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When used car shopping, the main factor you look at is the number of miles on the odometer. High mileage cars may equal a lower price but what's the limit and what other things factor in? more All three of our dealerships specialize in finding, buying, and selling pre-owned cars. So we have a good amount of experience determining the worth of used cars. When it comes to deciding if a high mileage car is worth buying, the biggest component is if the vehicle still has the manufacturer's warranty or if you're able to get an extended warranty. Next on your high mileage car buying checklist is maintenance and service records. Then, how the car was driven/kept by the previous owner. Let's take a look at: Why is warranty important on high mileage cars? Was the maintenance kept up with? How did the previous owner treat the car? So how many miles on a used car is too much? Why is warranty important on high mileage cars? Commonly, when asking the mile cap of a high mileage car, the car has driven for 7+ years. Like every machine, eventually, it’s going to break. With older cars, the costs can add up very quickly. The risk vs savings equation moves further from your favor as time passes and the mileage increases. You must consider what warranties and extended service contracts are still available for this used high mileage car. If the vehicle has the bumper-to-bumper “factory” warranty or power-train warranty still active is a huge plus! When cars get older, parts start to deteriorate from years of use. The warranties will cover hundreds of dollars in repair costs! Kia’s have the longest warranty with their 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program! For cars passed the manufacturer’s warranties, try to get an extended warranty or extended service contract at a dealership. Your wallet will thank you. There are many extended warranties and service contracts to choose from but essentially you want a safety net that will cover the costs of repairs. With vehicles with high miles, it will be well worth the investment. Was the maintenance kept up with? As a potential buyer, check, inspect, and examine everything from belts and hoses to paint chips! Request the history of the vehicle to help estimate the quality and potential future costs. Keeping up with a car’s maintenance schedule isn’t a ploy for mechanics and dealers to make money. It directly affects the riding and longevity of a vehicle and should be considered as an investment in keeping the car running better for longer. For example, regular oil changes are extremely important for your engine because the oil lubricates the engine and absorbs heat. Over time the oil's effectiveness on the engine decreases. Without this service, the engine would blow and diminish to nearly nothing in value. How did the previous owner treat the car? How the driver handled the car while on the road affects the car’s value and remaining lifespan. If the previous owner drove the car like crazy by hitting turns hard, flooring the gas every red to green light, and even smoked in the car, the quality and value decrease and may not be worth a purchase. The parts will have more wear and tear than usual, making a higher longterm cost to you. Other questions to ask: How well kept was the interior of the vehicle? Are there dings? Paint chips? Scratches? So how many miles on a used car is too much? Unfortunately, there’s no specific number without thorough evaluation. Each vehicle will have a different history. Take into consideration the warranties available, if maintenance was kept up with, and the wear and tear. Gambling your money on a higher mileage vehicle may not be gabbling when you invest in an extended warranty. Matt Blatt has a huge selection of used cars with the option of an extended warranty. Don’t throw your money away on something that could break in a month. Weigh your options! Looking for a specific car? We will look for you! Fill out our CarFinder form here! Start Browsing Our Inventory!

What's that flashing light on my dashboard? Why is this warning light on? What does it mean? Let's look at what your Car Dashboard Warning Lights are and why it's lit up! more Every once in a while, a warning light will appear on your car dashboard thus, panic consumes your body. What is this car dashboard warning light? Why is it on? How long has it been on?! Don't fret, take a breathe, and let's figure out what it means. What Are Car Dashboard Warning Lights? Warning lights on your car dashboard alert the driver there is a problem. For example, it can be a warning from something small like a seatbelt not buckled, a door ajar, or a faulty wire. But it can also be a more major issue like a seized engine due to lack of oil, blown head gasket, or lack of hydraulic pressure on your brakes. Glancing at your car dashboard warning lights could save you from unnecessary expenses, lack of driving safety features, or major car issues. The car dashboard is trickled with warning lights that flash on when starting the car for a system check and soon turn off. It's important to know what they mean. Each car has slightly different dashboard warning lights but all in all, your car has the basics. You can review your specific model's car dashboard warning lights in the Car Owner's Manual or speak to your sales representative. Let's take a look at the basic lights from the dashboard of a 2019 Kia Optima. Car Dashboard Warning Lights: What do they mean? Immobilizer Indicator Warning Light When you stick your key in the ignition and turn it to the ON position, the immobilizer indicator light will turn on and shortly turn off. If it starts flashing, this means the system does not recognize the key. This works the same for a key less ignition but with the key code. This warning light is basically an anti-theft system. If the key is not the right key, it disables the engine from starting. Oil Pressure Warning Light STOP driving! Low oil pressure is highly damaging to your engine and can be the result of a leak. Check your oil level after the car cools down and add motor oil if needed. If the light remains on, do not drive your car! It is not uncommon that the sensor is bad but without proper inspection, you shouldn't risk it. Therefore until the problem is resolved, driving could permanently ruin your engine. Get it checked by our service department! Battery Warning Light This light means there is an issue with the car's electrical system. It can be anything from a small loose wire to a larger issue like a problem with the vehicle's battery or alternator. If this light comes on, get your car checked out immediately. Waiting could result in you and your car stranded somewhere. Seat Belt Warning Light This usually indicates that someone in the car is not wearing their seat belt! Most new models have lights that will start to blink and beep if all the passengers aren't wearing their seat belts. If everyone is, there may be a problem with the sensor. Try cleaning out the buckle or replacing it. Check Engine Light The dreaded check engine light or malfunction indicator. This car dashboard warning light flashes on for a number of reasons. It can be as simple as a loose gas cap or as severe as an overheating catalytic converter. Luckily is it easy to find out what's wrong. A code is triggered and can be retrieved with a Car Code Reader. Bring your vehicle to get checked before the problem escalates. Tire Pressure Warning Light Check your tires! Usually, the light indicates tire pressure is low in one or more tires. This could be due to weather change. Add air to your tired immediately and check for punctures. Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) Indicator There is an error with your headlight assist when this lights up. Newer cars have a feature where the headlights rotate to shine in the direction of turning, automatically shut off high beams, and more. The lights could be malfunctioning and should get inspected/fixed to ensure safe night driving. Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light (ESC) In extreme steering situations, this light will pop on to signal the stability control is on. ESC is an evolution of traction control and helps the driver maintain control of the car when turning nears or exceeds the limits of the road traction. Alternatively, if the light remains on, you will need to see a mechanic to diagnose the issue with the system. The ESC light with the "OFF" below it, notifies you the Electronic Stability Control is disabled. Electronic or Hydraulic Power Steering This car dash warning light illuminates when the power steering is not working properly. Newer models have an electronic power steering while older have a hydraulic power steering. Either way, the vehicle needs to be serviced to refill the fluid and/or conduct a system check. Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light The system helps maintain traction to the road while braking. For this light, drive with caution and with service in the very near future. Your brakes will still work but in an emergency, this feature is important for safety. If this light and the Parking Brake / Brake Fluid Warning Light (below) are both lit up, immediately pull over. There is a malfunction with the brake system and it is not safe to drive. Parking Brake / Brake Fluid Warning Light Check your parking brake because this light means either your parking brake is engaged or a more serious problem. If it remains on and you've checked the parking brake, there could be a serious issue with your brakes such as a lack of hydraulic fluid in your brake line. DO NOT DRIVE if this light stays on. It is possible your brakes could fail to work. Airbag Warning Light Next, we have the airbag warning light. This little light warns there is a problem with the airbag system and the airbags will not deploy in an accident. Causes of this could be from an accident and the airbags did not deploy or from a faulty seatbelt sensor. Whether or not, getting this check as soon as possible could mean life or death in an accident. Schedule to come into service today. Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) Light Many get used to the convenience of an electronic parking brake to assist while stationary. If this light stays on the dashboard, do not rely on the EPB! It is either malfunctioning and/or deactivated due to an issue. Get this inspected by your service department. Bulb Monitoring Warning Light Check your lights! An essential light has burned out and is in need of replacing. Check your brake lights, headlights, and others. Then, replace accordingly. Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) Lastly, on this dashboard, we have the Autonomous Emergency Braking Warning light. AEB is a new safety feature that automatically stops the car if the driver fails to react in an emergency situation of a forward collision. If this light illuminates, the safety system is disabled. If the system is switched on and the light is still lit, there may be a problem with the AEB and therefore should be inspected by a mechanic. Knowing Car Dashboard Warning Lights... Knowing what is part of your car dashboard provides security and safety to your driving. Warning lights are there for a reason and should not be ignored. If you find other lights on your car dashboard, check your owner's manual and review what to do in the event of an illuminated warning light. Remember, when you first start your car the lights will flash on for a check then turn off. If you have any questions about other warning lights, please leave a comment and our team will find the answer for you!

Basic Winter Maintenance Tips Winter isn’t going away anytime soon. The cold weather and the snow and ice can do a lot of damage to your car. It's time to make sure your vehicle is ready for the elements. We have some basic winter maintenance tips for you learn about. Let’s see what you can do for your car this winter. more READ MORE: 2019 Kia Vehicles with AWD Tires Tires are an important part of your vehicle’s performance. If your tires are worn or don’t have enough air in them, they can decrease your vehicle’s performance, gas mileage, and can even put you in harm’s way. Make sure to get your tires rotated or replaced as needed. Snow tires are also a great choice for the winter. Brakes When you are driving on snowy roads, you are going to need to use your brakes sooner and more often. Make sure that your brakes are in order by stopping by our service department to see what you need. Wipers When there is snow and ice on your windshield, you’re going to need to get it off somehow. Your windshield wipers work all year round. Make sure that they are good enough for the worst the weather has to offer. Have them replaced or get more windshield wiper fluid to make sure you’re all set. READ MORE: Road Trip Checklist These basic winter maintenance tips are just a way of helping you get ready for the road. We hope we answered all of your questions. If you are looking for a vehicle this winter, you can visit us at our online inventory to see what we have available and schedule a test drive with us at Matt Blatt Kia today. Don’t forget to check out our service department in case you need any repairs this winter as well.

Tips to keep your car cool in the summer This summer has been pretty hot, and it doesn't look like it will cool down for quite a while. Entering a hot car can be a bothersome experience. That is why we have created a list of tips to keep your car cool in the summer. Let's take a look and see how you can avoid the summer heat. more READ MORE: Road Trip Checklist Windows and Doors There is an easy trick that you can use to let some of the hot air out of your car. If you crack the window open a little bit, you will let hot air escape and make it more tolerable inside. You can also open the car door and let the heat out before stepping inside so that you're not sweating once you get behind the wheel. Equipment The reason your car heats up so much in the summer is because of the sunlight hitting your vehicle. You can help your vehicle stay cool by investing in a sun shade that you can hang across your windshield from the inside. There are also solar-powered fans that can be helpful by giving you cool while the air conditioning gets ready. Tricks There are other, simpler ways to get your car out of the heat. You can, of course, park your vehicle in the shade, under a tree, or in a parking garage to give its interior a more comfortable temperature. You can also cover your seats with towels or blankets to avoid hot-to-the-touch surfaces. READ MORE: What should I do with my tax return? We hope these tips to keep your car cool in the summer have helped. If you are interested in a vehicle this summer, you should visit our online inventory and schedule a test drive with us at Matt Blatt Kia today.

Road Trip Checklist This summer is going to be a lot of fun in the sun. Why not take your family on a road trip this year? We have some ideas to help you get ready for your next family vacation. Let's take a look at this road trip checklist before you back out of your driveway. more READ MORE: Where can we golf? Inspection Making sure your vehicle is in working order is a very important thing to do before going on a road trip. You should do a general maintenance check before travelling such long distances. If there are any strange noises coming from your vehicle, have it seen by a mechanic. Get an oil change if you will go over 3,000 miles since your last one before you begin your road trip. Also, make sure your tires are full of air and rotated if need be. Schedule Before you head out on your next family adventure, you should schedule when you are going to stop for gas and what sights you would like to see before reaching your destination. Make sure that you are switching drivers every three to four hours so you can get the rest you need. Safe Driving Staying alert while driving is very important while traveling long distances. There are many tips to remember to keep yourself awake and focused on driving. Turning the air conditioning on can help you from feeling too comfortable while driving and eating a snack will help you from falling asleep at the wheel. READ MORE: Spring Cleaning Tips for your Car This road trip checklist is just a friendly reminder of some of the ways you can have a better road trip experience. If you are looking for a new vehicle to take with you on your next road trip, you can check out our online inventory and schedule a test drive with us today.

Tips on how to spend your tax return Tax season is almost over, on April 17 th, and that means that folks are going be getting their tax return soon. There are tons of ways to spend that extra cash coming your way. We have some tips on how to spend your tax return that we think you might enjoy. more READ MORE: Best Irish Pubs near Atlantic City NJ Trade-in If you are looking for a new vehicle, it may be a good idea to use that money from your tax return for when you trade in your old vehicle. If you have an old vehicle you want to trade in for a new one, that tax return can help you save a lot on your new car. Lease Options If you don't want to buy a new car and would rather lease one, your tax return can help you with the down payment or cover some of your monthly payments. This is a smart way to find a vehicle you want, but not to break the bank while doing it. Upgrade Vehicle If you plan on buying a new Kia, and want to upgrade to a higher trim level, your tax return can help. With that extra cash, you can pay off the down payment and your monthly payments a little easier. As long as you can make the payments, this is a great opportunity to buy that car you've been dreaming about. READ MORE: State Parks near Egg Harbor Township NJ These tips on how to spend your tax return are just some suggestions to help you find the car that is right for you. If you are looking for a new Kia model, you can check out our online inventory to see what we have available and schedule a test drive with us at Matt Blatt Kia today.