Car Dealer Blog

Need help changing the oil in your 2012 Jeep Patriot? Gather the materials you’ll need and follow these directions:
What you will need:

• Large funnel
• Filter changing tool
• Replacement filter
• Replacement motor oil
• Plastic bin
• Adjustable wrench
• Recommended: plastic or latex gloves
• Recommended: paper towels

Directions:

1. Monitor the temperature display in the instrument cluster. Wait until the oil gauge shows as lukewarm. You want to ensure you are not draining dirty oil that will scald your hands and result in an injury.
2. Put on the recommended plastic or latex gloves to keep your hands clean
3. Slide under the vehicle from the front. If you aren’t comfortable with this, use a car jack and two car jack stands to raise the car for more room
4. Find the oil pan. It looks like a large metal box and is located under the engine. There is a drain plug which sticks out from the [...]

Opening the hood in a 2012 Jeep Compass is not difficult, but it can be very tricky if you don’t know where to look for the hood release lever. Use the following instructions to open the hood in a 2012 Jeep Compass:

1. Locate the hood release lever. This is below the instrument panel, below the steering wheel on the left, in front of the driver’s door
2. Once you locate the hood release lever, pull the level to release the hood
3. Go to the front of the Jeep Compass. Carefully raise the hood and find the safety latch. This should be in the middle of the hood opening
4. Move the safety latch at the same time as lifting the hood
5. Locate the support rod and place it into the slot on the hood to hold the hood up
6. To close the hood, [...]

Before anything else, make sure to gather your materials and tools. Be sure to have several screwdrivers, with various heads just in case: Philips, flathead, and Torx. Since the door is attached with snaps and clips, you will need a thin yet durable utensil for prying. Perhaps try a small putty knife or another screwdriver.

Next, you will want to remove the screws. In the door panel of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, there are three screws. Be on the lookout for a Philips head screw in the door pull tray, one that is neighboring to the side mirror, and a Torx screw that is behind the door handle.

Next, you’ll detach the panel from the door. Use your tool (like the putty knife) to pry the panel away from the door. You should hear a snapping noise which is the sound of the [...]

The all-new 2013 RAM 1500 has yet again produced a vehicle with an impressive towing capacity. The V-6 is able to haul a whopping 6,500 pounds! This is 2,600 pounds more than the 2012 RAM 1500.

The new 3.6-liter V-6 engine comes standard on the SLT and high-efficiency HFE models. Not only does it provide 269 lb.-ft of torque, which is 13 percent more than its predecessor but it delivers 305 horsepower which is 42 percent more than the 2012.

One important powertrain improvement in the V-6 engine is the eight-speed TourqueFlite 8 automatic transmission. The improvements include smaller gear steps, smoother operations, double the gears, boosted drivability, and increased fuel efficiency.

2013 RAM.JPG

Not only are there engine improvements and increased hauling capabilities, but there are external design changes as [...]

The Dodge Grand Caravan has a seating and storage system called Stow ‘n Go that gives you room and options for the rear seating in your vehicle. The second and third row seats have the ability to fold down to in-floor storage compartments that become a completely flat floor that is great for storage. Follow these step by step directions to easily fold the Stow ‘n Go seats:

1. Put the driver and passenger seat all the way forward before you fold down the second row seats
2. Raise the armrests on the second row seats
3. Push the head restraints down to the locked position
4. Next, move the storage bin lock to “Locked” then pull the latch which opens the storage bin cover
5. Look on the right side of the seat and find the seat recliner lever which folds the seat up
6. Find the release strap which is at the back of the seat. Push the [...]

Generally, most spark plugs we made to last 60,000-100,000 miles. The spark plugs in the Chrysler Town & Country should be inspected and cleaned every 30,000 miles, according to Chrysler. By replacing the spark plugs as suggested, gas mileage can be improved as well as strain on the engine.
Follow these easy steps to replace the spark plugs in a Chrysler Town & Country:

1. First, you should disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Let the battery cool. Do not try to replace the spark plug in a hot engine, as it can damage the cylinder head.
3. Find the spark plug wires. They will be located across the front and back of the engine.
4. Release the lock on the spark plug by first grabbing the spark plug wire by its boot. Turn it one-half turn clockwise, and then one-half turn counterclockwise. Pull the wire off the spark plug. Lay the wire aside.
5. Insert the socket [...]

The gas cap door cover can be a little tricky if you don’t know what to look for. The Chrysler 300 has capless gas area, but has a door that needs to be popped open to access the opening. It is not immediately obvious as to where the button is that gets pressed to access the gas tank door. The button is located on the driver’s side door. It is below the standard buttons (like the window controls) and above the storage compartment on the door. Look closely!

Unless reset, the “Change Oil” or the “Oil Change Required” message will continue to be illuminated in the instrument cluster of your Chrysler 300 each time you turn the ignition switch to the “on” position. To reset the oil change indicator system after performing the scheduled maintenance, turn the ignition switch to the “on” position, but do not start the engine. Next, fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three times within ten seconds and turn the switch back to the “lock” position. If either of the messages still appears in your view, the system did not reset and you should repeat the previous action.

The RAM 1500 is built for strength and power. With up to 390 horsepower, the RAM 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 10,459 pounds! The RAM 1500 powertrain goes beyond the impressive towing capabilities. Not only is this a great vehicle for towing and hauling, it does not come with the high mpg that most towing and hauling vehicles do. This truck is efficient with 20 MPG highway across the entire light-duty line of engines. This truck gives you the best of both worlds.

When reintroduced in 2008, the Dodge Avenger designers wanted it to stand out among the competition while representing something memorable. Some of the prominent features of the 2012 Dodge Avenger’s exterior are the projector fog lights, the honey comb background on the front grill, the standard 18-inch wheels, the signature Dodge spoiler, and the dual exhaust pipes.

Interior

• With thickened material on the steering wheel, it gives you a better feel when gripping the wheel.
• All of the materials are soft to touch
• Accent stitching through the car
• Intricate design detail through the interior
• The Avenger R/T has a z-stripe running down the driver seat, like the original Avenger did
• Unique cloth material for the seats to prevent sliding and sticking to the seat
• Red interior lighting
• Internal radio and entertainment system that has a 40GB hard drive

Value