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Six Spring Cleaning Tips for your Car Interior

Springtime is here and you know what that means. It’s time to throw out those filthy fast food cups, wipe down that dusty dashboard and let in some fresh air to dispel that smell that’s been bothering you for the last 3 months. Yes, it’s time for some spring cleaning and we want to share six simple tips using common household items to properly clean your car interior without a fuss. Let’s start with the ceiling.

1. Ceiling: If the ceiling of your vehicle is made out of fabric material, wiping it too hard with a wet cloth may cause some fuzz. You want to make sure you use a slightly damp washcloth made out of superfine fibers and you can add a bit of neutral detergent as needed.

2. Dashboard: You can wipe the dashboard down with a washcloth and use a car brush or toothbrush to dust any hard to reach spaces.

 

3. Handles & Steering Wheel: Many cars have leather handles, so you may be tempted to use household leather care products, but it’s not advised. These can make your steering wheel slippery and hinder you from having a good grip. We recommend keeping a dry cloth in your glove compartment to wipe it down every now and then.

4. Heater: Use a dry cloth and cotton swabs to easily access those narrow vent spaces. It’s good to clean these areas to help prevent any allergies and respiratory ailments caused from too much dust.

If you smell something foul when turning on your heater – It could be fungus or a special surprise from a skunk. Mix some mustard powder in warm water and spray it into your vents. Afterwards, run your heater on the strongest mode for 4-5 minutes. This is a very effective way to eliminate odor.

5. Car Seats: Car seats are often the culprit of unpleasant stenches (Think about all the spills, pets and people that have been in your car). You can certainly use various products to clean your seats, but as the saying goes, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ so try to wipe down seats often. Leather seats are easier to clean with a damp cloth and a bit of neutral detergent. For fabric seats, spray water mixed with a neutral detergent and wipe down the seats with a damp cloth, followed with a dry cloth. Make sure to keep the windows down to allow the upholstery to dry completely.

6. Car Floor Mats: For rubber, simply spray it down with soapy water and wipe, and for fabrics, you can always use your household vacuum.

 

Hopefully we’ve shared some tips you can put to good use and make your car squeaky clean and ready for spring.

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"My husband and I bought a 2009 Kia Spectra 5. We have had it serviced ever since then. The salesmen was nice and the service dept are great group of people. I recently had my 30K maintenance done and was well pleased. Kegan took care in making sure that I was satisfied and everything was done, he even fixed my fuel door release as I was on my way out. Thanks you for the great service. Kudos to all".-Janis

"Went in with a minor problem and was taken right in with no waiting. Very, very friendly staff and knowledgeable. Had to order the part, which is fine. I'll definitely do business here and recommend them."-Keith

"Excellent dealership. We have purchased one new vehicle and one used vehicle. Both times we were treated well and got just what wanted at a price we could afford. The service department second to none. we will always use them to maintain both vehicles. We could not be more please"-Jammer

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Kia launches yet another Optima sedan level

Kia's new Optima trim might look familiar — it was introduced to more than 100 million people during the Super Bowl. The top-line SX Limited is a new addition to the Optima lineup for 2012.

It joins the base LX, midlevel EX, sporty SX and Hybrid trims.

Building off the turbocharged Optima SX trim, the SX Limited uses the SX's 274-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Unique features include a chrome-accented spoiler, lower doorsills, red front-brake calipers and 18-inch chrome wheels. Trim-exclusive colors include Ebony Black, Snow White Pearl and Titanium Metallic.

Inside, the new trim gets unique wood surfaces, black or white Nappa leather seats and interior pieces, and a more premium headliner than the other versions. Interestingly, there's also a first aid kit in the cabin.

Production will begin soon at Kia's plant in West Point, Ga., and sales should start next month. Kia didn't mention a specific price, but executives said it would start "under $35,000 including destination."

Souce:USAToday

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Kia Optima SX Limited Edition Debuts in Chicago

Kia has finally detailed the snazzy little Optima number they used in the Super Bowl commercial the past Sunday. It’s called the SX Limited and it bowed today at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show and is the new range-topping version of the popular sedan.

It’s obviously based on the SX version and adds 18-inch chromed alloy wheels, a chrome-accented rear spoiler, LED daytime running lights and red front-brake calipers. This exclusive-looking car is available in three exterior colors, namely Ebony Black, Snow White Pearl and Titanium Metallic.

The Optima SX Limited also comes with steering wheel paddle shifters, illuminated door scuff plates, a panoramic sunroof, four-way power front passenger's seat, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a navigation system with back-up camera.

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For those who believe vanilla is only for ice cream there’s the Kia Soul. It’s not plain, certainly not boring

The world is full of plain, ordinary and boring looking stuff. Houses, logos, appliances don’t always get much personality.  We settle for the uninspired. The late Steve Jobs despised the mundane.  You should too because insanely great designs are all around us. 

Cars are no different.  For those who believe vanilla is only for ice cream there’s the Kia Soul. It’s not plain.  Certainly not ordinary.  Definitely not boring. 

Silhouettes like Soul’s tend to polarize.  Boxy yet wedgey, the shape shouldn’t appeal to everyone but curiously it’s widely embraced.  Those who don’t understand it can buy a Corolla, it’s a free country.  People vote with their checkbooks in the automotive world and it’s easy to get into a base model at $14,650.  The particular Exclaim model I’m driving at the Austin, TX press event is $20,350 with destination.

Kia has only recently become a mainstream player and so I find this surprising; In 2011 Toyota sold 17,017 copies of the Scion xB.  In that same year, Kia moved 102,267 Souls, a volume that caught even Kia off guard.  Full disclosure, one of those is in my garage.  In December my wife Mariko decided it was the car for her and bought a fully loaded Exclaim model, nearly identical to the car in the video.

Refreshed After Just Two Years

Soul started Kia’s design revolution back in 2009.   Largely credited to American Mike Torpey (formerly of GM), its design is based somewhat on the idea of a wild boar with a backpack and famously sold by a completely different furry critter.  Boars with backpacks?  Hamsters with iPods?  Time to check the water supply at Kia.

Different on the Outside, Different on the Inside

Obviously it’s not a sedative, the engineers have been hard at work.  For 2012 Kia has extensively refreshed this car, the least of which is subtle new front and rear fascias. Top ‘o the line Exclaim models get additional LED tail lamps and unique 18-inch wheels with low profile tires. 

Exclaim and Plus models (or “!” and “+” as Kia tags them) get the larger of two new engines.  The 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 164 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 148 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm.  There’s better fuel economy too (EPA rates Exclaim at 26 city, 34 highway).  Both new transmissions are six-speeds, replacing a five speed manual and four speed automatic.  The auto-box has a manual mode and a silky feel to the console lever.

Base models (plainly called “Base”) come with a 1.6-liter engine.  At 138 horsepower (123 lb-ft at 4,850 rpm) it‘s direct injected.  The 2.0-liter isn’t.  Both are available with an optional engine start/stop system that shuts down the engine while waiting at stoplights, not available on the top Exclaim model.

Fleeting Soul

Quick as a loose hamster (and they all get out don’t they?), 0-60 happens in a tick under eight seconds.  Soul has a good amount of spunk off the line but mercifully isn’t twitchy.  The new drivetrain is noticeably more refined this time around. Soul feels a little bit like a compact crossover since it rides a skosh higher than most hatchbacks and wagons. While the body doesn’t wallow in the corners, its ride height keeps it from being a sports car in the corners.

Kia has added sound insulation to Soul’s cabin making it quieter at highway speeds now.  The suspension is set very firm, not for those looking for a cushy ride. I suggest a test drive on a rough road, especially if you’re considering the ! with its less forgiving low-profile rubber. Electric power steering is well weighted and Soul reacts immediately to input but lack of road feel makes for a slightly disconnected feeling.  Big windows offer up excellent visibility.

Surprisingly Roomy

The interior is familiar with a smattering of material upgrades. Surfaces look and feel good considering the low price with a hard but rubbery texture to most of the instrument panel.  I’m pretty sure this car is alone in having hound’s-tooth seat trim.  The leather wrapped wheel now adjusts for rake and reach, buttons and knobs have quality operation, and the gauge cluster is clean and clear.

Soul’s signature disco light speakers get a bit more refinement for 2012. The big news for music lovers is a premium Infinity sound system which is easily best in class.  With a very accurate sound stage it absolutely rocks.  The HD Radio tuner sounds great and its clarity reveals the grainy digital sound of Sirius satellite radio.  This sound package is standard on the ! and an option on the + model.  I highly recommend checking the option box.

Soul gets the Microsoft based UVO system.  It can read incoming text messages and makes many electronics voice active.  I find it relatively simple to call up tunes loaded on the 1 gig jukebox and making phone calls just by saying “call home”.  It’s easy to compare UVO with Sync but the Ford system is more powerful.  Still, UVO is a good place to start.

Go with the Premium package on ! models and there’s keyless ignition, auto climate control, heated leather seats, and easy to use navigation.  It gives Soul a touch of luxury though unfortunately it eliminates UVO and the HD radio tuner.

Take the Whole Litter

There’s more room in Soul than you might expect and nowhere is that better experienced than the back seat.  Leave your hat on cowboy, there’s loads of head and legroom.  Tall friends will choose it when carpooling.  Width wise there’s enough room for three average sized adults.  They won’t be charging their phone in back though, no power port (there’s one in the cargo hold though). Drinks get stashed in the doors since there’s no other cupholders or folding armrest. 

With the split folding seats dropped Soul’s square space is very cargo friendly. Tall though not deep, it’s a five packer in the TP trunk test.  Useful storage is found under the load floor with compartments for umbrellas and jumper cables. Underneath it is a tire repair kit, no spare.

Uniquely Unique

Why did Mariko end up with a Soul?  Well, after 12 years with a white station wagon she wanted practicality with personality and Soul is perfect for her.  It is very odd reviewing a car I own (though she drives it 98 percent of the time).  So far her biggest gripe is that the fuel tank is on the small side.  She rarely hits the highway so city driving reduces range and causes her to fill up more often.  She also has noticed the very direct steering  and driving dynamic.  The slightly higher ride height is a plus.

Soul would seem to compete with Scion xB, Toyota Matrix, and Nissan cube, but none of those were on Mariko’s radar screen.  For her, it beat out the similarly sized Volkswagen Tiguan, plus Jetta Sportwagen, and Subaru Outback because of design and bargain price. 

Soul is appealing because it’s not like anything else out there, even the Scion to which it’s compared most. The xB is sold as a blank slate for customization while Soul brims with attitude straight out of the box (pun intended).  It’s full of personality, very versatile and value priced.  In short, it makes people smile.  All the money in the world may not buy you love or happiness, but just a little can get you Soul.

Source: King 5

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