Monroeville Kia Mazda

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Kia Soul, Jeep Wrangler and Chevy Cruze are among America’s hottest products in 2011

Posted by Monroeville Kia Mazda on 3:00 PM

Have you heard the news? The Kia Soul is one of the HOTTEST products of 2011! But of course we knew that already…

And we’re not just talking about the hottest selling products in the automotive industry. According to Advertising Age, the Chevrolet Cruze, Kia Soul and Jeep Wrangler are generating a lot of buzz and posting strong sales – so much so that they are among America’s hottest products in 2011, joining Dove soap, Goldfish crackers and Arizona Tea.

The publication says that the three models have been succeeding in the country with savvy marketing and a steady rebound in the U.S. light vehicle market.

Chevrolet Cruze: GM has sold more than 200,000 units of the Cruze during the first 10 months of 2011, making it GM’s hottest selling car after the Malibu, of which it sold 181,000 units in the same period.

Kia Soul: Through October, Kia sold 405,095 vehicles, with the Soul accounting for more than 85,000 of those.

Jeep Wrangler: Jeep’s overall sales have jumped a nice 44 percent this year through October to 339,526 units. The Wrangler is Jeep’s best selling model in the U.S. this year accounting for 101,820 units sold through October.

I’d say that’s something to dance about:

Kia Optima hybrid rocks with fuel economy, value and styling

Posted by Monroeville Kia Mazda on 11:00 AM

Check out this excellent review of the Kia Optima in the Phoenix Business Journal:

If you are in the market for a midsize hybrid, the Kia Optima is a must for your test-drive list.

New for 2011, the Optima benefits from its all-gas twin’s redesign, which made the Kia a player in the sedan wars with snazzy design and bang for the buck. But while the family sedan market is extremely competitive, there are only a handful of hybrids in this class.

Ford Fusion and its sibling from Lincoln have strong pull with gas mileage of 41 in the city, 36 on the highway. But the Kia checks in at 35/40 -- a little thriftier on the highway, along with its Sonata cousin over at Hyundai. And while Toyota Camry’s hybrid has fallen short in the past, its 2012 remake is expected to reach 43/39. Of course, those are only estimates, and it takes a light touch to hit the high marks.

The Optima hybrid starts at $27,250 (2011 price), including delivery fee, compared with $19,600 for the all-gas sedan, which is rated at 24/35 equipped with the 200-horsepower engine. The Fusion goes for about $1,000 more, and Toyota says the Camry will start at $27,810. Sorry, if you're thinking about federal incentives, that program for hybrids ended at the start of 2011.

Staying true to Kia’s roots, the Optima hybrid is packed with features. It comes with a full lineup of safety features, dual-zone climate control, power driver’s seat, three months of satellite radio, a push-button starter, cruise control, backup camera, fog lamps and Kia’s UVO voice-activated system.

A long chime signals when the car turns on and off – otherwise a very quiet affair. It would be nice if you could change that sound, just like with ring tones.

Our tester added the $5,000 premium technology package, making the Optima quite a swanky ride. It adds goodies such as a panoramic sunroof, navigation, and heated and cooled leather seats.

Either way, though, the interior has a neat upscale look thanks to the model’s 2011 redesign. And the new exterior lines drew lots of compliments, with the hybrid adding a few unique touches.

Optima falls on the smaller end of midsize market, but both front and backseats are comfortable with roomy surrounds. The hybrid’s batteries, however, eat up a good chunk of trunk space.

A 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine combines with an electric motor to deliver a combined 206 horsepower. The Optima isn’t particularly fast or sporty, but it does the job and you can watch your miles per gallon hover in the 30-40 range. Designers even copied Ford’s leafy display, which grows with economical driving.

Options for boosting fuel economy outside the hybrid world include the new clean-diesel cars, but the Volkswagen Passat is the only midsize entry unless you move up to luxury brands.

Or, if you downsize a bit, a number of new models -- such as the Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus -- are hitting the 40 mpg mark for highway driving. Then there is the mileage king among hybrids: the Toyota Prius, at 51/48.

Kia Optima hybrid

Midsize gas-electric sedan

Base price: $27,250

MPG range: 35/40

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: 5 of 5 stars from front crash; 5 for side impact; 5 for rollover resistance; www.safercar.gov

Web: www.kia.com

Competitors: Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, Lincoln MKZ, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry and Prius

Bottom line: A knockout in premium trim and a top contender no matter how it’s dressed.

How to Save Money with Car Maintenance

Posted by Monroeville Kia Mazda on 12:29 PM

Great tips from KiaBuzz!

It’s no secret that the golden rule of saving money with your car is to increase fuel efficiency. Follow these tips on car maintenance and you will be able to save your budget.

Lighten Your Car (Force = Mass * Acceleration)

It’s all made clear in one simple physics equation: force = mass * acceleration. One of the most important things when it comes to fuel efficiency is the weight of a car. In the manufacturing process, carmakers put a lot of efforts on reducing weight of car to achieve better fuel efficiency. See if there are any unnecessary objects inside your car that need to be taken out.

Know Your Tires

Another simple physics rule is applicable here. The higher the resistance, the lower the speed of the object. If your tires’ air pressure is too low, it creates high rotational resistance, which increases the engine’s RPM for rolling the tires. Increased RPM requires more fuel consumption. Thus, it’s important to regularly check your tires’ air pressure and make sure they have proper air pressure. To make your job easier, we suggest you to use eco tires. Eco tires are lighter than conventional tires and have lower rotational resistance. As their name implies, they are also environmentally friendly.

Besides the tire air pressure, it is also important to keep an eye on your tire condition. If you drive on cement-paved highways often, it is very likely that your tires will wear out quickly. You should take a look at your tires from time-to-time and check whether your car is ready for new ones. As a reference, you should look at the tire wear bar, which is made up of small raised blocks between the tire treads. If the surface of the tires is close to touching this tire wear bar, it means your tires are worn out. It is recommended that you change your tires in every three years or 20,000km~30,000km (Editor’s note: The replacement timing might differ depending on your driving style and road condition). Taking good care of your tires will enhance fuel efficiency! For more information on tire maintenance, check out our other blog post here.

Clean and change your air filter regularly

An air filter does exactly what it sounds like – it filters the air flowing in to the engine. If the filter is covered with dust, the amount of air flowing into the engine decreases and it makes your engine’s fuel efficiency lower. Clean your air filter regularly and replace it once a year. (Editor’s note: The official period of parts replacement might be different depending on your country. Please refer to your owner’s manual or contact close local Kia dealership.)

Clean your fuel injector

Regardless of car types, gasoline or diesel, most automobiles nowadays have a fuel injector. As fuel goes through the injector, carbon gradually gets stuck at the tip, which reduces fuel efficiency. How much it worsens the efficiency depends on the quality of the fuel, so regular check-up is necessary. For gasoline vehicles, it is good to clean the fuel injector every three years or in every 60,000 km. (Editor’s note: The official period of checking parts might be different depending on your country. Please refer to your owner’s manual or contact close local Kia dealership.)

Use eco mode, wisely

Eco mode in your car follows an Electric Control Unit program, which controls the engine and other devices. If you turn on the eco mode, the acceleration speed of your car may decrease. However, it is a good way to increase fuel efficiency if you use it wisely. If you often drive on a very crowded road, it can be very efficient to turn on the eco mode to save your money.

As you probably have noticed form the aforementioned tips, maintaining higher fuel efficiency is the key in saving your money. I hope these tips help you with your car management skills and lessen the burden on your wallet.

Pennsylvania joins states with texting-while-driving bans

Posted by Monroeville Kia Mazda on 11:00 AM

Glad to see that Pennsylvania now bans this too. Hopefully this will help keep everyone safer on the roads.

Pennsylvania on Wednesday became the 35th state to ban text messaging while driving.

Governor Tom Corbett signed legislation into law giving police the authority to charge someone caught texting while driving with a primary offense and a $50 fine.

"The urge to keep the conversation going online can cloud judgment, can make it impossible to focus on what (drivers) should be focusing on," said Corbett, who signed the bill into law at an AT&T mobile telephone store in suburban Harrisburg.

Corbett said 13,790 crashes in Pennsylvania were caused in 2010 by distracted driving, which includes more than texting. He said 1,100 of those accidents involved drivers using a handheld cell phone, and 66 people died because they were not paying attention to how they were driving.

"It's hard to argue against the fact that the most distracting thing that you can do behind the wheel is to be texting...and not paying attention to what you should be paying attention to," he said.

Pennsylvania's new law takes effect in 120 days.

It specifically prohibits all drivers from using an interactive wireless communication device to send, read or write a text-based message. Such messages include text messages, instant messages, email or other written communication, it says.

The law institutes a $50 fine for convictions.

2011 SEMA: Hyundai and Kia’s Top Five Coolest Cars

Posted by Monroeville Kia Mazda on 3:08 PM

Best in the bunch: the Kia Forte 5-Door Antenna Hockey Hatch. Yes, the hockey hatch. Perfect for you die-hard Pens fans…

It wasn’t too long ago when it was pretty much unimaginable that the Koreans could make a cool car – let alone a good car. Times have changed though, and both Hyundai and Kia have brought some of the most unique and original customs of this year’s SEMA show.

5. Kia Rio 5-Door Antenna Retro Surf

Kia focused on regional sports at this year’s SEMA show. Repping the West Coast is the Kia Rio 5-Door Antenna Retro Surf (my, is that a mouthful). The Rio5 Surf was designed for what Kia calls, “The original hipster,” surfers. As such, the Rio5 Surf features a West Coast take on the Rio. It gets a woody-themed exterior complete with a surfboard rack, and gold wheels. Inside, the surfer themed Rio gets awesome-looking plaid upholstery, and yes, even suntan lotion and sex wax holders.

4. ARK Hyundai Veloster

The ARK Hyundai Veloster is cool because it takes off-road rally racing style, to the street. ARK Performance starts with the already aggressive looking Veloster and adds an aggressive body kit, and performance decals that make it look as if this Veloster could eat you alive. Backing up the aggressive looks is a twin-scroll turbocharger bolted to the direct-injected 1.6-liter four-banger. While power is modest, at 210-hp, there’s no denying that the only thing that could make this Veloster more intimidating is a velociraptor paint job.

3. Hyundai RM500 Genesis Coupe

When Rhys Millen asks Hyundai to jump, they ask, “How high?” Two years ago Rhys Millen and his racing team, Rhys Millen Racing built a mid-engined Genesis Coupe. This year, they followed up with the RM500 Genesis Coupe. Though a bit more conservative than the mid-engined Genesis Coupe of SEMA shows past, the RM500 packs a 450-hp 5.0-liter “Tau” V-8 where one normally finds a 3.8-liter V-6. Being a race team, RMR knew it best to fit massive (15.5-inch front, 15.0-inch rear) carbon ceramic Brembo brakes to haul all that power down. To shed weight, the RMR500 also gets RMR built carbon fiber accents, trim, and diffuser.

2. Hyundai RMR 2WD Global Rally Cross Veloster

It’s hard not to love a rally car. Insanely fast, tossable, and built from a real stock car, rally cars hold a special place in an enthusiast’s heart. The Hyundai RMR 2WD Global Rally Cross Veloster is no different, even if its front wheels are tasked with turning and dragging the rest of the car along. While identical looking to the 500-hp all-wheel drive RMR Rally Cross Veloster that Hyundai debuted at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, the 2WD Veloster shown here produces a more modest 300-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4. Rather interestingly, the RMR 2WD Global Rally Cross Veloster features a six-speed automatic transmission, instead of a sequential box normally found in a rally car. Never the less, there’s no denying the RMR 2WD Global Rally Cross Veloster is a cool ride, and one we’d love to drive.

1. Kia Forte 5-Door Antenna Hockey Hatch

The Kia Forte 5-Door Antenna Hockey Hatch might not be the fastest, or baddest ride on this list, but without a doubt it’s the most original, and the coolest. The polar opposite of the Kia Rio5 Surf, the Forte Hockey Hatch reps the Beast coast and one of its most loved sports, hockey. Having both grown up on the East Coast, and played hockey for most of my life, this was an easy choice for the number one slot. The Forte Hockey Hatch sports features that any hockey player could appreciate. For starters, inside the trunk area, the Forte Hockey Hatch gets its own locker room, with space for all your pads (save hockey pants, shoulder pads, and jock; those were conspicuously absent). The trunk also has a special pass-through for hockey sticks. Inside the cabin, the Forte Hockey hatch has water bottle, and puck holders, as well as a dry erase board, and rubber flooring so hockey dads can coach their already-dressed sons or daughters on the way to a 6 am practice. Outside, the Forte Hockey Hatch gets an aviator grey paint job, and ice blue wheels. And just in case other drivers didn’t know you were expressing your love for the world’s greatest winter sport, the Forte Hockey Hatch has hockey stick-shaped LED lights so there’s no doubt.

Kia teaches EcoDynamics

Posted by Monroeville Kia Mazda on 11:00 AM

It's awesome to see how hard Kia is working for environmental innovation.

In 2009 a new word entered the Kia lexicon: EcoDynamics. In just 11 characters it sums up Kia’s intention to continue to make cars which are fun to drive, practical, appealing and good value while reducing their impact on the environment. And with the all-new Rio it will reach a remarkable high.

EcoDynamics is a green umbrella for a wide range of technologies. Ultimately it will lead to alternative-fuel cars with zero tailpipe emissions, a process that is already well advanced. Kias with electrified drive trains will be emerging as early as 2012 and already the company has its first hybrid on sale in some markets, based on the new Optima.

But the biggest impact will come about through radical improvements to the economy and emissions of cars with petrol and diesel engines, which will continue to be the dominant power source for at least the next two decades.

More fuel-efficient cars do not come about by accident. They require huge investment in new engines, transmissions, materials and technologies. Efficiency has to be designed in from the start, so it is with the new Rio featuring an advanced three-cylinder diesel delivering up to 88.3 mpg whilst being the cleanest internal combustion engine in the world, emitting just 85g/km of CO2.

In 2008-09, when the world was reeling in the aftermath of the global banking collapse, Kia made the decision to invest heavily in a range of sleeker, lighter cars with advanced new powertrains and state-of-the-art fuel-saving technologies.

Soon afterwards the revised cee’d appeared with an Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) system to stop the engine when the car is stationary in traffic and restart it again when the driver is ready to move off. Manual versions also advise the driver of the most fuel-efficient points to upshift. These features have appeared on selected versions of almost every Kia launched since. Together, they can achieve fuel savings of 10-15%.

Every new model seems to be accompanied by the introduction of smaller and more fuel-efficient engines. The 2009 Sorento saw the arrival of the R family of turbo diesels, plus a world-class six-speed automatic transmission; the Venga featured a smaller, 1.4-litre version of Kia’s European-made U2 diesel; for the Sportage, a 1.7-litre U2 diesel was added plus Kia’s first direct-injection petrol engine – a 1.6 belonging to the Gamma family; and the latest Picanto has new 1.0- and 1.25-litre Kappa family engines. A turbocharged version of the 1.0 was displayed at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, and is scheduled to start appearing in various models in 2012. And the all-new Rio has a 1.1 CRDi engine capable of 85g/km CO2. In every case, lower CO2 emissions have been achieved at the same time as greater performance.

Gasoline direct-injection (GDi) petrol engines will continue this process. The recently launched Soul facelift has a 1.6 GDi engine with increased power output and better emissions. The Optima, a car which has yet to come to the UK, was introduced in the USA with a 2.0-litre GDi turbo engine delivering V6 performance without the fuel penalty. It is only a start to what Kia has in mind.

Kia is also working on a double-clutch transmission to deliver the convenience of an automatic with even better fuel economy than a manual. And it has developed its own continuously variable transmission for hybrid vehicles, which is cutting fuel consumption by 7% compared with a conventional automatic.

The company has set itself the target of making its entire range 10% lighter by 2015, which would bring about a 3.2% reduction in fuel consumption. Lightweight materials will replace steel where it is feasible, and the number of parts will be reduced. The kind of detailed thinking that Kia designers are applying is seen to good effect in the case for the air conditioning unit in the Optima. It is made of glass bubbles rather than polypropylene and is therefore 10% lighter.

An Active Eco system that deters unnecessary acceleration by restricting engine torque in certain circumstances is under development, as is a Smart Cruise Control that can brake and accelerate the car as well as maintain a set speed. Both are showing promising fuel consumption improvements.

And just to show that fuel-saving need not be po-faced, Kia’s engineers have developed a system that rates how efficiently you are driving on a scale of zero to eight. Reach eight and a flower symbol appears on the dashboard. Maintain that over a period of time and the flower becomes a bouquet.

Photo from http://www.kiamotors.com/experience-kia/environment/eco-dynamics.aspx

Fact or Fiction? 10 Car Myths Debunked

Posted by Monroeville Kia Mazda on 4:30 PM

Does turning on your car’s heater really lower engine temperature? Do you really save fuel by letting your engine idle? Read on for the answers to these questions and more!

“Automotive myths have been around since the days of Henry Ford and the Model T. Some have a splinter of truth in them, but most are pure nonsense. The editors of MSN Autos have assembled 10 gems and shot them down like clay pigeons at a professional skeet-shooting exhibition.

Myth 1: Red cars get more speeding tickets.

Debunked: While they're radiant and retina-shocking, red cars are not more likely to get a speeding ticket, according to the Insurance Information Institute and Insurance Trade Association. This myth is based on an optical illusion: a red car looks as if it is going faster than it is because red is an aggressive color. But a radar gun is color-blind. The only way to avoid a speeding ticket is not to speed. If you have no self-control (we don't either), here are a couple of nifty tips to avoid being nailed by Smokey on your next trip: (1) Travel in a pack of cars to avoid being singled out — let a rabbit speed ahead of you and get the ticket instead; (2) Stay in the right lane whenever possible, because many officers look to the fast lane for speeders.

Myth 2: Driving with the windows open to stay cool saves gas.

Debunked: According to Ford's Driving Skills for Life Web site, the power-robbing effect of air-conditioning compressors is less hurtful than the aerodynamic drag created by speeding down the road with the windows open, especially at highway speeds. Running the air conditioner will sacrifice a few ponies, but the turbulence caused by open windows will require more horsepower, and thus cause the vehicle to consume more fuel to maintain a steady speed. Ford's Web site recommends using the recirculation feature because it is more efficient to cool already cool air from the cabin than outside air. Another nifty tip is to run the vent/fan setting once the cabin cools down.

Myth 3: Letting an engine idle saves fuel.

Debunked: This one may have rung true when carburetors ruled the roost, but not now that fuel injection is the norm. Start-up in most modern vehicles is lean and efficient, and the longer the interval between shutdown and start-up, the greater the fuel savings. Engine-off strategies are prevalent in hybrids for a reason: they improve mileage. Even the all-gasoline 2012 Maserati Quattroporte will be using start-stop technology to improve its fuel efficiency.

Myth 4: Hybrid batteries won’t last.

Debunked: Doubters were quick to question the longevity of hybrid battery cells and cite their substantial replacement cost to scare people away from these green machines. Check the warranty card. Manufacturers are offering warranties that start at 80,000 miles and go up from there. Furthermore, the federal government tested battery packs up to 160,000 miles and experienced no issues. Hybrid taxicabs have reported 200,000-plus miles without the need for a battery replacement.

Myth 5: Engine warm-up is important to longevity.

Debunked: There is no need to sit in the garage or driveway and let your engine warm to normal operating temperature before venturing on your way. Sure, a short warm-up period is smart — about as long as it takes to secure your seat belt, check your mirrors and adjust the stereo — then put it in gear and go. The idea is to warm up the engine on the road by driving conservatively until the temperature dial is in the normal range; then you can lean on the throttle as needed.”

Read about the other 5 myths at http://editorial.autos.msn.com/listarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=1155168