Kia maintenance tips
Keeping your Kia in good working condition is essential if you want it to have a long life. After all, cars can have an adverse impact on your wallet if you don’t take good care of them. Regular maintenance of you Kia allows you to ensure that it stays in good condition and to quickly identify issues before they evolve into serious problems.
Is Kia a high maintenance car?
Although Kias used to have a bad reputation when it came to maintenance issues, they have improved greatly in recent years, and are now considered extremely reliable cars. Their above-average reliability is extremely beneficial for younger drivers,who don’t have the money to invest in expensive auto service appointments. As with all cars, as long as you develop good maintenance habits, and keep your Kia in good working condition, you are unlikely to encounter serious maintenance issues.
What are the benefits of getting regular Kia maintenance?
The Kia maintenance plan is one of the best in the industry. This is largely due to the warranty Kia offers. Kia’s 7-year plan is one that rivals most other car brand warranties, as it provides full coverage on all Kia models for a full seven years after purchase, or until you hit 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Kia also offers a maintenance-specific plan. This plan operates at different levels. You can buy a one-year plan, or go all the way and opt for a 6-year plan, depending on your needs. The plan includes two annual services for your vehicle, which are performed by Kia-trained technicians.
Maintenance tips to keep your car running smoothly
How often does a Kia need to be serviced?
Kia factory-recommended maintenance services should be carried out every 12 months. If you bought your Kia directly from a Kia dealership, they will schedule your service every year, beginning with 12 months from the date you bought the car. If for any reason you miss your appointment, Kia will reschedule to compensate.
How do you maintain a Kia?
Servicing costs can rack up quickly, which is why it’s important that you keep your car in good working condition. Below are expert tips to maintain your Kia.
Rust-Proofing
Regular rustproofing of your vehicle is an essential part of car maintenance. However, service packages don’t usually include this service. Unfortunately, rust can have serious consequences for your vehicle, especially if you live in an area such as Quebec where the weather speeds up the rust process. If your Kia’s body rusts, it will affect its aesthetic, but it can also seriously damage key components of your car such as the exhaust system, suspension, and gas tank. If these are damaged by rust, you will end up forking out large sums of money to have the damage repaired.
Manage your oil and coolant levels
A lot of essential parts of your car lie underneath your bonnet. Popping it open every now and again will give you access to these important internal elements. Of particular interest is the engine oil, which needs to be checked regularly. Luckily, checking your oil is easy.
All you need to do is wait till the engine has cooled to pull out the dipstick, clean it, and put it back in. If your oil level is below the line, you need to fill it back up. You should also pay attention to your coolant levels. These are as important as your oil levels. All you have to do is find the expansion tank and check the maximum and minimum marks. If the levels are not right, adding antifreeze will fix the problem.
Check your tires
You should also pay attention to your tires. You can begin by checking their air pressure. With the heavy load that is placed on tires every day, there can be a reduction of pressure inside. This occurs even more during the winter. As a result, you should increase the air in your tires at this time of year. Moreover, if you want to extend the life of your Kia tires, regular tire rotations are a necessity. Every 6,000 to 8,000 miles you need to take your tires off your car and rotate them 180 degrees.
Change your engine oil and oil filter
Engine oil replacement and oil filter replacement are essential if you want a smooth-running engine. Since it’s the oil that keeps everything running in your car, if you have a problem with it or the filter, your car could stop running completely.
Here’s how to change your oil and filter in four easy steps:
- Drain the oil
- Loosen the oil filter with a filter wrench and remove it
- Add new engine oil (make sure that you have the right kind of oil for your car make and model)
- Recycle your oil by giving it to your local service mechanics
Routine maintenance services
Scheduling services once a year at your local service center will ensure that your car gets a thorough check. Professionals will be able to detect early signs of problems that you might not.
Kia factory maintenance services will:
- Change your oil
- Replace oil filters
- Inspect wiring
- Conduct visual checks of all components
- Perform brake service
Rust protection services
If you want to ensure that your Kia is going to last as long as possible, you need to regularly rustproof it. Antirouille Champlain’s certified anti-rust treatments provide maximum protection to your vehicle:
Original treatment
- Penetrates the smallest parts of your vehicle
- Does not flow
- Slows down the rusting process
- Not soluble in water
- Won’t dry out
- Safe for rubbers and electrical components
- 10-year warranty on the body, provided that the same Original treatment is performed every year
Sentinelle treatment
- All the benefits of the Original treatment
- Eco-friendly rust remover based on calcium sulfonate wax
- Better abrasion resistance
- 10-year warranty on the body, if followed by an Original treatment each year