A rearview mirror is an essential part of a vehicle's safety package. New advancements have allowed for the development of auto-dimming mirrors. At Kia on the Boulevard, we'd be happy to explain how they work, and below is some information you might find interesting.

What's known as the Troxler Effect is the phenomenon that occurs when another vehicle's bright headlights can leave you with a temporary blind spot. You can have a hard time pinpointing other objects on the road during this short time. 

There are so many different things to consider if you are in the market for a new vehicle. You have to choose the type of vehicle you want. Sorting through various sedans, crossovers and SUVs can take up a lot of your time. There are also different styles of vehicles that you have to take into consideration. When it comes to the overall trunk design, you can choose between a regular trunk lid or a hatchback design. The hatchback option has been around for many decades now. It provides you with optimal storage capacity in your trunk, along with the…

As your car ages, you'll find yourself visiting a mechanic more often, so it pays to have one you can trust. Word of mouth is a good way to find the right mechanic for your needs but there are other ways to judge if the mechanic you've chosen is a good one.

Perhaps one of the best ways to ascertain if your mechanic is telling truth about the repairs you need is to be familiar with your car and how it functions. This can be as simple as reading a book on the subject or searching the internet…

If you suspect that your tires are starting to wear out, you may want to check for a couple of common signs that indicate your suspicions are correct. This can include:

• Low treads on one or more of your tires.
• Cracks in the treads or on the sides of your tires.
• Blistering on your tires.
• Large bulge-like areas on any of your tires.
• A vibration under your seat area.
• A shaking feeling while you are driving your vehicle.
• Your tires have not been replaced since owning the vehicle.

Buying a new set of tires for your vehicle is actually a…

Measuring your battery’s voltage level is just the start of the process of analyzing your battery’s effectiveness. You also need to understand that your battery is being drained every second your car is not recharging it. When your vehicle is turned off, you still have several digital programs running. Your clock is ticking away, your computer is still running, and several other devices and programs are running in idle, drawing power from the battery.

If your battery maintains voltage despite all this activity, that means your battery’s active ingredients that generate...

 

It's a great feeling when you know that your car is running it's best, and there are a few parts that we want you to know about so that you can be confident that your vehicle is in tip-top shape. Belts and hoses play an integral role in the performance of your vehicle, and there are a couple of warning signs that will tell you when they're not running their best.

Your timing belt synchronizes the valves and pistons on your engine, and if the timing belt is broken, your car won't start. In fact, your…

Did you know that there are two different types of air filters inside of your vehicle? One is found under the hood and the other is found in the cabin of your vehicle.

Engine air filters clean out the air so that it mixes sufficiently with the fuel for internal combustion. Without changing the engine air filters frequently, you run the risk of low fuel efficiency.

Cabin air filters filtrate the air before it goes into the air-conditioning system. If you don’t change the cabin filter often enough, you will find that the air quality is poor.

 

No matter how careful you try to be, you will most likely experience a roadside emergency at some point in your life. As that situation unfolds, you should take a few steps to keep yourself and your passengers safe until a tow truck or law enforcement officer arrives.

The first thing that you need to do during one of these situations is to get to a safe location. If you are driving through the streets of Philadelphia and one of your tires blows out, then you should get to a well-lit area. On a freeway, you must try to get…

The time has come for kids to go back to school in Philadelphia. Back-to-school means getting back into a regular routine. Therefore, it's time to make sure that your vehicle maintenance is up to date. The most important vehicle maintenance for back-to-school is an oil change, a tire rotation, a brake inspection, and performing all fluid level inspections.

You can get your vehicle further prepared by making sure that all of your exterior lights are in proper working order such as the turn signals, brake lights, and headlights. With the change of season, it will be darker in the…

The ignition system in your car is a relatively small and simple series of components compared to others. It is however, one vital thing that allows you to rely on your car, or become stranded unexpectedly. The battery, solenoids, starter motor, and key assembly should always be in good condition.

Driving in a city like Philadelphia requires many stops and starts on a daily basis. This can result in a great deal of wear. If you notice harsh noises when turning the key, it could indicate that there are problems with starting components found under the hood....