Where do you turn when your Chrysler minivan reminds you that it is time for service? If you are in the Albany, MN area, the certified technicians at Albany Chrysler Center are here to help you keep your family's ride purring.
What are the most important things to take care of on your vehicle? We polled our team of car care experts, and this is what they always recommend.
1. Regular Oil Changes: The Lifeblood of Your Chrysler
Did you know that today's Chrysler Pacifica can go 10,000 miles between oil changes? Oil provides crucial lubrication to the moving metal parts of your engine and helps to maintain seals. This process ensures proper combustion and slows wear and tear.
If your engine has old oil or low oil levels, you could be facing engine failure. Repairing or replacing your engine can empty your bank account in short order.
The oil filter works to extend the life of your oil and to keep contaminants out of the engine. It must be changed at the same time as the oil.
While your Chrysler Voyager driver information center will remind you to get your oil changed between 7,500 and 10,000 miles, if your ride has gone a full year between services, it's time to schedule an appointment at our Express Lane to have it done as soon as possible.
2. Tire Maintenance and Rotation Schedule
Your tires help you to keep control of your ride by maintaining traction with the road surface. Over time, the tread wears away, and then it is time for a new set of tires.
Many tire manufacturers recommend rotating the tires every 5,000 miles, ensuring that they wear evenly. It's also the right time to inspect them for damage. If there is significant uneven wear, this may indicate that it is also time for an alignment.
Rotating your tires at the same time as your oil change is a great way to ensure your Chrysler minivan is as safe as possible for your family.
3. Brake System Care and Inspection
Besides your tires, your brakes are also an essential part of your safety system. While your Chrysler owner's manual indicates that the brakes and brake linings should be inspected every 2 years or 20,000 miles, you should have the pads checked for wear with every service visit.
Do you need a brake service now? Clear indicators that it is time for brake repair include a squealing sound or heavy vibration when you apply the pedal. Also, if you notice your vehicle pulling to one side during braking, that could indicate a problem with the calipers.
While the typical interval for replacing brake pads is around 30,000 miles, that can vary due to your driving habits or the type of pads installed in your vehicle. A visual inspection is the best way to decide when it is time for that repair.
4. Battery and Electrical System Maintenance
With increased use of technology, creature comforts, and hybrids, the battery systems are under more stress than ever. The failure of your traditional 12-volt battery could lead to more than just being unable to start the engine. A total loss of power could cause your vehicle to lose memory settings for climate control, seats, mirrors, and driver-assist technology.
Have the health of your battery checked each time that you have the oil changed, to avoid getting stranded in a cold parking lot in the middle of winter.
If you drive a plug-in hybrid, the original lithium-ion battery pack should last between 7 and 15 years. Once it is over 7 years, keep an eye on its required charge time and if it is losing range. These are indicators that a further evaluation at our service center is recommended.
5. Fluid Checks and Replacements
There are a few other fluids in your Chrysler besides oil that ensure continued proper performance over the years, including transmission fluid, engine coolant, and brake fluid. These fluids have a long life, but forgetting to have them checked and changed when needed can lead to early failure of these vital systems.
Engine coolant should be changed at 10 years or 150,000 miles. However, if you purchased a pre-owned vehicle without a valid maintenance history, you may want to have it done earlier.
All fluids should be inspected by a certified technician during your oil change, so that any degradation can be detected early and prevent catastrophic damage to your brakes, engine, or transmission.
Are you due for maintenance on your Chrysler Pacifica or Chrysler 300? Remember, every time you bring it to us to have the oil changed, we will also inspect your tires, brakes, battery, and fluids in one convenient stop. Give us a call or click on the Albany Chrysler Center Schedule Service page to set up an appointment with our team of certified technicians today.