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Staying on top of routine maintenance is one of the best things you can do for your vehicle, and oil changes are at the top of that list. If you drive a 2026 Kia Sportage, a 2025 Kia K5, or the all-new 2027 Kia Telluride, keeping up with oil change services in Dickinson, TX helps protect your engine and extend the life of your car. It's easy to push an oil change to the back burner when life gets busy. But skipping this simple service can lead to bigger and far more expensive problems down the road. Here's what you need to know about why regular oil changes are important and what to expect when you bring your Kia in for service. more How Often Should You Schedule an Oil Change for Your Kia? The right oil change interval depends on your specific Kia model and the type of oil it uses. Many newer Kia vehicles use synthetic oil, which typically allows for longer intervals between changes compared to conventional oil. Your owner's manual is always your best resource for the exact recommendation for your vehicle. As a rule, most Kia models with synthetic oil can go longer between oil changes than older vehicles with conventional oil. However, if you frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic, extreme heat, or dusty conditions all common in the Gulf Coast region, you may need to service your vehicle a little more often. When in doubt, a certified service advisor can review your vehicle's service history and help you determine the best schedule for your driving habits. Conventional vs. Synthetic Oil: Which Does Your Kia Need? Most newer Kia vehicles are designed to run on full synthetic motor oil, which offers superior protection and performance compared to conventional options. Synthetic oil is engineered to handle higher temperatures, resist breakdown longer, and provide better protection during cold starts. For performance-oriented models like the Kia EV6's hybrid counterparts or turbocharged engines found in the Sportage and Sorento, synthetic oil is especially important. Your service advisor will always use the correct oil type and viscosity specified for your exact model, so you never have to guess. What to Expect During a Professional Oil Change Service A professional oil change service at a certified Kia dealership is quick, thorough, and includes more than just swapping out the oil. Here's what typically happens during a routine visit. First, a technician drains the old oil and replaces the oil filter. Fresh oil is then added to the correct level using the grade specified for your vehicle. Many service visits also include a multi-point inspection, where technicians check fluid levels, tire pressure, and other key components to make sure everything looks good. The entire process is usually completed in under an hour, making it easy to fit into your schedule without disrupting your day. Signs Your Kia Might Be Due for an Oil Change Your Kia may give you a few hints that it's time for fresh oil. The most obvious is the oil change reminder light on your dashboard, which is triggered based on your driving conditions and mileage. Don't ignore this warning, it's there for a reason. Other signs include engine noise that sounds louder or rougher than usual, dark or gritty oil on the dipstick, or a burning smell coming from the engine area. If you notice any of these, it's a good idea to schedule an oil change as soon as possible. Catching these warning signs early helps prevent minor issues from turning into major repairs. Stay Ahead with Oil Change Services in Dickinson, TX Routine oil change services are one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your Kia performing at its best for years to come. From protecting your engine to improving overall reliability, this simple maintenance step makes a real difference.  Drivers throughout Dickinson, TX can count on the certified Kia service professionals at Gay Family Kia to get the job done right, every time. Don't wait until a small issue becomes a big problem schedule your next oil change today and keep your Kia running the way it was designed to.

You're going to need a new car battery at some point during your car's lifespan if you plan on owning your car for more than a couple of years. Your Kia dealer will usually let you know when it's time to replace the battery during your routine maintenance, but there are signs you need to look out for, too, that will let you know your battery is on its last legs. more How frequently you need to replace the battery in your car varies a lot. It can vary on depending on the type of battery used in your specific Kia model, and it can also vary depending on your driving habits. However, most car batteries across all models need to be replaced every four to five years. Your battery gets less effective with age, and it can also end up getting damaged, too. Getting regular maintenance is the surest way to stay on top of your battery's health. Signs It's Time to Visit the Kia Dealer for a Battery Replacement You Can't Start the Car If you can't start the car, then the battery is often to blame. However, one of the components that works with the battery could also be faulty. If you visit the dealer, then you'll be able to find out which component is having trouble, and if it's your battery, then the dealer will replace it. Your Battery Is Swollen Your battery should always have smooth sides and be rectangular. It should never swell up or have lumps and bumps in its casing. A misshapen battery is a battery that needs replacing ASAP. Your Connectors Are Corroded Even if your battery isn't misshapen, you might notice an ashy substance on the metal parts of it. This is a sign that these components are starting to corrode. The metal part of your battery corroding lets you know that it's time to get that battery replaced. Your Battery Is Leaking If there's a foul smell under your hood, then it could be caused by your battery leaking gas. The smell is usually comparable to rotten eggs. If you catch a whiff of that, then you know it's time to visit the dealer. Your Car Is Having Electrical Issues Your battery makes sure all the electrical components in your vehicle, such as the radio, headlights, and dashboard lights, work properly. If the battery-powered functions of your vehicle start to slow down, or if the headlights get dim or start flickering, then it might be time for a new battery. Stop by Gay Family Kia any time you need your battery replaced. We'll also do routine maintenance for you to make sure all the components that work alongside your battery are in the best condition possible.

Start 2022 the right way at the local Kia dealer near you in Dickinson. At Gay Family Kia, our First Big Sales Event of 2022 is going on now! We invite our shoppers to discover the new Kia that is just right for your transportation needs. Whether you’re in the market for a sedan or SUV, our team is committed to helping our League City, Houston, and the Woodlands customers choose the new Kia that is right for you. Learn more about the new Kia specials going on this January. Reserve your new Kia and get up to an additional $500 off! New 2022 Kia Forte FE – $19,585 or 1.9% for 60 months New 2022 Kia Soul LX – $19,750 or 0.9% for 60 months Are you ready to test drive your favorite new Kia car or SUV at Gay Family Kia? Contact the team at the local Kia dealer near you by giving us a call at (832) 210-3122. Come by and visit us at 3001 Gulf Fwy, Dickinson, TX 77539. Our Pearland, Pasadena, and Friendswood shoppers are invited to apply for financing or value your trade in from the comfort of your home. Customers are also invited to shop our new Kia inventory online and take advantage of our First Big Sales Event! DISCLAIMERS: Stock# 820950, MSRP $20,500, Customer Cash $750, Final Price $19,750 Plus Tt&L.  0.9% For 60 Months With Approved Credit Through Kia Motors Finance.  $17.06 Per $1000 Financed.  Offer Expires 01/31/2022. Stock# 447167, MSRP $20,085, Dealer Discount $100, Final Price $19,985 Plus Tt&L.  1.9% For 60 Months With Approved Credit Through Kia Motors Finance.  $17.50 Per $1000 Financed.  Offer Expires 01/31/2022. Order a new KIA or reserve one that is currently in-transit and get a $500 dealer discount at time of delivery. In stock units excluded. Also excludes Telluride. Offer expires 1/31/2022.

We want our customers to know that during this time, we are putting your safety and our team's safety as the top priority. We're going the extra steps to make sure all vehicles and common areas are fully sanitized so you can rest easy knowing your car buying process is a safe one. We are also offering VIP Delivery options to eliminate your exposure to the dealership. Here are just a few steps our team is taking during this time to make sure our dealership is sanitary and safe: Fully sanitizing and disinfecting all vehicles that come in for service Employee and customer common areas are deep cleaned regularly Stations with hand sanitizer and wipes are widely available across the dealership and showroom Home delivery and home pick up options available for our customers Reminder that if you are feeling sick or under the weather, please stay home. You can learn more about our COVID-19 specific efforts here. We're happy to provide a safe & sanitary dealership in Dickinson, Texas. Give us a call at (832) 210-3122 with any questions you have.

The 2020 Kia Sportage is available at Gay Family Kia in Dickinson, Texas! The 2020 Kia Sportage comes with an updated exterior, safety and driver-assistance technology, and a 2.4 Liter Inline with 4-cylinder, 6-speed automatic transmission. With a vehicle that can get up to 30 MPG, enjoy the efficiency with comfort features such as a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a 60/40 rear folding seat. The available UVO link will give you the power to access remote climate control, remote door lock/unlock, find my car, and more through the Kia Access App. Safety Features in the 2020 Kia Sportage The 2020 Kia Sportage will also come equipped with Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Warning to help keep you and your passengers safe. Come Test Drive the 2020 Kia Sportage! The new 2020 Kia Sportage comes with everything you need for comfort and efficiency on the road. Call Gay Family Kia today at (832) 769-4379 for any questions about this great vehicle, or stop by and visit us in person at 3001 Gulf Freeway, Dickinson, TX, 77539. You can even start your search for your 2020 Kia Sportage by searching our new inventory before you come in. Who’s ready for a test drive? We are happy to serve the Dickinson, Santa Fe, and League City customers in Texas! DISCLAIMERS: Kia started a program to restate the fuel economy ratings for some of our vehicles. The vehicles affected include: 2011-2012 model year Optima Hybrids, 2012-2013 model year Rios, Souls and Sportages, and certain 2012-2013 model year Sorentos equipped with GDI engines. If a vehicle you own is included, we invite you to visit the site to learn how Kia is addressing this issue—which includes compensating current and former owners for fuel costs associated with MPG rating adjustments. Kia Motors has also announced that it has entered into a preliminary settlement agreement with attorneys representing owners of affected vehicles. The site also provides information about that preliminary settlement.

At Gay Family Kia, we put our customers first. That means we are happy to provide affordable service specials to keep money in your pockets and your vehicle in tip-top shape! These specials include new vehicle specials, specials for parts, and service specials for things such as oil changes and transmission flushes. You can view all of our available service specials on our service specials page. This month we'd love to tell you about our $34.95 Winter Oil Change Special. At this low price, we'll change your oil as well as check your other fluid levels, and we'll have it all done in no time! Feel free to reach out to our service department at (844) 568-0903 with any questions you may have about this great service special from Gay Family Kia! Feel free to schedule an appointment with us anytime! We're located at 3001 Gulf Freeway in Dickinson, TX 77539, and we look forward to providing you excellent customer service face-to-face!

Every year, Kia works hard to provide the best features possible in their vehicles. Here are four of the best technological features that Kia offers in their 2018 lineup. more UVO eServices Kia's UVO system allows its drivers to access everything that they need in their vehicle in one single interface. This interface can be accessed from the vehicle screen, an online portal, or the UVO application. Using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can connect to your phone and access hands-free calling and texting, listen to music, and access your favorite apps. If you need directions you can use the voice-command navigation, or you can contact roadside assistance in an emergency. The UVO system also runs vehicle diagnostics and has Parking Minders which lets you save your parking location on your phone, allowing you to find your vehicle with ease. If you have kids who are driving your vehicle you can use My Car Zone. It allows you to set curfew limits, speed alerts, and a geofence alert which is a perimeter you want your vehicle to stay in. If the driver breaks those limits, you receive notifications on your smartphone alerting you. UVO Eco System The UVO Eco system is available in Kia's EcoDynamic plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. In addition to everything that comes with the UVO eServices, you can see your battery's charging status, schedule charging times, and find nearby charging stations from your UVO app or online portal. There are also remote options that allow you to lock and unlock your doors, start your vehicle, and set the climate controls so you always have the perfect temperature when you get into your car. In addition, you can use the Find My Car feature that not only locates your vehicle but also gives you directions to it. Idle Stop and Go Technology Kia's Idle Stop and Go technology helps vehicles reduce their emissions on the road. Every time your vehicle comes to a complete stop the engine turns off. When you take your foot off the brake, it turns back on. An additional bonus of the Idle Stop and Go technology is that by reducing the use of the engine you are also reducing the wear and tear on your vehicle. Advanced Airbags In Kia's new lineup of vehicles, they have focused on their airbags. You can find dual front airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags, and side-curtain airbags. The side-curtain airbags are in both the front- and second-row seating positions. Monitoring all the airbags is an advanced sensor system that keeps track of the presence of passengers and seatbelt use. If you are in a crash, the sensor system monitors the severity of impact and controls the airbag inflation when possible. Kia has many useful technological features in their vehicles. UVO eServices, UVO Eco system, Idle Stop and Go technology, and advanced airbags are just four of many features that work to make Kia vehicles more eco-friendly, safe, and accessible. Be sure to check out the selection of new 2018 Kia vehicles today. This photo, “ 2016 Kia Sorento SXL AWD – UVO services & apps,” by Michael Sheehan used under CC BY-SA 2.0. “ 2016 Kia Sorento SXL AWD – UVO services & apps” is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.

We would like to introduce you to something special — UVO. UVO is Kia's infotainment center, and we think it's extra special. Every driver has their own personality, and so does every Kia. That's why Kia was smart enough to create different UVO suites, including eServices, eco, and luxe. Each suite was designed with its own unique set of services and features. more While all UVO-equipped vehicles include some standard features, both eco and luxe include additional features that further enhance the driver experience. Gay Family Kia is excited about UVO, and we're confident you will be too. Here are four reasons UVO is the best infotainment system available. Roadside Assistance All three UVO systems provide emergency roadside assistance 24/7. You'll never have to fret about being stuck out on the road again. If you happen to get a flat tire, or run out of gas, all you have to do is press a button and help will be on the way. An UVO representative will already know which vehicle you're driving and your exact GPS location. They will then verify the details with you and ask how they can help. They are your guardian angel on the road, and will make you feel safe. Apple and Android Compatibility Kia has partnered with both Apple and Android to utilize Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of the UVO system. Using these features, UVO lets you tune in and use your favorite smartphone features and apps, like Google, Pandora, and Yelp. Diagnostics Is your car acting up? Are you concerned that something might be wrong with it? With UVO the doctor is always in. Diagnostics provide instant current information on the state of your car's main operations. You don't have to wait to receive a monthly report like some of the other manufacturer's systems. The information is always available so you are aware of any required maintenance or repairs. What's more, with a simple push of a button on your smartphone app, you can schedule an appointment with your favorite Kia dealership. My Car Zone Do you have a teenage driver in your household? With UVO, you can set up Curfew Limit Alerts. In the event that your automobile is being driven past a pre-determined time, Curfew Alert will send you a notification via your smartphone, so you can call your teen and remind them to come home. You can also set up speed alerts, which are designed to keep you informed, give you peace of mind, and keep your loved ones safe. If you have a teenage driver, you'll probably also really appreciate the Geofence Alert, which allows you to set up geographic boundaries for your Kia. UVO has so many incredible features that's it's hard to list them all here. We recommend you come into the dealership so we can show you firsthand all the cool things it does. Whatever your needs are, from streaming your favorite music, to finding your next appointment, to teaching your teenager to drive responsibly, UVO can help. This photo, " 2017 Kia Niro: A New Hybrid Hero,” by Automotive Rhythms used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.o. " 2017 Kia Niro: A New Hybrid Hero " is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.o by Gay Family Kia.

Uber and Lyft have become two of the most popular side hustles and even full-time jobs across the country. At first glance, these positions sound like a great deal. You can set your own hours, you can work as much or as little as you want, you don't have to answer to anyone, and the pay grade is above average. However, it's not as straightforward as it seems. Before you sign up, here are some things you should know about the rideshare business. more Taxes One of the hardest things for rideshare drivers to grasp is taxes. Unlike most positions, with this job you're an independent contractor, meaning you're responsible for taking all the taxes out of your paycheck. You can find many helpful calculators online, but understanding what's being taken out may help you as well. First off, you'll have to make at least $600 before you have to file taxes. Then, you need to estimate how much you think you'll make on an annual basis. Don't worry if you can't figure an exact dollar figure. You can adjust it as you go. Once you figure how much you think you'll make, find your tax bracket, which will more than likely hover between 10 percent and 28 percent. Next, add in the 15.3 percent self-employment tax that's levied on all independent contractors. The final taxes are any state or local income taxes you may owe. When you add these percentages up, you may be looking at taxes somewhere in the realm of 25 to 50 percent.  You can use the standard mileage deduction to decrease your taxable income, and you may also have other expenses such as car washes or interior cleanings, but you may find that the taxes make it much less lucrative than you may have thought. Insurance Considerations Most personal auto insurance doesn't cover you if you're a rideshare driver, and if you're involved in an accident while on the job, it's likely that your insurance company will fight you tooth and nail. If you're on the job, both Uber and Lyft have driver insurance, but their policies aren't always transparent. Fortunately, many car insurance companies are now offering rideshare driver insurance. This protects you while you're on the job from liability, theft from passengers, or collision. However, these policies aren't available in all states. If your state doesn't have one, you'll need a commercial auto policy for complete coverage. The Passengers Knowing how to handle passengers is one of the most important aspects of rideshare driving. For example, morning commuters need to make it to work in a hurry, so being prompt is a key aspect. In addition, these people may not want to chat with you, and reading their body language is always required. You may also want to pick and choose your driving time. If you can't stand late-night partiers or the chance of a vomiting episode, you may want to pick a time with tamer, more well-behaved passengers. Now that you know the ins and outs of the rideshare business, you can make an informed decision on whether the business is for you. This photo, " Lyft," by urbanists, used under CC BY 2.o. "urbanists" is licensed under CC BY 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.

About 60 percent of Americans own pets, and many put their dogs, cats, or other animals on the same levels as a human. They take them everywhere, share meals, and entertain each other, becoming best friends in the process. However, not every pet owner applies this humanlike quality to transportation. Not only do many states have laws regarding pet transportation, but you can put your pet's health at risk by not securing them properly. If you weren't sure how to transport your pet, follow these car safety protocols for a fun, safe trip. more No Heads Out the Window No one's denying how adorable it is to see a dog with its head hanging out of a car window. However, it's extremely dangerous. Think of the last time you got a chip in your windshield. These chips are only caused by small pebbles, but if that same pebble strikes your dog, it can cause a serious injury, especially if it struck him in the eye. In addition, your dog is also susceptible to serious injury or death during an accident or evasive maneuver. If you have to swerve to avoid an obstacle or you're involved in an accident, your pet can get ejected from the car, which could cause a fatality. No Pets on Your Lap According to AAA, up to 20 percent of pet owners drive with their pet on their lap, and of this 20 percent, about one-third become distracted by them. These staggering statistics becomes even worse when you consider how much your pet can impair your vision or ability to properly grab the wheel. In an accident, your unsecured pet may also get ejected from the car or end up meeting the windshield, both of which can cause death or serious injury. Proper Transportation of Pets The only surefire way to prevent injury or distraction when transporting your pets is to have them properly restrained. The good news is that you have plenty of restraint options that suit your pet's size and personality, as well as the size of your vehicle. Some companies offer pet car seats. These car seats resemble an infant's car seat, but with padding that's similar to a dog or cat bed. If you don't like the car seat approach or your pet is far too large, opt for a restraint system or a tether. These systems connect to seat belts, the seat, or other parts of your car so your pet stays in one place, even if you have to steer swiftly or an accident occurs. Preventing Car Sickness Car sickness strikes dogs with alarming regularity. To avoid cleaning up a messy situation, the best remedy is to prevent the illness altogether. To start, always make sure that your pup can see outside, and crack the windows to let in some fresh air. If you're headed on a long trip, warm them up to the experience by taking them on several short trips. When it's finally time for the lengthy journey, remember to take breaks every few hours. With these car safety pet protocols, you never have to worry about putting your pet's life in danger. From long distance road trips to a journey to the vet, your pet is always in good hands. This photo, " DSC_1558.jpg," by Mark Nakasone, used under CC BY 2.o. "DSC_1558.jpg" is licensed under CC BY 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.