Reader’s Question:

With the recent gas price crisis just easing up, I am now concerned about fuel economy. But personally, I don’t want to get a small car. I have my wife and 2 kids here in Houston, Texas. What can fit our needs?

Brian

Houston, TX

Hello, Brian, there is hope for your needs, yet. I know that the great motoring majority wishes just that – a spacious car, power when you need it. In my opinion, there is a hybrid waiting for you to drive home. Before you go all allergic to the thought of driving a hybrid, let me say that you should take the image of an underpowered vehicle out of your head.

There is an SUV out there that, I say, can fit your needs perfectly. It’s called the 2009 Dodge Durango. It comes packed with a lot of features that meets the demands of a family man. The hybrid variant has a 5.7 liter V8 engine. Of course, like some hybrids, this one has regenerative braking, as well. Overall, with the hybrid performance of the Durango Limited HEV, it’s possible that you can stretch your gas dollars. The rating for the Dodge Durango Limited HEV is at 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 19 miles per gallon on the highway. Yes, this is still an SUV, you know. Anyway, it still beats 13 or less miles per gallon on a standard gas SUV. So, in my opinion, you can go with the Dodge Durango Limited HEV.

Tags: Dodge car, Houston Dealer

Reader’s Question:

I want to know the best-value Dodge truck I can get here in Houston, Texas. I’m hoping someone can give me some advice. I usually haul a lot of stuff during the week as part of my business. I’d like to have a vehicle that can double as a work and personal vehicle.

Chris

Houston, TX

Hello there, Chris. It is a good thing that you decided on owning a Dodge as your pickup truck. And another good thing is you chose to ask around first before you went to your Dodge Dealer in Houston, Texas. My concern with these big cars and trucks is their usually low rating when it comes to fuel economy, and this concern is why I will recommend a 2009 Dodge Dakota.

Considering the Dakota is a pretty large truck and can haul more than 1,700 pounds of load, I would not have expected Dodge to put in a flex fuel option. What I like about this fact is that you can drive a tough utility or even weekend vehicle and still not kill the environment.

Ratings-wise, the Dakota can hit about 20 miles per gallon using its 3.6 Liter V6 engine. Not bad for a powerful truck. As far as trims are concerned, the 2009 Dakota gives you four different choices that vary with pickup bed size or drive systems. As a standard, all Dakotas have automatic transmission. What about luxury features? The Dakota even has satellite radio and an mp3 compatible stereo deck. You get functionality and luxury in a pickup truck.

Tags: Dodge car, Houston Dealer, Houston Dodge

Reader’s Question:

My family loves going out regularly here in Houston, Texas. We found out that Dodge has released its new Dodge Journey car. What are its features that made it very interesting to other people?

Celine

Houston, TX

The 2008 Dodge Journey R/T has far very good features compared to the previous Dodge Caravan. But like any other car, I think, has various features that could be considered the car’s strength or weakness. The Journey is fairly smaller than the earlier Dodge Caravan making it a nice one to drive there in Houston, Texas for a family of five. Because it is fairly small and drivers can have also fair handling of its road manners, the Dodge Journey R/T requires you also a fair amount of diesel.

The Journey comes along different trims depending on the models of your options, which are Base, SXT and R/T. But critics reviewed the latter as convincingly the best among the three.

While it targets the family or those perky groups of friends going out of town, Dodge Journey R/T has good sound insulation and quieter interior. And with these features making passengers more comfortable, you might not vacillate buying it. At least the R/T plus its convenient interior, features the MyGIG stereo system which has big screen for better navigation to your music collections even while driving. MyGIG nicely has up to 30 gigabytes of memory that can even accommodate your whole music collections and lets you listen for songs during long trips.

Tags: car, car dealer, car review, Dodge dealer

Reader’s Question:

I just had a new check engine light for my Dodge Diesel here in Houston, Texas. I just wanted to know, what are the repair strategies after getting the check engine light?

Charles

Houston, TX

I just had a fault code repaired for my Dodge Diesel truck. Let me share these useful tips that I got from my mechanic here in Houston, Texas. First lesson I learned is that, after getting the fault code fixed and basic repairs done, it is really important to get proper instruction or service manual to verify the sensor or circuit being checked. A wiring diagram is perfect for this task. It looks very challenging to begin with but as soon you treat each sensor or circuit individually, everything will be on its own place.

Should you need further help in doing this, there are lots of automotive online assistance available willing to help you for paid membership. Some of these service centers won’t even charge you if the code is not fixed or carries 90 day guaranty. With all these available options and resources, there is no need to bring your Dodge diesel truck to any garage if you have a check engine light problem. I also suggest that once you have everything straightened up, try checking for a good deal on car insurance carriers that are willing to cover even minor repairs like these. I believe that this page actually advertises affordable insurance rates. I was lucky to take advantage of a great insurance deal for myself.

Tags: car, car dealer, car insurance, car repair, car review

Reader’s Question:

I found my Dodge engine light code seems not to work properly here in Houston, Texas. I was just wondering, are there any basic troubleshooting steps first before I take it to the mechanic?

Randy

Houston, TX

In cases where your Dodge Diesel engine has a faulty code, before taking it into an automotive shop, you can check first for these easy basic trouble shooting and minor repair steps. This is also important especially in diagnosing what is the root cause of the faulty code and might lead to improper resolution. The very basic step is by doing a physical inspection and look for basic issues like black smoke on the tail pipe which is an indication of a bad fuel system including injectors. Having a blue smoke on the other hand indicates worn out and tired engine. You should also regularly check glow plugs to see if these are working properly. Comparing each resistance would also be very helpful.

Doing these system and engine checks will actually save you a lot of money and energy. These are common repairs and checks that are being charged with, prior to having your Dodge engine faulty code repaired. It would also be helpful to know the basics before rushing your engine to an automotive repair shop especially with the rates they are offering around Houston, Texas. You might actually want to consider as well getting insurance policy that would cover minor repairs such as faulty engine codes. There are Internet sites that offer this type of policy. Try checking this website if there is an available one.

Tags: car, car dealer, car insurance, car parts, car repair

Reader’s Question:

I own a Dodge Diesel truck here in Houston, Texas. I was doing a routine engine check last yesterday and noticed that the engine light is flashing. What was faulty engine light code all about?

Robert

Houston, TX

When your check engine light on Dodge diesel truck is flashing, it is a good indication that your engine computer is giving you a warning that the diesel emission system is failing or one of its sensors is not functioning properly. The perfect way to confirm if you have a fault code is to reset it. You can do this by disconnecting the battery cable terminals or locate the computer fuse and unplug it for about a minute or two. If the engine light returns, it means a system failure is confirmed and it must be retrieved. You can either purchase a code scanner for this or you can go to a parts store in Houston, Texas so that they scan the code for you.

Here are additional measures that you can do before scanning for engine fault codes, make sure the following are done:

- Air and fuel filter are replaced

- Regular oil change has been completed

- All the intake and exhaust valves have been adjusted (especially if your car has high mileage)

- Battery cables are all cleaned and tightened including all the ground wires. (This is also on the assumption that the battery is fully charged and in good condition).

All fluid levels are topped up (a low coolant level may indicate an external leak caused by broken water pump).

Tags: car, car dealer, car repair, car review

Reader’s Question:

I am looking for ways in getting the best deals when it comes to maintaining my Dodge car. Are there any better ways to find great deal on Dodge Auto parts here in Houston, Texas?

Jeremy

Houston, TX

Surely, keeping your vehicle in good shape is one of the most important things to do especially that people you love are always on board your vehicle. In getting great deals for Dodge parts in Houston, Texas, I suggest you start looking over the Internet. I would like to share some ideas on how to get the best auto parts at very affordable price.

1. Check automotive web sites and the shopping from there. When I say shop, get and compare all the prices from different websites and make comparative study to get the average price. This will help you decide which right store to get what you need.

2. If you purchase over the Internet, it would also be helpful to check their shipping policies. Most of the time, you can get discounted or free shipping if your order exceeds a certain amount. You get your Dodge parts right into your doorstep at no extra cost.

3. Compare prices from different vendors and see if other vendors can match it. If another seller gives you better price, most Dodge dealers also tends to match up the price from other dealers.

4. Since most of your shopping would be done online, make sure that your personal information such as credit and debit card information are encrypted and secured.

Once you achieved all the things I mentioned, now you’re ready to buy your Dodge Automotive parts. Make sure you check shipping packages for damaged or lost parts.

Tags: auto parts, car, car dealer, car review

Reader’s Question:

I have plans to buy a Dodge Nitro by the end of 2008 here in Houston, Texas. Do you have useful information on how to keep the Dodge Nitro SUV like this in good shape without costing me too much for maintenance?

David

Houston, TX

You’ve got a good plan on buying the SUV, but in terms of fuel economy, this Dodge Model is not advisable here in Houston, Texas. I own a Dodge Nitro and I am very much satisfied with its engine performance as well as other navigational features. This car make really is a total gas guzzler. So if you are planning to save on fuel economy, let me share some useful tips to at least minimize the fuel consumption for this vehicle.

Of course, routine and regular maintenance check should be a top priority for the Dodge Nitro. This is actually applicable for all car models. Poor maintenance makes your car work harder, thus increasing its need to eat more gas. That is why maintenance issues such as under inflated tires, dirty and clogged air filters, spark plugs and fuel injectors should be resolved. Always check for gas leaks so that it would not compromise your car’s performance.

Another great means of cutting on your fuel costs is by having your Dodge regularly checked by your trusted auto mechanic. Give attention to auto parts that are in line with the fuel consumption of your vehicle like Dodge fuel tanks, Dodge gas tanks, Dodge radiators, Dodge catalytic converters, among others. If your Dodge’s parts are either defective or is not functioning properly then it is essential and practical to change these auto parts the soonest possible. You can even save more money in the end by changing not functional parts and ensuring that everything in your car is in great shape.

Tags: car, car dealer, car insurance, car review

Reader’s Question:

I just drove home a used Dodge Magnum to Houston, Texas. My friends tell me that there are still ways on improving its fuel economy. Can you share some great ideas in doing this?

Alvin

Houston, TX

We all know for a fact that most car drivers especially in Houston, Texas are very concerned about the rising prices of fuel. That is why most people as well are continuously looking for ways to improve our car’s fuel economy and to save money. There are plenty of ways you can greatly improve the fuel economy of your dodge vehicle. The first thing that we have to consider is to minimize operational costs and fuel emissions. Some useful tips that you can take note of would be as follows:

Determine the actual gas per mileage of your Dodge car. Check for opportunities to improve your vehicle’s gas mileage.

Try to change and improve your driving style and habits. Running on a steady and reduced speed can reduce the cost of fuel consumption by at least $5.

Regular maintenance check is an effective way to improve and will keep up your car’s fuel economy. Maintenance issues include good running condition for your tires, thus reducing stress to the car itself.

And last but not the least, organize your trips and travel. Plan and search for the shortest and easiest route to a certain destination. Avoid excessive idling, if you think your car would be idle for at least 1 minute, turn off the engine.

These are only a few tips that will surely keep your Dodge vehicle achieve a fuel-efficient and environmentally conscious vehicle. Let me also remind you that you can also save money by getting your car insured with the best deals in town. I found a nice package on this web page though.

Tags: car, car dealer, car insurance, car review

Reader’s Question:

Why must I obtain a Houston Dodge Charger?-

Keith

Houston Texas

There are so a lot of explanations why you should get a Houston Dodge Charger. I feel affection for the Houston Dodge Charger. I have possession of one for seven months, and I believe it is the best car I have owned yet. Allow me to think.

A Houston Dodge Charger is quiet. You do not get hold of all that wind noise when you are driving down I 45. It is comfortable. I on no account get enormously achy when I have to make long drives, and when I have been on road trips last summer, I would from time to time sleep in my Houston Dodge Charger when I was not able to get to a hotel on time, and it was so relaxing. It is speedy. It runs like a sports car. Its appearance is good. You can demonstrate it of. The Houston Dodge Charger does not charge very much for the class of car it is.
I hope I was able to help.

Tags: Dodge car, Houston Dealer, Houston Dodge