Challenger Maintenance

  • Does Motor Oil Expire?

    If you change your own oil, the chances are you’ve got some old engine oil on your shelf. Likely it’s nothing more than an opened 1-liter top-up bottle, or an unused 4-liter bottle. You then wonder, "Does motor oil expire?" WHAT DO THE OIL COMPANIES SAY? There is a general consensus of terminology coming from the oil companies that unused, unopened, and stored in its original container out of extremes of temperature, motor oil will last for an “extended period”. They then go on to suggest...
  • Maintaining Correct Tire Pressure

    Maintaining tire pressure may seem like a low priority, but keeping the correct air pressure in your tires is an important part of vehicle maintenance. It helps in the following areas: · Safety · Optimizing tire performance · Improving fuel economy · Improving handling and performance while driving · Extending treadwear · Maintaining steering response · Improving cornering ability and stability · Improving steering precision Your tires are properly inflated when they match the...
  • What is Octane?

    When you pull into a gas station, you usually presented with four options: regular, plus, premium and ultra premium. But, have you ever wondered what those numbers- 87, 89, 91 and 93 mean? Octane is the measure of how much compression a fuel can withstand before igniting. The higher the octane rating, the less likely the fuel is going to pre-ignite (i.e., explode unexpectedly) at higher pressures and damage your engine. That’s why performance cars with higher compression engines require...
  • How Long Do Tires Last?

    The average life of a tire is determined by the conditions a tire is exposed to throughout its life - not measured in calendar years. Temperature changes, sun exposure, storage conditions, usage, and maintenance schedules all contribute to the rate at which a tire ages. It is impossible to determine a tire’s exact life expectancy, because there is no way to account for the level of influence any one of these factors may have on a tire. However, you can defer to the vehicle and tire...
  1. 2013 Dodge Challenger miss shifting and overheating

    My 2013 dodge challenger sxt was sitting in my barn for a month or 2 while I waited for a coolant line to arrive. well while the car was sitting a mouse ended up crawling into it and dying. Anyways I ended up getting the coolant hose and putting it on. drove to work no problem which is 35 miles away. Then I pick up my girlfriend and while leaving I got on it and it would not shift into second gear. I pulled into a parking lot and turned around got back on the road and it drove fine. drove...
  2. Air Conditioning

    Air conditioning was first offered by Packard, in 1939, in its production cars. These units were manufactured by Bishop and Babcock Co, of Cleveland, OH. Cars ordered with the new "Weather Conditioner" were shipped from Packard's East Grand Boulevard facility to the B&B factory where the conversion was performed. Once complete, the car was shipped to a local dealer where the customer would take delivery. Packard fully warranted and supported this conversion, and marketed it well. However,...
  3. Automotive Batteries

    Early cars did not have batteries, as their electrical systems were very limited. A bell was used instead of an electric horn, headlights were gas-powered and the engine was started with a crank. Car batteries became widely used, around 1920, as cars became equipped with electric starters. The sealed battery, which did not require refilling, was invented in 1971. The Hudson Motor Car Company was the first to use a standardized battery in 1918 when they started using Battery Council...
  4. Automotive Cooling Systems

    An automotive cooling system protects an engine from catastrophic failure (e.g., blown head gaskets, and warped or cracked cylinder heads or cylinder blocks ) due to overheating. Basically, it consists of the following: A series of galleries cast into the engine block and cylinder head, surrounding the combustion chambers with circulating coolant to carry away heat. A mixture of water and antifreeze in proportions appropriate to the climate. Antifreeze itself is usually ethylene glycol or...
  5. Brembo Brakes

    Brembo brakes can be found on high-end European brands, such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, as well as Dodge high-performance vehicles. It is worthwhile to learn how Brembo became the leader in the design, development and production of original equipment, racing and aftermarket brake components and systems. The company was established in 1961 in Bergamo, Italy. Responding to its growing international success and demand for its products, it established Brembo North...
  6. Car Batteries

    Almost all of today’s car batteries are "maintenance-free." However, your battery should be load-tested annually once it is 2 years old if you live in a warmer climate, or 4 years old if you live in a colder climate. Doing so tests its ability to hold voltage while being used, and the results will let you know when it’s time to start shopping. In addition, it is a good practice to check the terminals to ensure that the connectors are tight and free from corrosion. Car batteries typically...
  7. Charging System

    Alternators were first introduced as standard equipment on a production car by Chrysler for the Valiant model in 1960- several years ahead of Ford and General Motors. They replaced direct current generators (dynamos) because they were lighter, cheaper, more rugged and could provide a useful charge at idle speed. The present-day charging system hasn't changed much since 1960. It consists of the alternator, regulator (which is usually mounted inside the alternator) and the interconnecting...
  8. Common Tire Safety Myths

    Let's debunk the following 9 tire safety myths. Having TPMS means I do not have to check my air pressure unless the warning light comes on. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is designed to provide a warning of low tire pressure in order to avoid tire failure. It will not monitor and sustain the recommended air pressure. In fact, the TPMS warning light is not required to come on until the air pressure is 25% below the vehicle’s recommended air pressure. This means that you still...
  9. Does Motor Oil Expire?

    If you change your own oil, the chances are you’ve got some old engine oil on your shelf. Likely it’s nothing more than an opened 1-liter top-up bottle, or an unused 4-liter bottle. You then wonder, "Does motor oil expire?" WHAT DO THE OIL COMPANIES SAY? There is a general consensus of terminology coming from the oil companies that unused, unopened, and stored in its original container out of extremes of temperature, motor oil will last for an “extended period”. They then go on to suggest...
  10. How Does an Oxygen Sensor Work?

    The oxygen sensor, also known as a lambda sensor, was developed in the late 1960s by Dr. Gunter Bauman for the Robert Bosch company. This sensor was made using ceramic coated zirconia and platinum. However, in order to make the O2 sensor more efficient and capable of mass production NTK, in 1990, developed planar oxygen sensors for use in the Honda Civic and Accord. All cars that were manufactured post-1980 feature oxygen sensors. They make modern electronic fuel injection and emission...
  11. How Long Do Tires Last?

    The average life of a tire is determined by the conditions a tire is exposed to throughout its life - not measured in calendar years. Temperature changes, sun exposure, storage conditions, usage, and maintenance schedules all contribute to the rate at which a tire ages. It is impossible to determine a tire’s exact life expectancy, because there is no way to account for the level of influence any one of these factors may have on a tire. However, you can defer to the vehicle and tire...
  12. howling noise

    noise in rear end
  13. I could use some help. My 2011 R/T headlights blink off and on.

    The switch is in headlight mode(not auto) and the dash display also changes.
  14. Machine Polishing and Paint Thickness

    There is a lot of info out there about how to use machines for polishing. A quick YouTube search and you'll have hundreds of videos from amateurs and professionals outlining the process of removing clear coat scratches and swirl marks with any number of tools. The one thing few, if any of these videos addresses are the concerns that come after you've learned how to fix the paint. A casual reading in any forums detailing section reveals how little most people actually know about the...
  15. Maintaining Correct Tire Pressure

    Maintaining tire pressure may seem like a low priority, but keeping the correct air pressure in your tires is an important part of vehicle maintenance. It helps in the following areas: · Safety · Optimizing tire performance · Improving fuel economy · Improving handling and performance while driving · Extending treadwear · Maintaining steering response · Improving cornering ability and stability · Improving steering precision Your tires are properly inflated when they match the...
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