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Some of the most important car maintenance you'll ever take care of is that related to the winter weather. From winter tires for driving in snow to preventative maintenance that will keep you from breaking down at the worst possible moment, here's a winter car maintenance checklist. Winter Car Maintenance Checklist 1. Winter Tires for Driving in Snow Tires for winter are different from regular tires. They're made of a special type of rubber that performs better in the cold and has deeper grooves to give you better traction in snow and ice. more 2. Wipers for the Bad Weather Your wiper blades should always completely clear the windshield every time they swipe. We'll take a look at your wipers to see that they're in good shape for the winter and make sure they're not too old and dry. Old, dry wipers tend to crack with extreme temperature changes. 3. Preventative Maintenance for Safety No one wants to be stranded in the middle of a snowstorm, and there is some preventative work you can have done to minimize any chance that that might happen. We'll take a look at your battery and the terminals and wires and test it to make sure it's holding a charge the way it should, so you're not going to get left with a dead battery on a snowy night. We'll also take a look at all the cables and belts in the vehicle to make sure that they're in good shape. If there are a few years old, constant temperature swings tend to make them brittle. If they're in good shape, we may just lubricate them. If they need to be replaced, we'll take care of that. 4. The Most Important Car Maintenance: Brakes Nothing is more essential to your safety than good brakes, and when the snow flies and there's ice on the road, you need your brakes more than ever. Now is not the time to find out that a leak in the line or a worn down brake pad is doing anything to compromise your braking or make it take longer to come to a stop. We thoroughly check the system for you. 5. Ready for Anything Our last tip is to be ready for anything in the winter by packing a winter emergency kit. You can find lots of lists for these online, and what you choose will be personal to you; but at the least, you need a first aid kit, drinking water, some snacks for you and your pets, extra blankets, a snow shovel, and a flashlight with extra batteries. For winter work on your car, come see us at K & J Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Breese, IL today.

Off-roading safely requires precise control and handling of your vehicle. It's also important for regular daily driving, as driving a car that's out of alignment can be both challenging and dangerous. Going to the dealer for your Jeep wheel alignment regularly is the key to making sure you don't experience any major issues with your car's handling or safety. Jeep Wheel Alignment: What Is It? Wheel alignment refers to the position of your wheels in relation to the center line of your car. The wheels can begin to tilt so that one edge of each wheel is pressed hard against the ground, while the opposite edge is barely touching the ground or not touching it at all. The wheels can also turn so that they're facing the left or right when you're aiming to drive straight. When you visit the dealer to get a wheel alignment, the dealer corrects the issues we've mentioned by adjusting your suspension system. The suspension system is what connects your wheels to the vehicle. Once the suspension is adjusted, the angles of your wheels and tires also change. The adjustment gets the tires back into their normal position, perfectly in line with the centerline of your car. more Why Is Wheel Alignment So Important? When your vehicle is out of alignment, it can be challenging to control the car's movements. This is because the wheels and steering wheel can get out of sync with each other. You could hold your steering wheel as if you're driving straight, but the wheels could be pointing to the left, meaning trying to drive straight gets you to veer left. This makes it a lot harder to handle your car, especially when you need to make a precise or very slight movement. Correcting your steering angle to compensate for your misaligned wheels can be challenging. Having to remember to change how you hold and move the steering wheel can take some of your concentration off the road. Plus, not having full, easy control over how your car moves is also a threat to your safety. What Can Happen When Your Vehicle Is Out Of Alignment? As well as your car pulling to one side, you'll notice other issues when your vehicle is out of alignment. You might start to see the tread on one side of each tire wearing down faster than on the other side. You could also notice that your steering wheel is vibrating while driving or off-center when driving straight. Getting your wheels aligned can fix these problems. Are your wheels tilting or turning incorrectly? Come by K & J Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Breese, IL to get your wheels back in line with your vehicle.

The "experts" and every automotive website go on at length about the importance of regular oil changes. However, the experts have a point. Getting oil changes according to your vehicle's recommendations will help you get the best service and most miles from your Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep or Ram. We offer five ways a Dodge oil change helps your vehicle's engine last longer. more 5 Ways Your Dodge Oil Change Ensures Engine Longevity 1. An Oil Change Preserves Engine Performance Forty years ago, manufacturers recommended oil changes every 3,000 miles or so. Times have changed. Engine oils are higher quality; they don't break down as often and provide better lubrication. Depending on how you drive your Dodge Charger or Ram 1500 Classic, you'll need to change your oil at intervals of 7,000 to 10,000 miles. Our service department can answer your questions about the maintenance schedule for your vehicle. 2. An Oil Change Uses the Correct Oil for Your Engine In years past, oil viscosity or "weight" was important, but it's downright crucial for getting the best performance from your vehicle these days. Engines are much more complicated and the most recent models require a certain type of oil so they will give the best service. Our service department technicians can discuss the recommended oil types for your vehicle and address your concerns about the environmental impact of the oil type you choose. 3. An Oil Change Reduces Engine Friction One great benefit of changing your vehicle's oil when recommended is that it reduces friction inside the engine. Less friction means a more efficient engine, which translates into better gas mileage. No one wants to pay more for gas if they don't have to, so this is a fringe benefit of changing your oil when you should. 4. An Oil Change Cleans Out Engine Debris If you want to keep your engine in good shape, changing the oil at the proper intervals will help you do that. You don't want to be stuck on the highway with avoidable engine failure. Regular oil changes help flush the "crud" out of the crankcase, including sludge, dirt, debris, metal bits, etc. that can damage your engine. 5. An Oil Change Protects Engine Parts Changing the oil at the recommended intervals helps protect your engine's components. Fresh oil keeps the parts lubricated, which helps cool the engine, reducing its workload, and further contributing to its efficiency. If the engine doesn't work as hard, or run as hot, it lasts longer and provides better service. Your new Jeep Cherokee is a pleasure to drive, and we want to make sure it stays that way. Contact K & J Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, in Breese, IL, to make an appointment for your recommended oil change today.