1996 Dodge Dakota Maintenance

When it comes to your Dodge Dakota, how you treat your car makes all the difference in its performance. With proactive maintenance, your Dakota could be on the road well past the 200,000 mile mark. But how do you know what service to get and when? It can be overwhelming, but fortunately, there’s a resource that takes the guesswork out of routine Dakota maintenance. It’s as easy as following the recommended maintenance schedule that’s been written specifically for your 1996 Dodge Dakota!

Dodge knows your vehicle inside and out (they made it, after all!), so they’ve designed this schedule with your car’s unique needs in mind. Scheduled maintenance services can vary depending on driving conditions, climate, and other factors; however, recommended maintenance usually includes services like tire rotations, vital fluid checks/exchanges, filter changes, brake pad replacement, and oil changes. Scheduling routine service appointments is one of the best ways to help extend your Dakota's life, keep you safer on the road, and maybe even save you the headache of dealing with common 1996 Dodge Dakota problems in the future.

Head to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care in your 1996 Dodge Dakota for factory-recommended routine maintenance and an expert technician will begin by performing a Courtesy Check. This Courtesy Check can establish a baseline of what may need to be addressed during your service appointment. During a Courtesy Check, we’ll always check your battery, then we’ll move on to inspect your Dakota’s head and tail lights, tires, fluid levels, alignment, and windshield wipers.

Think you could be due for a new battery in your 1996 Dodge Dakota? Batteries generally need to be replaced every three to five years. There’s a chance you’ll need a replacement sooner, but it depends on the climate in your area as well as your driving habits. Taking short trips or exposing your car to extreme temperatures (like in the dead of winter or heat of summer) could reduce the life expectancy of your Dodge Dakota battery. It can be tempting to try and get as much life out of your battery as possible, but it’s smart to check it regularly and replace it before it gets too weak. Otherwise, you may find yourself (and your trusty Dakota) stuck in the middle of nowhere. Your Dodge Dakota won't be going anywhere without a strong battery.

In addition to maintaining a strong battery, investing in regular oil changes can prevent premature wear on your 1996 Dodge Dakota engine. To learn how often Dodge recommends you have the oil changed in your 1996 Dakota, check out the information table at the beginning of this page. Remember, things like average outside temperature or frequency of trips could increase or decrease this interval for your specific vehicle. A Firestone Complete Auto Care technician will be happy to help you determine the best oil change frequency for your car’s needs. Not sure what type of oil to use for your 1996 Dodge Dakota? We can help with that, too!

Routine upkeep for your Dodge Dakota suspension and steering system can help you keep control of your vehicle at all times (plus, it can make for a smoother ride!). Don’t let a misalignment or pulling steering wheel put you in danger. You can count on Firestone Complete Auto Care’s trained technicians to inspect this system and, if needed, provide Dodge Dakota steering and suspension services including wheel alignment, strut replacement, power steering fluid changes, ball joint lubrication, and wheel bearing replacement. To keep your car running at its best, it’s essential to have regular maintenance services on your Dodge Dakota's steering and suspension system.

Without routine Dodge Dakota maintenance, you might find yourself with a hot mess on your hands – quite literally. A damaged A/C system is never fun, and an overheated engine can cause significant issues (like a total car breakdown!). We can help you with all those issues. Our technicians have the knowledge and tools to repair and maintain the heating and cooling systems for your Dodge Dakota’s engine, and we can service your A/C system, too. Is it time to replace the radiator in your Dodge Dakota? We got it. A/C smelling musty? We'll fix it. Firestone Complete Auto Care is your spot for 1996 Dodge Dakota maintenance.

Don’t wait until something goes wrong with your car. Visit your nearest location for proactive maintenance today.