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As the summer draws to a close and the kids are going back to school, there is still no end in sight to the high temperatures. If you’ve noticed that your vehicle’s A/C is having trouble keeping up with the rising temperatures outside, Crown Kia can help.

Your air conditioning unit is made up of several different components that must work together in harmony to keep you and your passengers cool on even the shortest journeys. Often times a simple recharge of refrigerant can solve any cooling problems, but there are often larger issues lurking.

• Dirty condenser — The condenser is the heat exchanger mounted in front of the radiator. It cools the high pressure refrigerant vapor after it exits the compressor so it can condense into a liquid. If the condenser is full of leaves, bugs and road debris, air flow through the unit may be blocked to the point where little cooling occurs. Cleaning the condenser should cure the problem.

• Inoperative condenser cooling fan — The condenser often has its own separate electric cooling fan. This fan should come on and remain on when the A/C system is operating. If the fan motor, motor relay or wiring is defective, the fan may not be working.

• Air or moisture contamination — For the refrigerant inside the system to do its job properly, it must not be contaminated with air or moisture. Air reduces the cooling efficiency of the system while moisture can freeze and form ice that causes blockages in orifice tubes and metering valves. Air and moisture contamination may be the result of unrepaired leaks in the system, or failing to vacuum purge the system prior to recharging it with refrigerant.

• Blockages — Debris or rust in the system may plug up the orifice tube or metering valve that admits refrigerant into the evaporator. If this vital point becomes obstructed, the flow of refrigerant may be restricted or blocked causing a loss of cooling — and possible compressor damage as well in systems that rely on oil circulating with the refrigerant for lubrication.

• Mechanical problem — These include things like metering valve failures, compressor wear, a compressor clutch that fails to engage, bad pressure switches, etc.

No matter what symptoms your A/C is experiencing, the competent A/C technicians at Crown Kia will pinpoint the problem and have you back on the road in no time.

Source: [Yahoo Autos]

Over the years, the Kia Optima has long been a sturdy workhorse for the up-and-coming Korean brand. Everything has changed with the 2011 Kia Optima that’s making its big debut at the 2010 New York show.

How do we justify that bold pronouncement? Simple. Not only will Kia now offer the Optima with a legitimate hybrid, but a legitimate sport model is in the works as well. If one look at the 2011 Optima doesn’t tell you that Kia’s been doing its homework, a quick peek under the hood will.

Optima LX base models come equipped with Kia’s impressive new 200-horsepower 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine equipped with a six-speed automatic or optional six-speed manual. Coming in early 2011, this engine will shack up with an electric motor and form Kia’s first hybrid.

The enthusiasts, of course, want to know about that sport model we mentioned earlier. Called the SX, it bursts on to the scene with the hot new Theta II, 2.0-liter direct-injected and turbocharged four-cylinder that bangs out a muscular 274 horsepower.

Look past the engines and you’ll see an all-new platform underneath equipped with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a new multi-link rear setup. Kia promises its engineers have been working very hard on the NVH, so the new Optima is expected to simultaneously be a sportier and more comfortable ride than the car it replaces. You can expect more room inside as well, thanks to a 2.9-inch longer wheelbase, which in turn leads to a 1.7-inch increase in overall length. The new Optima is also wider and lower than the outgoing model.

Source: [Motor Trend]

Kia announced today that the redesigned 2011 Sportage will go on sale at the end of July. Based on the Hyundai Tucson, the third-generation Kia Sportage comes standard with a 2.4-liter inline-4 cylinder making 176 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque.

Initially, Kia will sell its compact crossover in base, LX and EX trim levels. The base Sportage is strictly front-wheel drive and equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on the Sportage LX and EX, which are available with either front-drive or an on-demand four-wheel-drive system (which Kia calls “all-wheel drive”). The automaker predicts EPA fuel economy estimates of 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway on automatic-equipped front-drive Sportages and 21/28 with AWD.

For those of you wanting more performance out of a small, car-based SUV, Kia will add a Sportage SX model to the lineup in January 2011. The SX gets Hyundai-Kia’s turbocharged and direct-injected, 2.0-liter four-cylinder making in the “270-hp range,” said Alex Fedorak, Kia public relations director. The six-speed automatic is standard on the 2011 Kia Sportage SX, as are higher-performance two-way dampers. Kia officials say they haven’t decided whether the SX will be offered in both front-drive and AWD variants, or be sold with AWD exclusively.

In December 2010, Kia will launch its Microsoft-based UVO voice control interface in the Sportage, Sorento and 2011 Optima. Similar in functionality to Ford’s Sync system, UVO allows drivers to control all phone and audio functions by speaking commands. You’ll also have the ability to send and receive text messages (using customizable pre-programmed replies) if your phone has streaming Bluetooth SMS. UVO is optional on all Sportages; however, you can’t get it with the factory navigation system. Kia says it will resolve this problem for the 2012 model year.

Close in size to its predecessor, the 2011 Kia Sportage rides on a 103.9-inch wheelbase and is 174.8 inches long from nose to tail. Reflecting the trend away from hard-core utility, it is more than 2 inches shorter than the 2010 model. Cargo capacity is 26.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expands to 54.6 cubes when the seats are folded.

Standard equipment on the 2011 Kia Sportage includes 16-inch alloy wheels; a CD audio system with auxiliary and USB inputs and 3 months of Sirius Satellite Radio; cruise control and full power accessories. The LX essentially adds a longer options sheet, including 17-inch wheels, a telescoping steering wheel, rear parking sonar, and a navigation system with a back-up camera. A telescoping steering wheel is standard on the EX, as are 18-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, a rear spoiler and roof rails. A dual-pane sunroof, keyless ignition, leather upholstery, a heated/cooled driver seat (and heated passenger seat) are optional on the 2011 Sportage EX.

Source: [Edmunds Inside Line]

Having recently honored Kia Motors America  by naming the 2010 Kia Forte the Edmunds.com 2010 Consumers’ Top Rated the 2010 Kia Sedona minivan now has been named to Edmunds.com’s “Top 10 Best Dark-Horse Cars of 2010″ list by the well-respected online automotive resource. Sedona is recognized for offering consumers a comfortable ride, impressive crash safety test scores, leading warranty and overall value.

“Sedona has previously been hailed as the ‘Safest Minivan Ever Tested’ by IIHS and it continues to impress consumer and industry pundits,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. “We are pleased Edmunds has again honored Kia and our venerable Sedona minivan, and are confident this kind of continuous recognition along with our strong value proposition is further evidence of the brand’s continued evolution.”

“This hard-working minivan offers all of the features you’ll find in popular models for a lot less coin,” said Warren Clarke, automotive editor for Edmunds.com.

Edmunds.com constructed the list of vehicles that tend to fly under the radar to present consumers with a number of choices that offer as much, if not more, value and quality as mainstream choices when shopping for a new vehicle.

The 2010 Sedona is available in three trims, base, LX and EX. A segment leader in value and safety features, Sedona, named the “safest minivan ever tested” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” recipient in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and an eight-time recipient of a five-star crash rating from the NHTSA for each seating position, offers consumers immense protection provided by a wide range of standard safety features, including six standard airbags (dual advanced front and front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags for all three seating rows), active front headrests, a four-channel, four-sensor, Antilock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which takes into account vehicle load and weight distribution and ensures the appropriate stopping force is used.

Source: [PR-USA]

Solidifying its position in social media, Kia Motors America is furthering its online presence by teaming up with marketing agency SocialVibe and the popular Facebook-hosted game PetVille, created by leading online game provider Zynga.  Building on the popularity of the beloved Kia Soul hamsters from the latest “This or That” ad campaign, PetVille users can become well-known mix masters themselves by creating “mash-ups” of the ad that can be shared with their online friends. KMA is the first automotive manufacturer to partner with Zynga and SocialVibe on such an application, which will run through the end of July.

“The immense popularity of the latest Kia Soul ad, especially with the Gen-Y crowd, made it an obvious fit for the popular PetVille game,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of KMA. “Soul already has been well-received on Facebook and in social media, and we felt that integrating with Zynga’s PetVille was the perfect platform to introduce the vehicle and the brand to new consumers in Soul’s target demographic, in a fun and engaging way.”

The interactive application, found at the bottom of the PetVille game page, invites users to click on an icon taken from the “This or That” spot to create their own Soul mash-up video.  Upon entering the application, the Soul ad will start rolling and the user will be prompted to cut and mix their own cut of “This or That” by dragging five-second clips into a six-spot timeline.  Once complete, they can playback their ad, which will play to the same theme music as the original spot.  Members then will have the opportunity to post their work of art on their Facebook profile to share with their friends.  In addition to creating their own Soul music video, participants also will receive PetVille cash in return for their interaction, which is typically only available through game play or by purchase.

“When partnering with brands for online games, we really want to advocate for the consumer to come up with something they would relate to and enjoy,” said Brennan Beyer, vice president, national sales of SocialVibe.  “Facebook and PetVille have a specific consumer and we felt that the funky Kia Soul ad was really the perfect fit.”

The “This or That” campaign, the latest chapter of the Kia Soul hamster story, depicts the loveable creatures driving through city streets to the tune of the hip-hop song “The Choice is Yours” by The Black Sheep, cleverly comparing “This,” the funky and uniquely styled Soul, to “That,” a number of boring and mundane appliances on wheels, cardboard boxes or hamster wheels. The new spot debuted on cable at the end of May and can be seen in theaters and online.

Source: [PR Newswire]

Matt Garza put the shoe on the other foot Monday night.

The right-hander did so by no-hitting the Tigers to record the first no-no in team history as the Rays took a 5-0 win at Tropicana Field with 17,009 fans watching.

“It’s the first no-hitter I’ve ever had,” Garza said. “It’s great I was the first one to do it [in Rays history]. It’s a young franchise and I have a feeling they’re going to have many more to come. But I can’t put enough emphasis on it how big the win was. We are trying to win the [American League] East, we’re not just trying to win a couple games — we’re trying to win the East and make it known. It was a great way to start the home stand.”

Since opening up for business in 1998, the Rays have been on the receiving end of four no-hitters. Derek Lowe (2002), Mark Buehrle (2009), Dallas Braden and Edwin Jackson (both in 2010) all turned the trick, with Buehrle and Braden pitching perfect games; Braden and Jackson no-hit the Rays this season. So Garza’s masterpiece came with a sense of justice attached to it.

“It’s nice to finally be on the other side,” Carl Crawford said. “We’ve been in two of them [this season] and now it’s nice to be on the winning side this time.”

Garza’s no-hitter made the Rays the first Major League team to be no-hit and throw a no-hitter in one season since 1991, when the Orioles, White Sox and Expos did it. The Rays also became the first team to be involved in three official no-hitters in one season since 1917, when the Browns no-hit the White Sox twice, and the White Sox no-hit the Browns once.

Garza faced the minimum, but did not pitch a perfect game. Brennan Boesch drew a one-out walk against him in the second, making him the only Tigers hitter to reach base — but Ryan Raburn then hit into a 5-4-3 double-play. The righty needed 120 pitches — 101 of which were fastballs — to accomplish the feat.

Needing just six outs to finish the deed, Garza faced the dangerous Miguel Cabrera to start the eighth, and he quickly went to 0-2 in the count. The slugger worked the count to 2-2 before ripping a shot to left field. Crawford appeared to lose the ball in the lights before recovering to make the catch.

Garza caught the next hitter, Boesch, looking at strike three and followed by striking out Raburn swinging to end the eighth, leaving the energized crowd sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting to see if Garza could indeed make baseball history.

Garza moved to the mound in the ninth accompanied by a standing ovation as he made his customary quirky sideways hop across the first-base line.

“In the ninth inning, I ran out there and I just told myself, ‘Well, we can go about this two ways — I can try not to get contact and get in trouble, or I can go at these guys,’” Garza said. “And if it happens, it happens, and if it doesn’t, I have a guy who can come in the ninth inning and shut the door for me. But the most important thing tonight was the win.”

Garza went to 3-2 to the first hitter in the ninth, Don Kelly, who then grounded out to Reid Brignac at second base. Gerald Laird then struck out looking, leaving Garza one out away from completing the no-hitter.

As pinch-hitter Ramon Santiago made his way to the plate, the crowd stood, almost begging Garza to finish what he’d started. And Garza delivered. Santiago hit a 1-1 pitch to right field that everybody in the ballpark knew would be hauled in by Ben Zobrist. Even before the ball nestled in Zobrist’s glove, Rays players began a mad charge onto the field, evoking memories of 2008, when the team clinched its first postseason berth.

“The guy obviously made history for Tampa — congratulations to him,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

The charge by Rays players culminated in a pile on top of Garza at the mound.

“Other than going to the World Series, this is probably the coolest thing I’ve been involved with,” B.J. Upton said. “He’s pitched well all year. He’s scuffled a little bit the last month, but you know what? Good for him. I’m happy for him. Like I said, that’s probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever been involved with.”

Aside from the ball Cabrera hit to Crawford in the eighth, the closest the Tigers came to getting a hit came with two outs in the third, when Danny Worth drove a ball to right field. Zobrist tracked the ball and finished the play with a leaping grab to take away the hit.

Lost in the shuffle was the fact that Detroit starter Max Scherzer held the Rays hitless through 5 2/3 innings before the Rays loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a catcher’s interference call. Carlos Pena struck out to bring up Matt Joyce, who the Rays acquired from the Tigers for Edwin Jackson prior to the 2009 season.

Joyce worked the count full before connecting with Scherzer’s offering, hitting a drive that bumped the right-field foul pole for a grand slam to give the Rays a 4-0 lead. The last player to break up a no-hit bid (five innings or more) with a grand slam was Philadelphia’s Dickie Thon against the Mets’ Frank Viola on July 23, 1990.

“Coming up, obviously the bases were loaded, and I think both teams had a no-hitter going — so, no pressure,” Joyce said. “You’re facing your old team and kind of want to prove something. I honestly had the approach to where I was just going to hit a hard ground ball up the middle. The count ran to 3-1 and I really wanted to get out there and get something out front and kind of drive it, and it ended up hitting off the bat. So I was like, ‘OK, well, let’s try to hit a ground ball up the middle again’ — 3-2 fastball, and I just put a good one on it.”

Joyce’s blast gave Garza a lift.

“I was pumped,” Garza said. “When Joyce hit that ball, it’s when it really erupted. Everyone was like, ‘OK, cool — four nothing, let’s go.”

Manager Joe Maddon smiled afterward, noting that the Rays had been on the wrong end of no-hitters enough times. And he speculated what Garza’s gem might do for him and Tampa Bay in the future.

“Everything we do is about confidence, and hopefully this is a game that could really catapult him a bit,” Maddon said.

Source: [MLB.com]

Two new publications have ranked Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall as one of the top performance venues in the world.

Pollstar, an industry trade magazine, says the Hall ranked 13th in the world in buildings with 5,000 seats or less. Ruth Eckerd also came in second in venues having 2,500 seats or less. This ranking is based on ticket sales from the first half of this year. The Hall placed higher than other well-known facilities such as Los Angeles’s Universal City Walk, the Chicago Theater, Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center and Orlando’s Bob Carr Performing Arts Center.

Another trade publication, Venues Today, says the Hall is 12th in the world in facilities with 5,000 seats or less and second in the world in venues having 2,500 seats or less. This ranking is based on ticket sales from mid-October 2009 to mid-May 2010. This magazine ranks Ruth Eckerd higher than New York City’s Beacon Theatre and Boston’s Citi Wang Theatre.

Ruth Eckerd Hall officially has 2,180 seats and a Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation design. Many consider the auditorium acoustically perfect and it features more than 200 performances a year.

Source: [Bay News]

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]