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Don't let the interior of your car get jealous of a nice paint job! Interior Car Accessories Now that you have that dream ride-- and there really are so many to choose from -- What will you do with it?  Maybe you decided on durable Jeep Grand Cherokee, a fierce Dodge Charger, a swanky Chrysler 300, or a Ram 3500 ready to haul away the innards of a gutted house.  At any rate, you have the car that fits your style.  It's almost too good to be true.  Now make it your own.  Here are some good ideas for interior car accessories to help make your ride feel more like home. more Sheepskin is in Steering Wheel Covers: Your steering wheel and your hands stealthily navigate your car from point A to point B, day in and day out.  Don’t you think that they both deserve to look good while doing it?  Enter a steering wheel cover.  Steering wheel covers come in dozens of colors. You can also choose from different materials, each giving a unique grip.  Your car will thank you.  So will your hands. Protective floor mats: Whether your car is new or used, it is going to be your friend and ally on the road for the foreseeable future.  You want your car to do right by you?  Do right by your car.  Keep it clean, free and clear of mud and dirt, by using some good floor mats.  This is especially ideal with our unforgiving Wisconsin winters.  Keeping your car clean says you take care of what's yours.  Snow and salt can stain your floor--but only if you pass on floor mats. Protect the floor of your car Dash Covers: Why should your seats and floor have all the fun?  Dash covers can protect you dash from the sun’s amplified heat.  The sun can cause the dash to lose it’s brilliant shine and create cracks.  With different colors and styles, this can definitely change the complexion of your ride. Now you’re all excited to get to get on the road to show you and your ride off--wait, what?  You don’t have a car?  You just dreamed that you got your dream ride?  Well what are you waiting for?  Stop in at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Racine.  Our new and used inventory is sure to be better than your best dream.

Know where you are going with the Jeep Compass Jeep Compass Sport Milwaukee WI The journey to finding the perfect car can be a daunting one.  It helps to know where to go for what you are looking for.  That’s where we at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Racine come in.  Today, we’re highlighting the aptly named 2014 Jeep Compass Sport in Milwaukee WI.  This car could be the perfect fit for you! more The 2014 Compass's sharp interior The 2014 Jeep Compass Sport comes with a bumper crop of features that will leave you asking, “What can’t this thing do?”.  Coming standard with MP3 player capability, a sleek, modern interior, comfortable seating for five, power outlets to keep your gadgets charged up on long road trips, a traction control system for when things get slick, and radio/ cruise control functions on the steering wheel to keep your hands at attention at all times. If it’s fuel economy you’re looking for, the Compass offers up to 30 MPG on the highway, so your wallet won’t pucker at the pump.  Not only will you be spending less on gas, you will be stopping less frequently.  On a full tank, you can go from from our parking lot to Detroit or St. Louis on one tank. The 2014 Compass's engine is good for nature and your wallet The Compass’s fuel range is 400 miles.  With that type of fuel economy, every weekend has the possibility to be a getaway!  With the money and time saved, you are free to enjoy yourself. The Jeep name is synonymous with ruggedness and reliability.  The 2014 Compass reinforces this reputation and is a terrific value.  The car has the feel of an exciting adventure...even if you are just running to the grocery store! Stop on in today and look it over.  Just one test drive will be enough for you to know which direction your car search is heading--straight for the Jeep Compass.

Racine Outdoor Fun Lake Michigan's Beauty The winter that would never end has finally concluded.  It is the time to go out and about, it is time to do things.  Many people have to go far and wide, hopping on planes and trains to ease their cravings for adventure.  But that is not the case here. In Racine outdoor fun can be had quite easily.  There are also a number of interesting, exciting places to visit that are just a short drive away.  Here are some of the cool things that can be done in our very own backyard. more Enjoy the Wildlife at the Racine Zoo When the weather’s nice… We go out and enjoy the great outdoors.  We are Wisconsinites after all.  Racine’s a treasure trove of activities to do in nature.  The scenic backdrop is ideal for hiking, picnicking, canoeing, and camping.  Spend some time along the Lake Michigan shore. Whether you fish or simply walk along the picturesque beaches, you cannot lose.  Many people have to go quite a ways to  enjoy such a treasure.  For you, it’s only a short drive. Frank Lloyd Wright on Display in Racine Of architectural significance Perhaps no architect is more well known than Frank Lloyd Wright.  His construction of the Johnson Wax Headquarters (of the SC Johnson & Son company) is situated at 1525 Howe Street.  Stop by for a short visit and a tour to learn more about the history of the building and the man himself. Zoo time fun For those with more than a “plus 1”, we have all sorts of family-friendly excursions for you. Take a ride over to the Racine Zoo.  Over 100 animals and a prime lakefront location, there is no shortage of wonderment.  On Saturdays from 10 AM to 11:30 AM, have your youngsters partake in Critter Corner, a fun, educational program at the zoo. A good meal is all you need Is there anything better than a hearty, flavorful meal after a day out enjoying the local scene?  If your adventuring has left you and yours hankering for some grub and the refrigerator is bare, you're in luck.  Racine has a diverse culinary scene that is sure to satisfy any craving you may have worked up over the course of the day.

2015 Dodge Charger Milwaukee WI We're huge fans of the Dodge Charger, with its strong looks and performance to match. The styling is at once a throwback to its long legacy as an all-American car while still being on cue with today's more modern looks. It's an overall winner if you're into power behind the wheel, and it's about to get even better! Dodge has recently announced updates to the Charger for 2015 that will make it even more of a joy to drive and own. Check out photos and learn more about the 2015 Dodge Charger in Milwaukee right here. more As good as the 2015 Charger looks on the outside, the old adage "It's what's inside that counts" has never been more apt. The performance of this car is what's really going to blow you away. First up, the 2015 now has a standard TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission paired with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine for truly impressive capability and an incredible highway fuel economy of up to 31 miles per gallon. In case you were wondering, yes that's best-in-class V6 fuel economy. So how about the interior. One change we think you'll really get into are the new performance pages you can see displayed on the 8.4-inch UConnect Touchscreen, which comes on the R/T Road & Track model. You'll be able to see and make adjustments via driving modes that modify the engine, transmission, steering response, and traction control of the car, depending on what kind of driving you're doing. Speaking of the R/T model, check out the seats: We think this remarkable, legendary car is only going to get better for this new updated model. If you're interested in learning more about it or getting in on a pre-order so that you'll be among the first to know when we get it in so you can test drive and own it right away, feel free to call our sales department or use the form on our contact page!

Car Incentives Milwaukee WI Congratulations! | Image by Will Folsom Graduation is an exciting time in anyone's life, but it has its share of challenges. You're suddenly faced with a lot of really important - and impactful - decisions about your future. When the job hunt is on, one thing you really can't do without is good, reliable transportation to get you to those interviews and, with luck, your daily drive to work at your new job. So you find yourself graduating and in the market for a new car... how about a little bonus cash? Learn more about car incentives in Milwaukee WI here! more Bonus time! Okay, so first of all, let's cut to the chase: What do you get? The graduate retail bonus is good for $500 bonus cash for eligible consumers. That can be a big hunk out of your down payment and make the whole purchasing process a lot more feasible! So how do you qualify for this pile of cash, you ask? Hit the books! You qualify if you... 1. Are set to graduate in the next six months. That's right, you don't even have to be done just yet! As long as you've got the right documentation from your college or university (either a copy of your graduation application or a letter from your registrar's office stating your intent to graduate), you're in! Congrats on your diploma -- and your new car!   2. Have graduated in the last two years. Yup, even if you've been out of school for quite a while, this incentive is for you, too! We haven't forgotten about you, alum! Just bring in a copy of your diploma and its in the bag. 3. Are currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral program. Hey, you work hard, right? You deserve to be rewarded even if you're neck-deep in research, so bring in a letter from your school showing your enrollment status and the bonus cash on your new car is all yours! Sound good? Come on in and check out our incredible selection of new Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram vehicles. We've  got incentives for military and veterans, too!

Multi-point inspection What's a multi-point inspection? Here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we're always trying to hook you up with great deals on new and used vehicles, but we also want to help you take the best possible care of your vehicle as well after it's all yours! That's why we also offer a great selection of service coupons to keep you and your vehicle on the road longer, and more happily! Through the end of the month (not much longer now, so act fast) we've even got a FREE multi-point inspection for you! Now, you may be asking yourself, " What's a multi-point inspection? " Here's your answer: more Tires look good! When a service center tells you they'll do a multi-point inspection, it means they'll be checking your vehicle over in a number of key areas to determine if there's any upkeep that should be performed to keep it performing at optimal levels and improve its longevity. Depending on where you take your vehicle, you might get some variation on this, but usually a multi-point inspection will include: Checking fluids. This is vital to your vehicle's overall health and performance. We'll check oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid.. even wiper fluid because you never know when you're going to suddenly need it! Inspection in progress.   Belts & hoses. These do wear out, and you want to be ahead of the game rather than have something break or leak while you're trying to go about your busy day. Tires. As you well know, a good set of tires can be your best friend and a set that's in poor shape can land you in a heap of trouble. We'll make sure you're all set. Shocks/struts. These also fall into that category of things you don't necessarily see every day, but you'd sure notice if they weren't in good condition. Again, our aim is to identify potential problems and counter them early and effectively. Your service professional will also likely check transmission and drivetrain, steering, brakes... all the important components that make your car into a reliable mode of transportation. So bring it on in while we've still got this great offer!

Used Cars for Sale Racine WI These tips will make used car shopping a breeze! We all want the best deal on a used car, but how can we make sure we get it? It would be nice to think it's as easy as shopping for a low price, finding it, and driving off into the sunset... But we know better than that. There are hassles and hazards and traps galore out there, and today we're here to save you from some of them with these helpful tips for shopping for a used car. And if you happen to be looking for used cars for sale in Racine WI... we might just know a place! more Be realistic about what you can afford. 1. Know your budget. Take an honest look at your monthly budget and determine what's a reasonable amount to take out of that for a car payment. Remember, additional costs like insurance, fuel, and maintenance will be factored in as well so it's smart to make sure you're budgeting for those expenses as well. Have a high end and a low end of your budget, say, $250-$400, and realistically you'll want to shoot for something toward the middle of that range. 2. Be familiar with the class of vehicles you're looking at. Let's say you want a family crossover like the Jeep Cherokee. Reading up on other crossover will give you an idea of what features you can expect and open you up to the possibility of better deals if you're willing to expand your horizons to a similar model. And you're off! 3. Once you've got a few models in your sights, do a lot of homework using online resources like Kelley Blue Book to find out the vehicle's worth. Knowledge really is power. 4. Got a trade? Know its value. You can value your trade right from our website using Black Book. That way, we're all on the same page on what you should expect for it. If you want a great deal on a used car here in Racine, please give us a call! Our friendly and knowledgeable sales people want to help set you up with the used car that's just right for your needs and budget. Any questions? Call us!

Where will your Journey take you? Dodge Journey Milwaukee When you're seeking a midsize crossover to take care of your everyday transportation needs as well as those more demanding trips and situations, we highly suggest checking out the Dodge Journey. With its super spacious interior, highly capable engine, and truly affordable price, the Journey is one you won't want to miss. Here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we're pleased to offer you this option and will be glad to have you in for a closer look! Maybe a test drive is in your future? In the meantime, learn more about the Dodge Journey here: more Prepare to be impressed with the space available to you. There's a lot to love about the current Journey, but today we'll list some of our favorite features. First up is the versatility of the interior space. With standard seating for five and additional configuration options that make room for up to seven, it's up to you and how many people you'll need to accommodate on a regular basis. We like the freedom Dodge gives us to use that generous interior as we like. Speaking of space in the Journey, another thing we really like about it is the great cargo space that's available - up to 67.6 cubic feet, in fact. With space like that and simple fold-down seats, you'll find most of your cargo needs are easier than ever to meet without a fuss. Don't forget about winter - the Journey can handle it! Another thing we think sets the Dodge Journey apart is the great set of engine options you get to choose from. You can go for a 2.4L 4-cylinder that gets great mileage and an impressive driving range of over 500 highway miles on a single tank, or the formidable 283 horsepower 3.6L Pentastar V6 that manages to offer you 25 highway mpg despite its notable performance. Are you ready to see the Journey for yourself here at Palmen? We'll gladly let you to get to know this excellent crossover better here in our showroom!

Save on insurance with these models at Palmen! Cheapest Cars to Insure 2014 If you've been looking at new vehicles for 2014, it's important that you get the whole story on what it will ultimately cost you to own a vehicle. Sure, getting a great deal on your purchase price is important, but sometimes we forget about other costs that get spread out over the long term. Fuel economy is a big one, of course, and most of us think about that when we're shopping. How about auto insurance? That's right, not all vehicles are insured equally - Far from it, in fact! Every year, independent consumer insurance website Insure.com puts together a list of the least expensive cars to insure for that year. We're thrilled at how many of our vehicles made the list - including the number one spot! more The Jeep Wrangler Sahara 1. Jeep Wrangler Sport - Believe it or not, the Jeep Wrangler Sport ranked number one on the list! You might have expected the top spot to go to something like a minivan or large sedan, but since Jeep Wrangler drivers are often very safe, responsible drivers and the Wrangler itself is very solidly constructed and relatively easy and cost-effective to repair, it ranked ahead of the pack for 2014. 3. Jeep Patriot Spor t - Yup, another Jeep at #3! The Patriot Sport is extremely reliable and again it's got that solid Jeep build that makes it an economical fix if something goes wrong. 5. Jeep Compass Sport - Another Jeep in the top 5! The Compass Sport is a family favorite in our area that we definitely recommend taking for a test drive! Here are some more rankings in the top twenty for vehicles we sell here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine: Kids love the Dodge Grand Caravan 6. Chrysler Town & Country 8. Dodge Journey SE 10. Dodge Grand Caravan SE 11. Jeep Patriot Latitude 13. Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 14. Jeep Wrangler Sahara 20. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon That's a total of ten - so what you're looking at here is an entire half the list being Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler vehicles! Not bad! Want to learn more about the vehicles we've got in stock that are cheap to insure! Give us a call today!

Racine WI Easter Egg Hunt 2014 Spring into some fun family activities! If you love spring weather as much as we do, chances are you'll want to get out there with the family and fully enjoy it! If you're looking for some ideas of ways to spend that valuable family time out in the community this spring, check out this list we've put together of events that are going on in the Racine area this spring 2014. From egg hunts to breakfasts with the Easter bunny, we'll have you and your crew hopping into spring in no time! more Have a hoppy time at these great events! Simon Kidgits Club Spring Celebration - This fun event at the Southridge Mall in Greendale includes crafts, games, and Easter bucket, and a chance to meet and have your picture taken with the Easter bunny. It's all happening on Saturday, April 12 at 1:00pm. Not a Kidgits Member? It's easy and just $5 to sign up, and then you'll receive a newsletter, membership card, and access to great events like this throughout the year. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny - On Sunday April 13th, there's nowhere you and the family will want to be other than Borzynski's Farm & Floral Market in Mt. Pleasant. Why? It's breakfast with the Easter Bunny! Kids will also hear a story, participate in an egg hunt, and get a chance to meet and get a picture with the Easter Bunny! There will be three seatings at 9:00am, 10:30am, and 12:00 Noon. The cost is $8.95 for adults and $6.95 for children ages 2-10. Make sure to get reservations ahead of time as seating is limited! Egg hunts are fun for all ages. FREE Event at the Jelly Belly Center in Pleasant Prairie - On Saturday, April 19th from 1:30-3:30, kids can meet the Easter Bunny as well as Mr. Jelly Belly, and there will be face painting, photos, raffles, pries, and more. Don't miss the free tour of the Jelly Belly warehouse while you're there! We hope you find lots of great things to do with the family this spring! And should your plans include shopping for a new or used vehicle, you know where to find us!

Rain Driving Tips April showers do bring May flowers, and it's safe to say we're all looking forward to it, but unfortunately that's not all they bring. The spring rains we get can also lead to some hazardous road conditions. Now, this isn't southern California; we know how to handle a little rain now and again, but we think it's never a bad idea to get a little refresher on how to best handle road conditions for the upcoming season. Today we'll let you know our best rain driving tips, and hopefully our local roadways will be incident-free throughout this much-anticipated Spring! more Lights on for safety! Turn your lights on - Many new cars nowadays have daytime running lights that are just always on when your vehicle is running. We're partial to that idea, as it promotes safety and visibility and there's really no downside. But for those of you with manual daytime lights, please remember to always turn them on if its raining. Even if it's just misting  a little, it's really best to keep them on to ensure that you're as visible as possible to all other vehicles sharing the road. Slow down - This might be the most obvious tip, but in our experience its also one of the least-followed: When road conditions are less than ideal, go less than your ideal speed. Maybe you'll reach your destination a little later (how much later, really, anyway?), but you're more likely to get there safely if you take your time. And remember, just because you're confident in your vehicle, tires, reaction time, and everything else it takes to drive well in precipitation, not everyone else does and there's nothing you can do about that other than keep and eye on your own speed and try to mitigate problems that way. It's worth it. The better the wipers, the better you can see. Check your wipers - When was the last time your replaced your windshield wipers? These are two of your greatest weapons against the decreased visibility that's associated with heavy rain. If your wipers are in good shape, you're likely to be able to see more during the big rain storms. Have you ever driven a car with worn, poor-quality wipers? It's not fun. Don't be that guy. Our service department can get you hooked up with a new pair in minutes. Be alert to  hydroplaning - In a particularly heavy rainfall of if you're on a street that's prone to flooding, you might experience hydroplaning, which is when your car has little or no contact with the road. This is very dangerous, but it's important that you stay calm, take your foot off the gas, and steer very gently in the direction you want to go in, ideally one in which you can stop hydroplaning as quickly as possible. Any questions about driving in rain, or want to learn more about our service department? Feel free to give us a call!

The Ram is always a great choice, but which one do you need? Ram 1500 vs Ram 2500 If you're in need of a capable truck for work, play, and everyday, Ram is always a great choice. And that's not just our bias talking - the 2014 Ram 1500 has been named Motor Trend's truck of the year for the second consecutive year in a row. If you're thinking about purchasing one for yourself but aren't sure if you need to get up into the heavy duty models like the 2500, this comparison is for you! We'll give you a side by side glance at the Ram 1500 vs Ram 2500 and let you decide which one's right for your needs and budget! more We've compared the two Ram trucks at their  most basic trim level to give you an idea of what comes standard on these capable models. The difference is pretty clear and straightforward: the 2500 gives you a lot more capability - and we do mean a lot - but it also costs a hefty bit more. A tough truck for your toughest jobs When you have needs that don't extend beyond what the Ram 1500 offers, and many of us don't, it's somewhat of a waste of resources to opt for the super  heavy duty model unless you're looking to expand what you're capable of by a significant amount. In that case,  it's most definitely worth the investment. There are some common elements shared by both models, of course. The interior is mostly the same, with plenty of great features like overhead console, six speakers, auxiliary input jack so you can plug your device in and listen to your favorite music, available voice recognition and Bluetooth, and lots more. If you'd like to learn more about these models, of if you have additional questions beyond what we covered in our comparison today, feel free to contact us anytime. We can schedule a test drive if you'd like to test the models out, and we'll consult with you on your specific needs to help you determine what model is right for you and your work!