Please share ways/actions to extend longevity of Stinger

[Namuna]

Hi Folks,

This is my first ever turb-charged car, as well as the most I've spent on a car. I also typically buy instead of lease because I keep what I get for a long time. I had my precious car for 5yrs and I'd still be using it now if it hadn't been totaled due to a flash flood. I'd love to have this car for many many years and especially for it run well and be reliable.

One of the things I've heard about for turbocharged cars is to warm the engine a few minutes when you first start it before driving (due to best results when the oil is at optimal temps, as well as burning off any moisture while it was sitting cool in the oil-pan). Also let the car idle a minute or 2 before turning it off after driving, to let the turbo cool down appropriately.

Does that still hold true for the Stinger? And what other things, in general or specific to the Stinger, are good to do for longevity?

Thanks.

 

[MerlintheMad]

We are alike. This is not only my first turbo, it is also my first brand new car. I keep my vehicles. And I pay to maintain them as if I am keeping them "for life".

If you weren't engaging the turbos for the last of your drive, then they won't be hot. Warming up only involves a half minute or so while you get settled and select your options, etc. Roll out of the driveway. Motor onto the street sedately. As soon as you see the engine temperature needle climbing then it is safe to drop into "spirited driving" mode. Somewhere in the manual it says that warming up for minutes is not required; but rather, what I just described (I don't want to go look it up just now).

Everything I do is toward preserving and babying my Stinger. Even when I punch it, this is a calculated decision based on the situation. I don't do like the Cayman driver I saw yesterday afternoon: blipping the throttle to make the engine scream (would have to put it in neutral to do that in a Stinger anyway ), while chewing on the bumper of a slower car in front, swerving out and screaming past and onto the bumper of the next car in line. I drive well, with economy in mind, But also having fun; brisk acceleration followed by 30 to 50 avg mpg coasts; conserving my "superpowers" that the Stinger gives to me. Etc.

That's the driving habits part.

The maintenance part means never skipping maintenance or even delaying it. I fully intend to keep the maintenance logbook up to date. And I am ultra conscious of oil changes and tire pressures. And every little noise and vibration that is part of the normal operation: I monitor this continually, so that the first indicator of a change will be checked out if it repeats, or gets more pronounced, or indicates in any way that something is starting to go south. Etc.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Follow the maintenance guide and definitely dont miss any oil change intervals.

Always use 91 octane fuel.

Its not a bad idea to have the car spray undercoated to protect against corrosion if you live in a state they use road salt or live near the ocean.

The manual only recommends something like 20-30secs at startup before driving so no worries about prolonged idling.

Ensure to follow the proper break-in period as outlined in the manual.

Don't drive the car hard until it has reached operating temperature.

Thats all I've got.

 

[moinmoin]

• Read and understand the owner's manual
• Follow maintenance schedule religiously
• Change oil rather more than less
• Don't cheap out on consumables (oil, coolant, AT fluid etc)
• If something needs to be looked after, do it sooner than later.
• Keep her clean.
• Get her rustproofed (Krown or RustCheck in Canada)
• Make an effort to find a good mechanic.
• Don't race her unnecessarily.

 

[Waynerm002]

Yup, pretty much what’s said here. Just peruse the owners manual to see what is recommended by KIA and follow it. You’ll be fine doing that.

 

[Bonzai]

I normally watch the oil temp meter before any real driving (5 mins or so). Also I've got in the habit of not using the breaks (by going into neutral) at a stop when I've been heavy on be breaks. Discs/rotors seem easy to warp.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Discs/rotors seem easy to warp.

This should be addressed. Unless the rotor comes already "warped" because of a defect, there is virtually no chance of anything we do being capable of warping them. It would take something like 1500F degrees, red hot, which only happens in long races and is a rare enough occurrence even there. The rotors are fine. It's the brake pads: they can leave deposits on the surface of the rotors, creating the lumpy feel (btw, Brembos, as explained/warned in the manual, can be noisy, scritchy, scratchy, "rrrrr" sounding, and that is "normal operation"). We can swap out the OEM pads and make our Brembos into real racing brakes by putting in race spec brake pads. Of course, we can also put in race spec rotors, slotted and drilled, etc. Aside from looking very cool, they would turn our already excellent brakes (by far the best I have ever had) into even more impressive performers. And, no chance of warping, or being warped in the first place.

 

[Bonzai]

I wondered if it was the pads, will be a lot less paranoid thank you!

Heard that some markets get less aggressive pads, anyone know if Canada gets the Euro spec? Not that I'm bothered too much, no track racing for me.

 

[Ruturaj]

Pretty much what everyone said plus this

Install oil catch can.
Use good oil that reduces carbon build-up for GDI engines.
Use Intake Valve & Turbo Cleaner every 5-10K miles.

One thing against suggestions here and manual,
I think (I don't own the car yet but had a look at the pdf manual) under normal maintenance schedule the Manual says Transmission fluid, differential fluid, and transfer fluid changes are not required, I would still do it every 60K miles.

 

[SilverNitr8]

These are just some things I follow and it has always worked for me.

1. Dont let anyone drive your car. Not even the wife.
2. Learn how to properly wash your car and use the proper tools so you dont scratch the paint and keep it shiny.
3. Do some of the maintenance yourself and keep up with them. Oil changes, filter replacements are easy to do. At least you know they are done properly and cleanly.
4. Keep your interior clean, just as much as you clean the exterior. Set some rules regarding eating inside the car.
5. Park as far away as possible and learn how to properly use your mirrors to avoid scratching and hitting something.
6. Clean your car regularly so you can check for damages and can take corrective actions.

I hope that helps.

 

[rocket23]

This should be addressed. Unless the rotor comes already "warped" because of a defect, there is virtually no chance of anything we do being capable of warping them. It would take something like 1500F degrees, red hot, which only happens in long races and is a rare enough occurrence even there. The rotors are fine. It's the brake pads: they can leave deposits on the surface of the rotors, creating the lumpy feel (btw, Brembos, as explained/warned in the manual, can be noisy, scritchy, scratchy, "rrrrr" sounding, and that is "normal operation"). We can swap out the OEM pads and make our Brembos into real racing brakes by putting in race spec brake pads. Of course, we can also put in race spec rotors, slotted and drilled, etc. Aside from looking very cool, they would turn our already excellent brakes (by far the best I have ever had) into even more impressive performers. And, no chance of warping, or being warped in the first place.

I'm not being a wise ass here, but good luck finding a set of matching rotors with ceramic pads....I came up empty and believe me when I say I want to upgrade in the worst way.

 

[SilverNitr8]

If you guys read the car and driver article about kia brakes, they mentioned a 700 track brake upgrade that can be purchased at the dealership.

 

[Soca Boy]

For me m, I plan to follow the maintenance schedule, that’s half the battle.
-Under coating done(Canadian winters and salt)
-Nano coating done to help the paint
-V-Power gas
-I let it run for a bit before driving off(easy with the UVO app)
-Windows coated
-3M
-Car washes, cray bar and buffing

Most likely I’ll park her for the winter.

 

[Namuna]

...-I let it run for a bit before driving off(easy with the UVO app)...

Using the UVO app? How's that?

 

[Overcast451]

Saturday I armor-alled the interior and I always do the door seals as well - both of them on all 4 doors. Put a nice coat on them - enough to coat them well. I learned that trick from one of those "'ol car dudes" - it can only help. Don't know how many older cars I've seen with worn seals. I also put leather protector on all of the seats, paying extra attention to the 'contact' areas on the corners, etc.

I also got some after-market rubber floor mats. Found a set at Wal-Mart for $22.00 (Goodyear) that you can trim to size. This will help prolong the life of your stock floor mats. When I traded in my Mustang for this Stinger - the floor mats still looked brand new. They are very visible items; plus it gives two layers of protection for the actual carpet. They actually look nice in the Stinger! That kind of surprised me, but the black/grey look fits well. Can always pull them out if I want to really 'impress'

I can't post a link yet - but here's the number: Walmart # 551749090
They were cheap and seem solid - they are heavy enough so that they don't move around while getting in and out of the car.


With it being a turbo, I suspect the manual requires 100% Synthetic Oil? I haven't looked - but it won't matter - I'm only going to use 100% Synthetic anyway. Have been doing that for a while now. It costs more, but you get what you pay for.

I also plan on changing the plugs around 35K miles. Turbos will eat them faster due to the heat, etc.

And I concur with the above - investigate the proper washing techniques to avoid micro-abrasions on the paint. Typically you'll wash with one bucket and rinse with another, changing the rinse water fairly frequently. Don't cheap out and use dish detergent, it'll strip the wax. Auto soap is cheaper by the volume anyway. Lot of good videos on youTube. Don't forget to wax.. it should be good weather for it now. That'll be what I'm doing next weekend.

 

[Soca Boy]

Using the UVO app? How's that?

It’s a app on the phone that lets us Canadians start/lock,unlock/find our cars/see the car health/service reminder/roadside assistance. Don’t know why it’s not in the USA for the Stinger.

 

[Metalmania82]

Unfortunately, we don't have engine oil temp gauges so you basically have to figure it out yourself. Coolant reaches operating temp within minutes, oil takes longer.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Oh, an obvious (so far unmentioned) preservation habit is to put a good windshield screen up on hot or otherwise sunny days. Tinting is fine (but problematic in many places where tinting can get you cited with expensive fines). But totally blocking out direct sunlight will prolong the life of the interior greatly (not forgetting to mention that when you get in after your car has been sitting bombarded by rays for hours, it will be a lot less hot inside). I saw somewhere on here that Weathertech puts out sun screens for all the windows, if you want to get really OC about this.

 

[Metalmania82]

I would recommend staying away from Armor All products.

 

[rocket23]

I seen many a cracked dash , back in the day ,vinyl seats as well.....but I never bought a sunshade either I admit they are worth it, but I park in th shade or crack the windows reg