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6 Signs Your Kia Needs a New Car Battery

Kia battery from Bergstrom Kia of Oshkosh in Oshkosh Wisconsin.


With as many electronic components as modern cars have, the car battery has never been more important. All drivers should keep a close eye on the condition of their batteries, which tend to last about three to five years on average. If you notice the following indications of trouble, visit your local Kia dealership for a new car battery right away. 

Misshapen Battery Casing

When aging or damaged by extreme temperatures or internal shorts, a car battery can sometimes start to warp out of shape. If the walls of your batter are not perfectly straight, then you can be sure it's failing. It's best to replace a warping battery before the casing cracks and leaks.

Leaking Battery Acid

When a car battery's casing cracks open, it can sometimes leak battery acid or gas. This hazardous substance emits a strong, sulfury smell and can cause damage to other car parts. Needless to say, a leaking car battery will no longer work effectively and has to be replaced. 

Corrosion on the Terminals

A little corrosion on the terminals may not seem like much damage, but corrosion can prevent the battery from properly delivering its voltage to the rest of the car. So if your battery's terminals are so corroded that you can't easily clean them, you'll probably need to replace the whole battery. 

Slow-Starting Engine

As a dying battery fails to store or transmit electricity as efficiently, you may find it harder to start your car's engine in the morning. At first, the starter might become slow to turn the engine over. Eventually, all you'll hear is a clicking sound with no response from the engine at all. 

Faltering Electronic Accessories

The various other electronics in your car will also slow down as the battery weakens. At first, inessential electronic components like the stereo, phone charger, and power windows are likely to fail. Finally, vital components such as the dashboard dials and headlights will also lose power. 

Battery Warning Light 

When a car battery has problems, the car will usually detect it and alert you with the battery warning light on your dashboard. This battery-shaped light might also indicate a problem with other parts of the electrical supply such as the alternator, so it's best to ask a technician to diagnose the problem. 

Have Your Car Battery Tested at Your Local Kia Dealer

If you're in doubt as to the condition of your battery, you can always have it tested at your local dealership. The technicians will be happy to measure the battery's voltage using a multimeter or similar tool.

Visit Bergstrom Oshkosh Kia in Oshkosh, WI, today to have your battery examined or replaced. We're a locally trusted dealership offering a terrific range of vehicles and courteous, attentive customer service. 

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Kia service from Bergstrom Kia of Oshkosh in Oshkosh, WI

4 Services Offered by Your Kia Dealer

Cars are very resilient, but their parts can break down over time, and they require maintenance to stay in great shape. By getting all the right Kia service for your vehicle, you're ensuring you get the most value possible out of your car by helping it last for many years. You can get all the necessary types of service you need from your Kia dealer. more 1. Full Kia Service You need a full service every twelve months. A full service consists of numerous inspections and replacements for your vehicle. Parts such as the cooling system, throttle, parking brake, and engine are checked. Dozens of other components are also fully inspected. You also need a major service, too. This is performed every other year and is more comprehensive than full service. The technicians do everything they do during a full service, but they also examine more parts of your car and replace worn-down components such as the pedals, spark plugs, and brake pads. 2. Engine Diagnostic An engine diagnostic is typically performed when your vehicle's check engine light comes on. You can also ask the dealer to perform a diagnostic when you stop by for full service or other types of service throughout the year. During an engine diagnostic, the technicians use specialist equipment to scan your vehicle. If the check engine light is on, then the equipment will specifically scan the check engine light code to determine why this light has been activated. The test helps the technicians narrow down what kind of issues your car is having. For example, specific error codes that come up during the diagnostic may let the technicians know which system in your car is faulty. The technicians then manually investigate to figure out the exact issues your car has. 3. Tune-Up Getting regular tune-ups helps your car last longer and perform at its best. During a tune-up, the technicians typically check on all the wear-and-tear parts of your vehicle such as the belts and hoses. They also change fluids and filters that need to be changed. Any parts that have worn out, such as your spark plugs, wires, or ignition coils, are replaced. 4. Oil Change and Oil Filter Replacement Your vehicle's motor oil and oil filter need to be replaced at regular intervals. Most vehicles need an oil change after driving 5,000 to 7,500 miles, but this can vary, so check your owner's manual to see the recommendation for your Kia model. You'll typically need to stop by the dealer for an oil change twice a year. It's wise to get other forms of interim service, such as a tire rotation and battery check, at the same time as your oil change. Having issues with your car? Visit Bergstrom Kia of Oshkosh in Oshkosh, WI for service today.

Kia service from Bergstrom Kia of Oshkosh in Oshkosh, WI

6 Signs of a Faulty Ignition Coil

The ignition coil is a small but essential part of your car's engine, generating the electrical power that allows each spark plug to ignite the fuel inside the cylinders. If your engine has lost power, started misfiring, or experienced any more of the following problems, a faulty coil might be to blame. Read on to learn when to head to your local Kia dealer to repair or replace a coil. more Your Engine Starts Sputtering and Shaking Misfiring is often the first symptom of a malfunctioning coil. As the coil fails to deliver a consistent flow of voltage to the spark plug, the plug fails to ignite the fuel. The resulting misfiring makes the engine vibrate and sputter, especially when driving at high speeds or idling. Your Car Struggles To Gain Speed Acceleration will become difficult with at least one bad coil. You may find it difficult to reach higher speeds on the highway. More alarmingly, you might also struggle to overtake other vehicles or accelerate quickly when crossing a busy intersection. Your Tailpipe Produces Smoke and Backfiring As a bad coil causes misfiring, unspent fuel will be collecting inside the combustion chamber. This unburned fuel eventually leaks back toward the tailpipe, where it can ignite and cause all kinds of problems. When this occurs, you're likely to hear backfiring and see smoke in the exhaust fumes. Your Fuel Efficiency Has Plummeted All these above problems lead to a far less efficient engine, meaning your gas mileage will drop sharply. You may be surprised at how rapidly the dashboard's fuel gauge swings toward empty. You Can't Start Your Car in the Morning Without a fully reliable supply of electricity, the engine may fail to start in the morning. Just one faulty coil is unlikely to prevent it from starting entirely, but at the least, you'll need to turn the key or press the starter button several times before the engine turns over. Your Check Engine Light Turns On The advanced sensors throughout your Kia are designed to detect problems such as a bad coil. Therefore, the first indication of a malfunctioning coil could be the check engine light appearing on your dashboard. An experienced technician can then diagnose the coil issue and promptly repair it. Your Kia Dealer Can Clean, Repair, or Replace a Bad Coil Depending on the manner and severity of the fault, a failing coil can be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. Whatever the solution, a coil malfunction is rarely a complex issue to resolve and your car should be running smoothly again in short order. Visit Bergstrom Kia of Oshkosh in Oshkosh, WI, today to have your engine repaired by courteous, experienced professionals. We offer first-rate vehicles, financing, maintenance, repairs, and customer care.

2024 Kia Sorento from Bergstrom Kia of Oshkosh in Oshkosh, WI

Adventure Awaits with the 2024 Kia Sorento

Families looking for a versatile vehicle they can take on big adventures will love the spacious 2024 Kia Sorento. This midsize SUV comes with three rows of comfortable seating, confident handling, and excellent technology features. Read on to learn more about this adventure-ready SUV. more The Powerful Performance Kia gave the Sorento an impressive 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. They paired this with a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. This excellent system delivers 191 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft of torque. We love the confident handling, easy front-wheel-drive, and low-profile 17-inch alloy wheels. The mid-range EX trim makes a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine available. This option sees the Sorento generate 281 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft of torque. Outdoor enthusiasts can make the Sorento more rugged with available all-terrain tires and available all-wheel drive. The Three Rows of Seating Seven passengers can comfortably ride in the standard Sorento this year. This is due to a 60/40 split-folding bench seat in the second row. Alternatively, the second row can be changed to available captain's chairs. This reduces the seating to six passengers. The entry-level LX comes with cloth upholstery that's family-friendly and easy to clean. Families looking for an upgrade will want to consider the synthetic leather in the S trim. Alternatively, the top-tier X-Line SX Prestige comes with leather upholstery, heated first- and second-row seats, and ventilated front seats. The Excellent Driver Assist Tech Sorento drivers can change lanes with more confidence thanks to Kia's blind spot warning with rear cross traffic warning feature. This technology will monitor your blind spot when you're merging or driving in reverse. A quick alert from the system helps drivers stay aware and avoid collisions. Similarly, rear automatic braking will automatically apply the brakes when it detects an imminent collision behind the vehicle. The Sorento also comes equipped with lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic braking. The Outstanding Infotainment System Kia offers fast and simple over-the-air updates for their easy-to-use infotainment system. When a new update is available, you'll be prompted to allow the update once the ignition is turned off. This ensures your new Sorento will always have the latest infotainment system loaded on your new 12.3-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto integrations allow you to quickly connect your smartphone to your Sorento's system. Using the available wireless smartphone charging pad is a convenient way to keep your device charged all day. Traveling between destinations is a breeze with the Sorento's available navigation system. Adventurous families dreaming of their next road trip need to see Kia's spacious SUV in person. Contact Bergstrom Kia of Oshkosh in Oshkosh, WI to schedule a test drive of the exciting new Sorento.