Chrysler Battery Maintenance: Tips for Optimal Performance

Healthy tires are essential for safe driving, but even the highest quality tires will wear out over time. As your RAM dealership, we'd like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for RAM tire maintenance and possible tire replacement. more Signs You Need RAM Tire Maintenance at Your RAM Dealership Tire Bubble A tire bubble is a raised section on the tire surface that looks like a blister. It's filled with air and is caused when part of the tire is pinched against a solid object. Tire bubbles are more common on the sidewalls, the tire sections perpendicular to the road surface, as they're made from softer rubber than the tread and lack reinforcement. A bubble is dangerous, as the air inside a tire heats up while driving due to surface friction. The rubber forming the bubble is stretched thinner than it should be, and this can cause the bubble to burst and blow out. A tire bubble can't be repaired, as the tire's internal structure is damaged, but we'll replace the tire so you can drive safely again. Worn Tires The tread is the pattern of raised grooves on the tire in contact with the surface. These grooves grip the surface, making handling and control easier and reducing the time needed to stop when you hit the brakes. As time passes, the tread gradually wears down due to surface friction, and your brakes will take longer to engage. Smoother tread also reduces your control when driving on wet, muddy, or snowy surfaces. When the tread drops to 2/32", a tire is badly worn and needs replacement. You can measure your tread using a tread depth gauge or by inserting a Lincoln penny upside down into the deepest part of the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time to change the tire. Our technicians can replace any worn tires in minutes while you wait. Poorly Inflated Tires Tires have a recommended pressure, and the correct pressure for each tire is listed in your vehicle handbook. It's also marked on a plate or sticker on the inside door jamb of the front passenger door. Correctly pressurized tires have a longer lifespan, save fuel, and provide good surface grip so you can drive safely. Tire pressure will drop if there's a leak, but it also changes depending on the outside temperature. Pressure is measured in PSI, and a tire will change by 1 to 2 PSI for every 10°F change in temperature, with higher outside temperatures increasing the pressure and lower temperatures reducing it. We can test your tire pressure and correct it if needed. If you have a tire problem, contact us today at Ed Martin CDJR in Anderson, IN.

An engine is a very complex piece of engineering that requires regular servicing to operate efficiently. Time and damage can result in engine problems and even permanent damage. Your Jeep dealer can speedily repair any problems with your engine. These are a few signs your engine may need a repair. more Slow Starting When you hit the start button, you're used to your Jeep responding almost instantly. If you hit the button and hear your engine is struggling to start, there's a problem. A lack of electrical power usually causes slow starting. Your Jeep's battery sends an electrical charge to the solenoid in the starter motor. The solenoid powers the starter motor, which cranks your engine to life. An old or weak battery may not produce a large enough charge to power the solenoid, and you'll hear the engine laboring as it tries to crank. Starting problems could also be due to a worn alternator that isn't recharging the battery. Damaged or loose electrical connections can also prevent enough power from reaching the battery or the solenoid. We'll investigate the problem and fix it. Oil Leaks Oil is essential for your engine, as it lubricates and protects all the engine components. Many engine parts depend on friction to work effectively, and friction causes damage. The oil coats these components and prevents damage. Engine oil also contains vital additives that reduce rust and prevent blockages in the engine. An oil leak is usually easy to spot as its amber, although it darkens over time. Engine oil can also leak into your exhaust system, and you'll see blue smoke from the tailpipe. A lack of oil will cause engine damage as components grind against each other and can lock together. Our technicians can swiftly trace an oil leak and seal it. Damaged Sensors Your Jeep has numerous sensors inside the engine, and each connects to a vital component. These sensors relay information to your computer continually to enable it to make decisions. They also monitor the health and efficiency of the component they're connected to. Sensors can fail, and their failure can lead to serious trouble. Damaged sensors will send false information to your computer, and this can cause engine damage. A failing oxygen sensor, for example, could over or under-report the oxygen level in the exhaust smoke. Your computer adjusts the air content in the engine based on this sensor, and incorrect information can result in a fuel-lean or fuel-rich engine. We'll test the sensors and replace any damaged ones. Any problem in the engine gets worse if it's not fixed. Call our service department today at Ed Martin CDJR.

Good brakes are essential for safe driving, as they provide full control over your car's speed. In time brake problems can develop as brake components will wear out or suffer damage. As your Chrysler dealer, we can repair any of these problems for you. These are a few signs that you may need a brake repair. more Spongy Brakes The braking system is a highly pressurized one. When you hit the brakes, brake fluid is forced into the brake hoses to activate the system and bring your wheels to a stop. You can feel the pressure in the system by the resistance you feel when you step on the brake pedal. As you push harder on the pedal, you should feel more resistance, which means the system is operating correctly. If you press the pedal and feel very little resistance, this is a sign that something is wrong. The lack of resistance from the pedal means that the pressure in the braking system is low. Low pressure reduces the speed of response from your brakes which increases your stopping distance. Our technicians will examine our braking system to find the cause of the problem and then repair it. Your Car Pulls When You Brake When you apply the brakes, the brake calipers should all clamp onto the wheel rotors simultaneously. The friction generated by the pads inside the calipers should stop all your wheels instantly. If the brakes on one side of your car are worn or damaged, your vehicle will automatically turn in the direction of the working brake. There are several causes for a failed brake, including a rusted or damaged caliper and a leaking or blocked brake hose. If the brake hose connecting to one of the calipers is leaking or blocked, the brake fluid won't exert the necessary force to push the caliper against the rotor. A rusted or damaged caliper won't engage correctly, and this prevents the affected wheel from stopping. We'll examine your brakes to find the cause of the problem, Overheating Brake Fluid As we've seen, your braking system depends on pressure to work effectively. Each time you hit the brakes, brake fluid is formed into the hoses and held there until you release the pedal. The pressure in the braking system can heat older brake fluid, especially if you have to frequently apply your brakes over a short distance as you drive. Overheating brake fluid is dangerous, as brake fluid that gets too hot loses its hydraulic properties. Without these properties, your braking system can fail. We can test the fluid and replace it to fix this problem. If you're experiencing brake problems, call us right away at Ed Martin CDJR.