6 Maintenance Tips for the Non-Mechanic | Mark Kia Scottsdale

Oil Level 
Depending on the make, year and model of a car, the average oil change comes every 3,000 to 7,000 miles. Without proper oil maintenance, the engine may seize and constitute a much larger bill than a regularly scheduled oil change.

In between changes, check your oil by taking a rag, pulling out the dipstick and wiping it clean. Reinsert the dipstick and pull it out to get a reading on oil level. There will be markings for an acceptable range to help determine whether you need a top off or change.

Tire Pressure 
Once a month, use a tire gauge to ensure you’re maintaining a proper pressure. You can find the desired level in the owner’s manual and often in the door jam, fuel door or glove compartment.

If the pressure is too low, tires wear quicker and more gas is used. If too high, tires wear easily and have less grip on the road.

Tire Treading 
Feel the treading of your tires for any height differentiation or smooth areas. If there are any irregularities, you may be able to preserve tires for a longer period by getting them rotated. If there is extreme wearing or signs of damage, you should take your car in to a service center to avoid flat tires and other dangerous situations.

Air Filter 
Owner’s manuals will have recommended timing for filter replacements to keep your car air intake and exhaust emission ideal. With a clogged filter, cars lose fuel efficiency and power. The Internet provides how-to’s in checking air filters if you’re unsure a change is required.

Car Fluids 
While most people just consider gas and windshield fluid, there are a number of fluids needed to run a car, including brake fluid, engine oil, radiator/engine coolant and antifreeze, transmission fluid and power steering fluid.

All fluids can be topped off at a service station and typically are during an oil change. Washer fluid is easily filled by yourself but for other fluids, AutoUpkeep.com offers advice, recommendations and how-to’s.

Drive Time 
This is most pertinent for those storing cars for long periods of time, such as a deployment. Idle cars have to be started and run for a certain amount of time on a regular basis in order to keep everything working properly and ensure that when you return it’s ready to be used again.

A healthy battery can last up to three months without a car being started, but without a consistent start up, condensation may accumulate and rust out the engine. It’s recommended a car be started at least once a week and run for 10 to 15 minutes.

If you just don't have the patience or time you can schedule an appointment ONLINE now or call us at (480) 389-3081 and let us take care of it for you.

2016 Kia Optima Earns Kelley Blue Book's KBB.COM "Best Buy Award" | Mark Kia Scottsdale

Kia’s passionately designed and obsessively crafted midsize sedan garners top honors from The Trusted Resource®

All-new 2016 Optima is part of an elite group of 12 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award Winners

Kia’s head-turning design, driving dynamics, and value continue to garner praise.

Kia Motors America’s (KMA) passionately designed and obsessively crafted all-new 2016 Optima is the Best Buy of the Year among midsize cars according to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. With an extensive yearlong data collection process, vehicle testing and evaluation of 2016 model-year vehicles, Kelley Blue Book narrowed the list of 49 Best Buy Award Finalists down to an elite group of 12 winners.

“The all-new 2016 Optima has matured in all the right ways, from the European sport-sedan design to the premium interior materials to its vastly improved ride and handling,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning KMA. “To be recognized by the experts at Kelley Blue Book as a Best Buy among some of the toughest competition in the industry is a true honor and strong indication that the all-new Optima is poised to continue its sales success and the ongoing elevation of the Kia brand.”

The Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards provide a significant service to consumers by identifying the top 2016 model-year vehicles. More than 300 new-car models were tested and evaluated in order to determine the finalists and, ultimately, the winners.

“We at Kelley Blue Book named the 2016 Kia Optima the Best Buy in a very crowded and competitive field of midsize cars because its combination of design, features, driving dynamics and value topped the competition,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “No single attribute set the Optima apart; instead it was the all-new Optima’s combination of high-value elements that prompted us to bestow on it our prestigious Best Buy Award.”

Find your 2016 Kia Optima at Mark Kia. To get a test drive arranged, give us a call, send us an email, visit us on Facebook or just walk in!

For more information on Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Awards, visit http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/best-buy-awards/2000011397/.

Source: http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/10909/2016-kia-optima-earns-kelley-blue-books-kbbcom-best-buy-award?utm_campaign=NewsAlert_352&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=KiaMedia.com

Breakthrough Technology, Rugged Beauty, and Functionality all in One Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle the Kia Telluride | Mark Kia Scottsdale

Elegant and Sophisticated, the Kia Telluride Combines Breakthrough Technology, Rugged Beauty, and Functionality in a Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

• Telluride takes Kia’s design language in a bold new direction and suggests styling of a possible future premium large SUV in the brand’s lineup

• Telluride pushes the boundaries of technology with unique in-cabin health-and-wellness technology and luxury

Glimpsing a future that is grounded in reality but not bound by the present, Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled a cutting-edge vision for a full-size SUV at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The Telluride, a striking three-row, seven-passenger, luxury SUV concept features a modern and upright shape, muscular stance, and state-of-the-art technology to care for its occupants. Purely conceptual, the Kia Telluride is based on an existing platform and reveals the brand’s interest in potentially offering a premium SUV positioned above the current hot-selling Sorento.

“The Kia Telluride makes an aesthetic statement for the Kia brand as a bold, all-new luxury SUV with an abundance of advanced technology, focusing particular attention on the experience and comfort of second-row occupants,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Design Center America (KDCA). “Longer, wider and taller than the recently redesigned Sorento CUV, Telluride allows us to envision what a full-size seven-passenger SUV from Kia could look like.”

Telluride’s front doors and rear-hinged back doors swing open 90 degrees in opposing directions, creating an expansive and inviting portal into the panoramic interior space and revealing a technological showcase. Four beautiful black-leather captain’s seats appear to float within the spacious cabin in front of a folded third-row bench. The large cabin allows the middle seats to recline nearly flat and include large fold-away footrests for sublime comfort. All four seats include a series of precise diamond-cut openings in the seatback, each embedded with Smart Sensors to capture a passenger’s vital health information. Once obtained, these vitals are displayed on the interior door panel screens, which then systematically synchronize with a Light Emitted Rejuvenation (LER) system. The LER system utilizes a massive, wing-shaped LED panel mounted beneath the oversized sunroof that displays a pattern of therapeutic light to treat desynchronosis (jetlag) and improve the passengers’ energy levels.

Another unique technology introduced in Telluride is Swipe Command – a thin, touch-sensitive, interactive band mounted to the second row center console – which allows rear-seat passengers to quickly scroll and select desired media by simply swiping their hand. The selected media is then played either through the seven-speaker premium Harman Kardon® audio system, or via a set of portable Harman Kardon® headphones that wirelessly charge when stowed in the console. Up front, a compartment in the center stack allows for wireless cell phone charging, and Kia’s first use of 3D-printed components add a distinct, modern design element to the dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel.

Telluride’s interior and exterior were penned at the brand’s California-based studio, Kia Design Center America (KDCA). Finished in Dark Pyrite green paint, the tall stance is amplified by the overall size of the vehicle. At 70.9-inches tall, 79.1-inches wide and 196.9-inches long, Telluride is 4.4-inches taller, 4.7-inches wider, and a sizable 9.5-inches longer than the current Sorento. Underpinning the Telluride is a modified Sorento chassis with a wheelbase stretched 11.9 inches to 121.3 inches, giving Telluride a dominating presence. It’s modern and muscular appearance is accentuated by flared fenders stretching around massive 22-inch five-spoke wheels wrapped in Hankook® Ventus ST 275/45R22 tires. Telluride’s front fascia incorporates a much larger version of Kia’s signature tiger nose grille, and its menacing face brings an attitude all its own with recessed quad-LED headlamps, pronounced horizontal LED indicator lights, and an aggressive polished-metal skid plate below the bumper. In the rear, thin vertical taillights align with the modern design language of the SUV, while consistent styling cues across the front and rear door handles, hood scoops and dual exhaust tips enhance the vehicle’s solid appearance.

With an innovative combination of cutting-edge technologies, the Telluride’s powertrain is a near-future, no-compromises propulsion system, offering both power and efficiency. A finger-print activated push-button start unleashes Telluride’s tremendously potent yet extremely efficient PHEV powertrain. Utilizing a 3.5-liter gasoline direct injected (GDI) V6 engine and powerful electric motor, Telluride’s transverse-mounted powertrain combines to produce 400 horsepower (270 horsepower from V6 and 130 horsepower from the electric motor) while achieving more than 30 mpg on the highway. Power is routed to all four wheels via an advanced all-wheel drive system.

While there are currently no plans to bring the Telluride to production, Kia has a history of delivering production vehicles that bear strong resemblance to preceding concepts, and Kia’s large SUV is anything but a utopian fantasy.

Tips and Tricks for Driving in Rains | Mark Kia Scottsdale

As rainy weather sticks around, it is time to brush up on some driving tips to keep you safe.  

Officials say a few basic practices can help commuters get through.

Turn on headlights.

“If your windshield wipers are on, you should have your headlights on,” CHP Officer Juan Galvan said.

Not only do headlights help the driver see potential hazards ahead, they also help other people see the vehicle, Galvan said. Plus, it’s required by the state.

Slow down.

“Drive at those speeds that you can maintain control of the car,” Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Drake Madison told The Times. Often that means going below the speed limit.

How can a driver tell how fast is too fast? Don’t outpace the flow of traffic, Madison said, and “if you feel you’re not adhering to the road very well, if you’re slipping and sliding, that’s a clue.”

Also, make sure not to drive so fast that rain collects on the windshield faster than the wipers can clear it away, Galvan said.

Don’t tailgate.

It takes longer for vehicles to stop on wet roads, so leave even more distance than usual between your car and the one ahead, Galvan said.

Avoid standing water.

“Don’t be the first one to drive through it, and don’t follow another vehicle -- just because they make it doesn’t mean you’re going to make it,” Galvan said.

“Your engine can stall and then you’ll be stuck in there. If it’s a strong current, you might even get swept through that water.”

Plan ahead.

Do preventive maintenance to minimize the odds of breaking down and becoming part of an accident, Galvan said. Before heading out in the rain, he said, replace the windshield wiper blades if needed and check the vehicle’s tires and fluids.

Madison said October and November are particularly good months to check wipers and tire treads.

“In the summer months, all the heat is hard on the rubber,” he said.

Pay attention.

“Keep your eyes on the road and be aware of your surroundings,” Galvan said. “Accidents are not caused by the rain. It’s how we drive in the rain.”

Source: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-drive-in-the-rain-20141202-story.html

And the "International Car of the Year" Award goes To! | Mark Kia Scottsdale

The All-New 2016 KIA Sorento and Optima

Kia Brand Wins Road & Travel Magazine’s International Car of the Year (ICOTY) Awards for Fourth Consecutive Year

• Optima claims the International Car of the Year (ICOTY) award for second time in four years
• Sorento wins International SUV of the year award for the first time

IRVINE, Calif., November 18, 2015 – In conjunction with the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, Road & Travel Magazine (RTM) has named the 2016 Kia Optima as its International Car of the Year. RTM jurors praised the all-new edition of Kia’s perennial best-seller for its aggressive design, long list of available features, impressive powertrain options and great value. RTM also named the 2016 Sorento its International SUV of the Year. The Sorento garnered acclaim for its combination of premium interior amenities, extensive safety features and all-wheel drive capability. Together, the awards propelled Kia to an extraordinary fourth consecutive win of the prestigious ICOTY brand award. The ICOTY jurors honored Kia’s K900 luxury sedan in 2015, the Cadenza premium sedan in 2014, and the previous-generation Optima in 2013.

“The Optima and Sorento are two of Kia’s best-selling vehicles and both were instrumental in the transformation of the brand,” said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP, KMA. “To win the prestigious ICOTY award four years in a row, with two models winning their categories this year, is a clear indication that our products continue to offer a world-class balance of design, amenities, craftsmanship, safety and value for today’s savvy consumers.”

2015 marks the 20th anniversary for RTM’s annual “Of the Year” judging, which includes three awards: International Car, International SUV, and International Family Vehicle of the Year. In addition to product attributes such as style, comfort and performance, award criteria also factor in how well each brand connects emotionally with consumers through its marketing efforts. The winner is chosen by the ICOTY jury, which consists of nationally renowned automotive journalists from respected publications such as Consumer Guide® Automotive, MSN Autos, New Car News Syndicate and RTM.

“We’ve never had one brand win this award four years in a row, but Kia has done it. It goes to show just how exceptional the new Kia models are, providing clear direction of where the Kia brand is headed,” said Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief of Road & Travel Magazine. “We are near speechless at the level of progress the Kia brand has made in spite of the stiff competition. It is without a doubt the brand that gets the most ‘wows’ from our staff and is truly an industry success story that we can relate to in many ways.”

Find your very own 2016 Kia Optima or 2016 Kia Sorento at Mark Kia in Scottsdale, AZ also serving the Tempe, AZ & Mesa, AZ areas. To get a test drive arranged, give us a call, send us an email, visit us on Facebook, or just walk in!

Drive Safely in the Increasing Dark Hours | Mark Kia

We will continue gaining night driving time until December 22, keep these tips in mind to keep you safe.

Drive more slowly at night because you cannot see as far ahead and you will have less time to stop for a hazard. Make sure you can stop within the distance lighted by your headlights.

Use your low-beam headlights at night when it rains. Do not drive using only your parking lights.

Use your high-beam headlights whenever possible in open country or dark city streets, as long as it is not illegal. Do not blind other drivers with your high-beam headlights. Dim your lights when necessary. If another driver does not dim his or her lights:

• Do not look directly into the oncoming headlights.
• Look toward the right edge of your lane
• Watch the oncoming vehicle out of the corner of your eye
• Do not try to "get back" at the other driver by keeping your bright lights on. If you do, both of you may be blinded.

When you drive at night, remember:

• Pedestrians and bicyclist are much harder to see at night; stay alert for them
• Motorcycles are also harder to see at night because most have only one taillight.
• Highway construction can take place at night. Reduce your speed in highway construction zones.
• When you leave a brightly-lit place, drive slowly until your eyes adjust to the darkness.
• Drive as fa the the right as possible, when a vehicle with one light drives toward you. It could be a bicyclist or motorcyclist, but it could also be a vehicle with a missing headlight.

The 2016 Kia Sedona has Something for Everyone | Mark Kia Scottsdale

2016 KIA SEDONA OVERVIEW

• Award-Winning Multi-Purpose Vehicle Continues to Offer Maximum Flexibility Combined with Host of Premium Amenities and Advanced Safety Features
• 2016 Sedona transcends conventional minivan design and supports elevated Kia ownership experience
• With a long list of standard safety and convenience features, the refined multi-purpose vehicle makes a great road trip companion

IRVINE, Calif., June 11, 2015 – Entering its second model year with limited changes, the 2016 Kia Sedona has something for everyone, continuing to offer a fresh take on the minivan segment raising the bar in terms of design, amenities and value. The 2016 Sedona offers seven- and eight-passenger seating configurations for maximum flexibility and is available in five trim levels: L, LX, EX, SX and SXL. Mated to a six-speed Sportmatic® transmission, Sedona’s 3.3-liter V6 engine boasts 276 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and is tuned for enhanced mid-range torque, offering 248 lb.-ft. at 5,200 rpm. The 2016 Sedona features a variety of design enhancements to continue to transcend mundane functionality, and its intelligently engineered chassis combines with a number of segment exclusives to make it the perfect road trip companion.

Sedona’s wide stance exudes a modern, CUV-like appearance that projects confidence and strength. New for the 2016 model year, all trims now come standard with a rear back-up camera. For the L and LX trims, cloth seat material is now tricot, a more modern-looking pattern that replaces the previous knit. The EX trim now comes standard with heated front seats. For added convenience, the SX and SXL trims now offer eight-passenger seating when equipped with the Technology package. Adding to the Sedona’s premium ambiance, the SXL trim now offers side sills with chrome accents that complement the standard 19-inch chrome wheels.

The 2016 Sedona’s chassis provides a solid base for road-trip readiness. Built using Kia’s Iso-StructureTM design, the 2016 Sedona’s torsional rigidity is 36-percent greater than its closest segment competitor. The frame is 76 percent Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) or press hardened steel, which provides exceptional rigidity and durability in a lightweight design. The Sedona has been engineered with reinforced roof pillars that distribute impact loads with ultra-high-strength steel tubes installed inside the A-pillars. Extensive use of bonding adhesives and larger diameter welds also add to Sedona’s overall structural integrity. The 2016 Sedona has earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 5-Star overall vehicle safety rating.

The high priority placed on safety and technology throughout the design and development process has resulted in one of the most advanced vehicles in the segment. All Sedona models come with standard safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Antilock Braking System (ABS). Additional technologies such as Roll Over Mitigation (ROM) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC) also are standard equipment for improved dynamic control. 

Sedona also offers numerous convenience features, making it the perfect companion for

those who live their life on the road. Carrying over for the 2016 model year, the Sedona is outfitted with standard YES Essentials™ fabric technology to provide anti-microbial protection from spills, anti-static protection from irritating electrical shocks as well as stain-repelling and stain-releasing fabric characteristics. Also continuing for 2016, the Sedona includes high-power (2.1 Amp) USB charging ports and 115-volt AC outlets to charge small electronics, as well as a dual glove box that offers a cooled lower storage area. The 2016 Sedona also offers Kia’s UVO infotainment and telematics system, and was the brand’s first vehicle to offer: Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score. Select apps also can be downloaded for free from iTunes® or Google Play via the Kia App store. 

Meanwhile, for a more convenient driving experience, Sedona offers an available Surround View Monitor, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. For further convenience, a hands-free “Smart Power Liftgate”™ opens the rear liftgate automatically when the key fob is sensed for three seconds, and its programmable function can be tailored to the user’s height preference. Standard second row Slide-N-Stow™ seating slides and folds upright to allow for on-the-go cargo hauling along with a standard third row split folding 60/40 bench that retracts seamlessly into the rear cargo floor.

In addition to stand-out convenience, Sedona offers unprecedented comfort from the

available second row “First Class” lounge seating that can be positioned rearward for astonishing legroom and provides retractable leg rests and airplane-style winged headrests. Some configurations feature second-row seat cushion heaters for added comfort. The top-line SXL trim features standard ultra-soft Nappa leather trim seating surfaces throughout the cabin, the same Chromium-free leather found in Kia’s flagship luxury sedan, the K900. The SXL trim interior is also a recognized winner by Ward’s Automotive—a leading industry publication.

The 2016 Sedona continues to place a strong emphasis on NVH reduction and is among the quietest in its segment thanks to extensive wheel-house padding, double-seal sliding doors and expanded use of sound-deadening foam in the engine compartment. Kia’s 2016 Sedona also utilizes Amplitude Selected Dampers (ASD) along with independent rear suspension to strike an optimal balance of ride comfort and handling. The platform also has rear cross-member bushings, an isolated rear sub-frame with trailing arms and rear strut reinforcement, all of which combine for predictable and stable ride–and-handling characteristics.

Come to Mark Kia to test drive a 2016 Kia Sedona.

Source: http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/10239/2016-kia-sedona-overview