Pentastar V6 Getting Upgrades for 2016

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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.

3-D Printers Help Chrysler Engineers Innovate

Car Axle

Technology is a neat thing.

Yes, the imaginary audience shakes their head to such a generic statement, technology is a wonderful thing.  What I mean by this is that the advent of 3-D printing is going to be capable of helping engineers do some amazing things they couldn’t do before.  We’ve been seeing this tech put to medical use and even at NASA.  Chrysler engineers have been using 3-D printing to help them figure out how to improve their vehicles, in particular the axles.

By using the printers, the engineers were able to make clear plastic versions of the axles and other parts to get a more clear (no pun intended) picture of what was going on.  This is a major improvement over the previous method of using a dynamometer viewed through a window in the part.

How will this affect the future of vehicles is anyone’s guess.  It will definitely help the engineers as they put together plans for the next generation of Chrysler powertrains.  It is only a matter of time before these kinds of innovations help to create more efficient engines.  First the axles and who knows how else using 3-D printers can help.

If you want to have your car looked at, then you can schedule a time to be seen by the service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge by going to our service tab on the website.  You can also keep up with your service appointments by downloading our mobile app to view details in real time on your vehicle when brought in for a service appointment.

Source: Manufacturing.net

What to Do About a Check Engine Light

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We have all done it. Everyone, at some point in their life, has driven around trying not to worry about the “check engine” light. Some just plain ignore it. I think it is because of how that light doesn’t really point out a major issue. Check the engine for what? What that light means is unknown to most, so we’re trying to shed some light on the subject.

First off, that light comes in different shades depending on the manufacturer. What you really want to look out for is if the light starts to flash. This is a serious danger warning. One such issue that blinking light may be pointing to is the catalytic converter is overheating and if that is the case, then that means trouble for the car.

Which is why it is best not to ignore the light. Sure people tell themselves they can drive around for weeks or months with the light on and nothing happens. But that doesn’t mean that the engine isn’t suffering an issue that is being worsened by your avoidance of the trouble. According to CarMD.com, ten percent of all cars on the road have their “check engine” light on. Half of those drives have been ignoring the light for three months!

Edmunds lists the five most common reasons for the “check engine” light to have come on in 2010. They are:

  • O2 sensor
  • Loose gas cap
  • Catalytic converter
  • Mass air flow sensor
  • Spark plug wires

If the light comes on due to an error, then it will most likely turn off after a short time. If that time has last well past a little while, then make the smart decision and save yourself time and money further down the road by checking your vehicle into a service department for an inspection.

Remember that you can schedule a time to be seen by the service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge by going to our service tab on the website.  You can also keep up with your service appointments by downloading our mobile app to view details in real time on your vehicle when brought in for a service appointment.

Summer Car Maintenance Tips: Tires

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If the heat is any indication, Summer is upon New York. Time to start getting ready for summer traveling. As traditional as it is, this is the time when most families plan for and travel to their vacation spots using the family vehicle. In order to keep your vehicle working under what is bound to be some hot weather. Here is some advice on how to get your car ready for summer driving.

The first place to start is with the tires. It should go without saying just how important healthy tires are to driving. However, many people underestimate the wear and tear that extreme hot and cold can have. 2013 was both a very hot and very cold year and one bound to have done a number on various tires. A trick to see the amount of tread on the tire is with a penny. Stick the currency into the tread and if Lincoln is suddenly missing a head, that’s a good thing. If not, then it is time to consider getting new tires.

While on the subject of tires, it is vital to regularly check the air pressure in the tires. With the cold weather gone, check your manual or the sidewall of the tire to see where the tire pressure should be for summer heat. Having an under-inflated tire can wear on the sidewalls of the tire. Add heat and pressure to that mix and it can lead to a blown tire, one that can happen at the worst possible time. So avoid putting yourself in that predicament and maintain your tires.
A bonus to having a properly maintained tire at the right air pressure is what it can do for fuel economy. For summer traveling, saving money anywhere is a plus. A properly inflated tire can save up to a gallon of gas per month. Might not seem like much at first, but that can quickly add up.

Stay tuned for more summer vehicle maintenance tips in the coming blogs. If you need more help or would like a professional to look over your vehicle to see if it is ready for summer, contact our service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Go online and schedule a time to be seen and we can evaluate your tires to make sure they are road ready. Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter for more auto tips and special monthly offers.

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

2014 Chrysler 300 Gets Five-Star Rating From National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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The 2014 Chrysler 300 has earned a reason to be excited. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rating has been given and the 300 earned top marks. The 2014 Chrysler 300 has earned a five-star overall safety rating.

This five-star rating is for the front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions of the 300. The rating is for the test results for front and side impact tests and rollover crash tests. For the front and side tests, the 300 received five stars and four stars for the rollover crash test.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had already rated the 2014 Chrysler 300, giving the sedan “good” ratings in all of their tests.

Safety is always a major concern for auto makers and the 2014 Chrysler 300 is no slacker in this department as the tests already have verified. This is thanks to each 300 being equipped with front multistage airbags that deploy with the appropriate force based on the impact. For the protection of everyone in the sedan, the 300 also is equipped with side-curtain airbags as well as a driver inflatable knee blocker. The 300 also achieves a high level of safety by coming with an available all-wheel drive system to help maintain control in nearly all conditions.

For more information on the Chrysler 300 or other Chrysler products, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Visit our website to schedule a date and time to be seen in our service department for an annual vehicle check-up. Be sure as well to like the dealership on Facebook and on Twitter to see our monthly specials and offers.

Custom Mopar Jeep Wrangler to Benefit March of Dimes

2014 Custom Jeep Wrangler for March of DimesA custom 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, upgraded with Mopar parts, will be given away to a lucky winner in a special fundraising sweepstakes to benefit the March of Dimes.

The Wrangler was donated by a Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership in suburban Chicago, and proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit an Illinois chapter of the charity. Some of the parts added for the custom upgrade include front and rear off-road bumpers, rock rails, steel body corner guards, interior accents using the March of Dimes’ signature color purple, and much more.

Back in February, the Mopar customized Jeep Wrangler was featured at the Chicago Auto Show, right after the sweepstakes opened to the public. The sweepstakes will officially close at 11:59:59 PM PT on May 1, 2014, so there is still over a week to get an entry in for the sweepstakes. For the full rules of the eBay Giving Works March of Dimes Sweepstakes, click here.

Want to learn more about all the available Mopar parts to customize your vehicle? 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 and YouTube to see our monthly parts and service specials.

Mopar Limited-Edition Challenger Sells Out in Under a Day

Mopar 2014 Dodge ChallengerThe limited-edition of the Mopar 2014 Dodge Challenger has sold out in less than 24 hours after going on sale.

Only 100 vehicles were available for purchase, making the Mopar 2014 Dodge Challenger the rarest limited-production Challenger ever offered by Dodge. The lucky buyers who managed to snatch up one of the Challengers will be receiving a 2014 Dodge Challenger that has already been given a full Mopar upgrade, including a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine as well as a choice of two exterior color options and three Mopar Blue stripe options. A little more than half of the Mopar Challengers ordered came with the Pitch Black paint while the rest chose Bright White.

Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, spoke about the limited-edition Challenger and the winning combination of Mopar and popular Dodge vehicles, stating, “The very high demand for the Mopar ’14 Challenger spotlights the success of our limited-edition Mopar-modified vehicles, and also clearly demonstrates the passion our customers have for personalizing their rides. Whether during or after the ordering process, Mopar is there to help put a personal touch on customers’ rides.”

Buyers who missed their chance at the Mopar 2014 Challenger can still purchase a 2014 Dodge Challenger and upgrade it with Mopar parts and accessories, but those Challengers will not come directly from the factory with the upgrades already in place.

Want to learn more about the HEMI engine and all the available Mopar parts to customize your vehicle? 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 and YouTube to see our monthly parts and service specials.

The LX Platform Takes Center Stage at Spring Fest

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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.

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

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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.