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The weather isn't always sunny and warm along the Jersey Shore. Some days you won't be able to go to the beach with your family and you'll have to find some indoor family activities in the Toms River area. Luckily, we found a few to keep the kids entertained and you from pulling your hair out! Indoor Family Activities As a family business, we understand the importance of spending time with your family. Sometimes it's easy to plan things to do, especially when the sun's shining on the shore! But when the clouds come in and water starts to fall from the sky, you have no choice but to move the fun indoors (unless you're looking to play in the rain). We asked our team what kind of things they enjoy doing with their families on rainy days (or days it's just too hot to go outside). Here are some of the activities they said... 8 Local Indoor Family Activities Popcorn and a Movie Gloomy, wet days are perfect days to make a batch of popcorn and throw on a movie! Spice it up with a cool popcorn topping. Try out a cinnamon sugar popcorn: drizzle with 4 tablespoons of butter then toss in ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon salt. Delicious! Visit a Ceramic Studio Feeling artsy? Express yourself at a ceramics/pottery class! Create a fun memory with your son or daughter and bring home your creations after. The price tag is well worth it. There are a few local places that are available for walk-ins: Van Go Pottery Painting and Color Me Mine! Puzzle / Games There's nothing like bonding over a new Puzzle or Board Game! Swing by Walmart or Target and choose from a wide variety of jigsaw puzzles and classic board games. A little rain, some good music, and a fresh puzzle/game will pass the time. Some great classics everyone can enjoy are Clue, Sorry!, Apples to Apples and much more. Bowling Bumpers up! A nice family bowling session is always a blast. Play a game or two at Playdrome Bowling & Rec Center! They have Glow Bowling on the weekends and great Sunday specials. Rock Climb! Next, burn off some energy rock climbing. A town over is an awesome climbing gym, Gravity Vault, with kids' classes and adult classes. Put your families' muscles to work while having a great time! Cook something Fun! Food is the secret to a person's heart! Lookup a fun recipe you can whip up with the whole family. Put together a fully loaded homemade pizza or check out one of these bright recipes on Tasty! Check out the Bug Museum Another great and educational stop for a rainy day is Insectropolis! This unique and fun museum in a perfect indoor family activity that involves holding some creepy crawlers, special bug shows, and interactive exhibits. Visit the Aquarium Finally, just keep swimming! A short drive away, you and your family can visit the fish at Jenkinson's Aquarium located on the Point Pleasant boardwalk. It's filled with cool exhibits, a touch tank, and workshops for all ages. Learn about marine life and conservation in this great family time activity.   With so many great options, you'll be wishing for more rainy days! Enjoy!

Driving a Kia is more than just driving. It's Eco Driving. It's Sport Driving. It's Smart Driving. The Kia Driving Modes are tailored for different styles so you enjoy every second whether you want an extra boost of acceleration in Sport Mode or to save some fuel in Eco mode. Let's take a look at each of the Kia Driving Modes and Which Models have them. In the newer Kia models, you'll find different combinations of drive mode options for optimum usability and custom driving. But some of the more luxurious models have additional modes such as Smart, Custom, or Snow. Knowing which does what and when to use them will assist in your commute, alternate terrains, and to maximize comfort. "Driving modes, or Drive Mode Select (DMS), proactively controls parts of the engine, transmission, and air conditioning system to suit your driving style." Though the configurations differ per model, they are standard on every trim level of a model. For example, the Kia Optima has Normal, Sport, Eco, and Comfort on every trim level from the LX to the SX. So whether, you opt for the EX or the LX, the awesome driving modes are there! But what can you expect from each Kia Driving Mode? Let's take a diving into the details: Eco Sport Comfort Smart Custom Snow Kia Driving Modes ECO Mode The Kia driving mode ECO increases fuel efficiency. Each model slightly differs but essentially your a can expect increase MPG from the transmission shifting gears to a lower RPM, a different throttle response, and in some models, even shutting off the engine when in complete stop like in the Kia Telluride. These several factors are paired together to reduce fuel use and save you money. This is a great mode for everyday and urban driving! ECO mode is the most common apart from SPORT mode. You'll find ECO mode in the new Seltos, Sportage, Sorento, Stinger, Telluride, and Optima for an extra fuel efficiency advantage. SPORT Mode Looking for an extra boost? Switch into SPORT mode. You feel an increased response on the throttle, a raised the transmission shift point, and tightened steering. At higher speeds, SPORT mode increases control and helps handling. It's the extra kick you're looking for in instances when you prefer power over fuel efficiency. SPORT Mode is found in: Seltos, Sportage, Optima, Sorento, Forte, Soul, Stinger, and Telluride! COMFORT Mode Shift into COMFORT mode for a smoother ride, perfect for city driving. The steering is lightened for easier, more exact turning. Your Kia will also have a smoother suspension and acceleration for a cushioned ride. Relax and enjoy the ride in Kia Driving Mode COMFORT found in the Forte, Optima, Stinger, and Telluride. SMART Mode Exclusively found in the Kia Stinger, SMART mode is an adaptive, advanced mode that switched between COMFORT, ECO, and SPORT to bring the passengers a SMART driving experience. The seamless switching optimizes for fuel efficiency, smooth riding, and a power boost. Your driving is partnered with this dynamic mode for the best driving according to road conditions and your personal driving style. CUSTOM Mode The Kia Driving Mode CUSTOM is exactly that. Exclusive to the Kia Stinger, create your own driving settings with customized suspension, steering, and throttle characteristics. Enjoy your tailored machine and harness the power and comfort you crave. SNOW Mode The Kia Telluride is enabled with SNOW mode! In icy conditions, traction control increases and power is distributed between the wheels for better grip and more control. The Telluride is an amazing vehicle for alternate terrains and with the bonus of it's driving modes, you have the perfect Kia driving modes for your lifestyle. In the Telluride, the Kia Drive Mode Select presents you with the options of ECO, SPORT, COMFORT, and SNOW! Kia Models and the Kia Driving Modes in Each Sportage - Normal, ECO or SPORT. Sorento - Normal, ECO or SPORT. Forte - Normal, SPORT, or COMFORT.  (Automatic ECO enabled) Optima - Normal, COMFORT, ECO, and SPORT. K5 - Normal, ECO, and Sport. Stinger - Normal, ECO, SPORT, COMFORT, SMART, or CUSTOM. Telluride - Normal, ECO, SPORT, COMFORT, and SNOW. Soul - Normal and SPORT. (Automatic ECO enabled) Seltos - Normal, ECO or SPORT. READ MORE: 2019 Kia Forte Gas Mileage: How far can you go?

Why are people crazy about the new 2019 Kia Forte? Not only is the Forte loaded with awesome tech features, but the Kia Forte gas mileage is quite impressive compared to its competition. Hop in and drive for hundreds of miles on a full tank. You won't be disappointed with a price tag like this. The Kia Forte has been stealing hearts since 2008 and is only getting better. The burst of style inspired by the Kia Stinger turns heads while remaining fuel efficient. It's a great sedan in the Kia lineup that is more compact and affordable than the Optima. Expect an impressive Kia Forte gas mileage of 31/41/35 MPG (City/Highway/Combined) in the automatic FE trim and 27/37/31 MPG for the manual. All the upper trims, you'll average 30/40/34 MPG! With a 14.0 gallon tank, the Forte will take you far without needing to stop at the pump. From New Jersey, you and your Forte could make it to Washington DC and back with fuel left over. Paired with the all these standard features, competitors don't stand a chance: 8-in Touch Screen Display Apple CarPlay™ Android Auto™ Bluetooth® Wireless Technology H ands-free smartphone integration Rear-camera display Check out the latest special for the new 2019 Kia Forte. Our team is here to help any questions you may have and get you into the perfect car for a great deal. Contact us today! READ MORE: How much space is inside the new Forte?

When the first Kia Soul was released, people lost their minds over the unique look and weird boxy shape. But it wasn't only the Soul's style that shot sales up for this Kia model. The iconic, award-winning Kia Soul hamsters danced their way into the hearts of drivers. With their impeccable music taste and hip dance moves, the Kia Hamsters became idols. Let's take a look through time at the Kia Soul Hamster commercials from their debut to now! *There are several versions of some commercials featuring different songs* View Kia Soul: Inventory - Specials 2010 Kia Soul Hamster Commercial Song: Goldfish - Fort Knox 2010 Superbowl Kia Soul Hamster Commercial Song: Black Sheep - The Choice is Yours 2011 Hamsterdance Kia Soul Hamster Commercial Song: The Boomtang Boys - Hamster Dance 2.0 2012 Kia Soul Hamster Commercial Song: LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRock View Kia Soul: Inventory - Specials 2013 Kia Soul Hamster Commercial Song: PSY - Gangnam Style 2014 Kia Soul Hamster Commercial Song: Lady Gaga - Applause 2015 Kia Soul EV Hamster Commercial Song: Maroon 5 -  Animals 2016 Kia Soul Hamster Commercial 'Hamsters: Share Some Soul' Feat. Nathaniel Rateliff 2017 Kia Soul Turbo Hamster Commercial Song: Motörhead - Ace of Spades 2020 Kia Soul Commercial - The New Species of Soul View Kia Soul: Inventory - Specials

Are you excited for Memorial Day weekend? Fill it up with some cool events going on in the Toms River area! Let's check out what to do this Memorial Day 2019 weekend: Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who gave their lives for our freedoms. This upcoming Monday, May 27th, 2019, there are some wonderful events happening in Ocean County to celebrate. Grab the family and head over to one of these! Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 27th @ 9am On Memorial Day Monday, the annual Toms River parade will begin at 9am! They will make their way down Highland Parkway. A special thanks to American Legion Post 348 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8867 for helping us celebrate this day of remembrance. This event is free and kid-friendly! American Legion Post 129 Memorial Day BBQ & Pig Roast Saturday, May 25th @ 1pm-5pm Enjoy some great food and drinks with American Legion Post 129 this Saturday! Check out this awesome event with live music, delicious food, and some good draft beer. We recommend buying tickets before the event to save some money. Adult tickets are $20 when purchased in advance and $25 at the door. For children under 12, tickets are $10. Your ticket includes beverage, food, and entry. Also, there will be a 50/50, raffles, and small auction. Check out the event and buy tickets here! Brick Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 27th @ 10am In a town over from Toms River, there will be another awesome Memorial Day Parade! You'll be able to watch along Chambers Bridge Road in Brick Township. Come out to help celebrate Memorial Day with the town. After the parade, there will be a ceremony hosted at the Municipal Building. This is a free event and family friendly! READ MORE: BBQ Restaurants near Lakewood NJ These events near Toms River NJ will be a nice addition to your Memorial Day weekend 2019 plans! If you need a vehicle to take you to any of these, you can check out our online inventory to see what we have available and schedule a test drive with us at Matt Blatt Kia of Toms River. Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy your weekend!

Turning heads and leaving the competition in the dusk, the new 2019 Kia Stinger has your kind of price tag and all the features to go with it. Let’s open the door and slide into the 2019 Kia Stinger Interior! The Kia Stinger is not only a sedan sports car but also a hatchback, which means a spacious backseat and trunk. When you sit in the driver’s seat, it’s hard to believe the price you get it for. From innovative tech to smooth leather seats, the Kia Stinger interior is for those drivers who love the drive. Let's take a look at: Stinger General Specs Price Standard in all Trim Interiors Stinger Premium, GT1, and GT2 Interior Photos 2019 Kia Stinger Interior Stinger General Specs The all-new 2019 Kia Stinger powers passed its competition. Revving its robust engine. Flaunting its beautiful look. And boasting its affordable price tag. 5 trim levels are available, 2 engine types, and slightly differing Kia Stinger interiors. The 2.0L and 2.0L Premium hold a Twin Scroll Turbocharged 2.0 liter 4-Cylinder with 255 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Twin Turbocharged 3.3 liter V6 The GT trim levels (GT, GT1, and GT2) are equipped with a Twin Turbocharged 3.3 liter V6 for an extra punch! (365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque!) This powerful engine awakens your inner speed demon. Price 2.0L:  $33,895 2.0L Premium:  $40,095 GT:  $40,095 GT1:  $46,095 GT2:  $50,985 Kia Stinger Interior: Standard in ALL Kias are known to come with an abundance of features even on the entry-level trim. Looking at the Kia Stinger interior, you'll find a reactive touch screen equipped with UVO link making integration and infotainment control easy and seamless. Paired with UVO, all trims come with Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay™, and BLUETOOTH® Wireless Technology w/ Voice Recognition. While the jams are blaring, you have even more options with Drive Mode Select! 'Select from 5 driving styles: fuel-saving ECO, dynamic performance (with Launch Control) SPORT, COMFORT, plus automatically adjustable SMART or create your own style CUSTOM.' Don't worry, there's much more in this beauty. The Kia Stinger interior is decked out with: Rear-Camera Display w/ dynamic guidelines Heated Front Seats Multi-Color LED Accent Lighting Smart Key w/ Push-Button Start and Immobilizer Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control w/ Smart Ventilation & cabin air filter Multi-Color LED Accent Lighting Leather Seat Trim - GT2 Nappa Leather Seat Trim 60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat w/ Center Armrest & Adjustable Rear Headrests Parking Distance Warning (PDW), Front & Rear Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) Lane Change Assist (LCA) Impressive, right? All these fit into a total interior volume of 117.1 cubic feet with 93.8 cu ft of passenger space and 23.3 cu ft of cargo volume. And these are just standard inside ALL trim levels. Looking for a little more? Stinger Premium, GT1, and GT2 Interior 2019 Stinger GT2 RWD The interiors of the Premium, GT1, and GT2 have some extra upgrades and features from the engine to wireless phone charging. These top-level trims are for those looking for a little more luxury. The higher Stinger trims get the next level infotainment system with voice command navigation, a vivid 8" color touch screen, and real-time highway conditions from SiriusXM® Traffic through Harman/Kardon® QuantumLogic™ Premium Audio w/ Clari-Fi™. On top of astonishing sound, the Kia Stinger interior is complemented by: Wireless Phone Charger Sunroof w/ Power Sunshade Ventilated Front Seats Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror w/ HomeLink® and Compass Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW) Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) w/ Pedestrian Detection Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop and Go (SCC w/ S&G) Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Driver Attention Warning (DAW) The well designed Kia Stinger interior burst with quality, features, and safety technology. If you're wondering what puts the 3 trim levels apart, the answer is the engine and extra features. Under the hood of the Premium, you'll find the Twin Scroll Turbocharged 2.0 liter 4-Cylinder, while the GT1 and GT2 have the Twin Turbocharged 3.3 liter V6. The top of the line Kia Stinger GT2 exceeds the believable with more features. Including everything previously mentioned, the GT2 also has: Head Up Display Surround View Monitor (SVM) Shift-by-Wire Gear Selector 16-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat w/ 4-Way Power Air-Cell Lumbar Adjustment, 2-Way Side Bolster, Cushion Thigh Extension Heated Rear Outboard Seats Smart Power Trunk The Kia Stinger is not one to mess with. The quality and features of a luxury car and an affordable price for a normal family woman or man. Don't wait. Now you know what's inside the Kia Stinger. Ready for a test drive? View Kia Stinger Inventory - View Kia Stinger Specials

The 2019 Kia Optima and 2019 Kia Forte are classic top-pick cars with updated features, tech, and specials. But comparing the Optima vs Forte, what's the better option? Both are reliable, affordable, and come with Kia's 10 year or 100,000 mile power-train warranty. Let's take a closer look! The new 2019 Kia's are both good options when looking for a loaded up and affordable car. Telling them apart may be a little difficult at first glance but when you take a closer look, you find some differences that may push you to favor one, depending on what you want in a car. Take a deeper dive into: What can be found in both options? What is the difference between these two Kias? Which is best for you? 2019 Kia Forte Interior Kia Optima vs Kia Forte: The Similarities The new Kia models come loaded with more tech features and driver assistance than ever before. These smaller 4 door cars are great commuting vehicles with a comfortable inside, sleek look, and impressive technology, included in even the lowest trim levels. But one thing Kia doesn't fall short of is their extensive coverage and safety features! When you buy or lease a new Kia Forte and Kia Optima, you're covered by the Kia 10-Year/100,000-Mile Warranty Program that includes a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited power-train warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty, and a five-year or 100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty. That's the longest manufacturer warranty on the market! Even though we are confident in the quality and reliability of the vehicles, safety features don't fall short. For all trim levels, all the below safety features are standard for the Forte and Optima: Dual Front Advanced Airbags Dual Front Seat Mounted Side Airbags Full-Length Side Curtain Airbags Front Seat-Belt Pretensioners Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) w/ 4-Wheel Disc Brakes Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) Rear Child-Safety Door Locks Internal Emergency Trunk Release It doesn't end there, Kia also adds driver assistance technology: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Lane Keeping Assist-Line (LKA-L) Driver Attention Warning (DAW) You and your passengers will be riding safe and secure in these models! Now, that you know the safety, what does it have in store for the fun extras? Both models come standard with an 8 inch touch display with Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™, and Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Hands-Free Connectivity! Along with smartphone connectivity and your favorite playlist blasting on the speakers, enjoy a rear view camera and Drive Mode Select with Comfort, Eco, or Sport driving styles on all Optima trims and available on the Forte! Looking for more information and details? Check out the Forte features or the Optima features for each trim level. Kia Optima vs Kia Forte: The Differences 2019 Kia Optima (25/35/29 MPG*) LX – $22,990* S – $24,990* EX -$26,890* SX – $31,990* The Kia Optima may have a higher price tag but for a good reason! The Optima is classified as a sedan with a total interior volume measuring to 120.7 cubic feet and exterior dimension 191.1/73.2/57.7 inches (length/width/height). Under the hood, you'll find a powerful 2.4 liter, DOHC 16-valve I-4 engine on the LX and S trims, and a turbocharger on the EX and SX. Along with the better performance, the luxurious Optima comes with UVO play, 6 speakers, and Siri® Eyes Free! What else does the Optima come with: Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) Lane Change Assist (LCA) Rear Cross Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW) Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Forward Collision-Avoidance Assistance (FCA-Car) Power-Adjustable Outside Mirrors w/ LED Turn Signal Indicators Heated Outside Mirrors Auto Light Control 2019 Kia Forte (31/41/35 MPG*) FE - $17,790* LXS - $19,190* S - $20,290* EX - $21,990* The Kia Forte measures a little smaller in volume and has a lower price tag but still comes with some amazing tech and impressive features. The total interior volume is 96 cubic feet and a 182.7/70.9/56.5 inch (length/width/height) exterior dimensions. This sedan is more compact and also comes with Heated/Ventilated seats standard on all trims levels! When looking at the engine, a 2.0 liter, DOHC, 16-valve I-4, Atkinson Cycle engine is what you'll get on all trims, unfortunately, with no option for a turbocharger. With the two upper trims, a power sunroof is available unlike the Optima. Also the Forte comes with: 3-Point Seat Belts For All Seating Positions Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Traction Control System (TCS) Brake Assist System (BAS) Side-Impact Door Beams Front and Rear Crumple Zones Impact-Absorbing Steering Column *(City/Highway/Combined) 2019 Kia Optima Interior Which is best for you? When it comes down to it, both are amazing options. The luxurious Optima has the cubic volume and performance that exceeds the Forte. But for a lower price, the Forte still comes with great features on even the lowest trim level. You also see the higher miles per gallon, modern tech, and convenience features on the Forte. Weighing the price tag versus the standard features, your perfect ride could be either. Do you sacrifice some of the advanced convenience tech for a powerful engine or do you want the tech loaded to the brim? Either way, Matt Blatt has monthly financing and lease specials both the Optima and Forte. Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us and you'll be happy to answer any you may have! Interested in scheduling a test drive? Fill out the "Calculate Your Payment" form and let us get you into a new car today. View Optima Specials - View Forte Specials

Wondering how you can make a positive impact? Electric cars and hybrids are great options for those who need a vehicle and want to make as small of a mark as they can. Let's take a look at EVs and Hybrid cars. Save money while reducing air pollution. We all know the best way to help in terms of air pollution would be to only use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike. But realistically many don't/can't for one reason or another. The next best thing is moving from your regular internal combustion vehicle to a hybrid or EV (electric vehicle). You'll be reducing your output of air pollution, save money with higher fuel efficiency, and receive special incentives and rebates for doing so! Electric and hybrid cars seem to had a bad reputation because of the first models, which were slow and had very low ranges. After a few years, the newer models are now extremely impressive. For example, the new 2020 Kia Soul EV has 201 hp and 291 ft.-lb. of torque with a quick pick up from 0 to 60mpg. The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is also pretty astounding with the hybrid mode reaching 310 miles! Let's take a look at: Hybrid Cars (Standard & PHEV i.e. plug-in electric vehicle) Electric Cars (EV i.e. electric vehicles) Full Electric or Hybrid? EV and Hybrid Options 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Hybrid Cars Hybrids are vehicles with a combination of both the electric motor and the internal combustion engine (ICE). They can be used both at the same time, or one at a time, depending on the vehicle. This is great for the environment because less gas is used while driving in turn, reducing the output of carbon monoxide. There are two kinds of hybrids: the standard hybrid and plug-in hybrids. The standard hybrids use the car brakes and regular combustion engine to recharge the battery. They usually aren't able to run on only battery but use the combination of the two engines together to increase MGPe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent). For plug-in hybrids, the "battery can be recharged by plugging it into an external source of electric power, as well by its on-board engine and generator." They can be plugged into a charging station like a full EV. Usually, plug-in hybrids have better batteries with a longer charge than the standard hybrids and are able to drive solely on the electric motor. With both standard and plug-in, your car maintenance costs will be reduced! The electric motor will alleviate the work put onto the ICE which will make the need for common maintenance less frequent. Alternatively, if you want to completely eliminate the use of gas... 2018 Kia Soul EV Electric Cars Full electric vehicles are cars that have only an electric battery motor. Why get one? Zero carbon monoxide emissions, zero gas cost, and less maintenance. You can charge up at home overnight or at a charging station. The range, or distance you can go on a full charge, can vary depending on make and model. These are great vehicles for short driving needs. From work to running errands to back home will cost you zero in gas and a very small price added to your electric bill. We asked an owner of the 2018 Kia Soul EV how her bills have changed. She said "I was spending about $80 on gas a month. Now with the Soul EV, I'm spending nothing on gas and my electric bill has only gone up about $10 a month!" So Full Electric or Hybrid? To help decide whether an EV or hybrid is best for you, calculate the distance you usually are driving on a daily basis. The EV has a limited range before you need a charge. If you find yourself driving more than the range of the vehicle, opting for a hybrid would be your better choice. With both, you'll save money on gas as well as receive special incentives for buying! NJ electric vehicle incentives can be found here. EV and Hybrid Options 2019 Kia Niro Hyrbid The Kia Niro Hybrid comes as either a standard hybrid or plug-in hybrid. This crossover SUV has a hatchback and is an awesome vehicle if you're looking for a hybrid option. 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV This plug-in hybrid SUV is spacious and powerful as well as multi-award winning as World's Best Selling Plug-in Hybrid SUV, Green Car Journal's 2019 Green SUV of the Year, and ASG Best 5 All-Around Performance Award. 2020 Kia Soul EV The newest EV to the Kia lineup stops you in your tracks! The Soul is already loaded with awesome features, now you don't have to pay for gas. Lightweight and ready to roll. Coming soon to our inventory. Find out more information here. 2019 Kia Optima Hybrid You know the Kia Optima for its style, elegance, and awesome features but did you know there was a hybrid option? Like the Niro, the Optima is available in the standard and plug-in hybrid!     Check out our full inventory of hybrid and EV options here. If you enjoyed our article, give it a share! Thanks for reading and starting your journey to helping save the planet!

Easter 2019 Events near Toms River NJ The Easter bunny's arrival is just around the corner! Get out of the house and take the kids for some Easter egg hunts, egg painting, and more. Let's check out what the area has for Easter events this year. READ MORE: Where can we watch the big game? Boscov's Easter Extravaganza: Easter Bunny Hop Date: Saturday, March 20th When: 11 AM-3 PM Bring the family by your local Boscov's store for some free Easter-themed activities!"Follow along the Boscov's Bunny Trail for delicious treats and prizes! Complete the trail and receive an Easter prize! Activities include*: - Guess the number of jelly beans - Easter crafts and games - Temporary Tattoos - Register to Win Prize - and more! Plus, don't forget to bring your camera and take a picture with the Boscov's Bunny! *while supplies last" The Historic Village at Allaire Date: Saturday, March 20th When: 11 AM-4 PM Down the street in Brick, NJ is the annual Easter Egg hunt and festival! With over 15,000 eggs, music, animals, games, and more, it's simply an event you and your family don't want to miss. You can buy tickets and find more details on their facebook event page. READ MORE: Where can we find a tree? If you are looking for a car to take you to any of these locations, you can check out our online inventory to see what Kia models we have available and schedule a test drive with us at Matt Blatt Toms River Kia today.

Why is this light on my dashboard flashing? What does this warning light mean? Let's look at what your Car Dashboard Warning Lights are and why it's lit up! No one enjoys seeing a dashboard warning light flash on while driving. We ask: What is this car dashboard warning light? Why did it turn on? Do I need to pull over?! Breathe, it's going to be alright. Let's take a look at the most common car dashboard warning lights! What are dashboard warning lights? Car dashboard warning lights alert the driver there is a problem by flashing or remaining on. It can be a for something small like a seat belt not buckled, a door ajar, or a faulty wire. But it can also be a more major issue like a seized engine due to lack of oil, blown head gasket, or lack of hydraulic pressure on your brakes. Knowing the meanings of your car's dashboard warning lights could save you from unnecessary expenses, lacking driver safety, or major car issues. The car dashboard is trickled with warning lights that flash on when starting the car for a system check and soon turn off. It's important to know what they mean. Each car has slightly different dashboard warning lights but all in all, your car has the basics. You can review your specific model's car dashboard warning lights in the Car Owner's Manual or speak to your sales representative. Let's take a look at the basic lights from the dashboard of a 2019 Kia Optima. VEHICLE SPECIALS INSTANT CASH OFFER What does each Car Dashboard Warning Light mean? IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT When you stick your key in the ignition and turn it to the ON position, the immobilizer indicator light will turn on and shortly turn off. If it starts flashing, this means the system does not recognize the key. This works the same for a keyless ignition but with the keycode. This warning light is basically an anti-theft system. If the key is not the right key, it disables the engine from starting. OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT STOP driving! Low oil pressure is highly damaging to your engine and can be the result of a leak. Check your oil level after the car cools down and add motor oil if needed. If the light remains on, do not drive your car! It is not uncommon that the sensor is bad but without proper inspection, you shouldn’t risk it. Therefore until the problem is resolved, driving could permanently ruin your engine. Get it checked by our service department! BATTERY WARNING LIGHT This light means there is an issue with the car’s electrical system. It can be anything from a small loose wire to a larger issue like a problem with the vehicle’s battery or alternator. If this light comes on, get your car checked out immediately. Waiting could result in you and your car stranded somewhere. SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT This usually indicates that someone in the car is not wearing their seat belt! Most new models have lights that will start to blink and beep if all the passengers aren’t wearing their seat belts. If everyone is, there may be a problem with the sensor. Try cleaning out the buckle or replacing it. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT The dreaded check engine light or malfunction indicator. This car dashboard warning light flashes on for a number of reasons. It can be as simple as a loose gas cap or as severe as an overheating catalytic converter. Luckily is it easy to find out what’s wrong. A code is triggered and can be retrieved with a Car Code Reader. Bring your vehicle to get checked before the problem escalates. TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT Check your tires! Usually, the light indicates tire pressure is low in one or more tires. This could be due to weather change. Add air to your tired immediately and check for punctures. TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT Check your tires! Usually, the light indicates tire pressure is low in one or more tires. This could be due to weather change. Add air to your tired immediately and check for punctures. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT (ESC) In extreme steering situations, this light will pop on to signal the stability control is on. ESC is an evolution of traction control and helps the driver maintain control of the car when turning nears or exceeds the limits of the road traction. Alternatively, if the light remains on, you will need to see a mechanic to diagnose the issue with the system. The ESC light with the “OFF” below it, notifies you the Electronic Stability Control is disabled. VEHICLE SPECIALS INSTANT CASH OFFER ELECTRONIC OR HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING This car dash warning light illuminates when the power steering is not working properly. Newer models have an electronic power steering while older have a hydraulic power steering. Either way, the vehicle needs to be serviced to refill the fluid and/or conduct a system check. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT The system helps maintain traction to the road while braking. For this light, drive with caution and with service in the very near future. Your brakes will still work but in an emergency, this feature is important for safety. If this light and the Parking Brake / Brake Fluid Warning Light (below) are both lit up, immediately pull over. There is a malfunction with the brake system and it is not safe to drive. PARKING BRAKE / BRAKE FLUID WARNING LIGHT Check your parking brake because this light means either your parking brake is engaged or a more serious problem. If it remains on and you’ve checked the parking brake, there could be a serious issue with your brakes such as a lack of hydraulic fluid in your brake line. DO NOT DRIVE if this light stays on. It is possible your brakes could fail to work. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT Next, we have the airbag warning light. This little light warns there is a problem with the airbag system and the airbags will not deploy in an accident. Causes of this could be from an accident and the airbags did not deploy or from a faulty seatbelt sensor. Whether or not, getting this check as soon as possible could mean life or death in an accident. Schedule to come into service today. E LECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE (EPB) LIGHT Many get used to the convenience of an electronic parking brake to assist while stationary. If this light stays on the dashboard, do not rely on the EPB! It is either malfunctioning and/or deactivated due to an issue. Get this inspected by your service department. BULB MONITORING WARNING LIGHT Check your lights! An essential light has burned out and is in need of replacing. Check your brake lights, headlights, and others. Then, replace accordingly. A UTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) Lastly, on this dashboard, we have the Autonomous Emergency Braking Warning light. AEB is a new safety feature that automatically stops the car if the driver fails to react in an emergency situation of a forward collision. If this light illuminates, the safety system is disabled. If the system is switched on and the light is still lit, there may be a problem with the AEB and therefore should be inspected by a mechanic. SAFELY KNOWING YOUR DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS Knowing what is part of your car dashboard provides security and safety to your driving. Warning lights are there for a reason and should not be ignored. If you find other lights on your car dashboard, check your owner’s manual and review what to do in the event of an illuminated warning light. Remember, when you first start your car the lights will flash on for a check then turn off. If you have any questions about other warning lights, please leave a comment and our team will find the answer for you! VEHICLE SPECIALS INSTANT CASH OFFER

Turning a key or pressing a button is easy!  Understanding what’s going on under the hood gets a little more technical from types of car engines to cylinder configurations. The tubes, wires, and weirdly shaped pipes all do their part to make your car go further faster. Let’s take a look at: How Car Engines Work Types of Car Engines Cylinder Configurations How Engines Work: Four-stroke Engine Nowadays you’ll most likely find a four-stroke engine in your car, SUV, or truck. This means the type of car engine has 4 essential steps for internal combustion. Internal combustion consists of igniting a mixture of fuel and air to create a small controlled explosion in the cylinders. Let’s take a step back to understand exactly what that means. Car engines are built around the cylinders, which are sealed metal tubes with a spark plug and two valves on one side, and a crankshaft on the other. Inside the cylinders are pistons. Pistons are tight fitting pumps like plungers. These are attached to the crankshaft and slide up and down retracting energy from the explosion. The inlet valve and outlet valve, let air and gas in and release exhaust, respectively. When the spark plug ignites the gas, the pistons move and turn the crankshaft. Finally, the turning movement from the crankshaft transfers to the gearbox and moves the vehicle forward. Wikipedia: Four-stroke cycle used in gasoline/petrol engines: intake (1), compression (2), power (3), and exhaust (4). The movement of the pistons is created in 4 steps: intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. First, the piston is pulled down in the cylinder while the inlet valve injects a fuel and air mixture into the cylinder. Second, the valve closes and the piston moves back up. This compresses the mixture to ready for ignition. After compression, the spark plug ignites. The mini-explosion creates a hot gas that forces the piston back down which turns the crankshaft. Finally, the force on the crankshaft powers the continued turning, forcing the piston back up. The outlet valve then opens releasing the exhaust from the cylinder. The repetition of this process in each cylinder in rapid succession creates an enormous force that drives your vehicle forward. Types of Car Engines: 3 Most Common Layouts Inline Engine Inline or Straight: This is the most common engine found in cars, SUVs, and trucks. The cylinders are upright, side by side which makes the engine compact and effective. V: The V engines looks like a ‘v’ with the cylinders on a 60-degree angle. They are able to fit a large number of cylinders and can be found on premium or high-performance supercars. Flat: Also known as a ‘boxer’ engine, has the cylinders lying horizontally. Gravity is working with this style. Flat engines are not common and mainly found on Porsche. Cylinder Configurations Previous to fuel injection and turbochargers, the number of cylinders would define the amount of power an engine has. Fuel injection is a direct injection of fuel to the combustion chamber, compared to the use of a carburetor which relies on the suction from the pistons to pull the air and fuel mixture into the combustion chamber. Fuel injection is used in diesel engines allowing for more power, a smoother throttle response, and better fuel efficiency. A turbocharger adds extra compression onto the combustion chamber improving the efficiency and power output. These two engine additions have allowed more power without the need for more cylinders. The most common configuration is the four-cylinder engine (mostly inline layout). Small to mid-range cars have this under the hood. It provides a good output while remaining compact. You can find many vehicles with the turbocharger added for an extra boost. Less commonly, we have twin cylinder cars. You see two-cylinders on small eco-friendly engines. Three-cylinder engines are typically in a straight layout due to the uneven cylinder number and can be found on small cars or small hatchbacks the like the Mitsubishi Mirage. The fuel economy is also very good on these while remaining compact and affordable. On the other side, the increase in cylinders to 6 are for more high-end performance and sports cars. The layout is typically a V or straight engine. Lastly, we have 8+ cylinder engines. With 8 or more, you’re probably looking at a supercar with a V layout. Ready to browse! Understanding the types of car engines available and what's in your new car doesn't have to be a mystery. You'll know what brings you an extra boost or which is more fuel efficient. Matt Blatt has a variety of options from our new Kia inventory with the Kia Optima 's inline 4-cylinder engine to the Kia Sorento 's V 6-cylinder engine! That's not including our fast selling quality pre-owned cars. Our team is happy to answer any further questions about engines, what's available, and more! Contact us today. V Engine

What are the Kia Soul's ground clearance and cargo space? The Kia Soul ground clearance and cargo volume change slightly each year. Fortunately, we have the ground clearance and cargo space for all the models from 2015-2020 including the Kia Soul EVs! Knowing your car's limits leads to less undercarriage damage and fitting more in your life! What can you squeeze into your trunk? What kind of terrain will my Kia Soul be safe driving on? Let's find out! The Kia Souls' ground clearance, or ride height, is the space between the base of the tire and the lowest part of the body. This is depicted in the Kia Soul photo above. Essentially how high up your car is riding will help you navigate in different terrains. This mid-sized SUV is a little higher than a sedan but maintains an even riding level for some off-road fun! Then, we have the Kia Soul’s cargo space or space in the trunk area. We’ll look at the cubic feet with and without folded seats for each year. Don't worry, if you have a Kia Soul EV we have all the ground clearance and cargo space information as well. Let's look at the Kia Soul Ground Clearance & Cargo Space for the years of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. 2015 Kia Soul Ground Clearance 5.9 inches 2015 Kia Soul Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up / mat (no board) 24.2 Rear seat up / board in lower position 23.4 Rear seat up / board in upper position 18.7 Rear seat folded / total cargo 62.1 2015 Kia Soul EV Ground Clearance 6.3 inches 2015 Kia Soul EV Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up with luggage under tray 18.8 Rear seat folded / total cargo 49.5 2016 Kia Soul Ground Clearance 5.9 inches 2016 Kia Soul Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up with luggage under tray 18.8 Rear seat up without luggage under tray 24.1 Rear seat down with luggage under tray 49.5 Rear seat down without luggage under tray 61.3 2016 Kia Soul EV Ground Clearance 5.9 inches 2016 Kia Soul EV Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up 18.8 Rear seat folded 49.5 2017 Kia Soul Ground Clearance 5.9 inches 2017 Kia Soul Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up with luggage under tray 18.8 Rear seat up without luggage under tray 24.2 Rear seat down with luggage under tray 49.5 Rear seat down without luggage under tray 61.3 2017 Kia Soul EV Ground Clearance 5.9 inches 2017 Kia Soul EV Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up 18.8 Rear seat folded 49.5 2018 Kia Soul Ground Clearance 5.9 inches 2018 Kia Soul Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up with luggage under tray 18.8 Rear seat up without luggage under tray 24.2 Rear seat down with luggage under tray 49.5 Rear seat down without luggage under tray 61.3 2018 Kia Soul EV Ground Clearance 5.9 inches 2018 Kia Soul EV Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up 18.8 Rear seat folded 49.5 2019 Kia Soul Ground Clearance 5.9 inches 2019 Kia Soul Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up with luggage under tray 18.8 Rear seat up without luggage under tray 24.2 Rear seat down with luggage under tray 49.5 Rear seat down without luggage under tray 61.3 2019 Kia Soul EV Ground Clearance 5.9 inches 2019 Kia Soul EV Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up 18.8 Rear seat folded 49.5 2020 Kia Soul Ground Clearance 6.7 inches 2020 Kia Soul Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up / mat (no board) 24.2 Rear seat up / board in lower position 23.4 Rear seat up / board in upper position 18.7 Rear seat folded / total cargo 62.1 2020 Kia Soul EV Ground Clearance 6.0 inches 2020 Kia Soul EV Cargo Volume (cubic feet) Rear seat up 23.4 Rear seat folded 61.3 Now that you know the Kia Soul cargo space in each model, what can you fit? If you're interested in upgrading to the newest 2020 Kia Soul, browse our Kia Soul inventory and set up a test drive! READ MORE: What Kia Soul trims are there?