Summer Driving Tips

As the hectic Summer driving season approaches, we thought it would be a good idea to dole out some wonderful Seasonal driving safety wisdom, courtesy of who else?  The 'Guys' at Car Talk!  At your convenience, please take a look at the following compilation of great Summer driving tips from Click and ClackWhether you're planning on packing up the family/family car to drive cross-country or just across town, these great Summer driving tips from two of our favorite Car Guys will help keep you and your family safe.  

Spring Car Care Tips

While many vehicles are designed to adapt to harsh winter conditions, most are still susceptible to rusting and corrosion caused by being exposed to snow removal substances too long. For this reason alone, it is important that motorists spend the necessary time wiping off snow properly and giving their vehicles a good cleansing.

AAA recommends that motorists do a thorough check under the hood and around in the interior and exterior of their vehicle. Here are a few tips:

• Check the tires – It’s crucial to check your tires after weather changes because tire pressure can fluctuate about 1 pound per square inch for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in temperature.

• Rotate the tires – This should be done roughly every 5,000-10,000 miles and it can extend the life of your tires significantly by reducing wear. 

• Check the wiper blades – Windshield wipers take a beating during the winter – clearing away dirt, debris and salt spray. Make sure the blades are making full contact with the windshield and have not dried out. 

• Change oil and filter – Keep to the manufacturers’ recommendation and change your oil and filter in accordance with the vehicle owners manual. Usually every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. 

• Change the air filter – Your car’s air filter prevents dust and other debris from getting into the engine’s running parts, meaning less efficient use of gas and weaker engine performance. 

• Check the belts and hoses – Winter weather takes a toll on your car’s belts and hoses making them more likely to break. Visibly inspect them for wear. Replace glazed or frayed belts or bulging hoses. 

• Check the coolant level - With a cold engine, the radiator should be completely full and the coolant level in the remote reservoir should be at or above the “cold” level marking. Have the system flushed and refilled with fresh coolant at the interval specified in the vehicle owner’s manual. Always top off the system with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water to avoid altering the antifreeze level. 

• Inspect the brake fluid level - If the level has fallen below the “low” mark on the fluid reservoir, it usually indicates major brake wear or a leak somewhere in the system; have the brakes inspected as soon as possible. 

• Check battery and plugs – Make sure battery posts and connections are clean. Spark plugs fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles. 

• Clean the interior – Residual salt and sand that was brought into the interior of the vehicle can damage floor mats and carpet. Use a hand vacuum to remove dirt and debris from the floor and seats of your vehicle. 

• Remove items that may have been used for winter driving – There’s no need to carry sand, shovels and other winter driving “musts” once the snow and ice have melted. Keep your trunk clean to improve gas mileage which can lead to considerable savings at the pump. 

• Prepare the interior surfaces and upholstery of your car for more sun exposure – Use a good leather protector to avoid any cracking on leather seats and invest in a product that will help avoid fading cloth interiors. 

Source:  AAA 

All-new Dodge Dart and Chrysler 300 Luxury Series Named to 'Wards 10 Best Interiors' List for 2012

By Chrysler Group LLC

Published: Monday, Apr. 16, 2012 - 8:19 am 

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 16, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ --

New 2013 Dodge Dart built with materials and precision craftsmanship typically found in more expensive vehicle segments 

High-tech, unseen-in-the-segment features available on the Dart include class-exclusive customizable 7-inch gauge cluster, 8.4-inch Uconnect® touchscreen, heated steering wheel and illuminated floating island bezel in the instrument panel 

All-new Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan is the most luxurious and fuel-efficient Chrysler vehicle ever 

2012 Chrysler 300C Luxury Series exclusive appointments include ultra-premium leather, hand-sanded matte wood, world-class craftsmanship and refinement 

The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart compact car and the award-winning 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan were chosen for "Wards 10 Best Interiors" list for 2012. WardsAuto World editors picked the winners after evaluating 40 vehicles. All of the contenders for the annual award were completely new or significantly upgraded for the 2012 or 2013 model years. The winners were honored on May 17, 2012 at the WardsAuto Interiors Conference in Dearborn, Michigan. 

2013 Dodge Dart "The new 2013 Dodge Dart is the first of our next-generation interiors and we are honored that WardsAuto World has chosen the Dart for their 10 Best Interiors list," said Klaus Busse — Head of Interior Design, Chrysler Group LLC. "We are able to give Dart customers a well-crafted, high-quality interior similar in its execution to that of the award-winning interior of the Charger and infused with exciting colors, eye-catching ambient lighting and state-of-the-art technology."

"Starting with the available heated steering wheel, the Dodge Dart's interior leads the small-car pack in features and comfort," said Drew Winter, Editor-in-chief, WardsAuto World magazine.

The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart zeroes in on customer comfort and personal style, setting a new standard for compact-car interior refinement. Starting with modern Dodge DNA and through the use of innovative ambient interior lighting, well-crafted soft-touch materials, high-tech features and unexpected bursts of color, the 2013 Dodge Dart is loaded with cool amenities and unexpected delights for both drivers and passengers.

With a starting U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of just $15,995 (excluding $795 destination) the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart delivers levels of style, technology, safety, space and power not seen before in the compact car segment.

2012 Chrysler 300 and 300C Luxury Series Sedans "The new 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series is more than just our flagship car; it's the trophy for the tireless majority, an automobile designed and built to meet the most discerning of expectations," said Saad Chehab, President and CEO – Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Sales of the Chrysler 300 have been on fire not only because of its best-in-class 31 highway mpg, but, most importantly, the reaction of customers and critics to this great car. There are no more compromises in the cars that we make; consumers can expect only delightful surprises from driving cars 'Imported from Detroit.'"

"If Bentley made an affordable family car, its interior would look like the Chrysler 300 Luxury. It's smart and modern with a generous helping of over-the-top lavishness," said Drew Winter, editor-in-chief, WardsAuto World magazine.

The all-new Chrysler 300C Luxury Series are the most richly appointed sedans the brand has ever offered.

Exclusive interior features found on the Chrysler 300 and 300C Luxury Series sedans include either Black or Mochachino Poltrona Frau® "Foligno" leather-wrapped instrument panel, cluster brow, center console side panels and upper front- and rear-door panels. Premium Nappa leather covers the door armrest, bolster and center console armrest. Black or two-tone Mochachino seats are wrapped exclusively in supple Nappa leather and include 12-way power-adjustable driver and front-passenger seats (including four-way power lumbar) with two-mode ventilation and two-mode heated seats for both front and rear passengers. Black or two-tone Mochachino leather-wrapped steering wheel — with all-new die-cast paddle-shifters — features a unique chrome accent ring to highlight the segment-exclusive 360-degree heated rim. Completing the interior environment is specially selected Natural Pore Mocha wood trim featuring a matte finish to enhance the beauty of the real wood.

Available in RWD or with the segment's most advanced AWD system, the 2012 Chrysler 300 and 300C Luxury Series models have a starting U.S. MSRP of $40,940 (including $925 destination).

About the Dodge Brand For nearly 100 years, Dodge has defined passionate and innovative vehicles that stand apart in performance and in style. Building upon its rich heritage of muscle cars, racing technology and ingenious engineering, Dodge offers a full-line of cars, crossovers, minivans and SUVs built for top performance – from power off the line and handling in the corners, to high-quality vehicles that deliver unmatched versatility and excellent fuel efficiency. Only Dodge offers such innovative functionality combined with class-leading performance, exceptional value and distinctive design. With the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart, the all-new Dodge Charger paired with the ZF eight-speed transmission that achieves a class-leading 31 miles per gallon on the highway, the new Durango and the significantly revamped Grand Caravan – inventor of the minivan – Journey, Avenger and iconic Challenger, Dodge now has one of the youngest dealer showrooms in the United States.

About Chrysler Brand The spirit of hard work. Earning your place without forgetting where you're from. That's what the Chrysler brand and its vehicles are all about. Integrating the first eight-speed automatic transmission in a domestic luxury sedan, the 2012 Chrysler 300 sedans offer world-class innovation and quality while delivering stylistic distinction and premium features with legendary value. Chrysler's 200 sedan inspired the brand's identity: "Imported from Detroit." The 2012 Chrysler 200 sedan delivers exceptional value without compromise with sophisticated design, high-quality craftsmanship, and technology. The Chrysler 200 Convertible—with a power soft or hardtop—offers an open-air experience featuring elegant craftsmanship. The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country minivan is beautifully crafted with high-quality, soft-touch materials and tech-savvy entertainment features and smart storage. Standard leather Stow 'n Go® seating, overhead DVD, and more than 40 safety and security features are some of the Town & Country's innovative offerings.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC 

Yark Automotive Group gives largest donation in partnership history to Make-A-Wish

Yark Automotive Group gives largest donation in partnership 

history to Make-A-Wish

TOLEDO, OH-  Yark Automotive Group will donate its largest check yet to the Make-A-Wish Foundation NW Ohio Region.

On January 26^th at 9am in the Yark Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Showroom on the Central Avenue Strip, Doug Kearns, Yark Automotive Group Vice President, will present a check for $19,335.00 to Eric Slough, the Executive Director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

As part of an annual event, Yark Automotive Group donates a portion of every vehicle sold and serviced in the month of December to the Make A Wish Foundation.  This year’s donation is the largest amount presented by Yark since the partnership began 8 years ago and represents a grand total given in excess of $130,000.  This donation will help grant approximately 4 wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions in our region.

“It is such a honor to be able to make such a difference in a child’s life and we are proud to be partnered with such an amazing organization as Make-A-Wish,” said Kearns, who also sits on the regional MAW Board.  “We have had the pleasure of having Make-A-Wish family recipients involved in our efforts here at the dealership to show the importance of Make-A-Wish.  It is truly a special organization.”

Yark hosted the Halko Family at its Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealership promoting the Make-A-Wish Holiday CD for anyone who test drove a car.  Kaylee Halko, an 8 year old girl who suffers from Progeria, was also featured as the voice of Virginia in “Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus” on the Holiday Wishes CD.  Later the same day, Yark Automotive invited the Fineske family, who’s son Jackson is recovering from brain cancer, to speak at their annual Holiday Party about the families Wish and how amazing the experience was for them and for Jackson.  Both families were instrumental in making Yark’s efforts a success.

Yark Automotive Group has partnered with Make-A-Wish as part of its Community Partner Mission.  That mission is ‘to be a good corporate citizen supporting organizations dedicated to uplifting the people and community where we live.’ To learn more, visit Yark’s Community Partnership pages at www.yarkcommunity.com.  Yark Automotive Group is conveniently located at 6019 West Central Avenue, a half-mile east of I-475. Yark Chevrolet is located at 9830 Rt 64 in Whitehouse, Ohio.  Visit Yark online atwww.yarkauto.com.

Founded by Jim Yark in 1981, Yark Automotive Group has grown from 50 employees and less than $20 million in sales to more than 300 employees and annual sales of over $225 million. For the last 17 years, Yark Automotive Group has been the Largest Volume New & Used Vehicle Dealership in Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan showcasing 9 vehicle franchises: BMW, Nissan, Subaru, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, & FIAT.  Yark Automotive Group is a Better Business Bureau Torch Award Winner for Marketplace Ethics.

The Yark family is originally from Toledo and both Yark brothers, Jim and John, graduated from local high schools and The Ohio State University. After acquiring the organization in 1981, Jim Yark, Owner & President implemented a detailed business plan and grew the dealership to include its 9 franchises, 6 Pre-Owned vehicle lots, a body shop, a car rental company and the area’s largest retail and wholesale parts department.  Today, the business continues to grow and the family tradition continues with 4 of the Yark children now working in various positions within the company.

Top 10 Reasons Chrysler Group Had a Great 2011

Chrysler Group and its brands ended 2011 on a high note -- with December seeing our best sales volume of the year: 138,019 vehicles sold, for the 21st straight month of sales growth.

For all of 2011, Chrysler sales were up 26% from 2010, at 1,369,114.

But why?

Why was 2011 such a good year? Well, we may not have all the answers but think a Top 10 list might be a good place to start.

10) CEO Sergio Marchionne's consistent fashion sense, which gets far more media attention than it should, provides a subtle sense of corporate stability.

9) Dodge Durango: Back after a two-year hiatus checking out Europe, working out and hitting the books, it was welcomed back with open arms. Its 51,697 SUVs sold was the driving force in Dodge brand's 18% growth in 2011. Durango is made at our Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit.

8) Jeep® Grand Cherokee: In its first full calendar year as a redesign (the 2011-model year version was introduced in May 2010), the most-awarded SUV ever was our #2 seller for 2011 (127,744 sold, up 51%), with December being its best month of the year with 17,346 sold, a 36% jump over 12/2010. Like the Durango, the Grand Cherokee is made at JNAP.


7) SRT Brand -- where high-performance meets high-luxury. After a relatively quiet few years, SRT was reborn as a stand-alone brand in the summer. With VP of Design Ralph Gilles appointed to lead SRT as president, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 was joined by Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Grand Cherokee SRT8. The SRT family will grow again with the 2013 SRT Viper later this year.

6) Jeep Wrangler: When you think Jeep, you usually picture a Wrangler. Sales of the Toledo, Ohio-made icon surged during the last half of 2011 to the point Wrangler challenged Grand Cherokee for the Jeep lead. After another strong month in December (11,415 in sales, up 39%), Wrangler finished the year with 122,460 sold. Good for a 30% increase from 2010.

5) Ram Pickup: Durable, reliable, hard-working workhorse of the company, Ram pickup trucks are consistently our #1 selling vehicle. In December, Ram pickup had its best month since March 2008 with 26,013 sold; up 12% from 12/2010. For the year, sales were up 23% to 244,763 trucks sold -- making it the #7 selling vehicle for the year.

4) Chrysler 200 / Born of Fire: What a way to start a year!! The two-minute TV spot that debuted in February helped spark a renewed self-confidence in Detroit, started the Imported from Detroit Project, and helped drive sales of the new Chrysler 200 all year long. The 200, made at our Sterling Heights (MI) Assembly Plant, finished 2011 with 87,033 cars sold, far more than the 38,620 Sebrings sold in 2010.

3) Chrysler Group employees, contractors, suppliers and vendors. While Sergio Marchionne leads the way, it takes everyone connected to the company to do their job to the best of their ability to ensure the company founded by Walter P. Chrysler continues to prosper.

2) Chrysler Group dealers: They've faced some tough times just like we have, and have survived. They're out in front, working with and trying to help customers with sales and service. The fate of Chrysler Group and our dealers are intimately intertwined.

And the #1 reason Chrysler Group had a great year....the nearly 1.4 million people in the U.S. who put their faith in us and purchased a new vehicle. The company, our dealers and supply chain would be non-existent without your support and confidence in us.

Thank you.

Images
Top
SRT family (L to R) 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Bottom
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Arctic

Source:  Chrysler Blog- By Mike Driehorst- 01.05.12

The Detroit Auto Show will showcase Mopar's Chrysler 200 Super S & the Dodge Charger Redline

The 2013 Dodge Dart is a big deal for Chrysler, so it makes sense that the majority of the company's attention at the Detroit Auto Show will be focused around the new C-segment sedan. But since the automaker doesn't want to blow its whole show presence on just one vehicle, its Mopar tuning arm has stepped in to create two new vehicles for show-goers to ogle – the Chrysler 200 Super S and Dodge Charger Redline.

In its stock form, the Chrysler 200 certainly isn't going to win any design awards, but we'll admit it: Based on these pics, the Super S looks good, at least from the front. The Super S Stage One kit adds visual flare in the form of a front chin spoiler, satin chrome fog light trim, satin chrome grille surround and a new mesh grille design. What's more, there are new side sills, black chrome badges and bespoke 18-inch "S" alloy wheels, a trunk lid spoiler, satin chrome rear light bar and a matte black lower diffuser with integrated exhaust openings.

Want some performance to back up that new look? There aren't any real power upgrades for the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, but the Stage Two kit adds a coil-over suspension, cold air intake and cat-back exhaust. Chrysler says Super S packages will be available on 200S models starting sometime later this year.

Moving on up, the Charger Redline shows off three different Mopar tuning kits that will also be available later in 2012. Stage One adds a full-width carbon fiber chin spoiler to the Charger's aggressive front fascia, 20-inch Black Envy wheels, carbon fiber door scoops, a three-piece carbon fiber rear spoiler (pictured, right) and a roof graphic in matte black. We've had a chance to see the Charger Redline in person, and truth be told, we don't find it terribly attractive – especially the tacked-on side vents and spoiler. Though it traces its look to the anything-goes 1970s Mopar models, we'd prefer to just leave the decidedly handsome Charger alone, at least, aesthetically speaking.

The Stage Two and Stage Three performance upgrades, on the other hand, we'll take. Stage Two incorporates a cat-back performance exhaust, a front-tower cross-brace and tower brace caps, along with high-performance Mopar brake linings. But what we really want is Stage Three, which includes a high-output version of the 426 Hemi V8 crate engine – designed for racing use only. In addition to delivering 590 horsepower – 220 more than the standard V8 Charger – the engine weighs 100 pounds less than the standard cast-iron crate version. Too bad this setup isn't approved for use on public roads.


Source:  autoblog

Yark Automotive Group Celebrates the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the month of December

Yark Automotive Group celebrates the Make A Wish Foundation NW Ohio Region this December!  For each vehicle purchase, Yark Automotive donates a portion to the Make A Wish Foundation.  This is the 8th consecutive year Yark Automotive Group has teamed up with the Make A Wish Foundation to raise money to grant wishes to children with life-threatening conditions.  To date, Yark has donated over $110,000 to the local chapter.

On December 17th, Yark hosted a special Test Drive Event to celebrate Kaylee Halko, a local Make A Wish recipient.  Any vehicle that was taken on a test drive that day, the customer received a copy of the Make A Wish Holiday Wishes CD and Yark made a donation to the foundation.  This CD is compromised of local talent reading and singing holiday classics.


The 'Holiday Wishes' CD features local artists like Kyle White, Ramona Collins, Pat Dailey and special guests like Chrys Peterson, Jamie Farr lend their musical talents while Fox Anchors Laura Emerson and Shaun Hegarty read the story of Frosty the Snowman.


In addition, our special guest Kaylee Halko, contributed to the CD reading, "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus' with Crystal Bowersox, and she was on hand to sign autographs and our Yark Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram store.  Kaylee is a 6 year old girl who suffers from Progeria, a rare genetic condition wherein symptoms resembling aspects of aging are manifested at an early ago.  Kaylee and her family were granted a wish of making Kaylee a star.  Her talents and wish landed her on the Holiday Wishes CD for Make A Wish.


Join Yark Automotive Group and Make A Wish Foundation and help in sharing the power of a wish this holiday season.  Yark's Make A Wish campaign ends this Saturday, December 31st.  To learn more about how you can help "share the power of a wish" contact us today.


Yark Automotive Group is conveniently located at 6019 West Central Avenue, a half mile east of I-475 on the Central Avenue strip.  Visit us online at www.yarkauto.com