3 Engine Problems You Should Always Fix at Your Chrysler Dealer

Your vehicle is a valuable investment that deserves proper care and attention. Regular car maintenance is the key to years of reliable and enjoyable driving. Here's some advice from your local Jeep dealer about how to keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently. 7 Car Maintenance Tips from Your Jeep Dealer Regular Oil Changes A fundamental aspect of ensuring your vehicle's engine has clean and well-lubricated parts is regular oil changes. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram (CDJR) vehicles, like any other, require clean and properly circulated oil to prevent engine wear and tear. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for oil change intervals, typically every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, to keep your engine performing optimally. more Tire Maintenance Proper tire maintenance is essential not only for your vehicle's performance but also for your safety. Regularly check tire pressure, alignment, and tread depth to ensure even wear and better fuel efficiency. Rotate your tires as recommended to extend their lifespan and save on replacement costs. Brake System Checks Your vehicle's braking system is a critical safety component. Regular brake inspections are necessary to detect and address any issues early on. If you notice squealing, grinding, or reduced braking performance, it's crucial to have your brakes checked promptly. Replace brake pads and service the brake system as needed, so you can be sure that your vehicle will stop safely when you need it to. Fluid Levels and Quality A variety of fluids play vital roles in your vehicle's operation, such as coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Regularly check fluid levels and quality, and top them off or replace them as necessary. Proper fluid maintenance prevents overheating, corrosion, and costly repairs. Air Filter Replacement A clean air filter is essential for maintaining optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency. Regularly replace air filters so you can ensure the engine receives clean air for combustion. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for recommended replacement intervals. Battery Health A dead battery can leave you stranded, so monitor your vehicle's battery health. Check for signs of corrosion on the battery terminals and ensure they are clean and secure. If your battery is more than a few years old, consider having it tested or replaced to prevent unexpected breakdowns. Regular Inspections Scheduled maintenance and inspections by qualified technicians are essential for identifying potential issues before they become major problems. These inspections can include checking the suspension, exhaust system, and electrical components, ensuring that your vehicle remains reliable and safe. Call us today, go on our website, or come in person to schedule your maintenance appointment at Charbonneau Chrysler Center here in Dickinson, ND. Our experienced technicians are dedicated to keeping your CDJR vehicle in peak condition. Your vehicle deserves nothing less than the best care, and we're here to provide it.

Your battery is one of the most important components in your Chrysler, as it provides the energy that starts the engine. Over time, your battery can become worn out or damaged. When this happens, it's time to visit your Chrysler dealership for a replacement. These are a few signs that it's time to get a new car battery. Signs You Need To Get a New Car Battery From Your Chrysler Dealership Check Battery Light The battery-shaped warning light on your dash lights up in response to any problem in the electrical system. Your Chrysler has numerous sensors that monitor all your engine's functions. These receive instructions from your car's computer and report on the health and condition of the component they're connected to. more If a sensor detects a fault in the electrical system, a message will be sent to your car's computer. The computer will log the problem and illuminate the check battery light. If this light comes on, it's important to visit our service department ASAP. Our Chrysler-trained technicians will identify the error code and use it to trace and repair the cause of the problem. Damaged Alternator The alternator creates electricity for your car's systems by converting mechanical energy from the crankshaft into DC power for your car. The alternator is also responsible for recharging your battery. The alternator starts recharging the battery at full power for ten minutes, then switches to recharging at 10% to prevent damage to the alternator and the battery. If your alternator is damaged, it may not switch to recharging at a reduced rate. In this situation, the excessive recharging rate will damage your battery. The electrolyte solution in the battery can start to boil, and you'll smell a rotten egg stench. This smell is caused by the breakdown of the sulfuric acid that releases hydrogen, which then forms hydrogen sulfide. We can fix this by replacing your alternator. Bloated Battery Case Your battery contains chemicals, copper plates, and an electrolyte solution, among other things. A tough plastic casing protects the battery contents from contamination. The battery casing is usually rectangular, but square batteries are also possible. If you look at your battery case and it bulging or distorted, this is a sign that your battery is failing. The distortions are caused by internal pressure inside the battery. This pressure can build up due to extreme hot or cold external temperatures. These temperatures affect the electrolyte solution, which will expand and force the battery casing outwards. At the same time, these pressures damage the battery's internal structure. We can't repair a bulging battery, but we can replace it for you. If you have a battery problem, call us today at Charbonneau Chrysler Center, and we'll fix it for you.

Most drivers don't spend a lot of time thinking about their car's headlights. Some components break down a lot easier and require more maintenance at the Chrysler dealer to keep them in good shape. However, you will need new headlights at some point during your car's life, so it's good to know the signs that yours are preparing to burn out. When Will You Need to Visit the Chrysler Dealer to Replace Your Headlights? Nobody can predict exactly when you'll need to visit a dealer for a new set of headlights, but you can estimate that you'll need to replace the bulbs in your headlights after about six years. After six years, the headlights just won't be as bright anymore, so you should replace them before they get too dim to use safely. more Your headlights could potentially last longer if they don't get much use. After all, not everyone drives a lot in the dark or in other low-visibility conditions. Your best bet is to monitor how bright they are and watch for signs that they're starting to get dimmer. Once they start dimming, you can head to the dealer to replace them. Your dealer will also periodically check your exterior lights during routine service and replace them if necessary. How to Tell When You'll Need New Headlights Soon The Headlights Have Dimmed All bulbs get dimmer with age, but the dimming isn't always significant. You might not notice the dimming until the lights become too dull to properly illuminate the path ahead of you. When that happens, you should head right to the dealer before you need to use your headlights again. They could be even dimmer next time, or they could stop working entirely. The Headlights Have Started Flickering Bulbs sometimes flicker when they're getting close to the end of their life. You may not even notice significant dimming before they start doing this. Even a small amount of flickering should alarm you, so get your car over to the dealer ASAP. The Headlights Have Become Hazy It's not unusual for headlights to get hazy when they don't have a lot of life left in them. However, it's also not unusual for the headlight casing to trap dirt and debris, leading to haziness from your headlights. If you notice any haziness, then visit the dealer. Your dealer can determine what the problem is and either replace your headlights or clean the casing with a strong cleaning solution to clear away any debris and dirt. Come to Charbonneau Chrysler Centre when you need to get your headlights replaced. Be sure to stop by for routine service on the components in your car that need a little more TLC to stay in great shape, too.