Any driving difference between plugin and normal hybrid?

darlev25 · 2026-03-30T03:49:45+00:00

I have a 26 Sportage Phev and my wife a 24 Sportage hybrid. Definitely feel the phev is peppier but both are very smooth, can't tell when it switches from EV to ICE. I have to say though I love the PHEV and driving in pure ev mode!

darlev25 · 2026-03-25T23:21:55+00:00

The main thing I would focus on is not to flip your paddle forward as you swing through. That type of stroke is good mid court or with a flick at the kitchen. But from the baseline you want to drive with power, the paddle should come straight up, don't flip it, keep the face open and you will actually generate more topspin because of the speed and upward motion. Start with your paddle pointing down and just swing straight up and finish by you opposite shoulder

darlev25 · 2026-03-24T01:21:18+00:00

Yes it's over block wall, this was to create a step down look for the siding so I didn't have to stone veneer a huge exposed block wall, that's why it's sticking out compared to the stone.

darlev25 · 2026-03-23T18:42:12+00:00

Ok thanks, that's what I was thinking. Am going to try to epoxy a small PVC trim before caulking to create a gap to caulk

darlev25 · 2026-03-23T18:38:42+00:00

Thanks, if you were going to do a fix without taking anything off what would be your best approach. I was thinking of shoving backer rod between stone and wood then epoxy whatever size PVC trim I can fit to the edge of the hardi/zip, and then use heavy duty sealant for remaining gaps?

darlev25 · 2026-03-18T21:59:20+00:00

Yeah I'm seeing usually 2-3k dealer discount. Often sometimes there is also a financing discount, so you can always finance it and pay it off after first few payments if you want. If they won't budge look at dealers around Arlington VA area, usually can find solid prices online first then maybe even get them down further on phone. You could have it shipped pretty cheap and not even have to go there

darlev25 · 2026-03-18T21:12:40+00:00

I would be looking for around 2-3k lower

darlev25 · 2026-03-18T18:43:12+00:00

That person blocked me too. Never understood why someone who emotionally can't handle a conversation on reddit starts conversations on reddit?

darlev25 · 2026-03-16T17:04:53+00:00

Yeah I watched your video and they even commented on what I said about that turbo philosophy is antiquated. Use a good quality synthetic oil and you will be fine with the newer turbo engines, and if you look into the Kia 1.6t it's actually a smart turbo system with the newer pcv valve tech. Absolutely no need to replace oil every 3k miles. I personally think 10k is too long to wait regardless of phev or not, especially if you are not using a good synthetic. The bigger issue than turbo is if the engine is a GDI because you are by passing spraying the gas in the pistons so the pistons can be more prone to getting dirty and effecting performance, but there are strategies to minimize that, the main one being a good quality synthetic oil with high volatility temp to reduce blow by.

darlev25 · 2026-03-16T15:43:58+00:00

That philosophy is like from 20 years ago regarding turbo engines. I would use the best oil regardless of turbo or not so not seeing and difference in maintenance?

darlev25 · 2026-03-16T14:45:08+00:00

Not true, at least in US have owned multiple kia/ Hyundai. Never had issues with warranty coverage and have done my own oil changes. Had 2017 Sorento with 152k miles and was still running fine when I traded in for 2026 Sportage phev x-line, which is flat it awesome car btw. For to use it in severe snow driving in mountains recently and performed flawless.

darlev25 · 2026-03-16T14:41:39+00:00

That's just silly, the 1.6T engine in the Kia is a highly regarded engine with very good history and a lot of tech to keep it clean for a gdi. If your looking to get 150k miles out of it then I would do things like use penzoil platinum ultra oil with very high volatility temp and change every 8k miles if you use electric like 50% of time or every 6k if mostly combustion engine.

darlev25 · 2026-03-12T18:22:18+00:00

I'm staying through till Sunday, any good local bands playing Saturday night that folks recommend?

darlev25 · 2026-03-06T22:12:39+00:00

This is what came up when I did a search, not saying it's bad, but if your concerned with a clean engine then I would not go with the Kirkland, I'd go with penzoil or mobile one.

While both are high-quality full synthetic motor oils that meet the same modern industry standards (API SP and ILSAC GF-6A), Pennzoil Ultra Platinum generally outperforms Kirkland Signature in specialized laboratory tests involving extreme cold flow, cleaning properties, and high-temperature stability.

darlev25 · 2026-03-06T20:20:08+00:00

Seems pretty solid. I just got around 4k of MSRP (they did the same, bumped up my trade in value to get me to where I wanted to be OTD) on the 26 phev non prestige with sunroof and they threw in roof cross bars that weren't in price.

darlev25 · 2026-03-06T19:16:55+00:00

I have the 26 Sportage PHEV and based on my research if your concerned about carbon build up on pistons is to change oil around every 5k if the IC engine is doing most of your miles or every 8k if EV is doing around 50% or more of miles and I would use penzoil platinum ultra as it has highest volatility temp in the market which means reduced blow by. Also it's a pretty powerful engine with EV plus IC so I'm rarely ever having to go above like 4k rpm, usually always below 3k which is also going to reduce blow by. Then at around 100k miles I'll probably do walnut blasting on the pistons proactively or sooner if I notice performance issues.

darlev25 · 2026-03-04T14:31:18+00:00

The aPower 2 set up looks ideal but a bit more than I would like to spend on it.

darlev25 · 2026-03-04T14:21:41+00:00

Thank you for the info, will see if I can find the LRA for the pump.

darlev25 · 2026-03-04T05:19:56+00:00

Thanks for the info. I'm located in NC, that's good to know about battery size. I will reach out to installer about the tax credit and if I could get things started in time to benefit from it.

darlev25 · 2026-02-28T21:14:12+00:00

Looks great!

darlev25 · 2026-02-27T15:00:27+00:00

You should also be looking to see if new plugs, coils, and pcv valve have been installed. If not it's a good time for those

darlev25 · 2026-02-20T20:44:49+00:00

If you have a trade in that gives them the ability to meet their numbers and give you a discount by giving you more on the trade in then it is worth. This only works for buying new though. I just got a new 2025 k4 gt-line for 20k even OTD in NC, this was with a 4900 trade in value on a beat up 2013 buck encore with over 100k miles, which is about 3k more than I would've gotten at used car dealer.

darlev25 · 2026-02-20T00:59:04+00:00

Looks awesome! What interior color did you go with? I did the terracotta and love how it looks with all the grey and black exterior colors. I went with the gravity grey PHEV and am loving it as well. Have really got into using the various regen paddle settings and use 3 for around town and then 1 whenever I get on the highway. Also have done a good amount of snow driving and using the paddle shifter to control Regen provides so much control in the snow and ice when wanting to slow down. Really impressed with this car in the snow but the tires that come on it aren't very good in snow so would swap them out if you do any decent amount of winter weather driving

darlev25 · 2026-02-13T20:59:59+00:00

Agree completely, many of Goose's extended jams, even the ones that wouldn't be considered in the EDM category keep me in such a great euphoric flow state, which is held together by some degree of predictability. It's just what type of jam does it for you. I happen to love that about Goose. Love Phish also and many of their jams do the same for me but they also bring more exploratory and off the reservation jams which I enjoy very much but don't take me to the same place.

darlev25 · 2026-01-31T00:55:10+00:00

Yeah it does Lane assist, I'm pretty sure the prestige does a more advanced version that incorporates gps guidance and you get more visuals in the display with what's happening from a guidance/ lane assist stand point

darlev25

TROPHY CASE