10 WAYS THE NEW 2016 CHRYSLER 200 IS BUILT TO COMPETE AND IMPRESS

The new 2016 Chrysler 200 is built to outshine the competition and to stand out in any crowd. Here are 10 ways this next-generation midsize sedan is setting a new standard for performance and luxury in its segment.

1. We start this list the same way we start the 2016 Chrysler 200 — with standard Keyless Enter ‘n Go™. With the key fob in the vehicle’s proximity, Keyless Enter ‘n Go automatically unlocks the driver’s door when you pull the handle.

2. When it comes to competition, few metrics are as powerful as horsepower, and the 2016 Chrysler 200 has that in spades, with an available best-in-class 295-horsepower1 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine.

3. There’s also plenty of room on our top 10 list for a spacious interior. The 2016 Chrysler 200 has the most interior storage space in its class, and was named among Ward’s 10 Best Interiors. It’s a first-class cabin in a midsize sedan that features sculpted, comfortable seats, two available sunroofs and a unique center console.

4. With a standard 36 hwy mpg, more than Fusion or Camry, the 2016 Chrysler 200’s 2.4L Tigershark® MultiAir® II four-cylinder engine is engineered to go the distance.

5. The Rotary E-shift with available paddle shifters and sport mode helps redefine the ergonomics and modern style of the center console. The standard nine-speed automatic transmission Rotary E-shift is intuitive to operate and takes up much less interior space than a traditional shifter.

6. This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning all four wheels. The highly advanced available All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system is the most technologically advanced AWD system in its class1 and is a fully pre-emptive system that requires no driver input.

7. The seventh selection on this list is illuminating. The 2016 Chrysler 200 lights the way to luxurious, sleek style with standard bifunctional projector headlamps and contemporary LED taillamps. The available Premium Light Group adds High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lamps and LED fog lamps.

8. When you maximize your airflow, you quickly discover how aerodynamics can be about more than just aesthetics. The 2016 Chrysler 200’s active grille shutter system enhances aerodynamic performance by redirecting airflow around the front and down the sides of the vehicle.

9. As if the drive alone weren’t entertainment enough, the 2016 Chrysler 200 features an available Uconnect® 8.4 NAV system with premium 3-D navigation, a high-resolution 8.4-inch touchscreen display — the largest touchscreen in its class1 — and available SiriusXM® Satellite Radio. Turn up the volume, and enjoy the ride.

10. Safety is always our top priority, so we saved the best for last. The 2016 Chrysler 200 has up to 60 standard and available safety and security features, including eight standard airbags to help protect occupants in the event of a collision. Available safety features include Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, and the Blind Spot Monitoring System.

Read more at: https://blog.chrysler.com/uncategorized/10-ways-the-new-2016-chrysler-200-is-built-to-compete-and-impress/

Keeping your vehicle longer may save more money than you think

Once upon a time, buying a new car may have sounded like a dream come true, but keeping your car through the “Cinderella Era” can mean more gold at the end of the rainbow, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“The smartest way to get a solid return on your vehicle investment is to keep your car through what we call the ‘Cinderella Era.’ That’s the period of time after the payoff when your car is still in great shape and needs only modest repairs,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “With proper care, the typical vehicle should deliver at least 200,000 miles of safe, dependable performance, and that’s no fairy tale.”

By simply allocating the equivalent of just one new car payment, motorists can cover an entire year’s worth of basic maintenance and live happily ever after with their current vehicle. The most common maintenance procedures and repairs to keep a car operating safely and reliably while maintaining its long-term value involve checking the oil, filters and fluids, the belts and hoses, brakes, tires and air conditioning. The council also recommends an annual tune-up and wheel alignment.

“Whether it’s an oil change, replacing brakes or new belts and hoses, that periodic repair bill is a drop in the bucket compared to monthly payments on a new car,” said White. “The end of the story is that a properly maintained vehicle is safer, more dependable, more fuel efficient, less polluting and more valuable.”

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Read more at: http://www.carcare.org/2016/04/cinderella-era-vehicle-fairy-tale/

Four Symptoms of a Sick Cooling System

Knowing the symptoms of a sick cooling system are critical since cooling system failure is a leading cause of vehicle breakdowns. The most noticeable symptoms are overheating, leaks, a sweet smell of antifreeze and repeatedly needing to add coolant, according to the Car Care Council.

“Neglecting your cooling system can result in serious damage and even complete engine failure, which would put a sudden end to your road trip,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “If the cooling system doesn’t receive regular maintenance, it’s not a question of whether it will fail, but rather when it will fail. Performing regular checkups of belts, hoses, the water pump and fluids will ensure your car remains properly cooled and healthy for many miles down the road.”

The primary job of the engine’s cooling system is to remove the heat that is generated during the combustion process. The coolant temperature can be well over 200 degrees and that heat has to go somewhere, otherwise engine components are going to start failing. The key parts of the cooling system remove the heat from the engine and automatic transmission and dispel it to the air outside. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine. The coolant absorbs heat and returns it to the radiator where heat is dissipated. The thermostat regulates the coolant temperature to keep it consistent for efficient engine operation.

A major factor that affects the replacement of cooling system parts is the frequency of regular maintenance, such as coolant changes. Motorists should consult their owner’s manual for specific recommendations about how often to change antifreeze and flush the coolant system. A coolant flush and fill is basic to cooling system maintenance as new antifreeze helps the engine run cooler and a flush removes dirt or sediment that could damage other cooling system parts.

The coolant level should be checked regularly at the reservoir and motorists are reminded to NEVER open a hot radiator cap. If the coolant is low, a 50/50 mix of approved antifreeze and distilled water should be added.

Motorists can also do a visual inspection of hoses, belts and the radiator to help identify cooling system problems before they escalate. Radiator leaks, bulging hoses or frayed and cracked belts are clues that the cooling system is in need of maintenance.

Additional signs of cooling system problems include the vehicle temperature gauge rising near the danger zone, coolant leaks, steam or hissing sounds under the hood or the district smell of an engine that’s running hot.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Read more at: http://www.carcare.org/2014/06/four-symptoms-of-a-sick-cooling-system/

New 4×4 Holiday, New Jeep® Brand Snapchat, More Reasons to get Muddy

For true adventurers and Jeep® brand enthusiasts, April showers bring something even better than flowers — mud, and plenty of reasons to get dirty. This past April 4th the Jeep® brand celebrated 4×4 Day with Save the Dirt fan photos and the launch of the new official Jeep® brand Snapchat channel.

4×4 Day on April 4th

Get it? 4×4 on 4-4. It’s the new holiday that celebrates the wave goodbye to winter — when off-road enthusiasts finally drop the top for spring and take to the trails to splash around in the mud made by the melting snow. What could be better than going from season to season while you Go Anywhere, Do Anything®?

As with any good holiday, what really makes 4×4 Day special is the tradition and the memories. So for this inaugural celebration the Jeep® brand pulled out all the stops, leaving no trail unexplored, no puddle unsplashed, no chat unsnapped and no dirt unsaved. Take a look at the new tradition.

Jeep® Brand Snapchat

This year we marked the special April 4th 4×4 holiday with the launch of the official Jeep® Snapchat channel (username “Jeep”). The Snapchat launch included fan voting on the top Jeep® vehicles, and a national Snapchat filter. In addition, at 2,000 FCA dealerships across the country, Snapchat users will find a geo-targeted Jeep® filter through the end of June.

Off-roading, of course, is more than just one day or one snap — it’s a way of life. By using the #4x4ever hashtag, Jeep® enthusiasts can continue to show off their trail pics and videos beyond the holiday. Select lucky fans who use the hashtag may even receive a Jeep® branded keychain capsule that features the 4×4 Day 2016 logo.

Off-roaders know that few things feel better than showing up at the office on Monday in a freshly mud-caked Jeep® Wrangler. With that in mind, to coincide with the Snapchat campaign, the Jeep brand launched a #SaveTheDirt call to action on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Instead of taking your Jeep® vehicle to the car wash after a weekend of trail riding, take a picture and post it as a badge of honor from your latest weekend adventure. Go ahead, give them something to talk about until the next 4×4 Day.

The spirit of the 4×4 Day lives on as a yearlong celebration of the Jeep® life. Keep posting your photos, and connect with Jeep® brand social channels at jeep.com.

Read more at: http://blog.jeep.com/news/new-4x4-holiday-new-jeep-snapchat-reasons-get-muddy/

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is pretty much good to go

We've been stalking the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk for months, and now we're getting our best look yet at the devilishly powerful sport utility vehicle.

From a distance, the JGC looks almost stately in black. Look closer and you see the SRT badges and the big brakes. Look past the wrappings and you see large air intakes in the lower fascia. All of this reinforces the Trackhawk's performance pedigree, which will be anchored with the 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi Hellcat V8. It's rated at 707 horsepower in the Charger and Challenger Hellcats. The Jeep will use four-wheel drive.

These up-close images show off the Trackhawk's simple design. Like the Dodge Hellcats, Jeep appears to be letting the power and capability stand on their own. Previously, we've only seen the Trackhawk from a distance or in blurry video.

The Trackhawk's arrival comes as Fiat Chrysler expands Jeep's global presence. The company is increasingly looking to its venerable off-road brand for sales volume, image building, and profits as it re-aligns its car business and looks for potential partners.

The Trackhawk looks nearly production ready, and we expect it to go on sale in 2017. Also, don't confuse it with the Trailhawk, which is a trim level you can buy on the 2017 Grand Cherokee.

Read more at: http://www.autoblog.com/2016/04/22/jeep-grand-cherokee-trackhawk-spy-shots/?ncid=edlinkusauto00000016