Is Your Car Ready for the Cold?

Posted on January 15, 2018 by baysideadmin

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.

Get Ready for The Blizzard of 2017!

Posted on March 14, 2017 by baysideadmin

A big snow storm is slated to hit the east coast and dump a bunch of ice and snow on the New York area. This is after warmer weather has been on the rise so many drivers have been prepping for spring weather only to now be hit once again with winter. Here is how to be best prepared for the ice and snow to come.

Top off your windshield wiper fluid and keep an extra bottle in your car.
Make sure your battery is fully charged.
Know if your vehicle has anti-lock brakes or non-anti-lock brakes as this will decide how you brake. If you have anti-lock, you want to use steady pressure, if you do not, then pump the brakes.
Have materials such as sand in your car in case you get stuck in the snow or ice and need some extra traction.
Check to make sure your tires are properly inflated.
Always have your gas tank at least half full so that the gas line doesn’t freeze.

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.

Spring Vehicle Check-List

Posted on February 6, 2017 by baysideadmin

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.

Getting Ready for Colder Weather

Posted on November 17, 2015 by baysideadmin

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 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.

Summer Maintenance Checklist

Posted on June 3, 2015 by baysideadmin

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:

Oil:

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:

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.

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.

Tips for Winter Traveling

Posted on December 24, 2014 by baysideadmin

The ice and snow have not come, at least, not yet. Cue the dramatic music! Yes, the weather for the New York area has held out, but if the past few years are any indication, there is some nasty weather coming after the new year. Maybe this year will be different, but maybe it won’t. No one ever lost anything by being ready.

What can you do to prepare for driving in bad weather, in the snow covered streets? There’s plenty of tips and things to do so we’ll just scratch the surface. Business Insider gave plenty of examples and here’s a few.

Top off your windshield wiper fluid and keep an extra bottle in your car.
Make sure your battery is fully charged.
Know if your vehicle has anti-lock brakes or non-anti-lock brakes as this will decide how you brake. If you have anti-lock, you want to use steady pressure, if you do not, then pump the brakes.
Have materials such as sand in your car in case you get stuck in the snow or ice and need some extra traction.
Check to make sure your tires are properly inflated.
Always have your gas tank at least half full so that the gas line doesn’t freeze.

Check out the full article for more tips on how to make sure that you don’t run into any issues traveling should the bad weather finally arrive to the Big Apple.

How to Maintain Tires Properly

Posted on October 16, 2014 by baysideadmin

It is time again for the winter season and that means getting the car ready for the colder weather. There’s plenty of things to check inside and out on your car to make sure it is ready for a mild or rough winter. One part of the car that can be overlooked in the process, however, is the tires. Having a proper amount of air is a big deal with a car and can really effect things such as fuel economy. It is something that many drivers put off and we’re here to help you know when it is time to check the air in your tires.

The first thing you need to know is what the proper inflation amount is. Check online and/or with your vehicle’s owner manual. Don’t use the number on the tires as this is not the recommend pressure for inflation but rather the maximum inflation. Trust what your car’s owner manual says, not the tire.

Eye-balling is not a helpful thing to do with trying to figure out if a tire is low. Invest in a tire-pressure gauge so you can know the exact amount of air inside of the tire.

From there, get your car to a place where you can refill the air in the tires and keep a read on the inside pressure and make sure it matches with the recommended amount. This is also a good time to check your spare tire as that tends to get forgotten when most people check the air on their tires. Always make sure the spare is ready for duty should the worst come to pass.

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.

What to Do About a Check Engine Light

Posted on September 19, 2014 by baysideadmin

We have all done it. Everyone, at some point in their life, has driven around trying not to worry about the “check engine” light. Some just plain ignore it. I think it is because of how that light doesn’t really point out a major issue. Check the engine for what? What that light means is unknown to most, so we’re trying to shed some light on the subject.

First off, that light comes in different shades depending on the manufacturer. What you really want to look out for is if the light starts to flash. This is a serious danger warning. One such issue that blinking light may be pointing to is the catalytic converter is overheating and if that is the case, then that means trouble for the car.

Which is why it is best not to ignore the light. Sure people tell themselves they can drive around for weeks or months with the light on and nothing happens. But that doesn’t mean that the engine isn’t suffering an issue that is being worsened by your avoidance of the trouble. According to CarMD.com, ten percent of all cars on the road have their “check engine” light on. Half of those drives have been ignoring the light for three months!

Edmunds lists the five most common reasons for the “check engine” light to have come on in 2010. They are:

O2 sensor
Loose gas cap
Catalytic converter
Mass air flow sensor
Spark plug wires

If the light comes on due to an error, then it will most likely turn off after a short time. If that time has last well past a little while, then make the smart decision and save yourself time and money further down the road by checking your vehicle into a service department for an inspection.

Summer Maintenance Tips: Air Filter

Posted on June 16, 2014 by baysideadmin

The summer maintenance tips continue. Take out the check-list and add air filter to the list because that is what we are covering next.

As the summer season approaches, it is the perfect time for an air filter inspection. Thanks to all that dirt and other gunk in the winter, the air filter can get pretty clogged up. Having a dirty air filter can do damage to your fuel efficiency. According to HowStuffWorks, replacing a clogged-up air filter can have a positive impact on your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.

Normally the recommendation for changing an air filter is at 12,000 miles. This figure does not take into account the amount of driving or the environment driven in. If you are typically driving through dirty places, such as gravel roads, then you’ll be needing to keep a closer eye on the air filter as it will clog up faster than someone who spends their time on a highway.

Checking an air filter is easy and you will be wanting to look for extreme dirt. Don’t fret if the air filter is slightly dirty, that is fine and normal. It is obvious when the air filter is in dire need of changing. So yet another part to look into before setting out on a summer vacation trip.

If you need help with looking with the air filter or any of the other maintenance tips we’ve mentioned thus far, then contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge’s service center. Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter to see our monthly deals and service specials.

Image courtesy of Stoonn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Summer Maintenance Tips: Hoses & Belts

Posted on June 9, 2014 by baysideadmin

Last week we covered taking care to look after the oil in your vehicle. This week continues the check-list for summer maintenance by staying inside the hood. Now that the oil is taken care of, let’s see how the belts and hoses are doing.

If I was able to compare the oil to the blood of a body, then the belts and hoses would be the skeleton and muscle system. And the veins…really we should just drop this whole thing, it’s getting too confusing. Anyhoo, hoses in a vehicle are made to get things where they need to go. The specific place we’ll be looking at is the radiator as well as the coolant. These hoses are meant to make sure your car stays cool in the summer heat.

To start with, it’s time to pop open the hood again and do a visual and physical examination of the engine and the hoses. Look for cracks or loose connections. Check if the hose is firm, it should not be soft or easily malleable. The last thing any driver wants is for one of these to spring a leak or come loose during a drive. That can lead to the car overheating and putting you on the side of the road waiting for a pick-up.

Do the same for the belts in the vehicle. Check them over for cracks or any other forms of damage. These are another piece of equipment you do not want failing at the worst possible time.

If you need to get your vehicle’s hoses and belts inspected, then contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge’s service center. Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter to see our monthly deals and service specials.

Source: HowStuffWorks

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