dirt and debris.

Tires also need special care in warmer weather as high temperatures put added stress on them. To maximize tire life and safety, check the tire condition and inflation pressure monthly, and have the tires rotated every 6,000 miles. Summer heat will cause the pressure within a tire to rise, therefore, it's important to check the pressure when tires are cold. The owner's manual includes the recommended air pressure for your vehicle's tires.

"It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs properly during summer, and although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive maintenance steps," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

The council reminds motorists that the vehicle's exterior also can be damaged by sunlight, UV radiation, acid rain, salt, dirt and air pollution. To protect the paint and finish, vehicles should be washed weekly and waxed every six months.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council's Car Care Guide or for more information, visithttp://www.carcare.org/.

Source: Car Care Council

Kia Created Cars for Adventure | Keffer Kia

Travel Tips & Tricks for Your Next Road Trip

Kia is no stranger to exciting road trips. Today, we are putting together a list of tips for a great road trip for our fans. If you are planning a road trip in the near future or if you’ve always wanted to go on a road trip but were unsure where to begin, here are some tips to help you get started.

Think about whether you want to travel alone or with others

If you plan to travel alone, prepare a set of CD’s or a playlist to keep yourself entertained. Even better, you can prepare some playlists with certain themes.

The company of a friend can be delightful, but just make sure you remember a couple of things. You and your travel companion will be captive for long periods of time. Before you make a commitment, consider how well you get along. Also, it may be a good idea to divide the work between you and your travel mates. Who will be navigating, who’s planning meals, and who’s driving when?

If you are planning to travel with kids, be sure to check out your car seats. Car seats can occasionally loosen or even become unsecured since you last buckled it in. And you’re going to need to pack some snacks, drinks, garbage bags, baby wipes, paper towels and other necessities for kids.

Pack lightly, but smartly

You’re going to want a car charger for your phone so that you always have access to GPS and an easy way to look up hotspots wherever you are. Don’t get over reliant on GPS though; you never know about reception so it’s a good idea to have an old-fashioned paper map on standby. An emergency repair kit is also a good idea. You should have some reflectors or flares, jumper cables, and a tire iron in case of an emergency. A set of spare car keys will keep you from locking yourself out, which is sure to put a damper on the trip. For the extra cautious, it might be a good idea to bring a gallon of water and a gallon of fuel. Still, when you’re packing all your stuff, be mindful of how much you are loading down your car. The heavier your car, the more you’re going to have to gas up.

Set a budget for your trip 

Although road trips may seem like a cheaper alternative to pricey plane tickets, you may end up spending more than you expected if you don’t set a budget ahead of time. The price of fuel will be proportional to how far you plan to travel. Plan in advance for parking and remember that it’s not always free. Rest stops can quickly become pricey if you don’t plan ahead for meals. Packing some sandwiches can really save you in the long run.

Save gas by utilizing these gas saving tips

Driving habits such as abruptly accelerating and braking is never good for fuel efficiency. Slow and steady is the best policy. Make sure your GPS is up to date with the most recent version. Old versions may drive you in circles, which is just a waste of gas and time. You can also use gas-saving apps on your smartphones. 

Check out more tips on staying fuel-efficient from our: 5 green driving tips: staying fuel-efficient

Get your car checked out before any long trips

Last but not least, your beloved car must be in its best condition before going on a special road trip. It’s recommended that you get your car checked two weeks in advance of your trip just in case there are some parts that need to be replaced. Here is a quick list of the most essential parts that should be in tip-top condition. Hoses and belts are crucial for your engine to perform properly. Your tires should be inspected for any damage or bulges. Under-inflated tires are not only extremely dangerous but they can also affect your fuel economy. Last, there are the brakes, lights, wipers, wiper fluid, battery, and air conditioning. Checking these are a must for any long voyage.

So pack these tips away, and if you and your car are ready…it’s time to get on the road!