Just bought 06 KIA Spectra

Louisnash · 12-07-2006, 10:00 PM

My wife and I just bought 06 KIA Spectra's this past weekend. We really love the cars and believe we made pretty good choices in buying them. These were brand new cars with only 8 and 11 miles on them.

I was googling and came across these forums. Looks like a really good place to ask and research people's opinions on the likes and dislikes of the Spectra's.

Our one question is that for the first 3-4 days we got a smell of oil from the engine. But it was kind of like a different kind of new smell from the engine. Now the smell has really went away. We test drove one (not one of the ones we bought) from the dealer and my wife said she smelled the oil when we drove it, also. She didn't tell me until we got home. I didn't smell the oil on mine until we got home.

I am figuring this is a new car break in situation. Can anyone tell me if this is OK. Like I said the smell has gone away. And with the one we test drove doing the same thing, I figure it's not a big deal.

One more thing. The one I have is 5 speed. When I get to 5th gear, my rpm is right at 3000 or tad bit higher at 65-70 mph. Wife's does the same and hers is auto. Is this normal also. I am used to vehicles running about 2000 rpm, but those were 6 cylinders.

The engine runs real well, but at speeds up around 65 the engine gets just a little louder but not much.

The cars drive and ride great. I just got to get used to letting off the clutch taking off. It's been a while for me with 5 speed, and it's a little different than I'm used to. My work truck cluth is hydraulic, so there is a difference.

Thanks for the help. I tried to search these forums, but didn't find much.

Thanks so much
Brian

Spec SX · 12-07-2006, 10:45 PM

Welcome to the site and congrats on the new spectras. I had a slight smell when I first bought my Spectra but it didnt last long and 21K miles later it hasnt come back and it runs great. My Spectra is an auto and at 65-70 mph it is almost at 3k rpms.

geolehman · 12-07-2006, 11:10 PM

I also have two Spectras, a 2004.5 auto for my son and a 2005 stick for myself. Smell is a Kia exclusive caused evidently by the shipping preservative on engine. Revs are a little high, my stick = 3K at 70 mph. Think they choose closer gear ratios for more pick-up. You will get used to it! Hope you have great use out of your cars! George in Wisconsin.

Kayak_TN · 12-09-2006, 08:29 PM

I had the same smell. It went away after a week. I thought it may have been the engine but someone on another forum (MSN) mentioned the tires.

I checked the condition and level of the oil... all is good with the world.

Gouken · 01-10-2007, 01:55 PM

I had that smell on mine to but I figured it is cause it was brand new and was never run for 30 mins since thats how long of a drive I had to and from work.

lovemyspectra · 01-10-2007, 09:31 PM

I have an 05 Spectra, and LOVE IT...it is a 5 speed also, and when you hit 5th it does cruze at about 3000...i just went throught talking to some of the people here and just to let you know you need a special tool to change the breaks when the time comes...a c clamp doesnt work...oh, and i dont recall smelling oil when i first got my car...congratulations on the to spectras...and this does have to be the best place to come if you have any questions...these people are great!!!

florida · 01-12-2007, 08:51 AM

The owners' manual says to use 10W-30 oil. I'm using Synthetic oil, so in my case does anyone know what grade/viscosity to use? 10-30 seems a bit thick for this engine as most other manufacturers recommend 5w-20. Not sure why Kia recommends different.

herbd · 01-13-2007, 12:41 AM

the smell is from the coating they use to protect the vehicle against salt damage during freight.

herbd

lovemyspectra · 01-13-2007, 11:09 PM

i have used synthetic since i changed the oil the first time...i have been using 5w-30 in mine...

florida · 01-15-2007, 10:45 PM

yea I wanted to use 5W-30 but the dealer insisted I use 10w-30. I live in Florida and it's always hot, even in the winter. The 5w is the new standard but that takes into consideration that there are millions of cars driven up north in winter so it covers the manufacturers butts. 5w is also slightly more fuel efficient but down here that tiny extra bit of viscosity helps at high temperatures and when blasting the A/C all the time. Either way it doesn't make too much difference I hear. Manual seems to recommend 10w-30 for above 0 temps.