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Tires are one car part that's exceedingly unwise to neglect. No matter how well-maintained the rest of your car may be, a single blowout or skid can put your life at risk. If you detect any of the following signs of bad tires, visit your local Kia dealership without delay to have a set of new tires safely installed. Your Tires Lose Traction As a driver, you should always feel confident in the condition of your tires. As such, any momentary loss of traction while driving should be cause for alarm. If you experience reduced traction more than once and start to doubt the gripping strength of your tires, have them examined right away by a trusted technician. Your Treads Are Too Shallow The most common reason for tires to lose traction is when the tread depths become too shallow. It's usually best to replace tires when the tread depth diminishes to 2/32 of an inch at the central point of the treads. A quick test for tread depth is to insert a penny coin into the treads. If you can see the entire top of Lincoln's head, then the treads are less than 2/32 of an inch and the tire needs to go. You Find a Poorly Placed Puncture Many types of punctures can be repaired, especially if the puncture occurs in the thickest area of the treads. However, it's less easy to repair awkwardly placed punctures near the shoulder or in the sidewall, where the rubber needs to flex more. A tire with a poorly placed puncture like this may need to be replaced. Your Sidewalls Are Full of Cracks When the sidewall of a tire dries out excessively, causing cracks to spread and grow in number, it's usually time to replace the tire. If the cracked tire rubber is also becoming brittle, then it might have dry rot, which usually spells the end for a tire. You Find a Deep or Long Cut Likewise, particularly deep or long cuts can damage a tire too badly for a repair job. If you find a large-looking cut or gash in a tire, have a technician take a look to determine if you can keep using it. You Notice a Mysterious Blister Impacts from potholes, curbs, and other obstacles can sometimes damage the inner layers of a tire. This can cause air to push up into the outer layers, which might cause a visible bulge or blister. Any tire damaged in this way is no longer safe to use. Have your tires repaired or replaced today at Geweke Kia. We're a local community-centered dealership that's been supporting the drivers of Yuba City for over 25 years.

If features like power windows, the radio, or the air conditioning are starting to malfunction on your vehicle, you might assume that your battery is due for replacement. But these components are also affected when your alternator starts to deteriorate. The alternator distributes electricity and recharges the battery. If your vehicle needs alternator repair, your Kia mechanic can help. But how can you tell if your vehicle needs this repair? Problems Starting Your Vehicle Trouble starting your vehicle can be a sign that your alternator isn't providing enough charge for your battery. When you turn the key in the ignition, instead of hearing your engine start up, you may only hear a clicking sound. An alternator that's not functioning properly may also not be providing adequate power to the spark plugs, which could cause your vehicle to stall while it is being driven. Electronic Features Are Malfunctioning The performance of certain electronic features on the car, like the radio, lights, air conditioning, and power windows and locks, can decline if your alternator is malfunctioning. Your power windows may be slow to shut, or your car stereo may malfunction. Little mishaps can signal that your electronic features aren't working at peak levels. You may also notice that your headlights are either too bright or too faint, which can happen as the power supply to your lights becomes unstable due to a declining alternator. Your mechanic can determine if the alternator or some other component is at fault. Burning Smells An overloaded alternator can give off a burning odor that's similar to what you'd smell around an electrical fire. This can develop if excessive current is pumped down the wires, causing them to overheat. The smell of burning rubber is another way to describe the aroma associated with alternator issues. A Dead Battery The battery and alternator are closely related, and sometimes a malfunctioning alternator can fail to charge the battery. If you jumpstart your battery and the car immediately dies again, the problem is most likely that your alternator is malfunctioning and not providing enough power to the battery. If the alternator is not keeping your battery at the proper voltage, the battery warning light on your dashboard may also come on. Whining or Rattling Sounds A malfunctioning alternator can cause rattling sounds under the hood, especially if the alternatior becomes misaligned and damages the engine. Growling, rattling, and whining sounds can all signal alternator issues. If your vehicle's electrical system is acting up, you may want to have your alternator checked out. When you're ready to schedule your next service appointment, go to Geweke Kia.

It's generally recommended to have car brakes inspected every six months or so. Car brakes are complex and it's not always easy to detect a developing problem without the trained eye of a technician. There are, however, some common clear indications of brake trouble. The following warning signs should prompt you to visit your nearest Kia dealer for brake repair without delay. Strong Vibrations When Braking Each time you apply the brakes, the brake pads clamp onto the rotor discs, slowing and stopping your car. Brake rotors are remarkably tough components, but they gradually wear down over time. As rotors become thinner, they become more susceptible to damage and warping, especially if they overheat during a period of continual use. When a rotor disc overheats, it may warp slightly out of shape. This warping makes it less effective and will also create vibrations that you might feel through the brake pedal or steering wheel. You'll usually have to replace a warped rotor. Screeching Sounds When Braking If you're hearing persistent screeching sounds while braking, one of your brake pads probably needs to be replaced. Brake pads have a friction layer that presses against the rotor, generating the friction required to slow your car. When this friction layer wears down far enough, a little indicator tab is exposed, which is designed to create a loud screeching sound. This warning sound is how you know it's time for a new pad. Reduced Braking Responsiveness Any loss of braking responsiveness is a disconcerting experience. Reduced braking force usually means you either have leaking brake fluid or you're experiencing brake fade from overheating, both of which are serious problems. If one of your car's brake hoses has sprung a leak, then hydraulic force is lessened, which means your brake pedal can no longer transmit a proper braking signal to the caliper. It's advisable to have a technician find and repair the leak at once. Brake fade, on the other hand, is usually a temporary problem. Brake fade sometimes occurs when brakes overheat from continual braking in heavy traffic or while driving on mountainous roads. This overheating can cause a sudden loss of friction and stopping power. If you pull over and allow your brakes to cool down, normal brake function may be restored. How a Kia Dealer Inspects Your Car's Brakes During a full brake inspection, the technician will check under the hood for signs of leaks in the master brake cylinder or upper brake lines. They'll then raise the car, remove the wheels and all of the brake components, and check the brake lines underneath the car as well. The thickness and quality of all the braking system's components are carefully checked. If any problems are found, they'll be promptly fixed before everything is put back on and the brakes are carefully tested. Have your car's brakes inspected and repaired today by experienced professionals at Geweke Kia. We're a family-owned dealership that's been diligently serving the region's drivers for over 25 years.

One of the most expensive repair jobs a driver can face is an engine destroyed by overheating. The cooling system's radiator is designed to keep that problem from ever happening, but if your radiator runs into trouble, the engine will soon follow. Along with regular maintenance, it's important to identify radiator issues early on and fix them quickly. So if you notice the following three common signs of trouble, visit your local Kia dealer right away for radiator repair. Rising Engine Temperature When the radiator stops controlling the coolant's temperature, the heat inside your engine will rapidly rise. Your first warning of this will usually be the temperature gauge on your instrument panel shooting up into the red. A Kia's engine should ordinarily run between 195 and 220 degrees. If it rises above 220 degrees, parts inside the engine will rapidly start to break down; you might notice ticking sounds, a loss of engine power, and steam rising from under your hood. A car with an overheating engine can only go for a quarter of a mile before risking catastrophic damage, so never drive for long if you suspect overheating because of a failed radiator. Leaking Coolant If the coolant flowing through your radiator and engine leaks, the entire cooling system can no longer function properly, and your engine will rapidly overheat. So if you notice the temperature rising, check below your car for puddles of brightly colored, sweet-smelling fluid. You can also check under your hood for signs of a leak. The coolant reservoir will be lower than expected, and you might notice patches of discoloration on various engine parts where the coolant has dripped or spurted and then boiled away. Leaks can sometimes stem from radiator caps or hose connections. Corroding or Rusting Radiator Over time, radiators can start to rust. This is more likely in particularly humid or cold climates, or when your car is left to rest without being used for prolonged periods. When you visually check your radiator, check the caps and fins for signs of corrosion or rust. Radiators can also sometimes rust internally if aging coolant loses its rust-prevention qualities. In this case, the coolant inside the transparent reservoir will begin to turn rusty brown in hue. A technician at your local dealership may be able to use special products and processes to destroy external and internal rust. But if the rust is extensive, you might need a new radiator. How Your Kia Dealer Can Inspect Your Radiator A technician will first check your coolant and flush it if necessary. They'll then remove the radiator cap and check for excessive debris, and also examine the fins for any external clogging. To test the proper functioning of your radiator, they'll also run a series of pressure checks on the fan, cap, thermostat, pump, and other essential parts. Have your radiator inspected, repaired, or replaced today at Geweke Kia. We've been providing the drivers of Yuba-Sutter and Lodi for 25 years with great vehicles and great customer service.