Roof racks are helpful tools for storing the luggage that does not fit into your vehicle's trunk or rear cargo area. It is important to know how to use the roof rack safely, so you don't have one of those road trip stories that will live in infamy.

One thing to avoid with a roof rack is improperly tightening it. This causes torque problems and could damage your vehicle. It is also important to avoid overloading the rack. The load should be balanced and within the weight limits of both the rack and your car. The owner's…

Thinking about getting a new car? The SUV is always a wise choice. However, there are several different features that you should know about before making a decision. One of those features is gas mileage.

Years ago, SUVs had gotten bad reputations for being "gas guzzlers," but in this day and age, that comment can no longer be applied to these vehicles. These days, there are multiple SUVs out there that are rated to achieve more than 30 miles a gallon on the highway....

 

Have you had your wheels checked recently? If you have changed your tires or feel your steering vibrating when you drive, you might need an alignment. This is a simple process where your car’s wheels and axles are aligned so that they are all moving in the same direction. It’s a good thing to do to keep your vehicle suspension in line and make sure that your car’s wheels are balanced as well.

The type of alignment you get also depends on the type of drive train that you have as well. If you have a front…

Disc brake systems use brake pads to apply pressure to the rotors so that the car will stop. These brake systems attach to the front two wheels of your car, while the rotor attaches directly to the wheel as well. Brake pads are made of strong materials that won't melt, as they are prone to wear and tear as you brake constantly. With brake pads, you have to be careful and check them regularly, or else you can cause an accident by not braking fast enough.

Brake pads have different sounds depending on what's going on. A squealing…

You're in the market for a new SUV, but you're not sure where to start looking for one. That's understandable. The vehicle market is stuffed full of SUV options from a wide range of brands. Many of them offer a solid driving experience. Few of them, however, can match everything that the 2019 Kia Sorento has to offer.

The 2018 Kia Stinger has earned a heap of praise for its high performance on the road, and it's not hard to see why. Equipped with a standard 255 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, it also offers an option for a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 capable of 365 horsepower and 376 pounds-feet of torque. When you want a robust driving experience, the Stinger delivers.

Tire rotations are one of the less known ways that car owners can save money. This is because it greatly extends the amount of time that your tires will last. That is why our team here at Hyman Bros. Kia in Midlothian wants to ensure that you know all about the basics of tire rotations.

Because tires wear faster in either the front or the back of your vehicle, they should be rotated regularly so that they all last about the same amount of time. You should always reference your owner's manual to see in what way your tires…

Adding coolant to the radiator is only a small part of your cooling system, the working parts all must be as one to keep your engine from overheating. These are only a few of those parts that need to be maintained often.

The radiator fan helps move air to the radiator and over little fins that have coolant rushing through them.

The thermostat has to be able to maintain an ideal engine temperature so that all the parts are cooled and the engine doesn't overheat.

The water pump is powered by fan belts that have to be tight and…

The last thing you want to deal with is a dead car battery. Before you panic and ask someone for a jump, you need to test the battery to see if that’s actually the problem. If you hear a clicking when you turn your ignition, it’s not always the fault of the battery.

A digital multimeter can be attached to your battery to tell you everything you need to know. Be sure the vehicle is off. The black lead on the multimeter should touch the negative battery cable and the red lead should touch the positive cable. Set…

The exhaust system of most vehicles consists of the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, the resonator, and the muffler, where the exhaust fumes are emitted into the atmosphere.

Because exhaust gas, like carbon monoxide, is colorless and odorless, it can't be detected inside the car, which is dangerous for passengers. That's why it's so important to pay attention to the following signals of a leaking exhaust system, and have your car serviced as soon as possible.

The most common sign of a leaking exhaust system are strange sounds. If you hear a hissing or popping noise while the…