Winter Car Care Checklist
Mopar released this checklist for the fast approaching cold weather.
1: Brakes
Summer travel gives brake pads a heavy workout, resulting in the removal of thin layers. Now is the time to check pads, shoes, rotors, drums, calipers, wheel cylinders, brake hardware and the parking brake for wear and tear.
2: Tires
Closely inspect the tread and sidewall areas of tires for uneven or irregular wear. In addition, excessive edge wear, center wear and shoulder wear can act as an indicator for other trouble spots on your vehicle. It’s also important to ensure correct air pressure at all times in order to prevent premature wear. Be sure to check the spare as well. If replacements are needed, Mopar offers a complete lineup of tires and winter tires from BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Kumho, Michelin, Uniroyal and Yokohama brands.
3: Battery
Summer heat does the most damage to battery life and is why they often fail in the winter. Check for corroded terminals and a bulging or cracked case. Test and replace battery if necessary.
4: Wiper Blades
Winter driving conditions challenge your ability to see the road. Mopar’s lineup of wiper blades now includes Beam Blades, which provide superior all-weather performance and aid driving visibility. The wiper blades boast a skin coating that seals the aerodynamic spoiler in order to protect it from winter weather. Mopar Beam Blades also are constructed to eliminate exposed parts and to resist snow- and ice-clogging.
5: Shocks and Struts
For motorists located in cold and snowy climates, fall and winter also usher in a dreaded time of year: pothole season. Shocks and struts are the most overlooked service parts on a vehicle, but they affect ride control and comfort and can also affect a number of related parts. Mopar shocks and struts optimize vehicle handling, tire life and keep vehicles riding smoothly.
6: Engine Oil
Ensure your engine oil has the correct viscosity in order to endure cold weather. Engine oil should be changed or replenished at recommended intervals. Low or dirty fluids affect how an engine and its components perform and could potentially cause engine damage under extreme conditions.
7: Fluid Levels
All vehicle fluids and lubricants should be checked and changed at factory-recommended intervals. Key fluids include antifreeze/coolant level and concentration, as well as power steering, brake, transmission and windshield washer fluids.
8: Engine Belts and Hoses
Replace belts and hoses at recommended intervals. Quality-tested Mopar belts and hoses offer precision fit, optimal service life and original-equipment performance.
9: Air Filter
The air filter is designed to protect your engine from airborne contaminants. Poor air flow to the engine inhibits performance and generates greater fuel consumption. A new air filter allows clean, unrestricted air flow into the engine and helps ensure proper performance for a longer life.
10: Headlamps and Taillamps
Days become shorter in the fall and winter, meaning more nighttime driving and increased usage of headlamps and taillamps. Inspect and test all lamps on your vehicle to ensure proper function and proper alignment.
Five Reasons To Purchase A Chrysler?
I was reading an article by Jerry Edgerton on MoneyWatch.com where he lists 5 reasons to purchase a Chrysler. All of the points he touched on were also points we had mentioned in previous posts on our site. His article brought it all together for me and I realized just how good Chrysler products are today. Let me list the points, and you decide for yourself.
Safety: Seven of Chryslers vehicles are Top Safety Picks by The Insurance Institute Of Highway Safety. All of these models are 2011’s.
Brand Redesign: Chryslers branding has been a little milky the past few years. Models seemed to bleed into each other, with very little distinction between them. The new redesigns for 2011 present a much clearer picture for the consumers. Jeep represents Off-Road, Chrysler represents Luxury, Dodge represents Performance. Changes in the ways the brands are marketed has also been helpful.
FIAT: To me FIAT is the exclamation point. It tells the consumers look at all of these great models Chrysler has coming out for 2011 and guess what we’ve got something else thats totally different too! We’re FIAT, we can design great cars, imagine what we can do for Chrysler.
New Models Ahead: We’ve seen a slew of new or revised vehicles hit showroom floors. All of this has taken place under the helm of FIAT. According to consumer reaction the New models are a hit. FIAT is moving fast, and it makes you wonder what they can do given a few more years. The future looks really good.
Hybrid Plans: We did a recent post about Chryslers testing of a Hydraulic Hybrid System that doesn’t require the bulk and weight of batteries. A very unusual and less conventional hybrid method, but they’re working closely with the EPA on this one, and the future looks bright. That’s not all though! Chrysler just introduced a Hybrid Electric Ram Truck at the Washington Auto Show. Available for limited commercial use at first. But thats not all folks, Chrysler is expected to release hybrid versions of their popular minivan, as well as the Chrysler 300 by 2013. And don’t forget they are hip to diesel technology as well which delivers mpg’s about as good as many hybrids.
Maybe it’s time to give Chrysler another look.
By DST HelfmanCars.com
Rock n’ Roll Marathon Series
The Rock n’ Roll Marathon Series is a cross country tour that combines endurance running with a music festival. There’s a slew of stops that the tour makes. Each stop offers different performers, and caters to the particular taste of that city or region. Dodge is the lead sponsor for some of the tour stops. Dodge has a caravan of vehicles and a team of runners (including brand executives) to represent the brand. To get a complete list, and tour information, click the link below.
The closest the tour gets to Houston is Dallas, but that particular stops lead supporter is not Dodge.
By the way…that is the CEO of Dodge Brand crossing the finish line at one of the events.
Quick Final Take-Houston Auto Show
Primary take is, America’s Back! Walking from manufacturer to manufacturer I would say that overall the American vehicles pulled the largest crowds. VW and Audi seemed to attract the most onlookers for the imports. On the American side Ford, Chrysler, and Chevy pulled about the same number of onlookers. Attendees appeared to be very interested in interior electronics focusing primarily on the updated Nav/Radio/Info-Systems (with their honking massive displays). I thought I would see a bigger push with hybrid or electric vehicles. I mean they were present, but they just seemed to blended in with their gas loving cousins. Maybe the newness of hybrids/electrics has worn off. The exception would be the Volt, that drew pretty decent crowds.
If I may be a curmudgeon for just a bit. In general, the models on display were very vanilla. EXCEPTION! Chrysler vehicles including Fiat WERE VERY DISTINCTIVE. I’ll come back to them. With other vehicles, Very few stood out. In many cases, if it wasn’t for the manufacturers being sectioned off, it would probably take me a second to realize I’m looking at a different Make. This was especially true with the Japanese makes, except for Scion. The American manufacturers were more distinctive, but there was some vanilla present with them as well. Nothing really came across as daring, or risk taking. Maybe the economic conditions of the past few years has forced manufacturers to be a little more conservative.
The Chrysler section had probably the most distinctive offerings. From a design standpoint Chrysler products simply did a better job. Their vehicles were fresh and daring. They really pulled the crowds. Jeep was hot! You couldn’t get people off the Challenger. The FIAT floor was one of the most congested areas. People were all over the two FIATs, they were like nervous ants. I’m not saying this because I run the Helfman Blog, I’m saying this because it’s true. Yes Ford and Chevy drew big crowds, but for me, in the end Chrysler simply had the best product offerings.
Overall the show was well put together. I was impressed by the fit and finish of all the American brands. The foreign automakers offered some good product, but it simply seemed like more of the same, and didn’t excite. I hope that we see more innovation from manufacturers next year(Chrysler Innovating Now!). But I guess this depends on how well sales do this year. Automakers will probably wait until their flush with cash before we see some risk taking again. Till Next Year.
Helfman Cars
Damon
Houston Coffee And Cars Event This Saturday
This years “Coffee and Cars” will be held directly across the street from Helfman at the Marqu-E Entertainment Complex. It’s usually held at the Uptown Park shopping center but they moved it to the new location for Saturday. It’s a early morning get together that runs from 8am to 10am and well…you look at cars and drink coffee. We’re not talking your run-of-the-mill cars, there’s Lamborghinis and Ferraris and Vipers and Classics and and and and…, you get the idea. They don’t serve you coffee so bring your own, or stop in one of the nearby coffee shops. Hit up their Facebook page for more details.
Helfman Cars 