Mopar “Top Eliminator” Chooses Winner!

Mopar’s 2013 “Top Eliminator” program has chosen New JerseSay what you will about Mopar fans, but one thing that is completely undeniable is their loyalty to the brand.  It’s about showing off that love and loyalty by displaying just how well equipped your ride is.  That’s what Mopar loves to see, their fine work in the hands of fans and so the parts maker put together the “Top Eliminator” program to see the best of the best.

This year’s contest took place at the same place where Chrysler was already making a giant splash by showing off a new concept Ram truck, the Woodward Dream Cruise.

The winner comes from the east coast, a New Jersey resident Bill Mann and his 1970 Dodge Charger.  And what a unique Charger it is with a white-over-Plum exterior.

The other Mopar pick from this year’s contest was Miles Watsko and his 1964 Plymouth Savoy that was held at Midwest Mopars In the Park held in June.

By being a winner, both Mann and Watsko get more than just bragging rights to the rest of the Mopar community.  They also get to be showcased as part of the Woodward Dream Cruise happening this weekend in Detroit.

To read more into the inspiration and work that Mann put into his Dodge Charger, Mopar Muscle Magazine has an extensive breakdown that is a fascinating looking into the work of a gear head on his vehicle.

If you’re interested in sprucing up your current ride, contact our parts and service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge and see what we can do to help give your vehicle a unique flavor.

Mopar Readies Their Limited Edition 2013 Dodge Dart

Chrysler Group LLC introduces limited-edition Mopar ’13 Dart.The Dart may have to wait until next summer to enjoy being turbo-charged to appear on screens in the new Fast and Furious film, but that isn’t stopping Mopar from giving it a makeover in time for this season.

But sadly, this Mopar-ization comes with a limit.  Only 500 of the them will reach sales floors.  Dealerships are taking pre-orders now to get them in the hands of the lucky few who really want them.

The lucky ones get their hands on a truly unique ride.  The outside is given the Mopar standard paint job of being coated in black with a cool blue racing stripe stretching from the front to the rear of the Dart.  This is the same paint scheme that’s been used previously whenever the parts maker has gotten their hands on a vehicle, such as the Dodge Charger or the Challenger.

That same quality of design is evident in the interior as well.  The seats are done up with Katzkin leather.  And the rest of the cabin’s look is similar to the exterior with blue accents on a predominately black theme on the driver’s seat, the steering wheel, and the instrument paneling.

Mopar is notorious for the power of their product and it only makes sense that whenever they take a vehicle, such as the Dart, under their wing, that they prove why they’re considered one of the best in the business.  The engine is a Multiair turbocharged 1.4-liter four cylinder.  It also has six-speed manual transmission.

The limited edition Dart also comes with the 8.4-inch Uconnect screen and system, wireless charger, premium Mopar floor mats, and a sport-pedal kit.

For bragging rights, the list of features goes beyond what’s in and on the car.  The 500 individuals who purchase the limited edition will also get a personalized plate that has the vehicles specifications as well as a unique identification number and production date.  The last piece of the proverbial pie is a sketch of the car signed by Mark Trostle who is the Chief Designer for Mopar.

Not too shabby of a deal for a limited edition that has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $25,485.

For more details on the 2013 Dodge Dart and other Dodge products, visit Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge online.  We have our new and pre-owned inventory available for viewing.  For visitors in need of auto repair and service, schedule a time to come in with our high-quality service department.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more auto news and for our monthly parts and service specials.

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.

March Service & Parts Specials

Here’s some of the parts and service specials we are currently running for the whole month of March. For the entire list, please visit our parts and service specials page on our website:
Wiper Blade

Buy a Wiper Blade and get the other for Free!

(Only applies to WB Blades, OEM not included.)

oilUp to 7 Qts oil and new filter for $69.95 Parts & Labor!

Restrictions may apply.  Inquire at the dealership for more details on each offer.

Beat the Gas Price Increase With These Helpful Tips!

ID-100109424Bad news for drivers out there; gas prices are on the rise.  Hopefully it won’t be long before they go down again, but it’s best to prepare just in case.  To that end, we’re here to help you with some tips on what you can do to keep your costs down.  You don’t have the power to make the numbers with dollar signs next to them go down, but you can make sure you’re getting the most out of your vehicle.

PRNewswire has put together a good list, courtesy of the Car Care Council, of what you should be doing to help ease the pain you feel when reaching for your wallet at the pump.

  • Reduce your gas mileage by 4 percent by keeping your car tuned.
  • By keeping your tired inflated to the right amount can improve the gas mileage by 3.3 percent
  • Make sure to replace dirty or clogged air filters and improve the gas mileage by 10 percent

Other means you can take to improve your gas mileage is by observing these tips while you’re driving:

  • Take a look at the speed limit.  When you’re above 50 mph, your gas mileage goes down fast.  For every 5 mph over 50 you go, that’s an additional 25 cents per gallon for gas.
  • Don’t idle your car.  You only need a minute or two to heat up your car.
  • Don’t do any quick starts or stops.  In the city this can lower the gas mileage by 33 percent and 5 percent when you’re in the city.
  • Bunch trips together.  It’s better to make a lengthier trip than multiple shorter ones.
  • Check to make sure you don’t have extra weight in your car.  Empty out unnecessary things from your trunk and back seat.  The added weight can be causing you to need more gas than you normally would.

Follow these pieces of advice and you may find yourself more capable of weathering higher gas price periods.

If you’re in the Queens area and are in need of a tune-up, stop by Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  We offer monthly parts and service specials for you to take advantage of.  Make sure you like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more tips and monthly offers.

Image courtesy of markuso / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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.