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Schedule Service See Service Specials Why Is My Car Shaking? Nobody likes the feeling of being broken down on the side of the road with no auto repair shop in sight. Oftentimes, these instances can be avoided with regular vehicle maintenance. While it is typical for some parts to wear down over time, sometimes it costs you much more to solve a bigger problem that could have been avoided with regular vehicle maintenance. Our Kia dealership employs certified professionals who can diagnose problems and devise a maintenance schedule. more One of the most common problems that drivers experience is vehicle shaking. It can happen while accelerating or braking and there are some common causes as to why this happens. Top Reasons Your Car May Be Shaking 1. Engine Problems There are a few parts within a vehicle's engine that could cause a car to shake if they malfunction. These include the spark plugs and engine air filter. Check the spark plugs and their connections. As a general rule, spark plugs last for about 80,000-100,000 miles, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. If the spark plugs are okay and their connections seem sound, then check your air filter next. A dirty or clogged engine air filter can starve the engine of oxygen and/or fuel that it needs to run properly. 2. Brake Problems If vibration is occurring when you are applying the brakes, the problem is likely related to your car's front brake mechanism as the front brakes take the most stress when the car's brakes are applied. There are a few parts on front disc brakes that need to be replaced every so often - namely, the pads and rotors. The rotor is the round metal disc that attaches to the wheel. Over time it can become warped from heavy wear and tear. There are pads that press against the rotor in order to slow down the vehicle and these pads need to be a certain thickness in order to work properly. If the pads have become too worn, it can cause the vehicle to vibrate. The caliper helps to squeeze the pads against the rotor to slow down and stop the vehicle. All vehicles vary on timelines for when brakes need to be replaced. On average, they should be replaced every 50,000 miles but many makes and models can last longer. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for a more accurate timeline for replacement. In addition, whenever you get an oil change, have your mechanic visually check the condition of your pads and rotors. These professionals can give you a better idea of when replacement is necessary. 3. Axle Problems Most vehicles have 2 axles - one that connects the front wheels, and another that connects the rear wheels. Vibration can occur if either of the axles is bent or dented - which can happen in an accident or other mishap with the road - and vibration will usually increase in intensity as you accelerate if the problem is related to the axle. Also inspect the CV joints and driveshaft for potential problems. If the CV joints are worn, that can let in dust and other debris which can damage the joints. 4. Wheel Problems If your steering wheel feels wiggly or wobbles when you drive, this can cause vibration problems as well and it may mean that one of the wheels is not spinning properly, or it may relate to the wheel bearings, tie rod ends, or ball joints. 5. Tires Depending on the specific type of vibration the driver is feeling, the problem can be related to the tires and can be addressed a number of ways. If vibration is felt at certain speeds, the tires may need to be balanced. If the tires are wearing unevenly and causing the car to vibrate, the driver may need a tire rotation. In some cases, the driver may need new tires to solve the problem of vibration. Whatever the cause of shaking may be, drivers can prevent this problem by visiting our Kia dealership in St. Petersburg to have qualified, certified professionals examine and inspect your vehicle. They will give you a specific maintenance schedule that pertains to your vehicle's make and model, which will hopefully prevent you from encountering problems like vehicle vibration in the future. Hours & Directions Contact Us

Shop Kia Soul Shop Kia Forte 2016 Kia Forte and 2016 Kia Soul are Perfect for Summer Road Trips Summer’s approaching and summertime means it’s time for road trips. A great summer road trip vehicle offers adequate space for passengers and their things, entertainment along the way and great fuel economy. The 2016 Kia Forte and 2016 Kia Soul both score high marks in these categories, making these two vehicles great for summer road trips. more Fuel Economy With the 2016 Kia Forte, buyers will spend less time at gas stations buying fuel during their summer road trips. The sedan’s 1.8-liter four cylinder engine gets great mileage with an estimated 39 miles per gallon highway and 26 miles per gallon city with the automatic-transmission version. The engine has 145 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque, so there’s still plenty of power to make for an enjoyable drive. For the 2016 Kia Soul crossover sport-utility vehicle, fuel economy is estimated at 30 miles per gallon highway and 24 miles per gallon city, which is great for those wanting to travel in an SUV. The crossover sport-utility vehicle comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission that includes hill-start assistance. A six-speed automatic transmission is optional. The 2016 Kia Soul’s 1.6-liter four cylinder engine has 130 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque to comfortably get you through your trip. Interior Features One of the keys to conquering summer roads trips is being comfortable and entertained while you pass the time. The 2016 Kia Forte come standard with a four-speaker sound system with satellite radio and CD player, Bluetooth® connection, USB port and auxiliary audio jack. The 2016 Kia Soul comes standard with Bluetooth® connection, six-speaker sound system with satellite radio, auxiliary audio jack and a USB port. Either vehicle you go with, there’s a good amount of options to hook up your entertainment of choice. Passenger and Cargo Space Both cars will have passengers covered in regards to space, easily fitting 5 people in either vehicle. This allows more space for luggage. It also allows more space for getting comfortable during any long summer road trip. The trunk capacity in the 2016 Kia Forte is 14.9 cubic feet. The 2016 Kia Soul has a cargo area that measures 19 cubic feet. Fold the back seats down and the cargo area increases to 61 cubic feet, which would serve as more than enough for most destinations. Warranty With warranties that last up to a decade each, buyers will have many summer road trips to take in for these two Kia models. The 2016 Kia Forte sedan and 2016 Kia Soul both come with a standard manufacturer’s five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, as well as a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, far surpassing what most other brands offer. Stop by our Kia dealership and test drive a 2016 Kia Forte or 2016 Kia Soul. A member of our sales team will be happily available to assist buyers in finding the car that’s perfect for their upcoming summer road trip. Shop All Vehicles Contact Us

Explore New Models Contact Us Crown Kia Welcomes You to St. Petersburg, FL On behalf of Crown Kia, we welcome newcomers to St. Petersburg, FL for an incredible place to enjoy warm weather and explore the local area. When you're visiting the city for business, pleasure, or relocation, there are a number of ways to stay busy and explore different attractions. When you're creating an itinerary, there are a few activities to add to your schedule for new memories that can be created. more 1. Explore Fort De Soto Park To enjoy a tropical location that feels like paradise, visit Fort De Soto Park where you can lay out on white beaches and take a dip in turquoise waters. The park features five offshore islands, which includes Bonne Fortune Key, St. Jean Key, Madelaine Key, St. Christopher Key, and Mullet Key, which is also known as the main island. You'll get the chance to fish and boat while camping overnight in a tranquil setting that feels remote from the rest of the world. There's also a historic fort on site with plenty of wildlife and a dog park. 2. Visit the Salvador Dalí Museum The Salvador Dalí Museum is a staple in the city for its modern architecture and glass exterior. The museum is home to the largest collection of Salvador Dalí outside of Europe and features spectacular views of the ocean. You'll be able to view a vast collection of original art that includes over 100 drawings and watercolors, 96 oil paintings, various sculptures, and photographs. A free audio tour is available for guests who want to learn the background of the art pieces with a cafe and gift shop that is also located on the first floor. 3. See a Ball Game at Tropicana Field Attend a classic ball game at Tropicana Field where you can see the Tampa Bay Rays play during the spring and summer season. The field is built inside of a dome, which allows the game to continue in the rain with a retractable roof and air conditioning that is also provided on warm days. It makes for a great way of eating a hot dog and rooting on the baseball team in a lively environment that will prove to be exciting. 4. Fish at Weedon Island Preserve Fish at an archeological area that is known for its lush wildlife and beautiful piers. At Weedon Island Preserve you'll spot roseate spoonbills, white pelicans, osprey, and white herons. Fishing is available on the piers and kayaks are available to rent for the day, which can be used on different mangrove rivers. There's also a museum that is available where you can view the remains of an ancient canoe with various exhibits that are featured. 5. Tour the Sunken Gardens Tour over four acres of the Sunken Gardens in a botanical paradise that is over 100 years old and is situated in the middle of the city. You'll find lush foliage and a variety of palms at the location with plenty of birds, koi fish, and turtles that roam the grounds. We hope you enjoy what our local area has to offer and if you're looking for a new or used vehicle while you’re in the St. Petersburg, FL area or have general auto maintenance needs, visit Crown Kia to receive professional service at a dealership that will exceed your expectations with our customer service. Explore New Models Contact Us

See Optima Price Payment Calculator Super Bowl Commercial Sneak Peek 2016 As rumors spread about Super Bowl 2016 commercials, behind-the-scenes Kia footage has been revealed by Kia Media that shows Christopher Walken on set. This 60-second commercial is designed to showcase the new 2016 Optima. It's a midsize sedan that's known for its extreme versatility, outstanding value and substantial safety features. The advertisement is set to run during the third quarter. As you might expect with Kia, the ad is designed to appeal to people who want something a little out of the ordinary. more Update: Super Bowl 50 Kia Commercial | 2016 From the pictures released by the Kia Media team, it appears Christopher Walken is wearing a sock on his hand and holding an umbrella. As he is known for his often humorous dance routines in music videos and acting, we're wondering if we're going to see a quirky commercial that features his ability to dance, in a vein similar to what he did in the Fatboy Slim music video "Weapon of Choice." Given his history of theatrics, we're fully expecting to see Christopher Walken dancing on his hands and holding the umbrella with his feet. While Kia hasn't provided enough details to know for certain what he's up to, you can bet we're going to tune in to find out. The publicity around the commercial is both sparse and clever. In one press release, Kia notes that Christopher Walken is providing the voice-over for two 30-second spots titled "Middle C" and "Cookie Cutter." This campaign has been ongoing for quite some time. It began with a series called "Next Level." It featured Blake Griffin in a series of unconventional spots. While we can't tell you what's in the ad campaign, you can be certain we're excited to see what Kia has up its sleeves. We love the Kia Optima down here in St. Petersburg. It's a stunning vehicle that won't break the bank, and it comes in a Hybrid version. It's one of our best-selling vehicles, and it features some truly outstanding styling features. The interior is refined with premium materials, and it's got significant ride and handling improvements. Watch the ad on Super Bowl Sunday, then come down and visit our Kia dealership in St. Petersburg and tell us what you thought of the new video. While you're here, we'll treat you like family and give you a test drive of this responsive and confident vehicle. We're going to be selling a lot of these vehicles in the coming weeks, so make sure you get in soon so you can get the trim level and options that you want most. See Optima Price Payment Calculator

Service Department Service Specials How Often Should I Change My Oil? An important part of a car’s maintenance schedule is an engine oil change. An engine’s life can be shortened faster by missing oil changes. The primary function of oil is to cut friction. Oil changes should not ever be put off. Oil that is dirty or not there does not allow a vehicle to function properly. The damages can be costly, because it can be irreversible without an engine overhaul. It is a relatively simple service that should be done when it is due. It is cheaper to buy oil than to replace an engine. more However, it is confusing when an oil change is needed. The recommendations by quick lube shops speak to a wide audience; address cars of every age, every mileage, and all have different maintenance schedules. People have been convinced to stick to the 3,000-mile changes by several shops who are strong advocates driven by profit. These recommendations are not necessarily the ones your car needs, because there is not a one-size-fits all solution. Most people sense their cars require an oil change when they see the low oil light come on. The light is an indicator that the oil level is low and is losing its ability to function properly. By then the damage is already occurring in the engine. Others go by the standard guideline for an oil change after 3,000 to 3,500 miles. This rule is old and no longer applies to cars purchased after 2000. Cars can go up to 10,000 miles or more before needing an oil change. Changing a car’s oil every 3,000 miles when not needed is not only harmful to the environment, but wastes money. Advances in engineering have extended the oil life cycle for cars as our understanding on engines grows. Opinions keep changing with new technology in car manufacturing, engine science, and oil chemistry over time. Synthetic oil is recommended for some models by automakers. It extends the life cycle of oil. The life cycle can last from 7,000 to 10,000 miles in comparison to conventional oil. Oil life can be shortened by extreme heat, frequent cold starts, repeated short trips, and towing. Driving conditions can impact oil’s life and should be taken into consideration. The best way to determine when an oil change is needed is to follow the car manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. The oil intervals vary by engines and manufacturers. Oil change interval guidelines have been designed to keep a car running in good condition. Manufacturers make recommendations based on mild or severe driving conditions. This information can be found in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Maintenance indicators can measure the oil quality to determine life expectancy with an accurate assessment. The owner’s manual should be the main guide if a car is not equipped with a maintenance light or gauge. Our Kia dealership can assist car owner’s to identify the optimal type and times to perform oil changes on a particular vehicle. Our dealership technicians are experts who will be more than happy to help. Every car is not the same and procrastinating on oil changes will run expensive over time. We will advise you based on the auto manufacturer’s recommendations. Our interests are not for you to suffer premature engine failure, but simply to provide optimal service you deserve. Service Department Service Specials

Service Department Schedule Service Contact Us When to DIY vs Calling an Expert Kia Dealer Serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park and Clearwater Today's vehicles are engineered with precision and often require specialized tools and equipment to be properly serviced. That means that, for the average person, performing repairs and maintenance isn't really feasible. If you're the type of person who prefers the hands-on approach, though, you may just want to work on your car yourself — and there are definitely a few things you can do to satisfy your inner mechanic. more When to Do it Yourself Even if you don't have any automotive experience, there are a few things you can do yourself that are pretty simple. Do remember that no project is foolproof and that you'll be responsible if something does go wrong — even simple projects can turn into expensive repairs if you're not careful. So, always follow any instructions given by your car's manufacturer and/or by the manufacturer of the part or accessory you plan to install. Replacing wiper blades is an easy project you can do yourself. Make sure to get the correct sizes for your year, make, and model. You can also replace burned out light bulbs yourself quite easily and quickly. If you're comfortable doing so, you can take on more substantial projects like changing your own oil at home. Remember, though, to meticulously follow any manufacturer instructions which includes using the right type of oil for your particular vehicle. Also note that you will need to properly dispose of the oil so that it doesn't create a health and environmental hazard. When to Call in the Pros Some projects are just not practical for even an experienced home mechanic to do on their own. These kinds of jobs call for more sophisticated equipment than most people have lying around in their garage, not to mention a level of expertise that comes not just from experience - but from professional training. Don't forget, either, that if you mess up on a big repair, you'll not only be out the money you paid for the replacement parts — you may just void your warranty. There are just some scenarios where it makes sense to step back and let the experts step in. Engine and transmission repairs are not something you want to get into at home. While balancing and rotating tires is a simple thing, it's not something most people have the equipment to do properly. Electrical issues require the help of a trained professional. Even a lot of relatively simple repairs like changing filters and replacing batteries are often better left to the experts. Sometimes, even reaching these components without having certain tools can be a lot more trouble than it's worth. Always take your vehicle to a professional if any of your warning lights come on.» Visit Our Service Department Let our highly trained professionals take on your next maintenance or repair project. At Crown Kia in St. Petersburg, we’ll do the job fast, right, and for a great price. And if you want to do your own repair or customization projects, our techs can get you the parts and accessories you need to make your next DIY job a successful one. Request Info

Road trips are adventurous and exciting, but they can also be exhausting and stressful if you are not fully prepared for one. Here are some tips to get your car ready for that summer road trip you have been looking forward to since last fall. The Crown Kia service staff in St. Petersburg, FL can assist you with many of these steps should you heed the following advice. more Check All Fluid Levels Before hitting the road, check all of your fluid levels. These fluids include power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, oil, and radiator coolant. After checking all fluid levels, make sure every belt and hose is secured in place. If you have recently brought your vehicle in for a check-up or repair, your vehicle is most likely ready to be driven. If you cannot remember the last time you got everything checked out, including an oil change, it might be best to take it in as soon as you can. Our knowledgeable associates in the service department at Crown Kia will happily serve you and ensure your vehicle is in working order before your trip. Check Your Tires Check your tire pressure and treads before starting your vehicle. Deep treads and adequate pressure are significant for proper traction while on the road. You should never inflate the tires more than their allotted amount due to the higher probability of the tires popping. Tire inflation should be closer to its maximum capacity during the summer, so try to keep this in mind before leaving for your trip. Bring a spare tire and car jack in the event of tire failure. Check All Lighting Make sure all of your lights, including interior lighting, are functioning properly. Your headlights, turn signals, and brake lights should be replaced before your journey to establish visibility and safety while on the road. Faulty exterior lighting is a safety hazard and will also get you pulled over by the police. Check your reading lamps and overhead lightbulbs to maintain driver and passenger security. What to Bring A GPS is a popular option to bring along when traveling, but a map will also suffice. It is best to have some sort of guide to reassure yourself that you are headed in the right direction. For emergencies, bring extra fuses, motor oil, jumper cables, a flashlight, first aid kit, and a cell phone charger for each person who carries a cell phone. Fully charged phone batteries will prevent anxiety from creeping up in case an emergency arises. Bottled water and protein-packed snacks will give everyone energy and a full stomach. At Crown Kia, we will be happy to examine your vehicle and make any necessary adjustments before your next adventure. We will work with your schedule to ensure you get on the road when you need to. Stop by our dealership in St. Petersburg, FL today and allow us to prepare your vehicle for you. We look forward to assisting you!

The greenest way to wash your car in St. Petersburg, FL is actually to take it to a professional car wash. The reason is simple; a car wash business must comply with several environmentally safe policies when it comes to chemical use and water run-off. Are you on a tight budget this year like most of us in the Tampa, Clearwater, and Largo areas? Don't sweat it. You can still do it smart from home with these helpful green tips for washing your car from Crown Kia in St. Petersburg. more Slow Your Flow Make sure you attach a spray handle to your garden hose that will allow you to restrict the water flow when you're not using it. We can understand why you don't want to run back and forth to the house to turn it off, but this is an easy way to reduce water consumption. Be a Cleaner Snob That's right. We at Crown Kia in St. Petersburg strongly encourage you to get picky about the cleaning products you use to wash your car. We won't judge you. Here's what you want to pick up: water-based, phosphate-free cleaning products that are biodegradable. The dirty water from our home car wash eventually finds its way into our canals, rivers, everglades, and ocean. Phosphates, sodium, and potassium found in many car wash cleaning products are harmful. They jeopardize our entire aquatic ecosystem. Stay On The Lawn You'll want to make sure no one's standing on your grass when you carefully drive your car over it for a much more environmentally friendly wash. Washing your car on grass, gravel, or really any absorbent surface is the way to go. Unlike cement, these surfaces will help to filter the gunk out of your dirty water before it seeps into the ground and nearest storm drain. Easy on the Suds Let's say you pick up some environmentally friendly car washing cleaner from our parts department. That's definitely a step in the right direction, but honestly there is no truly effective cleaning product that is one hundred percent chemical free. Know the expression "a little dab will do ya?" - keep this in mind every time you wash and try your best to only use the amount you need for a good, green clean. Take It To The Can Unlike our storm drain water, household water is filtered and treated before it enters our waterways. If you use a bucket, empty it in your toilet, shower or sink to protect our beautiful peninsula.

For the first time car buyer, buying a car can be overwhelming.  How do you know which car to buy, how much you can afford, or how to negotiate with the dealership?  There are many things to consider when car shopping that goes beyond finding a nice looking car in your favorite color.  Here are some tips from your St. Petersburg Kia dealer for buying your first car: more Getting Your Finances in Order Buying a car actually starts at home, where you spend some time fine tuning your budget.  You need to know how much you can afford before you decide on a car you want to buy.  If you’re paying with cash, you’ll know exactly how much money you have to shop with.  If you’re financing the purchase with a car loan, you’ll need to consider what you can afford in terms of your monthly payment and all additional expenses – such as car insurance, registration, gasoline and maintenance. If you have a small budget, you might start by looking at used Kia vehicles.  You can often get a vehicle with just a few years and few thousand miles on it for several thousand dollars less than you can buy the newest model. Visit Our Website or Dealership Once you have an idea for how much you can afford, you can browse our inventory of vehicles on our St. Petersburg Kia website or at our dealership.  Make a list of cars that both fit your need for vehicle in terms of size and features, and that also fall within your budget. Armed with your short list of possible vehicle options, call your car insurance agent or go online to get insurance quotes for each vehicle.  You may be surprised to learn how different car insurance premiums are for each type of car. Double check Consumer Reports for reliability information to help minimize your long term maintenance expenses for any vehicle you choose. Take a Kia for a Test Drive By this stage in the buying process, you probably have just a couple of cars you are interested in.  The best thing you can do to finalize your decision is to take the cars for a test drive to see how it feels in the driver’s seat and how the car handles. Negotiate All dealers need to turn a profit on the sale of their vehicles, and as a buyer, you want to get the best price possible on your purchase.  When negotiating, don’t negotiate based on the monthly payment – negotiate the price of the car itself. If you are going with financing, make sure you get pre-approved for a car loan with a lender outside the dealership so you know what your interest rate would be, and then also allow the dealer to offer financing to you.  Use the loan with the lowest interest rate and best repayment terms.

If you are planning a trip abroad and are going to rent a car to drive during the trip, you will want to take some time to learn about driving in another country, insurance and car rental contracts.  Things are not always exactly the same in a foreign country as they are at home!  Here are some tips from Pinellas Park area Kia for driving abroad: more Check License Requirements Some countries allow any driver with a US driver’s license to drive in their country while others require an International Driving Permit.  You can get an International Driving Permit from the National Auto Club if you are at least 18 years old, but make sure to check legal driving ages in whichever country you visit. Car Insurance Considerations When Traveling Abroad You will want to check your insurance policy before you go to make sure it covers international driving.  Not all insurance companies will cover drivers in another country.  If you rent a car from a car rental organization, you can choose coverage through their insurance, or perhaps the credit card you use to rent the car will include car rental coverage. If you are traveling between countries, such as when traveling in Europe, make sure whatever you choose for your insurance coverage will cover you as you cross each border into another country. Preparing for Driving Abroad Road rules and signs are different in other countries.  Many cars in foreign countries have steering wheels on the opposite side of the car, and may drive on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to.  This can be difficult to remember and can create problems when entering and exiting intersections – be alert! Another tip for driving in a foreign country is to rent an international GPS unit to help you navigate.  You won’t want to use your smartphone’s GPS (if it even works in another country!) because you will pay higher data roaming charges. Learn How to Drive a Manual Transmission If you are used to driving an automatic car, you may want to learn how to drive a manual transmission before you travel and drive abroad.  Many car rental companies abroad only rent manual transmission vehicles – or if they have automatic transmissions available – they will generally charge extra for them.

Both the 2013 Kia Sportage and the 2014 Kia Sorento are in the crossover class of vehicles.  They have a number of similarities and differences which should help you choose between them based on your individual needs for a vehicle.  Here is what you need to know about the two crossover vehicles that each seat 5 passengers from your Largo area Kia dealer: more Standard Features The 2013 Kia Sportage and 2014 Kia Sorento have a lot of standard features in common – meaning the features are included in the base price for both vehicles.  Regardless of which vehicle you decide to buy, you will have the following safety and technology features: Multiple airbags (driver, passenger, front side, and side curtain airbags) Front active headrests Adjustable front seatbelt anchors to fit all heights Brake assist system and 4 wheel ABS brakes Child safety locks Tire pressure monitoring system Electronic stability control Traction control system Hill assist control Side guard door beams Automatic headlights Intermittent wipers, rear wiper and rear window defogger Power adjustable rearview mirrors Both vehicles also include the same warranty coverage, with a 60 month/60,000 mile basic warranty.  Also included is a 120 month/100,000 mile Powertrain warranty, and a 60 month/100,000 mile anti-corrosion warranty Slight Differences Between Sorento and Sportage While many of the standard features are the same on the 2014 Kia Sorteno and 2013 Kia Sportage, there are a few items which are only available on the 2014 Kia Sorento EX V6 AWD.  If you want the following optional features, you will need to go with the Sorento and upgrade the features: Power driver’s seat with memory settings Exterior mirrors with memory settings Third row seating Power and Performance Another difference to expect between the 2014 Sorento and 2013 Sportage is in the power and performance.  The Sorento has a 3.3 liter, V6 engine while the Sportage has a 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder engine. The Sorento gets an average of 18 miles per gallon fuel efficiency in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway while the Sportage stretches your gasoline budget to 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway. The price tag between the two vehicles is slightly different to reflect the available features and differences.  The 2014 Kia Sorento EX V6 AWD base price is $31,800 while the 2013 Kia Sportage EX AWD base price is $25,700.

If you intend to buy a car using dealership financing from Largo area Kia dealers, you will want to take a few steps to prepare for loan approval.  From understanding your car shopping budget to checking your credit score and getting pre-approved for a loan, there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of getting approved for dealership financing: more Understanding Car Loan Options To ensure you are making a good decision about your car loan it is important that you understand the basic finance terms and requirements before you sign a contract for a car loan.  It will give you the knowledge needed to negotiate your loan terms and get the best deal for your situation.  Here are a few of the basics you should arm yourself with before going to the dealership: The car loan “term” is the number of months you will make loan payments. The “principal” is the amount of the loan needed to buy the car. The “interest” is how much you will pay the lender for the privilege of borrowing money. (often referred to as APR) Total loan amount is the principal and interest together at the end of the loan term. Get Pre-Approval For a Loan You can figure out what kind of buying power you have by filling out an online application for pre-approval.  Pre-approval is a good way to find out what your credit is like, if you aren’t sure whether you have good credit or not.  If you are pre-approved, you can come into the dealership with confidence to find a car and use our dealership financing.  If you are not approved, you can spend some time improving your credit score or figuring out an alternative method for buying your next car. Benefits Of Dealership Financing Many people prefer dealership financing over other sources of car loans because it makes it a “one stop shop” experience for buying a car.  You visit our St. Petersburg Kia dealership, choose a car, and fill out your loan paperwork at the same location.  You can often drive the car home on the same day.  The dealership financing department works with multiple lenders and can often find you a good deal even if other lenders have turned you down.  Stop in to see us and we’ll see what we can do to help you out!