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Do you feel like your vehicle doesn't have as much stopping power as it used to? Have you noticed the faint scent of fish oil before you get in your vehicle lately? If you answered affirmatively to either of the previous questions, there is a strong possibility that you need to bring your vehicle in for a brake repair at your Rockville, MD Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM dealer. Here is a closer look at some of the most compelling signs. There Is Brake Fluid Under Your Vehicle The clearest sign that you need to bring your vehicle in for a brake job is brake fluid beneath your vehicle. Leaking brake fluid may be an indication of a problem with your master cylinder, but it is always a sign that something is wrong somewhere in the brake system because the brake system should be closed. Brake fluid can be one of many colors, but it is always identifiable by its smell. more There Is Something Wrong with Your Brake Pedals Another crystal-clear sign that something is wrong with your brake system is soft or spongy brake pedals. Similar to leaking brake fluid, soft or spongy brake pedals may indicate a serious problem with the master cylinder. However, it is essential that you bring your vehicle in for diagnostic testing and repair right away regardless of where in the brake system the problem lies. For example, you may just have too much air or moisture in your brake system. Regardless of how extensive the damage is, you should never have to depress your brake pedal all the way to the floorboard, or even mostly to the floorboard, to stop your vehicle. If you ignore the problem, it will become so bad that you won't be able to stop your vehicle in time to prevent a collision. There Is a Pull When You Brake People often think that their brake pulls to one side due to a bad wheel bearing or severe misalignment. However, if you only notice your car pulling to one side when you brake, there is a good chance that the brake pads on one side of your vehicle are wearing much faster than the brake pads on the opposite side of your vehicle. Also, there is a possibility that you have a warped brake rotor causing a pull to one side of your vehicle when you brake. There Is a Squealing Sound When You Brake If you hear squealing when you depress your brake pedal, your brake pads have worn down to the point that metal tabs are scraping against your metal rotor. Need a Brake Repair at Our Rockville, MD Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM Dealer? Signs that your brakes need to be repaired include brake fluid under your vehicle and soft or spongy brake pedals. If you think your brakes aren't functioning optimally, you need to come in for an appointment right away. Contact us today at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Rockville on Rockville Pike to schedule a service appointment so we can diagnose and fix your brake problems.

A crossover that is just as capable on the road as it is off can be a challenge to find. Jeep answers this challenge with the 2019 Renegade Trailhawk. This compact SUV with its recognizable boxy shape has the powers and features necessary to hit the trail and the road. Here's everything you need to know about the Renegade Trailhawk. more Exterior Style The Jeep Renegade's exterior design has elements of strength in it. It features short front and rear overhangs with tall tires. The seven-slot grille sits in between large round headlights. They match the square taillights on the back and squared-off wheel wells with thick rear pillars that lend strength to the back of the crossover. The Trailhawk has red tow hooks and a black hood sticker to tie to the larger off-road vehicles in the Jeep lineup. Plus it comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels and off-road tires. There's also an LED lighting group option for adding daytime running lights, taillights, fog lights, and Bifunctional Projector Headlamps with LED light. Power and Off-Road Capability The Renegade Trailhawk comes with a 1.3-liter turbo-4 engine standard. It produces 177 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. Known as the Selec-Terrain Traction Management System, it features off-road terrain settings with a low gear. There are five main settings for rocks, snow, mud, sand, and an auto control. Trailhawk has a crawl ratio of 20:1 that allows it to move along at slow speed. There is also a 50:50 front/rear torque split lock and hill-descent control. It has a good amount of ride height which allows it to clear obstacles easier and accommodate the larger tires on the vehicle. It's the best trim to go off-road with because of its ground clearance and ability to handle slippery terrain. The Renegade Trailhawk is trail-rated and will handle trail challenges including the ability to ford water. Interior Features The Trailhawk balances its off-road capabilities with a comfortable interior and good cargo space. It receives leather heated front seats and a push-button start with proximal entry option on top of standard features such as a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has dual-zone automatic climate control and tinted windows. Renegade has 18.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the back and this expands to 50.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Safety Features Trailhawk has an optional safety technology package available only to it and the Limited trim. These features include self-parking in certain situations, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. Renegade received a 4-star rating from the NHSTA overall. The 2019 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk is for drivers that crave an off-road vehicle but still need it to function for the demands of daily life. This compact crossover SUV is designed to handle the trail and the road without missing a beat. Experience the 2019 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk in person by scheduling a test drive today.

When you own a used car, it is important to take care of it. Maintaining your vehicle helps keep it running longer, and it also reduces the chances of it malfunctioning. Here are a few simple things that you can do to keep your used vehicle running smoothly. more Maintain the Oil Whether you have a new vehicle or a used one, you need to maintain its oil. You can do this by checking the car's oil level and scheduling regular oil changes. Oil changes should be done about every 5,000 miles, but consult your owner manual for the exact number based on your vehicle. Maintaining the oil in your car is important because it lubricates the engine and helps keep everything running smoothly. Without it, your car will break down. Check Your Tires Another great way to take care of vehicle is to check your tires regularly. You need to make sure that your tire pressure is inflated to the recommended pressure for your car. The pressure levels can be found in your owner manual. You also need to rotate your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Rotating the tires equalizes the amount of wear that each tire receives on the road, as front and rear tires do not wear evenly. Eventually, you will have to buy new tires when the treads run down. Be sure to buy quality tires, as these are one of the main things that keep you safe on the road. If you live in a snowy area, you may want to opt for winter tires during the cold months to give you good traction on the road in wintry conditions. Take Care of Your Brakes Taking care of your brakes is another essential part of maintaining your vehicle. Whether you go to a professional or do it yourself, doing things like changing your brake pads or bleeding the brakes will keep your vehicle running longer. Bleeding the brakes removes the overheated fluid and makes sure nothing is seriously wrong with the brakes. This process is no harder than doing an oil change. You should also flush the brake fluid every two years. Regular Maintenance Just like you to get regular check-ups, your vehicle also needs regular maintenance. These check-ups make sure that everything is in working order and also note any potential problems in your vehicle. Even if you are a great DIY mechanic who does your own oil changes and brake bleeding, don't skip your regular maintenance by a professional. Otherwise, you could end up spending a lot of money on an avoidable repair. Know Your Vehicle When you drive your vehicle enough, you know when something sounds or feels wrong. If you think there might be something wrong with your vehicle, pull over or take it to a dealership for a check-up. It is better to be safe than sorry. These are just a few tips that will keep your vehicle running for a long time. Used cars are great vehicles to have, but you must take good care of them so you can keep them running for as long as possible. Some rights reserved by Free for Commercial Use