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Buy 3 Tires, get 4th for $1 at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Racine Anyone looking for new tires should come to Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Racine to take advantage of the great tire deal the dealership is offering! Palmen of Racine is offering customers a deal to get the 4th tire for just $1 when they buy 3 tires now through November 30, 2017. more Read More: Check out the new Service Center at Palmen of Racine! Tire Center at Palmen of Racine The Tire Center at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Racine allows you to choose the year, model and trim level of your vehicle, or enter the tire size you are looking for, to be matched with tires that fit your needs. The tire center also features helpful tools like a Tire Price Match Guarantee and articles that help to educate you about the health of your tires. The tire deal that Palmen of Racine is running is valid through November 30, 2017. Now is the perfect time to get your tires replaced if you have been noticing lower tread or more wear on your tires. Get new tires before the dangerous conditions of winter are in full swing in order to allow your vehicle to operate at its top levels. When you buy three tires, you get the 4th tire for just $1! How do I check my tires? If you aren't sure if your tires are still healthy or if they are in need of replacement, you can bring your vehicle in to the service department at Palmen of Racine to receive a complimentary inspection and get our recommendation! If you want to take a look at your tires yourself, you can use a penny to do it! Simply take a penny, putting Abraham Lincoln's body between your fingers so only his head is visible, and stick the penny in between your tire treads. If any part of Abe's head is covered, your car still has enough traction to be safe on the roads. If none of Abe's head is covered (approximately 2/32 of an inch for reference), you are likely in need of a tire replacement. Drivers interested in a free tire inspection can set up an appointment with our service department online! We hope to see you soon here at Palmen of Racine!

Service Center Upgrades at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine Here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we pride ourselves on providing the best possible customer service. In order to do that, we have to make sure our facilities are up-to-date and allow us to serve the most people as efficiently and conveniently as possible. That's why Palmen of Racine is growing! We have put over $100,000 of renovations and improvements into our service center in order to improve our check-in, delivery and service capabilities. more Updates to Palmen of Racine Service Center Our updated service center includes a new alignment center, new service bays, improvements to our vehicle check-in area and a new vehicle delivery area. All of these changes are made with our customers in mind, so that we can continue to provide excellent service for the Racine area. Check out our plans and these photos of our progress! Indicators Wrapper for slides Controls Previous Next Schedule a Service Appointment We can't wait for these upgrades to be completed so that we can continue to provide stellar service to our customers here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine!

An overheating engine might make you panic and dread the cost of expensive repairs, but often times, hot weather is just a little overwhelming for an engine. It might not be an expensive fix at all! If you are noticing that your engine is overheating as we head into the summer months, here's what you can do to lower the engine temperature and get yourself home safe and sound. more Read More: Free Service Coupons for Palmen of Racine What To Do When Hot Weather Overheats Your Engine Signs of Overheating Engine: Dashboard indicator starts to rise Engine malfunction indication light Steam or water vapor coming out of your hood An unusual smell coming from the engine What to do when engine starts to overheat: Immediately turn off the A/C and open all the windows Turn on the heater and blower – this pulls heat from the engine Try not to ride the brakes – in traffic this means only moving when the gap gets too big to sit still If possible, pull over and turn off the car. Open the hood for a while and let things cool down. Non-Weather-Related Reasons for an Overheating Engine If the weather isn't particularly warm or you aren't in stop-and-go traffic, there might be another reason that you are experiencing an overheating engine. If you have a low water or coolant level, your engine isn't able to keep its temperature under control. Try to ensure these liquids are always at the correct level. Read More: Which Part of My Car Is Leaking? How to Diagnose Leaks and Puddles! Another potential issue could be a leak in the cooling system. If you are constantly having to refill your engine coolant, it might be time to bring your vehicle in to the shop and have things patched up.

The weather has begun to heat up, and you're thinking that you can't wait to get in the car and turn on the air conditioning. This impressive, modern system is made to cool the air in your cabin and to remove moisture from the air, keeping you comfortable inside. However, what does it mean when you crank up the air conditioning only to breathe in and smell something like a sweaty locker room? Check out the information here about what a smelly vehicle A/C means, and what you can do to fix it. more Smelly Vehicle Air Conditioner Diagnosis There are two separate issues that could be resulting in your smelly cabin whenever you turn on the air conditioning. The first is a dirty/old air cabin filter. The good news about this issue is that it can be a quick fix if you take your vehicle in to the service center and have the cabin filter replaced. Read More: Diagnosing a Leak Using the Puddle on the Ground However, the other issues it a potentially moldy evaporator case. This happens when water sits in the evaporator case due to a blocked drain. In this situation there is mold potentially growing, and you'll need to bring it in to the shop to have things looked over by a professional. In some situations, you can use a DIY deodorizer to keep your car from smelling, but it depends on the severity of the issue and the smell. Schedule Air Conditioner Service Racine WI If you are experiencing these issues, please don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with the team here at Palmen of Racine.

Despite all the recent changes in automotive safety and convenience technology, there's quite a few of us on the road whose car doesn't alert them to cars in the blind spot when making a lane change. We're here to give you a tip to adjust your side mirrors to basically eliminate your blind spot, and it won't cost the price of new technology features. more How to Minimize Blind Spots With Your Side Mirrors Before the release of modern blind spot monitoring systems, we all craned our necks to peek for a car in the blind spot before switching lanes. However, getting rid of those blind spots and saving your neck comes down to simply adjusting your side mirrors to coordinate with your rear view mirror and to give you a wider viewing area. Read More: 5 Places to Check for Pothole Damage This Spring Move your mirrors so that they are angled much farther out, starting their area of view right around where the rear view mirror's ends. With them angled out like this, you won't be able to see the side or back end of your vehicle in the side mirrors, so it can be tough to get used to. However, it should allow you to see whether there is a vehicle in your blind spot without having to turn your head around to look. Next time you are frustrated with the lack of high-tech features doing the job for you, give the adjustment a chance and see if it saves you some neck pain while you're on the road. Need a New Side View Mirror in Racine WI? If you got into an accident or clipped your garage as you backed out, you may have broken your side view mirror. If you are in need of a new side mirror, give us a call. Our service team would be happy to order the part you need and ensure that it is installed properly when it arrives.

Finding a puddle of liquid under your car in the driveway might raise a flag. While not all liquid leaks need immediate fixing, many of them can be an indicator of issues with an important system.  Check out these common leaks and liquids that you might be seeing under your car. If the leaking liquid is appearing under your car most days, it's a good idea to bring it in to see the experts and have things fixed up. more Diagnosing Common Car Leaks Coolant or Antifreeze A neon puddle of either green, pink, blue or orange that smells slightly sweet and feels slightly viscous between your fingers is indicating a problem with your radiator, water pump, coolant reservoir or radiator hoses. This leak could result in an overheating engine if not repaired. Oil Oil under your car will look black or brown and feel thick and slippery when you touch it. An acidic smell might also indicate engine oil. A leaking oil filter seal, loose oil pan plug, or leaking oil gasket may be the cause. You'll need to check your oil levels before driving. Gasoline A gasoline leak has a distinct smell and will look almost like water on the ground (minus the potentially rainbow appearance in direct sunlight). This leak means you have an issue with your fuel pump, injector or a leak in the fuel line or gas tank. Have this checked out and repaired before you lose more fuel! Brake Fluid Brake fluid under your car will look clear or light yellowish-brown with an oily feel. It will smell strongly of avid and indicates a problem with the brake system, brake lines, calipers or wheel cylinders. Any issues with your brakes should be taken very seriously, so please have this checked out as soon as possible! Transmission Fluid Transmission problems can be expensive, but if you see a puddle of dark red or brown or light red or light brown, it's worth having it checked out. This leak could indicate issues with the transmission pan gasket, fluid lines, or seals.

So, you just drove over a particularly nasty pothole and you're unsure whether it may have damaged your vehicle. If that's the case, you're not alone. Many of us fall victim to the nasty holes in the road that form during the temperature changes at the end of the winter. However, with these five tips, you can make sure your car is still running its best, or schedule your service appointment before things get out of hand! more Where to Look For Pothole Damage Your vehicle can take damage in quite a few parts when you hit the king of potholes. Check these five locations over after you get home to note any parts that might need repairs. Tires: Check your tires for the tread splitting from the wheel and for any bulges or cracks. These problems can turn into a flat tire and may be dangerous to drive on. Wheel Rims: Look closely at your rims to discover any cracks, dents, or chips. These can indicate that the air-tight seal between the rim and your tire has been damaged. Suspension System: Your suspension is made to absorb shocks, but a pothole is a whole different ballgame. If you notice intense vibration, or your steering pulling in one direction while you drive, schedule an appointment to have things checked out! Exhaust: Loud sounds coming from your exhaust could mean it was damaged when you hit the pothole. Also stop in for an inspection if you notice the smell of leaking exhaust inside your vehicle! Low-Hanging Body: If your vehicle rides low to the ground, your bumper or side-skirts could be damaged when you hit a pothole. These damages are usually only cosmetic, but if you want to keep your car looking its best, have them repaired with us! Schedule Pothole Repairs Racine WI If you're interested in having your vehicle repaired after noticing damage from a pothole, give us a call or schedule an appointment online. Be sure to stop by our service center coupons page to see if you can save a few bucks when you come to visit!

Keeping your vehicle running its best comes down to more than avoiding car accidents. The experts at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Racine are here to help you ensure that your vehicle gets the quality attention and care it needs to run its best for as long as possible. Check out this spring service checklist and be sure to bring your vehicle in, as the weather warms up, to see our service team and get things cleaned up. more Read More: How Does Weather Impact My Vehicle's Suggested Oil Change Interval? Free Online Service Coupons Gurnee IL Windshield Wiper Blades: Your wiper blades are often worn after a winter of iced windshields and freezing temperatures. Replace them to ensure the spring rainstorms don't affect your view of the road. Wheel Rotation & Alignment: Regular rotations and alignments will keep your suspension and tires in good shape for a longer period of time. Battery & Alternator Inspection: After a winter of cold temperatures, your battery might need replacing. Have both your battery and alternator tested to ensure your vehicle starts reliably. Belts & Hoses: Cracks, swelling or fraying of belts and hoses can cause them to fail. Should any belts or hoses look less than ideal, it's better to replace them before they snap. Schedule Fiat Maintenance & Repairs Milwaukee WI If you think your vehicle could use a tune-up this spring, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with our skilled service team. We've got the high-quality tools and the factory-direct parts to ensure your vehicle leaves driving better than when it arrived. Give us a call or schedule your appointment using our online tool.

There are lots factors that go into the oil change intervals that are best for any given vehicle. The choice between synthetic and conventional engine oil, the type of driving the vehicle does, and the type of engine all affect how frequently the oil must be changed. Read on to find out why each vehicle may have a different suggested oil change interval, and how you can find out your vehicle's most effective interval. more Read More: How to Fix Potholes in Gravel or Dirt Driveways What Type of Driving Requires Most Frequent Oil Changes? Type of Oil: Conventional engine oil breaks down and loses its viscosity more quickly than synthetic oil. The synthetic oil will perform better in a wider range of temperatures and is made to last longer, thus offering more time and miles to go between oil changes. Driving Conditions: Extreme hot or cold temperatures will stress the engine oil, either conventional or synthetic. Also, short trips in extremely cold weather do not allow the engine to heat properly and can result in more quickly used up engine oil. Type of Engine: Turbocharged or diesel engines each have their own oil change specifications. Diesel engines tend to dirty engine oil more quickly, and turbocharged engines also need more frequent changes. If you have either of these engine types, consult the owner's manual. Read More: Can I Just Use Snow Tires All Year? Engine Inspection & Oil Change Gurnee IL If you are unsure what type of oil would work best with your vehicle, or you're considering lengthening your oil change schedule, give us a call. We would love to take a look at your vehicle and help you to find out what oil type and interval will work best for your driving needs.

It’s that time of year again. Our dirt and gravel driveways are clearing of snow and ice, but are left with pits and holes that can do some serious damage to your vehicle. Instead of stressing out every day as you pull into the driveway, patch up those potholes and keep your suspension and alignment in good shape. Read on for 3 steps to filling gravel driveway potholes! more Read More: Service Related Tips and Tricks Fixing Deep Pits in Gravel Driveway Step 1: Clear the Hole You'll need a tamper, some coarse gravel, gravel that matches the driveway surface, and a shovel. Before you start to patch things up, you'll want to make sure you get all the loose soil and any rocks or debris out of the hole. If you have to, dig down and out a bit till you have firm walls all around the pit. This will make the patch more effective. Step 2: Fill the Hole Fill the hole to a depth of around 3 inches below the driveway with coarse gravel. Then you'll want to pack the hole with a homemade tamper. Fill the last 3 inches of the hole with gravel that matches the rest of the driveway surface. If your driveway is made from dirt, you should fill the hole with dirt a couple inches above the surface of the driveway, watered, and then packed down as firmly as possible. Step 3: Pat Everything Down Finally, you'll just want to make sure to really pack the patch. The easiest way to accomplish this is simply to drive your vehicle over it several times. The best way to keep potholes from showing up is to make note of drainage issues on your dirt or gravel driveway. It's easiest to accomplish this by having the center of the driveway as the highest point, with a slope slightly downwards on each side. Schedule Wheel Alignment and Rotation Racine WI If the potholes have been causing you some issues, it's a great time to get your wheels aligned and your tires rotated. Check out the service center coupons page for potential savings and then schedule your service center appointment online!

So, you've gone through the effort of taking off your summer or all-season tires and replaced them with your snow tires to give you peace of mind and a boost in traction during the winter months. Why go through the effort of taking them off once the weather cheers up? We've got two reasons why you shouldn't drive winter tires in the summer, and we've got the experienced professionals to help you get your tires switched, rotated and adjusted once spring arrives. more Read More: Snow Tires vs Tire Chains for Traction Why You Shouldn't Use Snow Tires All Year Not only are winter tires more expensive than your summer tires, but they can actually affect your vehicle in negative ways when the weather doesn't require them. Check out these 2 reasons why it's worth it to switch them out once the snow and ice disappears. They Wear Out Faster The deeper tread on winter tires is made to be more flexible and soft than all-season and summer tires, because the cold weather keeps them from wearing as quickly and enables them to grip the road more effectively. However, the warmer roads and air in the summer will allow the softer tread to wear off much more quickly, and will result in needing to be replaced more frequently. Decreased Overall Performance Another reason to change your tires for the season is that the softer rubber of the winter tires will give you a less responsive and efficient drive. Sharp turns or quick maneuvers become much less duller as the warm and squishy tread of the winter tires sticks to the road. Soft tires also result in higher use of fuel per mile, so it's better for your daily driving experience and wallet to change them out. Read More: How to Remove Thick Ice From a Windshield Tire Replacement and Maintenance Racine WI If you've got winter tires on and are looking for a reliable team to ensure they are switched out at the end of this winter season, trust the experienced service professionals at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Racine. We've got the tools and the customer service you need to feel at ease. Schedule an appointment online for tire service, or even purchase new tires through Palmen on our dealership site. Whatever your vehicle needs to drive its best this spring, we've got you covered.

Sometimes the weather throws a curve ball and puts a thick coating of ice all over your windows. While it's not impossible to scrape ice off your windows, it can be a really time consuming process when you're in a hurry. While we don't think we can keep the clouds from sending freezing rain and snow, we can give you a few ways to try and help you make the morning ice scrape a little less annoying. Read on for 3 tips for de-icing a windshield. more How to Handle Your Icy Windshield Like a Pro Read More: How Often Should I Be Checking My Tire Pressure? Preparation Instead of waiting for things to get out of hand, try to prepare your windows. Some online tips suggest a 1:3 vinegar and water mixture to spray, or to put baking spray onto the windows to keep ice from really setting itself onto the glass. Another great tip, for those who can, is to either park your car indoors or cover it completely. De-Icing Spray Once you get yourself into the frosty situation of a windshield full of ice, there are de-icing sprays on the market you can use. Check out the selection at a nearby store to see what they have on hand. If you have any questions about what works best, feel free to g ive our service experts a call. Scrape Away When push comes to shove, there's nothing wrong with a little work. There are certain brushes and scrapers that work better on thick ice. There are some scrapers with a flat, scraping side and a ridged side for breaking up the ice. Use both to your advantage when you're in a hurry, and don't forget to get the heat running inside the car to help out along the way!