Ram's Upcoming Electric 1500

 

Stellanis, manufacturer of Dodge and Ram vehicles, has begun to tease the automotive market about the upcoming 2024 Ram 1500 electric vehicle (EV). There’s no overall image of the truck yet but the teaser shots preview a much more modern design versus today’s internal-combustion Ram currently on the market.

 

Ram 1500’s EV model is being developed on a dedicated EV platform called the STLA Frame. That’s one of Stellantis’ four modular designs, designes for body-on-frame vehicles like pickups, larger SUVs, and some commercial vans. It’s expected to have up to 500 miles of range.

 

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares says the Ram 1500 EV will be built to outperform other competitors on range. Towing capacity and payload are also expected to outperform other full-size models.

 

Ram has launched a portal for consumers to provide input to designers of the new truck, helping shape the concept of the Ram and inspire the design outcome of the electric 1500. Drivers can find that program, Ram Revolution, here.

 

Melloy Dodge on Coors in Albuquerque is New Mexico’s largest selling Ram truck dealership. Whether you’re looking for a Ram 1500, 2500 or heavy duty truck, see our team of certified sales professionals. And if you’re planning to wait to purchase the Ram 1500 EV, be sure to contact us well before the 2024 model year launch. We expect a wait list for the electric Ram 1500 truck.

Oil Viscosity During Warmer Weather

Should your oil viscosity be changed as we head into warmer months? In central New Mexico, our summer temperatures can reach above 100 degrees. As the temperature rises, the viscosity of liquids decreases rapidly. When those liquids like motor oil are then heated, they flow more easily.

Your engine’s oil needs to be thick enough to seal any tiny gaps in your engine and to properly lubricate the metal-against-metal surfaces. However, the oil also has to be thin enough to move easily and circulate where your engine needs it the most. If it’s too thin, the oil can wear down which affects its cooling efficiency.

Today’s synthetic oils offer a more consistent viscosity over a wider range of temperatures, but they're also significantly more costly, and sometimes are not compatible with certain older engines. Synthetic blends combine both natural (or organic) and synthetic oils, and offer many of the benefits of the pricier full synthetic oils, but without the higher cost.

Premium conventional oils are higher quality natural offerings with elevated levels of protection and are required by some cars today. Overall, your vehicle’s type of oil and viscosity largely depend on the climate where you drive, compatibility with your vehicle, and your budget.

How do you know your vehicle’s oil viscosity? Oil viscosity is measured using two numbers followed by a letter. With 10W-40 as an example, the first number (10) references the oil's thickness at cold temperatures (0º Fahrenheit is the baseline), and the second number (40) signifies the oil's thickness at high temperatures (212º Fahrenheit.) While the first number is more important if it’s winter and you live in New Mexico’s cold, snowy regions, the latter is more important once your car is warmed up and traveling the highways. Warm weather calls for thicker oils since they start at a higher viscosity and don’t become too thin when the engine heats up further. More demanding driving such as towing a trailer should require a heavier weight oil.

The single most important source of information regarding your engine oil's specifications and warm weather needs is your car's owner's manual; read it carefully and maintain your engine’s needs according to its specifications. The Service Department is here to help at Melloy Dodge on Coors in Albuquerque, where we service all makes and models. Our No-Appointment Express Lane can handle oil changes for conventional and synthetic oil. If you have any questions about your vehicle, we’re here to help.

Tire Life 101

 

Tires are vital for your vehicle’s safety, and they need to be evaluated for potential problems or the need to replace them. But how do you know when it’s time to replace the tires?

The rule of thumb used to be that the life of tires was 10 years. The 6 year mark is now the recommendation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, in New Mexico’s hot sun, it’s likely that the 5-6 year mark is the better time.

Every tire has a Tire Date Code on the sidewall with a Tire Identification Number. When you look at the sidewall, you’ll see a series of numbers, up to 13 of them, followed by DOT (for Department of Transportation).

Of those numbers:

·         The first 2 to 3 indicate the manufacturer’s plant code.

·         The next set of numbers are the tire size or type code. This is helpful to know if you want to call various tire stores to compare prices.

·         The last 4 numbers are what you really need – these are the manufacturing date. These indicate the week and year the tire was made; for example, a tire with the last 4 numbers of 1221 means it was manufactured in the 12^th week of 2021.

The age of the tires is one important factor; the depth of the tire tread is also important. Depending on how many miles you drive and how you drive, you may need new tires even before the NHTSA’s recommended 6 year mark.

Tires that become too worn are susceptible to blow-outs. To get an idea of your tire’s tread depth, use a quarter! Just insert it upside-down into the treat groove so that Washington’s head goes in first. If the top of his head is covered by tread at multiple points around the tire, the tread has some life left.

If the top of his head is visible at any point around the diameter of the tire, it’s time to replace the tire.

The Melloy Dodge ExpressLane is available for no-appointment checks of your tires to check the wear and pressure. Tire rotation is another important point to prolong the life of the tire. If we can help with your new tires for any make or model, stop and see us at Melloy Dodge on Coors in Albuquerque or use our online scheduling tool.