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When dealing with your car AC not working, it can be challenging to discover the cause. There's a wide range of issues that can cause your car's air conditioning to fail. Here at Crain Kia of Fort Smith, your local Kia dealer, we've put together this list to help you understand some of the causes of car AC failure and what you can do about them. Electrical Problems Electrical problems are a common reason why a car's AC can stop working. Electrical problems can also be one of the most difficult problems to diagnose when a car's AC unit has stopped working. The first step to determining if your AC issue is an electrical one is to visually inspect of all the related wiring to see if any wires are broken, frayed, or otherwise damaged. If you can spot signs of damage, chances are your AC woes are caused by an electrical problem. Cooling Fan Problems Another common reason why car AC units stop working is an issue with the unit's cooling fan. When a cooling fan isn't functioning correctly, your condenser may not receive enough cooling to operate effectively. The condenser of your vehicle's air conditioning unit is supposed to re-cool hot refrigerant once it has been compressed. If this process fails due to a faulty cooling fan, over time, it can cause your car to start emitting only hot air. You can check if your unit's cooling fan is broken through a visual inspection. Condenser Problems Another reason why your Kia's air conditioning can stop working is if your car's condenser is blocked, damaged, or completely broken. A blocked, damaged, or broken condenser can be caused by road debris going through the grill of your car and blocking, damaging, or breaking the condenser. If you notice any noticeable blockages or punctures in the condenser upon a visual inspection, chances are that's your culprit. Visit Your Kia Dealer to Handle Issues With Your Car AC Not Working No matter the cause, resolving car AC issues requires the skilled hand of a professional. For that reason, you'll need to contact your local Kia specialists for assistance with your car's AC problems. These specialists can inspect wiring and components such as your car's condenser for any signs of an issue. From there, your Kia specialists can then remove blockages and replace damaged or broken components with their inventory of parts to get you back on the road as quickly as possible. We hope that we've helped you get a handle on your car's AC issues. Without a doubt, car air conditioning issues can be many and varied. To find out more about what could be causing your Kia's AC problems, visit us at Crain Kia of Fort Smith today! Image via Pixabay.com by ninofficialphotography

Your Kia's engine is rightfully called the heart. Without it, you're not going anywhere, so it's important to keep it in good shape. Engine problems can be difficult to manage, but here at your local Kia dealer, we can deal with them quickly and easily. Almost every problem is best fixed quickly, so make sure you give us a call as soon as you notice any of these common engine issues. 4 Engine Problems You Should Always Get Fixed at Your Kia Dealer 1. Engine Not Starting It's every driver's worst nightmare: you're heading somewhere important, you turn the ignition, and nothing happens. This is one of the most common engine issues, and it can be caused by a wide variety of factors. The most common causes are often not with the engine at all, but are due to a flat battery, either due to a fault with the battery itself or a faulty alternator. However, there's a huge range of possibilities that could be causing your engine not to start. If you suspect that the battery could be the culprit you might be able to jump-start the car to get you on your way – but you'll still need to give us a call as soon as possible so we can fix the problem at the source. 2. Cooling Issues Keeping your engine cool is vital in hot weather, so an issue with the cooling system can cause it to quickly overheat. One of the most common issues is leakage, which can reduce the amount of coolant in the system and therefore its cooling potential. Make sure you check the coolant levels regularly and top it up as needed. It's best not to use tap water for this as it can result in corrosion within the radiator. 3. Strange Noises Strange vibrations, odd clunks, rattles, and hums: there's a wide range of noises that a faulty engine can make. It's often tempting to ignore them if the engine still appears to run, but this is never a good idea as whatever the problem is it's sure to get worse quickly! Instead, visit us, and we'll get to the bottom of the issue in no time! 4. Timing Belt Problems The timing belt or chain is one of the most important parts of your engine. If it's not working correctly, you could see a lack of power, misfires, rattling sounds, or just poor running overall. You might also notice metal shavings in the engine oil, a sure sign that something is seriously wrong. If you notice any of the above problems, don't delay! Visit us at Crain Kia of Fort Smith today, and we'll have your car back in top condition in no time!

If you want to stay safe on the road, it's wise to pay close attention to the condition of your tires. Diminished tread depth or damaged rubber can cause skids or blowouts on the road, putting you and your passengers at risk. If you notice any of the following five signs of tire trouble, it's time to visit your local Kia dealer for a set of new tires. Time for New Tires? Visit Your Kia Dealer Today Shallow Tread Depth New car tires come with a healthy tread depth of 10/32 of an inch or more. But over time, treads wear down. By the time a tire's tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch, it's become dangerous to drive upon. And it's time for a fresh set of tires. During winter, when the roads are icy and slippery, 5/32 of an inch is considered the minimum safe depth of tread. This is even the case when you're using special high-traction winter tires. Blistering Rubber It's important to keep an eye out for any signs of damage in the rubber of your tires. If you bump over a pothole or curb, the inner layers of rubber and tubing can sometimes become ruptured. This allows air to seep out and become trapped under the outer layer of rubber, forming visible blisters. If you notice any bubbling or blistering in either the treads or sidewalls of your tires, then the structural integrity of that tire has become compromised. You'll have to change it out for a new one. Cuts or Cracks It's natural for small hairline cracks and cuts to appear in tire rubber over time. But any cut or crack over an inch in length is problematic. A large crack like this might expand and lead to a blowout on the road. You'll need to have it repaired or replaced before that happens. Embedded Objects If your tire has a nail or any other piece of metal embedded in it, you should have the object checked and removed at your local dealership. Embedded objects often cause punctures, which you might not initially notice until the object is removed. Inexplicable Air Loss Oftentimes, punctures are so small that you cannot even find the crack or cut causing it. During your weekly tire pressure checks, if you notice a tire losing air inexplicably, you probably have a hidden puncture. Unless the puncture can be located and repaired, that tire will have to go. To have your tires examined, repaired, or replaced by certified professionals, visit Crain Kia of Fort Smith today. We're the region's go-to dealership for all things Kia. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is dedicated to providing nothing short of exceptional service to every customer who steps foot through our doors.

As your Kia dealer, we can understand how stressful an accident and its aftermath can be. If your Kia has been damaged, it's understandable that you want to have it repaired ASAP. We have the best technicians, tools, and parts to ensure a flawless repair. As many drivers aren't familiar with the process, we'd like to tell you how we can provide a quality collision repair for your Kia. How You Receive a Quality Collision Repair at Your Kia Dealer Arrival and Estimate When your vehicle arrives at one of our three collision centers, one of our expert technicians will be assigned to assess the damage. The technician will examine the damage and create a report. This report will be used to prepare the repair plan for your vehicle. Once the report is complete, we'll schedule a written estimate for the repair. If you're arranging the repair, we'll send the copy to you. If your insurance is arranging the repairs, we'll send a copy to them. We will work with your insurance to speed up the process so your Kia can be repaired as quickly as possible. Once we receive confirmation from you or your insurance, we'll start the repair process. Vehicle Prep Our technicians will remove any damaged sections of your vehicle, and we'll also remove original layers of paint. Our paint shop will color match your Kia's color in preparation for anybody sections that need painting. Our technicians will also draw all of the required parts from our parts department. We only use genuine Kia parts, as these parts have a longer life and will look and function better than any other parts. Body Work and Painting Most repairs involve damaged bodywork. In this section, we'll remove dents, replace panels, and complete any other body repairs. Replacement sections will be sent to our paint shop where they're primed, painted, and sealed. Once these parts have been painted, they will be attached to your car. Other technicians will work on repairing any internal or mechanical damage. We may use several teams simultaneously so we can reduce the time to complete the repairs. We know that you want your Kia home as quickly as possible. Quality Control Once the repairs have been completed, our quality control team will conduct a further inspection. Numerous checks ensure that no damage has been missed and that the repair quality meets the standard set by Kia. Once quality control has confirmed the work is complete, your car will be ready to go home with you. Each repair situation is different, but our technicians can repair any damage for you. If you need any repairs, call us right away at Crain Kia of Ft Smith.

The catalytic converter is an important part of your car, as its job is to take the harmful gases from exhaust fumes and transform them into less harmful ones. There are indicative signs that will usually show up when you need to drop by your nearest Kia dealer and have it checked out. Here's a list of some of the signs you should be looking out for. Does Your Kia Need a New Catalytic Converter? 1. Decline in Engine Performance This is one of the earliest signs that the exhaust pipe may be getting worn down and need to be replaced soon, so your car's performance is something to keep a very close eye on in order to catch any problems early. Diminished engine performance will lead to things like slower acceleration, reduced power, and substandard fuel economy. 2. Rattling Sounds Under the Vehicle When the mesh inside the exhaust system gets worn down by age or fuel mixtures, it can lead to a rattling coming from underneath the car. This rattle is most noticeable when the engine is turned on, so listening for strange sounds when you first turn your engine over is important. 3. Sulfurous Smelling Exhaust As the exhaust system is important in the transformation of harmful (and odiferous!) gases into less harmful ones, the smell of sulfur may indicate that there is something wrong. When gasoline goes through the combustion process, it releases hydrogen sulfide that the car's exhaust system then transforms into odorless sulfur dioxide. If there's a problem with the exhaust system, unburnt fuel may remain, leading to a nasty smell. 4. Check Engine Light Is Activated Of course, there are many more reasons than just this that cause the check engine light to turn on, but a damaged or worn exhaust system will lead to the car's oxygen sensor and air-fuel ratio sensor registering that something is wrong. Service center mechanics can easily scan a car to locate any problems, and this may be one of them. 5. Cleaned, Repaired, or Replaced Not every sign points automatically to needing a replacement; sometimes, it may be as simple as a clogging issue, in which case the service center mechanics can remove it and give your exhaust pipe a good power wash. There are also other elements in the exhaust system that may be causing problems, in which case minor repairs are all that are needed. 6. Preventing Issues Catching and preventing potential problems is smart, and there are several ways in which you can make sure that your exhaust system will be set. Keeping up with regularly scheduled car maintenance is the best way for issues to be prevented. Changing spark plugs every 50,000 miles will keep carbon buildups from happening, and driving your car at higher speeds for at least 20 minutes once a week will make sure leftover deposits are burned off. Keeping your car's engine running at top performance and staying safe from harmful gases are both extremely important, so a functioning exhaust system is mandatory. Come to the Crain Kia Dealer of Fort Smith for excellent car service and maintenance.

Your vehicle's brakes are one of its most essential components, and whether you're setting out on a road trip or just to run errands around town, you definitely want them to be in perfect working condition! This is why it's important to know what signs to look out for that will let you know when it's time to head down to your local Kia dealer and get them to inspect and replace your Kia's brake pads. Here are some common signs to look out for! Advice From Your Kia Dealer: 5 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Kia's Brake Pads 1. Your Brakes Make a Squealing Sound When you Use Them It's normal for your brakes to make a certain amount of noise in some weather, like rain, but if you're hearing consistent squealing or screeching sounds when you apply the brakes, it's probably time to get them replaced. In fact, in recent years, many brakes have been designed with built-in wear indicators on them that will emit a squealing noise consistently, even when you're not pressing the brake pedal, as a sign to the driver that it's time for new pads for your brakes! 2. The Brake Pedal Vibrates When You Apply the Brakes If you've noticed that your vehicle's brake pedal has started vibrating when you push down on it, it's a sign that your pads have worn out and are no longer making good, consistent contact with the rotors. This is definitely a sign that you should be getting your pads changed as soon as possible, as a vibrating brake pedal is a sign that your brakes could be compromised and may not be as trustworthy as you need them to be when you're on the road. 3. You Can Hear a Grinding, Metallic Sound If you can hear a rumbling, grinding sound coming from your brakes, there's a chance that your brakes are worn out to the point that the backing plate that they rest on is actually making contact with the rotor of your brakes. If this is the case, there's very little braking material left on your pads, and it's definitely time to get them looked at and replaced! 4. You Can See There's Less Than a Quarter of an Inch of Pad Left You may not always be able to visually check the status of your brakes, but in situations where you can get a look at them (while changing your tires, for example, or by looking down through the spokes of your rims on certain wheels) you can tell if your brakes need replacing by checking to see if they are at least a quarter of an inch thick. Any thinner than that and it's probably time for new pads for your brakes! 5. It Takes Longer for Your Brakes to Respond If you are noticing that bringing your car to a complete stop is taking more time and more distance than it used to, this is a good sign that you should be replacing your brakes sooner rather than later: worn pads that are affecting your brakes' performance to this extent can put you at risk by diminising your vehicle's ability to respond quickly to situations on the road. Have you been noticing any of these signs of worn brakes, or just want to give them a routine inspection to make sure? Then come on down and visit us at Crain Kia of Fort Smith today, and our team of skilled mechanics will look after all your braking needs!

Headlights are your most important safety in low visibility. They allow you to see the road ahead and warn other vehicles and pedestrians that you're approaching. The bulbs, however, have a limited lifespan and will eventually fail. When you need new headlights, as your Kia dealer we can easily fit them for you. These are some of the signs that headlight replacement is due. 3 SIgns It's Time for New Headlights From Your Kia Dealer Blown Headlight A blown headlight is a nuisance, and it can also result in a fine. It's a traffic offense to drive without working headlights. Headlights are easy to replace, and our skilled technicians can fit new ones while you wait. We recommend replacing both headlights, even if only one of them has failed. Headlights are installed in pairs, and since they have the same lifespan, they're expected to fall around the same time. By replacing both of your lights at the same time, you save both money and time. If only one is replaced, you'll probably need to have the second replaced in a day or two. Headlights have a lifespan of 500 to 30,000 hours depending on the type of bulb. Our technicians can give you great advice on other headlight options available. Electrical Problems Electrical problems can cause blown bulbs, and they can also prevent healthy headlights from working correctly. The three main causes of this are fuse problems, relay problems, and a worn alternator. Your headlights, like all of your car's electrical systems, have fuses. If a fuse blows, one or both of your headlights will stop working. We'll test your fuses and replace them if necessary. Relays are installed in your headlights, and they control the shift between high and low beams. If a relay fails, one of your headlights won't be able to shift between the different beams. It's an easy fix, as we can install a replacement relay. Finally, a weak alternator will produce power fluctuations. Headlights depend on a constant power supply, and changes to this supply will cause them to blow. Damaged Lenses Clean plastic lenses protect your headlights from water, dirt, and any debris that's thrown up from the surface. The lenses, however, can be damaged and this can affect the headlights. A stone, for example, can crack one of the lenses, and this has the potential to allow water to get into the headlight recess. Water will find its way through even the smallest crack. If water gets into the recess, it will cause the headlight to blow, and it can start to rust the headlight socket. The water would also cause the headlight fuse to blow. Our technicians can replace a lens and test the socket and other electrical fittings for any damage. It's also important to remember that it's a traffic offense to drive with a cracked lens. Headlight replacements are quick and easy, and they will save you money in repairs and keep you legally driving. Call us at Crain Kia of Ft Smith, and we'll fix the problem ASAP.

If you've bought a new car at the Kia dealer, you might have been told that you should come back to have your tires rotated every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. But is this really necessary? What are the main benefits of a tire rotation? Read on to find out why this type of service is so important. 3 Benefits of Getting a Tire Rotation at Your Kia Dealer 1. Your Tires Last Longer When you visit the dealer, they will tell you that rotating your tires on a regular basis is important because it reduces wear and tear. The reason why tires last longer when they are regularly rotated is that they wear down more evenly. Therefore, you can use them for longer, and you don't have to pay for new ones so often. The type of rotation you need and the optimal frequency depend on the kind of vehicle you drive. For example, cars with a front-wheel-drive tend to put more pressure on the front tires, so they should be switched out with the back tires regularly. A car with all-wheel drive uses the tires more evenly, but your mechanic might still recommend a rotation. 2. Your Kia Drives Better When the tread depth on your tires isn't even, you might experience various problems with your vehicle. Your Kia won't be as balanced, which could lead to unsafe situations and, in the worst-case scenario, to an accident. In contrast, when the tires are evenly worn down, your car is more balanced, and you will have greater control over your Kia. This allows you to have more balanced traction and therefore keep yourself and your passengers safe no matter the driving conditions. Another big problem with unevenly worn down tires is tread cupping, which can cause bouncing, vibration, and noise when you drive. Regular rotations can reduce or eliminate this problem. 3. Other Car Parts Are Protected Because the various car parts are connected to each other, the way your tires work affects the whole car. That's why taking great care of your tires can increase the lifespan of your brakes, wheels, wheel bearings, axles, and suspension system. When you come to the dealership to have your tires rotated every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, you might spend more money on maintenance in the short term. However, you'll save a lot in the long term because your car will be in much better shape. 4. Your Ride Will Be Quieter A car with uneven tread or tread cupping is usually noisier than a car that has been maintained optimally. This can make your ride much more comfortable and pleasant, especially if you're on the road a lot or you have a long commute. Having your tires rotated frequently has many benefits. It keeps your car's various components in good shape, prevents unsafe situations, and allows you to fully enjoy your ride. Get in touch with us today at Crain Kia of Fort Smith to book your rotation with your experienced technicians. We will be more than happy to welcome you to the dealership and show you how to best take care of your Kia.

Your transmission is an exceptionally hard-working part of your car. It uses a series of gears to harness your engine's power and transfer this power to your wheels. Without a transmission, there would be no way for your car to move, and your engine's power would cause it to tear itself apart. A transmission, like any other component, can suffer damage. If you need a transmission repair in Fort Smith, AR, your Kia dealer can fix it. 3 Signs You Need a Transmission Repair at Your Kia Dealer Difficulty Shifting Your automatic transmission will shift gears according to the dictates of your transmission computer. This computer handles vast amounts of information every minute to determine when the gears should shift. If you have a manual transmission, your gear shifting is down to your experience in understanding the sounds from your engine and knowing when to shift into a higher or lower gear. Both systems should always work perfectly. If you have an automatic transmission, one of the signs of a problem is a slight hesitation between the gear shifting and the gear engaging. This problem will become more noticeable if it's not repaired. A manual transmission, on the other hand, will show a disconnect between your speed and the RPMs your engine is generating. Noises in Neutral If you suspect that you have a transmission problem you can try a test. Let your engine idle and shift the transmission to neutral, then gently step on the gas pedal. If your transmission is working correctly, you'll only hear the sound of your engine's RPMs rising. If you hear a humming noise that gets louder as you increase the gas, you have a problem with the transmission pump or shaft. If you don't hear humming, you can try keeping your foot firmly on the brake pedal, then shifting into drive and pushing on the accelerator. The normal sound you should hear is your engine revving. If your car shudders or you hear a clunk sound, your torque convertor mount has been damaged and will need to be repaired. Burning Rubber Smell The smell of burning rubber could mean that you have a tire problem, an engine belt problem, or an old transmission fluid. Transmission fluid circulates through your transmission to reduce the temperature, lubricate the hundreds of parts in the transmission, and provide the hydraulic power to allow your transmission to shift. Over time, this fluid absorbs dirt and debris from the transmission, and it becomes less able to do its job. We routinely replace transmission fluid as part of your scheduled service. If the transmission fluid isn't replaced, it can start to burn in the heat of the transmission. Burning transmission fluid smells similar to burning rubber, and it's a sign that we will need to flush your transmission to repair it. If you experience any problems with your transmission, call our service department right away at Crain Kia of Ft Smith. Our highly-technicians will find and fix the problem.

Your Kia's engine needs a steady supply of fresh oxygen, just like you do. As air is drawn into the engine, dust and other airborne contaminants are filtered out by your car air filter. If this filter begins to clog up, then your engine will struggle to breathe and begin to malfunction. Here are five signs that you might need to visit your local Kia dealer for a replacement filter. Does Your Kia Need a New Car Air Filter? It's Been 15,000 to 30,000 Miles Kia drivers are recommended to get a new filter once every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, or once a year, whichever comes first. If you make it a habit to have your filter replaced once a year, then you're less likely to ever forget and run into consequent engine trouble. How Dusty Are Your Driving Conditions? Some drivers need to have their filters replaced more often than others. If you're frequently driving in very dusty or sandy environments, such as offroad driving, unpaved roads, or very hot climates, then your filter has more airborne debris to contend with. As a result, it will wear out faster. This also goes for driving in heavy traffic, where the air is also filled with airborne pollutants, a lot of which need to be filtered out. Your Engine's Sputtering An engine that sputters noisily while you're idling is usually an engine that's struggling to breathe. If your air filter gets clogged up, then the fuel-air mixture in your combustion chambers has less oxygen and excess fuel. This excess fuel doesn't burn properly and often coats the spark plugs in a sooty residue. These soot-coated spark plugs then struggle to ignite, causing the engine to sputter and cough while idling, and sometimes even stall altogether. Your Engine's Misfiring This same spark plug issue in an air-starved engine leads to misfiring. You'll sense this when your engine loses power while driving, or your acceleration becomes sluggish. Your gas mileage will fall as the engine becomes less fuel-efficient, and your engine might start to vibrate and jerk unpredictably. Your Tailpipe's Emitting Smoke Black smoke from your exhaust is a surefire sign that you have excess, unburned fuel in your combustion chambers due to insufficient oxygen. This excess fuel escapes in the form of smoke, and sometimes even flames. If you see this in your rearview mirror, there's no need to panic. Head to your local technician to have your air filter checked out as soon as you can. Your Filter's Clearly Clogged Up If you detect any of the above problems, you can easily inspect your filter with your own eyes. Pop your hood, take the filter out of its box, and examine it for darkened, clearly clogged-up patches. You'll need to look right in between the pleats. A little dirt and discoloration are normal, but if you see a real buildup of thick grime, it's time for a new one. Use Your Annual Kia Dealer Checkup The simplest way to deal with your air filter is simply to have it replaced every time you go in for your annual checkup. While you're having your oil, lights, tires, exhaust, brakes, steering, fluids, suspension, bodywork, and battery checked, throw your air filter onto that list as well. For a new air filter or any other servicing requirement you might have, visit Crain Kia of Fort Smith. We're the go-to dealer of the Fort Smith region for Kia drivers, new and old.

Your car's engine is in a very hot environment. Hundreds of constantly moving parts and the heat from combustion all help to raise the temperature. If your, engine's temperature gets too hot, it can suffer serious damage. Your radiator is designed to control the temperature by removing heat from the engine. Any mechanical part can get damaged, and start to fail. When you need a radiator repair, your Kia dealer in Fort Smith, AR can fix it for you. Time for a Radiator Repair? Visit Your Fort Smith Kia Dealer Blocked Radiator As the coolant circulates through the cooling system, it absorbs heat from your engine. The coolant can also absorb small metal particles, mineral deposits, and other minute particles of debris. When the coolant flows into the radiator, it's cooled by airflow through the radiator grille and the liquid is recycled. The debris brought into the radiator, however, is left behind in your radiator and it will accumulate in time and form a sludge. This sludge can block your radiator and its hoses, preventing hot coolant from entering the radiator and being cooled. Our technicians will examine your radiator, and if there is no sign of rust we can flush the radiator to remove the debris. If your radiator shows signs of rust, we will have to replace it as the rust will cause damage to the radiator and the cooling system. Damaged Head Gasket The head gasket is a seal between the engine block and the cylinder heads. This seal does its job quietly and efficiently, preventing oil and radiator coolant from mixing. If your radiator is failing, and your engine temperature stays too high for too long, this seal can be damaged and the oil and coolant will mix, Your engine will immediately lose compression and start malfunctioning. A broken head gasket is a very serious and expensive repair, as your engine itself has to be opened to replace the seal. The good news is this nightmare scenario is unlikely as long as you have your engine checked if it's continually running too hot. Broken Thermostat The thermostat is responsible for releasing coolant when your engine temperature rises too high. When the engine temperature reaches a preset level, the thermostat opens and releases coolant. Coolant is recycled through eh cooling system at speed to reduce the heat in the engine to a moderate and sustainable level. This very simple component can unfortunately fail, and its failure has serious consequences. A broken thermostat will jam open or closed. An open thermostat will flood your engine with coolant, reducing the engine temperature below its normal operating level. Your engine will be colder, and the main side effect is decreased engine performance and extra fuel wastage. A thermostat that is stuck in the closed position won't release any coolant and the engine temperature will rise uncontrollably. If your engine is continually running hotter than it should contact us at Crain Kia of Ft Smith, and we'll find the cause of the problem.

With the rise of electrical components being incorporated into cars, the alternator is becoming critical in your car's function. The alternator is essential for charging your car battery, starting your car, and providing power to other electrical components. Not sure if you need an alternator repair? Check out problems indicative of a failing alternator below and why you should go to a Kia dealer for repair. Signs of a Failing Alternator Battery Failure As mentioned the alternator is essential to keeping your battery charged. It does this by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to use in powering your vehicle's battery and other components like headlights, radio, and windshield wipers. Most of the time a dead battery is just that, a dead battery. If you get a new battery or jumpstart the old one and it still fails to hold a charge, then it is a good indicator of a failing alternator. Most automotive stores can check if your battery is holding a charge. Another thing to keep an eye out for is the battery light on the instrument panel. This could also show a failing alternator. Dim Headlights Dim headlights are mostly caused by the alternator failing to deliver a consistent charge to the headlights. This inconsistency usually causes a dimming of the headlights, but occasionally it causes flickering as well. If you notice a change in headlight brightness or flickering be sure to get your alternator checked. Electrical Component Failure The radio, the headlights, the wipers, and more - the alternator provides a charge to them all. These systems do have the power to break on their own. For example, the power windows stop working but the radio works perfectly fine. But if multiple electrical systems are acting up at once/in the same time period, it is usually indicative of a faulty alternator. Strange Smells The alternator is constantly moving and moves faster at high engine speeds. These high speeds in turn cause a lot of friction, especially on the drive belt. This friction wears down the belt and is usually followed by a burning rubber smell. If you smell burning rubber it is a good cause to get your alternator checked, especially if any other symptoms mentioned have manifested. The alternator also has electrical wires that can become damaged over time. These can also burn due to friction or some other failure. The difference is that the wires will smell similar to an electrical fire. So keep your nose keen and try to catch any strange smells while driving. Go to Kia Dealer for Alternator Repair Even though Kia is one of the most reliable car brands, repairs will be needed over time. Repairs can be conducted by a skilled individual, a third-party autobody, or a dealer. For the most reliable and skilled repairs, going with the dealer is the best option. Kia mechanics are trained on hundreds of Kia repairs. They eat, sleep, and breathe Kia. After deciding on going with a dealer, the question becomes: which dealer location do I go with? There are many options to consider, but be sure to take into account the dealer's knowledge, customer service, and what they offer. Give Crain Kia of Fort Smith a call today for customer service out of this world and Kia knowledge rivaled by none.