Winter Driving Tips | Tacoma Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. We want to remind motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather. 

We recommend the following winter driving tips:

• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

Tips for long-distance winter trips:

• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
• Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition.
• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
• Pack a cellular telephone plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Don’t over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
• If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.

Tips for driving in the snow:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

Original post can be viewed here.

Chrysler releases Born Maker ad campaign for 2015 200 [w/video] | Tacoma Dodge Chrysler Jeep

By Brandon TurkusRSS feedGoogle+

 Is the 2015 Chrysler 200 the most important new product for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles? While it is certainly debatable, we'd be strongly inclined to say "yes." As the first competent midsize sedan that Chrysler has released in the better part of two decades, the new 200 is absolutely crucial to achieving the brand's goal of becoming FCA's "mainstream" manufacturer.

Of course, we already know how the 200 drives. Jonathan Ramsey delivered an early taste, while Steven Ewing amassed over 1,500 miles on a 200S AWD during a two-week stint with the sleek sedan, with the former complimenting the new car's fit and finish and the latter calling it an "infinitely better product." And indeed, you, the customer, have already voiced early support for the sleek four-door, with over 17,000 orders during its first two days on sale.

This has all happened before the 200 has really even graced our TVs or Facebook feeds in any significant way. But considering this early success, you can imagine the degree of pressure on the advertising team to come up with a campaign that will help the 200's ever-increasing momentum.

Have a look at the 60-second spot in the video below, and let us know what you think of Chrysler's efforts. Does this live up to the trends set by past Chrysler campaigns? What would you have done differently?

Five Habits that will Ruin your Vehicle | Tacoma Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Avoiding these habits can go a long way in preventing an expensive repair bill.

Most things you own will last longer if you take care of them and treat them well. Your car is no exception to this rule. While neglecting your car may seem harmless in the short term, regular neglect and mistreatment will add up and will reduce your car’s lifespan. To keep your car running longer and stronger, avoid these five harmful habits.

1. Delaying regular maintenance

Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car’s longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner’s manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it’s peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.

2. Ignoring dash warning lights

When a warning indicator lights up on your dash panel, it’s important to address the problem immediately. If you don’t know what the light means, check your owner’s manual or call your mechanic. Dash warning lights can alert you to some very serious problems, such as a coolant leak, which can cause your engine to overheat. A simple preventative repair can often prevent a large problem down the line.

3. Shifting while moving

The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it’s important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This “jerky” shifting places excess strain on the transmission’s internal gears and can instantly destroy it.

4. Jerky driving

We all know someone who accelerates wildly on every straightaway only to brake hard at a traffic light or stop sign. This type of driving won’t destroy your car immediately, but will cause your engine, transmission and brake system to deteriorate much more quickly than intended. Cars that have been abused will have premature fluid leaks, broken seals and mechanical problems.

5. Putting off tire replacement

Tires for some cars can be expensive, so replacing them is an unwelcome cost. Driving on bald tires is very risky, however. If a tire blows out while you’re driving, you can lose control of your vehicle and have a serious accident. And if you drive with bald tires in the rain, the risk of hydroplaning goes up tremendously. A new set of tires may seem pricey, but probably costs less than your car, and even less than your insurance deductible.

Ram boosts Heavy Duty truck claims for 2015 [w/video] | Tacoma Dodge Chrysler Jeep

The heavy-duty truck segment boasts some of the tightest competition of any automotive niche in the US. Being able to tout just one best-in-class figure can be a marketing advantage over competitors, and Ram Trucks is adding one more accolade to its tally with a powertrain update for the 2015 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups. Ram now claims best-in-class ratings for torque, towing and payload, depending on configuration.

The major change comes for the 3500 HD with a boost in torque for its Cummins 6.7-liter, inline-six diesel engine. It now produces a meaty 865 pound-feet of twist, a boost of 15 lb-ft, which is the best figure in its segment, according to the company. To eek out the extra power, the mill has more aggressive fuel delivery, and the turbo has been recalibrated. Of course, more grunt would be meaningless if drivers couldn't do anything with it, and the tweaks help allow payload to grow to 7,390 pounds, up from a rating of 7,320 pounds last year. The max towing rating remains unchanged at 30,000 pounds, though.

The rest of the powertrain lineup carries over from last year. The base HD mill is the gasoline-fed 5.7-liter V8 with 383 hp and 400 lb-ft and a six-speed automatic. The next step up is a 6.4-liter V8 with 410 hp and 429 lb-ft. There are also three trims of the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel starting with 350 hp and 660 lb-ft with a six-speed manual gearbox. If buyers opt for a the 68RFE six-speed auto, they get 370 hp and 800 lb-ft. Finally, there's the updated, top-rung version with 385 hp and 865 lb-ft with an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission.

2014 Dodge Challenger: The End of the Line Is a New Beginning

Posted By Steve Magnante | 07.23.2014

 

By Steve Magnante

On Tuesday, June 24, 2014, the last 2014 Dodge Challenger rolled off the Brampton, Ontario, assembly line. Fittingly, the final example was a bright white R/T Plus 100th Anniversary Edition and oh yeah, it’s got a HEMI® engine, but it will also deliver the kind of fuel economy owners of 1970 Challenger R/Ts could only dream of! Special permanently affixed metal badges forever identify it as the final 2014 Challenger built as the Brampton facility is converted for output of the updated and improved 2015 Challenger lineup.

Most impressive, this final Challenger was the 280,783rd built at Brampton since Dodge re-entered the Detroit pony car wars in 2008 with the limited production (7,219 built) Challenger SRT8. The very first regular production 2008 Challenger SRT8 rolled off the Brampton line on Thursday, May 8, 2008, some 2,236 calendar days earlier. It was the answer to the dreams and requests of Dodge fans all over the world for a modern pony car contender to pick up where the 1970–1974 Challenger (E-Body) left off.

Happily, the successful 2008 Challenger SRT8 program blossomed into a regular production offering with Challengers built for a variety of budgets. For 2009 and beyond, the Challenger was available with a full range of popular colors, options and models ranging from the sporty and economical V-6 powered SE and SXT to the 5.7-liter HEMI-powered R/T. At the top of the line, the SRT8 held court with as much as 470 horsepower and an available six-speed Pistol Grip shifter (added in 2009).

Along the way, several limited production special edition Challengers fanned the flames and included the LC22R Drag Pack program where you could buy a semi-completed NHRA drag racer right from the Mopar parts counter at your local Dodge dealer! The 2010 Mopar ’10 Challenger R/T was another hit with metallic pearl black, special stripes, cold air induction and final assembly handled by the Mopar Upfit Center in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. From the basic 306 horsepower V-6 SXT coupe to the Viper-powered 2011 LC22R V-10 Drag Pak to the re-introduction of the legendary HEMI ‘Shaker’ (the rebirth of a muscle car icon with cold air induction), every Challenger delivered a fun driving experience.

 

So as we bid farewell to the last 2014 LC Challenger built, let’s reflect on the happy fact that Dodge’s heritage-inspired pony car has been a huge success. Consider this: total production of the original 1970–1974 Dodge Challenger (E-Body) was 165,437 cars. In the 2,237 calendar days since the Brampton, Ontario, plant has been building 2008–2014 LC-series Challengers, a total of 280,783 have been completed and shipped to Dodge dealers all over North America. In other words, for every “classic” 1970–1974 Challenger built, nearly two modern Challengers have been sold!

But while the original E-body Challenger survived only five model years (1970–1974), the modern edition has been available for seven seasons (2008–2014) and is still going strong. In fact, the 2015 Challenger is looking to be even more popular than ever. The incorporation of 1971-inspired exterior and interior styling themes has stayed true to its roots while evolving into a modern day muscle car. Add in the available Shaker hood, the R/T Scat Pack with potent 6.4-liter HEMI engine’s 485 horsepower or the SRT HEMI Hellcat with an earth shattering 707 horsepower, and the Challenger’s future looks brighter than ever! Here’s to another decade of challenging the Detroit pony car establishment — and winning. Long live the Dodge Challenger!

—Steve Magnante