Changing a Flat Tire

With school letting out for the summer and families taking vacations, we want everyone to have safe travels! Before traveling you should always have your car checked out and tires looked at. Hopefully you don’t experience any troubles while driving, but just in case we want you to be informed on how to change a flat tire as quick and easy as possible.

Changing a Flat Tire:

·         Find a safe spot to pull over. If you're on the freeway, getting off is the safest bet, even if you have to drive on a blown tire. Otherwise, pull as far onto the shoulder as possible. Don't park in the middle of a curve, where approaching cars can't see you. Also choose a flat spot; jacking up your car on a hill can be a disaster. If you have a manual transmission, leave your car in gear. Be sure to set your parking brake!

·         Turn on your hazard lights. Get the jack, wrench, and spare tire from the trunk of the car and bring them over to the tire that is flat. Use other tools or supplies if needed.

·         Use the wrench to loosen the lug nuts. You may need to remove the hubcap. Don't remove the lug nuts at this point; simply loosen them by turning the wrench to the left (counter-clockwise). If the lug nuts are really tight, try placing the wrench on the nut and standing on the wrench arm to use your full weight on it. You can also try hitting the wrench arm with a rock.

·         Use the jack to lift the vehicle off the ground. Different car models may have different places to put the jack; consult your owner's manual for specific locations. Once the jack is securely in the correct spot, jack up the car until the tire is about six inches off the ground.

·         Remove the lug nuts and pull the tire off the car. Make sure to place the lug nuts in a pile that won't get scattered, and pull the tire straight toward yourself to remove it from the wheel base.

·         Place the spare on the car. Line up the lug nut posts with the holes in the spare, and push the spare all the way onto the wheel base until it can't go any farther.

·         Put on the lug nuts. Don't put them on tightly, just make sure they're on enough for the spare to stay on the car for a moment.

·         Lower the car back to the ground. Use the jack to bring the car back down to ground level. Remove the jack from underneath the car.

·         Make sure the lug nuts are tightened. With the car back on the ground, you can now tighten the lug nuts. Rather than tightening them one by one in order, start with one lug nut, tighten it about 50%, move to the opposite nut (across the circle) and tighten that one about the same amount. Keep tightening opposite lug nuts gradually in turn until each lug nut is as tight as it can be.

·         Put your flat tire and tools back in your trunk. Make sure you don't leave anything on the side of the road.

We want to make sure everyone has a great summer and that their travels are easy and safe! Remember we wanna see ya in a KIA!

http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/changing-tire.php

Taking A Vacation? Driving Long-Distances?

Planning on Taking a Road Trip?

With the summer months headed this way, there is going to be a lot of travelers and people on the roads. We want everyone to be as safe as possible and take caution while driving not only short distances but more importantly on those long drives! Here are 10 helpful tips to take into consideration when preparing for a long drive! We want to make sure our Kia family members, along with everyone else arrive safely to their destinations!

10 Helpful Hints for Long Distance Driving:

·         1- Be sure to check your vehicle before leaving:

o   Maintenance check (tires, brakes, engine, wiper blades, signals, lights, oil, etc.)

·         2- Have an emergency kit available:

o   Emergency kit (Car manual, flashlight, extra batteries, reflective triangle (in case you need to pull over), flares, basic tools and a first aid kit.)

·         3- Get a good night rest the night before:

o   Be sure to get a full night sleep, feeling fatigue or drowsy could lead to falling asleep at the wheel.

·         4- All luggage and cargo should be secured:

o   Make sure all luggage is placed and secured tightly, so that it doesn’t move around when having to make a quick stop

·         5- Pack the car with car friendly items:

o   Anything along the lines of blankets, napkins, wet wipes, hands-free cell phone device, trash bags, and medicine.

·         6- Have food available:

o   Take snacks, water, fruit, etc. Be sure not to take anything with too much salt or sugar, it can lead to mood changes or easily make you more tired.

·         7- Be sure to take breaks:

o   Take a break if you feel tired or even just to stretch your legs and walk around to keep circulation flowing. A general rule is to take a break every 2 hours of driving.

·         8- Bring music to listen to:

o   Have your iPod or CD with your favorite music in case the radio stations aren’t playing your favorite kind of music, you need stuff to entertain you!

·         9- Directions/Route

o   Make sure you have a good idea of where you’re headed and the roads you are taking, to avoid getting lost. Give yourself extra time in case you want to stop or visit places along the way. Be sure to check the track and areas you should avoid at certain times.

·         10-Remember to have fun!

o   A road trip should be a fun experience, make it part of the vacation!

Follow these 10 helpful hints, and your next long distance travel should be a successful one! Remember to be safe, keep your eyes on the road, don’t get distracted, and be sure to make it FUN!

Is It Time For an Oil Change?

Reasons Why Getting an Oil Change is Important

1.       It keeps your car in great condition and proper running order

2.       They are relatively inexpensive and is not a monthly procedure

3.       By getting your oil changed on a regular basis, you will not only improve the life of your car’s engine, but you will also allow your car to maximize the horsepower it puts on the road

4.       Not changing your oil often enough can cause significant damage to your engine

5.       By not having enough oil or by using oil that has outlived its usefulness (is filled with dirt or has low viscosity), you run the risk of allowing parts to not work as efficiently as they possibly could.

6.       Not getting an oil change can cause parts of the car to stop working, and the engine could simply stop working or actually explode if enough parts refuse to work.

7.       The number one reason for engine failure is wear and tear that is caused by an increase in viscosity, which means the oil becomes thick and sticky, like mud.

Even though we all like to put off getting an oil change, as you can see it is very important to get one around every 3,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on your manufacturer’s recommendations. Needless to say don’t put off getting an oil change any longer, the life of your car will decrease and you will encounter more expensive problems with other parts of your vehicle.

Come get an oil change today here at Kia Autosport! We will make sure your car is running in proper order, and will get it back to you in no time! Remember, we wanna see ya in a KIA!  

Health Initiative at Kia: Tips to a Better Healthier You

Health Initiative Here at Kia

Here at Kia we have been doing a health initiative since March to help get our employees involved and in shape! We would love to have everyone participate and share some of their healthy secrets. It’s a great and fun way to help keep your body on a healthier track. Just by adding 30 minutes of exercise a day or even making a home cooked meal a couple times a week will make a difference. Some things you should eat and an exercise that helps with everything:

8 Foods Your Meals Should Consist of:

1.       Veggies: asparagus, carrots, celery, spinach, broccoli

2.       Fruits: apples, blueberries, watermelon, grapefruit, cranberries

3.       Grains: barley, corn, millet, oats, whole wheat, quinoa, buckwheat

4.       Spices: basil, ginger, parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary

5.       Beans: black beans, lima beans, soybeans, miso, kidney beans, pinto beans

6.       Seafood: oysters, cod, salmon, shrimp, tuna, sardines, halibut

7.       Nuts: almonds, flaxseeds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, peanuts

8.       Juices: green tea, ice water, vegetable juice, soy milk, cranberry juice, fruit smoothie

10 Reasons to Run

1.       It’s a top calorie burning exercise

2.       Solo runs provide time for self-discovery

3.       It  reduces stress

4.       It gives you energy

5.       It revs metabolism even while you aren’t doing it

6.       It lengthens your life span

7.       It provides an opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature

8.       Expensive equipment isn’t required

9.       It lifts your mood

10.   It fights depression and anxiety

Recipe of The Week (Cinco de Mayo)

1.       http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/07/skinny-taco-dip.html

·         Let us know what you think!

There are many different exercises and ways you can increase the amount of exercise activity you do in a week, just doing some sort of activity 30 minutes a day will lead to a better healthier you. Instead of getting takeout, try cooking dinner for a week and see if you feel a change. We have seen a huge difference in our employees and would love for you to join us. Stay tuned for more ways to become a better healthier you!

Remember, We Wanna See Ya In A Kia!