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Get your run on! 5k in Racine WI 2014 The warm weather is finally finding us here in Wisconsin, and we couldn't be more grateful for it. If you're anything like us, the first thing you want to do is find plenty of ways to get out and make the most of it as soon as possible. One great way to enjoy the outdoors while staying active and involved in your community is by taking part in a 5k event. These runs are fun, competitive (if you want them to be!), and a great way to stay active and help motivate you to get or stay in shape. So are you ready to do a 5K in Racine WI in 2014? Read on for the races coming up this month! more Lace 'em up and get out there! May 11, 2014 - Mom's Day 5K: Looking for whole-family fun? This 5K is a run/walk - meaning you're free to just stroll the course if that's more your thing! - that takes place along the lakefront. It's open to everyone - men, children, moms and non-moms alike can all attend and participate! Local charities benefit from your registration fee. The 5K starts at 9am, with packet pickup starting at 8am at North Beach. Register here. May 24, 2014 - The Color Run is a nationally run, well-organized, and super-fun event that's bursting with color and energy for spring. Run, dance, and enjoy yourself as your make your way through this colorful course. Sign up as a team of four or more to save on registration. Start at Pershing Park - start-line window opens up at 9:00am with waves of participants starting every few minutes. Should be a great time! Everyone loves a Color Run! May 31, 2014 - The Cree Cruise 5K Run & Walk - This family-friendly event is on Saturday the 31st and starts at 9201 Washington Avenue. All proceeds benefit Recreational Activities for the Developmentally Disabled. Cash prizes for top finishers - you can register online here. We hope you're able to get out to one of these great events this month here in Racine. Running not your thing? We're always here to help you drive to your destination if you need a new car, truck, or SUV! However you get from here to there, we hope you have a happy, active spring!

It's easy and useful - go for it! How to use Autostick For your average driver, the assumption is that your transmission choices fall neatly into two categories: manual or automatic. But it just isn't so! There's a unique and innovative option out there called Autostick - have you heard of it? It's actually been around since the 1990s and continues to be an option on a number of great vehicles today. But what is it? How does it work? And is it right for you? Today we'll explore more about the Autostick transmission system and help you determine how to use autostick to your best advantage. more 2014 Dodge Avenger   So what is it? In short, super-simplified terms, it functions much like  like a manual transmission, but with no clutch. That is, you the driver are in control of what gear you're in and have  advanced control over your automobile in a variety of situations,  with the convenience of fully automatic transmission when you want it. There are a number of benefits to using the Autostick transmission option. Depending on what kind of driving you like to do, the option to control your gears can be very appealing, whether it's for fun in your super-capable Dodge Avenger, or you want to use it so that you can downshift on steep hills. For those people who like to be in control from time to time but don't want to be constantly saddled with the shifting process as with a manual, Autostick provides a smart alternative. The 2014 Dodge Dart has an Autostick option as well! It's available on several of our models, including the Dodge Dart. Worried about starting your car in snow during winter here in Wisconsin? With Autostick, you can start from second or third gear for improved traction. Want to learn more about our models here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine? We'll gladly give you a test drive and let you try Autostick out for yourself -- Just give us a call or stop in!

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!

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!

2014 Dodge Durango Milwaukee WI The 2014 Dodge Durango does a lot more than look great. The full-size family SUV is kind of a big deal. With more and more families looking to expand their capabilities, whether that means  sports, big home improvement projects, or more family adventures, the need for a tough, spacious SUV is definitely a reality. It's important to pick one that's got everything you need, and it wouldn't hurt for it to be easy on the eyes as well - you do have to look at it every day, after all. Whatever you need it for, we strongly suggest considering the 2014 Dodge Durango in Milwaukee. It's got tons of features and can definitely get the job done. Today we'll tell you more about the features that are both standard and available in this excellent pick from Dodge. more Seating for 7 in the 2014 Durango One thing that's great about the Dodge Durango is, of course, the space. Not only do you have seating for seven in all available models, but it's actually comfortable. Go for the heated leather seats, and you'll be even more convinced. Standard 3-zone automatic temperature control is included in all models, so you'll never have to worry about climate complaints from any part of the roomy cabin. There's also a great host of top tech and convenience features to help you stay connected, entertained, and on the right track to wherever it is you're headed. The standard model, the SXT, comes with Bluetooth streaming audio, an SD/USB/auxiliary media hub, and steering wheel mounted audio control so you can keep your hands on the wheel. 3-D Navigation with the Uconnect system   On the upper trim levels, you'll get even better features like SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Traffic Service, as well as the Uconnect system with navigation and a 3-D map experience that's definitely worth checking out. In addition to those comfort and convenience features, the 2014 Dodge Durango also has stellar capability and top-notch safety features that mean you can weather the winters here in Wisconsin without having to sacrifice activities and outings that make life more fun. Come on in to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine today to learn more. Or have a look through our current selection online and give us a call!

2014 Chrysler Town & Country vs 2014 Toyota Sienna What does it have that the competition doesn't? The 2014 Chrysler Town & Country is a family favorite for many reasons, and here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we know how great it is for moms and dads who have busy schedules and need a lot of space and convenience to keep the ship running. But how does the Town & Country compare to the current competition on the market? That's what we're aiming to find out today by comparing the 2014 Chrysler Town & Country vs the 2014  Toyota Sienna. Who comes out on top? Check it out for yourself: more Just to get you started looking at this data, we'll let you know that we compared the two popular minivans at their most basic trim level for MSRP, so you can also pay more and get more technology and convenience features in either  model, but what you're looking at here is the base model price. The first thing you'll probably notice is that the prices on the two minivans are pretty much the same. You've got a tiny lead by the Sienna, but since we tend to price our vehicles way below MSRP, that's probably not the best indicator of actual value or cost to you. Inside the Chrysler Town & Country You'll also see that when it comes to capability, the Town & Country has a considerable edge over the Toyota Sienna. And with only a single mile per gallon separating the two - in the city, no less, where your driving behavior determines a lot of how far your gas money goes - you can see that it's an overall more efficient engine in the Chrysler. And that brings peace of mind as well as performance. The final thing we'll point out - and this may just be a bonus, but it sure is a nice one - is that the 2014 Chrysler Town & Country comes standard with leather trimmed seats. Think of it as a nod of appreciation for all that you do, day in and day out. Why should you pay more for premium comfort? Chrysler doesn't seem to think you should. Curious? Come on in and test drive the 2014 Chrysler Town & Country here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine today!

Green-clad people of all ages will come out for the parade! What's going on in Racine for the upcoming celebration of of the Feast of Saint Patrick? We'll give you the information you need to know, like the time and place of the 2014 Racine St. Patrick's Day Parade, right here! more At Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we're always happy to help you find a new or used vehicle that suits your needs and budget. We might even have something for you in green! But you probably know that car shopping is only one of the many fun things you can do here in Racine now that the weather's starting to warm up. How about coming downtown for the 2014 St. Patrick's day parade? Here are the details: What: The 8th annual Downtown Racine St. Patrick's Day parade. All you have to do is show up! When: Saturday, March 15th at 12 noon Where: The parade begins at State & Main street and heads South, so come early to catch your favorite spot along the parade route Why: For all-ages fun, of course! You won't be able to miss it! If you're interesting in entering the parade, make sure to apply by Wednesday, March 12th. You can visit the Downtown Racine website to find out more and download your application. Otherwise, just pack up the family and come on down to celebrate the event with your friends and neighbors in the community. Make sure to wear green! Looking for something to do later that night in Racine? Check out the 60s, 70s, and 80s cover band the Fur Pants Band at Henry & Wanda's on 6th street. Or if that's not really your speed, head to the Racine Theater's Guild on Northwestern Avenue to see 37 Postcards, a play about a young man returning home after years abroad. However you choose to spend your St. Paddy's day weekend, we hope it's great!