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Cyclists should be seen, not hurt! Here’s how to mind your motorcycles.

With warm temperatures comes an increase in motorcycle traffic, and it’s important to be aware of the other vehicles sharing the road with you. Motorcycles are smaller in size, which makes them easier to miss, which can result in a collision. Motorcyclists don’t have the same kind of protection as someone in a car or truck would, which means that they are almost always injured in crashes.

If you’re expecting to see motorcycles, then you’re more likely to notice them. Pay attention especially at intersections – since they are lighter than other vehicles they can stop in shorter distances. You should leave more room between yourself and a motorcycle to avoid rear-ending them. It’s also easy to misjudge the speed of an approaching motorcycle because of its size and because it is moving towards you, so be aware of that as well.

Are you too drowsy to drive? Here are the signs.

Getting behind the wheel when you’re tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk.   In fact, over 11% of all fatal car accidents happen as a result of sleepy motorists–so it’s important to pay attention to the red flags before you start your drive.  Here are the surefire signs you need to hand the keys to someone else:

-Yawning
-Hitting a rumble strip
-Not being able to recall the past couple of miles
-Blinking more than usual
-Trouble keeping eyes open or focusing them on the road in front of you

If you are displaying any one of these behaviors for a duration of time, especially if you are experiencing more than one at a time, you shouldn’t be driving.  Ask yourself if the trip is worth putting your life or the lives of others at risk.  And then hand the keys over.

Are You Prone to Road Rage? Catch Some Z's!

Are you guilty of getting angry at other drivers while in the car? A national epidemic of sleepiness is a contributing factor to road rage, according to the National Sleep Foundation. We all know how cranky we get without enough sleep. It makes us prone to feelings of annoyance, resentment and even anger. Eight hours is still the recommended daily dose of sleep for adults!

July Specials

July is coming to an end! Stop by the dealership to take advantage of these great savings. We look forward to seeing you! Set up an appointment here: http://bit.ly/1tArHAO

Road Trip Bingo

Got two little ones squabbling in the back seat? Have them play against each other instead! This iOS app combines I Spy with Bingo by randomly displaying a picture of an object — a horse, an airplane, etc. — and having kids tap the appropriate pictures on their bingo cards. The first player to spot five objects in a row gets to shout “Bingo!”

So, your teenager got a driver's license?

We know it’s difficult to let your teen take the wheel—and we can help! The best remedy to the parental stress that accompanies a smiling teenager with a glossy new license? Making sure they’ve got the right car. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re out looking for a new ‘whip’ (or whatever the kids are saying these days).


New instead of used
It might decrease your stress level momentarily to put your teen in charge of a vehicle that costs less, but think about it long-term. You want your kiddo to be safe and you don’t want to end up having to spend money on repairs that end up being more costly than the vehicle itself.

Not too big, not too small
It doesn’t matter that “everyone else” has a tiny sports car, or that your teen “will be the laughing stock” of the school unless they are behind the wheel of a huge SUV. The truth of it is that a happy medium is, well… a happy medium. New drivers behind the wheel of big vehicles are more likely to roll it in an accident and new drivers with sports cars are more likely to disobey the speed limit and get into trouble that way. 

Stay away from stick!
We know back in our day everyone knew how to drive a manual transmission, but the sad truth is that it is becoming somewhat of an endangered skill. Your teen can learn how to drive stick! Just make the first vehicle as easy and safe as possible for your teen—and everyone else on the road.

5 Things You Need To Do Before Your Summer Road Trip

Road trip season is here again!  There’s no doubt about it: one of the best parts of summer is hitting the road on an adventure.  But before you start your car and set out for unfamiliar horizons, make sure you have these things checked off your to-do list.


1. Top off coolant.  Seems pretty obvious, but many forget this one!  Make sure you stay cool out on the road and remember to be proactive about air conditioning care to prevent future problems.
2. Refill windshield washer fluid.  You’re bound to gather a few hitchhikers like bugs and dust on your journey.  Make sure your windshield wiper fluid is topped off so you can deal with these obstructions on-the-go.
3. Inspect your belts. As your car ages, belts become dry and brittle. This is made worse by heat and the last thing you want is to deal with a broken belt in the middle of your trip.
4. Check your tires. This is a good idea to do regardless of season, definitely not just a summer must. The easiest at-home method for this is performing the penny test.
5. Get your brakes checked out. Bring your car into our service department and let us take one final look before you head out! Even though you hope this summer never stops, you want your car to, eventually.

Get the Best Gas Mileage Possible on Your Summer Road Trip

Planning your summer road trip is already stressful enough–why worry about what you’re spending on gas?  Here are a couple of things to avoid and a couple of things to remember while you’re out on the road.

DO be assertive (not aggressive).  Speeding up and braking sharply slices your highway gas mileage by 33 percent.

DON’T drive with the windows down.  While you may think you’re cutting costs by avoiding use of the air conditioning, you are actually making your car work harder to maintain speed because of aerodynamic drag.

DO make sure your tires are properly inflated.  Driving on partially deflated wheels does nothing but damage to your gas mileage.

DON’T use a rooftop cargo box.  If you need the extra room, try a cargo tray that attaches at the rear bumper.  It’s much easier on your mileage.

Take a Drive in the Kia Sorento

Take a drive in the Kia Sorento this Memorial Day weekend! The perfect side-kick, the Sorento has an answer for everything. It's roomy, fuel-efficient, and tech-savvy, so you'll be set to hit the road for the holiday!

Paramount Kia of Asheville

2014 Cadenza: Hit the road in a luxury vehicle– without the hit to your wallet

Take a minute and envision your dream vehicle. You probably have a few key features in mind, right? Things like fuel efficiency, safety, and comfort are important to you. A powerful engine and sleek exterior wouldn’t hurt, either.

We’ve got some good news—the 2014 Kia Cadenza is all that and more! This roomy sedan is equipped with Blind Spot Detection, Front & Rear Parking Assist, push-button start, and stylish leather trim. Oh, did we mention that it’s powered by a V-6 engine?

If you’re ready to drive a luxury car without paying a luxury price, check out the 2014 Kia Candenzas we have available today!

Keep man's best friend safe, doggone it!

It's not rocket science: you would never go on a road trip knowing your child can't be securely buckled up.  So why do so many of us pack up our cars and zip down the freeway without a second thought about our four-legged friends?  Many dogs weigh the same as a small child, yet the overwhelming majority of pet owners travel with their pooch unrestrained.  Invest in a harness or other device to secure that precious cargo.

If you're convinced there's nothing else to learn about driving, check this out.

Chances are you probably consider yourself to be a pretty safe driver.  After all, it’s something you do practically every day, right?  Between commuting to and from work, picking up the kids from school, and running errands, you’d have to be a skilled motorist.  We certainly hope so! But it never hurts to brush up on your know-how.  

 

Tip of the day: Keep your distance.

THINK IN THREES!  You should stay...

 

3 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you for speeds of 35 – 55 MPH in fair weather, 

 

6 seconds for more than 55 MPH or in rain, and 

 

9 seconds for heavy snowstorms or low visibility.

 

 

Tell us how YOU stay safe on the road!  Join the conversation on our Facebook page.

Who is the most annoying driver in your life? Survey says...

Maybe you’ve got a newly-licensed teen learning how to drive.  Maybe it’s that carpool buddy of yours with the lead foot.  Hey, maybe it’s even your sweet old mother-in-law that only comes to visit twice a year.   

One thing is for sure: nobody is as skilled a driver as you!  At least that’s how it seems, right?  As it turns out, YOU could be the annoying one!  A recent survey by Insure.Com revealed WHO is really the most annoying driver in the house.

Who is the most annoying driver?  Here are the findings:

1. My spouse: 36 percent
2. A friend: 22 percent
3. My mother: 16 percent
4. My father: 9 percent
5. Other: 8 percent
6. My teen son: 5 percent
7. My teen daughter: 4 percent

So, who really grinds your gears?  Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook—we want to know what you think.

Spring Break DOs and DONTs: Return to your home the way you left it

If you’re anything like us, you have had it with this brutal winter.  You probably can’t wait to load up the car and head for a warmer destination, right?  Whether you’re lucky enough to have a spring break or you’re just planning a little getaway to a sunny spot, remember that safety is key.  

 If you want to return to a house that looks exactly the way you left it, follow these tips:

 

• Put automatic timer on lights.  You might even want to leave a radio on (preferably a talk radio show) so it sounds like there is someone in your house.

• Make a record of the serial numbers for your valuable items and take the list with you, store it in your safe deposit box or send the information to your personal email account. 

•  Make sure your friends and relatives know where you will be vacationing. Call friends or family members to let them know that you have arrived and returned safely.

• DO NOT hide your house keys in a mailbox, under a doormat or planter or anywhere outside.

• If you are leaving a vehicle at home, DO NOT leave your garage door opener in your vehicle. 

• DO NOT advertise your plans to strangers or on social media outlets.

We've got Soul-- and we're giving one to YOU!

Thanks to the generous support of Paramount Kia Asheville, the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is giving away a Kia Soul on February 11! Join us at noon on February 11 at Paramount Kia of Asheville's showroom on 1000 Ridgefield Boulevard as the 10 finalists try their keys in an effort to unlock the car.

Starting in September, anyone who made a contribution of $250 or more to United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s Community Investment Fund during was eligible. Ten finalists have been selected at random. On Tuesday, February 11, each finalist will draw a key; they’ll each try to open the car, but only one key will work.

The United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s Community Investment Fund supports long-lasting, measurable change in people’s lives in our community. Results-based investments are made through a competitive grant process.

Congratulations to the finalists!

Donna Cook


Cat Kessler, Asheville Convention and Vistors Bureau


Pam Wright, SunTrust Bank


Georgeanna Logan, Daniels Business Services


Stacie Hicks, HomeTrust Bank


Emory Cowart, EATON


Joshua Gasaway, EATON


Greg Sullins, HomeTrust Bank


Roy Davis, The Van Winkle Law Firm


Ashley Ensley, Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is mobilizing people into collective action through Giving, Advocating, and Volunteering in the areas of Education, Income, and Health. We believe these are the building blocks of a good life for everyone. By making results-based investments in our community, we support long-lasting, measurable change in people’s lives, right here in Buncombe County. That’s what happens when a community decides to LIVE UNITED.

http://www.unitedwayabc.org/

Paramount Kia Asheville is proud to be an automotive leader in our area. Since opening, Paramount Kia Asheville has offered a wide selection of vehicles and hope to make the car buying process as quick and hassle free as possible. The Kia Soul is a compact car designed at Kia's design center in California, unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, and marketed globally.

http://www.paramountkiaasheville.com/

http://www.facebook.com/ParamountKiaofAsheville

@ParamountKia1

More info:

Chris.bubenik@unitedwayabc.org

Chris Bubenik

Marketing & Communications Manager

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

50 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville NC 28801

Direct: 828 239-1030 Main: 828 255-0696 x 3308 Fax: 828 255-8004

The 'check engine' light and you: what to do, when to do it, and why!

It's one of the most common occurrences on the road, but how do you handle it?  If the “check engine” light comes on while you're out and about, do you know what to do?  Here's a hint: don't panic!  Here are a few things to keep in mind:

The first thing you should do is pay attention to the sound and feel of your car.  Is there smoke coming out of the tailpipe?  Any odd mechanical rattling?  You should stop and call for help if you notice anything abnormal about the way your vehicle is running.  
 
If that’s not the case, think about where you were before the light came on.  Did you just buy gas?  If so, the “check engine” light might be on to alert you that the gas cap is loose.  Pull over, tighten the cap, and continue driving.  If that was the source of the problem, the light will turn off by itself.  

If you’re not fresh from fueling up and everything is still running normally (no smokey/electrical smells, mechanical noises, etc.) call our Service Department and make an appointment or schedule a visit with us online.  We want to make sure you’re safe on the road—let us diagnose and repair the problem for you. 

How not to lose ALL the control when you let your teen driver take the wheel

We know it’s difficult—and we can help!  The best remedy to the parental stress that accompanies a smiling teenager with a glossy new license?  Making sure they’ve got the right car.  Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re out looking for a new whip (or whatever the kids are saying these days).

New instead of used

 It might decrease your stress level momentarily to put your teen in charge of a vehicle that costs less, but think about it long-term.  You want your kiddo to be safe and you don’t want to end up having to spend money on repairs that end up being more costly than the vehicle itself.

Not too big, not too small

It doesn’t matter that “everyone else” has a tiny sports car, or that your teen “will be the laughing stock” of the school unless they are behind the wheel of a huge SUV.  The truth of it is that a happy medium is, well… a happy medium.  New drivers behind the wheel of big vehicles are more likely to roll it in an accident and new drivers with sports cars are more likely to disobey the speed limit and get into trouble that way.

Stay away from stick! 

We know back in our day everyone knew how to drive a manual transmission, but the sad truth is that it is becoming somewhat of an endangered skill.  Your teen can learn how to drive stick!  Just make the first vehicle as easy and safe as possible for your teen—and everyone else on the road.