Monday Maintenance Tip: Checking Your Transmission Fluid

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What is this?

Transmission fluid is a slippery liquid that acts as a lubricant for all of the moving parts inside your transmission. In an automatic transmission, this fluid also serves as a coolant and a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission.

A variety of fluids are used for different transmissions. Automatic transmissions use something called — shockingly — automatic transmission fluid. Manual transmissions use a variety of oils: regular motor oil, heavyweight hypoid gear oil or even automatic transmission fluid in some cases. Your owner's manual will tell you what your transmission calls for.

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

Yes, definitely, regardless of whether you have a manual or an automatic transmission.

Manual: Most manufacturers recommend that manual transmission fluid be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Under heavy-duty use, some manufacturers suggest changing transmission fluid every 15,000 miles.

Automatic: Service intervals for an automatic transmission vary from every 30,000 miles ... to never. The typical service interval is 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Changing it more often does no harm.

Why do I have to do this?

Manual: In a manual transmission, the problem is not so much the fluid degradation, but rather fluid contamination. This contamination occurs over time as the synchronizers, bearings and gears in the transmission wear out. The resulting metal particles then float around in the lubricant. And we all know that oil with microscopic particles of metal in it does not lubricate as well as clean oil. So if these contaminants are not drained out, they will shorten the life of your transmission.

Automatic: Because more heat is generated in an automatic transmission, automatic transmission fluid actually degrades and breaks down with use.

In addition, like in a manual transmission, automatic transmission fluid will also become contaminated with worn bits of the transmission. If these contaminants are not drained out, they will shorten the life of your transmission.

What happens if I don't do this?

If you don't change the transmission fluid on schedule, you'll be lubricating your transmission with metal shavings and other contaminants. This will shorten the transmission's life. The result could be a hefty boat payment to your mechanic. In other words, changing your transmission fluid at the correct interval is a good investment.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

Yes. It's important to regularly check the transmission fluid level between service intervals. Letting your car run low on transmission fluid can cause the transmission to shift improperly — or not at all. It also can harm the internal parts of your transmission, which will not be properly lubricated. Unfortunately, you may not hear any noises or have other clues that your transmission is low on fluid, until it's too late. So it's important to get it checked.

Here's how you can check your transmission fluid level:

Manual: Checking the transmission fluid in a manual transmission can be difficult. A few thoughtful manufacturers have included a dipstick, but that's the exception rather than the rule. If you own a car with a manual transmission, we suggest that you ask your mechanic to check the fluid level when your car is up on the lift during an oil change. It takes just a minute.

Automatic: If you own a car with an automatic transmission, your car will have a dipstick for this purpose. Be careful not to make the common mistake of confusing the transmission dipstick with the crankcase dipstick.

For most cars, checking the automatic transmission fluid consists of pulling the transmission dipstick out while the engine is warmed up and running and with the transmission in park. We suggest that you check your owner's manual, however, since some manufacturers may have a different procedure.

Of course, always check your fluid level if you notice a leak of any kind.

Car Talk Tip: Unlike engine oil, transmission oil doesn't burn up. So if you're low on transmission fluid, you almost certainly have a leak.

Courtesy: cartalk.com

Kia Optima Hybrid, 2012: Mixes racy style with economy, comfort

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The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid gas-electric sedan offers a good combination of comfort, practicality, style, performance and high fuel economy.

The mid-size Optima Hybrid is rather large, as are many current mid-size sedans, and its racy-looking body has a roomy interior.

However, the coupe-like styling results in narrow rear door openings. The small rear “lip” spoiler is so nicely integrated into the styling that you have to look twice to notice it. But too bad the gas/electric hybrid system prevents use of dual exhausts with shiny outlet tips—always a nice touch for a racy-looking car.

Although the trunk is generally large, with a wide opening, the hybrid system prevents rear seatbacks from flipping forward to allow more cargo room.

This reasonably priced $25,700 front-drive Optima Hybrid is based on the Hyundai Sonata, but the two cars share no exterior body panels.

The 206-horsepower Optima Hybrid delivers an estimated 35 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on highways. Go easy with the accelerator pedal and the car will accelerate without using gas.

Other Optima models have regular gasoline-only engines. The hybrid system in the Optima Hybrid works fairly seamlessly. It’s hooked to a responsive six-speed automatic transmission with an easily used manual-shift feature.

Performance is strong. Merging into fast freeway traffic and 65-80 mph passing on highways are brisk.

The electric power steering is quick. The ride is supple, and handling is good—although not in the sports-sedan class. The brakes stop the Optima Hybrid quickly and surely, controlled by a pedal with a linear action. 

Standard items include dual-zone automatic temperature control, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, cruise control, pushbutton start, adjustable steering wheel with audio controls, keyless entry and power windows, door locks and outside mirrors.

Options include the backup camera, navigation system, panoramic sunroof, leather seat trim, upscale audio system and power folding outside mirrors, along with larger (17-inch vs. 16-inch) tires with alloy wheels.

Also optional are heated and cooled front seats and heated outboard rear seats, heated steering wheel and power front driver and passenger seats.

There are plenty of safety items. They include full-length side curtain air bags, anti-lock brakes, hill-start assist and traction and electronic stability controls. The large outside mirrors have turn-signal indicators.

Backing up the car is a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, along with a roadside assistance program.

The quiet interior’s backlit gauges can be quickly read even in bright sunlight, easily used controls and plenty of storage areas. Cupholders are conveniently placed up front in the console and found in the large fold-down rear center armrest. All doors have storage pockets and beverage holders.

Several folks said they initially thought my test jet-black Optima Hybrid was a high-class German or Japanese sports sedan. They said it should cost considerably more than it does.

Pros: Sleek. Roomy. Fast. Electric-only operation. High economy. Nice ride. Goode handling. Reasonably priced.

Bottom Line: Sleek styling for a practical, economical, nice-performing sedan.

Courtesy: theweeklydriver.com

Monday Maintenance Tip: Checking Your Coolant

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What is it?

Coolant is the fluid that absorbs heat from the engine and then dissipates it through the radiator. It is also dissipated through the heat exchanger in the passenger compartment when you crank your heat in the winter.

Coolant, which is commonly called antifreeze, is a mixture of ethylene or propylene glycol and water, usually in a 50/50 ratio.

Servicing the coolant involves draining and/or flushing your car's cooling system and then replacing the old coolant with fresh coolant.

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

Yes. Draining out the coolant and refilling the system removes dirt and rust particles that can clog up the cooling system and cause problems in winter and summer.

Why do I have to do this?

Because it is operating in a hot, hostile environment, coolant will break down over time. Most importantly, the coolant's rust inhibitors get used up, leaving the small cooling passages in your engine and radiator vulnerable to corrosion. Even with these rust inhibitors, some corrosion will inevitably take place, contaminating the coolant with debris.

What happens if I don't do this?

If the rust inhibitors stop working, the cooling system will rust from the inside out. The biggest source of rust in a car's cooling system is the engine block.

In time, these bits of rust will also clog the tiny passages within the radiator and heater, causing your engine to overheat. When an engine overheats, the result is a bonus yacht payment to your mechanic that someone else should be making.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

Check your coolant level periodically. Your owner's manual will have a recommended interval in which to check the coolant level.

If you check your coolant level when the engine is cold, the coolant should be at or above the "minimum" or "fill" line on the transparent refill container. If you check your coolant level when the engine is hot, the coolant should be at or just below the "max" line.

Disappearance of coolant could be caused by either an external or internal leak, the latter being more expensive. Either one should be addressed quickly, since running low or out of coolant can lead to catastrophic engine failure and many boat payments to your mechanic.

If you live where the temperature dips below freezing, we suggest that you ask your mechanic to check the concentration of the coolant. Coolant that's diluted or weak can freeze when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check your owner's manual to see if your car uses "long-life" coolant. For the first 100,000 miles, it is necessary to check the coolant level simply to be sure you're not leaking or burning coolant.

Car Talk Tip: Antifreeze has a sweet aroma and taste, which pets find particularly appealing. As little as a half teaspoon of the stuff can kill an average-size cat, and eight ounces will do in a 75-pound dog. There's no substance that you can add to antifreeze to make it less appealing to animals, but antifreeze made with propylene glycol instead of the usual ethylene glycol is about a third as toxic. Propylene glycol is sold under the brand names Sierra, Prestone Low Tox and Texaco PG.

Courtesy: CarTalk.com

Kia Optima SX Verdict

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Not that long ago, Kias were the butt of many jokes. But times have changed, and in just a few years, products from the Korean automaker have gone from afterthoughts to serious contenders on the automotive scene. Nothing hammers that point home more than the Optima SX.

This Kia looks like no other Kia on the road, and people notice. Countless times, folks asked me what kind of car it was, or said, "Is that really a Kia?" When I'd assure them it was, their reactions were always the same: "Really! I thought Kias were cheap little cars." I'd reply, "Well, they kind of were, but not anymore."

With plenty of room and comfort for five passengers, as well as ample trunk space, the Optima is a great choice for a family car. I have a wife and a 2-year-old son, and it's surprising how much stuff we have to take with us every time we hit the road. There are two things we always need while traveling: the stroller and the Pack 'n Play, and these alone use up a bit of trunk space. Add a suitcase for Mom and Dad and one for the kid, and the trunk would be pretty full in most cars. With the Optima, there's still room for toys and other miscellany.

In the cabin, a child's car seat requires a lot of space. The front passenger seat has to be moved up quite far, and that usually cuts into the passenger's legroom. Fitting our Recaro child seat is not an issue in the Optima, even with 6-foot-tall Mom as the front passenger, and the latch points are easily accessible for installing the seat.

The Optima's suspension feel has been an area of controversy. I found it too firm and jarring, especially on SoCal's uneven roads. Many of you commented on previous updates that the suspension was just fine, and I was being overly critical. As I've said, with plenty of power on tap from its turbo engine, the Optima feels great gliding down a smooth road, but the minute the surface gets bad, the car lets you know it. This isn't a sports car, it's a sporty family sedan, so the family shouldn't be punished when the road surface becomes irregular. Motor Trend has constantly knocked Kia for its suspensions, usually for being too soft. This time, the automaker just went too far in the other direction, but Kia is much closer to getting it right.

It used to be you didn't even need to get into a Kia to start checking off the issues. Now you really have to look to find flaws, and even then, they are subjective. I find the seats too firm and flat, but others might think they're just right. Another divisive topic is the Optima's styling, inside and out. I think it looks fantastic.

While I didn't love the Optima's wheels, they did grow on me a little. But I like the new wheels on the refreshed Optima much better. The interior is top-notch in styling, materials, and build quality, reminding me of much higher-end European vehicles.

Being assigned a long-term car means we take it in for service when recommended or needed. The Optima went in three times. Two of the services were under $40, while the major service was less than $200. The total service bill for our Optima SX was $240.43, more than reasonable for more than a year's worth of driving. The only service issue is actually finding a Kia service center, as they are few and far between. The closest one to where I live is at least 15 minutes away with no traffic. It's minor, but a pain nonetheless.

I hope Kia continues to improve its entire line of cars, because some of them sorely need it, but the Optima isn't one of these, and it is currently Kia's top dog. It's a complete package, offering styling, performance, ease of use, and spacious interior with quality materials and build quality.

You can't ask for much more out of a car than what the Kia Optima delivers.

 

**  Courtesy of MotorTrend Magazine (Online)

Kia College Graduate Specialty Incentive at Valley Hi Kia!

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We believe in recognizing those individuals that put in the long hours and late nights necessary to earn a college degree. With our College Graduate Specialty Incentive "soon to be" (within 6 months of college graduation) or recent (within the past 24 months) College Graduates of accredited 2 or 4 year colleges or universities, nursing schools, or masters or doctorate programs receive $750 in cash savings! 

For complete details click here!

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

Kia's International Design Credibility Blooms

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A trifecta of prestigious international design awards has confirmed what the public and media experts have been saying - Kia stands out from the crowd.

Kia's baby Rio, winner of the Carsguide Car Of The Year for 2011 and Australia's Best Car for the Light Cars under $20,000 segment, picked up a pair of prestigious international awards for its styling, quality, innovation and practical capabilities.

The Rio was awarded a 2012 Red Dot Design Award in March this year against the best the world has to offer and backed up this month with a bronze medal in the transportation design category of the IDEA (International Design Excellence Awards) program, administered by the Industrial Design Society of America.

Since its inception in 1955, the Red Dot Design award has become one of the world's largest and most recognized design competitions. This year 1800 companies from 58 countries submitted to the Red Dot product design category.

The new Kia Rio was awarded thanks to its "powerful personality, created by a distinct wedge shape, a low roofline and its metal-to-glass ratio". The jury praised not only the Rio's self-contained design, but also its sound workmanship. Kia has won six Red Dot awards since 2009 with vehicles like the Soul, Optima and Sportage.

The IDEA awards are decided on by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and recognize designs that affect a person's quality of life in 18 categories. This year, the Kia Rio received Bronze honours in the Transportation category.

The judging panel cited its fresh, sporty feeling; exciting design, and environmental credentials, saying "the Rio is a car that is extremely attractive with a fresh feeling of sportiness _ a car that people will want to buy for its looks as well as its environmental credentials In the 2012 model Kia created a car that answers consumer demand for more quality, more choice and a more attractive, exciting design."

The third leg of the design trifecta went to the Picanto which, in addition to a Red Dot Design Award, collected an iF (International Design Forum) Award from the Hanover-based global design recognition organization.

Courtesy: paddocktalk.com