Fox Kia Blog

 

Routine Maintenance and Service

The easiest way to start 2019 off on the right foot is to make sure you have all of your Kia routine maintenance and service that it needs. One easy way to make sure that you prevent major repairs down the line, is to make sure you take care of your Kia car or SUV on a regular basis. Things like oil changes, tire rotations, battery service, inspections, and brake service are all things that will help make sure that you make the most of your Kia in Caledonia.

No matter if you have a new…

The school season is about to begin. That means a lot of driving to the school from home and back. You will want to make sure your vehicle is in excellent condition before the school season swings into full gear. Here are some tips.

Stay on top of your basic maintenance schedule. Do things like oil changes, tire rotations, tire replacements, and be sure to check your fluid levels. These things will help prevent major problems from occurring on the road and make your vehicle more comfortable to drive.

It is a good idea to perform the manufacturer recommended service…

On cars and trucks with disc brakes, the calipers and rotor create a lot of friction. Brake pads absorb that friction. Over time, the brake pads wear out because of all that friction. They wear out faster if you do a lot of city driving, which involves plenty of starting and stopping in traffic and at stoplights.

There are many different types of brake pads. Heavy trucks and sport utility vehicles usually have ceramic brake pads. Semi-metallic pads are used on most minivans and cars. When it is time to replace your brake pads, make...

 

Our crew at Fox Kia in Grand Rapids wants to pass along some important information concerning the tires on your vehicle. Don't let the name all-season tires fool you into thinking they are the best choice for the warmer months. Summer tires will actually help with car handling, braking, and cornering too.

The all-season tires have numerous grooves in the tread, something you'll see less of with the summer tires. The reason being is you want more tread on the road in the summer to help shorten braking distance and improve handling.

 

When you are driving on the streets of Grand Rapids, you are sure to encounter some rough pavement conditions. If your car has a good suspension, you won't have any problems. You will still have a comfortable ride. If your shocks and struts are bad, your ride may be less than pleasant.

When you start to experience problems with your shocks, struts or other suspension parts, you will notice certain symptoms. For instance, if your vehicle bounces up and down a lot after going over a small bump, that is an indication of a suspension problem....
 

Keeping your vehicle in the best possible condition is vital for your safety, and having good brakes is at the top of the list. If you have concerns or just want to be diligent, stop in at Fox Kia in Grand Rapids and let us take a look at your brakes. We’ll give you an honest assessment and advise you accordingly.

The first step towards getting your brakes in the best possible condition is being able to recognize signs that they need work. Here are some things to watch out for.

• Unusual noises when you touch the brakes
• Brake…

Your vehicle's fuel pump is incredibly important. It ensures that your gas travels safely from your tank to the engine, and keeps your car running smoothly. Consequently, a failing fuel pump can cause quite a few problems and can end up being incredibly dangerous, especially if it fails on the road. So, what can you do to make sure that doesn't happen, and what are the signs of impending catastrophe?

There are quite a few ways to diagnose an upcoming fuel pump failure. High or low fuel pressure while your vehicle is running, a sputtering engine when you…

The cooling system that resides under the hood of your vehicle is responsible for keeping the temperature conditions in your cylinders under control. The many parts of this system all suffer from the cumulative effects of wear and tear, but at the same time, they decline at different rates. Because of this phenomenon, it can be hard to predict which part will fail and cause overheating issues at the worst possible moment.

The good news is, you can prevent many cooling system issues by giving your system regular cooling network checks. One of the best time to have your radiator…

By taking a more proactive approach to the health of the tires on your car, you will help to reduce the likelihood of serious issues if the tire pressure lights become illuminated.

• During the winter, the cold weather can cause the tire pressure to drop in each tire, setting off the indicators.
• During the summer, the heat can cause the pressure to actually increase in the tires and set off the indicators again.
• Look to see if the tires have uneven wear spots, this is also an indication that the tires could fail at high speeds.
• Make sure there is…

Brake fluid is a highly compressible hydraulic oil that resists heat buildup. Brake fluid is responsible for moving brake parts within your car. Without brake fluid, you cannot stop your vehicle.

Brake fluid comes in two formulas. The oldest on the market is glycol based. Glycol formulas have worked well for decades. Today, glycol brake fluid is used in cars that do not have ABS braking systems.

The other type of brake fluid is silicon-based. The fluid has a slicker property than the glycol formulated braking fluid. The silicon-based braking fluid was developed for the ABS.

Once you...