Keeping Your Kids Safe in a Carpool
The folks at Century 3 Kia know that your child’s safety is your top priority. Therefore, we want to help you understand how to keep them out of harm’s way if they are part of a neighborhood carpool. Ideally, your child will know who is taking them to school and picking them up in the afternoon.
If the schedule changes for any reason, you should be notified immediately. Be sure to send a group text or group email if you cannot provide a ride on your scheduled day or week. This ensures that another driver can be found promptly.
Prior to the school year starting in West Mifflin, PA, participants should hold a short meeting. During this meeting, you can suggest rules that everyone will follow or voice any concerns that you have. One rule should be that parents check their vehicles before leaving school to ensure nothing is forgotten.
Tips for Detailing Your Vehicle
If the interior of the car you drive around West Mifflin, PA is starting to look dirty, Century 3 Kia can help. We’re highly experienced with detailing techniques that will get everything looking like new.
If you have a pet, there’s probably a fair bit of pet hair that has accumulated in your car. Using a brush attached to your vacuum’s hose can help loosen this hair so that it can get vacuumed up. If this isn’t enough, a pumice block is highly effective at gathering pet hair. Take care when using the pumice block because it can cause damage to plastic and other surfaces.
To get dirt off of the hard plastic and vinyl parts of your vehicle, use an all-purpose cleaner paired with a clean microfiber cloth. To get into the area between the front seats and the console, attach a towel to a spoke brush.
Wiper Blades are a Safety Essential
Windshield wiper blades are typically not something that is high on the priority list as far as vehicle service is concerned. You usually do not notice that your wipers need to be replaced until you are caught in a heavy rainstorm or snowstorm. This can be especially important if it is snowing and the edges of the road are obscured. You need to have the clearest vision possible to stay safe.
Windshield wiper blades break down on a regular basis from wear and the sun. They can become brittle and stiff over time. One of the first signs that your wipers need to be changed is that they leave streaks on the window surface. If they begin to make a chattering noise, then is a sure sign they are in need of replacement.
If it is time to service your windshield wiper blades, it is time to visit Century 3 Kia in West Mifflin, PA to schedule your service today.
We Can Switch Out Your Windshield Wiper Blades for You. Schedule Your Service Appointment Today!
Service Center Service Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Replacing Your Wiper Blades
Timing Belt Importance & Maintenance 101
A timing belt is charged with the important task of ensuring that the vehicle’s camshaft and crankshaft are working together in tandem so that the engine can properly run. A timing belt needs to be changed periodically so that it does not inadvertently snap and damage the engine. The vehicle owner’s manual will provide guidance about how often your belt should be changed to mitigate the danger of damage.
Signs that the belt needs to be changed include a high-pitched sound coming from underneath the hood or visible signs of damage such as fraying or spotting on the surface of the belt. You may also have difficulties starting the vehicle if the belt needs to be replaced.
The timing belt experts at Century 3 Kia in West Mifflin, PA are standing by ready to help you to understand everything about this critical component of your vehicle so that you can enjoy your driving experience.
A Multimeter is a Valuable Tool for a Car Battery
A multimeter is a vital tool that tests the voltage within a battery. To catch inconvenient power issues early, you must test your car battery regularly using a multimeter.
You can conduct a test with a multimeter when your car’s engine is on or off. If you test the voltage while the engine is running, the measurement will be slightly high. Typically, when a regular engine is running during a test, 13.7 to 14.7 volts is a practical reading for a fully charged battery. While an engine is off, the reading should be at least 12.6 volts.
There are many things that can impact a multimeter test, such as cold air and ice. If you want to ensure consistent results during every test, you may want to let a professional inspect your battery. At Century 3 Kia in West Mifflin, PA, you’ll find maintenance options for traditional vehicle batteries and hybrid car batteries.
Service Center Service Testing Your Car Battery Battery Service
Don’t Drive on Your Winter Tires this Summer
We at Century 3 Kia applaud you for driving on the right tires for West Mifflin, PA’s winters. Still, our service techs have noticed some of you using winter tires throughout the year. We advise against that tactic.
While we all appreciate saving a buck, driving on winter tires all year will likely cost you more money in the long run. Though switching between two sets of tires based upon the time of year sounds expensive, buying and using only winter tires adds up faster. It also makes your car less nimble much of the year.
Winter tires perform stunningly in winter conditions. They employ rubber compounds that grip better in cold weather to aid acceleration and deceleration on snow and ice. Also, they have winter-tailored tread characteristics. Those same compounds and characteristics cause winter tires to handle inconsistently on warm, dry pavement. Additionally, your winter tires will wear faster in summer than winter. Make them last. Switch them seasonally.
Blind spots monitors were created in an attempt to reduce or eliminate a common cause of automotive crashes, and they have been proven highly effective at warning drivers to avoid unsafe lane changes. The team at Century 3 Kia in Mifflin, PA offers the following tips on using your vehicle’s blind spot monitor.
A blind spot monitoring system consists of two or more sensors that are mounted on the rear and side panels of a vehicle. These sensors detect whether there are other vehicles that might not be directly visible to the driver in the immediate vicinity.
Alerts from the blind spot monitoring system are generally received by the driver via a visible warning on the mirror or an alarm that sounds. Some systems are designed to provide continual updates regarding vehicles in the blind spot while others only activate if the driver signals an upcoming lane change.
The Right Ideas for Buying Used Cars
Buying a used car can help car shopping find a great deal on a well-maintained vehicle. Did you know pre-owned certified programs help buyers find used cars that are almost as good as new? Not everyone knows how to go about buying a great car. Here are some tips on how to do so.
Avoid falling for the look of a vehicle. Check its accident and maintenance history before putting in a competitive purchase offer. Read consumer reviews to make sure you know what to expect from a model in its previously owned condition.
And don’t waste your time by looking for models outside your budget. One of your first steps should be seeing how much you can spend or borrow. Looking for pre-approvals for loans with low interest rates helps, too.
If you want to take your car for a test drive in West Mifflin, PA, come to see us at Century 3 Kia. Our showroom is packed with awesome used models.
Keeping Your Camper on the Road
When you’re pulling a camper with your vehicle, you might notice some wear and tear on your tires. Helper springs can be installed so that the camper is sitting level while on the road in West Mifflin, PA. Airbags are an option as well as they can provide a comfortable ride for your vehicle and the camper.
To keep gas consumption to a minimum, install a cold air intake. The air will flow a bit easier to your motor, keeping the air cooler so that the motor in your vehicle doesn’t overheat while you’re towing. Century 3 Kia can install this feature before you get on the road.
One of the things that you should look at controlling is the sway associated with your camper. A sway bar can decrease this impact so that your camper and vehicle are safe on the road. You should also ensure that all of the tires on your camper are inflated as this can help in decreasing swaying.
Seeing the View Behind You
If you aren’t good at backing up in your vehicle, then consider having a backup camera installed. This is a simple camera that is placed at the rear of your vehicle that will show you what is on the ground and what is directly behind you via a screen inside your vehicle. If your vehicle doesn’t have a camera, Century 3 Kia can install one.
Most new vehicles are equipped with this type of technology. They are often a bit more beneficial than the side mirrors or the rearview mirror that you have. One of the benefits of having a backup camera is that you can prevent injuring a person who might be standing behind your vehicle or an animal.
While you’re in West Mifflin, PA, you can utilize the camera while backing out of parking spaces at businesses. Blind spots are often eliminated when you use the camera. You can often see items that are below the level of the trunk or the back bumper that you might not be able to see by only using your mirrors.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.