How to Decorate Christmas Lights on Your Car

Decorating your car with Christmas lights is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays. Although decorating a car with lights may seem complicated or cumbersome, it is actually a simple and straightforward process. The tools you will need are readily available at most retailers, and the installation is fast and easy. Just be sure to take recommended safety measures to avoid accidents and serious injuries.


Things You'll Need

• Power inverter
• Christmas lights
• Star washer

Instructions

1. Check with local authorities whether installing Christmas lights on cars is permitted in your area. Local ordinances vary from area to area, and in some places decorating your car with Christmas lights may be considered illegal. This is because the lights might be considered a distraction for others on the road.

2. Buy a suitable inverter for your car. A 12v DC inverter, available at most hardware stores, changes12v DC electricity into 110v AC electricity, supplying usable power to the Christmas lights in the car. In other words, the inverter draws power from the car battery and changes it to a form the lights can use. Be careful not to confuse this device with a converter. A converter will do the opposite, changing 110v AC to 12v DC.
       
3. Install the inverter. You will need to draw at least 400 watts from the inverter, and therefore cannot use a standard inverter that supports loads of up to 150 watts. Because you are using a heavy duty inverter, you will have to connect it directly to the car battery, and not the lighter adapter as the standard inverter. To install, unscrew the nut from the positive terminal on the battery, and attach the power lead terminal over the bolt securing the terminal to the battery post. Replace the nut.
       
4. Ground the inverter. Choose a suitable small metal object, such as a screw or bolt, that is in direct contact with the metal body of the car and is near the inverter. Detach the screw or bolt and remove any surface deposits such as grime. Take the ground wire from the inverter, attach its end to a star washer, and slip it underneath the bolt or screw. Replace the screw, making sure the ground wire remains attached.
       
5. Buy Christmas lights. Once the inverter has been properly installed, you can choose virtually any type of lighting, from low budget standard Christmas lights, to elaborate electronically-controlled lighting that blinks different colors or lights that chase back and forth.
       
6. String the lights along the inside of your car. Some people prefer to string their lights on the outside of their car. If you choose to do this instead, be sure to string them on the outside of your car in dry weather only. Remove them if the weather forecast calls for rain, sleet, or snow.
       
7. Attach the lights to the inverter connector. When you string the lights, one end will have the input for power supply. Connect the inverter to the power input for the lights, and move the connecting wires so they are not exposed.

(courtesy of eHow)

Stocking Stuffers That Ease Any Drive

Christmas will be here before you know it. If you're like me, finding stocking stuffers is a last-minute scramble, and as my daughters recently pointed out, I buy way too many hair accessories (who couldn't use more ponytail holders?). To save you from shopping in the "As Seen on TV" aisle at Walgreens this year, here are a few car-themed stocking stuffer ideas for all the drivers and passengers in your life.

Spill-Proof Travel Coffee Mug: There are very few travel coffee mugs that are actually completely and utterly leak- and spill-proof. The Contigo Autoseal Travel Mug has weathered many early morning school commutes in my test cars without so much as a drip of latte on the leather seats. Bonus: They come in all sorts of cool metallic colors to enhance the morning mood. If you want to dress up the mug even further, check out these adorable handmade coffee cozies on Etsy.

Key Clip: I've tried many ways to keep my keys hooked onto my purse, all of them unsightly (a key ring threaded over my purse's strap, and a carabineer hooked to my key ring and my purse). The bobino Key Clip is a more aesthetically unobtrusive way to keep car keys from falling in to the dark and crumby recesses of a purse or computer bag.

Smartphone Dash Mount: For those who have given up on outdated and temperamental in-car navigation systems in favor of much-easier-to-use smartphones, this clean, simple and modern-looking dash-mounted smartphone holder will help the perpetually lost finally stay found. It also works with any other type of cellphone or tablet, even if protected by a case.

Never Lose Your Car: My mom, whom I dearly love, has trouble keeping track of her car in parking lots. Instead of purchasing your parent a new car in an obnoxiously bright color, you could procure this small key-chain GPS Homing Device. Mom can just push a button when she leaves the car, and the device will later direct her back to it.

Combat Dry Winter Air in the Car: If you live in a dry climate like my family and I, you may also constantly be suffering from dry winter air sniffles. This mini humidifier plugs into a car's outlet and fits in the cupholder, providing an on-the-go dose of therapeutic humidity.

Individual Windshield Wipes: If your significant other does a lot of nighttime driving, they might be familiar with how a small smudge on the inside of the windshield can illuminate and turn into a huge visual obstruction. These individually wrapped wipes stash in a glove box and can quickly eliminate grimy fingerprints, sneeze marks and more.

Moso Bag: My husband has a problem; his car stinks. It may be from leftover milk the kids forgot after a morning school run. Or, it could be from the really smelly ballet shoes in the backseat. The best way to get rid of smells in the car naturally is with a few bamboo-charcoal-filled Moso Bags.

Aromatherapy for the Car: This is perfect for the fragrance lover in your life who wishes to go beyond just a clean-smelling car. This gift creates a mobile ambiance for the season. Bath and Body Works' Scentportables attach to a car's visor or seat pocket and infuse the air with nature-inspired scents like leaves, autumn, mahogany teakwood, balsam, cinnamon stick, flannel or winter.

Portable Tire Compressor: Say goodbye to hunting for a working air compressor at the gas station or shelling out big bucks for a bulky unit that sits in your garage. This portable tire compressor is tiny enough to keep in the center console (and fit in a Christmas stocking), and is powered by a car's 12-volt outlet.

App-Controlled Racecars: While the driver in your life may not be able to let out his or her inner racecar driver on the streets, he or she can channel all that energy safely at home with these fun app-controlled racecars.

(courtesy of Kicking Tires)

Poll Question: What's Your Favorite Christmas Song of All-Time?

Christmas is less than three weeks away, and that means we've officially entered the holiday season! So just for a little Friday fun, we want to know: what is your favorite Christmas song of all time?

What is Your Favorite Christmas Song of All-Time?

'Have a Holly Jolly Christmas': Burl Ives

'The Christmas Song': Nat King Cole

'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas': Judy Garland

'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree': Brenda Lee

'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year': Andy Williams

'White Christmas': Bing Crosby

'The Chipmunk Song': The Chipmunks

'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer': Gene Autry

'Santa Claus is Coming to Town': Bruce Springsteen

Poll Maker

Feel free to let us know if there's a song we forgot!

Five Simple Tips to Make You a Better Driver

Driving is a skill and it requires practice to become comfortable behind the wheel. Men and women drivers of all ages do many things wrong when they take the driver’s seat and there are many different things that they can do to improve their driving. These five simple tips are designed to make you a better driver in any conditions:

1. Be Alert It seems like every time the television or radio is on, there is a new commercial about not texting and driving or not driving drunk. The idea of being alert behind the wheel is the best tip to be a better driver. This includes more than just texting and drinking. Being alert involves watching the road. It is difficult to do this while putting on make-up or attending to children in the back seat. It is difficult to be alert if you are tired or if you are looking around at the sights on the road. Being alert also means you should not talk on the phone, even using Bluetooth because the act of talking on the phone is what is so distracting. It also means that you should not work on your playlist on your iPod, too.

2. Know Where You are Going
If you do not know where you are going, you will have problems getting there. There is nothing more irritating to other drivers than having a driver who stops and starts in the road from not knowing where to go. This creates unsafe conditions for you and your passengers, as well as the other drivers on the road. Find out where you are going before you leave your home. Set up your GPS and look at the final destination before you get in the car. Plan your route and be sure that you have enough gas or have an idea about where to stop along the way when you need a refill.

3. Drive for the Conditions
If you live in an area that has sunny weather all of the time, consider yourself lucky. Driving in extreme weather is truly a challenge. The best way to drive well in the weather is to adjust for the weather. If you live in a part of the world that gets snow, slow down on snowy days. Just because you have a vehicle with four-wheel drive, those four wheels can slide off of icy roads just as quickly as a car with front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. It is also a good idea to clean off your car so you can see out of your windows and so drivers can see your tail lights. The best drivers are respectful of Mother Nature’s ability to make driving more difficult.

In rainy weather, slow down for the conditions. Greasy roads and hot roads can become very slippery during a rain storm. If you have roads that are prone to floods, avoid them when it rains because cars are not designed to swim or float! When you drive in the fog, leave plenty of space to stop because the person in front of you cannot see either. If you have fog lights, use them. If you do not, just turn on your lights.

4. Watch Out for Other Drivers
You might be the safest driver in the world, but there are thousands of other drivers who are not. Watch for the other drivers who might be prone to causing accidents. Be aware of the drivers in front of you, as well as the drivers who are behind you. When you are at intersections, be aware of the drivers coming through the cross streets to be sure they stop. Because you never know what is going on inside of other cars, you need to be vigilant and aware. Not every driver uses turn signals or has working brake lights, so if you get stuck behind one, you have to be alert as to when to slow or to stop. It is often best to just assume that all of the other drivers on the road are BAD; this way you will stay aware and be a better driver.

5. Be Considerate to Others on the Road and in Your Car
When you are considerate to others, you become a much safer driver. Being considerate means relaxing and not worrying when you are in conditions that you cannot control. Not panicking will keep your passengers relaxed and comfortable. When you are considerate, you use turn signals, leave space between your car and the car in front of you, and you do not drive slowly in the left lane on the highway. Considerate drivers do not ride their brakes or drive too fast in rough weather. They also get away from drivers who are showing excessive aggressiveness and dangerous driving. Considerate drivers allow other drivers to merge in congested conditions. Being kind and considerate, will keep you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road relaxed and happy.

The World's Fastest Roads

What's the fastest you've legally driven? If you're in the U.S., probably 75 MPH. Well, if you have a fast car you want to redline without going to jail, we would recommend a trip to any of these ten locations:

10) Texas: SH 130

Where Is It: Central Texas, near Austin.

Speed Limit: 85 MPH, fastest in North America.

Fastest Stretch: Between any two toll booths south of 290 and east of I-35.


9) Bulgaria: Trakia highway

Where Is It: Starts at the capital.

Speed Limit: 87 MPH.

Fastest Stretch: Between Sofia and Burgas.


8) Poland: A4

Where Is It: Starts at the German border.

Speed Limit: 87 MPH.

Fastest Stretch: Between Jędrzychowice and Tarnów.

You can even go 6 mph faster without getting a ticket.


7) Dubai: E 11

Where Is It: It's the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway.

Speed Limit: 87 MPH.

Fastest Stretch: In Jebel Ali.

They used to have a 100 mph limit.


6) Italy: A1

Where Is It: Between Milan and Rome.

Speed Limit: 93 MPH.

Fastest Stretch: Between Milan and Rome.


5) Nürburgring

Where Is It: Near Nürburg.

Speed Limit: What?

Fastest Stretch: All the way.


4) Isle of Man

Where Is It: In the middle of the Irish Sea.

Speed Limit: Whatever you can do.

Fastest Stretch: Ask Clarkson.


3) Australia: The Outback

Where Is It: Between Alice Springs and Barrow Creek.

Speed Limit: Will be unlimited soon.

Fastest Stretch: Wherever you won't hit kangaroos.


2) Germany

Where Is It: Where you see the Autobahn sign.

Speed Limit: Unrestricted if you're lucky.

Fastest Stretch: Wherever they aren't doing roadwork.


1) Bonneville Salt Flats

Where Is It: In Utah.

Speed Limit: Have fun.

Fastest Stretch: In the middle.

Utah might have a general 80 mph speed limit, but Bonneville has different rules. It might not be a road per se, but you can drive there and you can go as fast as you please.

(courtesy of Jalopnik)

How to See Forever on Your Dirty Car

Every year, almost 100,000 tons of space dirt falls on our planet. That's the equivalent of one U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier dropping from the skies every year. Of course, it doesn't all come at once. Each day, about a hundred tons of material hits the Earth. Most of it is in the form of interplanetary dust caught in the Earth's gravitational pull. But on any given night, you might also catch the bigger stuff: sand-grain-sized or even pebble-sized bits of the solar system flaring across our sky as meteors. After their fiery journey through the atmosphere, most of that material ends up as dust on the ground too.

So if you do the math, those hundred tons of inbound space stuff translates into about 10,000 grains of dust added to your car every day. And if you only make it to the car wash once a year, then odds are pretty good that if you write, clean me, on your car's rear window, it will leave at least a few tiny bits of dusty space dirt on your fingers. And it's right there, on your fingertips, that you can meet eternity up close.

(courtesy of NPR)

The Craziest Laws in Kansas

Every state has its fair share of outrageous, crazy laws, and our state in particular is no exception. Some of the laws have been repealed, and some are still in the books, but at one time all of these were the law of the land in Kansas. What law do you think is the craziest? Let us know, fans!

• If two trains meet on the same track, neither shall proceed until the other has passed.
• In Kansas City, KS, saying the name "George Washington" without adding the phrase "blessed be his name," can land you with a fine of up to fifty cents.
• In Natoma, Kansas, it's illegal to throw knives at men wearing striped suites.
• In Topeka, Kansas, servers are forbidden to serve wine in teacups.
• It is illegal to catch bullfrogs in a tomato patch.
• It is illegal to hunt whales.
• It is illegal to put ice cream on cherry pie in Kansas.
• Kansas state law requires pedestrians crossing the highways at night to wear tail lights.
• Lawrence: All cars entering the city limits must first sound their horn to warn the horses of their arrival. No one may wear a bee in their hat.
• Minors in Kansas City, Missouri, are not allowed to purchase cap pistols; they may buy shotguns freely, however.
• No one may catch fish with his bare hands in Kansas.
• Rabbits may not be shot from motorboats.
• Russell: Musical car horns are banned
• Salina: It is against the law to leave your car running unattended.
• The state game rule prohibits the use of mules to hunt ducks.
• Topeka: The installation of bathtubs is prohibited.

(courtesy of Crazy Topics)

Fun Trivia For Your Friday!

1. Oscar the Grouch used to be orange. Jim Henson decided to make him green before the second season of Sesame Street. How did Oscar explain the color change? He said he went on vacation to the very damp Swamp Mushy Muddy and turned green overnight.

2. Reno is farther west than Los Angeles.

3. At Fatburger, you can order a "Hypocrite"—a veggie burger topped with crispy strips of bacon.

4. In 1999, Furbies were banned from the National Security Agency's Maryland headquarters because it was feared the toys might repeat national security secrets.

5. Bear Bryant was once asked to contribute $10 to help pay for a sportswriter's funeral. According to legend, he said, "Here's a twenty, bury two."

6. The string on boxes of animal crackers was originally placed there so the container could be hung from a Christmas tree.

7. Kool-Aid was originally marketed as "Fruit Smack."

8. Only female mosquitoes will bite you.

9. In 1961, Martha Stewart was selected as one of Glamour magazine;s "Ten Best-Dressed College Girls."

10. As part of David Hasselhoff's divorce settlement, he kept possession of the nickname "Hoff" and the catchphrase "Don't Hassle the Hoff."

(courtesy of Mental Floss)

How Do Gas Pumps Know When to Stop?

If you've ever put gas in a car, you'll know that the pump magically knows when to stop spewing fuel into the tank. That's super useful, and safe too. But how does it know when to stop?

Is it witchcraft? Psychic powers? Clever guesswork? Or, you know, some simple but incredibly smart engineering? Watch this video and find out!

Rolling Stone's 25 Best Road Trip Songs Ever

Rolling Stone recently came up with a list of the 25 best road trip songs ever, and we think it's a pretty solid list ourselves. Is there a song that you think is missing? Or did most of your favorite songs manage to make the cut? Let us know!

1. "Immigrant Song," Led Zeppelin
2. "Born To Run," Bruce Springsteen
3. "Highway to Hell," AC/DC
4. "Runnin' Down a Dream,"Tom Petty
5. "Truckin'," Grateful Dead
6. "Ol' 55," Tom Waits
7. "Radar Love," Golden Earring
8. "Tush," ZZ Top
9. "The Passenger," Iggy Pop
10. "Wanted Dead or Alive", Bon Jovi
11. "Passenger Side," Wilco
12. "Turn the Page," Bob Seger
13. "No Particular Place to Go," Chuck Berry
14. "Going Back to Cali," LL Cool J
15. "Born to be Wild," Steppenwolf
16. "Running On Empty," Jackson Browne
17. "Take It Easy," Eagles
18. "Award Tour," A Tribe Called Quest
19. "Taking the Long Way," Dixie Chicks
20. "Roadrunner," Modern Lovers
21. "Rearviewmirror," Pearl Jam
22. "Gravity Rides Everything," Modest Mouse
23. "No Sleep Till Brooklyn," Beastie Boys
24. "Pink Houses," John Mellencamp
25. "Travelin' Band," Creedence Clearwater Revival

The Dangers of Texting and Driving

Since the introduction of text messaging, our society has become a population of screen peckers, with deft little thumbs that can move at an unbelievable rate across a phone keyboard. The average text messages sent each day in the United States alone reaches 6 billion, with the amount of texts sent across the world reaching 2.2 trillion each year. With numbers like these, it’s no surprise that text messaging has become a problem while driving.

In 2011, 23 percent of car accidents involved a cell phone—that equals about 1.3 million accidents.  When you text, your eyes are off the road for at least five seconds. If you happen to be going 55 miles per hour, that means you travel the entire length of a football field without looking up once.

So, while you’re busying answering the text asking you “Wut up?,” your car is essentially barreling down a road at 55 miles per hour by its own free will because, with your eyes off the road for that length of time, you won’t be paying enough attention to stop it. Can you imagine all the different scenarios that can happen in a football field length of space? Cars can pull out in front of you. Chickens can cross the road. Children can chase their basketballs into the street. All possible accidents just waiting to happen, all because you want to type, “Nuthin, u?”

Texting makes you 23 times more likely to crash. With 1 out of 5 drivers admitting to surfing the web while driving, the road just got that much more dangerous. Think before you text. You might just be saving a life.

Essential Maintenance Items You Should Keep in Your Car

 

There's nothing like breaking down at the side of the road and realizing the spare tire in your trunk has a flat from the last time it happened.  To keep you up and running, keep these in your trunk:

Spare tire (in good condition), along with a tire jack and tire iron, because without them or someone else to help you, the spare tire is useless. Here's how to change a tire, in case you need a refresher. Also, if your wheels require a special security key, make sure that's always in your car too.

Tire inflater and sealer, like the Fix-a-Flat, which can plug a leak (and help you avoid using the above tools) just enough to get you to the auto shop.

Jumper cables, because dead batteries happen to the best of us. Alternatively, you can pack an emergency battery booster so you don't have to rely on a Good Samaritan coming along.

Your car's manual, which should be in the glove compartment already.

Tire pressure gauge: Checking tire pressure on a regular basis can improve handling, increase fuel economy, promote tire longevity, and even save lives.

Duct tape and WD-40. 

Car repair information. A business card for your auto repair shop, the number for AAA (if you're a member), and car insurance claim forms should also be stored in your glove compartment.

Maintenance Tips - Tireless Tires

Check Your Tires

Tires are one of the most overlooked parts of a car. According the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), only one out of 10 drivers checks his or her tire pressure correctly, compared with almost seven out of 10 who wash their cars regularly [source: RMA]. But the truth is that an under-inflated, over-inflated, worn down or misaligned tire can be extremely dangerous, particularly in hot summer weather.

Tire pressure changes with the rising temperatures -- approximately one to two PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10-degree increase in outside air temperature [source: RMA]. Consult your owner's manual or the sidewall of your tire to see what your tire pressure should be and check it with a hand pressure gauge or just let the guys at the service shop do it for you.

An under-inflated tire bulges outward and puts undo pressure on the sidewalls of the tire. With enough heat and pressure, that tire eventually will blow. An over-inflated tire, on the other hand, makes less contact with the road and can lead to hydroplaning in wet conditions.

Use the penny trick to see if you still have enough tread on your tires. Stick a penny in the tread, and if Lincoln's head disappears, you're good [source: CBS News]. Your local service shop or specialty tire store can also check your tires for proper alignment and balance.

And don't forget about your spare! There's no point in having a spare tire if your spare is in worse condition than the rest. Make sure the spare is properly inflated and has ample tread depth.

Kia teases new concept to unveil in Frankfurt!

A new "dramatic" Kia concept will be released at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The early photos definitely have our attention! We love that Kia is constantly pushing design to the limit.

Check out our current Kia showroom and decide for yourself where this concept got it's roots. http://bit.ly/1cD0FAk

Peak into Kia's future and discover a new, athletic-looking concept car! Meet the Kia Kue.

Imparting a lean and athletic design with bold understated simplicity and fitted with a 400-horsepower supercharged V8 and all-wheel drive, the Kue speaks to a driver's thirst for exhilaration and performance while providing a glimpse at future styling.

 

Visit the Dick Edwards Kia website to find your next vehicle!

History Junkie? Discover Junction City's Best Historical Spots.

Known as the "Hometown of Fort Riley" - Junction City and Geary County puts the stories in history.

Visit the U.S. Cavalry Museum, Custer House, Buffalo Soldier Memorial, 1st Territorial Capitol of Kansas, Geary County Historical Museum, 1st Infantry Division Museum, Heritage Park, Atomic Annie and the Spring Valley Historic Site.

Check out our website to find your dream car!

Dick Edwards Auto Plaza offers a top-notch Collision Repair Center!

Our dealership can alleviate some of the post-accident stress by providing professional advice and service. We specialize in every level of auto body repair and have formed direct relationships with the major insurance companies, allowing us to get your vehicle back on the road quickly and in like-new condition 

Learn more about our services on our website!

During the 2013 Vans Warped Tour, bandmates, crew memebers and sponsors came together to volunteer for Waves for Water!

This Kia Spectra commercial may have been filmed in 2002 but we still offered our 10 years/100,000 miles warranty!

Did you know? We're offering a $500 discount incentive on all 2013 Kia Soul Trims! Find out about our College Student and Graduate Program

Click here to view this event!

Kia global sales up 2.6% halfway through 2013

Kia Motors Corporation announced today its global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles through June 2013, recording a total of 1,383,759 units sold. This figure represents a 2.6% year-on-year increase for the first six months of 2013.

China experienced the highest cumulative gain to date in 2013 of 23.1% (291,125 units sold), followed by Europe with 3.7% (296,543 units sold). Korea, North America and general markets* experienced cumulative decreases of 5.3% (226,404 units sold); 4.3% (313,976 units sold) and 1.3% (255,711 units sold), correspondingly.

“Halfway through the year Kia is still posting positive sales results, and we are particularly pleased with the strong sales momentum in China, which further demonstrates the market as a rising star for the Kia brand,” said Thomas Oh, Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors International Business Division.

For the month of June, Kia’s bestselling model in overseas markets was the B-segment Rio (known as ‘K2′ in China) with 43,586 units sold. The Sportage compact CUV was the second best seller with 33,388 units delivered, while the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ or ‘K3′ in some markets), Optima D-segment sedan and Sorento mid-size CUV followed with 32,696, 23,197 and 18,090 units sold, respectively.

Courtesy of Automotive World

Kia Motors America launches nationwide partnership with B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-Active Driving School to provide free hands-on defensive driving instruction!

Kia Motors America (KMA) is launching a nationwide partnership as the official vehicle and presenting sponsor of B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe) Teen Pro-Active Driving School to educate teenagers and their parents about the importance of responsible driving habits.  KMA’s support – which includes a fleet of 32 Kia vehicles – will provide teens nationwide with no-cost, hands-on training, including distracted driving exercise, emergency braking using the anti-lock braking system (ABS), evasive maneuvering and skid-control practice.  A three-to-one student-to-teacher ratio will ensure personal attention and high-quality individual instruction for every student.

“KMA is committed to giving back to the communities in which we do business,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  “Our partnership with B.R.A.K.E.S. will help teens learn to respond quickly and confidently to real-world driving scenarios through advanced training techniques to help ensure their own safety and that of others on the road.”
In addition to supplying school cars and other support, Kia’s race-winning No. 38 Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) Optima Turbo, driven by Mark Wilkins, will prominently feature B.R.A.K.E.S. for the remainder of the 2013 PWC season in an effort to raise awareness for teen driving safety.  The racer’s new livery will be unveiled at a promotional event in New York City’s SoHo district this evening, ahead of this weekend’s races at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn.

 “Kia’s support will enable B.R.A.K.E.S. to train thousands more teens, grow awareness and expand training to new areas of the country,” said Doug Herbert NHRA Top Fuel Racer & Founder of B.R.A.K.E.S. “We are extremely excited about this new relationship and what we can do together with Kia to accomplish our mission of reducing teen driving accidents.”

B.R.A.K.E.S., a 501 c3 charity based in Charlotte, N.C., has provided safe driving instruction courses for more than 8,000 students in the U.S. and Canada.  The school offers nearly four hours of hands-on training and a very low student-instructor ratio to ensure personal attention.  The curriculum includes an array of defensive driving techniques and raises awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.  Parents participate in the courses alongside their teens to ensure safe driving techniques are reinforced following the session.  To sign up for a school in your area visit http://www.putonthebrakes.com/driving-schools/schedule1/.
Training includes the following:

• Accident Avoidance/Slalom:  The two-part course simulates an animal or object jumping out in front of a car.  It forces students to make a split-second reaction to help negotiate a quick, evasive lane change without losing control of the vehicle.  Students must navigate their vehicle around cones while focusing on weight transfer, hand positioning and eye scanning.
• Distracted Driving:  In 2009 it was estimated more than 5,400 people died in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver and about 448,000 people were injured[i].  The course demonstrates the danger that cell phones, text messaging, and other distractions can pose while driving.
• Drop Wheel/Off Road Recovery:  The drop-wheel recovery course teaches students how to effectively recover from a drop-wheel situation by regaining control of the car and safely returning to the roadway.
• Panic Stop:  Teens often lack the experience needed to judge a safe following distance.  The panic stop course instructs students on proper braking techniques to help stop a vehicle in the shortest distance possible while maintaining control.  Students experience firsthand the pulsating brake pedal effects of ABS and how to control the vehicle when ABS in engaged.
• Car Control and Recovery:  A wet skid pad simulates wet-road conditions.  Students learn how to recover from both over-steer (rear wheel) and under-steer (front wheel) skids.

Courtesy of: Kia Motors America

It's everyone's favorite Hamsters!

Wallpaper Wednesday

The innovative lines on the Kia Provo Concept are just the thing you need to get your creative juices flowing. Switch up your desktop this Wallpaper Wednesday and let the inspiration flow!

Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.COM Names 2013 Kia Soul to List of Coolest New Cars Under $18,000

Soul Picked Based on its Fun-to-Drive and Fun-to-Own Personality

•  The Soul stays cool with its fun design and technology
• Soul’s extensive list of standard features makes it a superb value

Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling urban passenger vehicle, the 2013 Soul, was named to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com list of the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000. Chosen by the site’s editors, the 2013 Soul was celebrated for its fun and bold design, high-tech offerings and roominess.
“The Soul, which paved the way for Kia’s design led transformation with its fun and funky personality, quickly established a reputation as the spunkiest car in the Kia lineup, and now KBB has recognized it as one of the coolest vehicles on the market,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “Kia has always strived to provide customers with value, style and substance, and the Soul fulfills that promise with an extensive roster of standard features and unique design that has become iconic.”
The Soul placed third on Kelley Blue Book’s annual list of the coolest cars. Editors at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com looked for new cars that were fun to own and drive. The Soul’s one-of-a-kind look and feel stood out amongst its competition.
“Born in 2010 and significantly updated in 2012, the Kia Soul has managed to keep its cool the whole time,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Like a small cargo van with bold lines and high tech, the Soul’s impressive standard equipment list includes Bluetooth^®1 phone connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and iPod^®2 integration.”
For more information about KBB.com’s 2013 list of the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000, please visit http://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/10-coolest-cars-under-18000-2013/.

About the 2013 SoulRefreshed for the 2013 model year, the Soul features technology and styling upgrades, bringing a new level of cool with enhanced power and efficiency. New for 2013 are power-folding side mirrors, darkened chrome around the signature grille, upgraded leather on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, standard Bluetooth^® wireless technology with steering wheel-mounted controls, standard steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and cruise control. The Soul also offers Idle Stop and Go (ISG) technology as part of the Eco Package, which senses when the vehicle is stopped and shuts off the engine to maximize efficiency and results in reduced engine load and less fuel consumption.

Kia’s Unprecedented GrowthKia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 11,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

Courtesy of Kia Media

2014 Kia Sorento gets Spiderman-like transformation

How new the 2014 Kia Sorento really is depends on how you look at it, or more correctly, where you look at it.

Kia's current design renaissance encompasses the street-wise Soul and Sportage wagons as well as the Optima and Rio sedans. You can also place the current-generation Sorento that was launched for 2011 on that list. The lines are so right on the money in terms of contemporary style and carrying capacity that there was obviously no point in monkeying around with the mid-sized wagon's looks.

For 2014, the Georgia-built Sorento receives a minor nose tweak, including the ubiquitous mesh-style grille, updated headlights and optional fog lights, plus new taillight lenses. Otherwise the silhouette remains basically the same.

Surprisingly, however, just about every other part of the Sorento's DNA has been altered, redesigned, or otherwise enhanced, kind of like when Peter Parker was bitten by the spider to become Spiderman. Same kid on the outside, but better reflexes and more power.

For 2014, Kia has mounted the Sorento on a platform that's identical to that of parent Hyundai's Santa Fe Sport. Kia claims the new structure is 18 percent stiffer than the 2013 version; attached to that is a stouter sub-frame that holds the powertrain more firmly.

There's also a new independent front suspension, while a more compact rear suspension aids interior space and restricts noise and vibrations from entering the cabin.

The Sorento's hydraulic power-steering system has been exchanged for a more efficient electric unit that features Comfort, Normal and Sport settings, depending on your desired level of steering firmness.

Kia's design team also took care of business on the inside, installing a new instrument panel and center control stack with easier-to-find buttons and knobs.

As before, Sorento can accommodate up to seven passengers with the optional third-row seat, but there's precious little legroom in back and equally scarce stowage room when loaded to the max with passengers. There is a solution if a more comfy back row is a must, but it requires visiting your Hyundai dealer to scope out the extended-wheelbase version of the Santa Fe.

Big changes are also to be discovered in the engine bay. The 175-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder powerplant that was standard for 2013 has been dropped, and the previously optional 191-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder with direct injection (fuel is sprayed under very high pressure directly into the combustion chambers instead of the intake manifold) now assumes base-engine duties.

Added performance is at hand with the available 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 (also direct-injected) that delivers 18 more ponies than the outgoing 3.5-liter V6.

The four-cylinder's six-speed manual transmission has been deleted, leaving only a six-speed automatic with manual shift controls.

As before, you can order your four-cylinder or V6 Sorento in front- or all-wheel drive. The latter is a full-time system that constantly varies the torque to all four wheels and can direct power to the outer wheels in high-speed turning situations for added control (known as torque vectoring).

Interestingly, estimated four-cylinder fuel economy is 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway (two-wheel-drive), which is close to the V6's 18/25 rating. That points to the extra work the four-cylinder has to do to lug the Sorento around, which might make you wonder what the point is.
Clearly, the four-cylinder enters the market at a more favorable pricepoint.

The 2014 Sorento starts at just under $25,000, which is a price jump commensurate with the increase in power, content and that one great intangible, class.

Along with the existing LX, EX and SX/SX-L trims, Kia has added a new SX Limited model that does its luxury best to coddle passengers with a wood-trimmed interior with ventilated soft leather-covered seats on the inside, while self-leveling headlights and exclusive 19-inch wheels (17- and 18-inch wheels adorn lower trims) are installed outside.

As for options, the tricks up the Sorento's sleeve include a power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, advanced voice-activated communications, infotainment and navigation controls (incorporating an eight-inch touch-screen) and a blind-spot monitoring system that constantly tracks vehicles in the immediate vicinity and issues an audible and visual alert should any get too close.

Courtesy of Newsday