Kia Maintenance Tips

Proper vehicle maintenance keeps your car operating at maximum efficiency. Below are five tips that help you get maximum reliability from your vehicle.

1. Get scheduled maintenance. Make a service appointment today if your car is behind on its scheduled maintenance. Neglected cars get poor gas mileage and are more dangerous to drive. Also, small issues left untreated can lead to expensive repairs.

2. Keep tires properly inflated. Under- or over-inflated tires can cause a variety of problems, from declining fuel economy to poor handling and stability. Pick up a simple tire pressure gauge and keep it in the car. Make it a habit to check the tire pressure monthly.

3. Check battery terminals periodically. Battery terminals can collect debris and residue that prevent your car from starting. Check the battery posts and terminals periodically. If you see any white build up, you'll either need to clean them yourself or take your car in and have a technician do the dirty work.

4. Drive with the radio off. Cars can make funny noises when something is not right. The trouble is, many drivers don't pay attention to what their car should sound like - so they don't notice anything different when the engine starts knocking. Turn off the radio occasionally and pay attention to the way your car sounds. If you start hearing something new, make a service appointment right away.

5. Pay attention to fuel economy. A noticeable change in fuel economy could be another sign something is not right with your vehicle. Rely on a Certified Technician to help you troubleshoot the problem if your car suddenly turns into a gas-guzzler.