Kia Provides Vehicles for Drive Breast Cancer Awareness Event

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Kia Motors America (KMA) announced today that it has partnered with HerHighway.com, an online site empowering women with bumper-to-bumper automobile knowledge, to supply Kia vehicles for "Drive Breast Cancer Awareness," an across-the-nation drive event, which aims to raise public awareness around breast cancer. The eight-day cross-country road trip will start in Los Angeles on September 25 and finish in New York City on October 2, which marks the start of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

More than 100 women will participate, including breast cancer survivors, journalists, bloggers and race car drivers Shea Holbrook, Ashley Van Dyke and Melanie Troxel. The vehicles that KMA is providing for the drive include the 2013 Kia Sportage EX, 2013 Kia Soul! (Exclaim) and 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. Along the way, the drivers will make pit stops at various locations to talk about the event and to raise awareness about breast cancer. The public can also follow the drivers via Twitter with the #HerHighway and #Kia hashtags.

"Kia is deeply committed to supporting HerHighway and the 'Drive Breast Cancer Awareness' event which delivers much-needed awareness towards a disease that affects approximately one in eight women in the United States," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Kia vehicles such as the Sportage, Optima and Soul are perfect vehicles for a cross-country road trip, and it is our privilege to provide these vehicles that will help HerHighway get the word out about breast cancer."

The "Drive Breast Cancer Awareness" campaign started in 2011 when its founder Christina Selter, HerHighway's Editor-in-Chief, was diagnosed with possible ALCL, a rare form of liquid breast cancer. Since her diagnosis, Selter's goal has been to bring potentially life-saving information about breast cancer to women across the country through this drive. A few weeks after the conclusion of the event, Selter will undergo a full Capsulectomy.

Source: Kia Media

Monday Maintenance Tip: Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure

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Tire pressure is a measure of the amount of air in a vehicle's tires, in pounds per square inch. The required service involves checking the tires' pressure with a pressure gauge, at least monthly, if not more frequently.

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

Yes. Absolutely.

Why do I have to do this?

Having the proper tire pressure is a crucial safety issue. Next to the brakes, the tires are the most important safety devices on your car. Incorrect tire pressure will compromise cornering, braking and stability. And in the worst-case scenario, improper tire pressure can lead to tire failure — and a serious accident. Incorrect tire pressure also will affect your comfort, fuel economy and tire life.

What happens if I don't do this?

If tire pressure is too high, then less of the tire touches the ground. As a consequence, your car will bounce around on the road. And when your tires are bouncing instead of firmly planted on the road, traction suffers and so do your stopping distances. You'll also feel a decrease in ride comfort. (Hint: If you notice that every tie you own has coffee on it, check your tire pressure. It may be too high.)

If tire pressure is too low, then too much of the tire's surface area touches the ground, which increases friction between the road and the tire. As a result, not only will your tires wear prematurely, but they also could overheat. Overheating can lead to tread separation — and a nasty accident. One sign of low tire pressure is if your tires squeal when cornering.

And you need to check your tire pressure even if your tires aren't leaking. Why? Because tire pressure also changes with the temperature outside. Tire pressure decreases by about 1 pound per square inch for every 10-degree drop in outside air temperature. So if you last had your tire pressure checked in July, when it was 80 degrees outside, and it's now January — and the temperature is minus 20 — your tires may be underinflated by 10 pounds, which is dangerous.

 

How do you determine the correct tire pressure for your car's tires?

A lot of people check the pressure listed on the tires themselves, but that's actually the wrong place to look. The number on the tire is the maximum allowable air pressure — not the recommended pressure for that tire when used on your vehicle.

The recommended tire pressure is almost always lower than the maximum tire pressure. Check your owner's manual to find out where to look on your vehicle to find the recommended measurement. This number usually is indicated either on the driver's door pillar, the glove compartment door or sometimes on the gas filler door.

Once you know the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure, then you need an accurate tire gauge to check the tire pressure. Some tire gauges, such as the popular pencil-style gauge, are notoriously inaccurate. Analog, dial-type gauges or digital gauges tend to be fairly accurate.

And when should you check the tire pressure? You should check it when the tire is cold. That doesn't mean you need to move to International Falls, Minn., to check your tire pressure. Cold, in this sense, simply means that your tires are at air temperature. You can check tire pressure any time of the day, as long as the tires have been sitting for a few hours or haven't been driven for more than a few miles. In other words, you can drive to the gas station a few blocks away and ask them to check the pressure, but don't expect to pull off the highway after driving for an hour and expect to get an accurate reading.

When you do check your tire pressure, remember to check all four tires. Just because three of your tires are at 30 pounds doesn't mean that the fourth tire isn't nearly flat. Finally, check the spare tire at least once in a while — it would be an unpleasant surprise to find it flat when you need it. If you have a small, space-saver spare, then the pressure for that tire is probably not the same pressure as your regular tires. The correct tire pressure should be printed right on this particular type of spare.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

Yes. If you have no known problems with your tires, check your vehicle's tire pressure seasonally or before you head off on a road trip. When you bring your car in for service, ask them to check the tire pressure; most garages will do this at no additional cost. Plus, they'll usually have an accurate gauge — which will also give you an idea of whether your gauge is correct.

Car Talk Tip: Check your tire pressure even if your tires look fine. Radial tires can be deceiving (they're sneaky little guys). They may look fine even when they're down 10 pounds of air — or overinflated by 10 pounds. So don't trust your eyes — use your gauge.

Source: cartalk.com

Special-Edition 2013 Rio 5-Door SX M/T Arrives in Limited Quantity

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Until now, driving enthusiasts couldn't get their hands on the Rio they were most eager to own--that's about to change. The 2013 Rio 5-door SX is now offered with a 6-speed manual transmission (M/T). Arriving in dealerships in limited quantity with a MSRP of just $17,9004, the Rio SX M/T is a fun-to-drive subcompact that satisfies enthusiasts' desires for a more engaging drive experience without sacrificing the comfort and convenience offered by the subcompact model's highest trim level. The Rio SX M/T is inspired by Kia's championship winning motorsports efforts and the recently-introduced Rio B-spec race car. Enthusiasts should get in line now as less than 500 Rio SX M/Ts will be initially offered for sale during the 2013 model year.

The Rio 5-door SX M/T comes standard with a class-leading 138 horsepower5 4-cylinder double- overhead cam gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engine featuring dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and fuel economy of 30-mpg city/40-mpg highway6. The Rio 5-door SX M/T is available in Signal Red and Electronic Blue and comes with LED taillights, front LED accent lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Rio SX M/T adds a seven-inch navigation touch screen with a SiriusXM™7 Traffic system and push-button start with Smart Key. Other standard SX features include sport-tuned suspension, rear camera display8, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth®9 wireless technology, and an AM/FM/CD/ MP3 SiriusXM

"The Kia Rio 5-door SX M/T is perfect for driving enthusiasts who simply won't compromise when it comes to certain features," said Orth Hedrick, Director of Product Planning at Kia Motors America (KMA). "Our customers and the automotive press have been asking for the Rio 5-door SX with a manual transmission, and we've listened. As the Kia brand becomes more and more relevant to enthusiasts, we'll continue to evaluate consumer demand and consider bringing other high-spec manuals to market."

Those looking for the inspiration behind the Rio 5-door SX M/T need look no further than the twisting, undulating macadam of America's greatest road racing circuits. In addition to its championship winning professional road racing program, Kia this year entered the new B-Spec grassroots racing series, and the Rio SX M/T offers buyers the sporty driving dynamics that transfer from the track to the street.

To advance from driving enthusiast to racer10, customers can purchase a 2013 Rio 5-door M/T (LX Trim) and a B-Spec performance kit11 available at a cost of $14,000 from Kia's racing partner, Kinetic Motorsports. The kit includes everything needed to transform the street-loving Rio 5-door into a proper racecar: pre-cut roll cage, racing seat, quick-release steering wheel, racing harness, race shocks, lightweight wheels, spec-series tires, oil sump pan expansion kit and complete build instructions. For an additional fee, Kinetic will professionally assemble the Rio at their shop in Buford, Georgia.

Kia's Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality12 and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking13. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

Source: Kia News

Valley-Hi Kia's "Car Tip of the Week"

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Hey fans, this week’s “Car Tip of the Week” will keep people from guessing the age of your car by preserving both the interior and the exterior.

Not all of us have the luxury of a shaded garage to park in but you can still minimize the damage caused by UV sunlight and heat by parking your car in whatever shade is available. If you can’t find any shade or you can’t stand the bird droppings that result from parking under a tree, utilize a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact. It is a convenient and affordable way to keep your car looking like it just rolled off the lot.

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid: Infinity Sound System

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A hybrid version of the Kia Optima is probably not your go-to car if you're an audiophile. To save weight, most hybrid vehicle manufacturers are reducing the size and equipment related to the audio system simply because it's an easy target. But does wanting to get great fuel economy mean you have to sacrifice a decent audio system or good sound quality? Not if you get an Optima Hybrid.

Our long-term Optima Hybrid has the optional Hybrid Premium Technology package. It includes a lot of extra features like a panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, leather, navigation, a rear parking camera and lots of other items that make the Optima Hybrid feel more like a luxury sedan than a fuel sipper. The optional package is great, but it's not cheap at just over $5,300.

While all of the included items are nice to have, there's one I couldn't live without -- the Infinity sound system. It's a 550-watt system and includes 8 speakers. iPod integration via USB port is standard even on the base Optima LX. Given our Hybrid's long range, the ability to connect an iPod is basically expected.

Sound quality is really good with plenty of well-controlled bass. The high end is crisp but not shrill, and there's a decent amount of mid-range as well. The touchscreen interface for controlling satellite radio, local radio, iPod and CDs is large and easy to read, and it displays artist and song information in a clear, easy-to-read manner.

There are two drawbacks: The touch screen doesn't display album art when playing an iPod, and you have to press Enter once you find a station you like. These are minor annoyances at worst. This pales in comparison to the overall look, feel and execution of the Optima's interior -- especially the way the audio system is integrated with the screen and the way the right-hand side of the dash is angled toward the driver.

If you're buying a Kia Optima of any kind, we strongly recommend getting the Infinity audio system. It sounds good and gives the Optima a distinctly mature and grown-up feel.

 

**  Courtesy of Auto Trader (Online)

Monday Maintenance Tip: Checking Your Power-Steering Fluid

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What is this?

Simply put, power-steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid that transmits the power in power steering. Servicing it involves draining or flushing out your car's old power-steering fluid and then adding fresh power steering fluid.

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

Absolutely. The fluid is the cheapest component of your power-steering system. Changing it can help to prolong the life of other, more expensive power-steering components such as the power-steering pump and the stratospherically expensive power-steering rack.

Why do I have to do this?

Over time, the seals, O-rings and internal power-steering components will wear out. When they break apart, they contaminate the power-steering fluid, which forces the power-steering pump to work harder (having to pump little chunks instead of just fluid) and eventually break down.

What happens if I don't do this?

You'll eventually chew up your power-steering pump. It'll have to be replaced at a cost of several hundred dollars, or you'll have no power steering — and you can't easily drive a car that's equipped with power steering when the power-steering system fails. You also may damage the rack, which will require you to take out a small home-equity loan to replace.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

If you hear a whining or moaning noise when you turn the steering wheel, you should have your power-steering system checked. Your power-steering pump may be about to fail.

Also, if you notice a leak of any kind, you should definitely check your power-steering fluid level and make sure you keep it topped up. Running out of fluid will cook the pump, too.

Car Talk Tip: If you do a lot of your own car maintenance, and you feel like servicing the power-steering fluid yourself, you'll still need to dispose of the old fluid properly. To find out how to dispose of hazardous materials where you live, check out the 1-800-CleanUp/Earth's 911 Web site.

Courtesy: cartalk.com