Roseville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

An emergency can happen at any time. However, it seems like emergencies happen at the worst times-like in the middle of winter. There are certain items you should have in your car to make sure you're prepared for car-trouble emergencies. You never know when that unexpected dead battery will rear its ugly head or if you'll need a flashlight to change a tire in the middle of the night. Here are a few things to keep in your vehicle's emergency kit that will help give you peace of mind.

 

1. FLASHLIGHT & BATTERIES

A flashlight is a must if you have a breakdown in the dark, need to look under the hood where the sunlight doesn't reach or find a lost toy under a dark seat. Keep extra batteries handy, too-you don't want your flashlight dying when you need it.

 

2. BLANKET

This is a must -have no matter where you live. Nights can get chilly in warmer climates, too.

 

3. DUCT TAPE

It's been said duct tape can fix anything. If you're a believer, it's a good idea to keep a roll in your vehicle.

 

4. FIRST AID KIT

You never know what might happen when you're on the road. So, be prepared for everything from scraped knuckles to a sprained ankle. A basic emergency kit should contain most everything you might need.

 

5. HAND WARMERS

Since they're so small, they're easy to throw into an emergency kit or glove box. If you've ever tried to change a tire when it's cold, you'll know why these are important to have.

 

6. BATTERY CABLES

We've all been there- hearing that click, click, click when you turn your key and the battery is dead. Keep battery cables in your trunk for just that reason, or to help someone else out.

 

7. WINDSHIELD SCRAPER

If you live in an area that sees frost and snow during the winter, be sure you're prepared for it. Keep a windshield scraper in your car because you never know when the first frost will hit-if it hasn't already.

 

8. BOTTLES OF WATER

For those unexpected times when you're waiting for roadside assistance-or maybe you just have a thirsty child in the backseat.

 

-Article taken from Tammy Neal, Go.Drive magazine

Ever feel like there's a petting zoo in your car? Noises like growling, squealing and hissing may drive you batty, but understanding the underlying cause behind them can help you keep a small problem from turning into a big one.

GROWL
If this noise is audible at all times (even when the car is idling), one of your car's accessories could be failing.

HISS
This noise can also sound like a whistle. Hearing this under the car's hood can mean a leak in a vacuum hose.

RATTLE
This noise could mean loose exhaust components. It can also indicate a failed catalytic converter.

FLAPPING
This noise could mean the serpentine belt is coming apart and be checked  immediately.

HOWLING
A tire that "howls" at high speed likely indicates an alignment problem. It could also mean worn shocks or struts accompanied by a vibration in the steering wheel.

SQUEAK
Hearing this noise while driving over a bump means the rubber bushings that dampen vibration in the suspension system are worn. Shocks and struts may need to be given a closer inspection as well.

So, next time it sounds like an angry Godzilla-sized chipmunk just bushwhacked your car, remember what these different noises mean and have them checked out by your service center. Saving your car from the "animals" can increase the life of your vehicle-and keep you from that "living in a zoo" feeling.
~Taken from go.drive
by Kara Bishop
Staff Writer

1.) Brake Pads
It seems like common sense: Don't neglect your car's brakes. Still, when it's time to replace your car's brake pads, it's easy to look the other way. For one thing, brake pads tend to wear gradually, so you might not notice changes in your braking performance right away. Secondly, a car with worn brake pads will still stop--just not as well. So what's the harm in saving some money and holding off?
It turns out the harm in not replacing your brake pads is about $400. When  your brake pads are worn, they can cause damage to brake rotors. As the rotors rub against worn pads, they become warped, which makes it tougher to stopthe car (if you feel your car shudder as you brake, you probably have warped rotors). Fixing the rotors requires that they be turned or smoothed out--something that requires a mechanic and can run over $100 per rotor. If the rotors need to be replaced, you'll end up spending fourtimes what it would have cost to replace the brake pads.

2.) Oil Change
An oil change should cost you around $40 at most quick oil change stations. And that same station will probably tell you to come back in three months or 3,000 miles. But do you have to? It depends. That old rule of thumb still applies to some cars, but others can go much longer between oil changes. To find out how long your car can go between changes, read your owner's manual.
After you've found out the oil change interval for your car, follow it. Oil is like your engine's blood. But unlike your blood, all sorts of impurities buildup and not enough oil lead to your engine seizing up. Sure, you can save $40 by putting off an oil change, but you could end up spending $4,000 on a new engine.

3.) Air Filter
Changing an air filter is cheap. It's even easy enough for most people to do themselves. Not changing your car's air filter, on the other hand, is expensive. According to the EPA, a dirty air filter, you'll save about $15. But, if your car is supposed to get 25 miles per gallon, and gas is $2.50 a gallon, those savings have evaporated by the time you've driven about 150 miles.
Even worse, if the air filter isn't clean and that means enough air isn't getting to the engine, you could foul your spark plugs and might have to replace them. Depending on your engine, that can cost anywhere from $100 to $300. Now, spending $15 for a new air filter doesn't sound so bad, does it?

4.) Transmission Fluid Leak
One of the most common problems associated with y our transmission is a fluid leak. You'll likely first notice it when you see drops of red fluid on the pavement where you usually park your car. Ignore it for long enough, and you'll definately notice it when the leak leads to your transmission shifting roughly, or the gears slipping.
Transmission fluid is what cools and lubricates your transmission. If it's leaking, you need to fix it, and fast. Resealing a transmission is a relatively easy job and should usually only cost a few hundred dollars. Ignoring the leak can lead to the transmission seizing up and a subsequent transmission replacement--which costs several thousand dollars.

5.) Burned Out Lights
Here's one repair on our list that is really easy to ignore. After all, a burned-out tail light won't eventually lead to engine failure or to your transmission falling out. While that's all true, you should still fork over your hard-earned $5 for new tail light bulb if yours is burned out.
Believe it or not, failure to keep your rear lights working can be an expensive proposition. First, if a police officer sees you with broken tail or brake lights, you're going to get a ticket. In some states, the fine for a broken tail light is $150, which makes paying for a new bulb seem like chump change. Second, broken lights increase your risk of being on the receiving end of a rear-end collision. And while the other driver's insurance should cover any damage (assuming they have insurance), you still have to deal with the headache of getting  your car fixed.

6.) Clogged Fuel Filter
An important part of maintaining your car is keeping impurities out of the engine. While the air filter does part of the job by keeping airborne impurities out, the fuel filter keeps impurities from the fuel out of the engine. Like the air filter, if it gets clogged and you don't fix it, you're looking at some major problems.
On older cars, a fuel filter is relatively easy to replace because it's easy for mechanics or car owners themselves to get to. On newer cars, it's a more complex job. More complexity means more money, which makes this repair tempting to skip--despite the fact that it can lead to the car stalling or refusing to start altogether.
Don't skip it. At its most expensive , replacing a fuel filter will be a few hundred bucks. Let it go too long, and not only are you looking at dealing with a car that will barely run, you could also have dirt in your fuel injectors--causing them to need replacing. Replacing just one fuel injector can cost over $500. But if they all need replacing, you're looking at least $1,000 in repair bills.

Taken from U.S. News and World Report Automotive Section
Written by: Jamie Page Deaton

As much as most of us hate to admit it winter is around the corner and now is a good time for a winter driving reminder.

Your odds for a collision in wet weather increases dramatically. Hard rain or snow can limit visibility so you can't see the edges of the road , traffic signs or other vehicles. Slowing down is the best overall policy for wet weather driving.

See and Be Seen!
* Keep your windshield clean, inside and out.
* Keep your wipers clean and in good condition.
* Keep headlights clean.
* Increase the following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
 * Don't drive through deep water on a flooded road.
* Make sure you have adequate, full tread and properly inflated tires which allow water to escape from under the tires.
* Avoid using cruise control. It can be dangerous in wet driving conditions.

For more information, refer to AAA's How to go on Ice and Snow Tips.

Beginning in the 2008 model year, some Chrysler and Jeep model vehicles are equipped with an ENGINE OIL CHANGE INDICATOR SYSTEM. Depending on how the vehicle is equipped, the instrument cluster will display the CHANGE OIL message in either the EVIC or in the odometer window.
Resetting the oil change indicator may be accomplished by performing the following steps:

• Turn the ignition key to ON but do not start engine.
• Slowly depress the accelerator to the floor and release it three times within 10 seconds.
• Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

Repeat the process if the indicator does not reset.
When using the factory installed remote start, the oil change required light may time out before the customer sees the message.

NOTE: Be sure to re-set the light after every oil change even if the light is not illuminated.

All wheels and wheel trim, expecially aluminum and chrome plated wheels should be cleaned regularly with mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To remove heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use MOPAR Wheel Cleaner (05066247AB) or equivalent or select a non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner. Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle brush, acetone or metal polishes. Only MOPAR or equivalent is recommended. Do not use oven cleaner. Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or harsh brushes that may damage the wheels' protective finish. You can also use car wax to polish the wheels to help deflect dust and grime from wheel.