When you’re driving, do you feel your car pulling to the left or the right? Does your steering wheel vibrate?  Have you noticed that it has become more difficult to keep your vehicle driving in a straight line? Or that your steering wheel is not centered when you are driving down a straight road? A simple wheel alignment for your vehicle may solve all these problems and more.

How to Double-Check For an Alignment

To see if you need a wheel alignment, first check each tire and look for uneven wear patterns. You can do this by taking a coin to each tire and inserting it in the tread at the outside, center, and inside of the tire.

If the tread is deeper on the edges than in the center, the tire is over inflated.

If the tread is deeper in the center than the edges, the tire is under inflated.

If the tread is deeper on one side than the other, have your wheel alignment checked soon.

If you run your hand back and forth across the tread (be careful not to cut yourself on any debris) and the tread is smooth in one direction, but jagged in the other you have what is called a “saw-tooth” wear pattern caused by a toe-in problem. If your tires have a “saw-tooth” wear pattern, have the alignment checked as soon as possible as this can cause unsafe tire wear.

Aligning Your Tires

There are two types of wheel alignments, a two-wheel alignment and a four-wheel alignment. The four-wheel alignment is the best type of alignment to get for a vehicle. Having all four wheels aligned increases safety when driving down the road.

Having proper wheel alignment insures that your vehicle handles properly and returns the wheels on your vehicle to their correct angle. When your wheels are properly aligned you will not have to fight with your steering wheel when driving to make the car drive straight, or make the steering wheel stop vibrating. Maintaining proper wheel alignment can also increase gas mileage and decrease tire wear.

By making small adjustments and keeping up with regular maintenance items, like keeping your wheels aligned, can help you avoid a major breakdown in the future, and prolong the life of your vehicle.

If it has been longer than a year since your last alignment, and you are experiencing symptoms described here, or are unsure if you need an alignment, bring your vehicle into the Crown Kia Service Department. One of our highly trained Service Technicians can take a look at your vehicle, realign your vehicle’s wheels, and get you back on the road safely.

Kia introduced its redesigned 2011 Optima just last month at the 2010 New York Auto Show, and now Inside Line has photo illustrations of the new Optima sedan less two doors, a shape that could become the Optima coupe.

Built on a new platform, the 2011 Kia Optima sedan is longer, lower and wider than the outgoing model, and its newly stretched dimensions look even more appealing in coupe form.

An Optima coupe (or Optima Koup, as Kia might choose to follow the same marketing direction established by its Forte Koup) would likely offer the same powertrain choices available for the Optima sedan. The midsize sedan presently comes equipped with either a 200-horsepower direct-injection, 2.4-liter inline-4 or a 274-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4. The sedan comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automatic with shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The 2011 Optima sedan arrives in dealers later this fall. A coupe version would likely follow a year later.

Source: [Edmunds Inside Line]

Designing for an international brand like Kia is exciting and challenging at the same time. Not only do we designers have to think years ahead into the future, but we also create products that will be understood and appreciated on different continents, by different cultures.

For us, the design of the Kia Sportage is a good example how a holistic approach towards design leads to excellent results.

Since starting the project, it was clear for us designers that we wanted to leap ahead and establish a paradigm shift in the way we look at Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), while at the same time strengthening the new Kia design language in the interior.

For the Kia Sportage interior, we clearly put the focus on the “sports” side, as our initial research led to three key phrases, that would accompany our design throughout the Project: “Rugged Elegance”, “Smooth surfacing” and “Hi-Style functionality.” These key phrases led us to balance of clean elegant volumes that still hint at some rugged 4×4 roots.

But how to put real “sportiness” into a compact SUV with a high seating position? It was clear that the driver should sit “in” rather than “on” the car to feel connected and cocooned as in a sports car. Since the Sportage is rather compact, it was important to strike a balance so that this didn’t feel claustrophobic. We achieved this by two significant changes in the architecture of the Sportage’s interior.

Firstly, the horizontal layout of the IP creates a feeling of space by visually stretching the car’s width. Secondly, the high middle console, that in combination with rising feature lines on the doors makes you feel like you are sitting inside of a sporty coupe rather than in an SUV. The Sportage’s exterior, with its high shoulder line and compact glass areas further support this.

The main feature of the IP is the “wing” that seamlessly integrates the radio, air vents and instrument cluster into one clean form. This wing sits in a deep cutout that reinforces the impression of solidity, and at the same time integrates a second level of controls for the HVAC unit below and a second screen above. This two-tier design stretches across the width of the interior, going against the convention of upright, blocky SUV interiors, and creating, instead, a much more harmonious atmosphere. The muscular IP section together with the high level tunnel further enhances the feeling of being in a solid, secure interior.

The interior continues the sporty and high-tech image of the exterior with three-dimensional molding and bold design elements. The prominent crash pad features a three-pot instrument cluster, while the center fascia and unique garnish form add to the modern and upgraded look.

The door trim design is also based on the three-dimensional molding created by internal and external elements. In particular, molding highlights are accentuated with bold color. This detail not only enhances the molding concept of the Sportage interior but also completes the sophisticated sportiness of a CUV.

The console side bar was designed to convey a sporty and powerful image while allowing for diverse uses and storage purposes. The round TGS knob cover and connecting sidebar create a novel molding shape.

The refreshing look of the vehicle is the result of tireless efforts by researchers and engineers to bring the designer’s ideas to life. The new Sportage vehicle was a journey of endless internal reviews and evaluations, requiring repeated revisions and constant attention. Therefore, it is the culmination of developers’ unshakable passion and focused desire. So now, Kia customers will be able to drive around knowing they are in an interior that is translated straight from designer sketches, on all levels.

Source: [Kia Buzz]

The latest audio system from Kia Motors includes features allowing you to enjoy music stored in your mp3 player or cell phone.

The options available are BlutoothTM audio streaming and mp3-compatible functions. Or you can simply insert a USB memory stick to seamlessly connect with the Kia audio system.
The addition of a subwoofer can improve bass sound, but this entails additional cost. The Virtual Power Bass system from Kia, featuring advanced DSP algorithm, should effectively address this problem.

Using psychoacoustic and signal processing techniques, the system can play frequencies beyond the speakers’ range. The result is a powerful bass sound you would get with a subwoofer.

This is how the system works. Dynamic compression boosts low-pitched sounds that are difficult to hear without distortion. Harmonics that cannot be played by speakers are added using missing fundamental technology to create a virtual bass sound.

With our attention to technology, in addition to design, Kia is finding ways to enhance the joy of driving.

Enjoy great music with Kia!

Source: [Kia Buzz]

Kia Motors has pursued globalization and strived to raise our profile on the world stage for the last decade. Expansion started with our Chinese plant in 2002, then we built a manufacturing facility in Slovakia in 2006 and, in November 2009, began production of our latest plant in Georgia, USA. We effectively completed our global network of localized development, production, sales, and after-sales service in the three major markets of China, Europe and the USA in less than ten years.

In addition to building a global network, Kia Motors is working tirelessly to secure our core competitiveness. After adopting quality management measures throughout the company, I am proud to say that our quality levels are now on par with, or better than, other global automakers. Furthermore, world-renowned auto designer Peter Schreyer’s joining us as our Chief Design Officer has brought Kia added competitiveness through fresh design concepts. Customer perceptions towards the Kia brand are changing and our designs are being recognized at the domestic and international level with world famous design awards like the red dot and iF awards.

Thanks to such efforts on multiple fronts, Kia Motors posted its best ever performance in 2009 with operating profits of over KRW1.1 trillion, despite the continuing economic depression. There is no doubt in my mind that the loyalty and support of our customers made this possible. I would like to say that your appreciation of our efforts to change and innovate not only fill me with happiness but also with a greater sense of responsibility to deliver more.

In the coming months, the global market is likely to see many more changes. Just as we were able to find opportunity in crisis and achieve remarkable results, Kia Motors will continue to do its best as a global market leader to guide the future of the company in a creative manner – instead of merely following our peers. We shall achieve this by tapping into our confidence and 66 years of experience.

To this end, we will strengthen our brand image through aggressive marketing initiatives around the world. For the first time in the company’s history, we engaged in advertising during the Super Bowl in the US, one of the countries most watched televised sports event. Did you happen to see our ad? Kia Motors America produced a TV ad featuring Muno (a popular character from a local children’s TV program) and his friends going on a cross-country ride in one of our all-new Sorentos. The ad was a hit with viewers and ranked seventh among the 69 new Super Bowl ads by the Wall Street Journal.

Kia Motors is well known as the official sponsor of the Australian Open and we will continue to support this event until 2013. This year, we are also proudly sponsoring the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. We plan to increase the stature of our brand through diverse marketing activities such as hosting the Kia Champ into the Arena (an amateur 5-a-side football championship) and the Mascot Friend program, which will give children a chance to accompany the official mascot, Zakumi, onto the field prior to matches.

As for boosting our sales capacity, we will conduct training programs for existing dealers to improve their sales abilities, in addition to scouting top dealers to continue our growing sales momentum. Our aim is to strengthen our profile in our five major markets: North America, Europe, China, Korea and emerging markets.

In closing, I wanted to share a recent experience that moved me while I was in Georgia attending the opening ceremony to mark the completion of Kia’s first U.S. plant. There was a signboard set up along a major road in West Point, Georgia, which read, “Thank you Jesus for bringing Kia to our town.” A local resident had put up that sign in appreciation of the positive impact our company has made in the region. On behalf of everyone at Kia, I promise that we will continue to work hard so that one day, all customers, not only the generous residents of West Point, will share in that sentiment.

Source: [Kia Buzz]

Millions of dog owners in the United States consider their pets to be a part of the family and include them on family vacations. Just like other members of the family, Fido can get carsick too. Typically there are two reasons dogs get car sick: motion sickness affecting balance or anxiety caused by a fearful or traumatic experience in the car. The American Kennel Club offers tips on curbing your canine’s carsickness, as well as tips for comfortable, safe travel.

Motion sickness

• If your pup is prone to motion sickness, slowly acclimate her to car travel by cuddling her upside down in your lap, picking her up in the air, or rolling her around on the ground. These motions will simulate what your dog will experience in the car.

• Try not to feed your pup too soon before your planned trip, or feed her lightly. You don’t want to upset an already off-balance digestive system.

• Avoid putting the dog in the farthest back seat, where there is the most motion.

• If you mainly take your pup in the car to go to the vet, she may associate the car with getting shots, which is not fun. Try sitting in the car with her for a few minutes each day, gently petting and praising her. Don’t turn on the car or drive anywhere.

• After you’ve sat in the car for a few days with it turned off, try turning it on and sitting with your dog for a few minutes while it is running. Bring a toy and make it a happy time. Do this for a few days until she shows enthusiasm for going to the car.

• Last, try driving up and down the driveway once and then exiting the car. After a few days of no sickness, try increasing the distance, say driving up and down the street. If she does get sick, then simply move the process backward until she is not sick again.

Other safe travel tips

• Be sure to secure your pooch in a crate, carrier or harness that attaches to the seat belt. No dog should ever ride loose in the back of a pickup – that could lead to serious injury in the event of an accident.

• To avoid ear or eye injuries to your dog, or, worse, her falling out, do not let her hang her head outside the window.

Source: [Tampa Bay]

Be Prepared:

One of the most important decisions you will have to make is “Should I Evacuate?”

If you are asked to evacuate, you should do so without delay. But unless you live in a coastal or low-lying area, an area that floods frequently, or in manufactured housing, it is unlikely that emergency managers will ask you to evacuate. That means that it is important for you and your family to HAVE A PLAN that makes you as safe as possible in your home.

Family Disaster Plan:

Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge,   flooding and wind.

Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.

Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact; so all your family members have a single point of contact.

Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.

Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

Check your insurance coverage – flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.

Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.

Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

Disaster Supply Kit:

Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing – seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Special Items – for babies and the elderly

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones – Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards – Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Toys, Books and Games

Important documents – in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools – keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

Have A Place To Go:

Develop a family hurricane preparedness plan before an actual storm threatens your area. If your family hurricane preparedness plan includes evacuation to a safer location for any of the reasons specified with in this web site, then it is important to consider the following points:

If ordered to evacuate, do not wait or delay your departure.

If possible, leave before local officials issue an evacuation order for your area. Even a slight delay in starting your evacuation will result in significantly longer travel times as traffic congestion worsens.

Select an evacuation destination that is nearest to your home, preferably in the same county, or at least minimize the distance over which you must travel in order to reach your intended shelter location.

In choosing your destination, keep in mind that the hotels and other sheltering options in most inland metropolitan areas are likely to be filled very quickly in a large, multi-county hurricane evacuation event.

If you decide to evacuate to another county or region, be prepared to wait in traffic.

The large number of people in this state who must evacuate during a hurricane will probably cause massive delays and major congestion along most designated evacuation routes; the larger the storm, the greater the probability of traffic jams and extended travel times.

If possible, make arrangements to stay with the friend or relative who resides closest to your home and who will not have to evacuate. Discuss with your intended host the details of your family evacuation plan well before the beginning of the hurricane season.

If a hotel or motel is your final intended destination during an evacuation, make reservations before you leave.
Most hotel and motels will fill quickly once evacuations begin. The longer you wait to make reservations, even if an official evacuation order has not been issued for your area or county, the less likely you are to find hotel/motel room vacancies, especially along interstate highways and in major metropolitan areas.

If you are unable to stay with friends or family and no hotels/motels rooms are available, then as a last resort go to a shelter.
Remember, shelters are not designed for comfort and do not usually accept pets.  Bring your disaster supply kit with you to the shelter. Find Pet-Friendly hotels and motels.

Make sure that you fill up your car with gas, before you leave.

Secure Your Home:

RETROFITTING YOUR HOME
The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage to your home and property is to protect the areas where wind can enter. According to recent wind technology research, it’s important to strengthen the exterior of your house so wind and debris do not tear large openings in it. You can do this by protecting and reinforcing these five critical areas:

ROOF | STRAPS | SHUTTERS | DOORS | GARAGE DOORS

A great time to start securing – or retrofitting – your house is when you are making other improvements or adding an addition.

Remember: building codes reflect the lessons experts have learned from past catastrophes. Contact the local building code official to find out what requirements are necessary for your home improvement projects.

FLOOD INSURANCE
The National Flood Insurance Program is a pre-disaster flood mitigation and insurance protection program designed to reduce the escalating cost of disasters. The National Flood Insurance Program makes federally backed flood insurance available to residents and business owners

Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Do not make assumptions. Check your policy.

Pet Plan:

BEFORE THE DISASTER

Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations. Pet shelters may require proof of vaccines.

Have a current photograph

Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.

Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal – carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.

Plan your evacuation strategy and don’t forget your pet! Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm’s way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.

If you plan to shelter your pet – work it into your evacuation route planning.

AFTER THE DISASTER

Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home – often-familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost.  Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.

If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered.  Bring along a picture of your pet if possible.

After a disaster, animals can become aggressive or defensive – monitor their behavior.

Don’t forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan.

PET DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

• Proper identification including immunization records
• Ample supply of food and water
• A carrier or cage
• Medications
• Muzzle, collar and leash

Source: [Hurricane Preparedness]

Alarming photos of dead sea turtles washed ashore – as well as satellite images of an ever-spreading oil slick – demonstrate that a serious ordeal is ahead for the Gulf Coast. The April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oilrig caused a spill that has spread more than 130 miles so far. The spill has reached land in Louisiana, and is expected to reach Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. If it continues, it will surpass the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill as the worst in history. Here’s how you can help:

1. Want to lend a hand? Affected states allow you to register to volunteer online. Louisiana and Florida volunteers can register online, or Gulf Coast volunteers can call 1-866-448-5816. Oil Spill Volunteers is another registration site that matches up those willing to assist with the groups that need their help. Volunteer opportunities run the gamut from wildlife sitter to administrative support, so any and all help is appreciated.

2. Florida is calling on untrained volunteers to pick up trash on its beaches to minimize the impact of the spill once it hits land. Volunteers are asked to leave natural debris in place, though, as it provides shelter for birds and other animals. If you’d like to help out with areas where oil has already washed ashore, it is recommended that you contact a local group to be trained in how to handle oil-covered materials.

3. If you’re in the Gulf Coast area and see a distressed animal, do not try to assist it on your own. Injured animals can be defensive and may try to bite you—also, crude oil can be harmful when it comes in contact with human skin. A hotline has been established for injured and dead animal sightings. Call 1-866-557-1401 to leave a message with the animal’s precise location. iPhone users in the Gulf can download the Noah project’s app to document distressed animals and the spill’s impact on wildlife. Learn more about Noah here.

4. Two specialized opportunities to help are available for qualified professionals. BP has called upon fishermen and boaters in the Gulf area to participate in their “Vessels of Opportunity” program. Those with eligible vessels will be compensated for their use in cleanup efforts. For more information, call 281-366-5511. In addition, the EPA has called upon engineers and experts to submit alternative cleanup solutions via this form.

5. However, if you’re not already living in the area, it is not recommended that you travel to the Gulf Coast to assist. OilSpillVolunteers.com and other organizations stress that your help would be more appreciated in the form of a donation. The National Wildlife Federation, Alabama Coastal Foundation, and Save our Seabirds are among the many organizations accepting donations for coastal relief.

6. Dishwashing detergent is used to clean oil off of birds and animals, and Dawn is pitching in to help. Purchase a bottle of Dawn and $1 will go towards the Marine Mammal Center and the International Bird Rescue Research Center. Please note that you must go online to activate this donation—it’s not automatic with your purchase.

7. Own a salon or pet grooming business? Hair collects oil, so the group Matter of Trust is taking donations of hair and nylons. For more information, visit their website or call 415-242-6041.

8. For those inclined to send a political message about the need to restore the Gulf Coast, the National Wildlife Federation has created this form letter you can send to President Obama. Those in favor of halting all ocean drilling can use this form letter from the Sierra Club.

9. The Audubon Society, protecting American birds and their habitats for more than 100 years, has launched a response to the crisis. They’ll be organizing volunteers for wildlife rescue and beach clean-up, as well as researching the effects of the spill on habitats in the weeks and months following its landfall. If you’d like to volunteer for the Audubon Society, you can fill out this volunteer form. If you’d like to donate money to aid relief efforts, you can use this site.

10. For up-to-date news on volunteer and relief efforts, several Twitter users have aggregated the best sources of oil spill tweets into lists. Follow Crisis Camp’s list, Crisis Mappers’ list, or the hashtag #oilspill. Two good individual accounts to follow are EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and BP_America.

Source: [U.S. News Money]

While the Rays are ahead of the second-place Yankees in the American League East standings, some of them are going to need Rays fans to come through in voting for the All-Star Game.

Only Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford ranked ahead of Yankees at their respective positions in the most recent All-Star balloting update, released on Tuesday.

The 2010 All-Star Game will be played Tuesday, July 13 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times at MLB.com and all 30 club sites using the 2010 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Sprint until July 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Sprint subscribers can now vote on the go with select Sprint devices. They can learn more about how to vote on their smart phones at MLB.com/Sprint.

Longoria leads American League third basemen for the starting spot at his position with 915,247 votes to Alex Rodriguez’s 632,268. In just his third season, Longoria is having an exemplary year, leading the Rays in home runs, average and RBIs.

Crawford, who was the Most Valuable Player of the 2009 Midsummer Classic, dropped a spot from being the second-leading vote-getter among AL outfielders to third place behind Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki and Texas’ Nelson Cruz. The top three vote-getters at outfield will be the elected starters.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Rays in the running need some help to surpass Yankees and snag an All-Star Game start.

Carlos Pena ranks fifth in the first-base voting with 232,636 votes, leaving him well behind top vote-getter at the position, Mark Teixeira of the Yankees (610,851 votes). Ben Zobrist ranks fifth at second base with 215,016, while Robinson Cano of the Yankees ranks first with 811,300 votes. And Jason Bartlett currently ranks fourth at shortstop with 225,022 votes, leaving him behind the top shortstop vote-getter, Derek Jeter of the Yankees, who has 1,005,810 votes. B.J. Upton ranks ninth in the outfield voting with 327,102 votes

Starting rosters will be announced during the 2010 All-Star Game Selection Show on TBS on July 4. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint.

And the voting doesn’t end there. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet at the Midsummer Classic via the 2010 All-Star Game MVP Vote Sponsored by Sprint.

Source: [Rays Baseball]