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Driving a car comes with a learning curve. Feeling uncertain at first is natural, but confidence will come with time! Here are a few tips for student drivers from your local Kia dealership in Temple Hills, MD. Take Note of These 6 Smart Tips for New Drivers 1.    Practice Without Pressure When you get your license, you now have the freedom to go everywhere. That doesn't mean you should immediately go for a drive on a long road trip or navigate rush hour traffic. Spend time practicing your driving skills on quiet roads before you face high-pressure situations. Even a few weeks of driving on back roads can help improve your reaction time in a busy intersection. more 2.    Drive Without Distractions It goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway. Never text and drive. Don't use your phone at all while you're behind the wheel! More experienced drivers may listen to music or make phone calls, but we advise new drivers to gain experience on the road first. 3.    Put a "Student Driver" Sticker on Your Car Other drivers can be inconsiderate when you make mistakes or drive more slowly than they'd like. Consider putting a small bumper sticker on the back of your car to let people know that you're new to the road, and they'll usually give you more distance. ​Don't worry - With the right tools, you can easily take it off later! 4.    Stay Within the Speed Limit It's tempting to drive above the speed limit, especially when everyone is doing it. Seriously, though: Don't speed! Speeding increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Not to mention, the punishments for speeding are much worse for new drivers. Keep in mind that speed limit signs are the highest maximum speed for optimal road conditions. If there's rain, ice, or wind, you should slow it down. 5.    Be Aware of Other Drivers The key to staying safe on the road is to expect nothing from other drivers. Don't assume that other people will drive properly. Many people speed, tailgate, and merge erratically. While many people do drive safely, be prepared for the people who don't and give other cars plenty of space. 6.    Bring a Friend It may feel uncomfortable to drive alone when you've gotten used to having an instructor or parent in the car. Ask a friend to tag along for moral support while you practice! Make sure to bring someone you trust and who will not distract you. Are you a new driver? At your local dealership, you'll find a car that's equipped with smart safety features at unbeatable prices. Contact us at DARCARS Kia of Temple Hills to begin your search for a vehicle, or stop by and see our inventory!

You're rushing to your local Kia dealer for express service on your lunch break. Only you're stuck behind a slow driver and you’re afraid you’re going to be late. What do you do? Check out this list to help you deal with slow drivers! Kia Dealer Tips: How to Deal with Slow Drivers in 6 Easy Steps 1. Use Your Horn Sparingly It's tempting to honk your horn but honking your horn excessively may only escalate the situation. A quick tap on the horn is more than enough to let the driver know you're there if you must honk. more 2. Pass Carefully When passing a slow driver, use caution. Many accidents occur when people try to pass slower vehicles and then cut back in too soon, causing a collision. Don't move into the other lane until you have plenty of space to pass. And always use your turn signal! 3. Be Patient We know it can be hard, but sometimes the best thing you can do is simply be patient when you are behind a slow driver. Accept that you may have to slow down occasionally to get to where you need to go so that you can arrive at your destination safe and secure. 4. Avoid Road Rage It happens to the best of us—we may get angry at another driver. However, it never works to engage in road rage. Not only is it dangerous, but it can also lead to costly accidents and traffic tickets. Relax and take a deep breath if you find yourself angry and remember that you'll get where you're going eventually. 5. Give Yourself Some Time Rather than getting frustrated, build some extra time into your schedule, so you don't have to worry about being late. That way, even if you run into traffic snarls or there is inclement weather while you’re traveling on the road, you'll still arrive at your destination on time without any added stress to your commute. 6. Resist the Urge to Tailgate Tailgating is never a good idea, but it can be hazardous when dealing with a slow driver. The car ahead of you may suddenly stop, which could cause a serious accident. In these situations, it's best to switch lanes or wait patiently behind the slow driver until it's safe to pass. Find More Driving Tips at Our Temple Hills, MD Kia Dealership While encountering a slow driver is inevitable, it doesn't have to ruin your day. At our Kia dealership, we provide various helpful tips to help with driving from tips for new drivers to practicing defensive driving and more. We also carry the latest Kia models that come packed with advanced safety technologies that can give you that added peace of mind on the road. Visit us today at DARCARS Kia of Temple Hills to test drive a new Kia. Whether it’s a Kia Sportage or Kia K5, you can count on enjoying the ride!

We all may not want to see that ominous slip of paper tucked under our windshield wipers, especially when we have to pay for a minor violation that could've easily been prevented. Below your Kia dealer offers some helpful tips on avoiding a parking ticket to save you money and frustration. 1. Know the Parking Signs There are lots of parking rules and signs, so make sure you know what all the different signs indicate and check the signs and curb markings before parking your car. If there are a lot of signs close together, all displaying different information, it's best to heed the most restrictive warning. more In some areas, you can only park at certain hours or on specific days, and always ensure you're not parking too close to a fire hydrant, a crosswalk, or blocking an entrance or access for persons with disabilities. 2. Download a Meter App Various parking apps make it easy and hassle-free to keep an eye on your parking meter. Check out ParkMobile, an excellent phone parking solution offered in certain areas in Prince George's County. There is no cost to register, and it's a convenient way to check how much time is left on the meter. You can purchase extra time if you need it without running back to your car. 3. Carry Coins Carrying coins seem outdated, but they are useful when encountering one of those classic coin-operated parking meters. Keep your change, and put the coins in your glove box, where you can quickly grab a few to pay for parking when needed. 4. Display Your Meter Receipt and Check the Time Take your paid parking receipt and put it face-up on your dashboard so everyone can see you've paid for the parking spot. If you don't have a meter app, check the time limit, memorize it, and don't let it run out to avoid a fine. 5. Find Convenient Parking When driving around the city to any destination, finding a parking spot is the last thing you want to worry about. It's always good to know the best places to park your car. Find parking garages or lots around the areas in the city you most frequently visit and learn how much it costs. At least you’ll know your vehicle is safe, and you won't have to stress about parking meters running out. The best way to avoid parking fines is to stick to the rules, know the meaning of the signs and road markings, and pay for parking. If you get a fine, go to the Prince George's County website for all the information on parking violations, payment options, and disputes. We’re Your Trusted Kia Dealer in Maryland! Have more questions about driving tips or are you looking to buy a new car in Maryland? Get in contact with DARCARS Kia of Temple Hills today. We are here for you with automotive advice and tips, as your source for new and used cars, and to keep your Kia in tip-top shape.

Defensive driving is a style of driving designed to keep you and your passengers safe by anticipating the actions of other drivers. You can only control your actions when driving, so these skills focus on how to react to others and prevent accidents. As your Kia dealer in Temple Hills, MD, we'd like to share some of these tips with you. Keep a Safe Distance Keeping a distance between you and the vehicle ahead is critical for safe driving, whether it’s driving at night or during the day. This is something that every driver learns when they're studying for their driver's license. If the vehicle ahead suddenly brakes, for example, you need enough time to be able to brake. Generally, a 3-second gap is the minimum safety distance between cars. more To practice this skill, focus on a fixed point ahead of you, then count the time between when the vehicle ahead of you passes the object and when you do. If it's 3 seconds, you're at a safe distance, and if it's less than 3 seconds you should slow down for safety. By keeping a safe minimum distance from other vehicles, you’ll help increase the chance of avoiding an accident. Never Assume As a driver, it's easy to fall into a trap of assuming that other drivers on the road will drive correctly and behave responsibly. Drivers are subject to numerous unrelated influences, any of which can distract them. It is also important to remember that not every driver will hold to the same level of safe driving you're employing. A driver may, for example, use their turning signals to indicate a turn to the right and then turn to the left. Another example is a driver who suddenly cuts across traffic to take a parking space they've just seen. Both of these actions are dangerous, and you wouldn't assume drivers would take them. When you're driving, be very cautious of other drivers' behavior. Be Observant Always scan the road ahead and limit possible distractions for yourself. Be sure to check your side and rearview mirrors frequently for any situation you need to be aware of. If you're focusing on your driving and the other drivers and pedestrians around you, you should be prepared for any driving eventuality. A pedestrian, for example, could step into the street unexpectedly and you need to react to that. It's easy to become distracted, especially if you're driving a route that you're familiar with. This can lead you to become more relaxed and reduce your reaction time. You want to be a safe driver, and it's essential to be aware of everything around you at all times. If you stay focused, you can keep yourself, your passengers, and your car safe and help to prevent accidents. Want a New Kia in Temple Hills, MD for Your Traveling? These are some examples of defensive skills that you can use each time you're behind the wheel. If you'd like to buy a new Kia or quality used car, come to DARCARS Kia of Temple Hills. We have an excellent range of new and used vehicles available for you.

Driving in rain can be stressful, sometimes even more stressful than snow. When you're faced with a torrential downpour or a heavy rain out on the open road, unless you know how to handle your vehicle and the conditions, you can put yourself and your passengers at risk. If you live in Temple Hills, MD, here are some tips that can help you stay safe the next time you're out on the road and face any amount of rain. Four Tips for Driving in Rain in Temple Hills, MD 1. Invest in a Capable Vehicle Many older vehicles are not equipped to deal with certain road conditions. If you spend any amount of time on the road and are concerned about the reliability of your vehicle in hazardous conditions, it may be time to invest in something new and something more capable. Many of today's vehicles are equipped with different driving modes that can help you handle slick roads and risky conditions. more Newer, more equipped vehicles have driving modes that you can turn on with the push of a button to help accommodate rain and other unforeseen changes in the weather without even blinking. 2. Make Sure Your Car’s Headlights are Working Sometimes rainfall can become intense and so heavy that you can't see the road in front of you. To help avoid a rear-end collision and keep your vehicle from being involved in any kind of accident, your headlights can be vital. Having working headlights will make your vehicle more visible to drivers when the rainfall is so intense that it limits or completely eliminates visibility. 3. Turn Around if Needed Many drivers will head onto flooded roads without thinking twice. They think that their vehicle can make it through a flooded roadway, but that's not always the case. You could put yourself in a life-threatening situation if you attempt to drive into flooded areas. If you see other drivers trying to make it through flooded roadways, turn around. Finding an alternative route will help you get home safely, even if it takes more time. 4. Pull Over if Rain is too Heavy Sometimes the safest thing to do when you are driving in heavy rain is to pull over. If you can find a safe spot to wait out the storm or at least wait until the rain subsides, you can avoid an incident or collision and get home as quickly and safely as possible. Driving in a storm or any amount of rain will increase your risk of collision. Hydroplaning or going off the road are very real possibilities that can occur even in a little bit of rain. Using your judgment, making smart choices, and waiting out the weather will help you keep you, your passengers, and your vehicle safe. Find a Reliable Car in Temple Hills at Our Maryland Kia Dealership If you're looking for a vehicle that can handle the weather and is equipped with safety features that will make you and your passengers feel safer and more confident out on the road, we have plenty of options to choose from. Visit us today at DARCARS Kia of Temple Hills to browse our inventory and invest in a vehicle that will help take care of you, no matter what the weather brings.

We're always looking to save money, and one of the ways we do it is by getting better gas mileage, so we don't have to pull up to the fuel pump more often than necessary. Even though a great way to get better fuel efficiency is to buy a Kia Hybrid, there are other ways to improve your gas mileage. Stay at the Speed Limit Research has shown that when you drive at higher speeds on the highway, you use more fuel. As such, it is recommended that you keep your speed at the posted limit, or a little under, to get the best gas mileage possible. For example, a speed of 75 mph uses seven more gallons of gas than a speed of 65 mph. Essentially, if you drive a compact car, when you speed, you're getting the gas mileage of a large SUV. more Don't Carry Anything on the Roof or Behind the Car When you're driving on the highway, your car is already using 50% of its power to overcome aerodynamic drag. If you add cargo onto the roof or behind your vehicle, you're increasing the amount of drag your car has to handle. This means it'll use more fuel to compensate for the drag. Some cars lose up to 12 mpg when they have cargo on their roof or bikes stowed on their bumper. Even removing an empty roof rack can help. Of course, you want that cargo holder or those bikes when you actually have something to carry; but it doesn't do you any favors to carry that stuff around when there's no reason for it. Refrain From Warming Up Your Car In the days of carburetors, it was necessary to warm up your car before you drove it to keep it running. However, in new fuel-injected cars, there is no need to waste fuel by warming up your car unless the temperatures are far below freezing. It's rare for that to happen. Vehicles operate best when they're at their normal operating temperature, and the fastest way to get it there is to drive it immediately after starting it: though you'll want to go slowly for the first few minutes until the "warm-up" light goes off on your dash. Inflate Your Tires Properly Keeping your car's tires properly inflated according to manufacturer specifications will help improve your gas mileage, even though it only has a minimal effect. In research studies, a midsize car only lost 1.3 miles per gallon when its tires were underinflated. Still, if you're looking to save as much money as possible at the pump, every little bit helps. Buy a Hybrid As mentioned, one of the ideal ways to save money on gas is to purchase a hybrid. You can get up to 45 mpg, which is 15 miles more per gallon than the average fuel consumption of a gas-engine sedan. You won't have to fill up nearly as often, which means more time for you and less money out of your wallet. Find Certified Kia Service and Kia Hybrids in Temple Hills, MD While there are plenty of tricks to getting the best gas mileage possible, buying a hybrid car can really make a huge difference. Come test drive a new hybrid today at DARCARS Kia of Temple Hills.