The temperature is rising, the kids are officially out of school and it’s time once again for summer vacation. Before you head out on your next adventure, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is ready to take on whatever the road throws your way.

Tires – Be sure to check both the tire pressure and tread on all 5 of your tires (don’t forget about the spare). If you are unsure what your tire pressure should be, look for the manufacturer sticker when you open the passenger side door. To check your tread life, take a penny and place it in between the tread with Lincoln’s head pointed down. If you can see the top of the former President’s head, it is recommended that you replace your tires before embarking on your trip. Many regions have patterns of afternoon rain storms that could be dangerous on tires without adequate tread. Also, be sure to check the valve stem for cracks.

Fluids – Heat will wreak havoc on an engine. Make sure your vehicle has plenty of vital fluids to keep your engine cool and vacation on track.

Be sure to change your oil before hitting the road and consider using thicker weight oil than you might normally use as the summer heat will thin the oil. Check and replace or refill each of the fluids under your vehicles hood, including: transmission fluid, differential fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid and coolant.

Motor Engine Components

Battery and cables – Inspect the terminals on your battery. If they are corroded, clean the terminals with a mixture of baking soda and water. Also be on the lookout for any cracks or dirt. Hot weather drains the life from your battery quickly. Be sure to have it tested before setting out on your road trip to ensure your battery will make the trip with you and your family.

Radiator and hoses – Overheating is the leading cause of mechanical breakdowns on our nation’s highways. Check fluid levels in your radiator and for any cracks in the hoses connecting your radiator.

Other Components

Air Conditioning – The summer months bring the hottest temperatures in even the mildest climates. Checking to make sure your air conditioning is functioning properly before leaving will keep everyone smiling on your vacation. Turn the air conditioning on and cover a vent with your hand to check the fan speed and temperature of the air that is being produced. Be sure to listen for any unusual noises while it is running and then shut it off and listen for any noises.

Lights – Checking all interior and exterior lights on your vehicle will help keep you and your family safe on your journey. Have someone help you to check your headlights, high beams, turn signals, hazard lights, license plate light, brake lights, and interior lights.

Indicator lights – It’s never a good idea to drive with a check engine or other malfunctioning indicator light illuminated on your dash, especially on a long trip. Engine problems should be diagnosed and fixed prior to departure to keep your vehicle running smoothly throughout your trip.

Safety Kit – You never know what the road might bring, so be sure to prepare for common breakdowns with a small safety kit. Here is a list of items to include: basic tools (screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers), a flashlight with fresh batteries, first aid kit, jumper cables, tire iron, jack, cell phone charger and drinking water in case you have to wait in hot temperatures for an extended period of time.

At Crown Kia we want to make sure you are safe on the road this summer. Feel free to bring your vehicle to Crown Kia for a road trip inspection before you embark on your journey if you are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with any of the safety checks described here.

Isn’t it cool to be one of the coolest cars around? Ask Kia’s 2010 Soul. Kelly Blue Book’s kbb.com just named the Soul urban passenger vehicle as one of the “Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000″.

Kelly Blue Book’s kbb.com is a popular and respected site for the information it gives out on new cars and used cars in the market. Kia Motors America (KMA) recognizes the significance of kbb.com’s citation. Michael Sprague, KMA’s vice president of marketing said,  “It’s reassuring to know one of the largest and most credible automotive consumer sites recognizes Soul for all it has to offer to a wide array of consumers, including design, practicality, technology features, fuel economy and the Kia brand’s core, standard value package.”

The Soul has caught people’s attention for its fun and funky design. It has personality, versatility, and techno-savvy, as it is affordable. Mr. Sprague also said, “Soul continues to draw more customers into Kia showrooms because of its cool factor and overall value package.”

The criteria to be included in the list of Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 are the same things that people look for when purchasing a car. These are safety, interior size, comfort, fuel economy, technology, and the X-factor, something that cannot quite be quantified but sets a car apart from the rest.

The 2010 Kia Soul has all of the above, according to the editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com who did the selection.

The X-factor, or specifically for this list let’s call it the “cool factor”, is what makes a car fun to drive and fun to own. It’s just that feeling of pride and satisfaction that a car owner gets after purchasing a cool car.

During the selection, the editors used Kelley Blue Book’s “New Car Blue Book Values”, which are values that show actual transaction prices in the market. These are more practical and useful data for comparison than the manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP).

Based on data gathered about the Soul, the editors of Kelly Blue Book’s kbb.com were quoted saying, “The 2010 Kia Soul combines the versatility of a sub-compact cargo van, the confident style of a fashion model and tech-friendliness rivaling the Geek Squad’s® … It’s one modern mix of cool, with a standard equipment list that includes Bluetooth® wireless phone connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and iPod® integration.”

A standout in its class and truly a high-achieving vehicle, the Kia Soul has also received the following accolades: “Best Hatchback of 2010″ by Cars.com; “Best Family Cars for 2010″ by Edmunds.com and Parents Magazine; and “2010 Top Cars for Families” by Motherproof.com.

For a truly satisfying joyride, the 2010 Kia Soul features an Audio Upgrade Package that includes pulsating speaker lights, funky black cloth seats with a “glowing” Soul logo (for Soul+ ), a stunning sand-black interior (for Soul!), and a dashing red-black interior trim with red cloth seats and metal finished interior (for Soul sport).

Kia recently unveiled a special edition, the Soul Ghost, which features a moon-roof, fog lights, sport trim spoiler, black 18-inch alloy wheels, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

Source: [Kia World]

The global auto market is undergoing rapid changes while customer demands have become more diversified and competition more heated. In particular, with the narrowing gap in commercial value and quality between carmakers, customer service is emerging as a key competitive trait.

Kia Motors has been steadfastly pursuing a customer-first strategy of service based on trust and responsibility. The company is offering customers around the world a singular style of service designed after its service philosophy called, ‘Family-like Care.’

So what exactly is ‘Family-like Care’ service?
It is our commitment and promise to all Kia customers by pursuing:
1) Thoughtful service, like how I treat my own family
2) Emotional service, which comes from the heart
3) Trustworthy service, to make life-long customers

In sum, we will develop a service identity unique to Kia in order to provide customers with the same dedication, caring and dependability that is given to family members.

Currently, the worldwide Kia service network is pursuing an innovative campaign called ‘Family-like Care’ to realize unrivalled customer service and satisfaction.

Through the campaign, Kia network employees will serve customers under the following motto:

1) Treat customers as a family member.
2) Carry out your responsibilities to the fullest.
3) Provide exceptional service.

Customers around the world will be able to experience Kia’s personable and considerate service through the ‘Family-Like Care’ campaign at all Kia service network points.

We hope you get a chance to experience the new and improved Kia-brand of service at your nearest dealer!
Source: [Kia Buzz]

Bark Buckle UP — the recognized leader and experts for pet travel safety — awarded the Pet Safe Choice Awards at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.

This year, Bark Buckle UP founder Pet Safety Lady Christina Selter and Brandy Schaffels of AskPatty.com awarded Pet Safe Choice Awards to the Top Ten Vehicles, Hotel, Retailer, and Airline. During the presentation, Sheriff Patrick Perez with Marshall the Bomb Sniffing Dog and two dozen other furry friends hopped in and out of cars and stole the show with their animal antics and demonstrations of dog and car travel safety.

“Most people don’t think about it, but in only a 35 mph accident with a 60-pound pet it becomes a 2,700 pound projectile. This will injure the pet, passengers, driver or the pet may escape the vehicle and cause a second accident or become agitated and bite the first responder that is on scene doing their job,” stated Selter.

The vehicles are evaluated on a variety of pet-related aspects, including how easily the vehicle accommodates animals and kennels of various sizes, ease of access to pet from within the vehicle, ease of pet entry and exit, ventilation for animals in the rear, as well as whether the vehicle has pet-friendly surfaces, adaptability for third party pet travel or safety gear and their ease of cleanup.

TOP TEN Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice Award for the Kia Soul accepted by Michael Sprague, VP Marketing Kia Motors America

Statistics:

-35 MPH accident with a 60-pound pet unrestrained becomes a 2,700-pound projectile

-98% of dogs do not travel properly restrained in a moving vehicle

-Driver distraction causes more accidents then any other issue

-82% of pets travel on vacation with their owners

-Pet friendly lodging has increased 300% since 2005

-Over 70 million homes in America have a pet

Media attending will receive a doggie bag/media kit after the awards conclude, plus a set of pet oxygen masks to donate to their local fire department.

Source: [Bark Buckle Up]

Looking for inspiration and a positive spin after watching his team get no-hit for the second time this season, Rays manager Joe Maddon found an unlikely pairing in the annals of history.

The 1917 White Sox were no-hit twice in a two-day stretch, but went on to win the World Series, four games to two over the New York Giants. Maddon displayed an extensive knowledge of that club Saturday afternoon, reeling off stats and names to the media. If he has his way, the 2010 Rays will model themselves as the White Sox did nearly a century ago.

“I’m looking for that positive vine, and there it was. I liked it, actually,” Maddon said. “This [Chicago] team led the league that year, I think, in runs scored and a lot of big departments. But a very interesting group, it’s an interesting stat.

“I looked them up. Quite a team. A hundred wins, 54 losses. [Eddie] Cicotte, [Ray] Schalk — the catcher, he’s a Hall of Famer, Shoeless Joe [Jackson], Eddie Collins.”

The Tampa Bay skipper noted how impressive it was that Cicotte threw 346 2/3 innings and how the team’s top home run hitter, Happy Felsch, had only six long balls, recounting from memory Felsch’s stats:

“[Felsch had] six homers, 102 RBIs, hit .308, the top hitter on the team, the Triple Crown winner of the team, and he was one of the few guys who struck out a couple more times than he walked, which I thought was OK, based on his numbers,” Maddon said.

The manager of that White Sox team was Clarence Henry “Pants” Rowland. Given the way Maddon has insisted on wearing long, blue-striped socks with his uniform lately, he might even be on his way to a similar nickname.

“‘Socks’ Maddon,” he said.

Source: [Tampa Bay Rays]

Just like the gym or the workplace, a dog park is a social place with its own set of proper etiquette guidelines. But what that means in a dog park isn’t always obvious. With the help of Charlotte Reed (author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette) and Cheryl Smith (a certified dog behavior consultant and author of Visiting the Dog Park: Having Fun, Staying Safe), we set the record straight on some important aspects of dog park decorum.

Q: I’m very protective of my small dog. I want her to have fun at the park, but I don’t want her to get hurt. Can I keep her on the leash so that I’m always close and can pull her out of rough situations?

A: Sorry, but no. A dog park is specifically for off-leash play. “A leash can create different reactions in the leashed dog, who feels constrained and unable to react as he or she may wish,” says Smith. “Leashes can create barrier frustration,” she says. This is a common dog behavior issue, where dogs may lash out because they don’t feel in control. If you’re still concerned about your pet, you might consider trying to establish an event for small dogs only at your local dog park.

Q: My dog gets really thirsty after running around in the park. Should I bring his water bowl for drink breaks?

A: Only if you bring him outside the park for the break. It’s too hard to keep the other dogs away from your bowl, and both Reed and Smith point out that a communal water bowl is also a communal germ pool. Nasty bugs like giardia can spread through water.

Q: What about treats? Since I dole those out by hand, they’re something I can control.

A: It’s not a good idea to give your dog food in front of other dogs. Not only might you get mobbed and knocked over by jealous, hungry dogs, but other owners could also become agitated. This tip additionally applies to food you might bring for yourself. “The smell and sight of it will rile up the dogs,” says Reed.

Q: Aside from being a great place to exercise my dog, isn’t the dog park also a perfect place to find love?

A: Perhaps, but keep the former purpose at the forefront. Reed once witnessed a flirty woman become so enamored with a male dog owner that she didn’t notice her terrier escape the dog park and run away. The dog was smart enough to run home, but as Reed points out, “You should love the ones you’re with and not lose them by looking for love at the dog park.”

Q: My dog is always well behaved and can fend for herself. Is it OK for me to leave her in the park for 20 minutes while I run to the store?

A: Absolutely not. You are responsible for your dog’s actions, so you need to be there. “Believe it or not, people do this,” says Smith. “But the park is not to baby-sit your unattended dog while you go off and run some errands.”

Q: I appreciate that my dog gets to play, but I also like to use the dog park as a way to relax. It’s not as if my dog is a 2-year-old child, so is it OK to bring a book to read?

A: No! Your dog is like a 2-year-old child, and you need to pay attention. Do this for the sake of his or her safety, and for the sake of the other dogs. And speaking of 2-year-olds, you might notice that dogs poop whenever and wherever they want, and it’s your responsibility to pick it up. “Piles of poop are the prime reason dog parks are shut down or never open in the first place,” says Smith. Most people are happy to clean up after their dogs, so a poop-filled dog park is likely the result of people who don’t pay attention.

Source: [My Fox Tampa Bay]