The LX Platform Takes Center Stage at Spring Fest

Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger

Dodge was in Irvine, California last weekend for the LX Spring Fest 9, showing off the LX, LC, and LD platforms.

In a video for Dodge’s YouTube channel, Steve Magnante gave a tour of the Dodge models and explained the distinction of LX. Rear-wheel drive vehicles from the 2005 model year were called the LX cars. The Dodge Charger also has rear-wheel drive, but it is different enough to earn its own distinction as part of the LD series. The Dodge Challenger R/T is a two-door vehicle and is four-inches shorter than the other four-door counterparts, so it is distinguished as an LC series.

All of these vehicles come with the HEMI engine and rear-wheel drive, tying them all together under the Dodge brand and as varieties on a platform.

Check out the full video explanation below.

Want to learn more about the HEMI engine and all available Mopar parts? Contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. You can also download our mobile app to schedule a time to be seen in our quality service department. Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter to see our monthly parts and service specials.

Mopar Celebrates “The Elephant,” 426 HEMI

Asian Elephant Luke trumpets his approval of the special 426 HEM

Mopar is marking the 50th anniversary of the 426 HEMI racing engine with a photo shoot with Pro Stock drivers Jeg Coughlin Jr., Allen Johnson, the new Dodge Dart, and an elephant.

For year, the nickname for the 426 HEMI has been “The Elephant.” It was given this nickname for three reasons. First, it is a large engine. At the time the 426 HEMI was first produced, it was the largest racing engine available and could only be used in bigger vehicles.

Second, it is a powerful engine. At the 1964 Daytona 500, these engines were producing around 750 horsepower, and Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Allen Johnson’s NHRA Pro Stock cars can get approximately 1,500 horsepower.

Third, the 426 HEMI is a hefty engine, weighing up to 700 pounds. It didn’t earn the nickname of “The Elephant” for being dainty.

For the photo shoot, Mopar went to Two Tails Ranch, a safe haven for a variety of animals including four Asian elephants. An elephant named Luke was selected for the photo shoot and gave the photographer plenty of great poses.

Asian Elephant Luke trumpets his approval of the special 426 HEM

For more information on all of Mopar’s available parts, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. You can also download our mobile app to schedule a time to be seen in our quality service department. Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter to see our monthly parts and service specials.

Mopar Readies 100 Parts for 2015 Jeep Renegade Release

2015-Jeep-Renegade-Trailhawk-photo-gallery

Hot on the heels of the announcement of the new Jeep Renegade, Chrysler and Mopar have released the list of parts that will be made available when the Renegade is released.

Mopar has been making sure to be ready to help out buyers for the new wave of Chrysler vehicles coming out to have a host of options.  Each little piece of hardware is there to help each buyer feel like they can customizing a unique ride only to themselves.  Over 100 parts will be available the day the Jeep Renegade is released in dealerships.  That includes Jeep Performance Parts such as cold air intake and a lowering kit.

“The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade is a landmark expansion of the Jeep brand’s global lineup, and the Mopar brand is supporting that growth by equipping Renegade owners with products to personalize their vehicles for both on-road and off-road driving,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO — Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “For each new Chrysler Group vehicle introduced, such as the Jeep Renegade, the Mopar brand is committed to assisting owners in modifying their vehicle even before driving away from the dealership.”

The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade was unveiled recently at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.  It brings with it a more traditional Jeep look with a blocky yet curvy design.  The interior shares the same care, adapting a similar look and feel to the ever-popular Wrangler.  Included in the package is also the beloved Uconnect system.

For more information on the new 2015 Jeep Renegade, contact a sales rep at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  If you’re looking to purchase Mopar parts for a vehicle or schedule a time to service your current vehicle, you can do so by going online to our website.  Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter for more news and special monthly offers.

 

Cold Weather Auto Maintenance Tips

ID-10085780

Winter just doesn’t want to go away.  Cold weather has been hanging around for so long that I’m starting to wonder if we’ve just entered the world of Day After Tomorrow.  The tidal wave could come any moment.  That means that it is time to make sure that your car can contend with the continuous cold and survive until the New York summer gets here.  Survive the cold that is, I don’t think you can tidal wave-proof your vehicle.

Check your vehicle’s antifreeze.  Low temperatures can do some serious damage to your vehicle.  Make sure the antifreeze is at the right amount to ensure this doesn’t happen.  Also know what the effectiveness of your antifreeze is so that you are aware of the safe temperature range it has.

Inspect the vehicle’s hoses.  Pop the hood and look over the hoses.  Check for bumps or soft spots in the hoses.  If there are any cracks or issues, it can cause damage to your engine at the worst possible moment.  Not that there is any such thing as the right possible moment for an engine to break down.

Look at your air pressure and the treat on the tires.  This is what will be keeping you on the road during the cold.  A classic test for the tire tread is by using a penny.  Put the currency in the groove and see if the Lincoln Memorial is covered.  If not, time to contact a service center about getting some better tires.

Check the battery.  Colder weather can provide one mean workout to a battery.  If it is already weakened, then a winter this cold could be the final straw.

There’s plenty of more tips to keep in mind in confronting a new cold front coming into the New York area.  Check out some more here.

If you need to schedule a time for your vehicle to be serviced, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  You can also download our mobile app to schedule a time and keep an eye on the status of your vehicle once it’s been taken in.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more service tips and specials.

Undercar Digest: Mopar A/C Compressor Named Top 10 Product

Undercar Digest

Undercar Digest has named Mopar’s re-manufactured air conditioning compressors as a Top 10 product, as voted by their readers.

Mopar’s re-manufactured air conditioning compressors are built for older Chrysler Group models, and seeing that Chrysler Group vehicles are holding up better for a longer time, car owners are holding onto their vehicles for longer. Owners are more likely to replace parts, such as air conditioning compressors, before they trade in for a new model.

Fortunately, Mopar offers re-manufactured engines, transmissions, electrical systems, steering assemblies, brake components, and more, and these product lines are tested and inspected to meet current vehicle requirements, making them even better than the original parts. Last year, Mopar offered hundreds of re-manufactured parts, giving Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram owners the option to hold onto their favorite cars for longer.

For more information on all of Mopar’s available parts, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. You can also download our mobile app to schedule a time to be seen in our quality service department. Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter to see our monthly parts and service specials.

Mopar Augmented Reality App Allows Users to Preview Ram 1500 Upgrades

Mopar App Blog Pic

Mopar is introducing customers to a new way of seeing the parts available on their vehicles.

At the Detroit Auto Show, Mopar unveiled their new augmented reality app. What it will allow users to do is be able to get a visual preview of the parts they will want to purchase for their vehicle. For the time being, the app is only working for the Ram 1500.

It’s a really easy to use and neat app. To use it, all you have to do is go into a Chrysler Group dealerships and point the iPad at the Ram logo on display in the Mopar Custom Shop.

Once activated, the user will have a full image of a Ram 1500. They can rotate and view the basic 1500 and can select various sections to see what parts and upgrades they’d want to buy. The app will show what the part will look like when equipped and how much it will add to the cost of the truck. It’s very user-friendly and easy to use.

Here’s hoping that it catches on so much that the app will expand to be used with many more vehicles in the Chrysler family.

To schedule a time for a service check-up in Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge’s service center, contact us or visit our website. You can also view our full selection of parts and upgrades online with our parts department. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to see our monthly service and parts specials.

2015 Chrysler 200 Will Launch With 200 Available Mopar Parts and Accessories

2015_200_gallery_exterior_0000_1

The new 2015 Chrysler 200 was finally announced and everyone is talking about it. While everyone is talking about what the vehicle is bringing to the mid-size sedan but one thing that Chrysler is making clear is that from the very first day that the vehicle is available to the public, so too will Mopar be there to help drivers make the 200 the perfect car for them.

At the North American International Auto Show, where the 200 was announced and shown off for the first time, Mopar brought with it more than 45 parts and accessories to their showcase.

“The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is a revolutionary vehicle for Chrysler Group, and for the segment as well, so we created a vehicle that complements the soul of the 2015 Chrysler 200, while also showcasing how Mopar parts and accessories can help owners personalize and customize the new sedan to truly make it their own,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar. “The modified 2015 Chrysler 200 on exhibit in the Mopar NAIAS display demonstrates our commitment to working with all Chrysler Group brands to offer Mopar products that let customers personalize their ride right when it arrives in the showroom, or even before through the Mopar Custom Shop.”

All-in-all, when the 2015 Chrysler 200 hits the road, it will have 200 different Mopar parts and accessories to choose from with an additional 90 before the end of the year.

For more information on the upcoming 2015 Chrysler 200 and its various Mopar available parts, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. You can also download our mobile app to schedule a time to be seen in our quality service department. Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter to see our monthly parts and service specials.

Mopar Offering Customization at North American Auto Show

10MOPAR-master675-v2

Whenever big auto shows are involved, Chrysler has had the mentality of going as big as possible. With the upcoming 2014 North American International Auto Show coming up, Chrysler is letting Mopar loose to engage the attendees in a big way.

At the auto show, happening in Detroit, Mopar will be setting up shop to give people the chance to experiment with cars. Each person in attendance will be given a chance to get a hold of a iPad with an app allowing them to put together a custom car to their liking.

Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, said in a statement concerning the event, “This is a great addition to the Mopar Garage, which we introduced last year as a display to give consumers a look at how to customize their current vehicles with an incredible selection of aftermarket quality Mopar parts and accessories.”

The Mopar exhibit will be the largest exhibit to date in at the Cobo Center hosting the auto show. It will take up 5,500 square-foot to give people a look at the vast array of parts that Mopar has. Also at the exhibit will be all of Mopar’s specially customized vehicles that were shown off at the previous year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association Show. Among this special vehicles will be the 2014 Mopar Dodge Challenger, SRT Viper, Jeep Cherokee Trail Carver, and the Jeep Wrangler Recon.

The 2014 North American International Auto Show will be open to the public January 18th through the 26th. If you’re in the Detroit, this will be a great chance to mess around with some fun Mopar toys.

For more auto news and specials, like Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

Winter Driving Tips

ID-100155943

The weather may be less than the usual in terms of winter driving with a lack of snow and ice on the ground but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared in case. New York weather has the tendency to change when least expected. Having a vehicle ready for such changes can mean the difference between being to work on time or getting the whole family to the destination without any incidents. Here is some tips on how to be ready for winter driving.

*Check your tires:
A major things to be sure is ready for the ice and snow. Tires are keeping you on the road and ensuring your have grip when most needed. Check over the tires to see how mean the summer was on them and to see if any of the tread has been lost. Also make sure that the tire is properly inflated.

*Windshield:
There is nothing worse than being caught in a snowstorm with broken wiper blades or lack of wiper fluid. Ensure that the fluid is filled to maximum as there will be a lot used to clean up the mess of snow and dirt that always ends up on the windshield. Be sure that the wiper blades are functioning properly and are properly wiping away the grime. If not, now is the best time to pick up some new ones.

*Lights:
This is something to help both you and the other drivers. Headlights should be cleaned and providing plenty of light to see through any flurries. This will also make sure that if someone is having a tough time seeing on the road, they’ll be able to make out your headlights on the road ahead and can avoid a collision. Headlights and taillights should be bright and clean for the winter.

*Be aware:
There’s only so much that technology can do to help protect us on the road. At some point, it does fall on the driver to be ready for the random things that can occur. They are the ones to be on the look out for black ice or to know how to properly steer during a spin-out. A driver who is going to be out during bad weather must be aware of how to handle driving emergencies when they happen.

As always, there are plenty more that we didn’t get to that can be done to better a vehicle in preparation of the winter weather. These are simply ones that are very common and most drivers don’t take handle until after they become a problem. Follow these tips and you’ll find yourself being proactive and having much better chances to have good travel during the winter.

To schedule your vehicle for a complete check-up, contact our service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

Chrysler Improves CNG Tank with Human Lung Design

The next development in Chrysler engineering? Is it a new engine? No, it’s not. Maybe the follow-up to the Uconnect? Nope, not that either. Could it be another redesign for a Jeep vehicle? Not at all. The next step in the Chrysler development is the human lung.

With that setup and segway out of the way, let me explain. Chrysler is looking for ways to improve on the current gasoline model of compressed natural gas. For that, the engineers turned to the human lung for reference in making an improvement.

Current tanks are too big and awkward to fit into a vehicle. Typically the tank takes up room in the cargo space. By going with the design of the human lung, Chrysler thinks they’ve solved the problem of space. Like a lung, the new tank will use expanding sacks similar to how alveloi work in a lung. This leads to the tank no longer needing to be cylindrical in shape like traditional tanks.

Chrysler currently offers CNG in the Ram 2500, but if this new technology works as well as they hope, it’s very possible to see more.

For more information on the Ram 2500, or other Chrysler products, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Whether you’re looking for a new or used car or just need to schedule an appointment for a check-up, we are always ready to help.