5 Engine Oil Myths

We all know that our cars need engine oil in order to operate smoothly. The role of engine oil is to keep the moving parts of the engine lubricated, to protect them against rust corrosion, and -- with modern detergent oil additives -- to keep them free of sludge and general engine gunk.
But most of us also know some things about engine oil that aren't actually true. For instance, isn't it always necessary to change your oil every 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers)? And when the color of your oil starts becoming dark, doesn't that mean that it's about to fill your engine with harmful sludge?

Well, no. These ideas are myths and over the next few pages we'll debunk them, along with a few other engine oil "facts" that don't happen to be true. A little knowledge isn't necessarily a dangerous thing, but a little knowledge that doesn't happen to be true could quite possibly ruin your engine, or at least cost you a lot of unnecessary expense.

Click here to get the truth behind the 5 Engine Oil Myths from HowStuffWorks.com.

Winter Weather Is Almost Here, Is Your Car Ready?

Have you prepared your car for the winter weather that’s fast approaching? Here are some tips to make sure you are fully prepared for whatever this year’s winter weather decides to throw at you.

Regular Maintenance

Now’s the time to get your car up to speed on all of its regular maintenance. That means taking care of any fluids that may have been neglected while you were out enjoying the summer sun or going in for that 60,000-mile tune-up if you’re due. Check, change and/or top off your oil, coolant, brakes and transmission fluid as needed. In the case of your oil or automatic transmission, make sure you get a high-quality filter, too.

When looking at your car’s brakes, check to see if your rotors are warped or cracked. Do they have deep grooves or are the pads worn close to their minimum clearance? Your vehicle will be experiencing harsher conditions soon, so avoid any potential problems as soon as possible. Make sure all your lights are working properly to ensure good visibility. New bulbs are easy to install yourself or easy to have installed when getting your vehicle serviced. The same goes for windshield wipers. If your blades are more than six months old, odds are it’s time to swap them out for new ones.

Check Your Tires

Go ahead and have your tires rotated and inspected. The last thing you need in cold, wet weather is to be driving on bald or dry rotted tires.

Consider looking into snow (or winter) tires, depending on your location or length of time you’ll be spending in the snow. Winter tires are made with special low temperature resilient rubber compounds and have deep treads that grip unplowed snow and ice.

Don’t forget to make sure your spare tire has enough air in it. Once you’ve made sure everything looks good, take a look at your tire pressure.

Stock Your Car

Stranded by the side of the road can be dangerous in the best of conditions, but when sub-zero temperatures or bad weather is involved, it could become deadly. Carrying these supplies is essential:

- a blanket
- jumper cables
- a flashlight
- chains
- a first-aid kit
- a small knife
- flares
- water gloves
- small shovel
- waterproof matches
- ice scraper
- a bag of sand or kitty litter to help provide traction if your car is stuck in the snow

What your favorite Halloween treat says about your TASTE in cars.

Candy Corn: One thing is for certain, it just wouldn’t be Halloween without candy corn!  The classic choice!  You’ve got a timeless sense of style, which means you and the Accord are meant to be. 

Toasted pumpkin seeds: Watch out-- a no-nonsense person like you should be cruising in a truck!  You are sharp, tough, and you don’t sugarcoat anything.

Sugar Daddies:  Looking for a sweet fix that’s sure to “stick around?”  You deserve a ride that you can count on for years to come!  The Civic is the car for you! 

Caramel Apples: Not only are you fashion-conscious, you’re a ton of fun and always up for trying something new!  Your biting sense of humor makes you a treat to be around.  You belong behind the wheel of a Pilot. 

King-Sized Candy Bar: You’ve hit the mother-load!  A busy schedule like yours requires lots of space—See how the Odyssey fits you.

6 Car Myths That Cost You Money Every Year

Most of us view our vehicles as something between an immutable feature of daily life and a rabid, suicidal dragon that gorges on explosions until it inevitably explodes itself. That's because we all know it's only a matter of time until something goes horribly wrong with our cars, and then we're epically, mythically screwed. As a result, various rules of thumb for regular car maintenance have been passed down through the generations -- precious wisdom handed to us by our ancestors in order to stave off, for a spell, the ruinous, virgin-eating car repair monster. But many of these rules are, at best, wildly outdated and, at worst, a total waste of money.

#6. Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles

Photos.com
The Myth:
To maximize your engine's life, you should change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. At this point you should also say several quiet prayers to the gods of breakdowns and have a mid-ranking church official -- no lower than a nun but no higher than a bishop -- bless the water in your vehicle's coolant.

Photos.com
"I'm sorry, my child, but the Lord can't drive or bless a manual transmission."

The Reality:
The idea that you should change your car's oil every 3,000 miles is so pervasive that it has its own Wikipedia page ... specifically debunking it. This misconception has its roots laid all the way back to the 1970s, when oil technology was still developing and the engine operating environment wasn't nearly as smooth and controlled as it is today. Back then, 3,000 miles was actually a pretty good rule of thumb. So was "Never trust a European" and "Chest hair, son: Always chest hair." However, just like international relations and grooming habits, engine and oil technology have improved drastically over the decades. The life of the oil in your car has now increased far beyond that allegedly sacred 3,000-mile barrier.

So why do we hang onto it? Because no one has bothered to tell the oil-change industry. Those poor, naive fellas still "recommend" changing it every 3,000 miles, despite the fact that synthetic oils lasting up to 15,000 miles have been available for years. If only somebody would show them the backs of those bottles in their tiny, uncomfortable lobbies; why, we're sure they'd immediately mend their ways and return all that needlessly spent money of yours.

Read more: Click Here to Reveal the other 5 Myths Costing You Money

(Source: Cracked.com)

Interested in Purchasing a 2014 Kia Optima

The 2014 Kia Optima is a sensible and spacious four-door sedan, but it moonlights as something a little more stylish and adventuresome.Check out the Car Connections full review. http://bit.ly/1aUm4o0

For more information on the purchasing the 2014 Kia Optima contact the Broadway Kia sales department at 800-240-1716.

The Everyday Joys of a Kia!

"The car was shiny and new. I loved showing it off. While we still primarily use my car today, when we found out I was pregnant in July 2012, the topic of a new "mom" vehicle arose. Something bigger, but not too big. Something I don't have to crouch down into to get my children in and out of. Something like...a Kia. A Kia Sorento, to be specific." -Laura Check out her story now. http://bit.ly/18iJBaQ

The 2013 Kia Soul...Not your Average Small Car

 The 2013 Kia Soul might just look like your average small car, but it's not. This vehicle comes with a unique and fashionable look inside and out allowing it to standout from the others. Interested in checking one out for yourself? Don't wait, come on down to Broadway Kia today!

Visit the Broadway Kia inventory page for more information or contact our sales department at 800-240-171.