Chrysler Custom Challenge Championship Seeks Best Mopar-ized Vehicle

UntitledThe Spring Festival of LXs in Irvine, California started when a group of four wanted to have a get-together to show off their rides to one another. As these things can do, it grew. The following year, more people showed up and the year after that even more. Now the event brings in thousands of people and around a thousand cars from all over the country.

Drivers weren’t the only ones who noticed, Chrysler did as well. The event was started specifically to out of love of their products, specifically the Dodge Challenger, Charger, Magnum, and Chrysler 300. The automaker loves the idea of their fans gathering and they want to be part of it.

The CEO of Chrysler, Saad Chehab, has pledged their support to the Mopar fanatics by creating the “Chrysler Custom Challenge Championship.” To enter, all you do is pay a visit to Chrysler Facebook page and upload a picture along with a description of your vehicle and you could win a trip to the 2014 North American Auto Show in Detroit, a luxury vacation package for two, and a two-year lease of a Chrysler vehicle.

Good luck to all who enter!

In need of a check-up?  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.

Spring Vehicle Maintenance Check-List

ID-10085780One of the first things I heard when I moved out to New York concerned the weather.  I was told “Don’t like the weather?  Just wait.”  It wasn’t too clear to someone who came from a region with four discernible seasons, but after a few years I get it.  Spring is coming, and it can’t figure out if that means warm or cold.  What that means for you, as an auto owner, is that it’s time to make sure your vehicle is in working order.

Pat Dougherty, the VP of Sales at Mopar, put together a list that drivers need to have checked out as the weather warms up.  “Vehicles need to be in shape for the summer travel season.  Preventive maintenance keeps vehicles on the road longer and save customers money in the long run.”

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.

Image courtesy of Surachai / 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.

Mopar Shows Off New Jeeps at Easter Jeep Safari

03JeepMoparWe recently wrote about the concepts that Jeep and Mopar are teaming up to bring to the Easter Jeep Safari.  Since then, the event has gone underway and more information is available on the six models being presented.  Turns out the concepts are the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept, the Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon, Jeep Wrangler Stitch, Jeep Wrangler Sand Trooper II, Jeep Wrangler Flattop, and the Jeep Wrangler Slim.

Auto Media decided to focus on 3 of the concepts.  The first one they looked at is the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk.  This new Jeep contains the much talked about and much desired EcoDiesel engine.  The outside is clad in blood-orange paint and has 35-inch off-road Micky Thompson tires, along with custom fender flares and capped off with a modified SRT hood.

Next up is the Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon.  The template is the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.  Underneath the hood is a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 crate engine, capable of 470 horsepower.  The Wrangler Recon is built to be tough and shows that by having many features that make it capable to withstand some punishment.  Mopar put a Warn winch, high-clearance flat fenders, and rock rails on the Jeep along with the Rubicon’s 10th Anniversary hood on for good measure.  All of this is clad in a slate gray paint-job.

Last is the Wrangler Stitch, also a mod of the Wrangler Rubicon.  What Mopar did to this was put the Wrangler on a diet, shedding over 3,000 pounds to make it a similar weight to the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT.  That weight loss didn’t diminish the qualities though, so don’t fear.  The list of goodies included is quite long and includes, 17-inch aluminum wheels, customer DynaTrac Pro Rock 44 axles with 4.88 gears.

It’s clear that just by looking at these three Jeeps and what they are capable of, they were built for the Jeep owners looking to push an envelope.  “We created our new Jeep Performance Parts portfolio for extreme off-road Jeep fanatics ” said Mopar’s President and CEO, Pietro Gorlier.  “Jeep owners who are passionate about customization, performance, and personalization will have a long menu of Jeep Performance Parts from which to choose.”

Planning a spring getaway or just need to figure out why the ‘check engine light’ is on, stop on into the service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. We offer top quality customer service and want to make sure you work only with the best. If you’re looking to do some additional work on your vehicle, you can shop online through our website at theMopar E-Store. For more Mopar news and special monthly offers, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Mopar Readies Six New Jeep Concepts for Easter Jeep Safari

jeep-teases-new-mopar-concepts-medium_2Mopar and Jeep are joining forces to create not just one new concept, but six. All of them will be ready for display at the Easter Jeep Safari.

Chrysler teased two of the Jeeps today. The first is the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk II concept and the second is the Wrangler Slim. Both of these vehicles will be getting ‘Moparized’ to improve their off-road performance. The exact details of those modifications are, as of yet, unknown.

The remaining four Jeeps are going to remain under wraps until the Safari.

The Easter Jeep Safari is celebrating it’s 47th show and will be happening in Moab, Utah later this month on the 23rd through the 31st. The event is meant to cater to Jeep and 4×4 enthusiasts who are looking to see the best all terrain vehicles get put to the test. It’s one of the best places to show off a new Jeep that Mopar has put together to display their off-road capabilities.

Planning a spring getaway or just need to figure out why the ‘check engine light’ is on, stop on into the service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. We offer top quality customer service and want to make sure you work only with the best. If you’re looking to do some additional work on your vehicle, you can shop online through our website at the Mopar E-Store. For more Mopar news and special monthly offers, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Mopar Lists Top Ten Most Purchased Accessories

13-ram1500-pv-large-redesigned-exterior-interiorThe parts arm of Chrysler, Mopar, offers thousands of different wants to modify and improve your vehicle. The accessory market is a big one totaling and incredible $70 billion dollars worldwide. That’s a lot of customization going on! What is it that people are buying? Chrysler has put together a list of the top purchased parts as well as which vehicles are the most accessorized.

Starting with the vehicles, the first one to top the list seems like the most obvious choice. The heavy-duty Ram 1500. I’ve known enough truck lovers to know that the basics are never good enough. The number one part makes even more sense because of this. The perfect add-on for a truck, side steps and running boards.

Second vehicle is the Jeep Wrangler. Once again, the list for the top vehicles and top accessory match up perfectly. Right underneath side steps in the top ten is Jeep Wrangler Tops.

Here’s the breakdown of the rest of the list:

Vehicles

  1. Ram 1500

  2. Jeep Wrangler

  3. Dodge Challenger

  4. Jeep Grand Cherokee

  5. Dodge Charger

 

Accessories:

  1. Side Steps & Running Boards
  2. Jeep Wrangler Tops
  3. Floor Mats
  4. Trailer Hitches
  5. Bedliners & Tonneau Covers
  6. Suspension Upgrades
  7. Wheel Locks
  8. Splash Guards
  9. Electronic Vehicle Tracking System
  10. Remote Start

The most interesting one is the number 9. An electronic vehicle tracking system is for when your vehicle is stolen in aiding the cops find it.

Make your own statement with customizing your vehicle. Shop the Mopar E-Store online with our website Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Make sure you take advantage of our monthly parts and service specials while you’re on our site. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the special offers we have at the website.

Chrysler Proves Their All-Wheel Drive is the Best

2013-chrysler-300--glacier-edition(4)-600-001When you brag about the capabilities of your vehicle, there comes the time to stand up or shut up. Chrysler has been telling folks for a long time about the quality of their all-wheel drive for some time. They’re tired of just telling people, though, and are ready to prove that they aren’t pulling any legs.

So how do you prove such a thing? By taking your cars to the one of the snowiest cities in the country. That city is located in the upper peninsula of Michigan and is named Houghton. Chrysler brought with them the 2013 Dodge Charger and the new Chrysler 300 Glacier edition to run the gauntlet.

Drivers made sure that both vehicles were put to the test. What they found was that the vehicles handled beautifully under the severe road conditions. Even at high speeds, the cars were able to slalom on an snow covered road. Here’s the video they put out to show how well the cars handled themselves:

With the recent snow that New Yorks has been getting, you want to make sure that you get a vehicle capable of tackling all mother nature can throw at you. Contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge and let us know that you’re looking for the best in all-wheel-drive. We’ll work with you to help you get what you’re looking for. We love to say yes. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter as well for more news and monthly parts and service specials.

Mopar Gets Their Hands on the 2013 Dodge Dart

bg_dartmopar1Mopar has gotten their hands on the new 2013 Dodge Dart and is giving it their usual love.

At the Chicago Auto Show, Mopar will be unveiling just what they’ve done to the Dodge Dart to give it a little something extra. That extra includes enhancements to the performance of the machine including a lowered sport suspension, revised steering calibration, sport-tuned exhaust, ground-effects kit, and a premium brake kit with slotted rotors.

On the inside, the part maker is giving the driver’s seat customer leather. Also, in an industry-first, a wireless charger for smartphones.

“Our new Mopar ’13 Dart will turn hears and stand out from the crowd,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar. “For this special, limited-edition vehicle, we specifically kept the driver in mind as we added select Mopar parts and accessories.”

Availability for this new Dart will be extremely limited, with numbers being at only 500 models. Production begins in spring at the plant in Belvidere, Illinois.

You can shop for Mopar’s quality parts online at the Mopar E-Store online at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. You can also see our monthly parts and services specials available only at our dealership. Make sure you like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more Mopar news and monthly specials.

Fan Names Street After Mopar

ID-10022958What if you were given the chance to name your own street, what would you go with?  For one person in Florida it was the chance to show his car love.

Jeff Crane was contacted by his local Sheriff’s Office in Nassau County and made aware that the rural route numbers were being changed.  Since the end of his driveway was more than 300 feet from his home, it was his choice for the name of the street.  His first thought went to naming it after himself.  Sadly, Crane Drive was already taken.  With choice number one off the table, he went to his next favorite thing.

Jeff informed the office that he wanted to have it named Mopar Drive.  The response from the lady on the other side of the phone was simply a question if he liked NASCAR.  Jeff just answered back, “I don’t like NASCAR, but I love Mopar.”

The majority of vehicles that Jeff has driven in his life are a part of the Chrysler family.  At the moment, he’s got himself a 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD, a rare find.  His wife also has a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Interesting way of showing love and support for a company you love.  If you’re looking to show Mopar some love, you can go online to our website and shop on the Mopar E-Store.  Make sure you like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to see monthly parts and service specials available only at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

Mopar Wants to See Your Car

PhotoTabAre you proud of your vehicle?  Have you put any modifications into it that you find yourself unable not to tell friends and family about?  Time to share that joy and pride you feel with the rest of the world.  Mopar wants to see what you’ve made.

Mopar has launched an initiative to get car lovers to open up about their creations.  They’ve created a new Facebook tab dedicated for the show-offs.  Now gear-heads the world over have a place to share with the Mopar Nation.  All you have to do is submit the photo and that’s it.  From there, a photo will be chosen at random to be shown off.

Follow the link here to get started.

Seems like a perfect time to pay a visit to the Mopar E-Store, available on Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge’s website.  Give your ride a boost and see if you can get your vehicle featured on Mopar Nation.  Make sure you also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to see our monthly parts and service specials, only at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.