How to Drive Properly Around Traffic Circles

March 18, 2022 · 3 min read

If you've just bought a new Kia in Lanham, MD from your local Kia dealer, you'll no doubt be keen to take it for a spin around the local area. But if you come across one of the increasing number of traffic circles dotting Maryland's roads, you might be a little unsure of how to navigate them. A few simple tips can keep you safe.

Slow Down on Approach

Roundabouts can be pretty busy places. With vehicles whirling around, entering, and exiting, there's a lot to take into account. That's why it's so important to slow down on approach. If you zoom onto a traffic circle at top speed, you're putting yourself and other drivers in danger. Slow down and stop at the give-way line before entering. This will allow you to look out for oncoming traffic and choose the optimal time to enter the circle. Most of the time when you approach a traffic circle, you will see a give-way line and a stop sign before them, so be sure to look out for any other important instructions.

Keep Right

When you reach a traffic circle, you always have to travel on the right. That means that whichever direction you're ultimately moving in, you have to turn right when entering the circle. Remember, even if the exit you want to take is just to your left, you have to go all around the traffic circle to reach it. This may seem like a pain, but it's absolutely essential to keep everyone safe. If you turn the wrong way, you're at risk of a head-on collision, and you could be in big trouble if you're caught out by the police.

Avoid the Center Circle

At the center of every traffic circle is a center point, marking the spot where vehicles should travel around. The center spot could be a large, raised area, a circle of paving, or even just a patch of paint on the ground. Whatever the center circle looks like, it's important not to drive over it, even if you don't see any other vehicles around. When you cut across the circle, you run the risk of collisions, as well as potentially damaging your tires and suspension on a raised surface. Your best bet is to imagine the center point as a solid concrete pillar, to be driven around and not driven over!

Drive Safe with a Great Vehicle from Your Local Kia Dealership

Wherever you are on the road, it's important to have a safe and reliable vehicle. When you buy from our dealership, you know you'll be driving a vehicle that you can rely on. With the benefits of our service, you can drive with peace of mind, secure in the knowledge that we only provide our customers with top-notch cars, whether they're new or used.

Pick Out Your New Kia at Our Maryland Kia Dealership

Ready to get out on the road and tackle any obstacle you find on the way? Come on down to DARCARS Lanham Kia today for all your automotive needs!

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Apr 22, 2022 in Lanham Kia Dealer

5 Ways to Be Safe Around Aggressive Drivers

Your Kia dealer has seen a fair share of aggressive drivers over the years. Keep these useful tips in mind when you encounter aggression on the road. Lanham, MD Kia Dealer's 5 Recommendations for Staying Safe Around Aggressive Drivers 1. Recognize the Signs In order to know how to deal with road aggression and in order to keep yourself from becoming an aggressive driver, you should know what aggressive driving encompasses. The most common associated behaviors include speeding, weaving through traffic (with excessive lane changes and passes), tailgating, and running red lights. Some studies indicate that over two-thirds of driving deaths result from aggressive driving. more 2. Do Not Engage Aggressive driving can easily stir anger and cause an incident to escalate into even more dangerous road rage or into a tragic accident. Resist the temptation to interact. Even more importantly, do not meet fire with fire by mimicking the offending driver's reckless behaviors. If someone cuts you off, for example, don't attempt to speed up and pass them improperly. Instead, take a deep breath, stay calm, and keep your eyes straight ahead on the road. If you do feel yourself getting angry, pull over into a safe space and cool down. If you believe the driver was being especially reckless and poses a danger, you can channel your negative feelings in a positive way by calling authorities and reporting the behavior. 3. Move Away If you notice someone driving aggressively, make every effort to stay far away from them. If you can safely change lanes, do so. Allow the driver to pass if you are in the same lane. If you find a spot where you can securely park until the driver is out of your line of vision, this might be a good step to take as well. 4. Drive Defensively Adjusting your own driving behavior can likewise keep you safe. For one, do not succumb to any aggressive driving behaviors yourself. Stay a proper distance away from the car in front of you. Don't change lanes frequently or without your turn signal. And don't hang out in the fast lane. Park within the proper spaces and give yourself enough time when you start a driving trip to reach your destination without speeding or running lights. If you are being tailgated, do not nudge up closer to a car in front of you. Maintain your proper distance. In addition, when you encounter aggressive driving in any form, make sure your seatbelt is secured and stay extra alert. Obey all rules of the road and all traffic signals. 5. Avoid Confrontation If an aggressive driver follows and approaches you because of some perceived slight, do not get out of your vehicle. Keep your doors locked. Remain polite and level-headed. The aggressive driver, when met with calmness, is much more likely to come to their senses and emerge from the irrational rage felt in the heat of the moment. If you sense the situation is spiraling out of control, have a phone on-hand so you can call 911 immediately. You may also use your horn to draw attention and encourage the driver to back off. Find Yourself a Safe Vehicle at Our Car Dealership in Lanham, MD Most of today's new cars have invaluable security and driver-assist features to help keep you safe. Visit DARCARS Lanham Kia and check out our inventory of safety-enhanced autos. Explore new Kia models and used cars for sale.

Aug 08, 2020 in Lanham Kia Dealer

How Many Miles Does A Kia Soul Last

The 2020 Kia Soul has a lot of good qualities. High safety and reliability ratings, lots of space, a nice interior, and user-friendly technology all make it one of the most popular cars on the market. But how long will it last? We will answer this and several more of the tops consumer questions about the new Kia Soul. Six Top Questions Answered 1. How Many Miles Does a 2020 Kia Soul Last? A Kia Soul, like many other cars on the market, will have a lifespan of around 200,000 miles. Some consumers have reported their Kia Soul lasting 250,000-270,000 miles. more 2. What Engine Comes Standard? The standard engine in a Kia Soul is now a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, delivering 147 horsepower to the front wheels. It is available with either six-speed manual or automatic transmission and provides more than enough power for everyday use. 3. Is There Enough Cargo Space? While the 2020 model has not updated the proportions of the interior that much, the new trunk has 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space and that's with the seatbacks in place. There are also convenient cubbies in the dashboard as well as extra space in the door panels. That's a 25% increase from the previous Kia Soul. 4. What Features Are Available? The new model offers a long list of safety features. This includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The 7-inch touchscreen comes standard, and a 10.25-inch screen comes standard on the EX and GT-line turbo models. The menu screens are clear to understand and easy to navigate. Also, if you were worried about the new model not having a light show, don't be! The 2020 Soul still has the fun, adjustable light show that pulses along to the beat of the music being played. Also available is a 640 watt, 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system if you're interested in adding some heavy bass to the dance party. 5. Does It Get Good Gas Mileage? The short answer is yes. You don't need the electric model to feel good about your gas mileage. The Kia Soul boasts a stout 27 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway, and 30 MPG combined. The turbo variant delivers great numbers as well, coming in at 27 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on the highway, and 29 MPG combined. 6. How Many People Does the Soul Seat? This Kia seats five people. The seats are comfortable and provide a good level of support. There Is plenty of head and legroom regardless of where you're seated, and the driver can enjoy a commanding view of the road thanks to the high seating position in the Kia Soul. It also comes with two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the rear outboard seats, as well as an upper tether on the rear middle seat. This set up received the second-highest rating for ease of use from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Once you've taken in all of this information and made the decision that a new Kia Soul is right for you, you'll need to find a place to purchase it. Head into DARCARS Lanham Kia to find the model that is best for you.

Nov 08, 2024 in Kia Accessories Lanham, MD

Personalizing Your Kia Car with Accessories

When you buy a Kia vehicle, you have the option of adding accessories that can customize the performance capabilities of your vehicle. From adding additional cargo space to enhancing your ride, genuine Kia accessories can help make it more fun behind the wheel of your Kia. How Can I Customize My Kia Model? For Kia electric vehicles, some of the most popular performance accessories are Level 2 Home Chargers. For instance, the EV6 is compatible with the ChargePoint Home Flex EV chargers, which makes it easy to charge your EV at home. more Roof Accessories For a model like the 2024 Seltos, you can keep up with your active lifestyle with a roof bike attachment. This roof-mounted accessory lets you carry your bike upright on the top of your SUV. You can install cargo box attachments or cargo roof baskets if you want to increase the carrying capacity of your SUV without losing your interior cargo space. Some roof accessories may even be able to accommodate luggage, a kayak, or snowboards. Exterior Accessories If you want to make it easier to get into taller SUVs like the 2024 Sportage, then side steps might be a great idea. Side steps work well for shorter drivers and passengers who need a lower entry point for larger vehicles. Another popular one is a tow hitch, which can either be used as a base for a tow-hitch accessory like a bike carrier or towing equipment for hauling boats and campers. For models that are designed to travel off-road, like the 2024 Telluride, a skid plate might be a helpful accessory. Skid plates offer a layer of protection from road debris that could harm the undercarriage, which can help prevent damage to the engine, transmission, and fuel tank. Splash guards are also popular, as they can help protect your vehicle from damage. What Is the Best Way to Install Kia Accessories in Lanham, MD? Accessories that are mounted on your car, like roof or bike racks, should be installed at your local Kia dealership. Dealer installation can help make sure it is mounted correctly on your vehicle for optimal stability and security, and will also ensure that your Kia is not damaged by incorrect installation. In some cases, installing your accessories at your dealership can help maintain your warranty. Key accessories for Kia vehicles can range from at-home chargers for electrified models to skid plates that help protect off-road vehicles from certain types of damage. If you aren't sure how you want to customize your Kia, get in touch with DARCARS Kia of Lanham.