Kia Spectra Parts & Accessories

Your Kia Spectra may be small but don't underestimate power and the comfort it provides while you're driving around town. However, if you don't know how to take care of your Spectra, don't expect it to stay with you for a very long time. If you don't want that to happen, here are some car care tips for your Kia Spectra.

• Get an engine tune up

The engine serves as the heart of your Kia Spectra. Without it, your car will not function at all. This is the reason why it is very important to keep the engine properly maintained. Proper engine maintenance includes checking of the motor oil. Make sure that it is always at the right level. Because of the engine's operating condition, the motor oil becomes dirty and viscous, so it is best to have it changed at the recommended replacement interval stated in the user's manual. Remember not to put too much oil, as it can damage the gaskets and seals of the engine as well as cause the oil to leak. When you replace the motor oil, make sure to replace the oil filter as well.

• Check the radiators for any sign of damage

Your Kia Spectra's engine needs the cooling system to keep it from overheating. This is why you need to check the cooling system regularly. Check the radiator if it is corroded and has holes. Also check the hoses if they are still in excellent working condition and if they are still connected tightly. You don't want the coolant to seep out of the radiator and the hoses and cause damage to the other parts of the engine.

• Keep the car's fluid level in check.

Your Kia Spectra needs various car fluids to keep it working smoothly. Aside from the motor oil, there is also the coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and the power steering fluid. The motor oil keeps the engine lubricated to minimize friction between the engine parts. Without it, the entire engine will fail. The coolant, as its name suggests, keeps the engine cool and prevents it from overheating. The brake fluid is needed to amplify the stopping power of the vehicle. The transmission fluid is needed to create hydraulic pressure in the transmission. Lastly, the power steering fluid is needed to easily turn the steering wheel. Because these fluids are very important, they should be replaced regularly.

• Don't neglect the battery

Your Kia Spectra needs the car battery—from starting it to lighting the roads ahead to charging your gadgets in your car. So don't forget about it. Always have it charged annually at the very least. Car batteries usually last for 3-5 years depending on how you use your vehicle and the driving condition it is in. batteries last longer in cooler places than in hotter ones. Make sure that the battery ports are always clean. Accumulated dirt on the battery ports may prevent electrical charges from passing through it. Also make sure that the cables are tightly connected.

Car companies today flourish in the compact car market as they strive to meet the demand on affordable, fuel-efficient cars. Kia is no exception. This Korean car manufacturer, whose name means “rising up out of Asia,” has truly made a name for itself in the global automobile market. And although it did not quite become a hit, the Kia Spectra still undeniably made its mark in the automobile industry.

The Kia Spectra was launched in 2000 as a four-door hatchback. It came out as a sporty match for the then-strider Sephia sedan. And since they share the same powerhouse, a 124 hp, 1.8 L four-cylinder engine, Kia dropped the name Sephia in 2002 and started calling the sedan “Spectra” as well.

The hatchback initially came in two trim levels, the base GS and the GSX. The GS featured a little something more than the basics as standard—a CD player and an adjustable driver seat. In 2004, they added the air conditioner in that list. The GSX, on the other hand, had standard air conditioner, power windows and locks, a tilt steering wheel, and a few body modifications to give it a sporty look. Conversely, the Spectra sedan, following its launch in 2002, immediately carried over the full trims of the Sephia.

The first generation Spectra pleased critics and reviewers at the time with its good handling and more so with its impressive Lotus-tuned suspension. Although it couldn’t effectively compete much with its contemporaries with regard to engine power, speed, and braking performance, it was more than able to make up for it through a roomy interior and a smooth ride. Of course, speed did not matter much when it comes to city driving, which was largely its market.

The second generation Kia Spectra saw many good improvements from the previous generation. Still offered in hatchback and sedan, the Sephia is endowed with a 138 hp, 2 L four-cylinder engine. This engine upgrade provided the Sephia with a more spirited performance. It came in a standard five-speed manual and an optional four-speed automatic. It also came in three trim levels: LX, EX, and SX. All the trims each had their share of upgrades such as better interior and exterior, keyless entry, firmer suspension tuning, and bigger wheels and tires. Safety features, such as standard seat-mounted and curtain airbags, and four-wheel disc brakes, were also included.

The 2004 hatchback model used the name Spectra5 when the model year was introduced. But this is actually the first generation of another one of Kia’s line of compact cars, the Kia Cerato. It was offered in a variety of gasoline and diesel engines, offering more choices to the market.

Although the list of improvements may be lengthy, the Spectra was discontinued in 2009 to make way for the Kia Forte, which became one of the car company’s main entries in the compact car category.