Mopar® Offers Checklist for Spring Vehicle Maintenance

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130418/DE93902 )

• Chrysler Group dealerships feature skilled, trained technicians for all vehicle maintenance needs
• With Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar products, Chrysler Group dealers service competitive makes and models
• Local Chrysler Group dealership coupons available at www.mopar.com/coupons
• Interactive maintenance guide available at www.mopar.com/service/interactive-maintenance-guide/

There's no time like springtime to conduct preventive vehicle maintenance.

"Vehicles need to be in shape for the summer travel season," said Pat Dougherty, Vice President of Sales and Product Development at Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "Preventive maintenance keeps vehicles on the road longer and saves customers money in the long run."

The Mopar brand now offers a virtual coupon book at www.mopar.com/coupons, where Mopar parts and service coupons are available and offered by Chrysler Group dealers across the country.

Mopar offers 10 tips for spring vehicle maintenance:

Check Engine Belts, Hoses and Fuel Filter
Prevent breakdowns or serious engine damage by replacing belts and hoses at recommended intervals. Quality-tested Mopar belts and hoses offer precision fit, optimal service life and original-equipment performance. Checking and replacing the fuel filter ensures that the engine is running at an optimal level and maximizes fuel economy.

Check Tires
Check air pressure for all tires, including the spare, as improper pressure leads to premature wear and a decrease in fuel mileage. The entire surface of the tire, both tread and sidewall, should be inspected for uneven or irregular wear. Excessive edge wear, center wear or shoulder wear may be signs that other maintenance is required.

Check Brakes
Brakes are one of the most used and abused components. A thin layer of the brake pad disintegrates every time brakes are applied. Replace pads or shoes before drums or rotors become damaged, and inspect pads, shoes, drums, rotors, calipers, fittings, brake hardware, and the parking brake to ensure proper performance. 

Check Oil
Engine oil level should be checked often and oil should be changed and replenished on a regular basis. Low or dirty oil may have dire consequences on how an engine and its components perform, especially under the extreme conditions of summer driving.

Check Air Filter
The air filter protects the engine from airborne contaminants. Poor air flow within the engine hinders performance and may lead to greater fuel consumption. Replacing a dirty air filter allows clean, unrestricted air flow into the engine and helps ensure proper performance and a longer life.

Check Fluid Levels
Vehicle fluids and lubricants should be checked often and changed at factory-recommended intervals to make sure they're fresh and filled. Dirty fluids and low fluids may affect the performance of a vehicle and lead to breakdowns if not properly monitored and filled.

Check Battery
After a winter full of cold-morning starts, check the battery. Having reserve power to run the air conditioning and other vehicle accessories in the summer is priceless. When checking the battery, look for corroded terminals and inspect for a bulging or cracked case.

Check Shocks and Struts
Following the traditional cold-weather pot-hole season, shocks and struts should be checked. Shocks and struts are vital to a smooth ride and may also affect a number of related parts on a vehicle. Mopar shocks and struts optimize vehicle handling, tire life and keep vehicles riding smooth.

Check Wiper Blades
Properly functioning wiper blades are critical in spring showers and summer storms. Mopar all-season wiper blades are made from an all-metal superstructure that provides durability and reliable performance, featuring an innovative wear indicator that gradually turns from black to green to yellow as the blades wear.

Check Headlamps, Tail Lamps, Turn Signals and Hazard Lights
Properly functioning headlamps and tail lamps are crucial for safe driving, especially at night or in rainy or foggy conditions. Inspect and test all exterior lamps and lights, including turn signals and hazard lights to ensure they are in proper working order and alignment.

Mopar-First Features
Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:

• Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers
• Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format
• Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
• Wireless charging: first to introduce in-vehicle wireless charging for portable devices
• Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with a new interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owners a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters
• 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak: first to introduce a 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car
• Camper trailers: first to introduce off-road camper trailers
• WiTECH: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network

About the Mopar Brand
Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand and distributes 280,000 parts and accessories. With the creation of the Chrysler Group and FIAT S.p.A. partnership, Mopar is extending its global reach, integrating service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance dealer and customer support worldwide. Combined with FIAT S.p.A, Mopar's global portfolio includes more than 500,000 parts and accessories that are distributed in more than 120 countries. Mopar is the source for all genuine parts and accessories for Chrysler Group and FIAT S.p.A brands.

Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler Group and FIAT S.p.A. vehicles — a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at www.mopar.com.

More Than 75 Years of Mopar
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for an antifreeze product in 1937. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s — the muscle-car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth "package cars" equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of "special parts" for super-stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use. The brand has expanded to include technical service and customer support. 

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC