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Don’t forget: Your car has so much more to offer than easy transportation. And at a time when leaving the house isn’t as common as it used to be, that’s important to remember. Continue reading for some fun ways to use your car this summer that aren’t centered around driving. Summer Car Activities Drive-In Movie Pulling into a drive-in movie theater feels like driving back into your childhood. This nostalgic passtime is the perfect way to spend a Friday night. While it might seem that drive-ins may be few and far between these days, they are much more common than you would think. With a little research, you may find you only live a short distance away from a drive-in. If you have young children, a drive-in could be the perfect solution to enjoying a family movie without disrupting other viewers. Pack your favorite movie snacks, some drinks, a few extra blankets, and enjoy the show. Car Wash A car wash is an easy and productive way to spend a hot afternoon. Your kids will enjoy an excuse to play in the water, and you’ll get to enjoy a sparkling clean car. Grab a few buckets, a couple of sponges or a wool mitt, and a mild, car-safe detergent. Use this as a teaching opportunity to teach your kids how to safely and effectively wash a car. If you’re feeling especially productive, apply a wax after the car is clean and dry for an added layer of protection. Star Gazing Panoramic sunroofs provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy a night under the stars. If you live in the city, you may not get a chance to enjoy the full effect of the night sky very often. For this activity, all you need to do is hop in the car with a few blankets and head out of range of the city lights. Check your local weather station to see if there is a meteor shower scheduled to occur in the next few weeks. Download a few stargazing apps, and enjoy a quiet night under the stars. Find a New Kia in Monroe, NC If you’re looking for a new car this summer, come to Union County Kia. We have new Kia cars and a variety of used cars for sale in Monroe, North Carolina. Give us a call to schedule a test drive or drop by our dealership to learn more.

Many of us are taking steps to sanitize our homes and place of work. But what about our vehicles? After all, we touch them nearly every day, track dirt into them, and eat inside of them. And on top of that, they bake in the sun all day and don’t air out well. In other words, they are the perfect environment for germs and bacteria to thrive. Fortunately, there are some actions you can take to sanitize your vehicle and leave the germs in your trail. 4 Steps to Sanitize Your Car Wipe There are a lot of surfaces in and on your vehicle that you and your passengers touch frequently. Most of the time, you touch these surfaces after using your hands to eat, work, touch public infrastructure such as handrails, or fill up with gas. Keep a pack of disinfectant wipes in your glove compartment or center console and make a habit of wiping down your door handles, steering wheel, shifting knob, seatbelts and seatbelt fasteners, dashboard dials, and other high-touch surfaces. You can also keep a spray bottle of disinfectant in your trunk along with a cloth. Vacuum Keep a small portable vacuum in your trunk. Each time that you’re waiting for the gas pump to finish filling up, give your seats and floors a quick vacuum. You’ll greatly reduce the chance of any dirt or food particles turning to mold that you would then be breathing inside the cabin. Replace Each time you have your oil changed, ask the technician to help you check the air filter inside your car. This filter cleans the air that enters the cabin that you then breathe, and studies have shown it to be among the germiest places in your car. If it’s dirty, have it replaced with a new one. Roll Viruses and bacteria thrive in stale and stagnant air. When you’re cruising down the highway on a warm day, go ahead and roll down some windows or your sunroof and let some fresh air circulate the cabin. Have Your Car Professionally Sanitized in Monroe, NC The tips above are designed for day-to-day sanitation of your car. But every so often, you should have your car professionally sanitized and detailed. At the KIA service center in Monroe, NC, you can take advantage of a car disinfectant service that sanitizes, disinfects, deodorizes, and eliminates viruses and bacteria. Check out our disinfectant service along with any other ongoing service specials to stay safe from the dangers found both on the road and inside your car.

Celebrate National Car Care Month with us by scheduling a tune-up or inspection for your Kia. As we enter the spring months, here are some helpful tips to help you keep your car running smoothly. Kia Car Care Care Highlights Check Oil and Fluids When it comes to routine car maintenance, checking and changing your oil should be a top priority. Oil acts as a lubricant to protect the components of the engine as it runs. When oil levels are low or as it becomes dirty, the metal-on-metal contact will cause irreparable damage to your engine and take years off the life of your car. When you schedule your next oil change, request to have the other fluids checked as well. Brake, transmission, and steering fluids are vital to ensuring your Kia runs safely at peak performance for years to come. Inspect the Air Conditioning Components While spring temperatures are moderate for now, don’t be caught off guard when the first heat wave arrives. Take a few minutes to inspect the components of your air conditioning to avoid an unnecessarily hot and humid commute later. Check to see that the HVAC system, compressor, and compressor belt look to be in working condition. If you see any visible damage or if you have no idea what to look for, call one of our technicians or schedule a service today. We’ll help you make sure your car is ready for the summer months ahead. Rotate Tires and Align Wheels Common signs that your tires or wheels are in need of attention include a shaky steering wheel, and a tendency to drift while driving straight. Another sign it may be time to schedule service is if you can’t remember the last time you had your tires rotated. Having your tires rotated and your wheels aligned will not only help your tires age equally over time, it will help maintain higher gas mileage as well. Schedule Spring Service in Monroe, NC If you haven’t scheduled your spring service already, come visit us at Union County Kia. Our Kia service center will help you ensure everything is in working order so you can fearlessly schedule your first summer road trip. Give us a call today or drop by our dealership for more information.

Whether you drive a front-wheel drive sedan, an SUV with all-wheel drive, or a 4-wheel drive pickup truck, knowing how to handle the winter weather while on the road is important. Apply these three winter driving tips for the season ahead. Winter Driving Tips to Keep in Mind Keep your distance When the weather hinders your visibility and makes the roads slick, it’s crucial to give yourself extra travel time. This extra time will allow you to drive more slowly while maintaining a safe distance from the car ahead of you. By adding distance to that car, you’ll provide yourself with a greater margin of safety to slow down, stop your vehicle, or move your car to one side or the other if you start to skid. When the roads are covered with black ice, snow, or slush, your vehicle’s stopping power can be decreased. That will require a greater distance to slow your car, truck, or SUV. Be gentle on the pedals Maintaining a gentle touch on the gas and brake pedals will go a long way toward enhancing your safety during winter driving. If you notice the brake lights of the car ahead of you illuminate, it can be safer to just come off the accelerator and let your vehicle slow down naturally. Slamming on the brake pedal can have adverse reactions, like causing your brakes to lock up. When the traffic light turns green, you can gently apply pressure to the gas pedal, so your tires will grip the road and move you forward safely. If you were to press the pedal down like in dry conditions, the tires may spin in the snow and slush, and cause you to slide. Be at the ready Driving is an active and engaged activity, and that is never more present than when the road conditions are less than ideal. By being proactive instead of reactive behind the wheel, you’ll be ready when someone pulls out in front of you or a car suddenly slows down. Sitting up straight and in a ready position with your hands at the recommended places on the steering wheel help you stay attentive to the changing traffic patterns and precipitation. Prep Your Car For Winter Driving in Monroe, NC If your vehicle needs an oil change, tire rotation, or a battery check-up, contact us at Union County Kia in Monroe, North Carolina, to schedule a service appointment with our trained technicians.

The fall months bring stunning beauty with the changing leaves, but migrating animals, daylight saving time, and wet weather can bring its own challenges to your driving. By taking a few preventative measures, you can protect yourself and prepare your vehicle for the colder weather. Seasonal Car Maintenance Tips for Fall and Winter Illuminate Your Drive With a simple walk around the exterior of your vehicle, you can inspect the headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and flashers to ensure each one is working properly. If you notice any are out, replace the bulbs. Maintaining proper illumination of the road ahead of you and keeping the rear of your vehicle visible to cars behind you is important when visibility is poor. See Clearly Replacing torn or cracked wiper blades for new ones is a simple way to ensure your windshield remains clear during rainstorms or when it snows. At the same time, swap out your windshield washer fluid for a winter-grade solution. This kind is specially formulated to not freeze in cold temperatures when it comes in contact with your windshield. Penny Lane Insert a penny into the tread of your tires with Abraham Lincoln’s head pointed toward the tire. If you see all of Honest Abe’s head, the tread is worn down to an unsafe level and won’t provide the stopping power or traction you need. Time to replace that tire. Also, monitor your tires for low air pressure and add more when necessary. When your tires are inflated to the vehicle’s specifications, it will help prevent premature wear. Inspect the Battery When the temperature drops and you’re out running errands with the kids, the last thing you need is a battery that won’t start. By inspecting your battery for corrosion, checking and cleaning the terminals, and inspecting the cables for cracks or breaks, you’ll be able to see issues that can be fixed right away. Also, if you are noticing your vehicle takes longer than usual to turn over in cold weather, it could be time for a replacement. Change the Oil Taking your vehicle in for an oil change will ensure it has clean, fresh oil for the harsh winter months. The technician will also be able to give your old oil a look and a feel to see if your engine is experiencing any damage that needs to be looked at. Visit the Union County Kia Service Center With these tips, you can easily get your car ready for driving in the cooler months of the year. Schedule Kia service to prepare your vehicle for fall and winter, or contact us if you have any questions.

Every car shopper has asked themselves this question at one point or another: Should I buy a car or lease it? The good news is there’s no right or wrong answer. The decision depends entirely on your situation. Read on for more leasing vs. buy analysis. Should You Loan or Lease? Benefits of Buying Buying is an excellent option if you want to own the vehicle at the end of your loan. Studies have shown that most U.S. car owners keep their vehicles for a little over 79 months (around 6.5 years). If you buy, you’ll have a financial asset at the end of your term. You can continue to drive your car for years, trade it in toward the purchase of another vehicle, or sell to a third party. One of the trade-offs of buying a vehicle is the overall cost. Typically, you’ll need a down payment to start with, and monthly payments could be higher over the years. There’s also a good chance that you’ll be responsible for covering the basic maintenance and repair costs from day one. Once your loan is finished, you’ll be able to use the extra money for household expenses or stash it away to cover maintenance and repairs in the future. Benefits of Leasing When you agree to lease a car, you’ll be responsible for lower monthly payments, repairs, and basic maintenance costs for the life of your lease. If you’re a person who enjoys driving a new car every 2-3 years, a lease is a great option. At Union County Kia, we offer three lease end options that make it easy to get into another brand-new vehicle or to own the one you’ve been leasing. Leases do have mileage and customization restrictions — two things that a car loan agreement does not have. So, if you drive a lot for work or you love to take road trips, a lease might not be the best option. Explore Your Leasing and Loan Options in Monroe, NC At Union County Kia, we understand that everyone has different needs and lifestyles. Visit our finance department today to explore your leasing and buying options. Check out our payment calculator to see the monthly difference between buying and leasing.

Whether you bring your dog to the park to play ball or across North Carolina to visit family, you want your pet to travel safely and comfortably inside your car. Follow these tips for driving with your best friend in the backseat. How to Drive With a Pet in the Car Ensure Safe Travels No matter how long or short the drive, you need to make sure your pet will be safe. Let smaller pets travel in a well-ventilated crate that is properly secured to a seat or on the floor of the cabin. It can be dangerous and distracting for animals to wander loose around the vehicle. For larger animals, fold the back seats down or get rid of clutter to free up available space for your pet to comfortably lie down. It’s also important that you don’t let your pet hang their head out the window. If you do, you run the risk of your pet jumping out and getting injured. If you stop along the journey, never leave your pet unattended in the parked car, especially in extreme temperatures. Pack Essentials Just as you would pack your travel necessities, it’s important to pack everything your pet could need for a car ride. Store a backpack with treats, food, and water along with any toys to keep them occupied during longer journeys. Make sure you pack a sturdy leash and collar for your pet, so they are safe when getting out of the car. And don’t forget the waste bags in case your pet has to go to the bathroom. Prepare Your Pet If your pet has never been in the car or on a long car ride before, you can prepare them prior to the journey by getting them used to shorter trips. Visit the local park or ride around the neighborhood to see how your pet adjusts to being in the car. When you’re ready to depart, make sure your pet has gone to the bathroom, and don’t feed them in case the ride upsets their stomach. Plan for Emergencies Whether you’re traveling near or far, it’s always a good idea to keep a first aid kit for your pet in the car that includes tweezers, gauze, sterilizing agents, and a towel. If you’re planning a longer trip, research the veterinary hospitals along your route in case of an emergency. Find Your Pet-Friendly Car in Monroe, NC Take your pet for an adventure in a new or pre-owned vehicle from Union County Kia, your Kia dealership in Monroe, NC. Visit our showroom on W Highway 74 or contact us to learn more.