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Most of us know it's a bad idea to be driving around town with a flat tire, but there are steps to take before your tire reaches that point. Instead of waiting for your tires to become incredibly flat from a loss of air pressure, you should be checking the pressure and adding air every so often to keep things running smoothly. Read on and see how often you should be checking your tire pressure and what impact it can have on your vehicle. more Three Ways Low Air Pressure in your Tires Damages Your Car Incorrect tire pressure greatly decreases the safety of your vehicle as it affects the cornering, braking and stability. You might even end up in a serious accident. So, what happens if you don't keep good track of your tire pressure? If the tire pressure is too high, less of your tire will be touching the ground when you drive. Because of this, your vehicle will much more easily slide around while you drive, and you'll notice a less comfortable ride as your tires absorb less of the shock of the road. If your tire pressure is too low, too much of the tire is touching the ground, increasing friction. This will cause your tired to wear prematurely, and to heat up when you drive. Overheating tires can cause treat separation. A sign of low tire pressure is a squealing noise when you turn corners. Your tire pressure changes regardless of whether your tires are leaking. Changes in temperature greatly affect your tire pressure, and leave many drivers who haven't been checking their pressure with under-filled tires in the colder winter months. Need New Tires in Racine WI? If your tires are leaking and your tire pressure is constantly low, you might need to make a trip to see the experts here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Racine. We'll help you to diagnose the issue, and even get you set up with new tires if need be. Our friendly professionals are here to answer your questions and to get you back on the road in a safe and reliable vehicle.

Let's face it, teen drivers are some of the least experienced drivers on the road. Because of this, we want to set them up for success. One way, other than following them around and making sure they never make a mistake, is to make sure that the car they drive is safe and reliable. So, what do you need to know when choosing a safe car for teen drivers? Check out our tips and see what vehicles in our inventory would make a great option for your new driver. more Three Must-Haves When Buying a Car for a Teen Driver Safety: There are professionals out there who work hard to make sure you know about the safety features a vehicle offers. Your teen will benefit from a vehicle that has the latest safety technology, and you can review crash test ratings before purchasing to see how your potential purchase compared to others. Check out this link to see what your car scored. Affordability: When it comes to purchasing a car, the sticker price is not the only payment your teen driver will be making. Things like car insurance and fuel economy can make a difference when it comes to your teen's bank account. Give us a call or use our fuel economy calculator to see what you'll spend on gas in the first year of owning one of the vehicles on our lot. Reliability: Nobody likes getting into a car only to find that it won't start. Between engine issues and other potential problems, it can be expensive and dangerous to drive an unreliable car. Give your teen the chance to gain driving experience in a car that is as reliable as can be. Also be sure to teach your teen driver about proper maintenance and repair! Palmen Dodge Jeep Chrysler Cars for Teen Drivers Used Cars Under $10K: Buying a used car from the professionals at Palmen means you're getting a quality vehicle that has been inspected and cared for. Our affordable options for new drivers come with a quick and easy financing process, and allow you to get the car you need without breaking the bank. Check out the inventory by clicking the link above. New Cars With Over 30 MPG Highway: When fuel economy ratings are your top priority, we want to help. We offer an inventory that features fuel-saving vehicles. Look through what we have and schedule your test drive online to get behind the wheel and see whether the high-tech efficiency is everything you've been wishing for.

When it's summer time and you and the family are packing up for a road trip, it's important to think about car seats and how best to ensure that your most precious cargo are safe and comfortable in the car. This information can serve as a summer car seat safety checklist for you to use whenever you're headed out onto the road with your young kids in the summer. Here at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Racine, we want to help you have a safe and happy summer! more Every year, accidents occur and children are hurt in the process. It's not a happy thing to dwell on, but it's important to recognize that many vehicle-related injuries that children face are avoidable. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that three out of four car seats are not installed properly. Why risk the safety of your children, when you can follow these tips to help prevent injury and discomfort on car rides this summer? Read More: All-New 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Minivan Safety Features Car Seat Safety Checklist No Additional Layers – When you open the door to your vehicle in the summer, you'll often notice that the air and the seats are hot to the touch. Instead of putting blanket down and putting your child into the car seat, take a minute to let the cabin cool down by opening the doors and windows. An added layer between your child and the seat can prevent the car seat from keeping them safe in the event of a crash. Have Patience and Cool Down – As we mentioned above, taking a minute to let the inside of the car cool down can be helpful in preventing burns and uncomfortable kids. Metal parts and dark-colored seats can become too hot when left in the sun for a period of time. Instead of rushing to get your kids in the car, let things air out and be sure that the metal buckles are not burning hot! No Rented Car Seats – You might think this is a great way to save some cash, but it's important to know the history of a car seat before you use it. Car seats that have been in a collision might look fine, but without proof that the seat is still capable of helping to prevent injury, you can't be too careful. Read More: Car Seats Have Expiration Dates? Family Friendly Vehicles in Racine WI After reading through our safety tips, you might be thinking to yourself that your kids could use a little more wiggle room in the back of your car. Come to see us at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM to find a variety of family vehicles at affordable prices! We look forward to helping your family make the most out of this summer season and future family road trips!

While we might have to wait a while before we get the chance to drive in a vehicle that is fully autonomous, the world of automotive has seen great leaps in the safety department over the last several years. One of the newest members of the Chrysler lineup, but 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, is a minivan that defies all stereotypes and previous ideas of inefficiency and unexciting style. The lighter, more aerodynamic, and most efficient minivan on the market is the 2016 Chrysler Pacifica, and it comes with a wide range of standard safety features. We're going to tell you about them, and more! more 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Active Safety Features Active safety features are the closest things we have to an autonomous vehicle these days, and they are very exciting. With these technologies in your Pacifica, you can drive with confidence knowing that your minivan has your safety and your passengers' safety in mind.  They decrease your chances of getting into an accident, and can make for a more convenient driving experience too! Read More: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Engine Specs Here are the safety features available for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica: Rear Back Up Camera – This displays a video image on the first-row touchscreen allowing you to see the area behind your vehicle when you shift into reverse. 360 Degree Surround View Camera – This available feature provides a birds-eye view of the Pacifica and the surrounding area. It can help you fit through tighter spaces. Forward Collision Warning Plus – The plus stands for active braking, and this means that when your Pacifica approaches another vehicle or an obstacle too quickly, the car will alert you and even stop itself to prevent injury and damage. Adaptive Cruise Control W/ Stop and Go – Adaptive cruise control uses sensors to determine the distance and speed of the vehicle in front of you. You simply set the distance you would like your Pacifica to be from the other vehicle, and the system will speed and slow your pace to prevent collision. Lane Departure Warning  -- This camera-based technology detects when you begin to drift out of your lane without a turn signal, and it will alert the driver and correct the vehicle's position if the driver's hands are not on the steering wheel. Blind Spot Monitoring – This system helps you to avoid collisions by alerting you to the presence of vehicles in your blind spots. Signals on the dashboard and on the rearview mirrors will be lit when there is a vehicle in your blind spot, and you can safely avoid an accident. Read More:  Kids Love the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica for These Reasons!

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.

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.

Why You Should Pay Attention to Your Car Seat Expiration Date Did you know that up until the height of 4 ft. and 9 in., a child should be sitting in a booster or car seat while you're on the road? It's safe to say that our kids are the most precious cargo in our vehicles, so it's important to be aware of the safety regulations. Keeping your precious cargo safe is important to the team here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, so read on to learn more about car seat safety for your kids! more Buying Used or Borrowing Car Seats Car seats are made specially to provide a safe riding experience for your kids. Whether they are riding in a booster seat or a full car seat, there are aspects to consider. Do you know the history of the car seat? When it comes to buying a used car seat, or borrowing one from a friend, it's important to know who used it, for how long, and whether it is damaged. If you buy a car seat without knowing its history, it can be worn out or broken and therefore unsafe for your child. Read More: Warming Up Your Car Faster and Easier A car seat should never be used after the vehicle was in a car crash. Even if the seat was not in use at the time of the crash, the impact may have damaged the important parts that keep your kids safe. If the car seat has been through a minor crash, one where the vehicle safely drove away, there were no injuries to any vehicle occupants, and the airbags didn't deploy, the seat may still be safe to use. Go with your gut on that one and remember it's better to be safe than sorry! Look over the seat and make sure all the parts and pieces are present and look good. You wouldn't risk your life driving a vehicle that looked like it was going to fall apart, so it's important to have your children in car and booster seats that are in great condition. Read More: When to Let Your Kids Drive Alone Do Car Seat Expiration Dates Matter? When you're thinking of buying or borrowing a car seat, be sure to check its expiration date! You wouldn't want to feed your children food that has gone past the expiration date, and it works the same way with their potentially life-saving car seats. Plastic becomes brittle and breaks easily with age, and most car seats are made from plastic. Replacing a car seat is much less costly than the potential safety issues with a child riding in a broken seat. Read More: Teaching Kids About Washing the Car

Jeep Patriot Wins 4-Star Safety Rating When you're buying a new crossover, safety is an important factor in the perfect choice. Whether you are carrying passengers or cargo for an adventure, you want to avoid injuries and damage when its possible. Despite the overwhelming number of tests that cars go through when being tested for safety, (we've all seen those insane crash tests) the 2016 Jeep Patriot made it out with 4 stars! We’ll tell you more. more Things to Love About the Jeep Patriot Whether you love the Jeep brand or you simply love the aggressive and sporty styling of the 2016 Jeep Patriot, there are a lot of reasons why this vehicle is such a popular choice among car shoppers for 2016. Seating for five passengers and convenient interior features come together to make for an exciting drive, wherever you go. Great fuel economy ratings make the Jeep Patriot a great choice for daily commuters or weekend adventures. Long road trips for a short stop across town are both comfortable and exciting with a variety of safety, convenience, and technology features. Learn more about it here. Read More: 2016 Chrysler Town & Country Trim Comparison Jeep Patriot 4-Star Safety Rating We all know the government doesn't dole out 4-star safety ratings all the time, so it's incredibly exciting to see a great crossover SUV like the Jeep Patriot win such a great safety rating. One of the most affordable vehicles to insure, and it turns out, one of the safest options for you and your family. The 2016 Jeep Patriot is a vehicle worth taking a test drive in. Schedule a Test Drive in the 2016 Jeep Patriot Today If you are interested in taking a test drive inside the 2016 Jeep Patriot, feel free to give us a call. You may also schedule a test drive online, using our free tool. Be sure to check out our free financing tools to get started on the purchase of your new vehicle from the comfort of home. We look forward to hearing from you very soon! Schedule Your Test Drive

How Long Does it Take to Warm My Engine? Ice and frigid temperatures are a norm during the winter months in Wisconsin. As a result, our vehicles often have a tough time warming up. Do you find yourself wondering, how long do I warm up my car? We'll give you 3 great tips to remember when warming up your car this winter. more Why Do We Warm Up Our Cars? Vehicle engines use tiny controlled explosions to generate heat and energy. Inside the engine, there are several different fluids and parts that need to work together to make your vehicle run the way its supposed to. So what happens when it's cold out? All the fluids and parts inside your vehicle become stiff and cold, and it takes a little time for the engine to warm up. Read More: Removing Ugly Bumper Stickers 3 Tips for Warming Your Car Drive Your Car to Warm It One of the biggest tips is to only give your car a small warm up, and then to drive it right away. While you might not want to get onto the highway immediately, driving your vehicle is a much more efficient way to warm all the parts without wasting fuel. Just take it easy for the first little bit! Idling Might Do Damage Idling the car for a long time can actually put a strain on your engine. Vehicles are made to be driven, so you are wasting gas when you let your vehicle idle for a long time, and on top of that, you are forcing your engine to work in an abnormal situation which could reduce your fuel efficiency ratings over time. Block Heaters Can Replace a Remote Start While a remote start is a great option for those looking to warm up their vehicle, the convenience can lead to drivers allowing their car to idle for far longer than necessary. Another option available is a block heater, an affordable engine heating device that doesn't use up your fuel and doesn't risk damaging your engine. Call Our Service Center!

2015 Dodge Dart vs 2016 Dodge Dart The time has finally arrived. The 2016 Dodge Dart is available at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, and we are thrilled to show it to you! Before we sign you up for the test drive you are already dreaming about, we're going to cover some of the changes between the 2015 and 2016 Dodge Dart. We want to show you how the design and features have improved to give you an even more comfortable ride. more What We're Excited About We haven't seen pictures yet, but the vehicles are here and ready to go! We might not be able to show you the awesome improvements in the 2016 Dodge Dart, but we know you'll be impressed when you arrive for your test drive. Improvements have been made to the exterior in a few detailed ways. The shape and lines feel more aggressive, while the design remains simple. There are no exaggerated features to distract the eye from the naturally aerodynamic appearance and movement of the 2016 Dodge Dart. On the inside, drivers and passengers will notice improved technology, more safety features, and an even more comfortable interior. A quiet cabin offers an easy-to-use infotainment system with options for Bluetooth capability and high quality speakers. The 2016 Dodge Dart is fun to drive, looks great, and is sure to save drivers time and money at the gas station! READ MORE: Specifications for the 2016 Dodge Dart: Engine: 2.0-Liter I-4 Transmission: Standard 6-Speed Manual Fuel Economy: 23 mpg city/ 35 mpg hwy Horsepower: 184 HP READ MORE: Ready to Take Your Test Drive? If you are interested in test driving the 2016 Dodge Dart, give our experienced sales team a call or schedule an appointment through the website today. Should you have any questions regarding our large inventory or the simple financing process, be sure to let us know! We look forward to helping you get into the car of your dreams.

No matter how careful of a driver you are, collisions are a part of driving that every person needs to be prepared for. Avoiding dangerous situations with other cars is a common skill taught even to the youngest drivers, but dealing with an animal while on the road is another topic that doesn’t get enough time in the spotlight. It can be quite scary to be thrust into one of these potentially life threatening situations; but by following a few simple guidelines, you can drastically decrease the chances of hitting a deer and causing great damage to your vehicle. more Tips to Avoid Hitting Deer and Reduce Vehicle Damage The first tip that has the highest chance of success is to be proactive in your driving and keep an active line of sight that is constantly scanning the road for potential hazards like deer. Dusk and the early evening are often the times when the deer population are moving around, so it is especially important to keep your head on the swivel during these times of the day. In the unfortunate situation that a collision with a deer is unavoidable, it is important to remember the size rule. The size rule stipulates that if the deer is lower than the hood of your car it is safer to hit it straight on, where as if it is bigger, it is safer to swerve and get out of the way. Hitting the deer with your car will unfortunately cause damage, but is much safer than swerving and potentially causing a much larger crash with other vehicles. READ MORE: Nine Color Options for the Jeep Renegade! Getting into an accident involving a deer is always traumatic and can be tragic, but by being an active driver, being proactive rather than reactive, and following the size rule can potentially save the lives of you and other drivers on the road. The deer population during the fall is more active than any other time of the year, so it is important as ever to remember these tips and practice safe driving this autumn.

Is your engine running a little hot these days? Well, whether you are on the road or hopefully just trying to make it home, these 5 tips for cooling down an overheating Jeep engine are hopefully going to help! Read on to learn what to do! more It's hot. You need to cool it down. Your engine is not a happy camper, and because of that you are here reading this blog. Fear not! We'll give you some great tips for calming down a scorching engine! 5 Tips for Cooling Down an Overheating Jeep Engine Tip #1: Pull over. Turn off the air conditioning. Roll down the windows. This might seem simple, but it's amazing how much work it is to keep your engine cool when the A/C is on! Try and cool things down the natural way by shutting everything off. Tip #2: If that doesn't work, turn on the vehicle and crank the heat! Pulling heat off your engine and into the cab of your vehicle might make you uncomfortable, but it will definitely decrease the strain on your engine. Tip #3: Use your brakes less! It's a known fact that friction causes increased heat. And the friction of your brakes paired with the work the engine does to slow down your vehicle and speed it back up again can mean extra heat being thrown around. Try coasting as much as possible to avoid adding heat to an already steamy situation. Tip #4: Try parking your vehicle and revving the engine. Sometimes the revving of the engine can increase the activity of the water pump and help to cool down the engine. Don't do this a lot. If you don't see immediate results, assume that it's not your best solution. Tip #5: Too late and things boiled over? At that point, pull your vehicle over. Get out of it and open the hood. Your Jeep is gonna need some time to relax before you think about starting it again. You might need to add some water if things boiled over a lot. Make sure the engine is VERY cool before attempting this! READ MORE: Does the Jeep Renegade Drive Like a Jeep? If all else fails, give us a call and we'll help you figure out what to do next. Our qualified service department is trained and ready to handle whatever your vehicle throws our way. We want to help you get back onto the road and moving again as quickly as we can! Safe travels!