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The front-end of your vehicle endures a great deal of abuse when traveling down roadways. Regardless of how carefully you drive, kicked-up pebbles, flying bugs, and road debris create a real risk of damaging your vehicle's hood and grill. Learn what a car bra is and if it is something you should be using on your car or truck below. What is a Car Bra? Also referred to as a bonnet, car bras are removable covers used to protect the hood and grille of your vehicle. They are made from a material that will not damage or scratch your vehicle's paint job while blocking dings that occasionally happen from small debris along roads as well as bothersome bug splatters. Since car bras are removable, they do not interfere with washing the car or gaining access to the engine if needed. more Types of Bras In addition to bras for automobiles, you can also get one for your truck with it serving the same purpose. Due to the increased popularity of bras for vehicles, there is a large selection of mass-produced car bras that will work for just about any model of car or truck. Bras can also be special ordered for your specific car or truck. Customized bras are specially designed to match the color scheme and dimensions of your vehicle. Some bras are a contrasting color to your car for a design aesthetic, while others are made of transparent material and nearly invisible to the naked eye. What They Are Made Of Most bras are created from a durable, thick vinyl material that creates a solid barrier from flying rocks and bugs, decreasing or eliminating unwanted scratches, dents, and dings to your vehicle. Usually, they also include an inner lining of flannel or other soft material that prevents the bra from scratching your paint. How to Put One On Putting a car bra on your car or truck is a relatively straightforward process. Many mass-produced bras include hooks that attach to the bumper, grill, and under the front fender of your vehicle to secure it in place. Other bras are made with a magnetized material that can attach to the metal of your vehicle's hood and grill, decreasing the chance of it slipping or shifting while driving. Benefits of a Car Bra While there are some advantages to having a bra on your car while driving around town, the main advantages come during highway driving. In addition to providing protection for your hood and grill, having a bra on your vehicle can also decrease any damage to the paint job, which is especially likely to happen on long trips. A bra can minimize the chances of airborne litter and insects hitting your vehicle's hood and potentially creating small scratches to the pain. The thickness of the bra can also limit the amount of damage done by loose gravel or debris from the back of semis and other flatbeds. Have additional questions about a bra for your vehicle? Stop in and talk with our team at Jim Shorkey Kia Wexford today. Image via Flickr by dave_7

The 2020 Kia Soul is packed full of new and fun features that drivers are going to love. Whether you want a vehicle for yourself or for a new teen driver, the additions that Kia implemented into the Soul are sure to impress. Check out these five innovative features of the Kia Soul 2020. Entertainment System The new and improved entertainment system contained in the compact 2020 Kia Soul is what music lover's dreams are made of. The 7-inch touchscreen display allows you to change music with the quick stroke of a finger. The integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allows you to stay connected easily. The six-speaker audio system will make your favorite songs sound wonderful, regardless of the volume you prefer.  Bluetooth wireless technology keeps you connected to friends and family with the simple click of a button. more Advanced Safety Features The advanced safety features included in the 2020 Kia Soul are as innovative as they come. The rearview camera displays vividly on the 7-inch display. Safety features available on the S trim and up include lane keep assist, driver attention warning, blind spot collision warning, and forward collision avoidance assist. These features help keep you and your family protected at all times. Power and Performance The innovation behind the engine of the 2020 Kia Soul seems like something from the future. The 2.0-liter dual overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine is impressive. It offers 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque to keep you moving. The fuel efficiency is genius as well: You'll get an average of 31 mpg on the highway. Advanced Exterior Features The advanced exterior features on the 2020 Kia Soul are enough to make anybody want this vehicle. Standard features on all models include roof rack mounting points, power adjustable exterior mirrors, privacy glass that is solar rated, and heated rear glass with a timer. Many of the exterior features also enhance your safety, such as positioning lights that increase visibility at night, uninterrupted design rear taillights, and multi-focus reflector headlights that provide clear illumination of the road. Comfortable Seating and Spacious Interior The seating inside the new Kia Soul is specifically designed to keep everyone as comfortable as possible at all times. The driver's seat offers six-way seating, while the passenger seat has four-way positioning to provide unique personalization of seating.  And with 39.5 inches of headroom, even the tallest of drivers will fit comfortably. The rear seats are also split-folding to give you almost triple the interior room for storage.  The 60/40 split is facilitated by the use of straps to make transitioning from cargo to passengers quick and easy.  The 2020 Soul boasts soft-touch dash and upper front door panels to enhance its unique style. The 2020 Kia Soul is a car you definitely don't want to miss out on. Contact a member of the sales team at Jim Shorkey Kia Wexford today and get set up for a test drive. We look forward to seeing you! Image via Kia.com

October is Car Care Month, and that means it's time to think about getting your vehicle ready for the Winter months. You know the struggles - avoiding black ice, clearing the snow off your vehicle, and waiting for your vehicle to warm up. Follow these maintenance tips so you have one less thing to worry about when driving on those snow-covered roads. Check/Change your wipers Most wiper blades are only good for six months to a year, so if your windshield is getting streaky when it rains, now is the time to replace them. There are already plenty of risks during the winter months, and adding reduced visibility will only make it worse. While you're checking the wear of your current wipers, it's a good idea to top off your wiper fluid to keep your windshield clear of salt and precipitation. Check your battery During the cold weather, your battery slows down, causing your engine to require more current from your battery to the starter.  To avoid battery related car troubles this winter, check your battery terminals and wires for rust, cracks, and proper connections and have your battery tested to make sure it's properly charged and has enough power to handle the winter. Tire Pressure The cold weather can cause your tires to drop in pressure about 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit that the temperature drops. When your tires have low air, it can affect the way our vehicle handles, increases the chances of a blown tire and decrease your fuel efficiency. So make sure they're properly inflated! You can check what the proper PSI for your vehicle's tires by looking at the sticker on the inside of the driver door. Tire tread & type Winter roads can be tricky between the snow, ice, and cold weather. This means that not only are your tires taking a beating, but they're also playing an extra important role in keeping you safe. Tire tread is what allows you to grip and not slide. Not only do you want to check the tread depth, but you also want to consider the type of tire you are using. Consider snow tires for passenger vehicles or all-terrain tires for trucks during winter. Have an emergency kit in your car Dealing with a flat tire, fender bender, or your car breaking down is stressful enough without adding the cold weather to the mix. Keep these items in your car to make these situations less stressful in case they do occur: jumper cables, water, warm blanket, first-aid kit, jack & tire iron, road flares or reflective triangle, flashlight, extra food, and some kitty litter or sand for traction in case you get stuck somewhere. Wintertime can be a beautiful and magical time of the year. Freshly fallen snow, warm nights by the fire, building a snowman, hot cocoa, and the holidays all make it a time to look forward to! Keeping up on the maintenance of your vehicle and preparing for the season ahead will ensure that you focus on those wonderful things without having unnecessary vehicle stresses. Stop into your local Jim Shorkey Dealership to schedule a time for those checkups!