How Often Should You Get a Car Safety Inspection?

December 24, 2021 · 3 min read

For most drivers, safety is a priority, particularly if they have a family and regularly drive their children around. But it can be hard to strike the right balance between being cautious and being overly worried. A regular car inspection at your local Chrysler dealer can reassure you that your vehicle is in good working order and that you won't run into issues or break down while on the road.

When Do I Need a Safety Inspection at the Chrysler Dealer?

Every car is slightly different, but most drivers will be well served with an annual inspection. Additionally, you shouldn't hesitate to visit your dealership whenever you feel that something is off with your car or it is not functioning optimally. Although the primary reason why a regular inspection is so important is safety, there are also some additional benefits of having your car looked at by a competent mechanic.

Small issues are sometimes not noticeable, so your technician might find a problem that you weren't previously aware of. By fixing it right away, you can avoid a more expensive repair bill later on. What's more, your car will retain its value much better if it has a great service record. Potential buyers will be reassured that the vehicle is in great condition and that you've done everything you could to maintain it to the manufacturer's specifications.

Your Routine Car Inspection Appointment

Most Chrysler manuals will tell you to go to the dealership for maintenance around once per year. People who use their car very often or drive long distances might need to go more frequently, as the car might have worn down due to the high mileage. Before making a decision about when to visit your dealer, study the manual to find out after how many miles you should stop by.

Problems with Your Vehicle

Usually, an inspection every twelve months will be enough, but you should contact your mechanic immediately if you notice that your car has changed its function. If a warning light comes on, this usually indicates an issue with one of your Chrysler's parts, and it should be seen to by a professional. Similarly, difficulty driving, strange noises and smells, or lower fuel efficiency are all indicators that there might be a safety issue.
No matter when you've last had service, don't ignore even small changes in your vehicle. Hundreds of thousands of accidents are caused due to a default in a vehicle every year, and many could have been prevented by proper maintenance. To keep yourself, your passengers, and other road users safe, always visit the dealership when something is off.

Chryslers are hardy, so you shouldn't have to have an inspection more than once a year. But because driving with a faulty vehicle can be so dangerous, you shouldn't delay a maintenance appointment if you notice any problems. Get in touch with us today at Bill Snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to speak to one of our top mechanics and book in for an inspection. You'll come away reassured that your car is in great condition and that you're safe on the road.

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Apr 07, 2023 in Highland Park Chrysler Service

What's Included in the Latest Chrysler Car Warranty?

Chrysler cars are known for their excellent quality and durability. The manufacturers offer customers who buy their vehicles through an authorized Chrysler dealer a generous car warranty. Every new Chrysler is covered for at least three years or 36,000 miles. Buyers can also purchase an extended warranty, so they're covered for longer. more Every new Chrysler you buy at the dealership comes with a generous warranty. You won't have to pay if your car breaks down within the first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. The powertrain, which includes all the components that push your vehicle forward, benefits from an even longer warranty. It is covered for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. During this time, you can bring your Chrysler to a dealership, and the technicians perform all necessary repairs for free. Although these guidelines are true for all new Chrysler cars, it's important to check your warranty when you buy your car. There might be slight variations depending on the model you've chosen. What Isn't Covered by the Warranty? Some components of your car aren't covered by the warranty because they are considered prone to wear and tear. They include your engine oil and the oil filter. You'll also have to pay for routine maintenance appointments and repairs after a crash. Always use a Chrysler dealership when getting your car serviced and repaired because they'll use genuine spare parts. If you install aftermarket parts in your car, your warranty might no longer cover you. Don't tamper with your car or make changes to it until your warranty is up. Some types of environmental damage aren't covered by your warranty, but you might be able to get your money back from your insurance company if your car is damaged in a natural disaster. What Is an Extended Warranty? At the dealership, you might be asked whether you'd like to purchase an extended warranty. This covers you after your limited vehicle warranty runs out. If you believe that you could pay for the repairs yourself if your car breaks down unexpectedly, you don't need to purchase an extended warranty. However, it's a good idea if you think you'd struggle to cover the cost of repairs. An extended warranty allows you to drive your car without having to worry about getting stuck on the road. Chrysler manufacturers offer a generous warranty to car buyers who purchase their vehicle through an authorized dealership. Some components are covered for three years or 36,000 miles, while others are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. Get in touch with us at Bill Snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Highland Park, MI to book your appointment with our experienced sales team now.

Feb 10, 2023 in Highland Park Chrysler Service

Is Your Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or RAM Having Electrical Problems?

Your car's electrical system includes an alternator, a starter, and a battery. An array of components routes power within the electrical system to ensure your vehicle runs properly. When something goes wrong, it will cause a whole lot of different issues. Below your Chrysler dealer helps you to pinpoint electrical problems before they get out of hand, cause damage to your Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Cherokee, or Dodge Charger, and cost a bundle of cash to fix. more Advice From Your Chrysler Dealer: Does Your Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or RAM Have Electrical Problems? You Have Battery Trouble Your car battery provides the power to start the engine. When you suspect your battery is at the root of your car's electrical issues, ask one of our technicians to perform a thorough battery inspection. The problem could be caused by corrosion around the terminals or loose or damaged battery cables. If it's not corrosion or the cables, ask for a battery test to determine if the battery is still good and if you need to replace it. Your Car's Electronic Are Acting Up Dimming headlights and dashboard lights and issues with the electronics, such as slow windows and windshield wipers, could be due to charging malfunctions and low system voltage. The culprit could be a weak battery, a failing alternator, or loose wires. Your Engine Idles Roughly When there is not enough electrical charge to the spark plugs, it will prevent the fuel from properly combusting in the cylinders. Your engine will sound rough when idling, and you'll hear strange spluttering sounds from under the hood. Your Have Difficulty Starting Your Car Your alternator charges the battery while the engine is running. When there's a problem with the alternator, it will be hard to start your car. You might hear a clicking sound when you turn the key or a whining or horrible growling sound during cranking. Your Car Is Blowing Fuses The fuse boxes protect your electrical system, and fuses fail when too much current is pushed through. Occasionally, when a fuse blows, all you have to do is replace it. If fuses keep blowing constantly, you've got an electrical issue that needs urgent attention. You Smell a Burning Plastic or Electrical Odor When there's an electrical issue, and the wires heat up and get too hot, it melts the insulation around the wires. In extreme cases, the heat might even cause a fire. If you smell burning plastic or electrical odors, pull over in a safe place immediately and call us for assistance. Electrical issues cause many vehicle problems and are usually difficult to pinpoint. Get the problem sorted out fast and call Bill Snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today. Our certified technicians will perform a thorough inspection, repair your car's electrical system in a flash, and get you back on the road in no time.

Dec 09, 2022 in Highland Park Chrysler Service

How Often Should You Change Your Spark Plugs?

Spark plugs are one of the busiest components of your engine. A single plug fires up to 400 times per minute, with 12,000 to 25,000 volts pulsing through it. Eventually, all this effort takes a toll and when a plug is on its last legs, the cylinder starts to misfire. Let's look at how often you should visit your local Chrysler dealer for new plugs, and how to know when a plug is finally failing. more Plugs Can Last for 80,000 Miles In a well-maintained engine, plugs can last up to 80,000 miles. But it's quite likely you'll need to replace one or two of them before that. Plugs tend to wear out individually and not all at once. A plug's lifespan can be shortened by chemical contamination, unbalanced fuel-air mixture, improper torque, and a few other factors. Look for Signs of Plug Trouble To know when to change a plug, it's best to keep an eye on your engine's performance. The following five telltale signs of plug problems should prompt you to ask a technician to take a look. Your Fuel Efficiency Drops When a plug begins to falter, that cylinder is no longer properly igniting the fuel-air mixture. This misfiring leads to an excess of unburned fuel inside the combustion chamber, which will start to coat the plug with soot and deal corrosive damage. This further reduces the plug's ability to function. With one cylinder suffering, your engine is no longer burning fuel as efficiently as before. You'll notice your vehicle guzzling gas and you'll have to refill the tank more often for each mile you drive. You Start Idling Roughly Having lost the full power of at least one cylinder, your engine will begin to idle roughly when you pause at traffic lights. You might feel it shaking and juddering while emitting coughing, sputtering sounds. This rough idling will be more noticeable with a V4 engine than with a V6 or V8. You Can't Accelerate Properly When your engine begins to falter in this way, try to avoid overtaking other vehicles. With at least one cylinder misfiring, you won't have as much accelerative force as before. You Notice Black Smoke Behind You A misfiring plug creates a buildup of excess fuel in the chambers, which is forced out through the exhaust system. This unburned fuel will begin to erupt from the tailpipe as thick black smoke. You Struggle to Start Your Engine If you have more than one malfunctioning plug, your engine might even struggle to fire up in the morning. If this happens, check your plugs or have a technician inspect them for you. Have your plugs examined, cleaned, or replaced today at Bill Snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. We've been family-owned and operated since 1926.