Is Your Car Ready for the Cold?

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.

The Safety of a Jeep Wrangler Saves a Life

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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

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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.

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.

When to Replace Your Cabin’s Air Filter

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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

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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

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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

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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.

The Importance of Oil Changes

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Oil changes can be incredibly annoying and is one of the things many drivers tend to ignore.  So what happens to your car if you go too long without an oil change?

One of the most common ways to think about oil is that it is the “blood” of your car.  It is essential for your vehicle, it what lets the metal press against metal without damaging anything.  Without the oil, so much friction would be created by that action that bad things would follow.

Keeping the same oil in the vehicle is also a bad thing to do.  Here’s what happens; the oil collects dirt that the filter will no longer be able to remove due to it becoming clogged.  The second is the oil’s effectiveness at reducing friction wears down.  That makes the oil inside the vehicle thick which will cause more wear on the car.  As that oil gets dirtier and dirtier, it wears down the engine and eventually it will fail.

For this to occur, the oil has to be in your car for quite a long time.  We’re talking in the neighborhood of thousands of miles past the point of when you should’ve changed it.  Don’t put yourself into this situation.  Oil changes are an important part of your car’s life and making sure to have it done properly and regularly is vital to making sure your vehicle does not break down.

If you need to get your oil changed, stop by Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge’s service center.  We’ll schedule you in to be seen in our service center and make sure everything is working properly.  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.  Be sure to by like Bayside on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

Summer Maintenance Checklist

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Summer came hard and quick to New York and it’s best to make sure that your vehicle is ready for the oncoming heat.  Here is a list of things to bear in mind when getting ready for summer.

  • Engine, Belts, Hoses, & Fuel Filter:

You will want to replace belts and hoses on a regular basis helps to avoid a breakdown or engine damage.  Replacing the fuel filter will make sure that your engine is running properly and will maximize your fuel economy.

  • Tires:

Check the air pressure for all of your tires.  That includes the spare.  If the pressure is off, that can lead to premature ware.  That, in turn, leads to decreasing your fuel mileage.

  • Brakes:

Brakes are used frequently throughout a single day.  Every time the brakes are applied, a thin layer of the pad disintegrates.  Make sure you inspect and replace those pads to ensure proper performance.

  • Oil:

Make sure your engine oil level is checked often and changed and refilled on a regular basis.  If the oil is dirty or too low, you can experience engine problems.  Not something you want happening to you in New York summers.

  • Air Filter:

Replacing a dirty filter will help protect your engine from airborne contaminants.  The car will get better air flow.  That helps decrease on fuel consumption.

  • Fluid Levels:

Dirty fluids have an impact on the performance of your vehicle and can lead to breakdowns.  Make sure you’re checking that everything is filled to the proper levels and on a regular interval.

  • Battery:

It’s been a rough winter and that meant some rough cold-morning starts.  Make sure there’s no corroded terminals or cracks on the case.  It’s never fun to have a battery fail in the middle of the city.

  • Wiper Blades:

Spring brings with it plenty of storms.  Don’t get caught in the rain with broken wipers.  You never want to have to fight to see through a downpour.

  • Headlamps, Tail Lamps, Turn Signals, & Hazard Lights:

Always make sure your lights are in proper working order to avoid two things, accidents and the cops pulling you over for a citation.

Bring your vehicle into our service department and we’ll give it the look over to ensure it’s ready to face the on-coming weather.  Best to get it out of the way before your vehicle develops problems on a road-side and your great vacation out of state has turned into a few hours waiting for the tow truck.

Schedule an appointment online at our website or contact us at 888-425-7294.  Like Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for a full list of our special monthly offers.