Auto Advice For St. Paul Consumers
Do St. Paul, AB Drivers Need Skid Plates on Their Truck or SUV?
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(Posted on Mar 24, 2021 at 06:56PM by Josh Lew)
Off-road-focused autos like the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk have skid plates. These metal protectors are meant to shield vital under-side components. You may or may not need this type of feature, depending on how you plan to use your vehicle. Skid plates do not cover the entire bottom of a truck or SUV. Instead, they protect specific parts, including the transfer case, fuel tank, and transmission. Typically, the vehicles offering this feature also have other elements - such as heavy-duty axles - that provide extra durability.Â
Are skid-plates useful if you don't spend a lot of time on the trail? Yes, they can preserve components and slow general wear. If you drive during the wintertime, the metal sheets can help shield your transmission, fuel, and differentials from deep snow. They can also negate the corrosive effects of de-icing agents. Â
To find out which vehicles have skid plates, contact our St. Paul, AB dealership today.
St. Paul, AB: Signs Your Car May Need its Tires Rotated
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(Posted on Mar 18, 2021 at 11:29PM by Laurel Steele)
All tires need to be rotated periodically, especially new ones. While the general recommendation is every 8,000 km, there are signs to look for that might indicate that you should head to the mechanic sooner.It’s common for front wheels to loose grip faster than those in the rear. If you observe notable or irregular tread wear on specific tires, it can be a sign that it’s time to have them rotated.
If you experience vehicle vibration when traveling over 45 mph, it could mean a tire imbalance or, again, uneven wear.
Should you find that one tire is slowly losing air - while the others remain steadfast - it could be the result of an imbalance putting more pressure on a particular wheel.
If you think your vehicle’s tires should be rotated, get in touch with our team at St. Paul Dodge. We’re also happy to assist you with any other car maintenance needs.
St. Paul, AB: Signs That There May Be Something Wrong With Your Car's Suspension
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(Posted on Mar 10, 2021 at 11:03PM by Laurel Steele)
Composed of ball joints, springs, shock absorbers, and various other parts, your vehicle’s suspension is an intricate system that influences numerous functions, including handling and traversing uneven surfaces. With so many pieces working in tandem, it’s not unusual for issues or damage to occur over a car’s lifetime.To avoid major repair bills, look for these suspension problem indicators:
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- Difficulty steering under normal driving situations
-Â Overly bumpy rides across usual surfaces
-Â A noticeable pull or drift to the left or right
-Â An apparent imbalance of weight distribution when parked
-Â Excessive bouncing after bumps
-Â Lurching forward when braking
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-Â Overly bumpy rides across usual surfaces
-Â A noticeable pull or drift to the left or right
-Â An apparent imbalance of weight distribution when parked
-Â Excessive bouncing after bumps
-Â Lurching forward when braking
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If you’re observing any of these issues with your car or have traveled over 70,000 miles, it’s time to visit St. Paul Dodge. Contact our team today or schedule an appointment online. You can also check out our other available services here.
What Can St. Paul Vehicle Owners Do with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
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(Posted on Mar 9, 2021 at 09:30PM by Josh Lew)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility has become a selling point for new vehicles, including minivans and pickups. What exactly can you expect from this feature?Apple CarPlay (pre-installed on iPhones with iOS 7.1 or higher) and Android Auto (downloadable from the Play Store) allow you to connect your device to your car's infotainment interface. You can then rely on the vehicle's touchscreen to view and use apps for things like navigation and music streaming. Also, you can take advantage of the voice controls for hands-free calling and texting.Â
You need to connect your device to the media centre (though Android Auto can work directly on your phone, too). You can pair it using Bluetooth or via a USB. The advantage of a wired connection is that the port can also provide charging, so the battery doesn't drain.Â
To see which vehicles have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, contact our St. Paul, AB dealership.
What Are Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers in St. Paul, AB?
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(Posted on Mar 2, 2021 at 12:08AM by Josh Lew)
Rain sensing wipers can help keep the windshield clear. Not only do these devices start when they see droplets of precipitation on the window, but they can adjust the speed so that the driver does not have to do it manually. The unique tool, available on vehicles such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, relies on special sensors. These are usually located on the top of the dash behind the windshield, and they contain infrared lights. The beams reflect off the glass, but the angle of the refraction is different when they hit water droplets. The unit sees this difference and activates the wipers. It can also detect the amount of precipitation and adjust the speed accordingly.Â
Of course, drivers may have different preferences for their wipers. Most automated options possess settings that allow you to adjust the sensitivity. Alternatively, you can override the sensors and control everything manually.Â
To see which vehicles offer these automated components, contact our Alberta, Canada dealership today.
St. Paul AB: When Should I Get My Car Filter Replaced?
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(Posted on Mar 1, 2021 at 11:58PM by Laurel Steele)
A car filter ensures that your vehicle runs smoothly and safely, by preventing contaminants from making their way into the engine.  When this essential part becomes too dirty, it can result in extra money at the pump or more serious problems if you’re not careful.Vehicles will display a number of signs when the filter has reached its limit, the most obvious being the Service Engine light. Other indicators may include reduced horsepower and efficiency.
Also lookout for difficulty starting the car or strange engine sounds. Lastly, if you notice black smoke or flames coming out of your exhaust pipe, it’s definitely time to visit a mechanic.
To avoid these worrying signs, it’s best to have your vehicle's filter routinely replaced every 12 months or 15,000 to 25,000 km, depending on which comes first.Â
Fortunately, the team at St. Paul Dodge is here to help with all of your car filter needs. Schedule an appointment today and check out our other maintenance services.
How Do Parking Assistance Systems Work in Saint Paul, Alberta?
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(Posted on Feb 25, 2021 at 09:02PM by Josh Lew)
Parking assistance features have become more common in recent years. These systems aid drivers as they pull into spaces, but the kind of support they offer varies. All these tools use sensors mounted on the rear of the vehicle to locate obstructions. In some cases, the car provides a visual alert by lighting up an icon in the rearview mirrors. In other instances, there is an audio warning - usually a beep over the speakers.Â
Tech-savvy systems, such as Chrysler's ParkSense, can take over the steering and move the vehicle into the space without input from the driver. However, you can override the process by touching the wheel or brakes.Â
Finally, the most common parking tool is a rearview camera. It provides a live feed from behind the car. The image often has dynamic gridlines, which show where the vehicle will go if it remains on its current steering trajectory.Â
To see what parking assist features are available near you, contact our Saint Paul, AB dealership today.Â
5 Signs That Your Car Should Get an Oil Change in St. Paul, AB
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(Posted on Feb 23, 2021 at 08:09PM by Laurel Steele)
The Check Oil light on your dashboard isn’t the only indicator that your car may need an oil replacement. Here are 5 other signs to look for:1. Excessive Mileage: While guidelines for when to change a car’s oil will vary, every three months or 3,000 miles is the average recommendation.
2. Dark or Dirty Oil: Over time, oil will become darker and filled with particles. Be sure to check the colour and consistency with a dipstick every month.
3. Odour Inside Car: If a pungent oil smell permeates into your cabin, this can be a sign of a leak.
4. Exhaust Smoke: Translucent vapour coming out of your tailpipes is normal. Smoke, however, may indicate an oil leak (or other engine problems).
5. Engine Noise: Lack of lubrication can cause metal parts to brush or bump against one another creating loud sounds (and serious damage).
Get your oil changed at St. Paul Dodge and take advantage of our other car maintenance services. Schedule an appointment now.
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How Does Part-Time Four-Wheel Drive Work in Alberta, Canada?
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(Posted on Feb 22, 2021 at 09:00PM by Josh Lew)
Many AWD vehicles have a shiftable 4x4 system. Jeep Cherokees, for example, come with Active Drive I, which engages both axles on slippery roads. AWD cars and trucks use a transfer case to send torque to all tires. However, when this drive style is not needed, shiftable powertrains can disengage one of the axles to convert to FWD or RWD. Doing so can increase fuel efficiency.Â
Off-road models, such as the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, provide more than one 4x4 mode. These vehicles have an additional low gear that offers extra muscle for exceptionally steep or slippery terrain.Â
Some cars use a manual shifter to make the drivetrain change. Others offer electronic controls where you connect and disconnect the axle by pushing a button. Finally, there are SUVs and trucks that automatically react based on readings from the wheels and steering. Â
To see which shiftable 4x4 vehicles are available near you, contact Saint Paul Dodge today.Â
What Child Safety Features Does Your Vehicle Need in Saint Paul, Alberta?
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(Posted on Feb 19, 2021 at 06:00PM by Josh Lew)
Most vehicles come with a full range of standard safety features. If you are transporting young passengers, what particular components should you look for before making an auto purchase? One common protection feature is the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). It provides reinforced fasteners that make it easy to install car seats in the rear rows without using the existing belts. This design ensures a more secure fit.Â
Childproof and speed-sensitive locks have also become standard in many autos. They either deploy when the car accelerates or prevent anyone in the interior from opening the rear doors.
The best way to protect children is to avoid incidents in the first place. Active safety systems, including blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision warning with automatic braking, can help you evade the most common accident scenarios. Such components are available on vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee.Â
To learn which autos have the best safety features for families, contact our Saint Paul, AB dealership today.
