How Regular Service Can Enhance Your Driving Experience in a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or RAM

Whether you drive a high-powered truck, a family-friendly SUV, or a sporty sedan, it's important to schedule a routine oil change service to ensure your vehicle is in peak operating condition. Learn why synthetic car oil or conventional oil is best for your ride. Conventional motor oil is made from refined crude oil and serves the purpose of lubricating your engine to prevent damage caused by friction. Synthetic oil, on the other hand, is typically made in a lab and often has specific additives to enhance the performance of your vehicle. In general, conventional motor oil is used in gas-powered vehicles, especially older models, while synthetic oil is commonly found in newer models and performance vehicles. Key Facts About Conventional Car Oil Affordability is the biggest benefit of conventional engine oil. This motor oil is thicker and flows more slowly, so it's ideal for older or larger engines that need more lubrication to prevent damage. This motor oil will typically last for 5,000 to 7,000 miles. more Key Facts About Synthetic Car Oil Synthetic oil is formulated to reduce sludge buildup in the engine, resist heat damage to engine components, and have a thinner viscosity that flows more easily in the motor to improve fuel economy. Turbocharged engines perform ideally with synthetic oil, so many modern vehicles with eco-friendly motors use blended synthetic or fully synthetic motor oil. You can expect this oil to last up to 10,000 to 15,000 miles. When Should You Schedule an Oil Change Service? If your vehicle was made in the last few years or has a turbocharged engine under the hood, you can schedule oil service every six months or so. Older vehicles with larger motors may need oil service every three months to maintain ideal performance. For most vehicles, you should change your engine oil every six months since motor oil degrades over time, even when you don't drive your vehicle frequently. You should schedule oil service when the check engine oil light turns on. It's a good idea to book service in preparation for a long trip, after you return from a trip, or to weatherize your vehicle for seasonal changes. You should also schedule service if you notice unusual leaks, loud engine noise, smell oil in the cabin, or see excessive exhaust smoke. A change in gas mileage is also a sign that your vehicle needs fresh oil. Your owner's manual will indicate whether conventional or synthetic oil is best for your vehicle, as well as the recommended oil change interval to support your vehicle's performance. Get in touch with Madison Chrysler Inc in Madison, CT to book oil service today.

Everyone wants to save money on car fuel, and you can enhance your fuel efficiency with a few of the following tips. 1. Use the Right Car Fuel While most modern cars can easily use the cheapest fuel available at the gas station, you'll actually get the best efficiency overall by making sure you're using the right fuel for your CDJR vehicle. Sometimes, E85 fuel results in lower efficiency, though not always. It greatly depends on your vehicle, what year it is, and what fuel it was designed to run on. Check your owner's manual to learn more. more 2. Keep Up With Maintenance The maintenance you do on your vehicle, particularly oil changes and swapping out oil and engine air filters, make a significant difference to your fuel economy. But the state of your tires, how your brakes work, whether the car is aligned and balanced, and even the quality of your transmission fluid can all influence your efficiency over time. Take your vehicle in to your CDJR dealer whenever necessary to get the proper maintenance. 3. Drive Smart Speeding and roaring off stops as quickly as possible waste fuel. You'll get the best efficiency driving at lower speeds and by building speed gently from a stop and slowing gradually whenever possible. Bear in mind, of course, that if you're at a crowded intersection with long lights that you should not annoy and delay everyone behind you who needs to get through by slowly coasting forward just to save a few cents. But whenever it's polite and possible, take it easy on that gas pedal. 4. Lighten Up Lots of us are carrying around a bunch of things in our vehicles that we don't actually need. We do this because it doesn't seem to matter: cars, trucks, and SUVs tend to have lots of room, so what's the harm in just leaving something in there? Every pound of weight that you carry in your vehicle diminishes your efficiency by a small percentage. You've likely noticed that you get worse gas mileage when every seat is full and the vehicle is loaded up with luggage, right? Even the things you're carrying around in trunk or between the seats matters, though. Take a look in your vehicle and make sure there isn't some junk in there, particularly heavy junk, that doesn't need to be riding with you on every errand. There are more things that can help you get the best efficiency out of your vehicle, and we can tell you more that will be specific to your make and model when you come talk to our factory-trained technicians. Come see us at Madison Chrysler Inc here in Madison, CT today.

There are many belts and hoses that are critical to the operation and function of your vehicle, which is why it is so important to get a car belt and hose inspection. Many of these belts are connected to your engine, providing power to the rest of the car. Car belt wear can cause the vehicle to stall, a loss of power, engine damage, and much more. Read on to learn more about car belt and hose care. When Should You Get a Car Belt and Hose Inspection? Checking your belts and hoses should be a part of your routine maintenance. The professionals at your dealership can check the belts and hoses inside the vehicle. The trained technicians at the service department can visually inspect the belts and hoses for misalignment, cracking, fraying, and wear. This can be done during your regular oil change intervals. more Car Belt Wear The belts inside your vehicle include, but are not limited to, the drive belt, timing belt, and serpentine belt. These belts are responsible for the power transfer from the engine to other components. When the belts are damaged, broken, or worn, you can have multiple systems fail, causing overheating, electrical malfunctions, loss of power, and more. The timing belt helps to turn the car's crankshaft and camshaft, keeping them in sync. Your car will not run at all without a timing belt. If you hear the belt break while you are driving, pull over immediately. During your regular maintenance checks, make sure the technicians let you know the condition of your timing belt. Depending on the wear and tear of the belt, you should have it swapped out every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Car Belt and Hose Care Belts and hoses don't function in isolation. When these parts aren't working correctly, they strain the engine and can reduce the effectiveness of your cooling or braking system. The health of the belts and hoses inside the vehicle impacts the performance and many vital components inside the engine compartment. Regular maintenance will ensure they don't cause damage or other significant issues. Belts are engineered and built to last for roughly 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Your car's hoses should be replaced on average every four years. These numbers can go up or down depending on the vehicle, driving conditions, and even the climate where you live. The professionals at our CDJR dealership will be able to monitor the health of your car's belts and hoses and recommend appropriate replacement intervals. The belts and hoses inside your car are vital to the health and performance of your engine. Make sure they are in good condition. Call us at Madison Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Madison, CT, to schedule your next maintenance appointment with the certified technicians in our service department today.