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Your car's alternator charges the battery and powers the electrical system, and when the alternator malfunctions, you will suddenly struggle with a whole lot of car problems. Your headlights will dim, it will be hard to start your car, and eventually, the battery will die. The following signs will warn you when your Kia needs an alternator repair from your Kia dealer. 1. The Battery Warning Light Is On When the alternator, which is part of the electrical system, is not providing an adequate amount of voltage, it will trigger the battery warning light. Never ignore the dashboard warning lights to prevent further damage and costly repairs. When you notice the battery warning light is on, ask your Kia technician to inspect your vehicle. 2. Your Car Has Electrical Problems When the alternator is not providing adequate voltage, your car's computer will reduce the power to accessories that are not critical. The reduced power will cause your windshield wipers and electrical windows to move slower, the dashboard lights to dim, and the headlights to flicker or go from dim to bright. You may also experience issues with the power locks and heated seats. nextpage 3. You Hear Noises From Under the Hood An alternator consists of many moving components. When the alternator is not properly working, you will hear all sorts of strange noises coming from under the hood of your car. If any parts are failing or broken, you will hear whining, rattling, and growling noises coming from under the hood. The noises could be from a misaligned belt to bad bearings. Your Kia technician will quickly determine what is causing the noises and fix the problem fast and effectively. 4. You Smell an Electrical and Burning Odor An overworked alternator with worn or broken parts will cause an electrical and burning odor. It could be caused by the alternator belt not smoothly rotating on the pulleys, causing friction and heat. When the belt gets too hot, you will smell burning. When the alternator pushes too much electricity through the wires, the wires heat up, causing an electrical smell. 5. It's Hard to Start Your Car A failing alternator will not sufficiently charge your car's battery, causing clicking sounds when you turn the key in the ignition, hard starts, and difficulty keeping the engine running. Before blaming the problem on a weak car battery, jump-start your car. If the car runs after you jump-start it, the battery makes it difficult to start your car. If the alternator is causing the issue, the car will die soon after you jump-start it. Ask your Kia technician to inspect the alternator and perform the necessary repairs. If your car's alternator is causing car problems, it's best not to wait too long before you schedule an appointment at your dealership. Your Kia technician will perform a thorough vehicle inspection and repair your alternator problems quickly before more damage occurs. Contact Crain Kia of Conway today if your car's alternator gives you problems, and our qualified Kia technicians will make your alternator issues a thing of the past. Image via Kia.

There are a number of reasons why your new or used vehicle needs to be serviced regularly by a professional mechanic at your Conway, AR Kia dealership. To make sure the function and safety of your vehicle remain intact, you don't have to pay for extensive repairs later on, and your car will retain its value, you should have Kia service at least once a year. 1. Your Car Will Run Optimally When you first purchase your new or used Kia, you'll be surprised by how smoothly it runs and how fun it is to drive. Regular service is crucial to ensure that your vehicle will retain this functionality, so you can enjoy it for many years to come. Every time you visit your local mechanic, they check whether all the components are still working optimally, and they can change any fluids and clean parts that are at risk of losing their function. This is key because it allows your car to remain effective and safe on the road. Unfortunately, many accidents are caused due to a vehicle suddenly breaking down, stopping, or losing the function of its brakes. By going to the dealership on a regular basis and making sure that all of your car's parts are in great condition, you can prevent this from happening to you and your passengers. 2. You'll Save a Lot of Money Although the most important benefit of regular service is safety and functionality, you should also consider the financial implications. You might think you're saving money by not booking an appointment with a highly trained mechanic, but the opposite is often the case. Issues that are caught early are almost always much cheaper to fix, so it's much more economical to bring your car to the dealership now than to wait until it breaks down or needs major repairs. Often, driving your car while there is a problem will lead to further damage. In the worst-case scenario, an unresolved issue with one of your car parts can cause damage to other components of your vehicle, which will then also need to be replaced. For this reason, it's always best to pay your mechanic a visit around once a year or as soon as you notice a problem. nextpage 3. Your Kia Will Hold Its Value Kia cars that have been maintained according to the manufacturer's guidelines are much more likely to fetch a high price when reselling them because they are considered safer and more functional. Buyers will be reassured that the car in question won't break down so often and that you have taken good care of it. Thus, you'll be happy you opted for regular service when you're ready to sell on your vehicle and buy a newer model. Visiting your local dealership for car service is always a good idea because it saves you money and allows your Kia to work well for the long term. Get in touch with us today at Crain Kia of Conway to book your first service appointment with one of our talented and specialized technicians. Image via Kia.

Keeping your vehicle in top shape is determined by the maintenance service and use you make of your ride. This is why it is so important that you know when is the right time to bring it to a Kia service center. Here, we can offer you the best specials and offers in Conway, AR. 4 Signs It's Time to Visit your Kia Service Center in Conway, AR 1. Brake Signs Your brakes are one of the most important parts of your ride. This is a complex system, formed by brake pads, discs, hoses, and more. Therefore, each part of the system needs to be working perfectly to ensure you and everyone in the vehicle will be as safe as possible. You will notice certain changes when your brake pads are getting worn down. Some of these include difficulty to reach a full stop when you press the brake pedal, hearing screeching or high-pitched noises when you brake, or having the brake light on. A smell like something is burning every time you brake can sometimes be noticed as well. 2. Battery Signs Your battery is one of the most essential parts of your vehicle. Nowadays, vehicles are practically moving computers, and most of the systems involved depend on your battery. At the dealer, we can help you service your battery or even provide advice as to when it is time to get a new one. Some signs of battery issues can be dimmer headlights, problems with some of the electrical functions of your vehicle, or difficulty turning on your ride. Plus, you also have a battery light on your dashboard, which can turn on when there is an issue. 3. Tire Signs You need to have the right tires to ensure maximum safety and vehicle performance. This includes taking into consideration weather changes as well as the type of roads you use regularly. At Kia, we have a comprehensive tire center to help you choose the right tires and ensure they are always in the best possible shape. The normal wear and tear of driving will impact your tire tread. Aside from the visual signs, through which you can see how much the tread has deteriorated, there are other alerts. One of them is feeling like the driver's wheel is shaking, which sometimes is caused by low tire pressure. 4. Fluids and Hoses There are numerous fluids and hoses involved in the correct functioning of your vehicle. From oil to coolant, it is important that these fluids are topped and that the structures through which they move are intact. Some signs of trouble include seeing fluid on the area where your vehicle was parked, transmission failure, overheating, or seeing steam coming from your engine. We can check all of these systems and determine where the problem is before performing an efficient repair. Your vehicle can let you know when it is time to bring it to the experts, you just have to keep your eyes open for the signs. From dimmer headlights to high-pitched noises, there are many alerts you need to be aware of. Visit Crain Kia of Conway to get your vehicle checked right now!

All cars need some services and repair every now and then, and it's up to the owner to choose between professional Kia auto repair at their Conway, AR dealership or the services of independent mechanics instead. This guide will cover some of the key reasons to always opt for the dealership. 4 Benefits of Getting Your Kia Auto Repair at the Conway, AR Dealership 1. Specialist Service One of the best benefits of going to the dealership when you need some Kia repair is the fact that dealership mechanics and technicians are genuine Kia specialists. They work on Kia models all day, every day, and they know the specifics of the brand better than anyone else, with an unbeatable level of experience and expertise. This simply isn't the case at independent repair shops. Independent mechanics work on many different makes and models of cars all the time, so even though they might have some Kia experience, they won't have that same level of expertise that you'd find at the dealership. 2. Speedy Diagnosis and Efficient Repairs Getting a car serviced or repaired isn't usually something that people look forward to, because it often means that you have to cope without your car for a little while and wait around for the repairs to take place. If you go to the dealership, the experienced, expert mechanics will be able to quickly and efficiently diagnose any issues and carry out the required repairs right away, helping you get back on the road in no time at all. If you opt for an independent auto repair shop, the process can take a whole lot longer. As explained above, independent mechanics may not have much or any experience of working with Kia cars, so it can take them longer to figure out what's wrong with your vehicle and fix it, leading to additional inconvenience and greater delays for you. 3. The Best Value for Money When it comes to getting car repairs, many people try to find the best value option, and nobody wants to pay more than necessary in order to get their cars serviced and ready to drive once again. If you're looking for value, you'll find it at the dealership, because dealer mechanics only use official parts and high-quality tools for best results, every time. With this kind of high-grade repair, you shouldn't have to worry about any further issues and additional repair bills. But if you go to an independent repair shop, they might use lower quality parts and tools, making it more likely that your car will break down all over again, leaving you with even more costs to cover. 4. Preserving the Warranty If your Kia is still under warranty, it's strongly recommended to get all your repairs and services from an official dealership. Warranty policies usually state that if anything happens to your car while it is being repaired at the dealer, the added costs will all be covered. But if something occurs to your vehicle when an independent mechanic is working on it, the coverage may not apply. So if you take your car to a third-party repair shop and something goes wrong while they're replacing a part or carrying out repairs, you could be left with a huge additional bill to cover and a warranty policy that no longer applies. It's clear to see that the dealership is always the right choice whenever your Kia needs repairs or services. Call Crain Kia of Conway today to schedule checks and repairs and get the top levels of service you deserve.

Vehicle safety should be your top priority. Regular brake system inspections are crucial for keeping you, your passengers, and other drivers safe on the road. The following article lists the telltale warning signs that it's time for you to schedule an appointment for brake service at your Kia dealer. 8 Signs You Should Bring Your Car to Your Kia Dealer for Brake Service 1. Visible Wear If you suspect that your brake pads are worn, take a look to determine the condition of the pads and if you need to replace them. The pads should be at least a quarter-inch thick. Anything less than that and they will need to be replaced. 2. High Pitched Screeching Sounds This sound is a warning that your brake pads are wearing down and need replacing. Brake pads have a tiny piece of metal that makes that screeching sound when it's time for new brake pads. 3. Strange Odors When you smell a burning or chemical odor, it could be caused by the brakes overheating. First, check the parking brake. If you used the brakes accessively, stop your car in a safe place and wait for the brakes to cool down. You need to ask your technician to check your brakes ASAP. 4. Your Vehicle Pulls to One Side When your car pulls to the side when you brake, it's an indication that the brake fluid is contaminated or that the brake linings are wearing down unevenly. Your technician will have to either drain the brake fluid or adjust the brakes. 5. Reduced Responsiveness You brake, but the brakes are not responsive, and it feels like they are fading away. This problem is an indication of a brake system leak. It could either be an air leak in the brake hose, a brake fluid leak, or that the brake pads are wearing down and causing your brakes to be unresponsive. 6. Brake Fluid Leak If you notice a wet spot where your car was parked when you pull out of a parking spot, it could be brake fluid leaking out. Brake fluid looks similar to clean motor oil but without an oily texture. When you spot puddles under your car, schedule a service appointment as soon as possible to avoid further damage. 7. Metallic Grinding Noises If you ignore the screeching sounds, they will soon turn into a nasty heavy grinding noise. Your brake pads have now worn down completely, and that awful sound you hear is the metal plate grinding against the rotor. This will damage the rotors, and chances are that they will also need to be replaced. 8. Brake Pedal Vibrations When you feel vibrations through the brake pedal when you brake, it's a sign that your vehicle's rotors are warped. This is caused by severe braking over long periods but also when the rotors are thin or old. Hard braking creates tremendous amounts of friction and heat, causing the rotors to warp. Look out for the warning signs and get the problem repaired as soon as possible for your own safety. Visit Crain Kia of Conway today and our expert technicians will ensure that your brake system is in excellent condition and that your vehicle is safe on the road.

The cooling system in your Kia is made up of the radiator, thermostat, and water pump. These parts perform an important function to prevent your car's engine from overheating. If your radiator is not working as it should, schedule an appointment asap for a radiator repair before more damage occurs. Does Your Kia Need a Radiator Repair? Rising Temperature When you notice that the needle on the temperature gauge is in the red and this occurs constantly, it could be caused by low fluid levels or a faulty thermostat. For your radiator to operate at full capacity, all the cooling system components must work properly to keep the engine cool. A malfunctioning or broken thermostat will prevent the release of the correct amount of fluid that will cause overheating. The Coolant Is Leaking If you have to top off your coolant more often or see a spot of bright green, pink, orange, or yellow fluid under your vehicle, you have a coolant leak. This is caused by leaky hoses that are loose or degraded, but the leak could also come from the radiator. When coolant is leaking, there is not enough fluid to cool the engine down. The Radiator or Engine Is Overheating Overheating is a typical sign of cooling system issues. When your vehicle overheats when idling, it is the result of a problem with the cooling system. Overheating while idling could be caused by a faulty radiator fan that pulls air into the radiator to cool it down. Switch your car off and allow it to cool down. You See Steam If steam is pouring out from under the hood, your car is overheating. Your vehicle's radiator cools down the fluid to lower the engine's heat. When you see smoke coming from the radiator, it's a sure sign that there is a problem with the radiator. The best cause of action is to pull over and wait for the engine to cool down. Contact your dealership immediately and ask for assistance. White Smoke From the Tailpipe If white smoke is coming from the tailpipe, there might be an internal coolant leak. Wait for the engine to cool down and check your coolant level. If it's low, you might have a leak. Ask your technician to take a look. The Radiator Is Clogged A build-up will prevent the flow of coolant and make it more difficult for the radiator to distribute to correct amount of coolant to the engine. If your car is overheating and you see a thick sludge-like substance inside the radiator, your radiator is clogged. It is this thick sludge that is causing your car to overheat. A Rusty Radiator Rust is another culprit that can cause overheating. If your coolant turns a brownish color, rust has set in. When a radiator is rusty, holes could form, causing leaks.  If you don't attend to the problem soon, the radiator will malfunction. If you experience these issues, it's best to schedule an appointment so that a qualified technician can repair your radiator. You don't want to wait for more damage to occur that will lead to expensive repairs. Contact Crain Kia of Conway today. We have the expertise to ensure that your cooling system is in perfect working order.