Service | Bowie, TX A fall checklist for a Dodge Durango before the first cold morning, the holiday road trips and hauling season. The first cold morning of the year is when a Durango that was fine in September won't start. Summer heat wears on batteries and tires, and the cold is what finally shows it. By then you're late for school, and the fix is a tow and a bad day. A short fall checkup avoids most of that. This is what we'd look at on a Dodge Durango before the cold, the hunting trips and the holiday drives, and where the service department in Bowie comes in. Quick answer: Before the first cold snap, have the battery tested and check the tires and pressure, the brakes, the wipers and lights, and the fluids. Do it before a loaded holiday trip too. Kory Hooks Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Bowie handles Dodge service, and you can book online or call 940-531-6104. At a glance Check first Battery, tires, brakes, fluids Timing Before the first cold morning Service line 940-531-6104 In this post What should I check on my Dodge Durango before the first cold snap? Why do batteries fail on the first cold morning? Does a loaded Durango need extra attention before a long trip? Do performance Durango models need different service? What does a fall service visit usually cover? Does the same checklist work for a Chrysler Voyager or Pacifica? Questions drivers ask What should I check on my Dodge Durango before the first cold snap? Start with the parts that fail when the temperature drops. A fall checkup is easier than a dead battery on a cold school morning, and most of it takes a few minutes. Fluids and filters belong on the list too. Oil, coolant and washer fluid all get tested by a cold snap, and the service department lists fluid level checks and corrections, belts, hoses and air filters. 1 Test the battery Ask for a battery test if the vehicle is a few years old or cranks slowly. 2 Check the tires Set the pressure to the label on the driver's door, and look at the tread and the sidewalls. 3 Look at the brakes Listen for grinding or squealing, and notice a soft pedal. 4 Check wipers and lights Replace worn wipers, and make sure every bulb works before the days get short. Why do batteries fail on the first cold morning? Cold slows the chemistry inside a battery, and an engine needs more power to turn over when the oil is thick. A battery that was already weak from a hot summer doesn't have enough left, so it holds up until the morning it counts. Replacing a battery before it fails costs you a quiet morning in the shop. Replacing it after costs you a tow and a missed day. Slow cranking, dim lights and electronics that act up are the warnings. The service department lists batteries and alternators, so a test is a quick way to know where you stand. Does a loaded Durango need extra attention before a long trip? Yes. A Durango with three rows full of people and luggage works the tires, the brakes and the suspension harder than a normal commute. Hunting season and the holiday drives are when many Bowie families load one up. Check the tire pressure with the vehicle cold, then check it again after the first few miles on the road. A loaded Durango gives you less room for a mistake. Tires low on a loaded vehicle: check the pressure with the vehicle cold, and set it to the label, not the number on the tire. Brake pedal feels soft: don't start a long trip until the brakes have been inspected. Battery light or a slow crank: get the battery and charging system tested before you leave. Bowie driver tip Long drives out of town often start before sunrise in November, when temperatures are lowest and your phone is the only thing lighting the driveway. Check the vehicle the evening before, not in the dark at departure time. Schedule service See service specials Do performance Durango models need different service? They can. Performance versions work the tires, brakes and fluids harder than a standard Durango, so they may need attention sooner. Ask an advisor how your driving fits the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual. The same goes for driving style. A vehicle that gets driven hard needs its brakes and tires checked sooner, and an honest answer to the advisor's question about how you drive helps. Mopar Performance Parts are on the dealership's list, so the parts department is the first call for anything beyond routine service. Which performance versions are on the lot depends on the model year, so check the new inventory or ask the sales team. What does a fall service visit usually cover? It depends on what you ask for and what the technician finds. The service page lists oil and filter changes, brake repair, batteries, belts and hoses, air filters, tire service and engine diagnostics, so most fall checklist items are on the menu. Tell the advisor what you've noticed, even if it seems small. A slow crank, a new noise or a pull to one side helps them look in the right place, and it keeps you from paying to check things that are fine. Does the same checklist work for a Chrysler Voyager or Pacifica? Mostly, yes. Batteries, tires, brakes and wipers need the same attention on a minivan, and the cold morning doesn't care about the badge. A minivan carries a full load of kids and gear in the same weather, so it earns the same checkup. Most of the list is the same on any vehicle that sees cold mornings. The service department works on Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles, so one visit can cover whichever of those is in your driveway. Pick a day that suits your week and bring it in before the weather turns. Book it your way Online or by phone, and ask about the shuttle Schedule service online or call 940-531-6104. The service page lists shuttle service, so ask about it when you book. Parts and repairs are billed as usual. Hours and directions Cold Weather How do I know my battery is getting weak? + Slow cranking, dim headlights and electronics that reset are common signs. A battery test shows where it stands. What tire pressure should I use in cold weather? + Use the pressure on the label inside the driver's door. Pressure drops as temperatures fall, so check it when the tires are cold. Can cold weather bring on the check engine light? + It can expose a weak sensor or a small leak that was already there. The service department does engine diagnostics. Brakes and Tires How do I know when the brakes need attention? + Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or a pull when you stop are all reasons to have them looked at. When should I replace the tires on a Durango? + When the tread is low or the sidewalls show cuts, bulges or cracks. Goodyear tires are on the service department's list. Should I rotate my tires? + Rotation helps tires wear evenly. Ask an advisor how often fits your driving and the maintenance schedule. Trips and Hauling Can a Durango tow a trailer? + Ratings depend on the engine and equipment, so check the exact vehicle. Ask the team or look in the owner's manual. What should I check before a holiday road trip? + Tire pressure, brakes, battery, wipers, lights and fluid levels. The service team can run through the list before you leave. Does a Durango need a different oil or fuel for cold weather? + Follow the owner's manual for the engine in your vehicle, and ask an advisor if you aren't sure. Booking Service What is the quickest way to schedule service? + Use the online scheduling form, or call the service line at 940-531-6104. Can I wait while the Durango is serviced? + The service page lists WiFi and shuttle service among its amenities. Ask how long your work will take when you book. What are the service hours? + Service is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM and closed Saturday and Sunday. Parts and Inspection Does the service department do state inspections? + The service page lists authorized state inspections. Call to ask about availability. Where do I get Mopar parts for a Dodge? + Call the parts department at 940-531-6105. Parts is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM. Does the service center work on every Dodge? + It works on Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. Call to ask about yours. Visit the parts department Ask about wipers, filters and Mopar parts for your Durango. 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