Blog

Preventative maintenance from your dealership in New Carrollton, MD, is crucial to keep your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or RAM in top condition and on the road for years to come. You will get expert maintenance services and save on gas and repairs. Check out these 6 reasons to visit for your car’s maintenance. 1. Routine Maintenance Gives You Peace of Mind The qualified technicians at your dealership have the knowledge and expertise and use advanced equipment to perform expert maintenance services to keep your car in excellent running condition. You don't have to stress about unexpected breakdowns. Routine maintenance will give you the peace of mind that your vehicle is reliable and will not let you down. more 2. You'll Avoid Unexpected and Costly Repairs Routine inspections are the only way to avoid unexpected and costly repairs. It's far cheaper to take your car regularly for regular maintenance because your technician will detect minor issues early before they turn into major repairs and replacements that could cost you a bundle to fix. If you stick to the factory-recommended maintenance interval and only allow qualified technicians to perform inspections and maintenance, your car will always get you where you need to go. 3. You'll Save Cash on Gas If you regularly take your vehicle for check-ups, the qualified technicians will perform the necessary maintenance tasks. Every system and component will be thoroughly inspected to ensure your vehicle is in good working order. If your car is in top shape, your car will burn less gas, saving you money at the pump. 4. Your Car Will Last Longer The technicians at your dealership are explicitly trained to maintain your vehicle. With every maintenance service, the required fluid top-offs, corrections, adjustments, and replacements will be performed to ensure that your car is in great shape. It's a fact that a vehicle that is well looked after with a well-lubricated engine that runs smoothly will last longer. 5. You'll Be Safer on the Road When you take your vehicle at the recommended intervals for maintenance, your brake system and tires will be in excellent condition. You won't have to stress about failing brakes, flat tires, blowouts, or breakdowns. Your battery won't suddenly fail and leave you stranded. You will know that you can drive your car anywhere, and you and your passengers will get to your destination safely. 6. Your Car Will Have a Higher Resale Value Another reason to maintain your car regularly is that your vehicle will have an up-to-date service record. The day you want to sell your car and have an up-to-date service record, you will get more money for your vehicle. Regular check-ups will also keep the value longer and slow down the depreciation. Schedule Car Maintenance in New Carrollton, MD Today You'll save cash on gas and costly repairs by taking your vehicle, whether it be a Chrysler Pacifica or Dodge Durango, for regular check-ups. Best of all, your car can last longer. Check your owner's manual for the factory-recommended maintenance intervals or ask your technician for assistance. Drop by DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of New Carrollton today for a maintenance check-up to keep your vehicle running like new.

Good tires are essential for safe driving. They can grip a surface and provide the stability you need when you're driving. Modern tires are tough, but as they're made from rubber they can still wear down. Frequent braking, rough surfaces, experiencing potholes, and general wear and tear will all reduce the treads of your tires. As your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM dealer, we'd like you to know some of the signs that you need new tires. Signs You Need New Tires from Your Car Dealer Shaking When You Drive Under normal conditions, you shouldn't feel any shaking when you drive. If you experience this, there are several possibilities, including damaged rotors and unbalanced tires. The main possibility, though, is a problem with your tires. You can isolate the problem by how and when your tire shakes. If the shaking feels like a side-to-side movement and occurs at a speed between 10 and 40 mph, the problem is tire related. more This is a dangerous situation, as this shaking is a sign of tread separation. The tread is the raised groove section of the tire that's in contact with the surface. Tread separation means that your tire has suffered internal damage. This damage has caused the adhesives that join the parts of your tire together to start separating. It's important to call us as soon as possible so your tire can be replaced. Your tire is in the process of falling apart. Your Tires Are Past Tread Warranty Tire manufacturers have a warranty on their tire treads. This warranty varies amongst the range of tires, and it's calculated on the expected lifespan of the tire under normal conditions. The warranty also requires that your tires are regularly rotated, and you have proof of this rotation. Under these conditions, if your tires have worn evenly on their treads and you haven't met their expected mileage, you get a pro-rated discount on replacements. If you don't take up the warranty offer, and your tires have lasted longer than the warranty period, it's advisable to change them. The tires are engineered to last a particular length of time or complete a certain mileage. After this period, the tires are more likely to fail. If you don't change the tires, we advise that our technicians examine the tires to ensure they are in good working condition. Your Tires Are Bald Bald tires mean that the tread on the tires has completely worn down. Tires in this condition are not safe to drive on. Your tire tread is designed to allow the tires to grip the surface and enable you to brake, corner, and perform any other move safely. Over time your tire tread will wear down, and the lower the tread, the less control you have when you drive. When there is no tread on a tire, this severely reduces your control over your car. We advise that you don't drive your car. Visit our Service Department right away. Stop By for New Tires in New Carrollton, MD When you need the right tires for your car, call us at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of New Carrollton. You can also schedule a tire service online!

If you're like many drivers, you probably don't think about rotating your tires until it's time for an oil change. However, did you know that tire rotations are essential for car maintenance? Check out this guide from your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM dealer about tire rotation and why it's important. Tire Maintenance & Rotation When you come for a tire service and you rotate car tires, you move the tires on a vehicle from one position to another. Typically, this rotation is done as part of regular car maintenance, and it's recommended that you have your tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. more The rotation of your tires is often done when you have your oil changed. You should consult your owner's manual for timing recommendations for your specific vehicle. Why Is Rotating Your Tires Important? There are several reasons why rotating your tires is essential. Rotation helps to evenly distribute the wear and tear on your tires, which can significantly extend their life. Additionally, uneven tire wear can impact steering and handling, reducing overall performance and safety. Rotation also impacts fuel efficiency by improving tire traction. You can save quite a bit at the pump by rotating your tires regularly. Because rotating your tires reduces uneven wear of the tires, the car does not have to work as hard to maintain contact with the road's surface. Rotating your tires saves gas and makes driving safer. How Do You Rotate Tires? There are a few different ways to rotate tires, but the most common method is to switch the front and back tires. Consult your owner's manual for information about your car. There are a variety of rotation patterns, so you should choose the one specified in your owner's manual. When Should I Rotate My Tires? How often you rotate your tires depends on how often you drive, the driving you do, and the climate where you live. If you drive a lot or if you are in stop-and-go traffic a lot, you might want to rotate your tires more often. Consult your owner's manual for the recommended schedule or talk to a certified technician. Front Wheel Drive vs. Rear Wheel Drive Tires wear differently on front-wheel drive vehicles, so following the rotation pattern specified in your owner's manual is essential. Since the impact of braking causes rear-wheel-drive tires to wear more quickly, it's important to rotate your tires on a regular schedule. Our knowledgeable service technicians will choose the proper rotation pattern for your vehicle and get you back on the road right away. Safety Many tire-related accidents occur every year. Uneven tire wear can lead to blowouts and loss of control. Having your tires rotated regularly will help to prevent these types of incidents. When you have your car serviced at our dealership, our technicians will inspect your vehicle, ensuring it's aligned properly and that tires have proper inflation. The technician will also look at your tread depth and check for cracks and wear. Get a Tire Rotation at Our New Carrollton, MD Service Department When you take your vehicle to our dealership, rotation and alignment are typically part of your overall maintenance routine. If you're unsure if you're due for a rotation, contact DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of New Carrollton. We'll be happy to schedule a service appointment and answer any questions.

The alternator is a component that is easy to ignore until something goes wrong with it. When you start your engine, the battery supplies the change to the starter. Once your car is moving, your alternator supplies the electrical power to your car's systems and also charges the battery as you drive. An alternator can fail, and these are the signs to watch for. If you need an alternator repair in New Carrollton, MD your car dealer can help you. 1. Damaged Electrical Connections The alternator is a dynamo that creates electrical power through your car's movement. This power is distributed to all the electrical systems in your car via wires and cables. Individual cables can suffer wear, and if they do, they will have greater difficulty in distributing power. Some of your electrical systems may start to suffer intermittent problems. more Damaged wiring will prevent power from reaching the necessary components and the wiring will start to heat up. If you smell the odor of hot wire or burning plastic, these can be signs of damaged wiring. The smell is very unpleasant, and burning plastic emits toxic chemicals. We advise calling us immediately, and our skilled technicians can check and repair or replace any damaged wiring. 2. Dead Battery A battery, especially if it is five or more years old, can simply fail due to age. If your car battery is relatively new and it fails, this can be a sign of an alternator problem. The alternator charges your battery as your car drives, but as the alternator starts to wear out it becomes less efficient at generating power. Eventually, the alternator will not generate enough power to charge your battery, and the battery will run down. Under normal conditions, your alternator should last for approximately eight years before it wears out. Maintaining a regular service schedule for your car is important, as our technicians check your vehicle's components and can spot signs of wearing parts. Regular checks also help to maintain all the components and increase their lifespan. 3. Starting and Stalling Problems The battery supplies power to start your engine, but a battery's power can run down very quickly. If your alternator is failing and it is not able to supply enough power to your battery to charge it, your car will experience starting difficulties. When you start the ignition, you should be rewarded with the purr of your car’s engine. If there is a delay, this is a sign of a charging issue. Stalling can be extremely dangerous depending on where you are driving when it happens. The alternator supplies electrical power to your spark plugs for them to ignite the fuel. If your alternator fails, the spark plugs won't spark, and your car can simply stop dead. Get Your Alternator Repair at Our Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM Dealer in New Carrollton, MD Now you know some of the signs of an alternator failure, if you experience any of them call us right away at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of New Carrollton. Do you need other auto repairs in New Carrollton? We have a comprehensive list of repairs that we do here at our Service Department.

The radiator is a complex piece of machinery, and its sole purpose is to remove excess heat from your engine. It is a very robust component, designed to operate under conditions of great heat and pressure. All mechanical parts will, however, wear out eventually and need to be replaced. In New Carrollton, MD your Chrysler dealer is here to help you when you need a radiator repair, and we have listed some of the signs to watch for. Leaking Coolant Coolant is a mix of antifreeze and distilled water, and its purpose is to absorb heat from your engine and carry it to the radiator. In your radiator, the hot coolant is cooled and recirculated through the engine. This coolant moves under high pressure, and as with any high-pressure system, a small leak can grow larger very quickly. more Coolant is usually green, but it can also be pink or yellow, so it is easy to spot a leak. The leak may be from a damaged radiator hose or one of the hose clamps may have loosened. As coolant is lost, the cooling system will start to fail, and your engine temperature will increase dramatically. We will find and fix the leak, and it can be as simple as replacing a worn part. Overheating When Idling It's not abnormal for a slight temperature rise when your car is idling, as the cooling system relies on a huge amount of airflow through the radiator grille to reduce the coolant temperature. If your temperature gauge spikes when you are idling though, there may be a serious problem with your radiator. When the engine temperature is too high, a fan behind the radiator should switch on to blow over the radiator tubes to cool them. A faulty radiator fan may be due to a blown fuse, which is quick and easy to replace, but it could also mean that the radiator fan is broken. The fan is integral to the radiator, and if it stops working, we will need to replace the radiator itself to fix the problem. A Clogged Radiator Mineral deposits can build up in the radiator and block the radiator hoses and pipes. Without sufficient coolant flow, your engine can start to overheat. The solution usually depends on whether or not there are signs of rust on the radiator. If there is rust, the radiator must be replaced, as it is permanently weakened. It is more common, however, that the radiator is in good condition, and we will flush the radiator and fill it with fresh coolant. Get Radiator Repairs at Our New Carrollton Service Department If you have trouble with your radiator, call our service department at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of New Carrollton and schedule an appointment. We are the experts in Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM and we can also fix any other make or model of vehicle. Our expert technicians and high-quality service will get the job done for you.

A car air filter allows clean air into the engine and prevents harmful contamination from dirt and dust. Over time the air filter will get dirty and clogged with debris which will affect engine performance. The following signs will warn you that an air filter replacement needs to be performed to keep your engine running smoothly. 1. The Check Engine Light Is On The check engine light comes on for a variety of reasons. A dirty and clogged air filter could be the cause. Air intake issues for a dirty air filter will cause deposits to accumulate. This will negatively impact engine performance and trigger the check engine light. more 2. The Air Filter Is Dirty When the check engine light comes on, perform a visual inspection of your air filter. A clean air filter will be a white or off-white color, but if you hold it up to the light, and you see dirt and dust, and it's a brownish color, it's best to replace it as soon as possible. 3. Decrease in Fuel Efficiency A common sign of a dirty air filter is reduced gas mileage. When not enough clean air flows through the filter, your car may burn more gas to produce enough power. If you get the air filter replaced, you may notice an increase in fuel efficiency. 4. Your Car Is Slow to Respond and Jerking When you press down on the gas and your car is sluggish to respond, and you notice jerking movements, not enough clean air is getting through to the engine. The problem may be easily solved by replacing the air filter. 5. Strange Engine Sounds You know what your car sounds like, and when you hear noises that you are not familiar with, it's always a reason for concern. When your car's engine is in good running condition, it will pleasantly purr. When you hear popping or coughing noises coming from under the hood, a dirty air filter could be the culprit and could possibly be polluting the spark plugs. Get the air filter replaced as soon as possible before a spark plug is damaged. 6. Hard Starts, Rough Idling, and Misfiring When the air filter is clogged and not enough clean air reaches the engine, unburned fuel residue can pollute the spark plugs. When your spark plugs are fouled, it reduces the spark necessary for the combustion process, and your engine will misfire. It will be hard to start your car, and the engine will idle roughly. 7. Strong Smell of Gasoline When you get a whiff of gasoline when you start your car, a clogged air filter might be to blame. You will smell a strong gasoline odor when the unburnt gas from a lack of air caused by a dirty air filter escapes through the tailpipe. 8. Black Smoke and Flames from the Tailpipe When the air filter is dirty and prevents clean air from reaching the engine, the fuel may not burn off as it should during the combustion process. This will cause heated fuel to leak out of the tailpipe. You will see black sooty smoke and might even see flames from the tailpipe and hear popping sounds. The moment you notice smoke or flames coming from your car's tailpipe, take your car to your technician immediately. Get an Air Filter Replacement in Maryland at Our New Carrollton Car Dealership Do you need to get your car’s air filter replaced? Get the care your vehicle needs at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of New Carrollton by scheduling an air filter inspection and replacement performed by qualified technicians.