Drivers in Indianapolis, IN know the key to owning a car for a long time is keeping up with routine maintenance. Whether you drive a new or used car, regular maintenance can prevent major issues from developing in the future, which can in turn save you from costly repairs. Learn more about the most important car maintenance to keep up with so you can extend your car's life. Four Car Maintenance Tips for Drivers in Indianapolis, IN 1. Oil Change Depending on the age of your car, the type of motor oil your car uses, your engine, and your driving habits, you may need to schedule an oil change two or three times a year. Changing the motor oil in your vehicle is essential, since this lubricant is responsible for keeping your engine clean and free from corrosion. If you don't change your motor oil regularly, your engine is at risk of overheating and other issues. more Engines that use conventional oil may need to have an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, while engines that use synthetic oil may need an oil change every 7,500 miles. If you don't drive your car regularly, you should schedule an oil change every six months, since the oil in your engine degrades even when it's not in use. 2. Tire Rotation Your tires should be rotated at least once or twice a year. Tire rotations are essential, since this will ensure your tread wears down evenly on all tires, which can extend the life of your tires. Your mechanic will recommend buying new tires when the tread on your tires is low. 3. New Headlights If your headlights are dim, flickering, cloudy, or hazy, you should have them replaced right away. Headlights are crucial for the safety of your vehicle. If you have halogen lights, you may need to have them replaced once or twice a year. LED lights may need to be replaced for wiring issues or because of damage from an accident. 4. Car Wash and Wax You should also regularly wash and wax your vehicle as part of routine maintenance. Regularly washing your car will remove dirt, tree sap, and other pollutants that can potentially damage your paint. A protective coat of wax can also protect your paint. You can even discuss applying a protective film to your car at the dealership service department. There are several routine maintenance tasks you will need to keep track of as a car owner. Simple routine maintenance such as an oil change can be done at the same time as other tasks, like tire rotations, while other maintenance services may need to be scheduled based on the condition of your vehicle. Book your next service appointment at Tom O'Brien CJDR - Indianapolis.
Your Chrysler's engine needs oxygen just as much as it needs gasoline to function. As it draws in air, the air filter prevents dust, sand, and other airborne contaminants from entering. Over time, the filter naturally begins to clog up, at which point the inflow of oxygen becomes reduced, and your engine can run into problems. The following are seven signs that it's time to visit your local Chrysler dealer for a new car air filter. Is It Time to Replace Your Car Air Filter? Reduced Gas Mileage When airflow becomes restricted by an aging filter, the fuel-air mixture in your combustion chambers becomes unbalanced. This leads to less efficient usage of fuel, and you'll soon find that a full tank of gas doesn't get you as far as it should. So if your fuel efficiency is dropping, the first thing to check should be your engine's air filter. more Rough Idling When restricted airflow unbalances the fuel-air mixture, you end up with excess unburned fuel in your combustion chambers. This unburned fuel covers the spark plugs with soot, causing them to struggle, especially when you're sitting idle. While idling, a Chrysler's engine should be purring softly and comfortably. If you notice it sputtering, coughing, or stalling altogether, take a look at your filter. It might need replacing. Black Smoke When you have excess, unburned fuel as a result of a clogged-up filter, that unburned fuel needs to escape somehow. It often does so in the form of black smoke pouring out of your exhaust. So if you ever see black smoke behind your car, the problem might be something as simple as an old air filter. Grimy, Blackened Filter The best way to know if you need a new filter is to check it with your own eyes. You'll find your filter inside a large, squarish black box called the cold air collector box, which is near the front of your engine compartment. The filter inside is rectangular and pleated. Take the filter out and check in between the pleats to see if any parts of it are significantly blocked by a build-up of dirt and grime. Blinking "Check Engine" Light The computerized monitors in your engine will pick up problems that result from a clogged air filter. When this happens, you'll see the "check engine" light come on. It's best not to ignore this warning, as it might indicate a blocked air filter, or it might be pointing to an even more serious issue. 15,000 to 30,000 Miles Have Passed It's generally recommended that Chrysler drivers have their filters changed every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. So if you've reached 15,000 miles since your last filter change, it's best to get a new one, even if you can't yet see signs of trouble. Driving conditions make a big difference in how often you need to replace your filter. If you're regularly driving in heavy traffic, on dusty roads, or in a hot climate, then your filter will be working a lot harder. As a result, you'll need a new one more often. Annual Servicing at Your Chrysler Dealer To ensure you never forget to change your filter, it's a good rule of thumb to have it replaced once a year. You can simply coincide this with your yearly engine diagnostic and checkup at your local dealership. To have your filter checked and replaced by friendly, experienced technicians, visit Tom O'Brien Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Indianapolis. We're a popular local dealership that always puts customer satisfaction first and foremost.
If you love the style and performance of the Grand Cherokee, but you need extra seating for your family, then you should check out the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Cherokee L models have three rows of seating and other exciting standard features. Introducing the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L: Elevated Elegance The entry-level Grand Cherokee L is the Laredo trim, which has a powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine that provides 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain is married to an eight-speed automatic transmission for effortless acceleration and a standard 4x2 drivetrain. You can expect this three-row SUV to get 19 MPG in the city, 26 MPG on the highway, and 21 MPG combined. more Seating and Cargo The most appealing feature of the base Grand Cherokee L is the seating configuration. This model has standard six-passenger seating and easy-to-maintain cloth seating material. The first row consists of a four-way manually adjustable driver's seat, while the driver's seat has eight power-adjustable settings. The second row of the Laredo has sliding bucket seats that make it easy to access the third row. The third-row seats have a 50/50 manual folding capability to extend your cargo area if you need to haul extra gear or groceries. As for the cargo area, this SUV comes with a full-length floor console for secure storage and convenient tie-down loops to keep your cargo in place. Interior The Laredo has three-zone automatic climate control, which allows the front and back seat passengers to enjoy customized temperature settings. This model comes with a buttery smooth soft-touch instrument panel and a 10.25-inch digital cluster for real-time updates on your vehicle stats. A TechnoLeather steering wheel enhances driver comfort. The cabin of the Laredo has several other convenient features, such as a second-row floor pad with built-in cupholders and illuminated cupholders throughout the cabin. This SUV has two 12-volt power outlets for your convenience; one in the front row and one in the cargo area. A day/night interior rearview mirror instantly adjusts to the time of day to reduce headlight glare. Infotainment The base Grand Cherokee L has a six-speaker audio system and an intuitive Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The center stack has integrated voice command and compatibility with Apple CarPlay. The second row features two charge-only USB ports for your passenger's convenience, while the front-row media hub has two USB ports with aux capability. The Grand Cherokee L gives you everything you need in a family vehicle, particularly in terms of seating flexibility and cargo room. This performance-ready SUV is the perfect choice for your next family road trip or camping trip. Explore this Jeep SUV when you visit Tom O'Brien CJDR - Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN.
