Gay Family Kia — 5 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Risks of Car Theft

June 21, 2018 · 3 min read

Burglary is one of the most common crimes, and that includes car theft. Cars are increasingly expensive, especially with advanced technology. People often leave valuables in their vehicles which can further entice thieves. Criminals move fast and can be in and out of your vehicle in seconds. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, motor vehicles were stolen at a rate of 236.9 per 100,000 in 2016. You've spent all this money, so how do you protect your investment? By taking these five precautions, you can hopefully reduce the risk of becoming a victim of car thieves.

Park in a Safe Place

Sometimes, where you park makes all the difference. Park as close as possible to home, or near a building that's occupied. When you're at a restaurant or bar, try to park where you can see your vehicle from inside. At shopping malls or large parking structures, park under well-lit sections and as close as possible to the building entrance. Thieves tend to go for cars that are off in the distance and parked alone, rather than the ones where people are passing by on a regular basis.

Don't Leave Valuables Visible

One of the easiest ways to avoid vehicle theft and break-ins is to keep your valuables out of view. By keeping valuables in plain sight, your vehicle is far more attractive to thieves.

Don't Leave Your Car Running Unattended

Some people are tempted to leave their car running in the driveway while they dash back inside to grab something. That is a bad idea, as thieves only need a couple of seconds to get away with your vehicle. People who live in cold weather climates may want to de-ice their windows with the car running. Thieves are on the lookout for people who do that and often think nothing of jumping in your car while you're right there.

Add Theft-Prevention Equipment

Adding a visual deterrent to your lineup of theft-prevention equipment can be beneficial as well. Use alarms that flashlights and sound alarm sirens, and install things like a steering wheel lock, a fuel disabler, and tracking device. The president of the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) says drivers should use a five-tiered system that can be customized depending on the driver's location and vehicle type. The five steps are:

Use good judgment on parking location, locking doors, etc.
Use an alarm system that has flashing lights and sirens to draw attention.
Install Anti-theft visual hardware.
Get immobilizing devices like ignition cutoffs and starter disablers.
Add electronic tracking devices in case the vehicle is stolen.

Watch Keys with Parking Attendants

While not all attendants are unscrupulous, some are, so it's important to only leave your ignition key. Don't leave your other keys, especially your house keys. If the attendant can get in the glove compartment, they could find out where you live and duplicate your ignition key, stealing your vehicle at a later time. While there is no guarantee your vehicle won't ever be stolen, taking extra precautions can certainly help reduce the risk. Image by TheDigitalWay, used under CCO 1.0

Posted in:

Aug 26, 2018 in Dickinson Used Cars

Which Kia SUV Fits Your Lifestyle?

As gas prices continue to fall and consumers require more versatility, the SUV has become the most popular vehicle across America, causing stiff competition between automakers. That said, Kia has the most diverse array of SUV offerings, giving you the perfect fit for your needs or lifestyle. If you're looking for a new SUV, here are Kia's four fantastic options. Sportage Combining the nimble handling of a sedan with the flexibility of an SUV, the 2019 Kia Sportage is an excellent choice for singles or burgeoning families. This small SUV offers seating for up to five passengers, while still providing up to 30.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat. Need more space? Fold the rear seats down to unveil a whopping 60.1 cubic feet of room. Under the hood, the Sportage boasts a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that's good for 181 horsepower, 181 pound-feet of torque, and 26 mpg combined. If that doesn't scratch you where you itch, the SX Turbo trim kicks out 240 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque for a pure driving experience. Choose from front-wheel drive or, if you're feeling adventurous, opt for the all-wheel drive. more Sorento As the largest SUV in the Kia lineup, the 2019 Sorento is ideal for large families, adventurers, do-it-yourself enthusiasts, or those that put a premium on versatility. For the first time in its existence, the Sorento offers third-row seating across all six trims, providing seating for up to seven passengers with 11.3 cubic feet of room behind the rear seat. If you need more space, fold down the third row for 38 cubic feet of room, or fold down both rows for a massive 73 cubic feet of room. While the 2.4-liter inline-four is enough for some drivers, performance gurus will love the 3.3-liter V-6. Packed with 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque, this engine makes the Sorento the most powerful SUV in the fleet, ready to tackle anything that's thrown in its path. Soul If you've ever been described as quirky or whimsical, the 2019 Kia Soul is your vehicular soulmate. This boxy, fun, and stylish compact crossover has a wonderful design that makes it stand out from the competition, while still offering the amenities you crave. Inside, the Soul boasts a 5-inch, 7-inch, or 8-inch touch-screen display with an infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, cruise control, and an available driver-assist safety system. Three engines provide between 130 and 201 horsepower, offering either maximum efficiency of up to 31 mpg or some serious giddy-up. Perfect for the young or the young at heart, the Soul is in a category all its own. Niro The most recent addition to the Kia lineup, the 2018 Niro is also the first hybrid SUV from the Korean automaker. Choose from either a standard hybrid setup or a plug-in hybrid for some of the best fuel efficiency available. The standard Niro gets up to 52 mpg, while the plug-in option provides a range of up to 26 miles on a single charge. Throw in seating for five, loads of entertainment options, and plenty of comfort, and the Niro helps you save the world without skimping on the extras. From fuel-efficient options to go-anywhere workhorses, the Kia SUV lineup is sure to earn your approval. https://www.flickr.com/photos/juanelo242a/38735307170/sizes/l Image via Flickr by RL GNZLZ

Aug 19, 2018 in Dickinson Used Cars

See a Different Side of Houston On One of These Tours

As the fourth-largest city in the United States, Houston is one of the most exciting places in the country, and there's always something going on. Whether you're visiting or you're a resident of H-Town, you can find another side to the city by scheduling a tour with one of the many tour companies. From sightseeing to food, you'll find your new favorite Houston hot spot along the way. Hop-On Houston City Tour If you've never had the chance to hop on a double-decker bus, you won't even need to go to London to do it. Instead, buy a ticket to the Hop-On Houston City Tour. Aboard this two-story bus, you can enjoy all Houston has to offer while riding on the lower level or the open-air top floor of the bus. Choose from either a 24-hour or 48-hour pass to explore the city with a tour guide who offers historical facts, interesting tidbits, and engrossing stories about landmarks, parks, and buildings. The bus offers six convenient stops throughout the city, allowing you to hop off and hop back on at your own convenience. If you love tours that still allow flexibility and exploring at your own pace, Hop-On Houston City Tour is the perfect fit. more Nightly Spirits Houston Haunted Pub Tour If you drew a Venn diagram of your two favorite things and they just happen to be overlapping circles of beer and ghosts, Nightly Spirits Houston Haunted Pub Tour is a match made for you. This tour takes a step back into the mid-to-late 1800s, when Houston started to flourish as a city and urban legends and ghost stories began to emerge. During this three-hour, adults-only tour, you're taken by a tour guide to some of Houston's most famous haunted buildings, as well as a few haunted bars for a cocktail and a ghost story. Even if you don't see a ghoul, one thing is sure: you're certain to see some spirits. Taste of Houston Food Tours Known as the Culinary Capital of the South, H-Town has a diverse food scene that pulls influences from around the globe. The result is a city full of eclectic restaurants serving up classic Tex-Mex, fusion, and other dishes you just won't find anywhere else. Rather than relying on Yelp or a travel guide to find these places, let Taste of Houston Food Tours do the work. These tours take you around to some of the most popular local spots in the city, offering tastes of the finest food and drink. Their guides will also take you to places of cultural or historical significance, tying them back into the cuisine that you're enjoying. Take your food tour to the next level with optional add-ons such as a cooking class, culinary scavenger hunt, or a team cooking competition. With these tours, you'll go in as a cook and emerge as an executive chef. While some explorers enjoy zero planning and freedom to explore, these tours offer a middle ground where you can learn something about the city without being bogged down to a long-term itinerary. Plus, you just might find you like tours more than you think. https://www.flickr.com/photos/76771463@N02/8311996895/sizes/l Image via Flickr by Katie Haugland Bowen

Aug 05, 2018 in Dickinson Used Cars

Make a Statement in The Funky Soul EV

Stylish, provocative, and loaded with features, the 2018 Kia Soul EV is the funkiest electric car to ever grace American roads. If you were a fan of the gasoline-powered version of the Soul, but you've made a vow to reduce your carbon footprint, the Soul EV adds a purely electric powertrain that still provides the utility and versatility of the original. For those new to the electric vehicle market, the Soul EV is an awesome choice that makes the ultimate statement. Funky Styling Since the Kia Soul debuted in 2009, it's remained one of the most interesting vehicles on the road thanks primarily to its unconventional style, This unusual design tradition continues with the all-new Soul EV. Its boxy yet sporty design provides a look unlike any other, while 16-inch alloy wheels and fog lights add depth and allure. Both of the Soul EV's trims also offer privacy glass, power heated side mirrors, and LED lighting to round out the eye-catching exterior of the vehicle. more The Powertrain Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the Kia Soul EV is its 100 percent electric powertrain system. The heart and soul of this system is a 30-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor that delivers 109 horsepower and up to 210 pound-feet of torque. This gives it more oomph than most of its gas-powered competitors, including a 0-60 of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 92 mph. Charging and Range The 2018 edition of the Soul EV improves its range from 91 miles on a single charge to 111 miles this year. With this 20 mile increase, the Soul EV reaches the top of the electric vehicle market while still offering the versatility and space of a compact SUV. To charge the Soul EV, you have three options, but most importantly, all Soul EVs now come with a standard DC Fast Charger. This allows you to charge the vehicle from dead to 80 percent battery in just 30 minutes, which is ideal if you forget to plug it in overnight, or you need a quick charge when you're home for lunch. With the regular 120-volt charger that comes with the car, you'll still get the fast charge, but to get the battery up to 100 percent, it takes 24 hours. For quicker charging, a 240-volt adapter can reduce the time to about four hours, while 480-volt chargers found in public charge stations can have the Soul EV running at full blast in 30 to 50 minutes. Interior Extras Despite its reputation as an energy saver, the Soul EV doesn't skimp where it counts, offering more standard features than many of its competitors. This includes amenities such as an 8-inch touch-screen display, UVO infotainment system, a rear-camera display, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, and a six-speaker sound system. Add all that up, and the Soul EV borders on being a luxury car. With several automakers blazing new trails into the electric car market, Kia proves that it's a serious player with the 2018 Kia Soul EV. Make sure to get on board before the secret gets out. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jayuny/36666710965/sizes/l Image via Flickr by JayUny