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Do you need your vehicle repaired or serviced? Then it would be best if you went to your local car dealer. Their certified mechanics will offer you nothing less than the highest quality service. Discover what essential services they provide to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. Transmission Repair Having a functioning transmission is vital to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Get your transmission repaired if you're experiencing the following: Grinding noises while using the clutch or having difficulty shifting gears A burning scent from the engine Leaking or cloudy transmission fluid Uncharacteristic whining noises Certified mechanics are ready to repair your vehicle. All you have to do is schedule your service appointment, either online or by making a phone call. more Oil Changes Getting routine oil changes is another crucial aspect of having a healthy vehicle. Many newer cars have indicators that will alert you when it's time for an oil change. You can also get an idea of your oil levels by checking your dipstick. Your trusty mechanics have up-to-date equipment to get your oil change done efficiently and quickly. Keep up on your oil changes to give your car a long life. Tire Rotations Tire rotations are necessary because they keep your tires wearing evenly. Getting routine tire rotations will increase their longevity and performance. Typically, you should get a tire rotation approximately every 5,000 miles. Mechanics will also inspect your brakes during a tire rotation to make sure they are keeping you safe and to determine whether they need replacing or not. Brake Repair and Replacement Whether mechanics determine the need for brake replacement during a tire rotation or you've noticed problems on your own, it's of the essence that you get your brakes fixed immediately. Here are signs that it's time for new brakes: Your brake indicator light stays on Vibrating brake metal Grinding, squeaking, or squealing sounds when braking Braking takes longer or more pressure than normal Fortunately, your mechanics have all the appropriate brake pads and rotors in stock. For your safety, don't procrastinate getting your brakes checked out. Tune-ups During a tune-up process, your mechanics will inspect the vehicle and replace spark plugs, air filters, and other vital parts as necessary. Getting a tune-up is also critical to maximize your vehicle's performance. Battery Replacement How do you know it's time for a battery replacement? One possible indicator is that you're frequently having trouble getting your car to start. Another way to tell is if your battery's voltage is below the range of 13.8 and 14.2, or there is residue present on the battery that inhibits it from charging. Be sure to schedule a battery replacement as soon as possible. As you can see, keeping up with your vehicle's service and repair needs is crucial. Fortunately, your honest mechanics can repair transmission, change oil, rotate tires, repair and replace brakes, perform tune-ups, and replace your battery. Call us to schedule your service appointment today! Image courtesy of pexels.com

Your Chrysler's alternator has a vital role in your car. It's responsible for producing the energy that your car's electrical systems demand. The alternator is a relatively long-lived component, but it will eventually start to fail. When you need an alternator repair, as your Chrysler dealer in Anderson, IN, we can fix the problem for you. more Dim Lights Dim bulbs can mean that your headlights are about to blow, but they can also be a sign that you have an alternator problem. A healthy alternator produces more than enough electricity for all of your car's demands. When the alternator gets older, it will start to weaken. A weak alternator will gradually produce less and less electricity. The point will eventually be reached that the alternator can't supply all of your car's electrical demands. When this happens, your car's computer will have to allocate the available power as needed. Dim lights can be the result of this allocation, as the computer is allocating just enough power to allow the lights to come on. If the lights go from being dim to bright, this is a sure sign of an alternator problem. Dead Battery Your battery provides the power that's used to start your engine. This power usage, however, uses a large amount of the battery's power which needs to be replaced. One of the functions of the alternator is to charge your battery. Over time, as we've seen, the alternator will provide less power. This reduced power availability will also affect recharging the battery. If your battery isn't being fully recharged, each time it's used it will grow steadily weaker. A weakening alternator can easily drain a new battery. You'll notice that your car takes longer to crank, and this is usually a sign of a weakening battery. Our highly-trained technicians will test your battery and the alternator to see which of them may be the problem. Battery Warning Light The battery-shaped warning light on your dash represents your Chrysler's electrical system. Sensors are attached to the battery, the alternator, and other sections of your electrical system. These sensors monitor the component they're attached to, and if a problem is detected, they'll send a signal to your car's computer, and the warning light will come on. A weakening alternator can cause the warning light to come on when it drops below the minimum power output your car's electrical systems require. The light could also come on due to a damaged wire, a jammed pulley, or any other problem that affects the electrical system. The light doesn't identify the specific problem, but we can connect your car to our diagnostic system and trace the problem. These are a sample of the possible problems caused by a weakening alternator. The good news is that an alternator will never simply fail, it will always show signs that it's wearing out. If your alternator shows signs of strain, call us ASAP at Ed Martin CDJR. image courtesy of pexels.com

Your car's engine temperature needs to strike a delicate balance. The temperature must be hot enough for the engine to operate efficiently but not hot enough to damage any of your engine's components. Your radiator's purpose is to prevent this by removing the excess heat from your engine. Your radiator may suffer damage, and you'll need a radiator repair. Your local Chrysler dealer will fix it. Does Your CDJR Need a Radiator Repair? Visit Your Chrysler Dealer Today more Broken Thermostat When your engine temperature rises over 185F, liquid coolant will be released into your engine. This coolant will absorb the engine's heat as it travels towards the radiator. In the radiator, the hot coolant will be cooled and it will be pumped through the engine again. The flow of coolant operates continuously at high speed to reduce the engine temperature as quickly as possible. The process will stop when your engine temperature returns to its preset level. The flow of coolant is controlled by the thermostat. When the temperature in your engine rises over 185F, the thermostat opens and releases coolant. This simple component can, unfortunately, fail and jam open or closed. If the thermostat jams closed, it won't release any coolant, and your engine temperature will quickly start to rise. If the thermostat jams open, it will continually release coolant. This will make your engine inefficient, and you'll use more fuel. Coolant Leak Coolant is a mix of antifreeze and water, and one of its properties is the ability to absorb heat. This liquid is pink, yellow, or green, and it circulates through your engine whenever the temperature rises too high. It absorbs the heat in your engine produced by the combustion chamber and the numerous fast-moving parts and takes it to the radiator. The heat is removed in the radiator, and the coolant is cycled through the system to repeat the process. A coolant leak can occur due to a faulty radiator cap, a hole in a radiator hose, or a worn clamp. Regardless of how it happens, a loss of coolant will cause your engine temperature to rise. Most coolant leaks are external, and you can find a puddle of coolant underneath your car. Sometimes, the coolant leaks internally, and it will land on hot engine parts. The coolant will burn up, but it will also leave behind rust on the metal parts. Sludge in Your Radiator The coolant that circulates through your engine absorbs heat, but it also absorbs rust particles and other engine debris. These contaminants reduce the speed of the coolant, which can cause your engine temperature to rise. When the contaminated coolant enters the radiator, some of this debris is deposited in the cooling tubes. This debris in the tubes will build up, and it can block the tubes with sludge. The blocked tubes will prevent the coolant from being cooled, and your engine can start to overheat. If your engine is running hotter than it should, call our service department immediately at Ed Martin CDJR. image courtesy of pexels.com

Across the country, car dealerships are struggling to keep up with demand and consumers are noticing less new cars when they get to lots. The culprit? Semiconductor chips. So what are semiconductor chips, why are they low in stock, and why is it impacting shopping for a new vehicle? photo c/o unsplash What to know about the chip shortage and how it impacts your Anderson CDJR dealer more Semiconductor chips are made from silicon and allow electronics like smartphones, computers, and other electrical devices like video game consoles, e-readers, and TVs to work. Vehicles also use these chips. Raw materials for the semiconductor chips usually come from Japan and Mexico and then are assembled in China and the US. Why is there a shortage? The COVID-19 pandemic drastically increased demand for personal electronics like cell phones and laptops and demand for these items surpassed production speeds. When pandemic lockdowns began in March 2020, suppliers and many dealerships closed down. Automakers predicted that auto sales would drop due to a recession. While sales of new cars did plummet in the early months of the pandemic, they quickly rebounded when car dealerships across Indianapolis and the country began selling vehicles online and offering flexible delivery options.   When suppliers were safe to return to work, demand was incredibly high and chip production has yet to catch up. Semiconductor chips were in high demand for business and entertainment devices as the work from home population soared. Why is new vehicle inventory delayed? Many auto plants have had to significantly decrease or even pause production of new cars, SUVs, and trucks. Some have shifted what they can produce to focus on assembling models that have the highest demand. Automakers are often building cars without the chips, parking them until they get chips into their factory, and then completing assembly. How long will I see vehicle inventory shortages? It’s estimated that it could be 12-18 months before we see vehicle inventory at a level comparable to before the pandemic. Chipmakers are actively looking to boost their production and figuring out how to assemble more chips at a faster rate.   If you have a vehicle that you’re searching for, contact our team at Ed Martin Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM! We want to help you find the new vehicle you’re shopping for and our sales team is ready to get you on the road in your next vehicle.