2013 Dodge Dart Gets Customized With Graphics

Just the Facts:

• The 2013 Dodge Dart can be personalized with Mopar Custom Graphics.
• The vinyl packages are dealer-installed accessories and are completely removable.
• Pricing has not been announced.

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Chrysler has jumped on the customization bandwagon with its 2013 Dodge Dart, showing off official images of the car with a wide range of graphics packages.

Chrysler told Inside Line on Tuesday that there are 16 different custom graphics packages for the 2013 Dodge Dart. The graphics are dealer-installed accessories and specific part numbers should be available on the Mopar Web site shortly.

The vinyl options include a classic dual racing stripe that splits the car down the middle, and more unique options like matte black accents for the car's hood, trunk, and sides. The vinyl is also removable should buyers wish to go back to the original design at any time.

Pricing on these Mopar Custom Graphics for the 2013 Dodge Dart will be released soon, and expect the graphics to be covered under the 12-month Mopar Basic Limited warranty.

Inside Line says: An inexpensive and easy way to personalize your 2013 Dodge Dart, as Chrysler takes a page from Scion and other car customizing pioneers.

Monday Maintenance Tip : Rotating Your Tires

 

What is this? Directional tires have to stay on the same side of the car. They often feature arrows on the sidewall to show the proper direction.

We know that all tires rotate. But we're talking about another kind of rotation -- rotating tires to different corners of the car and maybe even reversing the direction in which they turn.

Many tires are rotated front-to-back and side-to-side, but some tires are directional, which means they're only supposed to turn in one direction. They have to stay on the same side of the car. Directional tires often have arrows on the tire's sidewall to show you the direction in which they should turn.

If you're not sure which kind of tires you have, check with your mechanic.

 

 

 

 

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

You should do this service only if you can do it for $20 or less, in our opinion.

The financial benefit of rotating tires is that you'll increase the useful life of the tire. But if you pay more than about $20, you'll probably wipe out any savings you might have gained.

Instead, ask your mechanic to rotate your tires when they're already off your car for another service, such as a brake repair. That way, you won't have to pay extra -- unless your mechanic is a jerk.

Can I Do This Myself?
It depends on where you rank on the Car Talk do-it-yourself scale:
If you have access to a floor jack and jackstands, you can rotate the tires yourself. Otherwise, it's a pain in the rear and you should take your car to your mechanic to have the tires rotated.
	There are two kinds of screwdrivers?
	I've successfully hung pictures around the house.
	I've changed my own oil.
	I've fixed things on my car that involve removing more than five bolts.
	I've built a working nuclear reactor out of wood

Why do I have to do this?

You don't have to rotate your tires. But by rotating them, you will increase your tires' life because they'll wear more evenly.

What happens if I don't do this?

Nothing bad will happen, but you'll get fewer miles out of your tires.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

No.

Car Talk Tip: Don't forget Newton's Seventh Law: Tires in balance tend to stay in balance. If you're having your tires rotated, don't pay extra to have them rebalanced. You probably won't need it. Have your tires rebalanced only if you feel a shimmy or vibration.

photograph by Joe Wiesenfelder, Cars.com

Weekly Maintenance Tip - Tire Inflation

Checking tires is quick and easy - and vital to safety

Tires are one of the most important -- and oft-overlooked -- components of our cars. Tires are the only thing that attach our cars to the road, and tire problems affect your car's ride comfort, handling and safety. Here are some simple tire safety tips to help keep you and your car's occupants safe.

Check your tire pressure regularly.

Tires tend to lose air over time. Buy a digital tire gauge and check your tires once a month and before a long trip. Proper inflation pressures can be found in your owner's manual or on a sticker on the car (usually on the driver's doorjamb or fuel-filler lid -- see photo.) Remember to check tire pressure only after the car has been sitting for several hours in order to ensure that the tires are cold -- the friction of driving heats the tires and increases pressure, which can hide an under-inflated tire.

Address under-inflated tires immediately.

An under-inflated tire has more rolling resistance, which increases fuel consumption. It also creates more heat, which can lead to tire failure.

Don't forget the spare.

Getting a flat tire and discovering that your spare is also flat is a miserable experience. Inspect your spare as you would your other tires. If you have a compact spare, the inflation pressure will usually be written on the tire. If your car comes with a compressor and/or flat repair kit in lieu of a spare, check their operation regularly.

Check for tread depth.

Check tread depth by placing the edge of a penny upside-down into the grooves of the tire's tread. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's time for a new set of tires. Never buy a single tire -- it's best to replace all four tires at once, but at the very least they should be bought as axle pairs (both fronts or both rears). Rotating your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles will help ensure that all four tires wear at the same rate.

Check for even wear.

When you check tread depth, check both the inside and outside edge of the tires. Uneven tire wear is usually a sign that your car is out of alignment. Proper alignment optimizes handling and helps prevent premature tire wear.

Look for tire damage.

When you check pressure, inspect the sides of the tires for nicks, bulges, cracks and cuts. Such damage often cannot be repaired and will require replacement of the tire.

Stay balanced.

If your car develops a shimmy (a back-and-forth vibration, usually felt through the steering wheel) at a certain speed, it's possible that one of your tires has lost its balance weight. Having your tires re-balanced is a fairly inexpensive job.

Buy the right tire for the job.

Most cars come with all-season tires, the tire equivalent of a jack-of-all-trades. If you live in the rust belt, consider a set of dedicated snow tires for the winter; they do wonders for safety. If you live where it's always warm and dry, "summer" performance tires can vastly improve your car's handling.

And most importantly:

Never hesitate to replace a worn or damaged tire.

Tires are not cheap, but they are vital to the safety of you and your car's occupants. Remember, the tires are the only things that connect your car to the road. Advanced safety features such as antilock brakes and electronic stability control can't do their life-saving jobs without four good tires. Take care of your tires -- because whether you know it or not, you're counting on them to take care of you.

 

Courtesy of About.com Cars

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8: At Home in the Suburbs

It only took a week in my new place for me to embrace suburban living .

I eat doughnuts now instead of going to the farmers market, and I almost need an SUV because I've been visiting the hardware store every day. Bought some patio chairs last week, and although our Camry could have handled them, they went right into the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 without a second thought. (I do wish the power liftgate would respond to a long press on the keyless remote button, rather than requiring a double-tap, but a quick yank on the gate itself will also activate the power mechanism.) It's a nice size, our Jeep... large enough to look serious, roomy enough to be useful and compact enough to park almost anywhere.

Some days I also have a longer commute (about 30 miles), and the Jeep's torque keeps flared tempers at bay, because I almost never miss a hole in traffic. The cabin's quiet, too. Maybe you'd like more of an exhaust note, but at least you're not hearing a whole bunch of noise from the 20-inch wheel/tire package.

Those tires do affect the ride, though. After driving the Grand Cherokee on a few more freeways, I have to agree with some others that it's overly stiff on the slabbier roads. (See? Suburbia has already softened me.) At least its excellent seats insulate you from some of the impact.

 

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 4,761 miles

Untitled

2013 Viper GTS-R to Make Its On-track Debut in August

by Pete Misiak

July 13, 2012 4:26 PM

Since its formal introduction at the New York International Auto Show in April, the 2013 SRT Viper GTS-R has been stealing hearts and turning heads wherever it’s been on display. And now, Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Motorsports officials have announced the SRT Viper GTS-R will make its first on-track race appearance Aug. 4 at the Mid-Ohio (Lexington, Ohio) Sports Car Course.

“We’re thrilled to return to the world-class competition in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) with our flagship American supercar,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “The new SRT Viper GTS-R represents a rebirth for us on the race track. Now the time has finally come to go head-to-head with the best sports car teams from around the world.”

Two identical SRT Viper GTS-R cars will compete in the production-based GT class in the series against the Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M3 GT, Corvette C6.R, Ferrari F458 Italia, Lotus Evora and Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. The GT class cars share many styling similarities to their showroom brands and produce between 450-500 horsepower with top speeds of up to 180 mph.

“The decision to make our debut at Mid-Ohio is a result of the progress made with our testing program,” said Gary Johnson, Road Racing Manager – SRT Motorsports. “Each test has met and more often exceeded our expectations, so we’ll see how things go at Mid-Ohio and then make a decision about the rest of the 2012 season.”

Following the limited schedule this season in ALMS, the SRT Motorsports team will compete full time in the series in 2013.

Monday Maintenance : Night Driving

The most dangerous time to drive on any roadway is between the hours of midnight and 6am, especially on the weekends. Luckily, there are some things you can do to improve your safety when driving at night.But by following a few basic guidelines, you can minimize your risk.

You must obey this rule for night driving: To See and Be Seen.

Keep your car in good condition 

• Ensure all  lights work. Lights on your car are the most vital night-driving tool.Without them, you will can’t see or not be seen by other drivers, it can cause accident easily.
• Clean and clear may increase your visibility, inside and out
  Windows, instrument panels, headlights, tail lights—all of these are components that increase visibility inside and outside your car. Consider regularly cleaning your dashboard and instrument panels, mirrors, windows, and windshields (inside and out) to gain greater visibility.
• Adjust your headlights for maximum effectiveness
  Check your headlights for proper alignment and ask your mechanic to adjust them properly. Adjusting your headlights may help you see more of the road while also protecting other drivers from wayward beams.

Keep your body in good condition

• Never drink and drive
  Not only does alcohol radically impair motor skills and driving ability, but even one social drink can trigger fatigue. This can lead to an exceptionally lethal combination.
• Avoid smoking when driving at night
  The carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarettes has a measurable, physical effect on your eyes. These chemicals can actually make it difficult to see well and clearly, especially at night.
• Stay sharp
  Try chewing bubble gum to keep your mind humming. Also, drinking water and staying well hydrated may do wonders for mental alertness.
• Rest early, rest often
  If you’re planning a longer night-driving expedition, make sure you bank a couple nights’ worth of good sleep before hitting the road. Also, plan on making frequent stops to stretch, walk, or have a small snack or moderate meal.  Some experts recommend stopping every two hours for a body/mind break.

Other Tips for night driving

• Turn on your headlights in time.
  When it’s getting dark, turn on your lights in time to make sure that your car is seen by other drivers,even if you can see the road clear.

·         Don’t exceed your reach
When driving at night, remember that your sight—and safety—are only as good as the reach of your headlights. Don’t assume that the road is clear. What lies beyond the pavement you can see may be sudden and unexpected hazards you can’t see. Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and expect the unexpected, especially on darker country roads.

·         Keep it dark inside the car
Turn off all interior lights. Any source of light inside the car will seem extremely bright and will make it more difficult to see.

·         Minimize glare
Look to the bottom right of the road to avoid approaching headlights. (Some headlights are blindingly bright.) Also use the night setting on your rearview mirror to deflect the glare from vehicles behind you. Older drivers find it more difficult to see at night because it takes longer for them to recover from glare.

·         Use high beam carefully
Be careful to lower the head light beam when necessary otherwise it might blind the oncoming driver. It is also necessary to switch on the headlights when you are uncertain of what you are seeing. And try not to overdrive your headlights which will make it impossible for you to stop inside the illuminated area.

Courtesy of Car-Use.net

Strength Evolved: A Truck for Every Job

 

Every truck has a job to do. Whether it's for work or the weekend, you need to be able to count on it -- hauling, towing, and taking a road trip with your family without spending an arm and a leg. The New 2013 Ram 1500 does it all.

Check out this great deal from Miracle CDJR!

Check it Out Fans!

Monday Maintenance : Exterior Paint

Exterior car paint maintenance is as simple as washing and waxing, but oftentimes, an overlooked part of car care. Maintaining the paint helps to retain value by keeping a car in its best possible condition while also protecting the paint from the environment.

·         Thoroughly washing the car is one of the most important aspects of exterior paint maintenance. Dust, mud, and acid rain can scratch and dull the paint surface. Frequent washing with a high quality car wash formulated for automotive use will remove surface contaminants and help maintain the shine.

·         Experts recommend using only a microfiber cloth designed for automotive applications to dry a car. Microfiber cloths are specifically designed to trap any residual dust and dirt to reduce scratches on the paint surface.

·         Cleaner waxes can be used on older cars to remove swirl marks or oxidation. However, it is usually suggested that this sort of product not be used on newer cars or cars that have recently been repainted.

·         Car paint sealant or polish is a product that generally only needs to be applied a few times a year, prior to waxing. It is great for helping to protect the paint surface. However, it does not provide as much gloss as wax.

·         Traditional paste or liquid car wax is most often carnauba based and while it will provide an outstanding shine, it must be frequently reapplied in order to maintain protection. Cars that are housed outdoors will need more frequent applications than garaged cars. However, all cars should be waxed regularly.

Most automakers offer their own line of exterior paint maintenance products designed for use on their vehicles, which can take some of the guesswork out of what products to use. Regardless of the products used, it is important that they be applied following the manufacturer’s recommendation. Maintaining car paint will not only keep the car looking great, it will also increase value when it is time to trade in or sell.

 

Courtesy of Autos.com

Happy Monday Fans! Keep your car in tip-top shape with this maintenance tip.

Check for uneven wear.

Check tires for uneven wear. If you’ve maintained tire inflation properly, uneven wear may indicate the need for a wheel realignment. It can also mean improperly operating brakes or shocks, a bent wheel, internal tire damage, or worn bushings.

Courtesy of rd.com