Can I drive my Jeep with the ABS light on?    Your Jeep is built to handle various terrains and challenges however, when the ABS, Anti-Lock Braking System, light illuminates on your dashboard it's important to have the vehicle inspected by a service professional.  What does the ABS light mean?  The ABS is a safety feature designed to prevent wheel lock-up during hard braking, enhancing control and stability. It achieves this by modulating brake pressure to individual wheels, allowing the driver to maintain steering control while braking. This is especially important when driving in South Florida due to frequent rain storms and aggressive driving habits which may cause frequent hard braking. When the ABS system detects a potential wheel lock-up, it intervenes by adjusting brake pressure multiple times per second, ensuring that the wheels continue to rotate, promoting optimal traction and preventing skidding. The ABS light on your dashboard serves as a warning ... read more

Can I drive my Jeep with an oil leak?  Traditionally engine oil serves as a lubricant, reducing friction between moving parts in the engine. It also helps dissipate heat generated during combustion, preventing components from overheating. Moreover on contemporary Jeep engine's specifically the Pentastar 3.2 and 3.6 as well as the Multiair Engine designs engine oil serves a hydraulic function to engage solenoids within the VVT system. Engine oil pressure is affected by temperature and volume and thereby a engine that is leaking engine oil may have a reduction in its ability to sustain oil pressure required for modern Jeep engines. As a note on engine oil pressure, Chrysler does allow for a lower threshold of 12 psi however in our experience an engine with oil pressure below 20 psi is worth monitoring for underlying faults.    How far can I drive with an oil leak?  The answer to whether you can drive your Jeep with an oil leak is not a strai ... read more

The Jeep Pentastar engine is renowned for its power, efficiency, and performance. However, one common concern that Jeep owners may encounter is oil leaks, particularly around the oil filter which is an assembly with an attached cooler and sensors. Due to its design wherein coolant and engine oil reside side by side, one of the telltale signs of a fault with the engine oil filter assembly is engine oil in the coolant reservoir.  The Jeep Pentastar 3.2L and 3.6L share the same oil filter assembly design and common causes of oil leaks around the filter are listed below.  Faulty Oil Filter Gasket: One primary culprit behind oil leaks from the oil filter in Jeep Pentastar engines is a defective or worn-out oil filter gasket. The gasket serves as a seal between the filter and the engine, preventing oil from escaping. Over time, the gasket can degrade due to exposure to heat, pressure, and the elements, leading to leaks. Also keep in mind that if your vehicle has begun to hav ... read more

Hybrid Brake Warning Explained  As automotive technology advances, hybrid vehicles have become increasingly popular due to their improved fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact. One crucial component in these vehicles is the brake accumulator, a key player in the hybrid braking system. Function of a Hybrid Car Brake Accumulator: The brake accumulator in a hybrid car is a critical part of the regenerative braking system, which is designed to recover and store energy during deceleration. This system helps enhance fuel efficiency and reduce wear on traditional friction brakes. The brake accumulator plays a pivotal role in maintaining hydraulic pressure within the braking system, ensuring swift and effective response when the driver engages the brakes. The accumulator stores hydraulic fluid under pressure, ready to be released when needed. During regenerative braking, when the vehicle slows down, the electric motor functions as a generator, converting kinetic energy into ... read more

Do I need to fix the AC on my Hybrid Car or EV? You high voltage battery, whether it's nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion based, has an internal chemistry that is vulnerable to high temperatures. Recently manufacturers have listed a measurable diagnostic range for upper limit temperatures allowed within the hybrid battery. For example a Fiat 500e has an upper limit of 130F up to 141F at which point a diagnostic trouble code will be set and the vehicle will deactivate the hybrid system as a means of protecting the health of the battery. The air conditioning system in a non-hybrid or internal combustion engine is considered an accessory and can be rendered inoperative if the vehicle detects an overheating condition. For hybrid customers the vehicle will follow a similar process and shut down the air conditioning and so the first step is to perform a thorough inspection of the vehicle which may include a cooling system pressure test and/or pursuing any diagnostic fault codes that m ... read more