The Evolution of Kia: From Humble Beginnings to Automotive Excellence

If you're living in or traveling to a cold-climate region during winter, you should take measures to keep your vehicle in good condition and stay safe on the road. Extreme cold can pose challenges for your vehicle, while slippery roads and poor visibility can increase your risk of accidents. Follow these tips to protect yourself, your family, and your vehicle this winter. Refill or Replace All Fluids Whether you prefer to do regular maintenance yourself or take your car to an auto shop, it's essential to check your fluid levels. There are basically three types of fluids you need to check: coolant, engine oil, and wiper fluid. Make sure you have the right mixture of antifreeze and water to prevent the fluid in the radiator from freezing. You can find information on the mixture in your owner's manual. Some mechanics recommend using a thinner engine oil if you live in an area where temperatures fall below freezing. However, the best thing to do is to talk to more your regular mechanic or consult your owner's manual. Wiper fluid is often overlooked, but it serves the important purpose of improving visibility on the road. Use freeze-resistant fluid to keep your windshield clean and clear. Check or Replace All Tires Low tire pressure and worn tires can reduce traction on wet and slippery roads. Check the air pressure in your tires and inflate them to the recommended PSI in your owner's manual. If your tires have less than 2/32 inch of tread, it's time to place them. Also, consider snow tires instead of all-season tires if you're residing in a place with a lot of snowfall. Make sure you change all four tires because a mix of winter and summer tires can do damage to your vehicle. Inspect the Battery Cold weather not only makes it harder to start your engine, it also reduces your battery capacity. To ensure that your vehicle will be ready for winter, you need to thoroughly inspect your battery, including its terminals, cables, and fluid. Check the battery terminals for loose connections and the cables for breaks and cracks. You can find out if you have enough battery fluid by opening one or more refill holes. If the fluid level is lower than the bottom of the cap, you need to refill with distilled water. In addition, check the level of charge remaining in your battery. Some batteries come with a built-in hydrometer eye that shows the amount of voltage left in them. If your battery doesn't have this feature, you can use a handheld hydrometer instead. Besides winterizing your vehicle, you should also pack an emergency kit so that you'll always be prepared for unexpected situations. The kit should include road flares, jack, lug wrench, flashlight, first-aid kit, small shovel, ice scraper, extra coolant, leather gloves, blanket, and snacks. Getting your vehicle ready for winter can help you avoid unnecessary hassle and costs and keep you and your family safe on the road.

Buyers of compact sedans usually look for cars that are reliable and affordable. The 2018 Kia Rio not only meets these expectations; it's also fun to drive, comfortable, and fuel-efficient enough to serve as a daily ride. In addition, it offers a charming exterior, refined interior, advanced tech features, and much more. Check out the most notable features of the 2018 Kia Rio. Captivating Styling Most compact sedans on the market feature dull and conservative styling, but the 2018 Kia Rio is different. It boasts a bold and stylish exterior with its Euro-inspired styling and aerodynamic, well-sculpted silhouette. Its signature Kia tiger-nose grille makes it easily recognizable, while its wide footprint, athletic stance, large lower grille, and available 15-inch split-spoke alloy wheels add a touch of sportiness. This car also features a dashing rear fascia with eye-catching taillights and a performance-inspired rear bumper. more Comfortable and Refined Interior The 2018 Kia Rio can seat five people comfortably, offering 38.9 inches of headroom and 42.1 inches of legroom in the front row and 37.4 inches of headroom and 33.5 inches of legroom in the back row. Even tall passengers will be able to sit upright in both rows without feeling cramped. The seats are body contoured and well-cushioned for optimal support and comfort. The cabin also looks and feels refined with high-quality materials, especially if you opt for the red partial leather trim in an EX model. If you need to carry a lot of stuff regularly, you'll appreciate the car's large cargo space. It has a 13.7-cubic-foot trunk that can be extended by folding the rear seats. Great Driving Dynamics The 2018 Kia Rio gets its power from a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter inline-four rated at 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque. This engine gives it enough power for most driving situations. Also, the car has a well-balanced chassis, a wide footprint, and a low center of gravity. As a result, it feels stable at high speeds, around corners, and over rough surfaces. Weighing just 2,714 pounds, it's agile and easy to maneuver in close quarters, making it an ideal car for driving in the city. Its maneuverability is further enhanced by a motor-driven power-steering system. Impressive Fuel-Efficiency The Kia Rio utilizes fuel-economy-enhancing technologies such as gasoline direct injection and dual continuously variable valve timing. When equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, it can achieve fuel economy ratings of 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Due to its excellent fuel efficiency, it has a lower cost of ownership than many of its rivals. The 2018 Kia Rio is offered in LX, S, and EX trim levels. Besides great ride quality, comfort, and fuel economy, the car also offers a wealth of tech and safety features. Its competitive starting price makes it a compelling choice for buyers who want great value for their money. If you want to know which 2018 Kia Rio trim level best suits your needs. don't hesitate to schedule a test drive. Image via kia.com

Trick or treating is a serious event for parents, especially if you have very young children that are going to go trick or treating this year. The days of just walking around the neighborhood are over, and it can be a lengthy event to gather candy on Halloween. That's why you need a comfortable vehicle that will make the whole night easier. Kia has several models that are great for trips like trick or treating. Here is a look at the best Kia models to trick or treat in. Kia Soul EV If you are planning to stay relatively close to home, then the Kia Soul EV is a good option. Since it is an electric vehicle, you won't have to worry about running out of gas. It is also better for kids since it doesn't put out emissions. That way, you're not blasting fumes at all of the kids walking around. The Soul EV is also quieter, which makes it easier to observe everything without getting out of the car. The Soul EV has plenty of storage space for all of the loot that your kids bring back too. more Kia Rio If you are traveling in a small group, then consider taking the Kia Rio. It is highly affordable and provides some of the best value when it comes to short trips. It is comfortable on the inside making it a great option from which to watch trick or treaters. It also has a sizable trunk for holding hoards of candy. If you need to travel a bit, then you'll appreciate the Rio's gas mileage. Kia Sportage The Kia Sportage is bigger than the other options on this list, which is great for families that expect to get a lot of candy. The Kia Sportage is equipped with the latest connectivity systems including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth. That way, you can stay in touch with the people that matter without taking your eyes off of the kids or the road. Kia Sedona Another great option is the Kia Sedona, especially if you're the designated group driver. You can fit up to eight people in the Sedona, which means you can take the kids and give your parent friends some time off. The Sedona is equipped with the latest safety features available from Kia. These include active safety systems like a forward collision warning system that can help you watch for small trick or treaters. Getting everyone and everything in and out is easy with a powered liftgate and sliding doors. Kia has plenty of options to choose from when it comes to making trick or treating easier. Visit your nearest Kia dealership to see what is available. Regardless of what vehicle you choose, always remember to be vigilant will trick or treating. Small trick or treaters can easily get in harm's way if you're not careful. So put in extra attention and caution as you drive and trick or treat. Image via Flickr by JayUny /Under use by CC BY-SA 2.0