It’s a common question, without a common response: How often should I replace my brake pads? There is no set mileage restriction on when to change your brake pads because brake wear varies depending on several driving factors. For example, drivers who encounter more stop and go traffic will need to replace their brake pads more often than drivers who spend most of their time on the highway.

One method most drivers use to determine when to change their brake pads is sound. If you hear a screeching or metal scraping sound when you brake you need to replace your brake pads immediately. By waiting until you hear this noise when braking can cause damage to your rotors as well as other braking components.

The best way to tell when you should replace your brake pads is to visually inspect your pads. This isn’t difficult to do. First make sure the vehicle is parked in a well lit area where you will be able to kneel beside your tires comfortably. You can view the pads by looking through the outside of the wheel rims, or you may need to remove the wheel to get a better look at the brake pads. Upon inspection, if the pad depth is less than 1/4 inch thick, you are over due to replace the brake pads. If your brake pads are less than 1/8 inch thick they need to be changed immediately for your safety.

No other piece of safety equipment on your vehicle is more important than your brakes. Be sure to inspect and replace your brake pads and braking components on a regular basis to keep your vehicle running safely. If you do not feel comfortable inspecting your brake pads yourself, you can always bring your vehicle into Crown Kia for inspection.

Next generation version of popular Optima mid-size sedan

The next generation Kia Optima (also known as ‘Magentis’ in some markets) made its public world premiere at the New York International Auto Show, which opened on Friday 2 April 2010. A fresh design from the ground up, Kia’s latest generation of its popular mid-size sedan is completely transformed and embodies a bold, athletic and sporty visual energy.

Longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model, the new Optima features a significantly longer wheelbase and will offer more space for people and cargo.

The next generation Optima will go on sale at Kia dealerships in the USA and in non-European markets from Fall 2010, while sales in Europe will begin in Spring 2011.

The world premiere of the next generation Optima will take place at the Kia Stand on Level 1 of the ‘Jacob Javits Center’ located between 34-39 Streets on 11th Avenue in New York City.

Kia Motors Corporation, a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. Over 1.5 million vehicles a year are produced in 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries. Kia today has over 42,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$14.6 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World CupT. Kia Motors Corporation’s brand slogan – “The Power to Surprise” – represents the company’s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.

Source: [The Auto Channel]

What makes design a fascinating aspect of our life is the never-ending challenge of imagining and shaping our future. We constantly “live” at least three years ahead of time, because what we do today will only happen a few years later. We all like to dream, and if designing a production vehicle keeps you in the real world, a show car can actually make your dreams come true.

We were asked to imagine how a future Kia hybrid would look; not a generic hybrid, but a compact 4-door sedan with plug-in hybrid technology. Now, that is a challenge! Compact sedans are amongst the most difficult packages to work with because of the size and we knew that the “aero efficiency” of a hybrid would give us further restrictions.

Regardless, we were so excited!

The first question we asked ourselves was: why do hybrid cars have to look awkward and uninspiring? Why can’t we have something that is highly efficient and still look sexy? We knew right away that was what we wanted: to set ourselves apart from the rest, delivering a beautiful, emotional hybrid car for everyday use. Something that you wouldn’t feel embarrassed driving, but actually feel proud to be seen in.

The next step was “The Kia Way.” We wanted to this car to “scream” Kia from every angle, continuing and evolving the design direction we have taken and the great image we are building. Surface treatments, graphic lines and details… all needed to take our brand to the next level.

The fun began! We all started sketching, gathering materials, technologies, products and reviewing our work together with the interior and color and trim designers. Using the theme of “iconic efficiency” we began developing the Kia Ray: Iconic, as in the mono volume shape of the car that instantly says absolutely aerodynamic, efficiency, as in functionally effective design that saves energy. We selected a few themes to be developed 1:4 scale clay models. All the different proposals were heading in the right direction but in the end we felt that one in particular was displaying exactly the image we were looking for.

After digitally scanning the scale model, we used the data to mill a full size clay model to continue our design.

When I first started sketching I was thinking about aircrafts as a perfect combination of beautiful and dynamic design and, of course, extremely high aero efficiency. I knew that if I were able to capture that philosophy I would have had a great design for our car. I truly believe in rational and clean design, the less is more approach, where everything is there for a reason.

Functional details turn into styling elements and always give you a unique and purposeful look. The flushness of elements became very important with no exposed head/tail lamps, retractable side mirrors and a smooth seamless under body. The front fog lamps open up to let air-cooling only when the conventional engine is being used. The doors shut line characterizes the side view with cut out that ease ingress and egress and conveys a sense of precision.

The body side section has an uncommon curvature that gives the car a fuselage like appearance and increases aerodynamics. Rear fenders and spoiler slide back to improve the overall Cd at higher speed. Narrow tire width allowed us a flush wheel design.

The hexagon pattern throughout the car represents the honeycomb structure that brings extreme rigidity and lightness to the vehicle and becomes a signature theme as for the roof solar cells. Extensive use of glass surfaces was adopted in order to bring an airy and enjoyable experience as well as expose technology like the battery charge meter and the solar cells under the hood.

But, as I said, aero efficiency was not the only key for us. We wanted the car to look cool! From here, we didn’t want to compromise on elements that are more typically “road” oriented.

At the end of the day it is a car so it has to look dynamic even standing still! Beautifully crafted wheel flares and pronounced shoulders at the back give our model a great presence and stance and the front negative angle, inspired by F1 racing cars, along with the lower wing supports a sporty and forceful appearance.

An extremely sleek silhouette was a priority for us and we played the balance of volumes to achieve dynamic proportions with a slight mono volume profile. In the end, the car can accommodate four full seats retaining an almost coupe like character.

In conclusion, a lot of work went behind the design of this car and involved collaboration from each department. This is a milestone for the Kia brand, showcasing future technologies and its first dedicated hybrid vehicle with our new design philosophy. We are very proud with the final result and excited to share our efforts with all of you.

Source: [Kia Buzz]

Touch and feel the softness

An incredible amount of care and attention went into making the recently launched Kia Cadenza the automaker’s most advanced model to date. During market research into Cadenza target buyers in terms of where they go, what products they use and their preferences, we found that they do not like a conspicuous or exaggerated aesthetic. Indeed, a common trait held by target consumers is an emphasis on purchasing items for self-satisfaction and value that possess “unique luxuriousness” as a must-have quality.

The most popular colors for same-class models – namely, white, black and silver – were upgraded to form Cadenza’s exterior colors. Research focused on pigment with metallic particles to differentiate the basic colors. Our designers visited upscale hotels, boutiques and fashion shows to get a better feel for the subtle differences in hues. The results are the following three exterior colors.

Satin MetalSatin Metal was created to stress a more high-tech feel compared to conventional silver. High-brightness silver and silver pigments with large particles were mixed to recreate the impression of a mysterious, feather-light satin scarf blowing in the wind.

Platinum GraphitePlatinum Graphite was selected through market research into dark grey hues preferred by overseas customers. By using bright tone silver with fine particles, an upscale effect is achieved, as the color looks bright when seen from the front but appears darker when viewed from the side.

Snow Pearl WhiteSnow Pearl White has a sparkling and luminescent surface sheen with the substantial addition of synthetic pearl particles compared to the existing pearl white hue.

The main focus of the Cadenza’s interior was placed on discovering diverse materials to best convey an emotional tactile quality.

Cadenza Interior

For the cluster housing, we first wrapped the cluster with a new material called air-cell (shape memory double raschel) before covering it with synthetic leather. This imparts a soft touch and scratch-resistant surface. Microfiber suede is used for the headliner, pillar trim and rear package to produce a cozy feeling. Additionally, the interior is free of environmentally hazardous chromium while the anion-emitting leather seats are designed to be class leading.

While pondering how to create the “special kind of luxury” desired by target buyers, we came up with the idea of a “white package” featuring white leather trim. The first white package offered by a Korean automaker was initially unveiled through the KND-5 concept car (Seoul Motor Show 2009). The overwhelmingly positive response shown by local and overseas consumers led to the decision to offer the white package on the mass-produced Cadenza.

White Package

The duty of a designer is to create a reliable product that offers both style and function to consumers. The high-end natural leather (NAPPA) used on the seats, door center trim and console armrest was treated for anti-fouling. Owners are also provided with a leather care kit (cleaner and conditioner), dispelling fears about the white package becoming dirty quickly and delivering customer delight at the same time.

The die has been cast and the countdown has begun. Cadenza will spark a surge of interest and excitement due to the generous applications of new technologies and materials. We hope that customers will be able to enjoy their Cadenza experience with all five senses.

Source: [Kia Buzz]

- Ceremony attended by some 500 VIPS from Korea and the U.S.
- All-new Sorento CUV entered mass production in November 2009
- KMMG plans to nearly double employment by the end of year

Officials with Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), Inc. were joined by dignitaries from the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, the State of Georgia, local city and county officials to celebrate the official grand opening of Kia’s first-ever U.S. automobile manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, capable of producing 300,000 cars annually for the North American and global markets.

The ceremony was attended by approximately 500 VIPs from Korea and the U.S., including Chairman of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group Mong-Koo Chung; Group President and CEO of KMMG and Kia Motors America (KMA) Byung-Mo Ahn; Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue; and a number of other high-ranking Korean government and State of Georgia officials.

“Kia is proud to call West Point, Georgia home and we look forward to many years of growing together,” said Ahn. “Continued diligent work has helped elevate Kia to one of the fastest growing automobile brands around the globe. With the successful launch of the 2011 Kia Sorento CUV and establishment of our first manufacturing plant in the United States, the Kia brand is well positioned for further growth and to become a worldwide leader in quality and innovation.”

Representing a $1 billion investment by Kia Motors Corporation, the sprawling, new 2.2 million-square-foot (204,000 meter-squared) automobile manufacturing plant is situated on more than 2,200 acres of land.  MMG consists of four main shops: stamping, welding, paint and assembly. The site also includes a transmission shop, module shop and a two-mile test track where every vehicle produced by KMMG will be thoroughly tested. KMMG’s general assembly area is outfitted with more than a half mile of height-adjustable conveyors to achieve the most favorable installation position for each team member and reduce physical fatigue. It is outfitted with wood flooring, which provides a more comfortable and forgiving work environment for team members.

KMMG’s cutting-edge technology ensures high productivity and high efficiency for each process. The stamping press delivers 5,400 tons of pressure and an automatic panel loading system; the fully automated welding shop boasts 242 welding robots; the paint shop uses eco-friendly, water-soluble coatings; and various systems are in place to keep inventory to a minimum via timely parts delivery.

Another highlight is the real-time processing & control system (RPCS), which feeds parts to the production line. It includes a digital signboard enabling timely and appropriate supply of parts via connection to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, which contains all production data. RPCS also minimizes inventory in the parts warehouse by matching the flow on the production line.

KMMG also features a railway system within the grounds to facilitate transportation. Parts and finished cars are transported into and out of the site via roads and railway in the vicinity.

Governor Perdue noted today’s event meant the continuation of a mutually beneficial partnership between the State of Georgia and Kia that will mean many great things for the State in years to come.

“This is a momentous day for Georgia as Kia Motors has brought thousands of new jobs to this area, and is truly delivering as a tremendous corporate citizen,” said Governor Perdue. “We value our relationship with Kia and pledge to continue providing specialized training through the Kia Georgia Training Center that will guarantee a quality workforce and the future success of this plant in Georgia.”

The massive Kia automobile manufacturing plant and its supplier companies have already provided thousands of jobs. KMMG currently employs more than 1,200 team members and is expected to nearly double that number by the end of the year, while onsite and nearby suppliers will create up to 7,500 additional jobs in the region.

Mass production of the all-new 2011 Kia Sorento CUV began on Nov. 16, 2009 with the product officially going on sale in the U.S. in January of this year. Selling 7,398 units in its first month, the 2011 Sorento was Kia’s best-selling vehicle in January.

“The outstanding early performance of the first vehicle produced from our West Point, Georgia plant is a significant achievement for KMMG, KMA and the Kia brand as a whole,” said Ahn. “As we grow we will continue to expand our line of vehicles here and abroad while staying true to the Kia brand tenets of value, quality, safety and technology; and KMMG will play a prominent role in achieving our goals.”

Despite the industry downturn amid the global recession, Kia Motors’ car sales in the US grew by 9.8% over the previous year to 300,063 units in 2009. Kia aims to increase sales by 15.6% to 347,000 vehicles in 2010.

Source: [Southern Sales Group]

Hi everyone, I’m Ken Kim and I head the Business Strategy Office at Kia Motors. It’s a thrill for me to be able to speak to bloggers around the world through Kia BUZZ.

Recently I came across an interesting study. Students at Stanford University were asked how they would feel if Apple were to go bankrupt tomorrow. The majority of respondents answered they would feel very sad. On the other hand, when asked the same question about another company – and I won’t actually name that company here – the students said they wouldn’t feel much at all or that they didn’t care. The study is simple but clearly reveals a fact: Apple’s biggest asset is the devotion and attachment of its customers. Apple is a ‘Love Mark’ that receives a great deal of affection from customers. I am very envious of Apple and its ability to make a strong emotional connection with customers. From a company’s point of view, we all want to be regarded as special to customers and have an emotional connection. Kia Motors is no different. That’s why we’ve selected ‘design’ as our medium of communication. We are using design to provide customers with unique value and an unforgettable automobile experience.

Until recently, Kia was unable to provide customers with any distinctive feeling. We often heard that Kia was an ordinary run of the mill brand with no unique character of its own. However, this perception began to change after Peter Schreyer, one of the world’s three most famous car designers, joined Kia Motors in 2006 as Chief Design Officer (CDO) and we began building an independent global design network spanning North America, Europe and Korea.

Our efforts began producing visible results in 2008, when cars carrying Kia’s unique design DNA began rolling out. The family look, evident in the radiator grille seen first in the Magentis (Optima), then Cerato (Forte), Soul, Koup and Sorento, enabled the vehicles to be easily recognizable as Kia cars.

Fortunately, customers have been warmly receptive of these initiatives. In 2009, the new concept CUV Soul and Venga, a strategic model for the European market, won the prestigious red dot and iF design awards respectively, which was a first for a Korean automaker. CNN also reported in October 2009 that Kia Motors had shifted gears from being a ‘normal’ brand into a ‘good and attractive’ brand. Thanks to our attempts at change and the positive market feedback, Kia Motors posted its best ever business results in 2009. We’re delighted that the momentum seems to be continuing in 2010, as just days ago the Kia Venga received the red dot Winner award.

Kia is taking the first steps toward becoming your ‘Love Mark.’ What’s your most cherished brand? Apple? Harley Davidson? Coca-Cola? All of us here at Kia have a dream, and that’s to become a special brand that evokes positive emotions in our customers. Our dream is to become a ‘Love Mark’.

Source: [Kia Buzz]

Spaying is a procedure few of us question. This year alone, thousands of female dogs will undergo the hysterectomy operation, which removes the ovaries and uterus. Chances are your own pet has already undergone these removals.

A groundbreaking new study, however, may change the way we view this common surgery.

Longevity and Ovaries Linked

Women tend to live longer than men do, but did you know this life span edge holds true for female dogs too? “Like women, female dogs in our study had a distinct survival advantage over males,” according to project leader Dr. David Waters, Ph.D., a veterinarian, director of the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation and associate director of Purdue University’s Center on Aging and the Life Course.

Nevertheless, female dogs do not always reach the same age. That became obvious when Waters and his team studied information on the oldest living pet dogs in the United States. (Data on these canine seniors is tracked by the Center for Exceptional Longevity Studies.) Waters had a nagging suspicion: “We think that ovaries are part of a system that impacts longevity and perhaps the rate of aging.”

To test out the theory, Waters, who is also a professor in the department of veterinary clinical sciences at Purdue, and his team analyzed 119 rottweiler “centenarians,” which were elderly dogs that survived to 13 years. That’s 30 percent longer than the life span of most breed members. “We found that female rottweilers that kept their ovaries for at least six years were four times more likely to reach exceptional longevity compared to females who had the shortest lifetime ovary exposure.”

Yet another study, on more than 29,000 women, came to a similar conclusion. Dr. William Parker of the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, Calif., led that research. “For the last 35 years, most doctors have been routinely advising women undergoing hysterectomy to have their ovaries removed to prevent ovarian cancer,” he said. “We believe that such an automatic recommendation is no longer warranted.”

Important to Weigh the Pros and Cons

When it comes to longevity, Waters, Parker and their colleagues believe it’s worth it for a female to keep her ovaries. Women who retain their ovaries for at least 50 years often live longer than women who don’t, according to the new findings. For dogs, the comparable age for keeping the ovaries intact, at least for large breeds like rottweilers, is about 6 or 7 years.

Waters is quick to point out that all women and dog owners should weigh the pros and cons of keeping ovaries and should initiate an informed discussion on the upside and downside with their doctor and their pet’s veterinarian.

The Benefits of Spaying

Linda Lasky, a registered veterinary technician at Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, Calif., said she is not aware of any veterinary hospital that performs a partial hysterectomy on dogs. Owners must therefore choose between three options:

1.    Do not have the dog spayed.

2.    Spay the dog after she is at least 6 years old.
3.    Spay the dog before she reaches puberty, which is the commonly accepted practice.

Lasky strongly recommends the third option, which she said helps prevent two potentially fatal health problems: mammary tumors and pyometra, a canine uterine infection. Spaying also prevents certain behavioral problems related to dogs going into heat. The most obvious benefit of spaying is that it curbs canine overpopulation.

Other Ways of Extending Your Dog’s Life

Through his Gerontology Training Program for DVMs, Waters works with veterinarians to address the findings about ovaries and other longevity matters. He says participants in the program also “emerge as effective educators of pet owners on issues pertaining to lifestyle choices that promote healthy longevity.”

Lasky agrees that lifestyle choices, such as what owners feed their dogs and how they care for them, can also make a huge difference in the quality and length of their pets’ lives. Over the years, she’s noticed that “companion animals are living longer and longer” due to improved medical help, quality nutrition, and love and care provided by owners. Therefore, while retention of ovaries remains a hotly debated issue, spayed dogs may still have a chance at earning a coveted spot in the oldest canines database at the Center for Exceptional Longevity Studies.

Source: [My FOX Atlanta]

Typical, isn’t it? You’re flying between cook top and cutting board, prepping dinner while the kids finish homework. In a moment of distraction, you grab a scorching saucepan handle or slice the tip of your finger with a paring knife … or the budding young chef in your family does. Whatever the kitchen slipup, chances are the remedy is within arm’s reach, says Dr. Jennifer Avegno, an emergency medicine specialist at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Here, her advice for treating everyday kitchen injuries.

1. Cuts
Food prep simply can’t happen without a sharp knife or two, not to mention a cheese grater or potato peeler – hence the packet of plastic bandages in every cook’s cabinet. In the event of a cut or abrasion, run plenty of tap water over the wound to rinse out dirt and bacteria — the source of infection — that may have been on the instrument or your skin. (Don’t use hydrogen peroxide: The solution kills contamination but can also destroy the clotting and healing cells the blood carries to the wound). Bleeding will likely stop on its own. If not, apply gentle but steady pressure to the cut with a clean cloth or bandage and keep the wound elevated. After bleeding stops, apply antibacterial ointment, and bandage the cut securely. Seek medical attention if the cut is deep, you can’t get dirt out of the wound or blood spurts from the wound or continues to flow after applying steady pressure for more than five to 10 minutes.

Watch out for swelling or redness. The wound could be infected. See a doctor as soon as possible.

2. Small Burns
We’ve all touched the back of our hand to an oven’s heating element, accidentally placed fingers near hot steam or been splattered with sizzling oil. If the burn covers the palm or crosses over a joint, seek immediate medical attention. The same holds if the burn – even a small one – is on the face. A trip to the doctor may help prevent scarring. Otherwise, you can treat it at home.

First, run the affected area under cool tap water for a few minutes to stop the burning process and remove any bits of burnt skin. Smooth on a layer of antibiotic ointment to create a barrier against infection and wrap loosely with gauze or a small bandage. Be sure to rinse the wound with water and change the dressing twice daily for a few days, says Avegno, so that it remains covered and protected until the scab is gone.

Watch out for increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. The burn could be infected. See a doctor as soon as possible.

3. Scalds
Burns from scalding water tend to cover larger areas, such as arms, feet, legs and stomach, which may make them harder to treat at home. And if the scalding is to a child, whereby a large percentage of the body is affected, call an ambulance or go to an emergency room immediately. Otherwise, start by treating the affected area the way you would a small burn: run under cool water (or use a wet towel) to stop the burning process and to clean the area, layer with antibiotic ointment, and dress with gauze or a large bandage as best you can. Even a clean and loose-fitting white T-shirt over the burn area will add some protection if you don’t have large enough bandages. Blistering is to be expected, but avoid popping the blisters, as doing so adds entry points for infection. These burns are often more painful than smaller ones, so take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If that doesn’t block the pain, seek medical care.

Watch out for continued or worsening pain, or signs of infection (see above). In these cases, seek immediate medical attention.

4. Injuries to the Eyes
Lovers of spicy food know the painful power of capsicum, or cayenne pepper: Contact with the eyes causes a strong burning sensation. Flush out any material in the eye with water and then splash milk in the area to stop the burn. Steam, pokes to the eye or spattered oil are more serious and can cause eye damage. Rinse the eye right away to cool the area and clean out debris.

Watch out for pain, oozing or a change in vision after a few minutes of blinking and rinsing, any of which might indicate damage to the cornea. Seek immediate medical attention.

Given the increased risk of infection with cuts and burns, Avegno advises a tetanus shot if you haven’t had one in five to 10 years. Even a shot administered within a day or two after the injury will be effective, she says. Of course, when extreme injuries happen — especially when small children are involved — emergency care is critical for preventing even greater harm.

Source: [Your Family Today]