Tire Life and How NM Climate Affects It

Did you know that your tires may not last as long in our dry-heat climate? Your tires are the only contact your vehicle has with the road and making sure they are in tip-top condition when you are on the roads is beneficial for your wellbeing as well as the safety of others. Melloy Dodge reached out to our Express Lane technicians and here are a few reasons that the sun can deteriorate the life of your tires before the manufacturer recommended mileage. 

To begin with, the life of a new tire is typically around 60,000 miles.  If your vehicle is often left outside and in direct sunlight, the wear on your tires isn’t going to be from the road, it's going to be from the expanding and contracting that the tires are doing while sitting outside, unprotected. Tires that sit out in the sun are more likely to experience dryness and cracking, something that can occur before the manufacturer's recommended life of the tire mileage. Another reason your tires may not make it the mileage is that the hotter the climate, the hotter the asphalt is going to be, creating more friction between the road and your tires. 

Melloy Dodge Express Lane Technicians highly recommend that you check your tire's pressure frequently, have them rotated every 6 months to prevent uneven wear, and keep track of the miles since you’ve replaced your tires. One of the things you can request when you take your vehicle into the Melloy Dodge Express Lane is tire rotation, and we will check the health of all your tires when you bring your vehicle in for its bi-annual maintenance visits. We often offer a discount on tires, so if you are looking to replace your tires, Melloy Dodge is offering buy 3 get 1 free tires, and that DEAL is too hard to pass up! 

What is a transfer case and how often should I change the fluid?

Do you know how your engine delivers equal distribution to all four of your axles? That is due to the drivetrain system which is housed inside the transfer case. Your drivetrain is a compilation of complex moving parts such as chains, belts, and gears. The transfer case helps to deliver the engine torque from the transmission to the output shafts that connect to the drive shafts that lead to the front and rear axles. We know, that was a lot of information, but here at Melloy Dodge, our Express Lane Technicians know that an informed customer means a responsible customer. The more you know about how all the moving parts work on your vehicle, the better we can all take care of it! 

One of the many things we can do when you bring your vehicle into our Express Lane is to identify and inform you that the fluid inside the transfer case could need to be changed. It is recommended that this fluid is changed every 30,000 miles, particularly for those who utilize their two and four-wheel drive, and that is because all of these moving parts within the transfer case need to be properly lubricated for optimal performance. The transfer case fluid helps to remove heat, keeping the gears cool and running efficiently. Over time, the transfer case fluid begins to build up carbon from cooling these fast-moving gears. 

When you bring your vehicle into the Express Lane for your semi-annual maintenance, located on the south side of the Melloy Dodge dealership, you can expect that we evaluate and efficiently go over our multi-point inspection. This multi-point inspection sheet will be handed to you at the end of your vehicle’s service. If you are interested in having the fluid changed in your vehicle’s transfer case, our professional technicians can assist with getting that scheduled!

How Often Should I Change My Serpentine Belt?

Have you recently taken your vehicle into our Express Lane located on the southwest side of the Melloy Dodge dealership, and one of our knowledgeable technicians has recommended that your serpentine belt will need to be replaced soon? 

But, what exactly is the serpentine belt, and how often does it really need to be replaced?

Your serpentine belt is a long belt that drives devices in your vehicle, such as your alternator (which delivers electricity to your battery), air conditioner, power steering pump, and occasionally to your water pump. Serpentine belts are built to last; they typically last anywhere from 60,000 miles to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced. If your vehicle isn’t that old or doesn’t have that many miles on, it may just need to be manually tensioned and adjusted. Our Express Lane technicians can do that for you too. 

If a mechanic has recently told you that your serpentine belt will need to be replaced, don’t put it off for too long. When that specialty belt breaks, your vehicle will stop running. If you ever need your vehicle inspected, you can stop into Melloy Dodge's Express Lane when the time is right for you. Your vehicle maintenance is our top priority!