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.

Summer Car Maintenance Tips: Tires

Posted on May 28, 2014 by baysideadmin

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

Winter Driving Tips

Posted on December 27, 2013 by baysideadmin

The weather may be less than the usual in terms of winter driving with a lack of snow and ice on the ground but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared in case. New York weather has the tendency to change when least expected. Having a vehicle ready for such changes can mean the difference between being to work on time or getting the whole family to the destination without any incidents. Here is some tips on how to be ready for winter driving.

*Check your tires:
A major things to be sure is ready for the ice and snow. Tires are keeping you on the road and ensuring your have grip when most needed. Check over the tires to see how mean the summer was on them and to see if any of the tread has been lost. Also make sure that the tire is properly inflated.

*Windshield:
There is nothing worse than being caught in a snowstorm with broken wiper blades or lack of wiper fluid. Ensure that the fluid is filled to maximum as there will be a lot used to clean up the mess of snow and dirt that always ends up on the windshield. Be sure that the wiper blades are functioning properly and are properly wiping away the grime. If not, now is the best time to pick up some new ones.

*Lights:
This is something to help both you and the other drivers. Headlights should be cleaned and providing plenty of light to see through any flurries. This will also make sure that if someone is having a tough time seeing on the road, they’ll be able to make out your headlights on the road ahead and can avoid a collision. Headlights and taillights should be bright and clean for the winter.

*Be aware:
There’s only so much that technology can do to help protect us on the road. At some point, it does fall on the driver to be ready for the random things that can occur. They are the ones to be on the look out for black ice or to know how to properly steer during a spin-out. A driver who is going to be out during bad weather must be aware of how to handle driving emergencies when they happen.

As always, there are plenty more that we didn’t get to that can be done to better a vehicle in preparation of the winter weather. These are simply ones that are very common and most drivers don’t take handle until after they become a problem. Follow these tips and you’ll find yourself being proactive and having much better chances to have good travel during the winter.

To schedule your vehicle for a complete check-up, contact our service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

Mopar’s Fall Auto Maintenance Check List

Posted on September 12, 2013 by baysideadmin

Just 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

Spring Vehicle Maintenance Check-List

Posted on April 24, 2013 by baysideadmin

One 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.”