5 Signs Your Kia Needs a Brake Repair

December 05, 2024 · 3 min read

Picture this: you're enjoying a nice quiet ride, and then you gently step on the brakes to come to a stop in traffic. Suddenly, you hear a strange squealing noise, which you've never heard before. This is just one of many signs telling you that you need a brake repair from your Kia dealership. Learning the other signs indicating your brakes are in disrepair will help you get to the dealer as soon as the brakes need service.

5 Signs You Need a Brake Repair from Your Kia Dealership

1. You Hear Unusual Squealing Noises

The noises you might hear when you're driving along and hit the brakes will usually be a squealing or screeching sound. This sound occurs when your brake pads have worn down to the point that the metal brake pad wear indicator has become exposed and is scratching against your rotors. This is a pretty easy fix. When you get to the dealer, we'll install new brake pads, and that may be the only service your brakes need during the visit.

2. You Hear Grinding Noises

You step on the brake pedal, and as you do, your car makes a grinding sound. This happens when you need new brake pads but the brake pads are very worn down. They're significantly more worn down than when they were just making squealing sounds, and now they're scratching your rotors, making their surface uneven. The rotors may need to be turned or replaced at this point.

3. You Notice Your Vehicle Pulling

As you stop, you engage the brake pedal as usual but find your car pulling to one side. This is often a sign that there's something wrong with your brakes. It could be a simple issue, such as foreign matter contaminating your brake fluid. It could also be something more serious, such as unevenly worn brake linings or a jammed caliper piston.

4. You Feel No Resistance When Braking

You put your foot on the brake pedal and feel it sink right to the floor with no resistance. This can be a sign that there's a leak somewhere in the braking system. It might be an air leak, so you won't notice any brake fluid leaking out if this is the issue. However, it could also be a brake fluid leak, which is usually accompanied by a puddle of brake fluid forming under your car while it's parked.

5. You Feel Feedback When You Brake

You're driving normally and step on the brake pedal to gently stop in traffic. When you do, the brake pedal starts vibrating. This is very unusual; the pedal should only vibrate or pulsate during emergency stops when your anti-lock brakes engage. Vibration during regular braking may be a sign that your rotors are warped.

Come to Team Kia in Johnstown, PA any time you need to get your brakes fixed. Our service hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday to Friday.

Apr 17, 2025

Explore Efficiency with the 2025 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

Blending a gas engine with an electric motor, the 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid is perfect for drivers seeking the best of both worlds. This efficient system delivers impressive capability, while the comfortable interior comes with a wealth of smart tech features that will transform each journey into an unforgettable experience. 2025 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid Performance Designed with urban mobility in mind, the new Kia Niro PHEV boasts an efficient powertrain that pairs a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine with a full-parallel electric motor for a combined net output of 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This system delivers spirited driving dynamics on asphalt, while the front-wheel drive system paired with standard 16-inch wheels provides great traction on dry and wet surfaces alike. Driven in hybrid mode, this stylish crossover boasts fuel economy ratings of 108 MPGe combined. Used on its own, the gas engine provides 104 horsepower and 106 lb-ft of torque, while the 83-hp electric motor offers 150 lb-ft of torque and 33 miles of all-electric range. A six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard, providing sporty driving dynamics. more Comfort and Convenience Whether you have to face long commutes to work or weekends on the road, the 2025 Kia Niro PHEV will keep everyone in the car comfortable. A 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two-way lumbar support makes it easy to adjust comfort. The front passenger gets a six-way manually adjustable seat, and both of you will enjoy heated seats for enhanced cold-weather comfort. Heated rear seats are optional, while ventilated front seats and driver's seat integrated memory are standard on the upper trim. To keep the temperature comfortable inside the cabin, this model also comes with solar control glass, while a heated windshield and heated rear defroster bring cold-weather convenience. The Niro PHEV also comes standard with SynTex seating surfaces and colored ambient lighting, giving a cool look to the cabin. Cutting-Edge Technologies As expected from a modern Kia, the new Niro PHEV boasts a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrument cluster. The Kia Connect mobile app integrates with your compatible smartphone, bringing Kia's latest connected car technologies to the palm of your hand. The app includes remote vehicle access and maintenance alerts, among others. Standard voice recognition and Bluetooth connectivity enable hands-free calls and audio streaming. Kia also equips this model with a wealth of driver assistance technologies, boosting your confidence on the road. Versatile in all the ways that matter, fun to drive, and affordable, the 2025 Kia Niro PHEV is a compact crossover you have to try for yourself. To explore all its features, schedule a test drive today at Team Kia in Johnstown, PA. Our team will be here to answer any questions you may have.

Mar 27, 2025

4 Versatile Features of the 2025 Kia Carnival

Combining class-leading passenger and cargo space with a rugged new look, the 2025 Kia Carnival is a great choice for busy families. It comes with impressive features that keep you connected and safe, plus a warranty that protects your powertrain for years to come. 4 Versatile Features of the 2025 Kia Carnival 1. Spacious and Comfortable Cabin With the Carnival's five available trim levels, you can choose a configuration that's perfect for your family, like seating for seven or eight. When you choose an eight-passenger model with a second-row bench, Slide-Flex seating allows the middle seat to be moved forward and back, so you can take care of a child without leaving your own seat. Every Carnival also comes standard with tri-zone auto climate control, with separate temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers. Whether you need to carry groceries, luggage, or gear, the Carnival's spacious cargo area can accommodate it with its 40.2 cubic feet of storage. When the day's tasks require even more space, you can fold down the 60/40 split third-row seats and remove the second-row seats to create best-in-class cargo space of 145.1 cubic feet. more 2. Safe Exit Assist The Carnival comes standard with an impressive list of driver assistance technologies to help you avoid danger on the road. With features like Safe Exit Assist, the Carnival continues to look out for your family's safety even after you've shut off the engine. This system monitors the road to detect vehicles that may be approaching from behind. If a vehicle is detected, Safe Exit Assist issues a warning so you can exit only after it's safe to do so. 3. Kia Connect Because life can get busy, the Carnival makes everyday tasks a little easier with a complimentary subscription to Kia Connect. This service lets you use your smartphone and the Kia Access app to check your vehicle's status and perform remote commands like remote start without returning to your car. It also keeps your infotainment system updated with Over-the-Air updates and navigation with real-time traffic data. With its 911 Connect, it can even send help automatically if an airbag deploys. 4. Infotainment Touchscreen Display A large, 12.3-inch touchscreen display clearly displays important information from audio settings to driving directions, so you can find the information you need quickly. To interact with your smartphone's apps or stream music, you can easily connect it using built-in wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. EX and higher trim levels also include Passenger View and Passenger Talk, which enable you to speak to and see rear-seat passengers using the audio system and infotainment display. Do you want to learn more about the Carnival's family-friendly features? Get in touch with our sales department at Team Kia in Johnstown, PA, to get answers to your questions and schedule your test drive.

Mar 13, 2025

6 Advanced Safety Features in the 2025 Kia Lineup

All the 2025 Kia vehicles at our Kia dealership are packed with smart driver assistance tech that watches the road and warns you about potential hazards. From Your Kia Dealership: 6 Advanced Safety Features in the 2025 Kia Lineup 1. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist Kia's Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist uses sensors and cameras to scan the road ahead for potential hazards. If the car ahead suddenly slows down or stops, and you're approaching too fast, this feature will alert you to hit the brakes. If you don't, it will automatically apply the brakes to prevent a crash. In most models, this tech also watches for cyclists and pedestrians on the road, as well as oncoming vehicles when turning at an intersection. more 2. Blind Spot Monitoring Systems Blind Spot Collision Warning watches your blind spot as you change lanes on the highway. If you indicate a lane change while there's a vehicle in your blind spot, you will get an alert warning you that it's not yet safe to cross over. If you've already started to switch lanes, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist can apply the brakes on one side. This helps you return to your lane safely and avoid a collision. 3. Lane Departure Warning Lane Departure Warning uses cameras to detect lane markings on the road. If you start to drift out of your lane without signaling, it sends out a warning so you can steer back into your lane. This feature comes in handy at night or when road conditions aren't great. It also helps you focus back on the road if you get a little distracted and start to drift. 4. Lane Keeping and Following Assist Kia's Lane Keeping Assist works alongside Lane Departure Warning to prevent a collision. It gently nudges the steering wheel to direct you back into your lane once you start drifting. If you struggle to stay centered in the lane while driving, you will love the Lane Following Assist feature on the 2025 Kia models. It monitors the lane markings and makes small steering adjustments to keep you centered. 5. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist When backing out of a parking spot or driveway, Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance-Assist has your back. It scans the road for vehicles approaching from either side and alerts you to hit the brakes to avoid a collision. The system can even automatically apply the brakes if you don't react in time. 6. Front and Rear Park Distance Warning Parking in tight spots is a breeze, thanks to Kia's Park Distance Warning. Ultrasonic sensors detect objects behind or in front of your vehicle. If you get too close to something, like a wall or another car, the system beeps to warn you. Would you like to see these safety technologies in action? Swing by Team Kia in Johnstown, PA, and test-drive your favorite 2025 Kia models.