Winter Weather Driving Advice

Winter Weather has come later than expected, but that doesn’t mean it is ever too late to educate yourself on what you can do to keep yourself safe on the road during this weather.  AAA has a breakdown of numerous things you can do to make sure this winter driving season is a safe one.  Here are a few that we feel the need to highlight.

Don’t drive while tired:

This is one not mentioned too often on lists like this.  Most of what we speak about is what one can do to help a car to work at its best during the cold season.  Not many people take the same care of themselves that they do the vehicles they drive.  You can do all the prep work possible but if you are too tired to properly react, then it will not matter.  Take care of yourself, get the right amount of sleep, which can go a long way in reducing risks on the road.

If you become snow bound, stay with the vehicle:

This is a vital thing to keep in mind.  Staying in the car may seem like it won’t get rescue to you any faster, but it can help to keep you alive for longer.  The car is capable of providing better shelter than being stuck outside in terrible weather can.  It is also much easier to identify for the rescuers.  A car sticks out, a person not as much.  This is also where your winter emergency kit should be to help deal with waiting for a tow truck or rescue.

Don’t be in a hurry:

Plan ahead and know what the weather will be.  If the road conditions are expected to be hazardous, give yourself plenty of time to deal with the additional traffic and time needed since you should be driving slower and more cautiously.  As long as you don’t get yourself in a rush, you can give yourself the time to be slower on dangerous roads.

Get some sleep:

If there is some bad weather, you need your wits about you.  There’s plenty of reason to get caught up on sleep, but during the winter, you need to get plenty of sleep so that if something happens on the road, you can react accordingly.  Get sleep and avoid making a bad decision when the moment counts.

Careful on hills:

Don’t just gun it up a hill by laying the pedal on the floor.  If you get stuck up the hill, you’re just going to spin your wheels.  The best way to approach is by building up some momentum and let that carry you up the hill.  At the top, that is when you want to slow down to go down the hill as slow as possible so you don’t lose control.

I feel these are winter driving tips that get missed.  There’s plenty more and I highly recommend checking out the entire list that AAA has put together, but these needed reiterating most of all.

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.

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.

Getting Ready for the Cold

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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.

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.

Keeping Your Vehicle Running During Summer

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New York is already midway through the summer and the heat is just unbearable.  Few things can wreak havoc on a vehicle like a summer heat wave here in the city.  It is best to prepare to face the worst as the humidity and temperature rise, so here are a few tips to help ensure your vehicle’s survival this summer.

That’s sort of misleading since the first place to start has more to do with the driver than with the car.  A car’s air conditioning will help you survive the worst heat in the summer.  Treat it right and make sure you don’t get yourself stuck in traffic on a 90 degree in what would be described as a metal can.

An air conditioning in your car isn’t something that is easy for the average driver to find out if something is working.  That’s why it is best to have it handled by the professionals, such as those at (plug) Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  In fact, (2nd plug) the dealership’s service department is running a special for the month to help drivers and their air conditioners.

Get your air conditioning checked out for $129.95.

We?ll continue to look at more tips for getting your vehicle ready for summer heat as the weeks go on.  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

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.