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is premium gasoline better than the cheaper gasoline? Going to the gas station can be puzzling for those that don't know which gas is best for their vehicle. There are several different options for fuel and each one comes with a different price. You may wonder to yourself, " is premium gasoline better than the cheaper gasoline? " We are here today to answer that question and tell you why! more Premium fuel comes at a premium cost. But what is the point? Why pay more for gasoline? How do you know if your car needs premium gasoline? It all begins in your owner's manual. Open it up and look to see what fuel it suggests. An engine that has a higher compression rate needs higher octane fuel to keep it from knocking. You will notice a knocking engine as it is often very audible. This is not a good sound to hear, and can be avoided by using premium gasoline. However, if your vehicle only suggests premium, you are most likely safe to purchase the cheaper lower octane fuel without risking a knocking engine. There are a couple myths involved with the purchase of vehicle fuel. The first is that the premium fuel keeps the engine cleaner. This is not true as all fuel companies are required to put engine cleaning fluid in with their gasoline to prevent build up. The second myth is that premium gasoline performs better than lower octane fuel. While there may be a very slight difference in performance, it is not enough to justify the more expensive price. Simply put, the premium fuel works the same as cheaper fuel in vehicles that don't need it. But a vehicle that does require premium fuel will suffer problems if the lower octane fuel is used instead. How is your engine running? Have you had a spring vehicle inspection ye t? Now is the time! During the month of May we are offering great deals on things like oil changes and new tires. Interested in looking at a newer vehicle for the summer months? Check out our large inventory of new and previously owned vehicles at very affordable prices. As always, our team of automotive experts are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Is It Worth it to Wax New Cars? Yes, it’s time consuming, but even though it takes a little time and energy, the payoff can be great. So you’ve come here wondering, “ is it worth it to wax new cars?” We are here to discuss the benefits of waxing your car and how often you should do it. more Cars that were made before the 1980’s had less protection on the surface than cars that are made now. A natural top coat on cars today does a pretty fantastic job of protecting from the everyday elements, but older cars were much more easily damaged. Because of this, the wax was absolutely needed to protect the car’s surface. With today’s great technology, wax is more efficient, and cars need it less often. However, it does have some great benefits. Waxing a vehicle makes it look shiny and impressive. Cleaning the windows and giving it a wash is a great start, but wax truly makes a car look special. Many people even state that the waxing process is a great way to take pride in the appearance of their vehicle, and is a calming activity. Giving your car a wax is a great way to make it look great, but it also adds another layer of protection from scratches that lead to oxidation and further damage. New cars might have better protection than previous years vehicles, but it’s definitely worth an extra layer if you love your car! Since waxes are so much more effective these days, the process needs to be done less frequently than before. Any more than 5 times a year is excessive, but one wax in the fall and one in the spring is the perfect amount. Harsher weather is experienced in the winter, and so a wax before that season can keep your car looking it’s best. Here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Racine, we want you to drive in a beautiful and efficient vehicle. Come in to see us today to get your car looking great, feeling great, and driving the way it used to.

Do you find yourself bragging that your sports car has over 300 horsepower? Do you find yourself wondering what the difference is between 100 and 200 horsepower? Have you ever ridden a horse and wondered how much horsepower your horse has? We can answer all of these things for you, and more! Read here to find out how to measure horsepower in a 2015 Jeep Renegade. more There are a few weird measurements and tools that we use today that are straight out of the dark ages… Things like horsepower don’t relate very easily to what we understand because we don’t really use horses anymore for transportation, much less measurements. It can help to understand how horsepower was developed in order to get a grip on the idea what our engines are capable. Way back in the day, a nice man who worked in coal mines used pony to lift loads of coal out of the mine. A mine pony could life approximately 22,000 foot-pounds of work per minute. This means that a mine pony could lift 22,000 lbs of coal 1 ft, per minute. Or 22lbs of coal 1,000 ft in one minute. He then calculated the difference in power between a pony and a horse and came up with the number 33,000 foot-pounds. A horse can do 33,000 foot-pounds of work per minute. This is the random measurement that we use today to say how powerful a vehicle’s engine is. So, thinking about your 2015 Jeep Renegade, that has a horsepower rating of 160, it only makes sense that your vehicle holds the power to move 33,000 feet of coal 160 ft per minute. This measurement might seem relatively useless, but there you have it. The more horses you have, the faster you can move the coal. Interested in taking a Jeep out for a test drive? Our professional team of automotive experts will gladly help you get into the car of your dreams. Questions about financing? No problem. Give us a call or check out our financing tools available here on our site. We look forward to hearing from you!

You read that correctly. Not only was there a previous Jeep parade record of 1,106, but it was beaten last week when a bunch of people got together for an even bigger Jeep parade! It was an impressive sight to see, and it will take quite a few Jeep vehicles to beat this new record! How does the Jeep Wrangler compare to the other Jeep vehicles in this parade? Read on to find out! Were you a part of the Daytona International Speedway Jeep parade last week? If not, that’s really too bad. It was quite the adventure with 1,846 Jeep vehicles all driving together in a 2 mile loop. Starting at 11am, the rainy Jeep parade’s track led both on and off the road, as it is possible for Jeep vehicles to handle rocky terrain. Some Jeep vehicles made it there all the way from Alaska, and most of the Jeeps in the parade were Wranglers. The Jeep Wrangler might be the most recognized model with it’s utilitarian appearance and ability to handle rough driving situations. Check out the link here for more info on this record-breaking Jeep parade! Interested in driving a Jeep vehicle home today? Give us a call or sign up for a test drive online. Our professional team is always happy to help you find the perfect vehicle to match your lifestyle. The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade is the perfect mix of fuel economy and classic style, while the 2015 Jeep Wrangler features the aggressive and functional appearance we love about the Jeep brand. Check back here at the blog frequently to catch the latest news and fun stories.

how long does it take to restore a 1968 Dodge Dart? When you see those restored classic cars driving around town in the warmer months, don’t you just wish you could have one for yourself? All the second-glances and smiles from people as you pass by.... we think that sounds pretty great. Well, we are sure you are wondering… how long does it take to restore a 1968 Dodge Dart to it’s former glory? Read on to see this beautiful vehicle that this man restored to perfection. more Classic vehicles look so nice. It’s hard to believe that it takes so much work to bring these cars back to their former glory, but it sure is great when someone devotes the time and energy to do it. There is something so special about seeing a classic car drive down the street. The nostalgia overwhelms us and we instantly wish we had lived in the days where these gorgeous cars drove down the street every day. This man out in sunny California has taken a 1968 Dodge Dart and transformed it back into the beautiful creature that it used to be. A convertible with the power and impressive appearance like this one is a real head-turner. The man explains that he has a deep appreciation for old vehicles and restores them one at a time until they are running great again. When asked how long it took him to bring the 1968 Dodge Dart back to life, he cheerfully said that it was right around 500 hours of work! Wow! Check out the video and interview here. Not sure you have the time, patience, or skill to restore a classic? Well, you are in luck because the 2015 Dodge Dart is a gorgeous vehicle that turns almost as many heads as it passes by. Offered in several fun colors and with a number of exciting modern features, the 2015 Dodge Dart is a fantastic choice in vehicle. Be sure to check in with the blog frequently to see what news and information we have out about the newest vehicles from Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep.

Our Favorite Family Car Games for Road Trips Are you thinking of taking a long road trip this summer, but dreading the idea of having kids in the back seat whining the whole time? How about those sibling fights that are surely followed by threats of turning around? Yeah, that’s no fun. How about you fill that time with something a little less horrible, like a game! Here’s our favorite family car games for road trips. more Planning a road trip? Get behind the wheel with preparations for bored children by gathering the tools for these fun car games. I Spy. This one is great because it doesn’t require any tools! You simply choose one person to spy something while the others guess what it is. The spier says “I spy with my little eye something (insert clue here),” and then everyone guesses. Who ever guesses correctly is the next spy! Car Bingo. This one requires you to make/print bingo boards with trip themed items in the boxes. Ex: Blue pickup truck. The players all look around during the ride to find items on their board. When they find one, it’s crossed out and the first person to form a row or column is the winner! The Picnic Game. This one works best with slightly older kids. It requires knowledge of the alphabet and a good memory. The first person starts with the game with “I am going on a picnic and I am bringing (insert item that begins with A),” while the second does the same only saying both the A item and a B item. The third person says the A item, B item, and then a C item. It follows this pattern all the way through the alphabet with the last person saying each item and ending with one that begins with a Z. It’s definitely a tricky game! 20 Question s. This game can be epic and exciting. Especially if you choose a person, place, or thing that is specific to the audience. To play this game, one person thinks of any person, place, or thing and then the other players get to ask yes or no questions. They get to make one guess after each question and if they get through all 20 questions without having the correct answer, they lose. Those games are a great place to start and offer different levels of excitement and challenge for different age levels. We are sure that you and your family can enjoy at least one of these games on your next road trip! Does this sound like too much work? Be sure to check out the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town and Country that offer rear seat entertainment that is sure to keep the whole family happy for hours on end!

Texas couple’s collection of 77 Dodge Vipers The Dodge Viper has been out in the automotive world for quite a few years now. It’s a gorgeous vehicle with enough speed and power to have earned quite the reputation over it’s lifetime so far. There is a couple living in the US who together have collected 77 Dodge Vipers of all different colors and designs. What do they do with them all? Who knows! But here is some great pictures of this Texas couple’s collection of 77 Dodge Vipers. more Do you ever wish you had an overwhelming collection of vehicles that you could keep and show off to friends and family? Do you wish you had a Dodge Viper that had Darth Vader painted onto the front? Well there is a couple out in Texas who has fulfilled both of these dreams and can prove it with awesome pictures. These Dodge Vipers range from some of the coolest-looking street legal race cars, to some that are downright ridiculous. They even own the very last Dodge Viper off the production line in 2010. It’s painted gold inside and out, and even features the barcode sticker to prove that it was officially the last Dodge Viper. Want to see pictures of their collection? Interested in what Dodge vehicles are available in the Kenosha area? Give us a call to schedule a test drive in a 2015 Dodge Charger or a 2015 Dodge Dart. Follow this link to see pictures of the collection of Dodge Vipers in Texas.

Do you ever hear a voice in an advertisement and think, “hey! I know that voice!” Well, it certainly happened in the case of this Royal Blood ad for the Chrysler 300 featuring Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones. That voice instantly brings us into the world of Game of Thrones and not only got us very excited for the new season, but also got us all looking at how amazing the new 2015 Chrysler 300 looks. It’s a powerful vehicle, worthy of Peter Dinklage’s voice-over. What do you think? more Interested in learning more about the 2015 Chrysler 300? Check out this page for more information about specs and performance, and check out these other blog posts. Would you like to take one for a spin? Schedule a test drive online by filling out this form! It’s as easy as that! Come on in to see us today at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Racine WI.

how to stop a dog that pees in the car Do you find that your furry friend likes to relieve themselves inside your vehicle? That can be a real mess, and can make travelling with your dog a real struggle. Not everyone enjoys trips in the car, but there are some ways to discourage your dog from urinating while you are driving. We’ll give you our best tips for those who want to know how to stop a dog that pees in the car. So your canine friend can’t seem to control himself when you are on the road. There are a few things you should check before assuming it’s a behavioral problem, and then a few things you can do once you’ve ruled out medical problems. Does your dog have a urinary tract infection? UTI’s are very common reasons for dogs who seem to pee all over the place. If your car is the only place this is occurring, then it’s safe to start thinking about it being a behavioral problem. The first thing you want to do is to clean the area where “accidents” have occurred in the past. If the dog can smell that they’ve urinated in a spot previously, they are more likely to do it again. Generally, urinating in the car is a sign of anxiety, excitement, or territorial marking. So doing your best to remain calm before and during a car ride can be helpful. Avoid getting the dog worked up by saying things like “wanna go for a car ride?” It also might help to get a crate for travelling. Make sure it’s the right size for your dog, but you want it to be snug enough that the dog can’t pee in one corner and be comfortable sitting away from it in another corner. Just enough space to lay down and sit up. Sometimes it can help to give your dog a distraction during car rides. Examples are things for them to chew on to keep them occupied. Practice with shorter trips and slowly see if you can work up to longer ones without any urination problems. If the peeing is a territorial problem, it can also be a bad idea to have other strange dogs in the vehicle. Your canine friend might feel the need to claim the space by marking it. Those are our top tips for getting your dog to behave well in the car! Any ideas you want to add? leave them in the comments below! As always, here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we want to make sure you are driving safely and without distraction. We wish you luck in getting your furry friend to behave well in the car, as a happy driver makes a safer road for everyone!

Bad Car Sounds that Need to be Repaired Quickly How’s your car sounding these days? Are you ignoring sounds your vehicle makes, just hoping they aren’t a big deal? While this is okay with certain things, like the sound of your kids fighting in the back seat, your vehicle often gives you a clue as to how it’s feeling based on the noises it makes when on the road. Here’s our list of bad car sounds that need to be repaired quickly, before more damage is done. more Creaks and squeaks are common in vehicles, and should not always be a reason for alarm. Here is our list of sounds to keep an ear out for, and what may be causing them. Noises when you turn the corner? Steering linkage issues might be the reason. Get it lubed up or replaced to avoid any bigger issues! Clanks and clunks when you brake? Get the brake system checked for parts missing, damaged, or wrongly mounted. It’s not worth risking brake issues. Get this looked at! Flapping sounds coming from under the hood? This is most likely a belt or fan issue. Belts tend to wear out and your fan is necessary to keep your engine cool. Either of these issues need to be fixed quickly to avoid bigger problems. Does your engine sound like a hissing angry cat or an over-boiling pot? That means there is a leak that is pouring onto your very hot engine. Check your oil, coolant, and vacuum lines. Patching these up will keep your vehicle running better. Hear a loud bang from the tailpipe? That means that you are experiencing a backfire or your catalytic converter isn’t doing its job. When there is too much fuel left in the air of the exhaust it can cause small explosions. Not good. Gravel sounds when you use your brakes? Yeah. That’s fixable, but only if you hurry! Your brake pads are worn through and every time you use them you are killing your rotors. Bring it into the service center, and fast! Well that concludes our list, but there are lots more things that could be making a sound when you drive. If you have any questions and want advice, feel free to give us a call at Palmen to speak with one of our technicians. We can help you decide whether you need to bring in your car for repairs. Tired of the whole repair and problem solving situation? Fill out this trade-in form to see what we can offer as an exchange for your vehicle. We can work with your budget to create a financing package and get you into a newer and more efficient vehicle.

Things to do in Racine WI 2015 Do you ever find yourself wondering what fun activities there are to do in Racine WI? We did a little research to find some of the best spots to hang out and exciting activities to do in your spare time. Wisconsin is a great place to be and Racine is full of fun activities to do any time of the year. Here are some ideas and tips for things to do in Racine WI 2015. Read on to find out! more Each year around this time, we all come crawling out of our houses to greet the spring weather and to spend some time doing fun activities. There might not always be a huge festival to attend, or a show in town, but in Racine there are lots of great adventures that meet a variety of tastes and preferences. Our first suggestion is to take some time to visit the Racine Heritage Museum. There is nothing more fascinating than seeing the history and experiences of the people who lived in generations past. Not all of us have grandparents to pass along the great stories, so a trip to the museum can be the perfect way to learn more about Racine’s history, as well as a great and fun way to spend a day. Another fun idea is to pack up and get out on two wheels. Exercise is something we can all use, and Racine County has miles and miles (117 miles in fact) of bike trails. Whether you are looking for a casual ride or a great workout, the Racine bike trails surely have something to offer. Biking is the perfect exercise for people of all ages! Get out and enjoy the natural beauty of Wisconsin! You can’t leave Racine without giving the local delicacies a try! Nobody can dislike our favorite flaky pastry called “ Kringle.” Bakery shelves are never complete without this delicious and well-known local treat. We can’t give this tip without letting you know that the pecan flavor is the most common favorite. Better get one before they are gone! If you are looking for more exciting things to do in the spring, come in to see the exciting new vehicles we have on the lot here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep! Taking a test drive in a new vehicle is a thrill, and driving one home with you is even better! We hope you are having a great spring as we all look forward to the sunny summer weather ahead.

The Jeep Renegade in a music video? The X Ambassadors made a new song and titled it “Renegades.” Even cooler than that is the fact that the whole music video takes place in an all new Jeep Renegade! We are so excited to finally have the Renegade out and available in Racine WI, and we want you to come in and test drive one! But first, check out this awesome music video and see how much these guys love their new Jeep Renegade. What do you think? Do you like this new member of the Jeep family? Be sure to check out our other 2015 Jeep Renegade blog posts for more info and excitement. more