Beyond the Change: 4 Essential Tire Care Tasks
Tires are where your car meets the road. They are critical for traction, performance, ride, and safety. With all these important functions, it is a good idea to keep your tires in good working order. Although your tires will wear out, there are a number of steps you can take to make them last longer and perform better. Here are four important steps in tire care that are worth considering.
Proper Inflation
Keeping your tires properly inflated is an important tire care task. Having too much or too little air in your tires will cause uneven wear patterns. You’ll also see an increase in fuel economy with properly inflated tires. Check your tire pressure frequently and compare that pressure to the recommended level, which is usually located on the driver or passenger side door frame. Keeping your tires aired correctly will increase tire life and decrease damage to other parts of your vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
Road-Trip Ready Dodge Models
Depending on who you ask, Dodge is famous either for the muscle cars it offers to drivers who love a thrill or the SUVs the company offers families that want something big and reliable. The Charger and the Challenger are both decent picks for a road trip, but if you want enough room for a big family and all the luggage that comes with them, you should choose one of the following models.
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey is the smaller of Dodge’s two crossovers. It’s a midsize model, despite being relatively small it has enough room to fit in three rows of seats. The cargo area behind that third row has enough room for around 11 cubic feet, but if you need more space you can fold down the back rows to get up to 67.6 cubic feet. You can also make use of in-floor storage in the back, plus the second row has a storage space with a plastic lining you can use as a cooler.
Dodge Durango
The Durango is on the large side of the midsize SUV class, and while the vehicle comes standard with two rows you can add a third on the higher trim levels. The Durango also has one of the biggest cargo areas for its class, with enough room to fit 84.5 cubic feet with the rear seats down. This vehicle can also come with some very luxurious highlights, including contrast stitching on leather seats and a second-row console with vents, USB ports, and a 115-volt power outlet.
The Durango also comes with a range of engine options. The standard V-6 has a surprising amount of power in it, and it combines the crossover’s best fuel efficiency numbers with a towing max of 6,200 pounds. The other two options are V-8s, and while the larger V-8 comes exclusively on the performance-based SRT trim, it can also tow up to 8,700 pounds. And no matter which engine you choose, you’ll get an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission that accelerates more smoothly and more efficiently.
Dodge Grand Caravan
When Chrysler Group came out with the Pacifica to replace the old Town and Country minivan, they thought they would discontinue the Grand Caravan since it shares the same design and most of the same parts. However, the grandmother of minivans is still popular enough that you can still buy them new today. The design is an older one, but if you want a low-cost minivan with tons of storage space, the convenience of Stow n Go seats, and third-row seats that can fold toward the back to face the rear, you still have time to buy.
As a brand, Dodge makes both fast cars ready for the track or the drag strip and crossovers ready for the open road and long family vacations. The Journey offers a reasonable size at a reasonable price, the Durango has luxury, style, and the best feature list you could ask for, and the Grand Caravan has room to spare for a real bargain.
What to Do When Your Check Engine Light Comes On
The check engine light can be a terrifying thing. You are driving along and all the sudden there it is, the glowing yellow light with a mysterious meaning. Some problems are easy to fix, while others will require a trip to a professional dealership. Here are four things that your check engine light might be trying to tell you and what you should do about them.
Loose or Faulty Gas Cap
Many modern vehicles have a sensor at the gas cap that generates a code if the cap is broken or has not been installed correctly. If the check engine light comes on soon after you have filled up the tank, check to make sure that there aren’t any cracks in the cap and then replace the cap, being careful to get it screwed in tightly. Though not critical to your car’s function, a loose or faulty gas cap can lead to lower gas mileage and higher vehicle emissions. Read the rest of this entry »
Have You Heard about the Electric Jeep Wrangler?
When you think of electric vehicles, you probably think of either little compact hatchbacks that are really only good for city driving or expensive luxury cars full of high-tech gadgets that still aren’t any good at cross-country trips. But would you believe that Jeep is coming out with an electric Wrangler? The planned vehicle will be a plug-in hybrid rather than a full EV, but that still means you could tackle some serious trails in a Wrangler without a single piston firing.
The New Wrangler
It’s a good time to add more options to the Wrangler because Jeep has only recently come out with the JL, the latest Wrangler generation. It had been a while since the last major redesign, and so the JL brings with it important features like driver assistance, a full-color display in the instrument cluster, and advanced capabilities like a winch-ready bumper and a heavy-duty electrical group ready for power-hungry Read the rest of this entry »
5 Criminally Good Pizza Places in Alexandria
Pizza is one type of food best served big and with company. It’s a classic dish with the right fit and flavor to satisfy everyone on board, and we know just where you can get it in Alexandria. Here are five pizza joints offering good pies and prices for any budget.
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza and Tap
Perfectly charred at 900 degrees, all Neapolitan-style pies at Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza and Tap are guaranteed to please any party. You can opt for a 10-inch or 14-inch pizza, and all are tastefully matched with fresh dough, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of meats and veggies. Menu options are aplenty, and picks such as Korean BBQ and New England Clam are both sure to get your taste buds tingling. Order for takeout or dine in to sample everything Lena’s has to offer. Read the rest of this entry »
How Jeep Improved the Wrangler’s Interior for 2018
In 2018, the Jeep Wrangler saw its first redesign in more than 10 years. There is a bit of an overlap for the 2018 model year, as the old Wrangler was still in production until April 2018. The newly redesigned Wrangler is available in both two- and four-door models and with a variety of trim levels. In addition to a new exterior design, the interior received a number of upgrades and improvements as well. High-end materials, well-organized controls, and upgraded infotainment options are just some of the additions you’ll see on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler.
More Luxurious Interior
The new Jeep Wrangler features upgraded materials and a variety of luxurious upgrades, including heated front seats and steering wheel. The leather-wrapped steering wheel also has controls for convenient access to phone, audio, voice, and more. Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control keeps both the driver and front passenger comfortable at their own desired temperatures. Read the rest of this entry »
Why 2018 is a Great Time to Get a Charger SRT
The 2018 Charger SRT’s sporty elements are perfect complements to its sophisticated curves, finely crafted details, and plenty of modern muses without going overboard. Now that we’ve got you interested, let’s move our focus to the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat from the SRT lineup for 2018.
Plenty of Sporty Appeal
The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat know how to catch your eye on the road. They both feature 20-inch gloss-black performance wheels and Pirelli all-season performance tires. However, you can upgrade to 20-inch Brass Monkey SRT forged wheels and P Zero summer tires if you’d like. Other stylish accents include a sleek black grille, exclusive SRT trim badging, and an optional power sunroof.
Performance Like Never Before
These models are anything but lacking when it comes to speed and acceleration. The Charger SRT 392 packs a HEMI V-8 engine under the hood that’s capable of producing 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The SRT Hellcat opts for an exclusive 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI V-8 that grounds out an astounding 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. A TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission and engine cooler round out this impressive list of hardware.
Want optimal stopping power on the road? You’ll get it with a set of Brembo six-piston, high-performance front brakes, a hydraulic assist brake booster, and red brake calipers. Three-mode adaptive damping is also included, along with a Bilstein high-performance suspension with the SRT 392 and three-mode competitive suspension with the SRT Hellcat. Both set the stage for excellent handling and stability.
An Interior That Embodies Luxury
The leather trim inside the SRT 392 and Hellcat feels smooth to the touch, while the optional red seat belts add even more style to your package. But what makes the SRT a cozy vehicle? For one, it seats up to five passengers and accommodates more than 55 inches of hip and shoulder room. Second, you get standard front heated/ventilated seats with lumbar support and dual-zone climate control with air filtration.
Third, a variety of multimedia systems are included to turn any road trip into a success. Charge up your devices with 12-volt power outlets, enjoy hands-free calling via Bluetooth, and easily access your home with a universal garage door opener. Other cool features include a Uconnect 8.4-inch infotainment system with smartphone integration and GPS navigation and an optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with subwoofer and amplifier for clear, quality sound.
Safety to Keep Your Mind at Ease
The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat may be flashy, but they’re also as well-built and reliable as any family vehicle on the market. For example, standard safety features include advanced SRT multi-stage airbags for front-passenger protection, three-point safety belts, and up to 60 months/60,000 miles of roadside assistance. Add the Technology Group package to your SRT for extras such as lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control with stop, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
If you’re currently searching for an ultra-sporty and powerful ride, the Dodge Charger SRT lineup has plenty of exciting things in store for 2018.
7 Free Things to Do in Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia is a city full of culture, history, and entertainment. There’s something to do around every corner, but maybe you hesitate to take part in what Alexandria has to offer because you’re worried about spending money. Fortunately, there are plenty of free things to do in Alexandria. Here are just a few.
Mount Vernon Trail
Location: Between Theodore Roosevelt Island and Mount Vernon. Park at sites along the trail.
Time: Open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What to Do: The Mount Vernon Trail winds along the Potomac River all the way from George Washington’s estate in Alexandria to Washington D.C. Take a Saturday afternoon to walk, bike, or jog Read the rest of this entry »
What Makes a Jeep Trail Rated?
You’ve seen the badge on the back of Jeeps everywhere, but what does it mean for a Jeep to be Trail Rated? That silver emblem guarantees that a Jeep vehicle can conquer dangerous terrains. Here’s what makes a Jeep Trail Rated.
What Does It Mean for a Jeep to Be Trail Rated?
When Trail Rated Jeeps were first introduced in 2004, they changed the way consumers bought vehicles. Now drivers could own a vehicle that was built for both the road and off-road adventures. The Trail Rated badge has become a trusted indicator of a vehicle’s durability and adaptability to any circumstance.
In order for a Jeep to become Trail Rated, the Jeep must pass strict specifications regarding vehicle traction, maneuverability, ground clearance, water fording, and off-road articulation. Those specifications allow a Jeep to overcome bad weather, challenging terrain, and other obstacles without hindering the driving experience. The current Jeeps to have passed these tests are the Wrangler, Compass, Renegade, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. Read the rest of this entry »
Old Town Alexandria’s Top # Restaurants
The food scene in Old Town Alexandria is consistently praised by magazines and websites as one of the best in the Washington D.C. area. Only minutes from downtown D.C., Old Town Alexandria offers top-class dining options to suit every taste.
Blackwall Hitch
For a taste of the nearby Chesapeake Bay, head to Blackwall Hitch on Cameron Street. They focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients to create their menu each week. Start your meal with their exquisite Maryland crab soup or try their freshly shucked oysters. They also have fire-roasted flatbread that pairs perfectly with their crab dip or baked Brie.
Blackwall Hitch isn’t just focused on locally sourced food, the drinks menu is also packed with regional wines, beers, and spirits. Choose from their signature cocktail menu for something unique like Salted Melontini made with Deep Eddy Vodka, Watermelon Pucker, fresh basil, lime and orange juices, and simple syrup. Read the rest of this entry »
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