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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

Your Jeep is a great, reliable vehicle. But like all vehicles, it's important to keep up with regular servicing and repairs when needed. Here's why you should head to your Jeep dealership. 4 Reasons to Bring Your Repair and Service Needs to a Jeep Dealership more 1. Service Is Fast If you visit an independent mechanic for your car's repair needs, then you should factor in having to wait a while to get your car back. Sometimes it can take a couple of days for a few basic repairs!   One of the major benefits of visiting your local dealership for your Jeep's repairs is that the work will be done quickly. Dealerships have larger facilities which means that any repairs or maintenance that need to be performed on your vehicle will be fast, efficient, and will make sure you get your car back quickly. 2. Dealerships Use OEM Parts Original equipment manufacturer or OEM parts are the parts that your vehicle was originally built with. Heading to a dealership means that you'll be exclusively getting OEM parts, and you can trust that these are all great quality.   Independent mechanics may have some OEM parts, but they'll be mixed and matched with aftermarket parts. Some aftermarket parts may be close in quality to OEM parts, but that's never a guarantee. If you want to be absolutely certain that your vehicle is getting the right parts, going to your dealership will give you that peace of mind. 3. You'll Be Working with the Experts Independent mechanics by necessity work with a range of brands. That might seem like a benefit, but it usually means that they have only limited knowledge about many different brands.   On the other hand, the mechanics at your local dealership work exclusively with Jeep vehicles. This means that they know your car inside and out, and will be able to give it exactly what it needs. And, since the mechanics know the vehicles so well, they'll also be able to tell you if there's anything else you should be concerned about in regards to your car. 4. You'll Get Amazing Customer Service While making sure that your car is getting quality service is important, you can't forget about the most important thing—you!   Dealerships work one-on-one with car manufacturers. And since car manufacturers are proud of the vehicles they make and want to make sure they keep you as a customer, the onus falls on the dealerships to maintain a relationship with you. That means that you can expect not just great work when it comes to your car's servicing and repairs, but some truly exceptional customer service too.   To keep your Jeep in good working order, going in for regular servicing is crucial. If your Jeep needs a repair, then making sure you're going to the right place will ensure your car is getting exactly what it needs. That's why you should always go straight to your dealership. If you're ready to bring your car in for its servicing and repairs, come see us today at Ed Martin CDJR.

With more personality than its main rivals in the compact SUV class, the 2020 Jeep Renegade is an excellent fit for buyers who want a small crossover vehicle with character. Here are seven of its favorite features: 7 Favorite Features of the 2020 Jeep Renegade more 1. Interior This vehicle offers a contemporary interior featuring a well-constructed cabin with quality materials. It has easy-to-reach control knobs and buttons that have clear labels. The cabin is available in light or dark colors with optional leather. For off-season fun, Jeep equipped the Renegade with winter-ready features, such as heated front seats and steering wheel, that will make you forget the frost. 2. Powertrain This Jeep comes standard with a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder powertrain that produces 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet torque. The engine generates sufficient output for this package, and a nine-speed automatic gearbox conveys the power to a front-wheel-drive system. The all-wheel drive is optional and incorporates all-weather capability and some off-road enhancements. Jeep also provides an optional 1.3-liter turbo four-cylinder, with 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft torque. 3. Riding and Handling The new Renegade's driving and handling are comfortable and capable, thanks to its short wheelbase and upright stature. It remains composed over bumpy roads, has minimal body roll around corners, and the precise steering ensures balanced handling. Off-road performance is this vehicle's strong suit, and even the base model can comfortably tackle rough terrains. The Trailhawk trim is the perfect off-roader, featuring a four-wheel drive, a traction management system, tow hook, skid plates, a higher ride height, and all-terrain tires. 4. Seating Space The Renegade seats five people in two rows. There is plenty of headroom, shoulder room, and legroom in both rows, even with the optional panoramic sunroof. The seats are sufficiently tall, and doors are square-shaped and wide, making it easy to get in and out. This Jeep also provides two full sets of LATCH connectors at the rear seats for child-seat safety. 5. Cargo Space There is 18.5 cubic feet of space behind the 2020 Renegade's rear seats. It has smart storage solutions that flex, fold, and fit to your storage needs. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats fold flat, increasing storage space to 50.8 cubic feet. Additionally, this vehicle features an adjustable cargo floor that can be moved up for effortless loading or moved down for more space. 6. Infotainment It comes standard with a straightforward and simple to use Uconnect infotainment system. Base models feature a 5-inch touch screen, voice control, Bluetooth, six speakers, and a USB port. Optional features include a seven or 8-inch display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and HD Radio. 7. Safety Features The Renegade offers a decent number of safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, parallel and perpendicular park assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The new Jeep Renegade is a competent SUV full of character, off-road prowess, and a suitable purchase for buyers who want a small vehicle that provides personality. Visit Ed Martin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Anderson, IN, to test drive this vehicle.