2012 Kia Forte

 

The 2012 Kia Forte sees minor trim but otherwise no major changes. This compact car consists of 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, and 4-door hatchback body styles. All come in EX and sporty SX trim levels; the sedan is available in base LX form. Two 4-cylinder engines are offered. LX and EX have a 156-horsepower 2.0-liter unit. SX versions have a 173-horsepower 2.4-liter engine. All are available with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. An optional “Fuel Economy Package” for EX sedans includes the 6-speed automatic and other body and powertrain tweaks designed to improve fuel economy. Safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. A wireless cell-phone link, auxiliary audio input, and USB port are standard on all models. Power windows and locks, a tilt and telescopic steering column, and remote entry are standard on the EX and SX. A sunroof, keyless access/engine start, automatic climate control, and a navigation system with rearview camera are optional on the EX and SX. Leather upholstery with heated front seats is optional on the SX.

Cooling System Maintenance

 

For most drivers, a new car is their second biggest financial investment after a house, and they need it to run reliably for many years. The cooling system is one of the most important, yet often neglected regular maintenance items in any vehicle.

 

“Coolant (also known as antifreeze) prevents engine freeze-up in winter, reduces engine temperature in the summer, and protects the cooling system from rust and corrosion year round,” according to the AAA website.

 

Gasoline and diesel four-cylinder engines can produce up to 15,000 explosions per minute with flame temperatures topping 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooling system has to efficiently remove that heat energy to prevent damage to cylinder heads, blocks, pistons and gaskets. The engineers that create these engines carefully design the coolant flow passages to ensure that temperatures stay even at all times with no hot or cold spots.

 

Whether you experience brutal cold, blistering heat or both, coolant has to flow through those passages without freezing or boiling to work properly. Specially formulated antifreeze – typically based on a blend of ethylene or propylene glycol and water – can function over a temperature range of −34°F to +265°F. Other additives in the coolant help to inhibit corrosion of metal parts and lubricate the water pump.

 

Over time, coolant degrades due to the limited lifespan of the corrosion inhibitors and exposure to all that heat. Without the corrosion inhibitors, scale builds up and restricts flow in the cooling passages, heater core and radiator tubes. When this happens, leaks can develop, temperatures can climb and internal engine components, including the head gasket, can be damaged, leading to very expensive repairs.

 

A failed head gasket can easily cost thousands of dollars, and potentially much more while periodic cooling system flushes are cheap by comparison. The traditional glycol-based coolants used in many cars and trucks should be replaced according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, often about every two years or 30,000 miles. These coolants are easily identified by the fluorescent green or blue dye that is added to make it easier to identify leaks and spills. Many modern vehicles use newer, long life coolants that are designed to last five years or 150,000 miles. These coolants are usually orange or red, and should never be mixed with green coolants. Although the coolant itself lasts longer, these systems should still be checked and maintained regularly, according to the schedule in your owner’s manual.

 

The first step of cooling system maintenance is a pressure check. In order to raise the boiling point of the coolant above 250°F, all modern vehicles use pressurized systems. With the engine off and cold, a test device can pressurize the cooling system to check for leaks. The pressure ratings vary for different vehicles, but if the pressure holds steady at the recommended level, the system should be free of leaks. The pressure cap itself should also be tested to ensure that it holds and releases at the rated pressure. If it releases at too low a pressure, the coolant can boil while excessive pressure can cause hoses or gaskets to burst. Your dealer’s service department has the tools and the expertise to complete these tests quickly and accurately.

 

The rubber hoses that transfer coolant between the engine, radiator and heater core should also be inspected for cracks or bulges. The belt that drives the water pump and in some cases the fan should also be checked for cracks or stretching. Problematic hoses or belts should be replaced immediately. The front side of the radiator should also be carefully cleaned to remove the dead bugs and other road dirt that inevitably build up during driving. A thermostat in the system controls the flow of coolant between the engine and radiator and should be checked and replaced if it doesn’t open at the correct temperature.

 

The freezing and boiling points of the coolant can also be checked by testing the specific gravity. Using a special tool, coolant can be drawn out of the engine and tested. If the freezing point is too high, the coolant should be replaced. 

 

The coolant is drained using a plug on the radiator, although some vehicles also have a secondary drain on the engine block as well. Drained coolant should always be properly disposed of and never dumped in a sewer or waterway. The sweet smelling glycol is attractive to many animals, but it is toxic. After draining, the system should be thoroughly flushed with water until it runs clear and free of the color of the coolant. The flushing should be done in the reverse of the usual flow direction to help to loosen and remove any scale or other contaminants that have built up. 

 

After closing up all the drains, the system should be refilled with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water. With the radiator pressure cap still off, the engine should be run with the fresh coolant for about 10 to 15 minutes to bleed any air out of the system. Air in the cooling passages will limit the pressure, which will lower the boiling point and potentially cause damaging hotspots in the engine. During this bleed procedure, the interior heating system should also be turned on high to ensure that air is forced out. Once it has been bled, the system should be topped off with coolant mixture, typically through the reserve tank, and the pressure cap should be reinstalled.

 

Besides having the specific tools, experience and knowledge necessary to maintain your vehicle properly, our dealership’s service department will collect used coolant and send it to a recycling facility for reprocessing. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, service and parts personnel at our dealership can answer your questions and help you get the job done right.

Hours:   Monday-Friday: 7:00am to 5:30pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday

Call Us: (888) 294-9979

 

 

Thanksgiving Day Safety Tips

Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings friends and family together to share a good meal, conversation and laughter. But Thanksgiving also comes with several health hazards, including an increased chance of fires, food poisoning and choking. Take a few minutes to review these Thanksgiving Day safety tips, and enjoy the holiday without worry.

1.                            Fire

The U.S. Fire Administration reports that, on Thanksgiving Day, more than 4,000 fires occur. The average number of cooking fires doubles on the holiday. In addition to installing a fire detector in the kitchen, there are several easy ways to avoid fires:

Don’t leave the kitchen while frying and grilling. Use a timer and do kitchen checks when simmering, baking, broiling and roasting. If deep frying a turkey, keep the fryer outside, away from walls, fences and other structures. Also, keep the fryer away from moisture to avoid burns from steam and spattering oil.

Keep pot holders and food wrappers 3 feet away from the stove or other hot surfaces. Kids should stay 3 feet away too. Make sure the handles of pots and pans are facing inward. Avoid loose clothes, especially those with long sleeves, while cooking. And make sure all candles and smoking materials are put out after the guests leave.

2.                         Turkey

Eating undercooked turkey is another Thanksgiving health problem. If a turkey is thawed at a temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, salmonella or other bacteria that cause food poisoning can grow.

Safely cooking a turkey starts with correct defrosting. There are three methods for safe defrosting. The turkey can be thawed in the refrigerator—one day for every 5 lbs. of the bird. The turkey can be submerged in water if it is in leak-proof packaging—30 minutes for every pound. The water should be changed every half hour. It’s also safe to defrost a turkey in a microwave. Remove any packaging and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

With all three methods it’s important to cook the turkey immediately after thawing. Don’t slow cook or partially cook the turkey, and check the temperature with a meat thermometer to determine if it’s done. Even if the turkey came with a pop-up thermometer, it’s necessary to check the innermost part of the thigh and wing, and the thickest part of the breast. The turkey needs to be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (and the stuffing, too).

Let the turkey rest before carving. This gives the juices time to set.

3.                          Choking

The most common cause of choking is talking while eating. If a person is unable to cough, breathe or speak, the first thing to do is call 911. Next, the Red Cross recommends a technique called FIVE-and-FIVE for choking victims.

The first step is giving the choking victim five sharp blows on the back, using the heel of the hand. If the obstruction is not dislodged by this move, the next step is to give the victim five quick, upward abdominal thrusts.

Some people run from the table when they start choking. It’s important to stay with other people so they can give assistance. If the victim is alone, he can give himself the five abdominal thrusts using his hand or by pressing his abdomen firmly against the back of a chair.

4.                          Leftovers

Eating Thanksgiving leftovers that have been improperly stored can also lead to food poisoning. Leftovers need to be put away within two hours after serving the food. (This includes pumpkin pie.) They go in the refrigerator if they are going to be eaten within three days otherwise they go in the freezer. Food should be stored in shallow containers. Meat should be removed from the bone before being put away.

Reheated leftovers should be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Gravy should be brought to a vigorous boil.

5.                          Pets

Thanksgiving brings health hazards to dogs and other pets as well as humans. Don’t give turkey bones to pets.Turkeybones and other bird bones are hollow, which makes them likely to splinter. This can cause tears in an animal’s esophagus, stomach or intestines.

Fatty holiday foods, like turkey skin and gravy, can contribute to pancreatitis. More pets are brought to vets for pancreatitis after their owners have had a party or holiday dinner.

Be careful about leaving chocolate candies out (or kids dropping candy on the floor). Chocolate can cause illness and even death when dogs ingest it. In addition, dogs shouldn’t be fed grapes, raisins, onions, alcohol or anything with caffeine. It’s also important to keep the string used to tie the turkey and other food wrappings out of reach of pets.

Dogs also tend to be excited when there are lots of people in the house. When dogs are excited they often eat too quickly, and this can lead to bloating, a very dangerous condition. Feed your dogs before the guests arrive and don’t let them be too active before or after eating.

Kbb.com Reports Vehicle Manufacturers With Best Total Cost of Ownership

Audi, Kia Lead Luxury, Non-Luxury Segments with Minimal Depreciation, Low Fuel Costs

Total Cost of Ownership is developed using Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values to calculate depreciation costs.  Depreciation plays the largest role in Total Cost of Ownership, followed by the cost of fuel during the ownership period.  Kelley Blue Book calculates total ownership costs for new vehicles by applying a sophisticated valuation methodology along with critical financial data from third-party providers.  

By reviewing the Total Cost of Ownership for vehicles on their consideration list, consumers can better understand the overall financial implications associated with vehicle ownership through the initial five-year ownership period.  Kelley Blue Book’s Total Cost of Ownership features easy-to-understand charts and graphs on kbb.com to help car shoppers make informed purchase decisions by breaking down the typical ownership costs for a particular vehicle, including depreciation, expected fuel costs, insurance, maintenance and repair costs, state fees and more.  

“The average vehicle typically maintains about 30 percent of its original MSRP after five years of ownership, whereas a handful of vehicles maintain more than 45 percent after the same time period,” said Eric Ibara, director of residual value consulting for Kelley Blue Book.  ”The new Total Cost of Ownership data on kbb.com is based on Kelley Blue Book Residual Values, which are used by banks and manufacturers nationwide.”

At the brand level, Audi and Lexus currently have the lowest depreciation and best fuel economy among luxury brands, giving them an advantage in low cost of ownership at the luxury level.  In addition, Audi, Lexus and Cadillac all offer models that carry a lower MSRP compared to other luxury brands.  Combined with their entry-level vehicles, these brands stand out among their competitors for having low overall ownership cost.  Audi’s Total Cost of Ownership success is primarily driven by the A3 2.0T and A4 2.0T sedan models.  Both edge out competitors with their minimal depreciation and stellar fuel economy.  

For non-luxury brands, Kia and Hyundai have a number of successful redesigns, greatly improved quality and competitive pricing, which sets them apart from other non-luxury brands in terms of cost of ownership.  Key Kia models contributing to the brand’s low Total Cost of Ownership include the Rio, Optima and Forte.  Additionally, Honda continues to be a reliable choice with strong fuel economy and customer loyalty.  

Top Luxury Brands	Average MSRP	Average Depreciation	Average Total Cost of Ownership (Five-Year Ownership Period)
Audi	$47,506	$33,467	$68,866
Lexus	$55,273	$37,029	$73,605
Cadillac	$53,684	$40,028	$77,680

Top Non-Luxury Brands	Average MSRP	Average Depreciation	Average Total Cost of Ownership (Five-Year Ownership Period)
Kia	$21,643	$15,599	$38,884
Hyundai	$23,359	$16,688	$40,092
Honda	$26,301	$17,120	$40,862

“Kelley Blue Book’s Total Cost of Ownership gives car shoppers a realistic view of what they will spend during the initial one- to five-year ownership period, allowing them to get the most for their dollar in today’s economy,” said Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book.  ”More informative than simply having the purchase price alone, Total Cost of Ownership empowers car shoppers by including all significant costs that are part of the ownership experience.”

Kelley Blue Book’s Total Cost of Ownership launched with the redesigned kbb.com in May 2011 and is available free to consumers at www.kbb.com.  

For more information and news from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com/media/, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kelleybluebook (or @kelleybluebook), or like our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kbb. 

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry.  Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week.  The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies.  Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.

SOURCE Kelley Blue Book

Teach Kids How to Lend a Helping Hand

 

No matter where you live, you’re likely surrounded by several volunteer opportunities. In almost every city across theUnited States, there are organizations – in every field from environmental to health care to animal rescue – that rely upon the time and energy of others to promote well-being throughout their communities. Kids can especially benefit from volunteering, learning how to use their strengths to help others and make a difference.

 

Take advantage of websites that can easily connect you with volunteer opportunities in your area. Volunteer.gov, for example, is a database run by the Federal Interagency Team on Volunteerism that lets you search by keyword, state, city or agency. Another useful tool is VolunteerMatch.com where you can also search by location and keyword. The website provides information about getting students, employees and business customers to lend a helping hand.

 

Many volunteers find that their work is especially meaningful when they team up with an organization or cause close to their heart. Even young kids have specific interests and skills that they can use to help others. If they love animals, check out ASPCA.org, which has lots of information about helping local shelters in your community. Many shelters need volunteers to help walk dogs or participate in fundraising events. Older teens who enjoy working with little ones may find that tutoring is a personally rewarding experience that can also jumpstart a great career in education.

 

Kelly Palmatier, founder of the international nonprofit organization Compassionate Kids, stresses the importance of working side-by-side with your child. “Children who see their parents volunteering are much more likely to believe in the value of working to help others.” She also notes that volunteering as a family is a bonding experience, and it will let you help your child take on more complicated responsibilities that you can work on together. When choosing the right opportunity, Palmatier recommends taking the following elements into consideration: Location, frequency and duration of the work, staff attitude and your child’s interests. Find more tips at www.compassionatekids.com.

 

Volunteering helps kids learn responsibility and kindness, and often allows them to explore future career or hobby interests as well. Working side-by-side also instills a sense of teamwork and sets a great example for children of all ages.

 

Lend a helping hand at a food pantry during school vacation weeks, or spend every other Saturday at your favorite animal shelter; however you choose to take action, it won’t go unappreciated.

2012 Kia Rio5

Aggressive new styling, more power and tight handling make Kia’s all-new Rio5 subcompact great fun to drive. Plus, new efficiency-boosting tech means that athleticism doesn’t come at the expense of segment-leading mileage.

What’s New: Kia’s design shop in Irvine, Calif., overhauled the Rio’s styling from bumper to bumper in an attempt to convey power, agility and aggressiveness—qualities Kia believes will capture the attention of the young and restless. This version is also wider, longer and lower than its predecessor. The new Rio keeps the same all-aluminum 1.6-liter four-cylinder from the previous version, but adds direct fuel injection in addition to a new system called Idle Stop and Go.

Tech Tidbit: Idle Stop and Go (ISG) technology is a subtle system that improves city fuel economy up to 3 percent, according to Kia’s engineers. In certain conditions, ISG shuts off the engine when the vehicle is stationary to save gas; the power plant refires when the driver takes his foot off the brake. Algorithms and sensors ensure that ISG doesn’t engage when this feature would be more annoying than efficient, such as when you’re inching along in a traffic jam or creeping through a fast-food drive-thru lane. I didn’t even notice the first time it kicked in, which was at a toll booth; it wasn’t until I took my foot off the brake that I felt the engine turn over, and it occurred well before shoe leather traveled those few inches from brake to accelerator. Stop-and-go tech is finding its way into more and more cars, but Kia says it’s the first automaker to offer ISG in a car that’s not a hybrid or luxury vehicle.

Driving Character: The Rio5 is a subcompact, so it’s not designed to haul a quartet of basketball players cross-country in gracious comfort, but the cabin does offer decent headroom and legroom for four adults of normal height and girth. The cabin is also quieter than that of the prior version. The dashboard retains the clean, functional three-cylinder setup, and Kia designers have heeded the cry of drivers who appreciate intuitive controls: There are knobs for audio volume, cabin temperature and fan speed, and toggles on the central console for climate control, making the car’s interior a snap to suss out. With two passengers, the Rio has plenty of acceleration off the line. The steering is tight but not twitchy, and there’s only minor cornering roll. At higher speeds, you have to punch it a little more aggressively to pull out and pass, but when cruising, the 1.6-liter engine takes the car to a quiet 80 mph and above without breaking a sweat. The Kia-built six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and alert to downshifts. (A six-speed manual comes with the LX trim level.)

Favorite Detail: The 60-40 split folding rear seats—a feature that seemed especially appealing coming on the heels of a gear-laden camping trip.

Bottom Line: The Rio5 provides a lively driving experience, outstanding mileage for a nonhybrid engine, a cool exterior and an interior with the kind of high-quality design and materials that you’d expect in a larger, more expensive car. The Rio5 couldn’t look or handle less like the stodgy econoboxes of yore. It’s an excellent value at around $14,000, and you can feel virtuous about the Rio’s efficiency without sacrificing any driving fun.

Halloween Party Games for Kids

 

There has been a lot written about kids Halloween party games. Children between the ages of four to ten can be a handful especially when they are excited. So, you need to capture their energy and everyone will have more fun

Pumpkin Bowling – this is a game where you fill ten looking good bottles with stones or gravel, you can draw silly faces on them and then use a small pumpkin as the bowling ball. The child who knocks the most over wins.

Musical Headstones – use strong cardboard boxex for this one or nice plastic containers. You can decorate them with spray paint or cover them with sheets – say sevenish chairs – 8 kids, fancy Halloween music and march em around the chairs and when the music stops they all must sit down on a gravestone. The one who cannot find one is out – repeat removing a chair each time.

Ghost Hunt – or pumpkin hunt – This is like the easter egg hunt except use pumpkins or ghosts with treats. It will get the kids up and moving.

Mummy Wrap – draw straws to see who is going to be the mummy or mummies. Then have a group of kids wrap em in toilet paper – messy but what fun. Divide the kids into teams. The first team done with the best wrapped mummy wins.

Cupcake Decorating Contest. – provide the room, the cupcakes, the supplies to decorate em with and let the imaginations run wild. Then the adults get to decide who wins.

Pass the Pumpkin – pumpkins come in all sizes – or use a small gourd, ties the hands behind the back, divide the group into teams and start passing the pumpkin down each line from under the first childs chin. This ought to be fun.