Sterling Kia of Lafayette

The alternator in your vehicle has a big job. An alternator charges your battery and supplies power to your electronics so that they work properly. When your alternator stops working, your battery is going to die fast. You can get stranded on the road easily without a good alternator.

The alternator in your vehicle has a big job. An alternator charges your battery and supplies power to your electronics so that they work properly. When your alternator stops working, your battery is going to die fast. You can get stranded on the road easily without a good alternator.

The team at Sterling Kia of Lafayette wanted to make certain you were better informed before buying your next vehicle.

Start by making certain you have a budget, then choose the right car that will keep you within that limit. Check the history of the vehicle to see if it was in any major accidents, and see if the purchase includes any type of warranty.

Drive to a dealership on a Sunday or after hours, and spend considerable quiet time strolling the lot and looking to see if something is within your range that you like.

Make certain you take…

There are many myths that surround motor oil. At Sterling Kia of Lafayette, we want to keep you informed about your vehicle to keep it running properly. Read further to learn about a few common motor oil myths.

You may have heard that you don't need to change the oil filer every time you change the oil. However, this is false. If you change the oil filer every time that you change the motor oil, contaminants in the old filer won't be able to cause damage to the engine. You may also think that if your motor oil…

Taking weekend or even week-long trips is an ideal way to visit new places and experience new events. If you thought you had to have a lot of money to travel, this is not necessarily the case. You can travel on a budget with these tips.

Once you have your budget, decide how much to spend on lodging, food, fuel and entertainment. See if you could bring some of your own food, such as fresh fruit and protein bars for breakfast and your own bottled water for drinks. 

Are you getting ready to go back to school? Don't get caught unprepared. As you get ready for the semester to begin, you should also prepare your car for a season of adventures and excursions. Here's what you need to know.

First off, make sure you organize your car. Have your registration and insurance information readily available, along with survival supplies in case you encounter a problem as you're driving. You should also bring your car in for an oil check and maintenance service prior to the semester beginning. 

Having a car break down can be stressful enough, but if it happens at night, in the cold, or in a remote area, a difficult situation can turn into a dangerous one. Having a well-stocked emergency kit can make a big difference in your ability to cope with a car that can't get you to safety.

There are a few items that can get you out of a bad spot. Having jumper cables can not only get your battery started if you've accidentally left the lights on overnight but could also let you help another stranded motorist. A…

One myth that has to do with motor oil is that you should always have your motor oil changed out before going on a long trip. This is false for the following reason. If an oil change is not due for a long time, then you can wait until after the road trip to get your oil changed. You should, however, get an oil change beforehand if you will be going over the mileage limit for your next oil change during the trip.

Another myth regarding motor oil involves the use of synthetic oil. The myth is that if you…

It is important you go through a towing safety checklist now to avoid any potential trouble when you are on the road.

• Make certain the trailer hitch you are using is going to be able to handle the load. Get familiar with the towing and payload capacity of your vehicle first before assuming it can pull the weight.

Being able to get the windshield wiper blades serviced like the rest of your vehicle will help make driving in inclement weather a lot safer.

One of the ways that you can determine if the windshield wiper blades need to be replaced is to simply feel them. The rubber should be soft and flexible; however, the sun can oxidize the rubber so it becomes very hard and will not be able to bend properly to reach every inch of the windshield.