2016 KIA CADENZA

Those trustworthy folks from Consumer Reports recently said, “There's a lot here for the money, including a luxurious and quiet interior, a roomy backseat, responsive handling and a comfortable ride.”  Nope, they were not talking about one of those fancy European luxury sedans; it was about the new Kia Cadenza that you can see up close and personal at Huffines KIA McKinney located at 1201 N. Central Expressway in McKinney, Texas.  One is waiting with your favorite color and a test drive or by calling 469.525.4400

The CR organization also give the Cadenza one of their coveted “Check Marks” for a Recommended Vehicle.  A car has to excel in customer satisfaction, reliability and safety to earn that distinction.  Let's be real, you sit behind the wheel over 90% of your drive time; why not be treated with all the comforts of home.  You will have that happen and it starts with comfortable leather seats that are even ventilated.  The tools for everyday communication and entertainment are also at your fingertips in Cadenza's very modern, versatile and innovative interior that is just bursting with premium features.  When you settle down in the Cadenza's comfy driver's seat, it quickly feels like a trusted good friend.  This fine car just wraps around you in a warm and yet strong way. 

It gets even better when you easily turn on your favorite music with a voice command through the many Infinity speakers.  All the necessary goodies are there such as Bluetooth, rear view camera, voice activated UVO infotainment system with navigation and much more.  Owners love the crisp graphics that are very easy systems to use.  No teenager help here!  All the dash controls are smartly arranged and are within reach.  The list of available features are also long which includes a panoramic sunroof that brings you fresh air and a slew of safety systems. 

Under the Cadenza's sleek hood lives for your enjoyment a strong 293 horse-powered 3.3-liter V6 that is mated with a silky smooth six-speed automatic. With this combo you can easily keep ahead of traffic in a quiet and confident way. This Kia easily seats five adults with abundant head and leg room and has nearly 16 cubic feet in the trunk that's suitable for your foursome's golf clubs or someone's flea market finds.  All in all this Kia Cadenza for 2016 just delivers more and costs much less than you would expect to pay for a roomy, luxurious, comfortable, attractive and performing road cruiser.  Don't you think it is time to put the “fun factor” back in your drive time?  

Good random tips for your car!

Rainproof your windshield
We often hear that one should replace their windshield wipers every 3 months but the reality is that if you treat your windshield, your wipers won’t have much work to do. Try and you will be surprised! Feel free to use Clay bars or spray on treatments.

Skip the DIY car-wash

You’re probably better off using the local car wash for a few reasons. The first reason is that you’ll be using 3x more water, and you’re most likely scratching up your paint a lot more than the good local car-wash next to your house.

Eliminate distractions
Some scary stats will show you why you should stop whatever you’re doing and just drive. Dialing a phone triples your chances of a crash. Texting? That makes you 23 times more likely to crash. Don’t multitask with your life, it’s not worth it!

Lower your seat!
As crazy as that sounds, people that drive high feel like they’re going slowly so they tend to speed up and take turns faster. All this is a great recipe to increase your chances of a crash.

Don’t floor it!
If there’s a meter at the entrance of your freeway, there’s a good reason! Being careful of these and taking your time to get on the ramp actually saves you time, it allows for a smooth flow of traffic, which minimizes heavy braking!

Gas vs. Diesel engines!

The dilemma for Diesel vs Gas cars has been going on for quite some time. We will use this blog post to go over some of the advantages of one and the other. Also, we will see how technology has advanced and the effect it has on fuel efficiency.

During long drives, Diesel engines are hard to beat, the fuel efficiency is at its best at highway speeds, especially for a diesel motor. The only way to get anything close to that would be with a hybrid gas car.

The good news for gas engines is that the lead is shrinking, gas technology is advancing rapidly and is slowly catching up to the efficiency you can get out of a diesel engine, without spending the extra dollars on the engine. That’s right, diesel cars are always more expensive than regular engines, along with the fuel itself. Engineers say that Diesel will most likely always be ahead in fuel economy but the gap will increasingly close within the next ten years.

Engineers will continue to work on Diesel engines as well, but it is believed that the evolution process has started to reach its peak, but realistically there are still slight improvements to be made on the diesel technologies.

Take care of your car, it will take care of you!

We know you love your car, and you know what, we love them too. So this week, we’ve decided to show you how you can extend your car’s life with everyday things. Even if you don’t plan on keeping your car so long, keeping your car in great condition will help you get more out of your car trade-in for your next upgrade!

1. Drive with care everyday
Being car considerate shouldn't stop after the break-in. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair. Do not race your car’s engine during start-up.This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it’s cold outside.

2. Don’t fill up if you see the tanker
If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment.

3. Go easy when you’re stuck
When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it.

4. Lighten up your key chain
Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys? That’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it’s in the ignition.The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.

5. Park in the shade
Of course, a garage is always the ideal place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact.

It's time for Summer Check-Up!

Summer is around the corner, finally! I think we’ve all been waiting for the season to come through as it’s been a rather rough winter for most of us. We have a few tips to make sure your car is being well taken care of and ready for the sunny days.

1. Remove your winter tires

Winter tires are heavier than summer tires and will probably hurt your MPG’s. Also, since they are a bit softer than Summer tires, they will be melting away faster, as the road surface warms up. Of course, while you’re at it, you might want to check the tire pressure.

2. Check oil and filters

The winter can be tough on the car so make sure it’s in good health. Make sure you don’t need an oil change and that all of your filters are in good shape. If you’re not sure on how to do that, feel free to come by and see us, we’ll be glad to check on these for you.

3. Clean the undercarriage

Take this opportunity to clean the undercarriage of your cat. If you’ve been driving in snow and salt, you will most likely need one of those. If you can’t do it yourself, feel free to stop by your dealership or carwash, they’ll be able to powerspray it down.

4. Check your hoses, belts, battery

The changes in temperature can cause the rubber pieces to crack and eventually fail. If your belts don’t work properly, you might overheating your engine during the summer months, so be on the safe side. The battery also takes quite a beating during winter, make sure the connectors are cleaned to ensure a clean connection.

5. Change your windshield wipers

Just like your engine belts, your windshield wipers might be getting  cracked over time, check them and if they don’t work properly, there’s only one remedy: replacement! 

Safety first! Buckle up!

Yes, wearing your seat belt can be restrictive and annoying. Sure, it requires work to put it on and make people in your car wear it. It is very important for your safety that you understand the benefits of wearing a seat belt. We just want to makes sure you’re keeping yourself, your friends and your family safe during your travels. 

Number 1: Simple and important one. It is the LAW (except in New Hampshire), you have to wear your seat belt.

Number 2: As intense as that sounds, it will prevent your face from hitting the windshield in a potential crash at approximately 60 mph. The seat belt will stop your inertia and will keep you safe.

Number 3: Your seat belt also keeps you in your vehicle, in some high-speed crashed, people have been seen thrown out of their cars. The seat belt will keep you in the seat which is the safest place during an accident.

Number 4: Similar to reason number 2 and 3, it will prevent you from banging against car parts like pillars, steering wheel and more.

Number 5: It also keeps you from bouncing against other passengers of the car. Head to head clashes can be quite painful in a car accident.

Number 6: Seat belts remain the safest technology to prevent injuries and/or death in a car accident.

Some of the Earth's Highest roads!

Some of the highest roads on earth. It takes some serious time, money and skill to locate the highest roads on the planet, so we did it for you. You can enjoy this list from the comfort of your home. Feel free to share which is your favorite!

5) Cime de la Bonette, France - Altitude: 9,192 ft
Who would have thought France was hiding one of the highest roads on Earth, well it is!

4) Mouna Loa, USA - Altitude: 11,145 ft
This is the largest of the five volcanoes known as Hawaii.

3) Khardung La, India - Altitude: 17,582 ft

What a sight, in the middle of India, you’d find this! You wouldn’t want to run out of gas there, “Next station: 60 miles”!

2) Marsimik La, India - Altitude: 18,640 ft
India is quite THE spot for high roads, it’s lucky enough to have two of the roads on this list.

1) Uturuncu, Bolivia - Altitude: 18,923 feet
South America is a famous land for its volcanoes, well now you can also add the highest road. Not only are you REALLY high, but also, you need to be careful as you might get hit with Volcanic eruptions.

Lease vs. Buy dilemma, coming to an end!

We often get asked what is the best option for me? Should I lease or should I buy? So we’ve decided to write a blog post about what the different options mean, and how they differ. If you’re interested in having a most up-to-date vehicle, and will be driving clients in it, you will probably be opting for the leasing option for examples. Don’t forget you could also get a tax write off on that! If you prefer to think long-term with your car, and want to keep it for more than 4-5 years, you’re better off purchasing it. Here are the pro’s and con’s of each of the options.






Upsides of Car Leasing

• Lower monthly payments
  
• Lower down payment
  
• You can drive a better car for less money each month.
  
• Lower repair costs (With a three-year lease, the factory warranty covers most repairs.)
  
• You can more easily drive a new car every two or three years.
  
• No trade-in hassles at the end of the lease
  
• You pay sales tax only on the portion of the car you finance.

Downsides of Car Leasing

• The car is not yours at the end of the lease.
  
• Your mileage is limited to a set amount, typically 12,000-15,000 miles a year (excess miles are paid for at the lease termination), depending on how much you negotiate.
  
• Lease contracts are confusing.
  
• Leasing is more expensive in the long run (as opposed to buying and driving until the wheels fall off).
  
• Wear-and-tear charges can add up (paid at lease termination).
  
• It's costly to terminate a lease early if your driving needs change.

We hope this has helped you in your decision making. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to us. Thank you for reading!

Check our personal bucket list!

Looking to add some excitement to your life? Tired of the same old family vacations to the same old places? For those swashbuckling, thrill-seeking daredevils out there, we've compiled a list of destinations that are sure to get your blood pumping, your heart racing, and possibly your bladder weakening.

So grab a pen and start adding these awesome entries onto your bucket list. As Bilbo Baggins would say, "I'm going on an adventure!"

 

1. Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - With a warm tropical breeze in your face and a panoramic view of the breathtaking mountains and beaches of Rio de Janeiro, you will have the unique sensation of flying like a blue macaw at speeds up to 65 mph.

2. Sky Diving over Mount Everest in Nepal - Only offered four times a year, this wild adventure allows you to sky dive over the highest peak in the world. How many people can say they've done that?!

3. Base Jumping off Kjerag Mountain in Lysefjord, Norway - At 3,500 feet above the fjord, Kjerag towers above the other peaks along the Lysefjord, making it an adrenaline junky’s dream.

 

4. Bungee Jumping at the AJ Hackett Macau Tower in China - The AJ Hackett Macau Tower Bungee Jump is 764 ft hight, making this location the Guinness World Record holder for the Highest Commercial Bungee Jump in the world.

5. Heliskiing in British Columbia, Canada - Heliskiing offers a new definition to downhill skiing, allowing adrenaline junkies access to higher parts of mountains that are only reachable by helicopter.

Follow these easy steps to properly setup your car's mirrors!

Some of us have been driving for years, but that doesn't mean we are all doing everything perfectly. Maybe it's time to freshen our skills up and make sure we are setting up our side-view mirrors properly. Its original intent was to help us cover the blind spot, it's not meant to help you see who's behind you. Let's take a minute and look at this video to find out how to properly align your mirrors. If you have any questions be sure to ask us, we'd love to help!

Don't text and drive! Here are all the stats behind it!

Texting and driving have become a very serious issue over the years. The amount of fatalities and injuries continue to rise. This infographic presents some interesting facts we bet you didn't know about texting and driving.

For parents, always talk to your kids about driving safety and how every text can wait to be responded to if they're driving. Share this infographic with your friends and family to help get the message across to them and most importantly, be a good role model and don't text and drive while you're driving either.

Cheap ways to make your car look and feel new!

Obviously, as a car dealership, we know that the best way to get an upgrade from an old car is to come in and see our latest offers. We often have great deals on new and used cars. Make sure to check our website for current offers. For some people though, we know a few quick fixes might do the trick. Here they are!

Clean EVERYTHING!

It sounds simple and logical, but many people forget or don’t take the time to do it right. Empty your car completely, and make sure you have all the right cleaning material to get started. You’ll need a vacuum for your carpets and seats, some automotive interior wipes, and some Windex (No ammonia if you have tinted windows)

Fix your cockpit

It is the area you will be looking at and touching the most, so you might as well start there. If your dash is starting to discolor, get a cover for it. If it’s already bad, try to get it painted or dyed, it’ll feel brand new! Also, don’t hesitate to replace any dying light bulbs in your gauge cluster.

Electronics

Bluetooth, iPod, Auxiliary connections, satellite radio are all rather modern features that are rarely found in older vehicles. You should definitely look into upgrading your car stereo and you will quickly find yourself in a new world. It’s worth it! You can also download great GPS apps, to add the GPS features to any car if you’re a smartphone owner.

Upgrade the Exhaust

Look at aftermarket solutions for exhaust, it will probably be a lot better than leaving your old (maybe rusty?) exhaust on. You will improve the noise level, emissions and overall comfort of your car.

Headlight Restoration

Headlight plastics tend to discolor over time, you might want to look into purchasing a restoration kit for cheap and give your headlights a brand new look. It will also improve your visibility along with your ability to see better at night.

Rubberize

Rubber tends to degrade itself rather quickly and you could update that for cheap. Buy a new set of high-quality windshield wipers, it will drastically improve your bad weather experience. Also, see if you can re-glue or replace your car doors’ rubbers, these damage themselves over time.

Top 5 Audiobooks for your next roadtrip!

The Invention of Wings: A Novel 

Written by: Sue Monk Kidd

Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins
Summary: From the celebrated author of The Secret Life of Bees comes a magnificent novel about two unforgettable American women. Sue Monk Kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to have a voice in the world. Hetty “Handful” Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimke household. The Grimke’s daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something large in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women.

Imperial Life in the Emerald City 

Written by: Rajiv Chandrasekaran 
Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
Summary: The Washington Post's former Baghdad bureau chief, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, takes us into the Green Zone, headquarters for the American occupation in Iraq. In this bubble separated from wartime realities, the task of reconstructing Iraq is in the hands of 20-somethings chosen for their Republican Party loyalty. They pursue irrelevant neoconservative solutions and pie-in-the-sky policies instead of rebuilding looted buildings and restoring electricity, angering the locals and fueling the insurgency.

Divergent, Book 1 

Written by: Veronica Roth

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins 
Summary: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is - she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

   

Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War 

Written by: Robert M. Gates

Length: 25 hrs and 42 mins
Summary: From the former secretary of defense, a strikingly candid, vivid account of serving Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. When Robert M. Gates received a call from the White House, he thought he'd long left Washington politics behind: After working for six presidents in both the CIA and the National Security Council, he was happily serving as president of Texas A&M University. But when he was asked to help a nation mired in two wars and to aid the troops doing the fighting, he answered what he felt was the call of duty.

Sycamore Row

Written by: John Grisham  

Length: 20 hrs and 50 mins  
Summary: Seth Hubbard is a wealthy man dying of lung cancer. He trusts no one. Before he hangs himself from a sycamore tree, Hubbard leaves a new, handwritten, will. It is an act that drags his adult children, his black maid, and Jake into a conflict as riveting and dramatic as the murder trial that made Brigance one of Ford County's most notorious citizens, just three years earlier. The second will raises far more questions than it answers. Why would Hubbard leave nearly all of his fortune to his maid? Had chemotherapy and painkillers affected his ability to think clearly?

How to eat healthy for cheap and on the go!

Burger King

Did you know that Burger King had a Veggie Burger (7 grams, without cheese or mayo, and 20 grams with them)? It’s something to give a try if you’re on the go and you can’t go to a decent sit-down restaurant.

Boston Market

Make sure you stay away from the additive-filled dishes that are claimed to be family-style. We highly suggest getting something like a regular turkey dinner with sides of garlic dill potatoes and fresh steamed vegetables is about 360 calories and 10 grams of fat. Five grams of fiber and 42 grams of protein rounds out this meal.

Domino’s Pizza

Obviously one should not eat an entire Pizza unfortunately, that would be a sweet way to eat healthy. The best option you have there, is to have a slice (or two) of a Thin Crust Pizza with Marinara and Vegetables.

McDonald’s

If you’re there for breakfast, try the Egg White Delight McMuffin with white cheddar (250 calories, 7 grams fat, and 18 grams protein)

Starbucks Coffee

We all know we usually go in there for a caffeine fix, but you can never rule out the option for a healthy spinach and cheese wrap (290 calories, 10 grams of fat, 19 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fiber.)

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the best Kia ever made!

Huffines Kia is so excited to bring you the new Kia Cadenza!

Kia is revolutionizing the Automobile Market by providing an Executive-Class Luxury Sedan at an affordable price. This gorgeous sedan is packed with features such as: 

• HID Headlights
• 18in Alloy Wheels
• Infinity 550-Watt Sound System
• Satellite Radio
• Bluetooth
• Lane Departure Technology
• Backup Camera
• Paddle Shifters
• Push Button Start
• Keyless Smartkey
• Etc...

Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you'd like to take one for a test drive.  
Call us at: 877-205-9716
Click for more information on this exact Kia Cadenza!

How to maintain and upkeep a freshly cut Christmas tree

For those of you who insist on using an awesome REAL Christmas tree, first we would like to congratulate for keeping the tradition going. Secondly, we know it's hard work and it deserves a certain salutation to have such a tree in your home during the holidays.

In this post, we will be giving advice on how to keep your tree as fresh as possible during this Holiday Season.

1. Refresh the tree by making a straight cut, taking one inch off the bottom of the tree and immediately placing it in water. This will improve water uptake.
2. Place the tree in a stand that can hold at least 1 gallon of water. You should expect the tree to take up more water as time goes by. Water the new tree until water uptake comes to an end.
3. Always keep the base of a tree in water, no matter what you do. If the base dries out, resin will form over the cut end and the tree will not be able to absorb water and will dry out quickly. You don't need anything other than regular tap water. If the bottom of the tree becomes dry and closes off with resin you will have to cut your tree again, which you want to avoid at all costs. Commercially prepared mixes like aspirin, sugar and other additives introduce into the water are not necessary. Research has shown that plain water will keep a tree fresh, so save yourself some time and money.
4. Check to make sure all your Christmas Lighting apparel is up to date and fully functional. You should also make sure you are using UL accessories only. We also suggest you use smaller lights to minimize heat generation on the tree itself, reducing the chances of fire.
5. Remove your tree before it dries out, you don't not want to take down your tree once it's already dried. If you've followed our steps you're looking at keeping your tree for about 5 weeks but some exceptions Some species keep their moisture longer that others.

Safety Tips

Tips on how to keep your car safe while you are shopping!
  
While you're having the time of your life, shopping around and looking for great deals things might be quite different on the outside. Parking lots can be quite a dangerous place for innocent cars. Edmunds has put together a great list of tips to keep you, your car and your belongings safe!

• Avoid leaving shopping bags or valuables visible

The trunk is the best place to place your goodies-filled shopping bags because it makes your items invisible from the outside which will definitely keep thieves away.
If you own a hatchback, crossover, station-wagon or SUV, you should definitely be using your Cargo Cover to keep your things safe. If you don't have one make sure you contact our Parts and Service Department, we will be glad to order one for you.

• Don't be afraid to drop-off the expensive items at home

Your home is usually a much  better alternative to your car to keep and store your gifts. Make sure you make some stops at the house to drop off those high-priced gifts for the lucky ones. Even if it's a few minutes away, you're better off stopping by than taking the risk to lose it all.

• Use your interior storage to keep your cabin clean

Don't leave accessories that will tell thieves that you own the latest smartphone, or that you have an expensive GPS. Make sure you put as much as you can away in the little storage compartments of your car. 

• Open your car safely when you're going home!

Most cars are now open with a remote, the great thing about that is that it's really convenient. But, it's important to remember that you shouldn't open your car from too far away or to open all the doors if you only need the driver's door to open. This will prevent strangers from entering your car without you seeing it.

• Stay focused on the road and your surroundings

Unfortunately, you won't be the only one shopping intensely. Make sure you use Backup camera (if available) to detect any activity behind your car as you back out of your spot. Also, take a second to make sure your phone is properly connected via Bluetooth so that you can make/receive calls while staying focused on the road.

Be sure to visit our website if you're looking for a new car or accessories for the holidays.
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