Tag Archives: oil change

Spring Vehicle Check-List

Posted on by
Reply

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.

The Importance of Oil Changes

Posted on by
Reply

ID-100109424

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 Tips: Oil Changes

Posted on by
Reply

oil

Last week we covered a summer maintenance tip of checking to make sure tires are ready for the heat.  The next step in the maintenance check-list for the summer is the vehicle’s oil and oil filter.

To use an analogy, the oil in your car is akin to the blood running through your system.  It is a necessary thing to keep the vehicle going smoothly.  Unlike blood, however, oil needs to be swapped out and changed for cleaner oil.

The majority of owner manuals recommend an oil change every 7,500 miles.  For people who change oil for living, like yours truly at the dealership’s service department, we recommend that the oil is changed every 3,000 miles or every three months.  The reason for this is due to the driving that happens during summer to be harder on the engine thanks to the extreme heat.

To start the process in checking your oil, let your car run for a little bit.  Make sure it is parked on a level surface and then turn off the engine.  Crack open that hood and find out where your oil dipstick is.  Use that to measure two things, the level of the oil and the appearance of it.  For how it looks, the oil should be a brownish yellow and clean on the stick.  If you notice any dirt then it is time for an oil change.

Keeping oil changes on schedule and up to date will do a lot to benefit the car’s life-span.  Keep track of each time your get an oil change and turn either doing it yourself or bringing it into a service center to get it changed.  Another habit to get into is checking the oil right before any major trips, such as a family vacation.

That’s it for this week’s summer maintenance check-list tip.  Stay tuned for more!

If you need to get your oil changed, then contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge’s service center.  We’ll get you in and out and on the road.  Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter to see our monthly deals and service specials.

Mopar’s Fall Auto Maintenance Check List

Posted on by
Reply

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