4 Things You Can Learn From a Chrysler Engine Diagnostic

March 25, 2022 · 3 min read

Just like having a dentist check your teeth, your annual engine diagnostic will find any problems your car might have before they become really painful or expensive to fix. During a diagnostic, the technician at your local Chrysler dealer retrieves a great deal of data from your vehicle's onboard computer systems and uses it to delve a little further and identify possible faults. Let's take a look at four types of issues they might uncover.

Engine Issues

A diagnostic will lead the technician to find any issues causing your dashboard "check engine" light to blink. Your onboard computerized monitors cannot themselves identify a specific problem. Rather, they keep tabs on various levels and indicators of engine health and warn you when they sense that something is wrong. It's then the technician's job to find out specifically what's at fault in your engine.

There are quite a few potential engine issues, such as a faulty fuel pump or fuel injector, or a problem with the ignition coil or spark plugs in your combustion chambers. The engine's vital airflow might be impeded by a clogged air filter, which is an easy fix. Or you might have an issue with your coolant or cooling system. A full diagnostic check and examination will get to the bottom of things.

Transmission Trouble

Beyond the engine, a diagnostic can also point to problems in the second-most complex part of your car: your transmission. The transmission is responsible for transmitting the power of your engine to your wheels. Under so much continual pressure and heat, a variety of problems can occasionally develop, which your onboard computers will detect.

Possible transmission problems include transmission fluid lessened by leaks or dirtied by contaminants and age. Gears inside the gearbox can wear down or round out over time, causing gear slippage. The clutch can also wear down, losing the traction necessary to properly engage and disengage. In automatic transmission systems, the needle roller bearings can also sometimes fail.

Faulty Braking System

Another critical part of your car is the braking mechanism. Your onboard computer will often sound the alarm if there's any sign of overheating in your rotors, calipers, or brake pads. And it will warn you if your brake fluid levels are dropping, which might point to a leak.

Exhaust System Issues

Diagnostics can also uncover faults in your exhaust system, which might include leaks, cracks, rust, or smoke. You might also have a broken exhaust oxygen sensor, or broken hangers, which keep the exhaust from knocking around.

How Your Chrysler Dealer Runs a Diagnostic

The first stage of a diagnostic checkup is data retrieval, where the technician plugs their diagnostic scanner into your car to read the codes provided by your onboard computer. They'll then run verification testing on all the systems of your vehicle, and narrow things down to identify specific problem areas.

At this point, they'll know exactly what's wrong, so it's time to carry out repairs. Lastly, they'll always do repair verification, testing all the car's systems once again to make sure the problem is one hundred percent solved.

To have experienced professionals run a diagnostic check on your car, visit Ourisman Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Alexandria. We pride ourselves on offering an unbeatable customer service experience to everyone who steps through our doors.

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Auto Mechanic doing diagnosis | Chesterton, IN

Jan 06, 2023 in Alexandria Chrysler Dealer

3 Car Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Vehicle in Top Shape

Car maintenance is essential for keeping your Chrysler in great condition. Your car manual contains the details of the scheduled services we perform to ensure your car is working perfectly. As your Chrysler dealer, we'd like to give you some maintenance tips that will help in between your services. Advice From Your Chrysler Dealer: 3 Car Maintenance Tips for Your Vehicle Check Your Tires Regularly Good tires are essential, as they enable you to drive safely. If your tires are well maintained, they allow you to drive, corner, and brake with ease. Although modern tires are stronger and safer than ever before, they will still wear out eventually. The rubber reacts to environmental conditions, the road surface, and even sunlight and gradually becomes less elastic. more Sharp objects on the surface, like glass or nails, can damage a tire. When you're driving, the tire heats up, and its internal pressure increases. A small amount of damage to the tire could cause a puncture or even a blowout. We advise inspecting your tires regularly and checking the tire pressure. These steps are easy to perform but will help you to spot any problem we need to repair. Familiarise Yourself With the Warning Lights Your Chrysler has a variety of warning lights, and each has an important part to play in your car's health. The warning lights are connected to sensors in your car that monitor all its vital components. These sensors can detect even the smallest change in a component and provide a warning when a problem is just starting. Early detection of a problem can prevent it from getting worse. Each of these lights will light up when your engine starts and then go off. If any light continues to shine, it's essential to know what the warning light signifies. One of the most important lights is the check engine light. This light responds to a variety of issues with the engine and its associated components. If you can easily identify a warning light and inform us, we can fix it and prevent any damage. Watch Out for Leaks Your Chrysler contains a variety of fluids, including coolant, transmission fluid, oil, water, and fuel. If your car is healthy, the only liquid you should see underneath it is water vented from the AC system. If you regularly check your car, you'll notice a leak almost instantly. If you spot a leaking fluid, our technicians will identify it and fix the source of the leak. If you drive and your car is leaking any fluid, you could damage vital components. If you'd like more tips on maintaining your car, come and see us today at Ourisman Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Alexandria.

Oct 07, 2022 in Alexandria Chrysler Dealer

Get to Know the 2022 Chrysler 300

The 2022 Chrysler 300 is a powerful, large-sized sedan that offers an outstanding driving experience in a modern American touring car. The 2022 300 is available in a number of trims with a whole host of extra features. Get to Know the 2022 Chrysler 300 Models The 2022 300 is available in four trim levels. Those trims comprise the 300 Touring, the 300 Touring L, the 300S V6, and the 300S V8. All models feature powerful engines and a slick eight-speed automatic transmission. The 300S V8 features a more advanced eight-speed transmission to optimize engine performance. more Engine Options The standard engine is a V6 that produces 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine will get you from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The 2022 300S V6 engine has been tuned to turn out 300 horsepower. The 300s V8 comes with a V8 that produces a whopping 363 horsepower. Fuel Economy The powerful 2022 300 offers excellent fuel economy. The powerful V6 engines offer 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The massive V8 Hemi engine delivers 16 mpg around town and 25 mpg on the open road. Safety and Security The 2022 300 offers smart and intuitive safety features, including full-speed collision control with active braking and adaptive cruise control. All models except the base model feature Chrysler's driver-assistance technologies as standard. Those features are available on the base model as options. The 2022 300 was awarded a four-star safety rating by the NHTSA. Driving Experience The 2022 300 offers drivers an outstanding touring car with sensational suspension and accurate steering. Rear-wheel drive is rare in this segment but is highly preferred by driving enthusiasts. All-wheel drive is optional with the 292-horsepower V6 engine. The stiffer suspension and larger wheels available on the 300S models give a firmer ride that is sensational for taking curves on the open road at high speed. Passengers and Cargo The 2022 300 offers a humongous cabin that provides outstanding comfort for five adult passengers. The vehicle offers one of the largest cabin spaces in the class. The rear trunk offers 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space that can be expanded via the 60/40 split seats as required. Infotainment The 2022 300 comes with the Chrysler Uconnect intuitive infotainment system. The system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. SiriusXM satellite radio and in-dash navigation are optional. If you are looking for a luxury touring-car-styled sedan, the Chrysler 300 has a number of options to suit your budget and the driving pleasure you are looking for. You deserve the sensational customer experience offered by Ourisman Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Alexandria. Get in touch with Ourisman Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Alexandria today to arrange your private consultation.

Jul 01, 2022 in Alexandria Chrysler Dealer

Get to Know the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica

Get ready for fun, entertainment, and safety for the whole family. The long-awaited 2022 Chrysler Pacifica is here. This minivan will make road trips, vacations, and outings double the fun with a fraction of the stress. Here at Ourisman Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Alexandria in Alexandria, VA we'd love to tell you just a bit about what makes this minivan the most awarded and celebrated in its class. Basics About This Year's Pacifica The Inside Besides the room offered by three seating rows, the Pacifica offers Stow 'n Go Seating and Storage. You can fold the back seats into the floor for added room. You can also make use of the easy-access in-floor bins. There are over 240 different seating arrangements and configurations. This means you can finagle just about any cargo into your ride. For those tough messes and spills, the minivan comes with a Stow 'n Vac integrated vacuum. The second-row Easy Tilt Seating mechanism offers access to the third row with minimal hassle. With the lift of a lever, the seat will tilt forward for quick entry and exit. The cabin has active noise cancellation technology so you can enjoy a peaceful, quiet ride without hearing the road. more The Outside The expertly sculpted and unique body of this minivan will catch your eye immediately. The front grille features accents made of platinum chrome for an elegant look. The liftgate and sliding doors have hands-free powering options. You can simply move your foot beneath the door to access it. There is a panoramic sunroof that features dual panes and has a sunshade as well. New/Unique Features of the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Emphasis on Safety The Chrysler Pacifica boasts more security specs than others of its class. The Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning gives audio and visual indicators of danger. It also includes Active Braking technology. The Adaptive Cruise Control has Stop and Go power. This will keep your vehicle a safe distance behind the car in front of you. There is also a Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking system on your side. The LaneSense Lane Departure Warning works together with the Lane Keep Assistant to keep you safe. They will ensure you don't go over the line in either direction. The Blind Spot Monitoring System is great for highway lane changes. It will alert you with a light on the side-view mirror when it's not safe to cross over. Luxury Technology With the new and improved air filtration system, you and your loved ones are protected from 85% of all air particulates. These include aerosols, smoke, sand, dust, and moisture. The 360-degree Surround View Camera keeps you aware of your surroundings at all times regardless of blind spots. This camera offers rear and top views as well. The Park Assist system includes three different modes: Front, Parallel, and Perpendicular. The Front system allows you to see the distance between the front of your car and any obstacle ahead. The Parallel and Perpendicular modes help guide your vehicle into those tough parking spaces. The brakes can also be automatically applied if needed. This year's best minivan has so many great features to make your traveling life easier. The Pacifica is a car you can trust to keep your loved ones safe and happy no matter where you go. If you are ready to upgrade your ride and want the best for your family, we would love to help you. Come see us here at Ourisman Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Alexandria in Alexandria, VA to discover your new favorite ride!