How Does Lane Departure Work in The RAM?

One of the most used new technology available in specific trim models on the 2020 RAM 1500s, 2500s, and 3500s is LaneSense® Lane Departure. LaneSense® uses a forward-facing camera and monitors the lane markings and your current position within the lane. 

To Activate: Push the LanseSense® button, which may be located below your uConnect screen or above your 12” uConnect screen to the left. Pictured below is the logo to indicate the LanseSense® technology. 

Once activated, a message will come across your uConnect screen, informing you that it has detected the lane lines and is not monitoring the lane you are in. It will alert you if you are drifting or going into a lane you haven’t signaled for. 

Another neat feature of LaneSense® Lane Departure is the steering wheel torque system that reminds you of your current lane boundaries; for example, you would be alerted if you were to signal to the left but go right. You can override the wheel torque by applying your torque to the wheel at any time. 

One other pretty neat feature that LaneSense® has developed is the single-lane alert. If, for instance, you are driving on a two-lane road and only one set of lane indicator are identified, and your start to drift it will alert you, only. It will not apply the wheel torque. You can turn the system off by pressing the LaneSense® button and then turning it on again to resume its previous settings. 

Melloy Dodge is proud to be part of the RAM family. Our dealership is currently stocked with various trim models on the RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500s.  Our sales associates are eager to earn your business and to leave you with the best car bing experience you’ve had. Melloy Dodge is located on the north side of Coors, just past Paseo Del Norte. If you are in the market for a new RAM 1500, 2500, or 3500, you can stop in and test drive one today!

How Often Should I Replace My Tires?

Did you know that your tires are rated for a certain number of miles that can safely be driven before they need to be replaced? Melloy Dodge takes pride in the safety of the vehicles our customers drive off the lot, and our service shop inspects the integrity of all vehicle’s tires before they leave as well. We get a wide variety of used cars daily, and it can startle us to see some of the conditions the vehicle’s tires were in upon trade-in. 

In our New Mexico sun and dry climate, tires can be worn out more quickly. Our drivers must pay more attention to when their tires should be replaced. Tires that have been driven on too long, or have never been rotated, can lead to severe and sometimes fatal accidents that could have been prevented. 

There are a few questions you should ask yourself to narrow down the timetable on your tire’s recommended mileage:

Have you ever replaced them, and in what year?

Did you buy this vehicle brand new? If so, when?

Have your tires been on a rotation schedule of every six months?

Tires typically need to be replaced every four to five years. Depending on the rating of the tired currently on your vehicle, they could need to be replaced sooner, especially if you take long trips often.  Another sure way to find out the age of your current tires is to check the tire's sidewall for the DOT information. It's a four-digit number; for example, if it says 4716, that tire was produced during the 47th week of 2016. 

If you haven’t visited the Melloy Dodge Express Lane and Service Department, we have a coupon for Buy 3 tires get the fourth FREE.  This coupon has helped so many of our customers, and it can help you too. If you are unsure about how much longer the life of your tires is, one of our service technicians will let you know during our multi-point inspection during your routine vehicle maintenance. Melloy Dodge is proud to be a service-focused dealership, and we want to make a DEAL with you! Please stop in and test drive anything we have on our lot.

 

The Importance of the Federal Road Act

Melloy Dodge would like to introduce you to the history of The Federal Road Act. For many decades, roads in the earlier centuries consisted of muddy trails just big enough for a horse and carriage. Not soon after the invention of the first gasoline-powered Motorwagen, by Karl Benz that you can read about here, people started to care more about roads than ever before. Since the 1900’s roads have been considered the state and local responsibility to repair, but that decision to do so was entirely up to them and oftentimes roads were not managed the way they should have been. 

Because of the lack of care roads were receiving, the federal government created the Office of Road Inquiry in 1893, for the sole purpose of advising state and local officials on the best method to improve and maintain their roads. The automobile industry and automotive consumers skyrocketed in the first part of the 1900s and the need for better roads became increasingly apparent. 

In 1902, Martin Dodge advocated for “federal aid” to states. After a bill was drafted, the federal aid bill was introduced to Congress in 1902. It stated that the federal government would cover 50% of the cost of the road, and the state would pay the other half as long as they agreed to the road contracts designed by the government and supervised the construction of said contracts. Of course, this meant that everyone had to pay taxes to cover the cost of road construction and upkeep, and not everyone was willing to pay. 

Ultimately, in 1916, Woodrow Wilson signed the act into law. This provided rural communities and cities with good roads. The act initially began at 75 million in federal money and 50/50 matching funds that would cover 6% of the state's roads over a 5 year period. Without this act, community growth and good roads would be way behind where it sits today. It’s really nice to drive on roads that are better than driving to work on all dirt roads, muddy and unmaintained!

Melloy Dodge continues to get new inventory daily, and if you are looking for something we don’t have in stock, we can order it! Let  Melloy Dodge work hard to make sure our customers have the vehicle of their dreams that can easily take them down new roads. 

Karl Benz & The First Gasoline Powered Vehicle

 

We talk a lot about how far the motor vehicle industry has progressed, and the innovative ways manufacturers are changing and adapting to consumers. Melloy Dodge loves to talk about the history of cars, and what better way than introducing the inventor of the first car- Karl Benz! 

Karl Benz loved to bike, and his first vehicle design was designed as a tricycle. Like many inventors trying to create the “horseless carriage,” Benz designed around the engine while others created designs to add to existing wagons. His first car, which began selling in 1888, was the gasoline-powered Motorwagen. Before the three-wheeled Motorwagen, Benz spent years working on many of its key components, such as the spark plugs, the electric ignition, and the clutch. 

Not soon after the Motorwagen gained popularity, Benz’s four-wheeled vehicle, the Velocipede, began production in 1893. The Velocipede, more commonly known as “The Velo,”  sold more than twelve hundred units between 1884 and 1901. It wasn’t long before inventing minds began to clash, and by 1903 Benz had left his company but remained on the board and started another company with his sons, now known as Mercedes-Benz. 

Melloy Dodge loves how one piece of history, like Karl Benz, and his creation of the gasoline-powered Motorwagen, can create ripple effects that lead to automotive manufacturing like Dodge, by the Dodge Brothers, Ford, Chevrolet, and more. Looking for a new Dodge? Melloy Dodge is New Mexico’s #1 Dodge Dealer, and we are always happy to assist in purchasing your next vehicle. 

When Will The Chip Shortage End?

With a record number of vehicle owners looking to purchase a new vehicle, many car shoppers are surprised to find limited inventory choices at local dealerships. That's because a worldwide computer chip shortage is interrupting the manufacturing supply chain. If you didn’t know about the chip shortage, you could read about it here and how it affects manufacturers and dealerships worldwide. The chip shortage is still affecting many dealerships, and it will be a factor for some time. Forbes estimates that the current production rate and limited supply for certain materials needed for the conductivity of these chips won’t be back to reasonable levels by the end of the first quarter of 2022. As one of Southwest's largest dealerships, Melloy Dodge is still regularly receiving new vehicles allocations. Because many other dealers' supplies are limited, we often have a waiting list and see some incoming vehicles sold even before they reach the lot. If you're in the market for a new or preowned vehicle, we strongly encourage you to let one of our sales team know what you want, then you'll be notified when we have it or know when it will arrive. We are also taking pre-orders for vehicles we currently do not have in stock, so you can purchase the exact model you want. We are also buying recent-model-year used vehicles and getting them quickly inspected and prepared for sale so you can test drive and start your loan process. The Melloy Dodge family understands how difficult the current vehicle situation is. We continue to work diligently to provide the new Dodge, Ram, and Fiat models our customers want and a selection of preowned cars, trucks, and SUVs. If you are looking to upgrade your current vehicle, the Melloy Dodge New and Used Car Dealership does have a lot to offer. We get new and used vehicles daily, and they are all available to you to test drive! Stop in at Melloy Dodge on Coors, just north of Paseo Del Norte, and see what we can do for you! Remember, we like to say DEAL!

Things to Consider When Financing a Vehicle

Congratulations! You’ve made it through deciding which vehicle you want to take home, the hardest part of the car buying process. If you aren’t aware of the process, visit our “How Do I Buy a Car?” blog here. Now it’s time to talk to your sales associate at Melloy Dodge about your financing terms, the amount needed for a down payment, the monthly payment you can afford.

When financing a vehicle, there are many things to consider, but knowing what you can afford before coming to the dealership and how much you plan to put down will tell our sales associates what they need to know to get financing on the right track. Before we send you to financing to finalize the terms, we will discuss your interest rate, your down payment amount, and your monthly payment. The more money you put down, the lower your monthly payment will be. We also have a great financing breakdown blog here. 

Having good credit (700+) is also a great way to get low interest rates. Sometimes, you can negotiate the term amount: this typically can go from 72 months to 84 months or lower if you are looking to pay off your vehicle sooner rather than later. Our financing team will work with you to get your vehicle payment where you need it to be and under terms you deem feasible. Our motivated team at Melloy Dodge is always willing and ready to make a DEAL. Stop in today to see what we can do for you.

How Do I Buy A Car?

Buying a car can be scary, exciting, and a little intimidating, but that’s not how you’re going to feel when one of our amazing Melloy Dodge sales associates is working with you to make sure you are getting what you want at a price you can afford! Here are some things to do before you come down and things you can expect when buying from our family-owned and operated Dodge, RAM, and Fiat dealership.

1. Think really hard about your new vehicle. Will your new car or truck matches your current and future lifestyle? Four to six years are typical financing terms. Can you see yourself driving your new car or truck for that long? Will you be taking long road trips or are you sticking around town? When you've answered those questions, then start your research. This is the fun part and things will go much more smoothly after you do your homework! Our website features all of our new and used inventory so that you can compare vehicles quickly.
2. Get pre-approved. Contact your local bank, credit union, or other lenders. This will give you an idea about what you are approved for and the rate; then, you can compare it to the dealership’s rate, which oftentimes is lower. Remember, if you finance through the dealership, it's "on approved credit" and your credit is subject to a credit report being used. And, it's important to point out that your credit score is used in the determination of your interest rate and possibly the term of the loan. 
3. Planning on trading in your current vehicle? You can use it as a down payment on your new loan! You can value your trade by using KBB, the same resource we will use to give you the best offer! 
4. Head to the dealership and test drive the vehicles you have chosen. Getting behind the wheel and really experiencing the vehicle for yourself often gives the best insight into which vehicle will work best for your needs! 

Now, here is what you can expect the process to be like once you have chosen a vehicle!

1. The sales associates at Melloy Dodge are going to go over the sales price, warranties, and your expected monthly payment once you have decided on the vehicle!
2. After you have agreed to the interest rate, and monthly payment, our sales associate will deliver that information to our financing department and they will work on your paperwork. This paperwork goes over additional warranties you may decide to add, service packages, and information regarding your new loan. 
3. It’s time to make the DEAL! Financing will go over what the pages of the financing packet talk about prior to your signing so that we and you have read and understood the terms of your new vehicle loan! 
4. The final step is to hand you your new keys! While in financing your vehicle will have been sent over to detailing and will be ready when you come out!
5. Within a month, your new loan holder will be sending you information about how to set up monthly payments, your loan number, and when your first loan payment is due. 

Melloy Dodge loves it when we can work with our customers to give them the vehicle they want at a price they can afford. If you have questions regarding what steps you need to take to get a car loan, one of our sales associates would be happy to answer your questions. Stop in today to test drive any of our vehicles on the lot-- or we deliver!. 

The First Vehicle to Go Over 100mph!

Have you ever wondered when the first car was capable of speeds over 100 mph? It doesn’t phase us today to do that easily; in fact, it’s one of the things that often impresses us the most when we are looking at a new vehicle: “0-129 mph in 10.6 seconds” like the 2021 Dodge Hellcat SRT can do in less time than it takes to say the make and model of the vehicle! Melloy Dodge loves automotive history, and this one is no different. 

A group of wealthy men and engineer’s gathered once a year at a long flat bach in Ormond, FL, to race their vehicles, hoping to test the speed limit. This annual tradition was known to these men and others as “The Vanderbilt Cup Races.” On January 31st, 1905, a British Man named Arthur McDonald, racing a 90 Horsepower Napier (number 5 in the photo), would break the 100 mph limit barrier at 104.65.

There would be only one problem…

 The French make this claim one year earlier, in 1904. Louis Rigolly claims that crown in Ostend, Belgium, July 21, 1904, where witnesses state that he reach 103 mph in a 13.5 Liter Gordon-Brillie. This lapse in time was due to the painfully slow spread of information throughout the world. Nowadays, information is available at the flick of a switch. 

 If you are looking to fill your need for speed, Melloy Dodge offers a wide variety of vehicles that can do just that! Not only do we sell the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcats, but we now sell the customizable 2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat SRT. Come in and see what we can do to get you into the car of your dreams!

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!

Using Your Backup Camera With Your Mirrors

One of the modern-day new challenges has been to use your backup camera in conjunction with your mirrors. If you don’t have a backup camera on your car, the chances that your next new vehicle will are high! In 2018, federal law requires that all new vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 lbs be equipped with rearview monitoring technology, a backup camera. 

Unfortunately, there can be some drawbacks to these cameras. For example, some cameras do not display a wide-angle view, which would allow you to see things on the sides of your car, like incoming pedestrians or young children not paying attention to their surroundings.

Sometimes, too, you could miss posts, fire hydrants, low walls, and more. At  Melloy Dodge, we always advise that you always check your surroundings before moving your vehicle.

Besides the obvious advantages of backup cameras, one of the perks of having your backup camera is that it has become a tool in backing up into tight spaces, that you otherwise would avoid. Almost all rearview displays feature parallel lines that the driver then uses to safely and efficiently navigate backward.  It is always recommended that you still utilize all the mirrors on your vehicle when backing up or attempting to park. 

All new models that Melloy Dodge has in inventory feature a backup camera, some even help with parking sensors so you know when you are too close to something or will alert you to an incoming vehicle or person.

If you’re looking for a new vehicle, stop in and test drive your next car today!