Monroeville Chrysler Jeep

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Chrysler Group Conquers Ideal Vehicle Awards

Posted by Monroeville Chrysler Jeep on 6:16 AM

Great news for Chrysler!

The Chrysler Group’s resurgence continued to gain steam recently, with Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler all scoring impressive honors in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards. The annual measure of what vehicles best meet customers’ automotive ideals was based on feedback from more than 72,000 drivers across 15 key product attributes including power, acceleration, roominess and fuel efficiency. According to the study, “The cars or trucks that owners would change the least are the most ideal.”

Taking home top ranking among all mainstream/popular brands was the Chrysler division, which also earned acclaim for offering the most-appealing minivan, the Chrysler Town & Country. The automaker’s sophisticated minivan was significantly refreshed for the 2011 model year with a wide range of upgrades that have clearly struck a chord with today’s buyers: In addition to its recent Ideal Vehicle Award, the Town & Country also was the highest-rated minivan in both the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study and AutoPacific’s 2011 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards—in which Chrysler was again chosen as the top mainstream brand.

The 2011 Ideal Vehicle in the “Sporty Car” segment was the Dodge Challenger, and, as was the case with the Town & Country, this recognition from AutoPacific follows the Challenger’s own segment win in the Power Initial Quality Study. But this dynamic Dodge then ups the ante even further with category victories in the Strategic Vision Total Quality Awards and J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.

And there’s a similar story in the Mid-Size Sport Utility segment of the Ideal Vehicle Awards, where the Jeep Grand Cherokee prevailed—adding more hardware to a trophy case that already holds this year’s class kudos from the Total Quality Awards and Vehicle Satisfaction Awards.

The multiple-award-winning Dodge Challenger, Chrysler Town & Country and Jeep Grand Cherokee are all available at local dealerships now.

Paint-Care Fact and Fiction

Posted by Monroeville Chrysler Jeep on 2:13 AM

Do you think you can tell myth from reality when it comes to your vehicle’s care? Check out these myths and facts from Motortrend and test your know how!

With so much misinformation out there surrounding car care, it's no wonder people get confused about what's truth and what's fiction. Paint care is definitely one area that can raise a lot of questions. To sort the myths from the reality, we talked to Mike Pennington, director of training for Meguiar's. Active with detailing professionals, show-car owners, and amateur enthusiasts, Pennington conducts regular paint-care classes and seminars and acts as technical consultant for many auto manufacturers and their dealerships-including BMW, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, and DaimlerChrysler-as well as such automotive paint manufacturers as DuPont, PPG, and BASF. Here's his insight into the paint-care quagmire.

Myth: A wax made of 100-percent carnauba is superior to those using lesser amounts.

Reality: Carnauba wax has been a favorite among car enthusiasts for years, but don't believe that any wax is made of 100-percent carnauba. As the hardest natural wax known, carnauba is much too hard to apply directly to automotive paint. It comes in bricks that must be melted and added to a company's formulation. If a paint protectant advertises "pure carnauba," it means the part of the formula that is carnauba is pure, not that it's 100-percent carnauba. According to Pennington, today's synthetic polymer technology actually provides better protection than carnauba.

Myth: Avoid a silicone-based wax. If used, the vehicle can't be repainted.

Reality: It's true that silicones are a bane of the auto painter. For instance, if particles of silicone are on the sheetmetal when it's painted, they can keep the paint from adhering to the surface, causing defects known as fisheye. That's why some professional cleaners and polishes intended for shop use are formulated without silicone. However, once paint is on the car, silicone is no longer an issue. In fact, virtually every wax on the market uses some kind of silicone in its formula because it enhances the product's ease of application, gloss, and durability. If repainting is necessary, a body shop can easily take off the wax as part of its normal preparation.

Myth: You can assume that a finish that looks glossy is in good shape.

Reality: There are different degrees of glossiness, and a paint can dull so gradually you may not realize it's happening. For this reason, don't rely just on reflectivity to judge your paint's condition. Use your sense of touch, as well. Place your clean, dry hand flat against the paint and slowly rub it along the surface. Feel with both palm and fingertips. A well-maintained finish should feel smooth as glass. Any roughness could be due to oxidation, tree sap mist, or adhered grit, all of which degrade a paint's gloss to some degree.

Read all the myths and facts here:http://www.motortrend.com/womt/112_0004_paint_myths_and_reality/viewall.html#ixzz1Xq9mnl9H

Is texting while driving really worse than drunk driving?

Posted by Monroeville Chrysler Jeep on 6:51 AM

Is texting while driving really worse than drunk driving? That’s the question that Christopher Neiger from “How Stuff Works” asked. Read more to find out his conclusion.

Texting, or short message service(SMS), is a quick form of communication that allows users to send 160 characters or less to and from their cell phones and smartphones. A study by the Pew Research group in 2009 and 2010 reported that out of the number of Americans who have cell phones, 58 percent of adults and 66 percent of teens use them to text [source:Motavalli]. With these high percentages of Americans using text messaging every year, many are bringing the habit along with them when they drive. The same Pew study showed that 34 percent of teens who use their phone for texting said they've done it while driving, and 47 percent of adults who texted said they had done it while driving, too [source: Motavalli].

In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that almost 6,000 fatalities and over half of a million injuries were due to accidents caused by drivers who were distracted [source: Motavalli]. The study wasn't focused on texting, but it does show the seriousness of driving while distracted. Like many other driving distractions, texting involves a certain amount of mental attention as well as physical application which may be why 28 states have banned drivers from texting while operating a vehicle [source: Motavalli].

But is there really proof that texting while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving? Even though research is just now being done to measure the effects of texting while driving, some in the automotive industry and others in research circles say that texting is definitely more dangerous than drunk driving. Mainly because taking a driver's eyes off the road significantly cuts down on his or her ability to react to changes.

In 2009, Car and Driver conducted a driving test with their editor-in-chief and an intern to prove or disprove that texting while driving was more dangerous than drunk driving. The first step of their experiment was to test and measure the reaction times of both drivers while driving sober with no distractions, and then while reading and sending text messages on their cell phones. A light mounted to the front windshield simulated a car braking in front of them [source:Austin].

As they read and sent text messages, their response time was measured based on the time it took between when the brake light came on and when the driver applied the brakes at both 35 miles per hour (56.3 kilometers per hour) and at 70 miles per hour (112.7 kilometers per hour) [source: Chang]. Both drivers had a longer response time while reading and sending the text messages when compared to driving without any distractions. After the initial test, both drivers then consumed alcohol and reached the legal driving limit for intoxication in their state. After running the same test again while driving drunk, response times for both drivers were better when the driver was drunk, compared to when they were reading or sending text messages while sober. Car and Driver writers mentioned that the test was performed on a closed airport runway, with no road signs and no turns. Although this test was performed on a closed course, slow response times due to texting could result in serious consequences in real-world driving situations.

Another test conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory in London took it a step further. It found that drivers who texted had slower response times, were more likely to drift in and out of lanes and even drove worse than those who were driving while high on marijuana [source: Nugent]. The study found that reaction times for those who texted while driving were 35 percent worse than when they drove without any distractions at all. When driving while intoxicated, the reaction time was only 12 percent worse than when the driver was sober and driving without any texting distractions [source: Nugent]. The researchers also found that there was a significant decrease in ability to maintain a safe driving distance between vehicles while texting and steering control dropped by 91 percent compared to driving without distraction [source: Nugent]. One of the study's commissioners eventually concluded that texting while driving is one of the most dangerous things a driver could do while behind the wheel of a car.

Read the full article: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/texting-while-driving-worse-than-drunk-driving.htm

2012 Chrysler 300 Gets An Eight Speed Transmission

Posted by Monroeville Chrysler Jeep on 6:22 AM

The 2012 Chrysler 300 gets an eight speed transmission.

Chrysler will bring to market the first eight-speed automatic transmission in a domestically produced automobile on the Chrysler 300 for 2012. This new transmission, licensed through ZF, will be paired exclusively with the automaker’s award-wining 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine.

The lower gear spread of new transmission ensures low engine operation for better fuel economy. The result is a four mile-per-gallon increase that pushes highway fuel economy to an EPA-rated 31 mpg for the 2012 Chrysler 300 and 2012 Dodge Charger — up from 27 mpg highway over last year’s model.

For those living in inclement weather climates or wanting the proven traction of four wheels, all-wheel-drive variants of the transmission will be available on both models for 2012. Chrysler’s AWD system is engaged automatically when extra traction is needed. This helps to maximize fuel economy while delivering greater peace of mind.

With more gear ratios in the transmission, drivers will notice fewer gaps between upshifting and downshifting. Additionally, the new eight-speed transmission will deliver better acceleration and smoother shits. Acceleration times for the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 for 0-to-60 mph are 7.2 seconds.

Labor Day Weekend!

Posted by Monroeville Chrysler Jeep on 6:43 AM

Labor Day is this weekend! Are you planning a road trip? Remember to plan ahead for one of the busiest highway holidays:

Getting Your Car in Shape

The last thing you want on Labor Day is a car that breaks on the road. A routine check of the engine, radiator and fluids will go a long way. Tires should be well inflated and wiper fluid should be replenished. Also, check that the steering wheel and brakes work properly. A car emergency kit should include, at a minimum, jumper wires, a tire gauge, a flashlight, a tool kit with wrenches and screwdrivers, duct tape, rags and an emergency stop sign. Add a first-aid kit, a bottle of water, a blanket and some energy bars in case something happens and you're stranded for some time.

Staying Safe

There are two major reasons for accidents on highways: losing concentration while driving and ignoring the risk of big trucks. If you are tired, had a drink or feel sick, either give the wheel to somebody else or postpone the driving. This is especially important coming back home on Labor Day, as many spend the day drinking and having fun, and chances are people are tired and moody. Monitor yourself and learn your limits, so you can head to a rest stop if you start feeling dizzy, confused or sleepy. Big trucks are especially dangerous if you cut in front of them quickly and unexpectedly, as trucks cannot brake fast enough to avoid a collision if things get tight. Also, trucks drivers have lots of blind spots, where they are unable to see you and thus avoid you. As a general rule, if you can't see the truck's mirror, the driver can't see you either.

Avoiding the Madness

The most important thing you can do is leave early. Take on the highways early Saturday morning or before rush hour on Friday. If you're driving on Labor Day, follow the same rules. Most people will brave their return home in the early evening or late afternoon. Try getting to the highways before 4 p.m. or after 10 p.m. and you should be in much better shape. Another important thing you can do to prepare for Labor Day driving is to plan your route well. Look for alternate routes, program your GPS or use a map to get you where you need to go as fast and efficiently as possible. You also can check online to see if the road you're planning to take is undergoing repairs or has scheduled lane changes, so you can search for alternatives or plan for additional driving time.

Check out the full article here. Where will you be headed?

2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards Names Chrysler “Most Ideal Popular Brand”

Posted by Monroeville Chrysler Jeep on 10:15 AM

The 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards named Chrysler its “Most Ideal Popular Brand.”

The honor was given based on owners’ ratings of their 2011 cars and trucks. Several models were also singled out with awards, including the Dodge Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Town & Country, which were named Most Ideal Sports Car, Most Ideal Mid-size SUV, and Most Ideal Minivan, respectively.

More than 72,000 vehicle owners were asked to rate their vehicles based on power and acceleration, ride and handling, interior roominess and cargo space.AutoPacific also asked owners if there were any characteristics that they would want to change about their vehicles. Vehicles with the least amount of changes were named the most ideal.

“Ideal Vehicle Award winners deliver the most of what consumers are really looking for in their vehicles,” said George Peterson, President of AutoPacific. “Shoppers can use the Ideal Vehicle Awards as a benchmark for vehicles that are designed and built with customers in mind.”

The Dodge Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Town & Country, all received crucial updates for the 2011 model year. Updates to Chrysler models have included new interiors and new powertrain options.

“It’s an honor for the Chrysler brand to be recognized by AutoPacific,” said Olivier Francois, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Brand. “Recognition by the customers who buy and evaluate our vehicles proves we take consumer input very seriously in all the vehicles we design and build at Chrysler.”

The Red-light Camera Quiz

Posted by Monroeville Chrysler Jeep on 5:36 AM

Red-light cameras may seem technologically cut-and dry, but that's far from reality. They've saved lives, but they've also stirred up more controversy that most other traffic control devices on the roads to date. See how knowledgeable you are about some of the more picayune and esoteric aspects of this growing debate.

Follow the link to get started: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/red-light-camera-quiz.htm