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There are certain wives tales that we all believe about driving, and some of them can be expensive to live by! If you are worried that you have been misinformed about important vehicle facts like oil changes and the safety of making hands-free phone calls, then read on! We'll tell you about three of the most popular driving myths you've believed your whole life, and you can let us know what you think in the comments section below! more Three Popular Driving Myths You Shouldn't Believe Anymore Myth 1: Red cars get pulled over more often Common sense helps us understand and believe this myth, but it simply isn't true! Police are just as likely to pull over vehicles of any color. However, more sports cars are pulled over than other vehicles, and more sports cars are red than other vehicles. This comes down to the drivers' habits. Those who drive fast cars are more likely to speed, and therefore get pulled over more often. Read More: Do I Need to Wax My Old Car? Myth 2: Warming up your car before driving If you drive a vehicle that is less than 10 years old, then there is a good chance that you need to do very little warming of your engine before hitting the road. Newer engines are made to warm up more quickly as you begin driving, so it is merely a waste of fuel to allow your vehicle to sit in the driveway idling for a long time before getting in! Read More:  How Long Do I Warm Up My Car? Myth 3: Fill your car with premium fuel every once in a while There is a myth that filling your vehicle with premium fuel every once in a while will help to clean out the engine and keep things running more smoothly. However, all fuel grades are required to have the detergents and cleaning capability that the premium fuel has. In fact, putting premium fuel in your engine will not to anything to improve the performance. Your vehicle was made to run a certain grade of fuel, and it's always best to stick to that when filling up. Read More:  What's So Great About Premium Gas? Check Out Our latest Jeep Inventory!

Revealed this month was the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan, said to offer nearly 40 new minivan firsts! The Chrysler brand has always brought innovation and incredible style to the automotive marketplace, and the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is looking to be another huge step in a great direction. New technology throughout the vehicle means added safety for the driver and passengers, and a more enjoyable driving experience for everyone lucky enough to sit inside. Read on for more pictures and to see what we know so far! more 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Minivan Arrival Date WI If you find yourself wondering when you can get yourself behind the wheel of one of these great-looking new minivans, check back at the blog often! We will be updating you with the latest information and details regarding the new minivan and its arrival date. As Chrysler was the original creator of the minivan more than 30 years ago, it has continued to improve and innovate in the minivan segment with each new release. We can't wait to see what's in store. 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Engine Options Two powerful engines are available for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The first is a hybrid engine, the first in the minivan segment, that is said to deliver 30 miles solely on no-emissions electric power. With both the electric motor and the gasoline engine working together, the van is expected to get around 80 miles per gallon in the city. The other engine available is the next generation 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that puts down an impressive 287 horsepower and is paired with a segment-exclusive TorqueFlite nine-speed automatic transmission. Smooth driving and great fuel efficiency comes standard on the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. Read More: 2016 Chrysler Town & Country Trim Comparison Advanced Safety Features Available on the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica The latest features in automotive technology are showcased on the Pacifica, the perfect family car of the future. Some of the optional features include ParkSense Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Hold, Forward Collision Warning, and LaneSense Lane Departure Warning. Whether you prefer to keep it simple or want to take advantage of the latest and greatest features, it looks like the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica will have you covered! Check Out the 2016 Chrysler Town & Country

If you could draw a design for the Dodge SRT Hellcat 2025, what would you make it look like? That's what the design team at Dodge asked high school students in grades 10-12. This week, the results are in and there were four winners of the design drawing contest! There were some really cool prizes and the designs are impressive. Read on to see the entries by the Dodge Drive for Design contest winners for 2016! more Possible Design for 2025 Dodge SRT Hellcat The design team at Dodge asked high school students who are interested in art and design to enter their creative ideas for a super modern vehicle for the Dodge lineup in 2025. The students shared their perspective, and we are very impressed with what they came up with! Check out the images below! Read More: New Year's Resolutions For Your Car Prizes for the Design Contest Winners All four winners are awarded a prize on Feb. 26th at the 64th annual Meguiar's Detroit Autorama at Cobo Center in Detroit, MI. There, the four winning sketches will be displayed for visitors to see and enjoy. Winners will be awarded a variety of prizes from Apple products, a three-week summer course at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, and a three-day/two-night stay in Auburn Hills, Michigan, plus dinner with members from the FCA US Design team. Dodge designers are hoping to get the talented artists of the next generation interested in automotive design. This ever-changing industry is a great place for artists and engineers to work together to improve the vehicles we drive every day. While we might not all have a Dodge SRT Hellcat to quicken the daily commute, even our everyday vehicles have been created with attention to detail and design. Read More: Which Dodge Vehicle is the Fastest? Images of Winning Designs The images are listed in winning order. First place went to Ben Treinen of Cincinnati, Ohio. Second place went to Harrison Kunselman from macon, Georgia. Third place went to Hwanseong Jang from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. And fourth place went to Andrew Gombac from Wilmette Illinois. Each winner offered a unique perspective and truly impressive design for the future of the Dodge SRT Hellcat in 2025.

With the Jeep brand growing in popularity worldwide, the designers have put into motion the idea of producing a Jeep pickup truck in the near future. The Jeep Wrangler is currently the most popular of the Jeep SUVs worldwide, but the introduction of a Jeep pickup could mean an increase in sales across the US and the world. Read here to learn more about the release of the all-new Jeep pickup truck! more Jeep Replacing the Patriot and Compass in 2016 Along with the confirmation of the production of a Jeep pickup, the brand is rolling our an all-new compact SUV at the New York International Auto Show in March. Said to be replacing the current Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot, the new compact SUV should bring a refreshing boost to the Jeep brand lineup. Outside of the US, the Jeep Compass has more popularity, but the Patriot has been a favorite of the American car shopper. It is not yet decided what the new crossover will be called. Read More: 2016 Jeep Patriot Safety Rating and Review Wrangler-Based 2017 Pickup The new pickup is said to be based off the next-generation Wrangler and is expected to be released in 2017. Historically, the Jeep brand has benefitted from the release of vehicles with versatile capability, much like what we see in the rugged and tough Wrangler. Concept models throughout the years have teased the idea of a Jeep pickup, but as of 2016, the plan has been confirmed. Come and See What We Love About the Wrangler The US and the world loves the Jeep Wrangler, and we can't blame them. The rugged design and capability makes it a vehicle that withstands tough conditions and looks good all at the same time. Available now for test drive, the 2016 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock comes with a 3.6-liter V6  engine, leather seating, Bluetooth compatibility, navigation system, and much more. Read More About the 2016 Jeep Wrangler If you have any questions about the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, feel free to contact one of the team members at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine. You can also schedule your own test drive appointment online! Don't miss your chance to fall in love with the Jeep Wrangler. Check it out today! Schedule A Test Drive Today!

With the large number of new vehicle technologies that are released every year, it is no surprise that it is tough to understand them all. So many options and features are available for you to choose from when you purchase a new vehicle, so we are here to help. We're here to answer those of you who are wondering, how does my Dodge adaptive cruise control work? Read on to find out more about this modern safety feature! more What Does Adaptive Cruise Control Do? Most of us have experienced the convenience of driving a vehicle with old-school cruise control. While not every vehicle comes with this feature, most drivers on the road know the fuel-saving benefits of setting your vehicle on cruise for long drives. Highway driving is made easier with cruise control that allows you to choose a speed and set your vehicle to continue at that speed until you need to slow down, or you turn it off. It's a great way to relax while making longer trips. Adaptive cruise control takes all of the things we love about traditional cruise control and makes it safer and even more convenient. Pairing itself with your vehicle's cruise control, the adaptive technology helps you to avoid getting into an accident by making sure that your vehicle maintains a safe distance behind the vehicle in front. Gone are the days of manually changing your cruise control setting to match the driver in front of you, as your Dodge can do it for you! Read More: Does My Car Have Keyless Entry? How Does Adaptive Cruise Control Work? Your Dodge's adaptive cruise control works with a radar monitoring system located on the front of your vehicle. When you pre-set the speed range that you want your vehicle to accelerate and decelerate within, your radar system goes to work to watch the vehicle in front of you. The safe-distance technology will match your speed to the speed of the vehicle in front of you once you get close. Read More: Vehicle Technology Blog Posts Using signals from the control unit in the front of the vehicle, the radar will measure the distance between you and the car in front of you and use that to calculate the speed you should be travelling at. Even if there are multiple cars in front of your vehicle, your Dodge's system can choose the one that is in your lane to match.

When you buy a new vehicle, the last thing you want to be doing is spending a bunch of money right off the bat on maintenance and issues. A new car should be running like a new car, and the best cars cause you as little trouble as possible, even down the road. The professionals at Kelley Blue Book put together a list of the vehicles that cost drivers the least amount of money in maintenance and repairs during the first 5 years of ownership. The 2015 Jeep Patriot took first place in the SUV/Crossover class! Read on to learn more. more How Do They Calculate Cost to Own Ratings? Taking into consideration a variety of factors, the professionals at KBB are able to estimate the projected cost of owning a vehicle for 5 years.  The factors that contribute to the calculations include fuel, insurance, repairs, maintenance, financing, state fees, and depreciation. The most important factor in the calculation is depreciation. Different vehicles depreciate at different rates, and it just so happens that the Jeep brand vehicles have some of the lowest depreciation rates on the road today. Read More: 2016 Jeep Patriot Safety Ratings and Review What Makes the 2015 Jeep Patriot a Great Buy? There is a lot to love about the 2015 Patriot, but ones of the key factors that makes it a great buy is that there is a real focus on value inside and outside. The affordable front-wheel drive Sport trim comes in at under $18,000 MSRP, and that makes it one of the least expensive sport utility vehicles on the market. To go along with the low depreciation rate, the 2015 Jeep Patriot has a great resale value. When you buy a Jeep, you can rest assured that you are choosing a great value. Schedule a Test Drive! Other aspects about the 2015 Jeep Patriot that we love include: the boxy, traditional shape that harkens back to the original Jeep vehicles, the optional trail rated capability, the optional four-wheel drive, and the endearing and lifelong community that makes up Jeep owners across the world.  When you buy a Jeep, you are not only choosing a vehicle that has great resale value, but you are becoming a part of a brand that is loved and recognized worldwide.

When it comes time to purchase a new truck, it is important to know you've gotten the right one. Whether you're looking for the basic package with only the power to get work done, or you'd like to add comfort and style to your pickup, there's a 2016 RAM 1500 for you. Continue reading to learn more about the engine options and performance in our comparison of the 2016 RAM 1500 Tradesman vs SLT vs Big Horn. more Engine Options for 2016 RAM 1500 The standard engine on all three trims for the 2016 RAM 1500 is the 3.6-liter V6 24-Valve VVT engine. However, there is also a 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel engine option and a 5.7-liter V8 HEMI MDS VVT engine option. The standard engine gets an estimated 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway with front-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive comes with an increase in confidence on the road in tough road conditions, and a slight decrease in fuel efficiency. The standard engine on the 2016 RAM 1500 offers up to 6,600 lbs. of towing capacity and a maximum payload of up to 1,897 lbs. Read More: Which 2016 RAM Truck is Best Comparing the Interior RAM 1500 Trims The differences between the trim levels really comes into play when considering the interior of the truck. Whether you choose the standard cab, the crew-cab, the standard truck bed, or a longer truck bed, the RAM 1500 is sure to get the job done. However, when looking at the difference in price between the trim levels, there are several interior features that set them apart. Read More: More Information on the 2016 RAM 1500 Interior 2016 RAM 1500 Tradesman This trim level offers the least convenience and comfort features on the interior. Some outstanding standard features include: 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, day/night rearview mirror, six-speaker audio system, audio jack for media devices, a USB port. Interior 2016 RAM 1500 SLT This is the middle of the road trim for the RAM 1500 and offers more convenience and comfort features for a relatively affordable price. Standard comfort features that you will find in the SLT, that aren't present in the Trademan are: passenger-side sun visor with mirror, power door locks and windows, 5.0" touchscreen display, a GPS antenna input, Bluetooth compatibility, Uconnect 5.0 infotainment system. Interior 2016 RAM 1500 Big Horn This luxurious option for shoppers looking to make their drive inside the RAM 1500 as comfortable and convenient as possible is a hard-working, high-tech piece of machinery. Standard convenience features included inside the Big Horn, that aren't present on the SLT or Tradesman include: 115-Volt powet outlet, leather-wrapped steering wheel, overhead console with garage opener, universal garage door opener, 8.4" touchscreen display, media connection hub, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system, and optional navigation. Interested in a Test Drive of the 2016 RAM 1500? If you would like to schedule a test drive inside the 2016 RAM 1500, give us a call or take a look through our large online inventory. We are sure we have the truck for you here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine. Our team of automotive experts are happy to answer any of your questions or help you through the financing process. Schedule A Test Drive!

On top of paying for fuel and using all your time and energy to drive the kids around town and to and from school, the last thing you want to be doing is paying for incredibly expensive car insurance. Sure, you know that you need it in case the worst should happen, but when you see those precious dollars flying out the window, it doesn't feel good. Recently released was the list of the cars that are less demanding when it comes to paying for car insurance. This year, it just so happens that the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan is in Top 10 Least Expensive to Insure! Read more here. more What Determines My Car Insurance Rate? There are a variety of factors that come into play when considering how much you pay for car insurance. Things like the state you live in, your driving record, your zip code, and your annual mileage can all have an affect. However, by and large, the most important factor in your monthly insurance costs is the vehicle you drive. Certain types of vehicles have certain stereotypes, so it's no surprise that things like sports cars are expensive to insure. However, we are proud to say that the great safety ratings, theft rate, and accident frequency ratings of the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan have made it one of the least expensive vehicles to insure! Read More: Car Seats Have Expiration Dates? What Makes the Dodge Grand Caravan A Great Buy? On top of low car insurance rates, even lower than the Honda Odyssey, the Dodge Grand Caravan is a van that comes with a variety of comfort and convenience amenities. The Dodge Grand Caravan also offers a more traditional appearance, giving it a timeless appearance that looks good even years past its purchase date! A large number of exciting interior features and options make the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan a great buy for those who enjoy the modern technology available and the comfort of luxury. Optional interior features include: the UConnect multi-media infotainment system, blind spot monitoring, rear park assist, and second and third-row Blu-ray DVD screens. With so many great options for both safety and comfort, everyone inside the Dodge Grand Caravan is sure to enjoy the ride.

Do you find yourself without the perfect resolutions picked out for 2016? We have the answers you've been looking for! Check out our top 4 east new year's resolution ideas that will help you to feel like a more productive and successful person in 2016. All of these resolutions are easy to do, and simple to remember, so read on to find out! more Four Easy New Year's Resolutions for 2016 Maintain a Clean Car You might think this seems silly, but often times our vehicles are a stressful place filled with dirt and random garbage we accumulate throughout our travels. All you have to do to make your new year less stressful is to keep your car cleaned up. We suggest taking one day a week and making that your day to bring in any items that don't belong in your car. Toss the garbage on that day, as well, and we're sure you'll love how your car feels! Get Your Oil Changed Every vehicle needs a regular oil change to run its best, but sometimes it just slips our mind and we forget. The best way to avoid this is to make your resolution to get your oil changed on the same day each time. Every 3 months or 3,000 miles, your car could use an oil change. Bring it in to the nearest service center and let them Read More: Schedule Your Service Center Appointment Now! Check Your Tires You might not think tires are a big deal when they are inflated and your car can move, but getting these checked out might save you some time and money down the road. You should always be aware of the air pressure and any leaks in your tires. A loss of air can decrease your fuel efficiency, and a slow leak might not be noticeable right away. Also be sure to have your alignment checked out, as wheels that aren't properly aligned will also decrease your fuel efficiency and can put unnecessary stress on your vehicle's steering. Read More: Tire Finder, Do We have New Tires for You? Drive Like a Nice Guy When you are driving to work in the morning, it can actually increase or decrease your fuel efficiency depending on how you accelerate and brake. Driving in a way that is nice to your vehicle can lengthen the life of all your parts and your vehicle in general. While it might not seem like a huge deal, smooth accelerations and nice and easy braking can keep your car running smoothly and decrease your chance of taking a trip to the service center earlier than you would otherwise have to. Other Tips and Tricks Blogs!

Do you find yourself in the market for a pickup truck, but aren't sure which one is the best fit for you? We are here to help! The team at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine is here to answer questions and help you choose the perfect pickup for your lifestyle and driving needs.  Whether you're looking for a light-duty pickup that gets great fuel economy ratings, or need the heavy-duty payload and towing capacity, the inventory of RAM trucks here has what you need. more 2016 RAM 1500 for Sale in Racine WI This light-duty pickup truck offers a lot! The 2.5-liter I-4 engine puts down 200 horsepower and manages to offer you up to 26 miles per gallon on the highway. It might not be able to tow 7,000 lbs, but the 1500 is capable of towing 4,290 lbs! That is more than enough for everyday work and towing most trailers or your family fishing boat. Read More: 2016 RAM 1500 Research Page 2016 RAM 2500 and 3500 These heavy duty trucks come with the power to handle the big jobs, and the modern design that makes it look easy! Intense power comes in the form of big engines with unbelievable capability. Drivers of the 2016 RAM 2500 can tow up to 11,910 lbs! Now that is a powerful truck! There's no need to miss out on the classic comfort of the RAM lineup, as comfortable seating and optional high-tech features are available on all RAM pickups. Read More: RAM 1500 vs 2500 vs 3500 Comparison 2016 RAM ProMaster If you're a professional and you're looking for a truck to transport you and your cargo, the 2016 RAM ProMaster might just be the perfect choice. Versatile options for cargo space and capability can make the van into the incredibly useful truck you've been waiting for. Check out our inventory to see if your business needs a ProMaster this year! Test Drive RAM Trucks Racine WI If you are interested in taking any of these pickup trucks for a test drive, give us a call or schedule an appointment through our dealership site. We would love to help you drive home in the pickup you need, for a great price you can afford!

When it comes to pickup trucks, no one knows power and reliability like RAM. We're excited to tell you about the recent award won by the RAM 1500. Just this week, the RAM 1500 was named the Fleet Truck of the Year by Automotive Fleet Magazine. What does this mean? Well, the RAM 1500 has best in class diesel fuel efficiency, and much more! Read on to find out! more Fleet Truck of the Year 2015 The RAM 1500 was named the Fleet Truck of the Year by Automotive Fleet Magazine, and we are thrilled to say that this is the second time in three years that the RAM truck has earned the top honor. RAM trucks are known across the country for their power and impressive capability, so we were not surprised to see it recognized yet again. The readers of Automotive Fleet Magazine cast the ballots for the winner, and it was clear that the RAM 1500 was resonating with this audience of over 20,000 operators and owners of truck fleets. When it comes to commercial trucks, the team at RAM are excited to see their momentum and innovation rewarded. Best-in-class fuel economy with EcoDiesel Engine -- 29 MPG w/ RAM 1500 Best-in-class towing capability -- 31,210 lbs with RAM 3500 Best-in-class payload -- 7,390 lbs with RAM 3500 Best-in-class torque -- 900 lb-ft. with RAM 3500 Cummins Turbo Diesel 2016 RAM 1500 Express This affordable and powerful pickup is one of the most popular vehicles on the dealership lot, here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine. Rolling off the lot in ever-increasing numbers, this pickup offers lucky drivers 5.7-liter V8 engine. That means that you get all the power of a big truck inside the comfortable and hard-working exterior of the RAM 1500 Express. Read More: 2016 RAM 1500 Images and Research 2016 RAM 1500 Big Horn Take everything you love about the Express and add luxury to it. The same 8-speed automatic transmission and 5.7-liter V8 engine are paired with extra chrome detailing on the exterior and a wide variety of interior convenience features. Examples of the extra features inside the Big Horn include a first-row LCD touchscreen and voice-activated navigation system, a high-quality speaker system and Bluetooth connectivity, and leather seating. Read More: 2016 RAM ProMaster City! Interested in Test Driving a RAM Pickup? If you'd like to see what the RAM truck has to offer, give us a call or schedule your test drive appointment online. Our experienced team of automotive experts are happy to answer your questions and help you find the perfect financing plan for your lifestyle and budget. Schedule Your Test Drive!

So you're driving down the road and you notice that your tire is flat. This is not a great thing to happen, but when you have to get the job done, it's important to do it as safely and quickly as possible. We'll tell you how to change a Dodge Dart flat tire on the side of the road, so read on! more Three Easy Steps to Change a Tire Step 1: Park and Gather Your Tools Pull your vehicle to the side of the road and put it in park. It's very important to ensure that your car cannot roll forward or backward during the process of changing the tire. The tools you will need are a spare tire, a car jack, and a tire iron or a wrench for loosening the bolts. Read More: Preventing Rust Rims Step 2: Prepare to Lift the Car Place the jack underneath your vehicle. There should be a specific spot on the suspension that has the support to hold the weight. If you aren't sure where you should put the jack, read through your owners' manual. Once you have the jack in position, raise it until it is supporting the weight of the vehicle but the wheel is still on the ground. Now, take your tire iron or wrench and loosen the bolts that are holding the wheel onto the hub. These are going to be tight, so be prepared to use some effort in this step. Read More: Car Seat Expiration Dates? Step 3: Jack It Up and Replace the Tire Now you want to raise the jack until the wheel is just barely off of the ground. Fully remove the bolts and set them aside for later. Slide the wheel off of the hub and set it out of the way. Now slide the new wheel onto the hub and secure the new wheel with the bolts. It's very important to tighten these bolts, so be sure to spend some energy there. Safety Blog Posts Once you are confident that the bolts are tight, you are ready to drive! Make sure to collect all your tools and get back on the road. Be careful with your tire and listen to it on the way home to ensure everything is working the way it should.