Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Chief Designer Explains Kia’s Simplicity
Ahead of the unveiling of its flagship K9 sedan in early May, Kia Motors Corp. on Thursday held a news conference where Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer explained his design philosophy.
Mr. Schreyer drew a pencil sketch of a K9 on a big white board to show what makes the upscale sedan different from its competitors from BMW AG, Audi AG and even the company’s sister company Hyundai Motors. He said simplicity, balanced proportions and attention to detail are important features for the new model.
“This is a really big step for Kia. Combination of power and style is a breakthrough for Kia,” Mr. Schreyer said. Kia has seen its presence growing in global markets since 2006 when the company brought in Mr. Schreyer, former top designer at Audi and Volkswagen, for design innovation. Mr. Schreyer said he was “given a lot of freedom” which he added he rarely experienced in his former workplaces.
Helped by changes in design and improved brand recognition, Kia’s profits have soared. Last year, non-consolidated net profit was 1.805 trillion won (US$1.6 billion), far above the 39.34 billion won ($35 million) Kia made in 2006. Unit sales more than doubled to 2.48 million from 1.23 million in that time.
Nearing a completion of the K-series with the distinctive “tiger-nose” or “tabbed” grille, Kia is set to add the K9 in the existing lineup including the K5 (or Optima) and K7 (or Cadenza) sedan. The K9, Kia’s first rear-wheel drive model, shares the same platform as the Hyundai Equus sedan.
Next in the pipeline: facelifts and upgrades on existing models, Mr. Schreyer said.
But no change to Kia’s emblem. “There is no reason to change it. The emblem has been facelifted and (it looks) short, clear and it is good.. for any country,” he said.
Courtesy of The Wall Street Journal Asia
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
La Costa Gets Strong Marks For Kia, Says Tournament Director
In the view of Kia Classic Tournament Director Dennis Baggett, the LPGA Tour made a strong statement last week during the tournament: It very much enjoys and wants to be at the La Costa Resort & Spa.
The entire event looked and felt bigger. Just the wraparound grandstands on the 18th hole gave it a grander vibe.
And when the world’s No. 1 player, Yani Tseng, dominates the competition and wins by six shots, there is evidence the golf course was a good test, set up properly.
There is hope on Baggett’s part, too, that Kia Motors America was impressed enough to continue to make La Costa the home of the tournament as the car maker decides in the next few months whether it will renew its sponsorship.
“My feeling is that we want to bill this as home of the Kia Classic, and continue to enhance the things around it,” Baggett said. “We just want to continue to grow and fill the place up.”
Baggett, an 18-year North County resident, wasn’t here when the Kia was played two years ago at La Costa, but the numbers and feedback he got from this year’s edition indicate the event moved forward in size and recognition.
Corporate tent sales were considerably better, Baggett said, and each day’s walkup ticket sales were better than in 2010.
Though the players often grumble about the bumpiness of the poa annua greens on the South Course, the rest of La Costa draws raves.
Baggett said about 60 percent of the players stayed at the resort for the week and several moved from other properties once they got on site.
There was some question about whether the South Course was the best choice for the LPGA, given the recent extensive renovation of the North (now Champions) Course. But the easier South ultimately proved to be the right selection. The scoring average for the week was more than two strokes over par at 74.31, while the lowest score was 67. Beyond Tseng’s 14-under winning total, the next-best score was a respectable 8-under.
La Costa got a memorable winner in Tseng, who reached her milestone 15th win at the age of 23.
“The LPGA has a clear No. 1 right now,” Baggett said.
“It was fun to watch good golf and see the world No. 1 do what she did. From that perspective, we’re very happy with the outcome. She’s a great champion.”
Honor for Hooton
Del Mar’s Courtney Hooton, a senior at Bishop’s, is among 18 girls competing today in the Fresh&Easy-Kraft Foods Junior Challenge at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage.
The girls are playing with legendary golfers as partners and the winner among them will receive an exemption to compete in the LPGA major Kraft Nabisco Championship beginning Thursday.
The SCGA Foundation led the selection of the girls.
Hooton, who will play with 13-time LPGA champion Liselotte Neumann, is a longtime standout in San Diego Junior Golf. Hooton, 18, has two career AJGA wins and has twice qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
She will play for the Harvard women’s golf team in the fall.
Courtesy of San Diego News
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Kia Rio tops Consumers Reports' small car list
Kia Motors Corp's next-generation Rio topped Consumer Reports' list of small cars on Thursday, beating out more popular rivals in the U.S. market, including Ford Motor Co's Fiesta. The highly influential consumer magazine praised the Rio's "nimble" handling, simple climate and radio controls and smooth transmission. Consumer Reports also said the interior is more cohesive than its earlier version, which had visible screws. Nissan Motor Co got poor marks for the overhaul of its Versa sedan. The magazine said the ride was jittery and engine sounds were "overwhelming and offensive." "The changes plunged it from the top of CR's ratings to the bottom," Consumer Reports said in a press release Thursday. Rising gas prices since 2008 have prompted more U.S. consumers to consider small cars. As a result, automakers have revamped their cars to be more stylish and comfortable. Many of these vehicles also come with options like back-up cameras and voice-activated entertainment systems. "Subcompact cars were once collectively known as 'penalty boxes,'" said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports. He added that the new redesigns "make a number of subcompact models good all-around choices for people looking to stretch their budget." The Rio sedan's overall road-test score was 67 out of 100. It edged past refreshed versions of Hyundai Motor Co's Accent and the Chevrolet Sonic, built by General Motors Co. Both scored a 65. The Fiesta snagged a 61 and the Versa got a 53. The hatchback version of the Rio fared worse. It landed at No. 3 on the list of small hatchbacks, behind Honda Motor Co's Fit and the hatchback version of the Versa. Last year, the top seller in the small car segment was Ford, which sold more than 68,500 Fiesta cars. Honda sold nearly 60,000 Fit vehicles and Hyundai sold more than 55,000 Accents. Kia sold little more than 20,000 of its Rio subcompact The Rio and the Accent are built on the same platform and share the same engine, but otherwise, development of the two vehicles is kept separate. Consumer Reports touted the Accent's 31-miles-per gallon fuel economy, but said the ride was bumpy. The Chevrolet Sonic got 28 miles per gallon, which Consumer Reports deemed "unimpressive" for the segment. The cheapest model that Consumer Reports tested was the Nissan Versa at $15,490. The most expensive was the Sonic LTZ hatchback at $19,870.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
2012 Kia Soul Clay Pigeons Video
Michelle Wie returns in her Molten red Kia Soul for a little target practice. Watch her pick clay targets out of the sky using a golf club and golf ball, as well-to-do hunters and their dogs look on in amazement.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Kia Motors Posts Largest Gains in Fuel Economy and CO2 Reduction Among All Automakers in the U.S. According to 2011 EPA Fuel Economy Trends Report
In its commitment to produce sustainable and fuel-efficient vehicles, Kia Motors America (KMA) has "had the biggest improvement in adjusted CO2 and fuel economy performance from MY 2009 to MY 2010" of any automaker, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) latest fuel economy trends report titled, "Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2011." Kia's fuel economy gain from 2009 to 2010 was 11.6 percent, while its reduction in CO2 emissions was 10.1 percent, beating all other major manufacturers by considerable margins based on the EPA's most recent data. In addition, the report shows Kia as tied for the highest Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) at 27.0 miles-per-gallon for MY 2010. Kia is ranked number two for MY 2010 CO2 values, ahead of traditional leaders such as Honda and Toyota.
"As an industry leader in fuel economy, Kia is committed to providing safe, high-quality vehicles that are socially relevant to consumers," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Our goal is to stay ahead of the industry by applying innovative technologies such as direct-injection and turbocharged engines to advance our efforts and continue improving on the benchmarks Kia has set in the sustainability realm."
Kia Motors' EcoDynamics philosophy has created a global alternative fuel and powertrain research program to develop advanced fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. In 2011, Kia introduced the brand's first-ever hybrid vehicle in the U.S., and the 2013 Rio and Rio 5-door will be the first vehicles in the subcompact segment to offer fuel-saving Idle Stop and Go technology.
The EPA report summarizes key trends in CO2 emissions and fuel economy for gasoline- and diesel-fueled personal vehicles sold in the United States, beginning MY 1975. Overall, the automotive industry's fleetwide average real world MY 2010 CO2 emissions and fuel economy have marked slight improvements over MY 2009 and the most favorable levels since this analysis began in 1975.
Kia's Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is the one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality[1] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[2]. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia - KMMG - is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company's two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. - the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan[3]. Kia's value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.
Courtesy of Market Watch
Monday, March 19, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Is this the First Official Sketch of the New 2012 Kia Pro_Cee’d Three-Door Hatch?
The Pro_Cee'd is the three-door hatchback version of Kia's C-segment model and it's scheduled to launch in the European market within the next year, possibly making its debut at the Paris Motor Show this fall, though we wouldn't be surprised if Kia reveals the car at next year's Geneva event.
Courtesy of Motor Look
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Kia Optima Dunks Over Blake Griffin
An expert dunkologist tests the theory that if Blake Griffin can dunk over a Kia, a Kia can dunk over Blake Griffin.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Kia Motors' "Kia Rio Windows Down" Playlist on Spotify Gains Momentum as Facebook Users Submit Their Favorite Songs
In an automotive first, Kia Motors America (KMA) and music-loving Facebook users are creating a one-of-a-kind online playlist, titled "Kia Rio Windows Down," through Spotify, the award-winning digital music service that embraces sharing music and hearing tracks instantly by hitting play on any music post or posting tracks on Facebook and Twitter. Since the submission period began on the Kia Rio Facebook page in February, more than 1,100 songs have been submitted for inclusion on the playlist on Spotify, with song selections totaling 15 hours of music and an average of 24 minutes of time spent per user listening to the playlist, which provides an environment for users to listen, discover, and share the unique playlist with their friends. To create the perfect playlist for a joyride in the all-new Kia Rio subcompact, songs from Spotify's library of more than 15 million tracks can be submitted for the playlist until April 15, and will remain on the Spotify platform indefinitely.
"From our 'Share Some Soul' ad featuring LMFAO's 'Party Rock Anthem' to Motley Crue belting out 'Kickstart My Heart' in last month's Super Bowl commercial, music plays an important role in Kia's marketing efforts and being the first in the auto industry to partner with Spotify continues that trend," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Spotify is an innovative music service, and aligning with a new platform that embraces the sharing of music was a natural fit for Kia to extend our Rio launch. Being the first to create a car-centric playlist on Spotify in the U.S. increases Kia's interaction with our target audiences that are passionate about music and social media."
About the Kia Rio 5-Door and Rio Sedan
Available in a sedan or hatchback configuration, the eco-friendly Rio and Rio 5-door offer three trims – LX, EX and SX – and are equipped with a 1.6-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) four-cylinder with the option of either a six-speed manual transmission (LX only) or efficient six-speed automatic. One of only two vehicles in the segment to offer a GDI engine, the 2012 Rio provides an inviting combination of power and fuel efficiency, achieving standard class-leading 138 horsepower[1] while maintaining a standard class-leading fuel economy rating of 30/40 mpg (city/highway)[2].
Kia's Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is the one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality[3] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[4]. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company's two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan[5]. Kia's value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.
SOURCE Kia Motors America
Monday, March 12, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
New 2012 Kia Rio on sale at Huffines Kia McKinney
Have you checked out the new 2012 Kia Rio? Take a look at this gas saver by clicking here http://bit.ly/zoKstK or come in to see first hand everything that this vehicle has to offer!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Sorento drives Kia’s sales growth
Canadian sales of Hyundai vehicles rose 6.5 per cent in February, compared with the previous year, and its Elantra model was named Canadian Car of The Year by the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada. Kia reported better figures: after 38 straight months of sales growth, it saw its best February ever, with sales up 20 per cent over the previous year. Kia can thank its volume leader, the Sorento compact utility vehicle, for a large part of its growth. Of 4,644 new vehicles sold in February, 970 were Sorentos.
What’s so special about a Sorento? Firstly, the price. You can get the base LX model for only $26,595. And it’s value-packed, even at that price.
It comes with heated front seats, fog lights, air conditioning, power door locks, power windows, power mirrors, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, keyless entry, and steering wheel mounted cruise and audio controls.
Powering the base model is a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. You can add the security of all-wheel-drive for a little more money – $28,495. There are several other trims and options available to spruce up your ride even more.
My tester is a mid-level EX Luxury model with a bigger, more powerful engine – a 3.5-litre V-6 with 276 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque – and other goodies such as a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, a rear-view camera, a push-button ignition, all-wheel-drive, a heated steering wheel, automatic folding side-view mirrors, a heated and cooled driver’s seat, and an Infinity premium audio system with 10 speakers including a subwoofer. It costs $38,495.
If you need more space for extra kids or their friends, you can opt for three rows of seats that would seat seven, which would raise my tester’s price to $39,695.
But if you don’t need the extra seats, skip them – the third row is tight, even for kids. And it eats up significant space in the cabin and cargo area. If you stick with two rows of seats, you’ll have a large amount of space for five passengers and a huge cargo area with 1,047 litres of room. If you add the third row, cargo space shrinks to 258 litres.
The leather front seats are nicely bolstered and supportive, as are the rear seats. Three people can sit comfortably in the second row; even three adults won’t will lack leg, shoulder or headroom.
There are some hard plastics in the cabin, but it doesn’t make this CUV feel or look cheap. The dash is well laid out with easy-to-find large dials for the HVAC system, all within the driver’s reach.
I also like the little details. For instance, the rear wiper and washer is a button, positioned on the dash, left of the steering wheel. It’s easy to access and engage or disengage, even in the dark. I get frustrated when it’s on a turn-signal stalk because it’s hard to see and to turn on or off in bad weather.
The touch screen is easy to use and well-positioned at eye level. The navigation system is also one of the easiest and quickest I’ve used. It’s intuitive and usually takes only three steps to input your destination and start the route guidance.
Another cool feature is Kia’s all-new UVO infotainment system. Co-developed with Microsoft and based on Windows-embedded automotive software, it’s a hands-free voice-activated way to control the radio, audio, and phone. Once you figure it out, it works, but I still prefer the old-fashioned buttons.
The power from the 3.5-litre V-6 is pleasing. Mated to the engine is a six-speed automatic that is smooth and accurate. Off the line, the Sorento accelerates effortlessly.
The ride is firm, but comfortable. Despite its size, the Sorento handles like a car, but there is some body lean in corners. It is big so parking in crowded shopping malls or at the gym lot can be tricky. It takes a bit more time and patience to manoeuvre into a tight spot. A rear-back up camera helps.
Fuel economy is also respectable for a vehicle of this size. It averages 11.5 litres/100 km in the city and 8.2 on the highway. My numbers were actually on par with those figures; I got 11.1 litres/100 km during my test period, which isn’t too bad for an all-wheel-drive vehicle with a curb weight of 1,837 kg.
Also worth noting is Kia’s warranty program: it’s one of the best in the business. Kia offers a five-year/100,000-km powertrain warranty, a five-year/100,000-km comprehensive warranty and an impressive five-year/100,000-km roadside assistance.
So when it comes to CUVs, don’t forget about the South Koreans; the Kia Sorento is well worth a test drive.
Tech specs
2012 Kia Sorento EX Luxury
Type: Five-passenger (or seven-passenger available) compact utility vehicle
Base Price: $38,495; as tested, $40,445
Engine: 3.5-litre, DOHC, V-6
Horsepower/torque: 276 hp/248 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Drive: All-wheel
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 11.5 city/8.2 highway; regular gas
Courtesy of The Globe and Mail
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Special Offers At Huffines Kia McKinney
Take advantage of our special this month. Get an oil change for just $9.95! Click here to get your coupon http://on.fb.me/wN5F5K 
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Untitled
Kia cee'd
• World premiere of all-new second generation Kia cee'd 5-door and wagon
• European premieres of Kia Ray EV and Track'ster concept car
• Infotainment concepts point to the future of in-car communications
GENEVA - March 6, 2012: The all-new Kia cee'd makes its world premiere today (Tuesday) at the 82nd Geneva International Motor Show. Joining the Kia cee'd in Switzerland, the Ray EV (electric vehicle) and the Track'ster concept make their first appearance before a European audience.
"The three Kia premieres taking place at Geneva cover a broad spread of automotive segments and highlight the diversity of our present and future product line-up," commented Thomas Oh, Senior Executive Vice President and COO, Kia Motors Corporation.
"The original cee'd was a major landmark car for Kia in Europe, enabling us to compete in the hotly contested C-segment for the first time. The second-generation model is, once again, a game-changing car with enhanced design, quality and powertrains. Our pursuit of clean power technologies is also represented by the Kia Ray EV. Finally, Kia is showing its fun side with the Track'ster concept - a high performance variant of the hugely successful Soul."
Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, exclusively for the European market, the new cee'd hatchback is more sophisticated, more efficient, more refined and delivers a more engaging driving experience than its predecessor. The new cee'd will build on the success of the original model, further establishing Kia as one of the leading automotive brands in Europe.
Longer, lower and sleeker than the original model, the 4.3-metre long new cee'd hatchback has a streamlined silhouette shaped by extensive testing in Kia's state-of-the-art wind tunnel at Namyang, in Korea. Higher quality cabin materials and a broader range of high-tech equipment will ensure the interior of new cee'd matches the premium exterior appearance and competes with best-in-class rivals across Europe.
Across most of Western Europe, the new cee'd will be available with two gasoline (1.4 MPI, 1.6 GDI) and two diesel (1.4 WGT,1.6 VGT) engines offering power outputs from 90 to 135 ps.
The highlight of the gasoline line-up is a 1.6-liter Gamma GDI engine, which was named one of "Ward's 10 Best Engines" from Wards Auto World in 2011. Newly introduced to European customers in the all-new cee'd, the 1.6 GDI features the latest gasoline direct injection technology to maximize power (135 ps) and torque (165 Nm) outputs.
Coupled with the 1.6 GDI is an all-new Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) developed in-house. Utilizing two separate transmissions contained within one housing, the DCT delivers smooth gear shifts for maximum driving comfort, lowers fuel consumption and reduces CO2 emissions compared with the previous conventional automatic transmission.
The 1.6-liter VGT turbo diesel engine delivers a peak output of 128 ps and maximum torque of 260 Nm. New cee'd models incoporating Kia's EcoDynamics technologies, including ISG (Start/Stop), low-rolling resistance tires and an alternator management system (AMS), with this diesel engine achieve impressive fuel consumption of 3.7 l/100 km and CO2 emissions from just 97 g/km.
Thanks to continued efforts to reduce fuel consumption and emissions without sacrificing engine response or power output, Kia's updated engines in the new cee'd range have achieved an average 4 percent improvement in fuel consumption across the range.
A well kept secret pre-show, the wagon version of all-new cee'd was revealed by Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, during today's Kia press conference. Full details of this important model will be confirmed closer to its European on-sale date, later this year.
Unveiled in December 2011 and now on sale in Korea, the Kia Ray EV is a zero-emissions city car with a range of up to 139 km (86 miles) on a single charge - which takes as little as 25 minutes using a fast charge system. The 3.6-meter long, front-wheel drive Ray EV is powered by a 50kW electric motor and a high-capacity 16.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack.
Though developed exclusively for the Korean market, the Ray EV showcases Kia's technical expertise in developing a battery electric vehicle and highlights its commitment to provide a comprehensive technical solution to reduce dependence on fossile fuels.
First shown at this year's Chicago Auto Show and now making its European debut, the tough looking Track'ster concept is based on the Kia Soul, but with even more attitude. It is designed to be a bold interpretation that challenges people's conceptions of what a sporty Kia could be.
Kia's Track'ster features a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 253 ps - transmitting that power to all wheels via an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. A short-throw six-speed manual transmission is engaged via a stubby spherical shift lever. Lowered sport-suspension, enlarged brakes and wheels that have been honed for maximum performance give the Track¡®ster impressive handling.
Also on display at Geneva is Kia's new IVI (in-vehicle infotainment) concept and UCD (user centered driving) system. The IVI was first shown at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show in January, which offers a glimpse into the future of feature-rich information and entertainment systems.
Courtesy of The Auto Channel
Monday, March 5, 2012
We'd like to thank the author of this review for being a loyal customer to Huffines Kia McKinney!
"I purchased my second Kia Sedona at Huffines Kia McKinney. I had been using their service department for my 2007 Kia which I purchased in Oregon. Service is in my opinion the biggest and most influential part of a dealership and I have been very impressed with their service. Since I purchased my 2011 Kia Sedona, the service department has continued to be fantastic. I have been treated like a valued customer every time I have visited the dealership. I have purchased more than ten new vehicles over the years (I'm getting old) and this is the best dealership I have ever dealt with.
Keep up the great work." - rggoofy
Friday, March 2, 2012
Owners Loyalty
Take advantage of Kia Motors comprehensive Kia Owner Loyalty incentives for returning customers who lease or currently own a Kia model. Click here to see offers and more details http://bit.ly/jfpSlv
Thursday, March 1, 2012
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.
