As a car owner, it's important for you to be constantly on the lookout for signs and symptoms of impending trouble. Every time you turn in your car or hit the road, take note of any odd behaviors or strange issues that may arise, and, once you notice them, get to your Chrysler dealer as soon as possible for an engine diagnostic. Automotive problems will only worsen over time if they go untreated. 1. Knocking Noise A knocking noise that begins to come from under the hood is an indication of engine trouble. If the noise rises and falls in speed with the engine's RPMs, then an engine bearing is most likely failing. Engine bearings support the movement of the moving engine parts, and when it seizes, the car's engine can suffer some major damage. more 2. Increased Exhaust If you notice more smoke than is typical coming out of your vehicle's tailpipe, then a maintenance appointment should be scheduled. The color of the smoke will often indicate the type of problem that is occurring. Blue smoke is indicative of burning oil, and white exhaust means that coolant has gotten into the combustion chamber. Black smoke is never a good sign, as it means that too much fuel is being used. 3. Illuminated Check Engine Light The check engine light was installed on your vehicle to alert you to a problem before your car completely shuts down. Too many people ignore that light multiple times after turning their car on, resulting in increased damage. When the check engine light illuminates, getting your vehicle in for a diagnostic test is imperative in preventing further damage. If left unchecked, whatever issue has arisen will become larger, costing you more time and money to fix it. 4. Decreased Performance If you have noticed a decrease in fuel efficiency, or it has become difficult to get your car to accelerate on command, then your engine may not be working at its best. A failing engine can present in many ways, but a decrease in overall performance is a good indication that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Another sign that may be tough to identify on a regular basis is if your car begins to require more warm-up time than is typical. You know your car best, so pay close attention to what is considered normal for your engine. A more serious sign could be if your engine turns itself off when the vehicle has come to a stop. Even if it turns back on, a rough idle means your engine is struggling. Never hesitate to visit our dealership if you suspect that your engine, or another part of your vehicle, is experiencing issues. For quality technicians and professional engine repair, contact us today at Tom O'Brien CJDR - Indianapolis. Our expert team will diagnose and repair any issues at hand, getting you back on the road as quickly and safely as possible. Give us a call to schedule your next auto repair. Image via Jeep.com
Obtaining a great car financing deal from your local Chrysler dealer isn't difficult. In fact, we have developed tools and services that help you to find everything you need online and to get approved as quickly as possible. As long as you know what you can afford and what your current financial situation is, you'll be able to drive home your new Chrysler in no time. 1. Get Your Finances Sorted Out You won't be able to make an informed purchase if you don't know where you stand financially. For this reason, the first thing you should do is use the payment calculators available on the dealer's website to figure out how much you can afford to pay every month and which cars could be within your price range. Remember to include the value of your previous vehicle in the calculations, as you'll be able to trade it in for your new Chrysler. A part of figuring out where you stand financially is also having a look at your credit history and your current credit score. This will affect the kinds of interest rates and deals you're able to receive. In the months leading up to your purchase, make sure you don't miss a bill or mortgage payment and try not to apply to too many forms of credit at once since these applications could lower your score. more 2. Use All the Online Resources Available On your dealer's website, you can find a number of resources that could be helpful to you. If you already know what you want and you have a reasonably good credit score, you can apply for financing directly. However, some of our customers aren't sure yet or would like to have the options explained by a member of our team. In this case, you can use the "Easy Finance" form to get in touch. Once we read your request, we'll respond to you as soon as possible. You can then either get more information over the phone, or you can come to the dealership in person and speak to us about your upcoming purchase. 3. Protect Your Investment A car is a long-term investment, and you'll need to protect it in order to maximize your financial situation. We have a number of options available for you, such as an extended warranty and several types of extra insurance that cover you in different scenarios. What's more, we'll always offer you brand-specific service and repairs, so you can come to us whenever there is an issue or when you need us to perform diagnostic checks on your vehicle. Here at your dealership, we offer some of the best rates and the most exciting financing deals for your new vehicle. In addition, you can take advantage of them no matter who you are and what your financial history is. You can get started by talking to one of our talented finance experts or by browsing through our comprehensive online resources. Call us now at Tom O'Brien CJDR - Indianapolis and find out how you can purchase the car of your dreams.
Your motor may be the heart and soul of your powertrain, but your transmission is also a key piece of the puzzle. If your transmission isn't functioning appropriately, your vehicle may not even go into first gear. If it goes into first gear, it may not leave. Unfortunately, the longer you put off a transmission repair, the more extensive the damage will be. Here are some signs you need to visit your local Chrysler dealer for an emergency service appointment. 1. You Hear Knocking Sounds When You Accelerate Quickly One of the clearest signs that there is something wrong with your transmission is hearing knocking sounds when you accelerate quickly, decelerate quickly, or change gears. Sometimes, knocking sounds are an indication that there is something wrong with the engine mount. However, if you only hear knocking sounds during the three aforementioned situations, your transmission mount may be loose or broken. The sooner you get your vehicle in for a repair, the more likely you are to fix the problem before it gets very serious. more 2. You Smell Something Wrong You can also tell that something is wrong with your transmission if you smell something sweet as you walk up to your vehicle. Since your transmission is designed to be a closed system, you will know that you need to schedule an emergency service appointment if you are noticing signs of a transmission fluid leak, like the sweet smell of transmission fluid. If you smell something sweet as you walk up to your vehicle, check under your vehicle for a pink, red, or brown puddle. Usually, transmission fluid is pink, but it can darken and change color as it ages. If you see transmission fluid pooling under your vehicle, check the reservoir to make sure it doesn't need to be topped off. If there isn't enough transmission fluid in your reservoir, don't drive it until it gets topped off. Insufficient transmission fluid can cause serious damage. 3. You Notice Erratic Gear Shifting Another sign that your transmission needs to be repaired is erratic gear shifting. If you have an automatic transmission, you may have a very serious problem with your transmission control unit, sometimes referred to as a TCU. If you have a manual transmission, there may only be a problem with your clutch for now. However, regardless of the type of transmission you have, it is very important to have the problem fixed right away. The longer you go without a transmission service, the more likely you are to experience damaged gears. Your vehicle has many ways to tell you that there is something wrong with your transmission. For instance, you may hear knocking sounds only during certain circumstances, you may smell something wrong, or you may see something wrong. If you notice any of the aforementioned signs of a damaged transmission, contact us right away at Tom O'Brien Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram on E 96th St to schedule a service appointment. Image via jeep.com
