Get Your Kia Ready for Tallahassee’s Toughest Season
June through September in Tallahassee is the most demanding period of the year for your vehicle. Florida’s rainy season brings daily afternoon downpours that test your brakes, tires, and wiper blades on every drive. Summer temperatures consistently exceed 90°F — sometimes pushing past 100°F with heat index — which accelerates battery degradation, stresses your A/C compressor, and increases tire pressure volatility.
Werner Kia’s certified service team at 2755 W. Tennessee Street is ready to get your Kia through the summer in peak condition. Our factory-trained technicians know exactly what Florida’s heat and humidity demand from your vehicle — and what to look for before the rainy season peaks.
A/C System Inspection — Tallahassee Summer Priority
Tallahassee summers are not optional when it comes to A/C performance. A failing or underperforming air conditioning system in North Florida’s July heat is a safety issue, not just a comfort one. Werner Kia’s service team inspects your Kia’s refrigerant levels, compressor performance, cabin air filter, and blower motor to ensure your system is ready for months of continuous use.
If your A/C isn’t cooling as quickly as it should, makes unusual noises when engaging, or smells musty when first turned on — those are signs it needs attention before the heat peaks.
Brakes — Critical for Florida’s Rainy Season Driving
Tallahassee’s daily summer rainstorms make braking performance critical. Wet roads, standing water on Tennessee Street and Apalachee Parkway, and sudden traffic stops all stress brake components harder than dry-weather driving. If your Kia is pulling when braking, making grinding or squealing sounds, or if your brake pedal feels less responsive than usual — bring it in before the rainy season peaks.
When Will You Know It’s Time for Brakes?
Brake pads typically wear gradually, so for some, it may be difficult to readily notice a decline in performance. Below are some common signs you should look out for, as they can signal that your brake system needs repair/replacement.
Click the link to watch an informative video on common sources of excessive wear to your brakes and what you can do to prevent your braking system from wearing down too much.
High-pitched squeal:
Many brake pads have a “wear indicator” that emits an audible warning when time for a replacement.
Grinding noise:
Metal-on-metal noise can be caused by the backing plate grinding against rotors, due to worn brake pads.
Brake Pad Thickness:
Generally, if pads are less than 2-3mm thick, they likely need to be replaced. And if less than 4-5mm, they are nearing replacement.
Pulling:
If your car feels like it pulls to one side when braking, this can be caused by brake pads wearing unevenly, dirty brake fluid, a collapsed brake hose, or a stuck caliper.
Vibration/Pulsation:
If your brake pedal feels like it’s vibrating or pulsing when braking, this can be caused by unevenly worn rotors.
Pedal Responsiveness:
If your brake pedal is not as responsive as it once was, or it feels soft/mushy, this may signal a problem in the brake fluid system.
Werner Kia understands there is nothing more important than your safety.
For peace of mind, visit our dealership for a brake inspection by our factory-trained Kia technicians.
Battery — Heat Is the Bigger Enemy Than Cold in Tallahassee
While battery problems are often associated with cold weather, heat is actually the primary cause of battery failure in Florida. Tallahassee’s summer temperatures — sustained over weeks and months — accelerate the chemical degradation inside your battery. Werner Kia recommends a battery inspection every six months, and summer is the right time if you haven’t had one recently.
What Should You Expect from Your Battery?
Most batteries go for thousands of miles without service. However, everyday driving conditions — such as climate and driving habits — can affect the life of your battery. If you still have your original battery or feel a sluggish start from time to time, it may be a good idea to come in for battery inspection and testing.
Factors that can shorten your battery’s life are:
Severe Temperatures:
Your battery should be inspected every six months, and in areas of high heat/cold, this becomes even more imperative.
Lights are left on:
Even if your vehicle starts, the battery may have lost a lot of its reserve power.
Corrosion or Leakage:
This is likely a sign that your battery is not operating at 100%.
When it’s time for a new battery, choose a Genuine Kia Battery.
Our batteries meet rigorous specifications for quality, long life and dependability. Here are some features you can expect with every Kia Genuine Battery:
Tires — Pressure, Tread, and Florida Roads
Florida’s summer heat causes tire pressure to spike — approximately 1 PSI for every 10°F increase in temperature. Overinflated tires reduce traction on wet roads and wear unevenly. Combined with Tallahassee’s summer downpours, proper tire inflation and adequate tread depth are the most important safety factors on your vehicle heading into rainy season.
When Will You Know It’s Time for New Tires?
All tires eventually need to be replaced. We’ll let you know when you need new ones. If you’re thinking of going to a big box store for your tire needs, you may want to think again. At Werner Kia our Kia experts help make your tire replacement easy, convenient, cost-effective, and specific to your needs.
- We will have the right tires for your Kia model
- Our tire prices are competitive
- Your tires will be expertly installed by factory-trained technicians
- We stock high quality, name brand tires including: Hankook, Kumho, Goodyear, Nexen, Michelin, Dunlop, Yokohama, and more
- All eligible tires come with 24-month road hazard coverage
- Our dealership is a convenient one-stop shop for all of your vehicle’s needs
New tires also help you stop sooner on wet roads!
A professional driver took nearly 10 car lengths longer to stop on worn tires than he did on new tires.
While your stopping distance may vary, newer tires can help you stop sooner.
New tires also help you stop sooner on wet roads!
A professional driver took nearly 10 car lengths longer to stop on worn tires than he did on new tires.
While your stopping distance may vary, newer tires can help you stop sooner.
Wiper Blades — The Most Important Summer Maintenance Item
In Tallahassee, wiper blades are not optional. Florida’s rainy season brings violent afternoon thunderstorms with visibility-reducing rainfall on a near-daily basis. If your wiper blades are streaking, chattering, or leaving dry patches — replace them before the season starts. Worn wiper blades in a Florida summer rainstorm are a genuine visibility hazard.
When Will You Know It’s Time for New Wipers?
You’ll know it’s time to replace your wiper blades when you see these signs of wear:
- Cracked, split, torn, brittle, worn
- Chatter, streak, or fail to wipe cleanly
- Wiper blades tend to wear evenly, so even if only one blade appears worn, the other isn’t far behind. You should replace both wiper blades at the same time.
Schedule Service at Werner Kia | Service & Parts Specials | Oil Changes | Tire Center
Schedule Your Summer Service Appointment → | Call Werner Kia Service: (855) 791-3079
Service recommendations based on general maintenance guidelines and typical Florida driving conditions. Actual service needs vary by vehicle age, mileage, and condition. Limitations may apply — speak with a Werner Kia Service Consultant for details specific to your vehicle. Werner Kia uses genuine Kia OEM parts; using non-OEM parts may affect warranty coverage.
