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How to Properly Sit in Your Car Since it’s summer time, many have plans of going out of town in their car to save time, money and enjoy the view along the way. However, being in the car for long periods of time can take a toll on your body and back. Here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we want to help you understand how to properly sit in your car. more stay comfortable. Stay happy First, don’t you just slump in the car. The slumping position is extremely taxing on your back when you stay on it for long period of time. Instead, remember to step in and lead with your hips. By making sure that your hips go first and then the rest of your body you can ensure that you are sitting on the back of your thighs and not sitting on your tailbone. Even if the excitement of driving your new vehicle or the hurry of getting to work in your old car is too intense, remember that your health should always be a priority. And pass the knowledge to others In order to keep you back straight, use a small blanket or a t-shirt to create extra support on your lower back. Place it right up into the region of your upper spine. Pillowcases also work for your back to be supported and your shoulders relaxed. It’s likely that you will feel a pleasant change in your neck, shoulders and lower back. When it comes to distance, try to bring your seat forward some more in order to achieve the correct distance and maintain good posture.  Your legs should just sit and should not be involved in holding you upright. Follow these simple steps and in order to make your summer trips more comfortable for you and healthier for your back. Always keep in mind that here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine in WI, we care about vehicles and their drivers. As always, call if you have any questions or want to test drive a new vehicle!

Get exactly what you need How to Choose a Car For some, the moment when you step into a dealership might be stressful; so many cars, so many deals … we understand how confusing and sometimes puzzling it could be. However, here at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Racine, we want to give you some tips on how to choose a car. more No more questions marks Ask yourself, “What do you need this car for?” if the answer is to go from point A to point B, then you could use a small car with high gas mileage. However, if you have to go from point A to point B with soccer balls, football equipment, backpacks, lunch bags and two pets, you might be looking at an old or new model for a minivan. It carries everything you need and, with today’s models, minivans look stylish and modern. Make your way on the streets You’ve gathered your friends, their friends, camping and water gear -sounds to us like adventure time. Because you want your vehicle to match your style without the necessity of additional feature s, a large SUV will do the job. You’ll look and feel like you know exactly what you’re doing and where you’re going. However, if what you need is a vehicle to help you move boats, campers, jet skis, dirt bikes or whatever other adventure companions you might need, you might want to consider a pickup truck. They have exactly the hauling power you need without losing the style and modern look you prefer. Another scenario could be if you use your vehicle to drive for work, whether it’d be from city to city, state to state, or to take clients to lunch, a hybrid sedan might be exactly what you need. These models are extremely reliable, which tells you that your visits to the repair center would be reduced while taking care of your pocket. Everybody has a model that’s just right for them according to their necessities – Yours could be just around the corner.

Sun and miles Taking Care of Your Car During the Summer In case you haven’t noticed it yet, it’s time to get summer ready. You’ve taken into consideration what you eat, the hours you workout and the clothes you wear but what about the car you drive? Here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we want to let you know somethings to keep in mind when taking care of your car during the summer. more Enjoy the summer. Enjoy your ride If the A/C in your house has to be turned on for the summer, then the one on your old or new vehicle has to be worked on, too. It is a simple task that can be save you a buck or a call to the repair center. Talking about heat, the cooling system in your car also has to be taken care of. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically to prevent overheating. Less things on your to-do list You’ve heard of tanning oil, right? What about car oil? The oil on your vehicle should be changed approximately every 3,00 miles and specially during the summer when you travel for long periods of time, with lots of luggage or if you use your vehicle to tow a trailer. And since you’re already in the front of the car, check the lights! Inspect all light bulbs, replace burned-out bulbs and get in the habit of cleaning them periodically. In order to keep the party going, you have to take care of your car’s tires. Get them rotated every 5,000 miles and check the tire pressure once a month. Before embarking on a journey, check them while they are cold. And dont forget to always check you spare to make sure the jack is in good condition. This additional item can save you time and money if kept well. Have fun and get a tan! But don’t forget to take care of your car to make this summer a safe, hassle-free one.

Do good to those who love you Take Care of Your Engine This is something that we all do: We hop in our vehicles, turn them on and go on our way. The only time we get to thinking about our engine is when we hear weird noises, see eerie vapors or something on the dashboard turns on. Your friends here at your Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram or Racine dealer, we want to give you a few tips to take care of your engine and keep it running. more Too hot to be thirsty As the plants need soil to grow, your engine need oil to keep moving. So, change the oil regularly! Oil keeps vital engine parts well lubricated so that they won't overheat. Your engine can't function without it and if you go too long between oil changes it can cause permanent damage to your engine over time. Whether it’d be an old or new model, this is a step that should be regularly made. Take it to for a little walk And if you don’t want things to get too heated -literally- The easiest way to protect your engine from overheating is by making sure you have the proper amount of coolant (radiator fluid) circulating throughout your engine. This is done by making sure that the cooling system (radiator, thermostat, water pump and coolant) has the proper amount of cooling liquid. Whenever you see that your car is overheating, take it immediately to the service center to prevent further permanent problems. If you want your car to be a breath of fresh air, then don’t forget to check on the air filters regularly. Its jobs is to keep all the bugs, leaves, dirt and craziness from getting inside your engine. Over time, however, these filters get clogged and this is when a replacement part is needed. Nothing too expensive, yet vital to the life of your vehicle. Dont forget that if you take care of your vehicle, it will take care of you.

Face the summer with all you have What to Have in the Trunk for Summer Trips OK, so you've packed the bags, the football, volleyball, soccer cleats, lunch boxes, portable video games, dogs treats, plastic bags and the perfect road trip music .. but what about your car? What do you have in it that makes it “summer ready?”  Here at your Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Racine, WI, we want to keep you informed of what to have in the trunk for summer trips to grandma’s kitchen or ocean breezes. more Your baby got your back For many, the trunk of your car is the place where everything you once lost can be found. However, many drivers neglect the valuable opportunities that this space gives them. And, yes, we know that you've been a “good boy” taking your car to service center for a regular check up, but hey, things happen. First, let’s clarify what are the essentials that every -yes, every - driver should have no matter whether you have an old or new vehicle. These include: jumper cables, flares and reflectors, a flashlight, a first aid kit, a container with water, an extra blanket, and, our all-time favorite, a spare tire. Family car or for that single individual, spacious or minimal, there should not be any excuses for not having these valuable essentials. More than a vehicle, it's your right hand In addition, there are some other items that could possibly save your life or ease the mind of your love ones. Many don’t know this but portable jump-starters, with USB ports included, could be very convenient when you battery or your phone says Hasta la vista, Baby. Add an FRS radio, but the one that runs on AAs, that way you’d know that it won’t need to be recharged and will work when you need it. Lastly, this is the trick that every driver should have in consideration on this summer season. It is not an extra part or an electric device: every driver should keep a small container for gasoline in their trunk in case your car or generator runs out of fuel. Bring on the heat, the streets and be Summer-ready !

You'll love the oil change specials here! Cheap oil change Racine WI Summer is here, and no doubt you want your vehicle to be road-trip ready for whatever adventures you’ve got in the works. One way to do that is to make sure you’re not due for an oil change –  nothing derails a good time quite like unnecessary car trouble! But you certainly don’t want to part with too much of your vacation fund, so the question becomes: Where can you get a cheap oil change in Racine WI? And the answer: more Some oil changes neglect the filter... not ours! Right here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, of course! We’ve got some specials running  at our service center right now, in fact, that’s going to make your day if you’re in need of some maintenance. Two, actually, so take your pick! First up is the Lube, Oil, and Filter change for just $27.95. Usually you’d pay that much for just an oil change alone at most places, but we’re throwing the whole works in for one low price for the month of June. Just give us a call to set up your appointment for this great deal, or go ahead and schedule it yourself right here. Get those tires rotated for longer life!     The second one is great if you need something on the fly –  no appointment necessary! This one, our Express Lane Oil Change & Tire Rotation special, includes a lube oil, and filter change, multi-point vehicle inspection, AND tire rotation, all for $39.95! Just bring your vehicle here during our service center hours –  that’s Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. –  and we’ll make it happen! For more great specials or to print one of these out, head on over to our coupons page! And if you’re seeing this after June 2014, make sure to check out our new crop of specials that we’re running –  we change them regularly to keep our customers saving all the time on different types of services! See you soon!

Let's get you some new tires! Cheapest tires in Racine Is it time for new tires? Are you sure? Winter can be particularly harsh on your tread, and as much as it can be a pain in the neck –  and the wallet –  to replace a set of tires, it will save you a lot of trouble in the long run to take care of it before it becomes a bigger problem. Today we’ll tell you how to check your tire tread and where to get the cheapest tires in Racine –  and we don’t mean “cheap” in the quality sense –  We mean unbeatable prices! more Keep a close eye on your tread to make sure it's not too low. Alright, so step one is to check your tread. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Lincoln penny test. It’s the simplest and fastest way we know to check the tread on your tires if you’re not experienced enough to eyeball it. Take a penny and place it in your tires tread, with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. Sound crazy? Just wait! Now, look to see if you can see the top of his head or if the tread is covering part of it. See the whole thing. If it’s covered, so are you for the time being. But what happens if you can see his entire head? That’s not the best news, as it means your tread is too low for safe driving and it’s probably time to replace the tires. We wish there were a quick fix, but even assuming you’ve been taking good care of your tires –  keeping them clean, rotated regularly, and filled with the proper amount of air –  the eventual wear-down is just an inevitable occurrence. The upside? We know where to get the best price in town on a new set. It pays to save! It’s right here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine! How do we know we’ve got the best price on new tires? Because we stand by it! From now until June 30 if you buy a new set of tires from us and then see a better price on the same set and bring us the ad within thirty days, we’ll refund you the difference! We sell tires for all makes and models, so don’t worry that we’ve only got options for Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram (though we certainly do have those!) –  Just come on in and let us know what you’re looking for –  We’ll make it happen, and for the best price in town!

Bring your car out of storage As much as we love driving our cars, some of them just aren’t cut out for these Wisconsin winters. Or sometimes we simply don’t want to deal with the effects of winter and put our vehicles away for the season. But when summer rolls around – as it’s certainly doing now –  it’s time to bring your car out of storage! Here are our top tips for how to transition back from your car’s seasonal hibernation and into warm weather fun! more If you're taking it out into the sun, it ought to shine, right? Whether it’s your beach-combing Wrangler or your prized Dodge Challenger, your winterized car needs to come out of hiding now that these warm sunny days are upon us. So how do we proceed? The first thing you want to do, scary as it may prove for some of us, is to check for signs of rodents. Certainly you prepped for this possibility as best you could while putting your car away, but rodents are nothing if not tricky. So get under the hood and check for chewed belts, wires, and hoses. Also poke around for nests. Any areas that you covered up to avoid this, like the exhaust pipe, should also be cleared. Check your tire pressure. This is one of those things that happens no matter what we do. Tire pressure goes down whether we’re out on the road or not, so make sure yours are up to their recommended weight before getting back out there. As always, your fluid levels are of key importance to your car’s performance, so no matter how topped-off you know you were before putting your car away, it never hurts to make sure things like oil, transmission fluid, and coolant haven’t managed to leak out during the winter. Now get out there and have a great summer! Chances are you disconnected your battery when putting your vehicle away, so make sure you reconnect it and while you’re at it, wipe the battery terminals down with a lint-free rag and if they seems particularly dirty, use baking soda and a toothbrush. Give it a wash! Hey, why take your prized automobile out on its first summer run looking dusty? Run through a carwash or give it an old fashioned hose-down yourself in the driveway. We here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine wish you and you car a happy return to the roads!

Report potholes in Racine Potholes are a common problem in Spring, and can cause problems for vehicle owners that are both immediate and long-term. Today we’ll talk about why potholes form, how to avoid hitting them while driving, what to do if you do hit one and have damage as a result, and how to report potholes in Racine so that the roads here can be as pothole free as possible! more Good driving habits can help you avoid pothole damage. How do potholes form? During winter, our roads freeze, and the water that’s seeped into all the tiny crevices freezes with them. This hardening puts strain on the blacktop, as does the erosion of the ground beneath the road which is also caused by the freezing and thawing process. These factors lead to an area that crumbles into what’s known as a pothole. Why you don’t want to hit them: Hitting a pothole can cause a number of problems for your vehicle. This includes potential damage to your wheel rims, engine, exhaust system, suspension, and steering. Hitting potholes can also contribute to long-term wear and tear on your tires, shocks, and struts. How to avoid hitting them: As with so many other things, it comes down to careful, conscientious driving. We’re sure you already practice safe driving habits, but just in case you need a refresher this includes slowing down and leaving space between you and the vehicle in front of you –  these things buy you time in the event of a pothole. Steer clear safely if you can, but if you must go over a pothole slow down gently (this is where the going slow comes in handy). Slow down! What to do if you hit a pothole? If you believe you have damage to your vehicle from hitting a pothole, bring it to our service center here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine. We’ve got a number of service coupons that can help you save on repairs. How to report potholes: The city of Racine has a pothole reporting form on their website. We hope you have a safe, happy season –  and watch out for those potholes!

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!

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!

Oil Change Coupons Racine WI When it's time to do your spring house cleaning, don't forget that other place you spend a ton of time each week! That's right - your car! In addition to cleaning it out and making it smell good again (we all get a free pass for the winter - it's fine), you'll probably want to make sure you're up to date on your routine maintenance services as well. That's where we come in. We've got an excellent list of service specials for you to look through and choose the one that fits what your car needs right now.  Need oil change coupons in Racine, WI? Have a look! more Don't miss this great oil change special!   Winter can be hard on your wiper blades, and we've certainly gotten enough use out of them this year. But with the rainy season still ahead, you don't want any performance issues in the department. Take advantage of our current wiper blade special - $2 off each blade! For already-low prices, this makes quite a difference! Looking for some camo gear? We've got it! Best of all, with our current coupon you can get $6 off a camo hat when you purchase a camo t-shirt. You'll be all decked out in no time! Need the works? How about a lube, oil, and filter change for just $27.95? That's a huge discount from what you'd normally pay for all three of those services, so if you're at, near, or overdue for your next oil change, this is the perfect time to get in and save! Moss oak camouflage hat   What else? We've got Mopar Value Line brake pad or shoe replacement, Mopar batteries on sale, and get this: a FREE multi-point inspection! Come on in and see our service advisor for the full details on these great coupons, or schedule your service appointment online here. When you need a great deal on maintenance or repairs, Palmen Dodge Jeep Chrysler of Racine is your one-stop shop. Our friendly, knowledgeable service technicians will be glad to help!