Mopar Road Ready Returns for 2016

BU015_117EVrgiiuf4qbtqmh3f6emu6re47m__mid

What a better way to learn about how to drive than from the master drivers at Dodge?

Mopar and Dodge are putting together a special program to help teen drivers learn how to be safe on the road.  The “Mopar Road Ready Powered by Dodge” program will give teenage drivers the necessary skills to be safe while learning how to drive.  It’s been a successful program in the past and is returning in 2016 for five two-day events in four different locations in the US.

“We are excited to continue the ‘Mopar Road Ready Powered by Dodge’ program in 2016 and to assist in training even more teens on the skills they need to stay safe behind the wheel,” said Pietro Gorlier, the Head of Parts and Service at Mopar.  “By teaming up with Dodge brand and through sponsorship from the FCA foundation, we are empowering new drivers with education and experience that will last a lifetime.”

The program is aimed at teenagers from the ages of 15 to 19 with a learner’s or driver’s license and at least 30 hours of driving experience.  The program consists of a classroom review of core driving topics such as proper seat position, hand positioning, and vehicle dynamics.  Once the teens get behind the wheel, they will get on-track course sessions that teach accident avoidance and other techniques.

The ‘Mopar Road Ready Powered by Dodge’ program will be coming to Englishtown, New Jersey April 23rd thru the 24th.  Head here to learn more and to register.

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.

The Safety of a Jeep Wrangler Saves a Life

http://blog.fcanorthamerica.com/2015/12/11/he-cant-believe-that-he-lived/?autoplay=true

Picture Courtesy of FCA Corporate Blog

It is an odd thing to have a car story that revolves around an accident, but Fiat-Chrysler featured a story on their blog that highlights a survivor’s story of a Jeep Wrangler saving someone’s live in an accident.

Safety in always a major talking point of every vehicle.  What isn’t talked about as often is how those safety features save people’s lives in real-world accidents.  Case in point is the case of Todd Garrison and his son Elijah in Cincinnati.  Todd Garrison is a Jeep fan and insisted that his son use a 2003 Jeep Wrangler.  Turns out, it was one of the best decisions he could make for his son.

“Elijah was driving to work Saturday morning [on Dec.5] when his (passenger) side tire got off the road and he over corrected.  When his driver side tire hit the grass, it struck a tree stump, causing his passenger side bumper to dig into the ground.  That flipped him over, twisting to the passenger side rear bumper and exploded the hard top.”

“His Wrangler then flipped over again over the passenger side and windshield portion of the roll cage where it went airborne.  It landed on all four tires facing the opposite direction that he was traveling in someone’s driveway.”

Even with that vicious description, the incredible thing is that Elijah emerged from the crash with only a mild concussion.  Judging from the photo included in the blog, it’s incredible to see that he was able to walk away.  As the title says, it’s unbelievable he was alright.  Something to bear in mind when shopping just how important safety is.  And that it is a good selling point for a Jeep.

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.

Getting Ready for Colder Weather

2013-chrysler-300--glacier-edition(4)-600-001

Summer just doesn’t want to go away. The heat has been hanging around for so long that many of us have seemingly forgot that winter is, and should, be coming.  While it may be late, you can still do plenty to prep for when it gets here so that you don’t get caught unaware.

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.

Getting Ready for the Cold

ID-100109424

The cold should be coming soon to New York.  Hopefully, maybe, it just may.  It will happen eventually, and now may be the best time to make sure your car is ready for it.  Here is some useful things you can do to help your car when it comes time to turn on the heater.

  • 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.

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.

Pentastar V6 Getting Upgrades for 2016

ID-100109424

The Pentastar engine has one of the biggest legacies at the automaker.  It has a rich history and has long been one of the top engines in the US market.  For 2016, Chrysler is aiming to take the Pentastar V6 to a newer level with their engineers working on getting some improvements out of the classic V6.

According to Green Car Reports, Chrysler is having their engineers work to get the Pentastar V6 engine to have improved fuel economy for the 2016 model year.  Much of the work will go towards helping their vehicles meet newer and stricter fuel economy mandates.

To get the V6 to this new level, some changes and improvements have been made, such as a weight reduction thanks to component redesign and new enhancements like cooled exhaust-gas recirculation.  With these, the Pentastar V6 should see an improvement in both torque and fuel-economy.

In the upcoming years, the EPA will be increasing the regulations on engines.  Chrysler is going to have to continue with this line of upgrades in order to keep up with increasing regulations.

If you need help getting a vehicle’s cabin air filter checked or replaced, schedule a time to be seen in our service department to set up an appointment time to be seen.  Be sure to by liking Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

When to Replace Your Cabin’s Air Filter

ID-10085780

We’ve been covering vehicle tune up questions of a lesser known matter.  One that does tend to not get talked about is the cabin air filter.  Do you know when you should replace this filter?

As is the case with many of these, the length of time or miles driven in the vehicle before something needs to be changed or replaced differs depending on the automaker.  Some will say 12,000 miles while others may say 15,000.  For that reason, make sure to check the owner’s manual to see what is recommended for your model car.

Bear in mind that the number may also be influenced by the amount of driving you do and the location in which you do said driving.  For New York City drivers, the cabin air filter will need to be changed more frequently than that of someone in a rural location who doesn’t drive as much.  It can vary based on the air quality of the environment the car is driven in as well as the amount of driving done.

To see if your cabin air filter is acting up and needs to be replaced outside the regular check-ups; there are signs to see if it is becoming more and more ineffective.  One surefire sign is the smell.  Another is listening to the fan when you turn it up high.  If it is making a loud noise and not much air is being pushed out, that could mean the filter has gone bad.

If you need help getting a vehicle’s cabin air filter checked or replaced, schedule a time to be seen in our service department to set up an appointment time to be seen.  Be sure to by liking Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

Summer Maintenance Tips: Air Conditioner

ID-100109424

The summer heat is hard enough to deal with, imagine doing it with an A/C that isn’t properly working.  With July almost over, that doesn’t mean the heat is going away.  Here is some tips on making sure you’re A/C is working properly during the summer so that it can keep you cool through the heat waves.

The biggest issue with a car’s air conditioning is that the driver doesn’t have as much control over maintenance as with other aspects of the vehicle.  If you suspect there is something wrong with your air conditioning that is a sign to get it in as soon as you can to a service department for someone to work on it.  An easy way to quickly identify a problem is just to feel the air coming out.  If it isn’t as cold as it should be, or even cold at all, it is a clear problem.

If the A/C is not working, there is a more important reason to have it fixed than simply comfort.  A failing air conditioning on a vehicle can impact the car.  The serpentine belt also powers other parts of the car, such as the water pump that keeps the engine from overheating.  If the A/C isn’t working right, this could cause your vehicle to overheat and nothing good comes from that.

If you need to get your air conditioner checked be sure to contact our service department to set up an appointment time to be seen.  Be sure to by liking Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

Tips for Driving in Heavy Rain

200_ext_006

Rain in New York seems to be here one minute, gone the next.  There are days where it seems like it’ll never let up.  We’ve assembled some tips to make sure that when you get caught in a downpour that you can still drive safely.

According to AAA, one thing you will want to avoid is using cruise control.  This will increase the possibility of losing control.  “To prevent loss of traction, the drive may need to reduce the car’s speed by lifting off the accelerator, which cannot be accomplished when cruise control is engaged.”  Like all driving during extreme weather, be it rain or snow, concentrating on driving is the most important.  Cruise control takes away from that concentration.

Without cruise contro, that helps give you control while driving.  That means you can control the speed of the vehicle while approaching stops and other vehicles.  With this, you can avoid hyroplanning.  Even at speeds as low as 35 mph, you can still lose control on a roadway.

To avoid this happening, it’s all about control and speed.  You will want to not step hard on the brake and do not make any sharp turns.  By leaving plenty of safe space between you and the other cars, this is not too difficult to accomplish.

If you do find yourself losing control, you will want to remain calm to get back from a skid.  Do not slam on the brakes in this situation, it will actually make the car harder to control.  Focus on where you want the car to go and to face and try to steer in that direction.  Hopefully, this will help you get out of the skid without an accident.

If you need to get your vehicle checked be sure to contact our service department to set up an appointment time to be seen.  Be sure to by liking Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

How to Take Care of Your Ram Truck in the Summer

Ram Trucks Summer Care Advice

With the summer heating up, now is a good time to start practicing some good care habits for your Ram truck. Here is a few tips courtesy from Ram themselves on how to make sure that your Ram survives a hot summer filled with traveling and rough terrain.

Regularly Cleaning It:

By doing this, you clear the truck of any loose particles of sand or dirt that could lead to smaller scratches in the paint as time goes on. Down the line, those damages can lead to rust, so be sure to clean your truck regularly or after a particularly dirty trip. Also, when cleaning the truck, don’t do it in direct sunlight, pick a spot that is shaded to avoid uneven drying.

On the flip side, be sure to take the time to dry. Don’t just leave the truck to dry on its own, do the work yourself. By using a towel, you’ll better remove the dirt and particles from the vehicle.

Wax:

It can take some time, but by waxing your truck, you’re giving it an added shield against mother nature. Waxing helps make sure that your truck is able to not get scratched up easily by the environment. If you use a higher quality wax, it can even keep the temperature down on the truck’s paint, helping the pain to last longer.

Be Careful of the Sun:

Sun is great and all, but it can cause fading on your truck. This doesn’t mean to avoid driving in the sun, but where you keep it. It is best to park your truck in the shade such as a garage so that the sun doesn’t bake your paint job and cause your vehicle to look worst as the years go on.

If you need to service your truck, be sure to contact our service department to set up an appointment time to be seen.  Be sure to by liking Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

Chrysler Readies 2016 Uconnect System

2016 Uconnect System - BaysideCJD - Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge

Chrysler’s Uconnect system is one of the most popular in the auto tech world.  It has won numerous auto tech awards and has been a winner with drivers all over.  Not wanting to rest on those achievements, Chrysler is making sure that for 2016, the Uconnect system will continue to be at the top of auto tech world.

One of the coolest new features is the Drag and Drop menu bar.  The driver now has the ability to customize and personalize their touchscreen.  The user can drag icons to make give their favorite apps easier to use and access.  Here is a video FCA released that explains it in more detail:

 

The next feature is Siri Eyes Free.  This feature is compatible with Iphone 4s and later models and gives the driver a host of hands free options.  With the press of a voice button on the steering wheel, the driver can now use voice commands to send text messages, access music, make phone calls, and start turn-by-turn directions.


Drivers will also be able to use the 2016 Uconnect’s Do Not Disturb feature.  With this mode turned on, the driver to route all incoming calls to voicemail or suppress text messages.  The driver can also use this to set a default or personalize response that is automatically sent out to the people trying to get a hold of you.


Lastly is the SiriusXM Tune Start.  Now drivers can start their music from the beginning of the song when switching from their radio channels.

The new 2016 Uconnect system will be come with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and be available on the Chrysler 200 and 300, Dodge Challenger, Charger, Durango, and Viper, and the Ram 1500, HD, and Chassis Cab.

Be sure to by liking Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.