Spring Vehicle Check-List

Here are the parts that need checking:

  • Engine, Belts, Hoses, & Fuel Filter:

Replacing 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.

  • Shocks & Struts:

A rough winter also hurts the city streets, filling them with numerous pot-holes.  Make sure you have a smoother ride by seeing if those bumps caused any damage.

  • 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Chrysler is Developing New “Hurricane” Engine

I hate hearing the word “hurricane” living in New York, not after the last storm. It’s nice to see however the word being used for something so promising.

Chrysler is developing an engine known as code-named “Hurricane” due out in 2016. Details are scarce at the moment, but AutoNews.com is reporting that it is planned as a retooling of the base 2.0-liter I-4 engine. Thanks to looking into some documents from Chrysler, they believe the engine’s cylinder head is proving to be engineering challenge. “The new head, according to Chrysler documents,‘is an engineering challenge which uses many new technologies to achieve excellent fuel economy.’”

When Auto News asked Chrysler’s reps for a comment, the company declined to say anything.

The I-4 was recently reworked for use in current models of Chrysler products, the Dodge Dart and the upcoming 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The aim in the reworking was for better fuel economy and performance, which would also be the goal of the 2016 “Hurricane” engine.

If your current vehicle is in need of maintenance then contact the service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  The dealership operates in the Bayside Queens area of New York with top-notch customer service and will work to make sure you vehicle is working and ready for the upcoming fall weather.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more news and special monthly offers!

Mopar’s Fall Auto Maintenance Check List

ID-100109424Just because the weather can’t figure out its mind concerning the temperature doesn’t mean it is not a good time to start getting prepared for colder weather.  After such a scorching summer, it’s a good time to start the preparations for a chilly fall and winter.  Mopar has put out their fall check-list for drivers to make sure they’re ready.  Here it is:

1) Brakes.

Always an important thing to take proper care of.  Last thing anyone needs is to lose control of one of the most vital parts of a vehicle.  Traveling during the summer can wear down the layers on the brake pads leaving them dangerously thin.  Now is the time to make sure they’re ready for the difficult conditions that come with slick roads.

2) Tires

Speaking of dealing with slick roads, tires are extremely important to look into before the fall season.  Check for any edge wear, center wear, or shoulder wear to see if you have any trouble spots on your car.  It’s also a good time to check to make sure the air pressure in all the tires is at the proper levels.  Make sure your spare is also good to go.

3) Battery

The extreme New York heat can have severe effects on a battery.  It shortens the life and is a principle reason for a car dying in the middle of winter, at the worst possible time no less.  Give the battery a look over to see if there’s any cracks in the case.

4) Wiper Blades

Take it from someone who was once caught in a blizzard with broken wiper blades, it’s not fun.  Make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to do and that’s keeping the road visible.

5) Shocks & Struts

Not usually something that most drivers consider when readying their vehicle for fall driving.  With chillier weather also comes the dreaded potholes and they can do a number on the ill-prepared motorist.

6) Engine Oil

This is something regardless of the approaching fall season that should always be checked into.  Make sure you’re meeting your regular intervals of oil changes to make sure that it doesn’t negatively impact your vehicle during colder weather.  Low or dirty fluids can wreak havoc on your engine.

7) Fluid Levels

Again, something that should always be taken care of.  Make certain the fluids on things such as power-steering , transmission, brake, windshield fluid are at factory recommend levels.  It’s also a good time to check on the anti-freeze levels.

8) Engine Belts & Hose

These are supposed to be replaced at regular intervals, so just make sure you’re doing that and if it is that time, then there is no better time than now to do it.

9) Air Filter

Having bad air flow can lead to negative consequences on your engine and even on the amount of gas your engine is consuming on a trip.  Having a new filter will do wonders for your gas mileage and help your engine last longer.

10) Headlamps and Tail lamps

With the fall season approaching, so are longer nights.  During the tail end of the year, you’ll find yourself driving much more during darker portions and for that reason it’s good to make sure that other drivers can see you easily.  Give both the front and the back lamps a good look at to make sure they are functioning properly and optimally.

There you have it, a good start to ensuring your car is ready for whatever weather the final part of the year will bring.  If you need any help with any of this maintenance, make sure to contact the service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  We’ll make sure your car is ready for the weather.

Image courtesy of markuso / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Mack Avenue Plant Makes Final Engine; Readies for Pentastar

It’s the end of an era at the Mack Avenue Engine Plant in Detroit.  They reached a mile stone with the production of a 4.7 liter V-8 engine.  Normally it wouldn’t be that big of a deal, making another quality engine for Ram trucks and other Chrysler vehicles.  This one, however, happens to be the last one they’ll ever make as production is ceasing.

C-Mack47signedenginesignv1The Mack Avenue Plant has put together more than 3 million powerplants.  They are now planning to move on to the next engine type.  Back in November of last year, Chrysler invested $198 million dollars into the plant, as well as added around 250 new jobs, so that the Mack Planet can start production of the Pentastar V-6 engines.

The final engine made was signed by the employees and will now be displayed in the lobby of the plant.  It’s a bittersweet moment as the workers begin to transition over to the next phase in production.

“Producing more than 3 million engines is a testament to each and every person that has worked at Mack Avenue Engine Plant 1 during the past 15 years,” said UAW Local 51 President Lorenzo Poole.

Plant Manager Bob Hollingsworth continued, “The Mack Avenue team should feel incredibly proud of what we have accomplished.  I applaud all the men and women who have helped build the 4.7 for all these years.  We are going to celebrate because we have a lot of work ahead of us, producing the award-winning Pentastar engine.”

If you are in the Queens area and are looking for top quality service, bring your vehicle into Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  Contact us and schedule a time for us to take a look at your car.  You can also shop online at the Mopar E-Store for a special treat.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more news and service specials.