This month we’re going to look at the Kia line of ­vehicles, focusing on the most common problems and maintenance items that have them finding their way to our bays. Kia offers good, reliable, affordable vehicles, and continues to expand its product line to accommodate any drivers’ taste. And more Kias on the road, means more repair and maintenance opportunities for the import car specialist, so don’t let them pass you by.

We’ve talked before about how important it is that we educate and encourage our clients to perform preventive maintenance to keep their cars safe and reliable, and to ensure trouble-free miles. The mass merchandisers are spending plenty on advertising the benefits of vehicle maintenance and we should be taking advantage of this awareness.

The first step is to get the work. Your service writer or whomever handles the front counter should be in the habit of asking if the car is due for any routine service when an appointment is made or the vehicle is dropped off. If the client isn’t sure when the last oil change was done, it’s a pret...