Get your Oil Changed at Crain Kia of Sherwood

Regularly checking the condition of your brakes is essential to ensure your safety. Your car's braking system comprises various parts, including rotors, brake pads, and more. Identifying the warning signs of worn-out or faulty brakes is crucial, and we at Crain Kia of Sherwood, located in Sherwood, AR, are here to help you recognize these symptoms. Are you shopping for a minivan? Click here to learn about the 2024 Kia Carnival! Brake Pads If you hear a screeching sound when you push the brake pedal, it's a sign that you should take your car in for a check-up. AAA 's website says that a piercing, high-pitched, or grinding sound typically means that your brake pads have worn down and need replacing. Karim Nice explains on the HowStuffWorks blog that this noise is generally caused by the brake pad's wear indicator, which is designed to let you know when it needs replacing. As the pad frays from use, the wear indicator contacts the disk, producing a high-pitched screeching sound. Click here to see what reviewers are saying about the 2024 EV9! Rotors If you're behind the wheel and notice an unusual pulse or vibration in your brake pedal, it may mean that your rotor is warped. On their blog, Autozone suggests that grinding sounds and longer or inconsistent braking distances are signs that you need to replace your rotor. Autozone also states that rotors can last up to 60,000 miles if you mostly drive on the interstate. However, if you drive mainly in the city with stop-and-go traffic, the lifespan of your rotors could be as short as 20,000 miles. If you need to replace your car's rotors, you can schedule an appointment with the skilled service team at Crain Kia of Sherwood. Click here to learn about tire care basics! Brake Pedal Keeping your brakes in good working condition is paramount to ensure your safety. When you press down on the brake pedal, your vehicle should come to a quick stop with a firm press. If you notice that your brake pedal feels soft, spongy, or mushy, it's a warning sign that something is wrong. On Kelley Blue Book 's blog, Chantel Wakefield states that this could indicate several potential issues, including low brake fluid, air in the brake line, or a leaking brake line. To avoid any potential problems and ensure that your brakes are working correctly, it's best to schedule an appointment with our certified service team. Are you shopping for an electric vehicle? Click here to see what reviewers are saying about the EV6! ABS Light If the ABS light on your car's dashboard lights up, it indicates that you should have your brakes checked by a technician. On J.D. Power 's blog, Dustin Hawley says the ABS system monitors your car's wheels to ensure they all turn at the same speed. The system will alert you via the dashboard light if something is amiss. There could be several reasons the light is on, but the most common ones are a malfunctioning ABS module, low brake fluid levels, faulty wheel speed sensors, or the ABS itself being off. Remember, proper brake function is crucial for your safety and others on the road. Therefore, watching for abnormalities or possible issues with your car's braking system is important. If you suspect any problems, book an appointment at Crain Kia of Sherwood for a brake check-up.

As simple as it is, caring for your car's tires can be time-consuming and, frankly, annoying. It's an easily forgettable part of your routine vehicle check, making it all the more important as they are the only part of your vehicle that makes contact with the ground, or at least the only part that should. Ensuring your tires are in their best shape provides a smooth, dependable, and peaceful drive and helps your car's fuel economy and performance. Not sure how to check your tires? Luckily, we at Crain Kia of Sherwood are here to help you get started! Are you shopping around for new tires? Click here to start your order! Tire Pressure A simple but essential factor in maintaining your tires is ensuring they have the proper amount of air. Keeping your tires aired properly helps keep you, your passengers, and others on the road safe by improving handling, braking, and fuel economy. AAA, on their blog, recommends checking your vehicle's tire pressure once a month. You can check your tire's air pressure with a digital or analog gauge. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll need to do. Checking Your Car's Tire Pressure Twist off the cap of the tire's valve stem. Place the gauge reader on the end of the open stem. Apply force for a tight seal for a proper reading. Add or remove air as needed. Use a compressor to add air. You can visit your local gas station if you do not own one. If your tires are overinflated, place the non-rounded end of your gauge on the valve stem to release pressure. Does your car need an oil change in Sherwood, AR? Click here to schedule a service appointment! Checking Your Tire's Tread Another critical component of maintaining your vehicle's health and your safety is keeping track of your tire tread. Professionals recommend inspecting your tread using the "penny test." This lets you know if it's time to replace your tires when they become too worn down. On their blog, Bridgestone states that most automotive tires come with 10/32-inch or 11/32-inch tread depths and need replacement when they hit the 2/32-inch threshold. The "penny test" lets you know if you're tires have reached this point in a simple yet effective way. The Penny Test Take the penny and put it in between the raises on the tire tread, or "rib." When placing the penny, make sure Lincoln's head points down. Check to see if Lincoln's head is visible. If Lincoln's head hides behind the tread, your tires are above the 2/32 threshold. If Lincoln's entire head is visible, it's probably time to replace the tire. Are you shopping for an electric vehicle in Central Arkansas? Click here to check out the EV9! Taking care of your car's tires is a chore, but it can significantly impact how well your car drives by affecting braking and handling. Inspecting your tire tread with the penny test and checking tire pressure are simple tasks that can drastically impact your car's performance. Stop by Crain Kia of Sherwood in Sherwood, AR, today!

Most drivers rely on GPS navigation to get from point A to point B, especially on longer trips or drives to unfamiliar locations. GPS can help you navigate traffic, road detours, and much more. But what if your car GPS is not working? In the event of a malfunctioning navigation system, you should schedule service at your Kia dealer. The service center at your local dealership has a few ways to restore the navigation system in your vehicle. If there is an issue with the latest GPS update, a hard factory reset of the navigation system or reinstalling the GPS software can correct the issue. If there are problems with the GPS display because of damage to the touchscreen, replacing this screen should fix the issue. Certified Kia technicians will be able to get your GPS up and running in no time. Why Would Your Navigation System Stop Working? One of the most common reasons a navigation system stops working is because of issues with the latest software update. Your GPS will only update when the car is on, but if your car battery dies during the update, or you turn your car off, this can cause issues with the navigation system. Some GPS systems are sensitive enough that updating the software while the car is idling can also cause problems with the software. Other times, your navigation system may be malfunctioning because of issues with the infotainment system, such as damage to the touchscreen. Or, it could be the case that your subscription to the navigation software is over and you need to renew your access. Is It Worth It to Have a GPS System for Your Car? If your car comes with a subscription to a navigation system for your infotainment system, you might not have to make the decision about whether to opt for a navigation upgrade. However, if installing navigation is an option you have when you purchase your vehicle, it's a good idea to get GPS for your car. The main advantage of having GPS in your car is the reliability of a second navigation system. Even if you use GPS on your phone to navigate, your car's navigation system may be more accurate or easier to use. You may even be able to access your vehicle's GPS system in areas where your phone's GPS fails because of a poor internet connection. Overall, a second GPS option is a good idea. If you're having trouble with your vehicle's satellite navigation system, you can always visit your local dealership to troubleshoot the problem. From a factory reset to other debugging issues, your dealership will have access to the software necessary to restore your GPS. Contact Crain Kia of Sherwood to schedule a service appointment today.