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Image via Snethkamp CDJR of Gaylord. Almost half of all road accidents happen at dusk, at night, or in the early hours before dawn, despite far fewer vehicles on the road during these hours. The importance of visibility after dark cannot be over-emphasized; even the level of brightness of your headlights makes a huge difference to the chances of experiencing a collision. With all this in mind, if you ever notice the following headlight problems, visit your local Chrysler dealership right away for new headlights. more You're Squinting To See the Road Ahead Most headlights start to fade before they fail, although halogen bulbs and HID bulbs tend to dim much more than LED headlights. Fading headlight brightness can be dangerous if it happens so slowly that you don't immediately notice. However, even slightly dimmed headlights make driving less safe at night, so it's best to replace headlights as soon as you notice them starting to fade. You Notice Flickering Light of Any Kind Headlights shouldn't flicker or grow alternatively brighter and weaker at any rate. These kinds of problems indicate a worn-out bulb filament or perhaps an issue with the wiring or electrical supply. A trusted technician can determine what's causing the flickering and repair it before one of your headlights dies. Your Headlight Lenses Are Dirty or Hazy Occasionally, headlight lenses become so dirty or damaged that they discolor or restrict the light. It's wise to keep your lenses as clean as possible and check them often for cracks and scratches. The UV rays in sunlight can also cause oxidization damage to headlight lenses over time, eventually making them unsafe for use. Your Chrysler Dealership Recommends New Bulbs Just like any important car part, headlights should be checked by a professional on a regular basis. An experienced technician at your local dealership can test the power of your bulbs if they suspect any dimming and repair any problems before your visibility worsens. Should You Replace or Upgrade Your Headlights? Rather than simply replacing your bulbs with new ones, you might want to consider upgrading to a superior type of headlight bulb. Not only might upgrading to HID or long-lasting LED bulbs increase the overall brightness, but you could also benefit from improved bulb longevity. This can save you a great deal of cost and hassle involved in bulb replacements over the lifespan of your car. During your next servicing visit, you can ask the staff at your local dealership what kind of upgrade options are available for your particular make and model. Have your car's headlights inspected and replaced or upgraded at Snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Gaylord. Our local full-service dealership is a one-stop shop for all the automotive needs of drivers in Gaylord, Grayling, Petoskey, Boyne City, Kalkaska, and all of Northern Michigan.

Image via Snethkamp CDJR of Gaylord. The oil in your engine plays several important roles to ensure your engine lasts for as long as possible. Motor oil provides lubrication to protect against friction damage, keeps corrosion at bay, and helps your engine meet all performance demands. When it's time for an oil change, the best place to go is your Chrysler dealership. more Most of the time, you will need to schedule oil service for your vehicle every 6,000 miles or so. Your specific make and model, as well as the type of oil your engine uses, can determine the frequency of your oil service. Some engines that use conventional oil may need to schedule service every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, while engines that use synthetic oil may not need service for 6,000 to 7,500 miles. When in doubt, you should always check the recommended oil service schedule for your vehicle in your owner's manual. It's also a good rule of thumb to schedule an oil service every six months if you don't drive your vehicle frequently since motor oil degrades as it ages. Should You Schedule a Seasonal Oil Service? If you haven't had your scheduled oil service recently, then it's a good idea to schedule seasonal service before the cold winter months. The oil your engine uses during the summer might not tolerate the deep winter freezes that frequently pass through Michigan. To protect your engine and ensure your vehicle can perform during the winter, you can ask your dealership mechanic to use winter oil for your vehicle. The best winter oil for your vehicle will depend on your make, model, and engine configuration. In general, the best oil for winter has a lower viscosity that maintains its fluidity even in freezing weather. Your owner's manual may have a motor oil recommendation so you can winterize your engine with the correct oil weight for the season. How Long Does Oil Service at Your Chrysler Dealer Take? Oil service for your vehicle is one of the quickest maintenance tasks. Most of the time, a total oil service takes 30 to 45 minutes. Your oil service will include tasks such as draining the old oil from your engine, cleaning or replacing the oil filter, and filling your engine with new oil. During your oil service, you can also ask your dealership mechanic to inspect other essential vehicle components, such as your tires, battery, or transmission. Changing the oil in your engine will ensure it lasts for a long time. With fresh oil, all the internal engine mechanisms will be properly lubricated, which cuts down on damage from wear and tear. You should always schedule oil service promptly to protect your engine. Book your next service appointment at Snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Gaylord.