Roseville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

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.

Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accumulations of salt or road film. Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt from a dry windshield. Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.

Life expectancy of wiper blades varies depending on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor performance of blades may be present with chattering, marks, water lines or wet spots. If any condition is present please proceed to clean wiper blades with humid cloth removing any debris that may be affecting its function.

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