2013 Kia Sorento - Rear Backup Camera (Video)

Blogger mom Daphne Brogdon calms her kids down by driving laps around the neighborhood in her 2013 Kia Sorento.

Enter To Win A $500 Visa Gift Card!

Hey fans! Don't forget that there are only a few days left for our contest this month. Click here to submit your entry to win a $500 Visa Gift Card from us. Good luck everyone!

Congratulations Juan and Jim for Your Glowing Review

We just received a 5 out of 5 customer rating on DealerRater!!!

"I have needed to buy a new car for a year or two and dreaded the whole process. I had narrowed my decision down to 2 makes (KIA or Toyota) but kept hearing from every KIA new car owner how much they loved their cars. A friend, Lenee Weldon, mentioned what a great experience they had at the Granbury KIA dealership and she had the sales guy i needed to meet. So, i followed her over last week and decided she was right and Juan was the guy i was buying a new car from. So, after a test drive of the new KIA Sorento, i was sold and by Friday, had a new car. Jim Dollins assisted in the financing and i am a very satisfied and happy with the whole experience. I have, am and will continue to sing the praises of these guys!"

To check out more of our listings, click here: http://bit.ly/Vri6oD  

 

2013 Kia Optima Blake Time Travels - 1995 Free Throws

 

Rock this NBA season with a new 2013 Kia Optima!

2013 Kia Optima Review

Kia Optima will be one of those rare cars that looks as good in the driveway 10 years on as it does now. Truth be told, all deliver reasonable fuel economy, with base LX models returning 24 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and the turbo models rated at 22 mpg city, 34 mpg highway. We like the fact that most Optima models can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, since manuals boost the fun factor of any car.

Ride quality can be on the firm side; together with the car’s independent suspension and nicely-tuned electric steering, the Optima comes across as more sporting than its sibling the Hyundai Sonata. In fact, the Optima is more engaging than most sedans in its price range, giving buyers one more reason to add the brand to their candidate list.

The Optima comes with a surprising amount of feature content, in all trim levels. Even the high-volume EX models get features like dual-zone climate control and keyless entry, with available options like a panoramic sunroof and an Infinity audio system.

Interior design is best described as “modern minimalist,” but we mean that in a positive way. There’s no clutter in the cabin, and the controls sweep toward the driver to give a cockpit-like feel. Base models come with seats wrapped in sturdy fabric, while more upscale Optimas get leather seating surfaces.

Front seats provide generous head and leg room, with rear seats delivering a reasonable amount of leg room. We like the fact that the Optima offers heated seats to both front and rear passengers, an option sometimes missing in cars costing two or three time the Kia’s price.

The 2013 Kia Optima is a safe car, too, with 2012 models earning top safety scores from the NHTSA and the IIHS. Though 2013 models haven’t been tested, there are no significant design differences between the two years, so the latest models should perform identically.

-Courtesy of Green Car Reports

13 Weird Tricks to Clean Your Car

We found simple, cheap, unexpected tips on how to wash your car to keep it cleaner for longer.

Hair conditioner for shine.

Wash your car with a hair conditioner containing lanolin. You'll become a believer when you see the freshly waxed look, and when you find that the surface will repel rain.

Fizz windshields clean with cola.

When it rains after a long dry spell, a dirty windshield turns into one big mess. Get rid of streaks and blotches by pouring cola over the glass. (Stretch a towel along the bottom of the windshield to protect hood paint.) The bubbles in the cola will fizz away the grime. Just be sure to wash the sticky cola off thoroughly or your cleaning efforts will end up attracting dust and dirt.

Vodka on the job.

When your windshield-washer reservoir needs filling, raid the liquor cabinet to make your own washing fluid. In a screw-top gallon jug, mix 3 cups vodka (the cheapest you can find) with 4 cups water and 2 teaspoons liquid dishwashing detergent. Screw on the cap and shake well, then pour as much fluid as needed into the reservoir.

Shine those car lights.

Keep your headlights polished (and yourself, safe) by applying window cleaner and rubbing vigorously with an old pair of panty hose.

A one-step window cleaner.

Clean your windshield and car windows by rubbing them with baby wipes stored in your glove compartment. What could be easier?

No windshield washing fluid?

If the reservoir is empty (and doesn't it always seem to be?), use an unlikely substitute to clean your windshield: feminine hygiene maxi-pads, a box of which you could stash in the trunk. Hold a pad on the sticky side and rub the windshield vigorously. The glass will really shine once you've wiped it to the max.

Clean your blades

If your windshield wiper blades get dirty, they'll streak the glass instead of keeping it clean and clear. Make a solution of 1/4 cup household ammonia to 1 quart cold water. Gently lift the blades, and wipe both sides with a soft cloth or paper towel soaked in the solution. Then wipe the blades with a dry cloth before lowering them into place.

You can see clearly now.

Add 1/4 cup household ammonia to 1 quart water, pour it into a plastic bottle with a water-tight cap, and keep it in your car for washing the windshield and windows. As soon as your windshield begins to get dirty, take out the solution and apply it with a sponge; then dry the windshield with a soft cloth or paper towels.

Baking-soda car cleaner.

Pour 1/4 cup baking soda into a gallon-sized jug, then add 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid and enough water to fill the jug almost to the top. Screw on the cap, shake well, and store the concentrate for later use. When it comes time to wash the car, shake the jug vigorously and then pour 1 cup of cleaner base into a 2-gallon water pail. Fill the pail with warm water, stir to mix, and your homemade cleaning.

Banish back-road dirt.

In many rural areas, so-called oil roads (some unpaved, others semi-paved) are sprayed with oil to control blowing sand and dust. If you find yourself driving along one of these back roads, your windshield may end up coated with oily grime. To cut through the muck, sprinkle cream of tartar over the windshield, and then wipe the glass down with soapy water, rinse well, and dry.

A surprising no-wax washer.

Add 1 cup kerosene to a 3-gallon pail filled with water and then sponge the solution over your car. You won't have to spray the car before washing or rinse or wax it once you're done. And the next time it rains, rainwater will bead up and roll off the car, lessening the likelihood of rusting.

Watch the heat.

Washing your car when it's too hot—right after you've been driving it, for example, or when it's been parked in direct sunlight—can result in soapy splotches and deposits, says Consumer Reports.

Avoid air drying.

Also according to Consumer Reports, air drying your car—or driving it around while it's wet—after washing can leave unsightly watermarks on its exterior. Use a chamois or a soft terry cloth, plus a squeegee to soak excess water up—just make sure it doesn't pick up dirt that can scratch the vehicle.

Courtesy of Reader's Digest

2013 Kia Rio: 5 Reasons to Buy - AutoTrader (Video)

The 2013 Kia Rio is sleek, sporty and better built than ever. Here are five reasons to consider buying the Kia Rio hatchback.

Order Parts From Van Griffith Kia

Ordering parts has never been easier. Just click on the link, fill in the information you need and presto! Why wait?http://bit.ly/TPCcJM

Kia 2014 Sorento and 2014 Forte at 2012 LA Auto Show

At the LA Auto Show 2012, Kia executives Michael Sprague and Tom Loveless revealed the new and redesigned 2014 Kia Sorento and 2014 Kia Forte models along with the next iteration of UVO as examples of Kia's new level of sophistication. Click here to check it out!

New 2012-2013 Kia Vehicles At Van Griffith Kia

Happy Monday fans! Get a great start to your week by checking out our selection of new 2012-2013 Kia vehicles. Click here to take a look at our inventory or stop by for a test drive. We look forward to seeing you!

 

2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show

It was another exciting appearance for Kia at the Los Angeles Auto Show where the upgraded Kia Sorento and all-new Kia Forte (Cerato) premiered. Today on Kia-Buzz, we’re jumping onto the show floor to take a look at Kia’s presence at this year’s event.

The Aquaman-inspired Rio 5-door made an appearance after its premiere at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas. An ocean lover like Aquaman would be happy to know that the Rio has a reputation of being one the most eco-friendly vehicles in Kia’s lineup, especially since 85% of its material can be recycled at the end of its lifespan. The Rio 5-door received the world famous West Coast Customs treatment with special gold, green and orange exterior paint and custom metal fins attached to the body, along with oracle LED wheel rings and body lighting across the exterior and 20-inch color matched Asanti wheels wrapped in Continental rubber.

This fierce looking Batman-inspired Optima SX Limited was also on display at the auto show, with a matte and piano-black paint scheme exterior and dramatically lowered coilover suspension and muscular ground effects kit. It also features huge Ksport performance brakes for extreme stopping power, custom designed 20-inch black wheels with Batman logo center caps and a performance exhaust system. With a custom front grille shaped like a batwing that took over 40 hours to create, yellow LED lighting accents throughout the vehicle and the iconic bat signal etched into the SXL’s HID headlights, this ride truly captures the Dark Knight’s essence.

One of the main stars of the show was the upgraded Sorento CUV with an all-new platform, sophisticated new styling cues and significant improvements made to its ride handling and comfort. It boasts an all-new chassis, a new gasoline direct injected (GDI) V6 engine that delivers 290 horsepower, substantially redesigned interior and a next generation UVO infotainment system.The redesigned Sorento also adds a top of the line trim level– the SX Limited – which delivers an impressive roster of premium features and amenities. Although it’s dubbed ‘upgraded’ instead of ‘all-new’, a whopping 80% of its parts are either all-new or significantly redesigned, and it’s the first Kia vehicle to offer Kia’s next-generation UVO eServices voice-activated telematics system.

And now for Kia’s showstopper… The silk covers were pulled off and the all-new Kia Forte (Cerato) was revealed. It sits on an all-new chassis and is longer, wider and lower than the previous generation Forte, with more room, more performance and more premium amenities. It will be offered in LX and EX variants with a choice of an efficient 1.8-liter engine or a more powerful 2.0 liter engine. It also offers luxurious features like a ventilated driver’s seat and UVO eServices, setting a new standard for the compact segment.

The third-generation Forte (Cerato) boasts sleeker styling with ‘dynamic muscularity’ in a design that is longer, lower and wider than the current car, with an extended wheelbase. It also features an all-new bodyshell, upgraded equipment, a host of additional convenience and safety features, a more spacious cabin with enhanced quality, improved refinement and an upgraded powertrain line-up that delivers class-leading performance and fuel economy.

 

Courtesy of Kia Buzz

2 for 1 Special At Van Griffith Kia

Hey fans! Be sure to check out our 2 for 1 special offer. If you bring in two vehicles for an oil change on the same day this month at Van Griffith Kia, you will get one for free! Stop by today to take advantage of this great deal. We look forward to seeing you!

 

Kia Motors America Announces Best-Ever November Sales And 27th Consecutive Monthly Sales Record

Kia Motors America (KMA) has been one of the fastest-growing car companies in the U.S. over the last five years[1], and November saw the brand achieve its 27th straight month of record sales with 41,055 units sold, a 10.9-percent increase over the same period in 2011. Year-to-date sales are up 17.3 percent over 2011, and the brand achieved another important milestone in November with the sale of its 500,000th vehicle in 2012 -- a first for Kia in the U.S. The U.S.-built* Optima midsize sedan has been Kia's best-selling vehicle each month in 2012, and that trend continued in November with 12,715 units sold, and together with the popular Sorento CUV -- also built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia -- represents more than 40 percent of Kia's record November volume.

"Kia has sustained record-setting momentum for more than two years, and eclipsing the 500,000 vehicle sales mark for the first time is an historic achievement for KMA and our dealers," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. "The popular Optima is on track to set an all-time single year record for a Kia nameplate, and the upcoming launches of the all-new 2014 Forte sedan and refreshed 2014 Sorento unveiled last week at the Los Angeles Auto Show will take the value equation we are known for and advance it to new levels of sophistication with exciting technologies such as the next generation UVO eServices hands-free infotainment system."

Kia's Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality [2] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking [3] . Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia -- KMMG -- is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. -- the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

Courtesy of The Auto Channel

5 money-saving DIY tips for car owners

As cars have become more advanced over time, it has been increasingly difficult for enterprising owners to perform basic maintenance and repairs. While some jobs do require professional expertise and pricey tools, there are still many things that a handy owner can do to keep a car running in top shape and save money in the process.

Below are a few tips from our automotive experts.

1) Treating hazy headlight lenses. Modern headlight assemblies usually have clear plastic covers that can grow hazy over the years from exposure to the elements. To save the expense of changing the whole headlight reflector assembly, you can use a restoration kit, usually consisting of abrasive cloths and a special finishing liquid. Some kits are applied with elbow grease, while others call for an electric drill.

2) Windshield wipers. You can extend the life of wiper blades by keeping them clean. Wipe off the rubber edge with a paper towel moistened with glass cleaner, or water and a little dish soap. Wiper blades don't last long. In our tests we've found that six months is about the best you can expect a set of wiper blades to stay in top form.

3) Wash and wax your car. Giving your car a good cleaning helps preserve the paint by removing road grime and residues that can eat through the finish. The time spent hand washing a car gives you a close-up view of every body panel, so you can spot scratches, chips, and dings you may not have otherwise noticed. To maintain a quality shine, periodically apply car wax. A spray wax is best suited to weekly or special-occasion applications. Other waxes can be used less frequently, every 2-3 months.

4) Light bulbs. Changing a light bulb isn't difficult—most these days have a twist-and-pull bayonet base or they simply pull out and push in. Bulb specifications are usually found in the owner's manual. However, accessing a bulb (usually called a lamp in industry parlance) can be a real chore. Consult a service manual or look online if access to the bulb isn't obvious. Auto-parts stores and your franchised dealer carry good selections of replacement bulbs. If you're replacing a halogen headlight bulb take care not to touch the glass with your bare fingers. Skin oils on the quartz glass are said to shorten its life.

5) Touch-up paint. Touching up paint flaws early can save a heap of money down the road. You can touch up small scratches and chips with touch-up paint, available for a few dollars at your car dealership and at some auto-parts stores. Make sure you get an exact color match. Touch-up paint usually comes in a small bottle with an applicator brush in the lid. Otherwise, use a small, pointed artist's brush and cover the scratch by going over it in tiny dabs. Let this paint dry for at least a day or two before polishing the car.

Courtesy of Yahoo Autos