It's sometimes easy to forget the importance of the battery in our cars until they stop working. Without a fully functioning battery, your vehicle's electrical accessories will rapidly fail along with the engine's starter and even the spark plugs and the engine itself. With all this in mind, here are some of the most common early indications that a new car battery is required. You can quickly pick one up at your local RAM dealership. more Your Starter Clicks But Won't Start When settling behind the wheel one day, if you turn the key or press the starter button but all you hear is a quiet clicking, then your battery may be dead. If a worn-out battery can't deliver a powerful enough surge of voltage, the starter can't start and the spark plugs can't fire. Unless you can easily jump-start your car, this might leave you stranded somewhere inconvenient. Fortunately, when a battery is dying, you should notice it getting harder and harder to start your car long before the starter fails altogether. This gives you time to rectify the problem. Your Headlights Lose Brightness One dangerous result of a failing battery is headlights starting to flicker and fade. This may leave you without proper visibility after dark. Your Electrical Accessories Falter Without a strong battery, all the other electrical accessories in your car will also stop working properly. This would include your stereo, cabin lights, air-con, heated seats, dashboard displays, phone charger, and more. Your Battery Looks Corroded Over time, the terminals at the top of a car battery can sometimes begin to corrode. This corrosion is often white or green in color and can prevent the battery from conducting electricity. Your Battery Looks Misshapen Car batteries should have perfectly flat and straight sides. If your battery's casing ever develops a bulge or becomes in any way warped out of shape, you'll need to have it replaced. Your Battery Emits a Bad Smell If a battery becomes so misshapen or damaged that it cracks open, you may smell the battery acid leaking out. This highly corrosive substance smells strongly of sulfur or rotten eggs. Your Technician Suggests a New Battery While periodically inspecting and testing your vehicle's electrical system, the technicians at your local dealership are likely to notice any signs of a failing or aging battery. They can then let you know how much longer your battery is likely to last or replace it at once if needed. Have your battery tested and replaced today by qualified technicians at Ed Martin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. We're a local family-owned and run dealership dedicated to providing the region's best vehicles and customer service.
If you're a Jeep owner, you know that your vehicle is more than just a means of transportation: it's a ticket to adventure. But whether you're cruising through city streets or tackling rugged trails, having effective and reliable headlights is essential for safe driving. It's not uncommon for headlights to wear out or become less effective over time, so how can you tell if you need new headlights from the Jeep dealer? Let's shed some light on it. more Dimming Lights The first indicator that your Jeep might need a new set of headlights is a noticeable dimming of the lights. This is typically due to the regular wear and tear of aging bulbs, which leads to reduced brightness. If your headlights seem weaker than they should be, it could either be a simple case of needing new bulbs or a more complex issue with the Jeep's electrical system. Flickering Headlights Another common issue is flickering headlights. If your headlights randomly change intensity or flicker, this could be due to a loose connection, a failing bulb, or an alternator problem. In such cases, it's best to get a professional inspection to determine the exact cause and solution. Yellow or Cloudy Lenses Over time, your headlights' lenses may become cloudy or yellowed, a problem primarily caused by oxidation from UV exposure and environmental factors. It may be possible to reduce the problem with headlight restoration, but severe cases might require replacing the entire headlight unit instead. Moisture Inside the Headlights If you see water on the inside of your headlights, it is cause for concern. Usually, this means the seal is broken, and once moisture has entered, it can cause further damage to the headlights. If you notice condensation or water droplets inside the lens, you will probably need to replace the headlight assembly to prevent further issues. Misaligned Beams If your headlights point in the wrong direction, they may need a realignment. Uneven beams of light can be distracting to both you and other drivers on the road, so make time for this quick and easy process. Bulbs Keep Burning Out Frequent bulb burnouts could signal an underlying electrical issue in your vehicle. If you find yourself replacing the bulbs in your headlights over and over, it's worth having a professional inspection. Get New Headlights at Your Jeep Dealer If you notice any of these symptoms, don't waste any time taking your car to the dealership. Our professional technicians can evaluate your headlights and see whether you need new ones, then perform any needed repairs to get you back out onto the road. Your Jeep's headlights play a crucial role in safe driving, especially in the dark or inclement weather. From dimming to flickering or misalignment, signs of trouble should be treated promptly to ensure your vehicle remains a reliable companion on all your adventures. Visit Ed Martin Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM to have your headlights inspected today.
Getting an oil change whenever you need it is essential. It's one of the most important parts of your routine maintenance, and it's a service your Chrysler, Jeep, RAM, or Dodge dealer will be more than happy to perform for you as frequently as necessary. more How Often Does Your Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/RAM Need an Oil Change? Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and RAM vehicles generally need oil replacements at least every 5,000 miles, though this can vary depending on the type of oil used in your vehicle. Specific models often use different oil, so you should check your manual and see what it says about how often you need an oil replacement for your model. How frequently you drive impacts how often you need to get your oil replaced, too. The average American drives between 10,000 and 15,000 miles per year, so you'll most likely need at least two oil and oil filter changes annually. Your dealer can help you create a service schedule to stay on top of oil replacements. There are also signs that can show up letting you know you need an oil replacement ASAP between scheduled service appointments. When to Head to the Chrysler, Jeep, RAM, and Dodge Dealer to Get Your Oil Replaced The Oil Quality Changes Fresh motor oil is a nice translucent amber shade. When it starts to get a little darker, then it's probably time for a top-up. If all of the oil is too dark to see through, then you need to get it changed. You'll also need a change if the oil texture is no longer smooth. For example, old, dirty motor oil often feels gritty between your fingers. The Engine Gets Noisier Because motor oil lubricates the parts of the engine, the engine can get louder when you have old, low-quality oil cycling through it. It might also make a knocking noise that tells you it's time to get that oil replaced as soon as you can. The Cabin Smells Like Motor Oil If you catch a subtle whiff of your oil in the cabin, then you need to head to the dealer as soon as possible. You might just need a top-off or an oil replacement, but there could also be a problem somewhere under the hood. The Gas Mileage Is Poor Take note of how quickly the fuel tank empties, because if you're stopping for gas more than usual, then it's time to visit the dealer. You might need an oil replacement, but lower gas mileage can be a sign of other issues, too. Visit Ed Martin Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM next time you need to get new oil for your vehicle. Our team is eager to help you out with all kinds of routine maintenance, including getting your oil replaced.
