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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.

Is my Jeep's 4x4 Working Correctly? Slippery roads are in the future, and it is important to know whether the four-wheel drive is kicking in when you need it. In the worst road conditions, the last thing you want to be imagining is your vehicle losing control and potentially costing money in repairs. The best way to keep yourself from worry is to make sure your Jeep's 4x4 is working. We'll tell you how to test whether your Jeep's 4x4 is working! more What Does My 4x4 Do? So you have a car with four-wheel drive? What does that mean? Your four-wheel drive does not mean that your vehicle is driving with four wheels at all times. When your vehicle is driving down the road, your Jeep will use front-wheel drive, until road conditions leave one wheel without traction. The reason that four-wheel drive is so important is because it will use the other wheels to regain traction. Once traction is regained, the vehicle will return power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is when your vehicle is using all four wheels to move forward at all times. This can decrease your fuel economy by a lot more than four-wheel drive. Both are great options for those looking to drive with more confidence in the winter. Read More: The Jeep Renegade vs Car Seats, Who Won? How do I Know if My Four-Wheel Drive is Working? The easiest way to test if your 4x4 is working is to come up with a way to remove traction from your wheels and cause them all to spin. Test 1: Lift Your Jeep If you have the capability and the tools, lift your Jeep off the ground so that all four tires are off the ground. Then, have a friend watch the tires while you put your foot on the gas. If all the tires are spinning, attempting to find traction, then your four-wheel drive is working just fine! Test 2: The Tree Method If you have a tree in your yard, drive your Jeep so that the front end is touching the tree. Next, hop into the car and hit the gas. Have a friend tell you if all wheels start spinning while you drive against the tree. You don't want to damage your car, so don't let your Jeep hit the tree very hard. If all your wheels kick in to get your car moving, looks like your four-wheel drive is still working!

Police Cars No Longer Need the Laptop We all know the feeling of dread as we pass by a police vehicle. Their colors and authority on the road can make them quite the bully, but as a police officer, they are crucial to their job. Police officers have something to look forward to on the production of 2016 Dodge Chargers Pursuit. The new vehicles are promised to come with convenience technology that will make their job smoother and easier. Read on to learn about the changes. more As we have seen, police officers drive vehicles with laptops mounted in the front seat so that they have access to programs and information while on duty. However, Dodge has decided to take a different route and has introduced a bigger and more powerful screen right into the control center of the vehicle. No longer will police officers have their laptops in the car, but can instead use the new technology included with the Pursuit for 2016. Check This Out! 2016 Dodge Dart in Stock Now! Over 12 Inches of LCD Screen In an effort to rid the officers of their laptops for inside the vehicle, Dodge has introduced a 12.1 inch portrait-format touch screen inside their new 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles. Rather than having a laptop in the front seat, the new screen moves the performance parts of the computer to the trunk, allowing officers to experience the same level of performance while utilizing the new technology. You'll Enjoy This! 2016 Chrysler 300 Photo Gallery Versatility and Switchability The new police Dodge Charger not only offers the LCD screen in the front for their computing, but can switch between the computer and the UConnect software for running audio devices and other vehicle apps. With the simple touch of the screen, officers will find their information and vehicle technology controls easily available and accessible right inside their console.

Dodge Paints Cars to Look Like Star Wars Characters for New Movie Coming Out In November Driving around town, it's pretty rare to see a car that looks out of the ordinary. The streets are filled with sedans and hatchbacks and SUVs and trucks all painted in the usual colors and looking unexciting. Gearing up for the release of the new Star Wars movie, vehicles in New York are going to be driving around painted as storm troopers! We'll tell you more about that. more Talk About A Unique Paint Job! We've all seen those cars that have gotten custom paint jobs with the flames or horses or whatever they chose. However, we’re quite sure that you haven't seen a Storm Trooper Dodge vehicle driving around in your lifetime! A Vehicle that is UBER Attractive! Hot Wheels and UBER teamed up to drive 8 white Storm Trooper vehicles around the Big Apple to get people excited about the new Star Wars movie that will hit theatres this fall. The eight Dodge Chargers feature black lines and special decals to bring out the Storm Trooper look! READ MORE: Win A Garage Makeover From Dodge! Any Old Dodge Chargers? While all eight vehicles are Dodge Chargers, among the mix are a Hell Cat and an SRT 392. Big engines and great looks on an UBER vehicle could be a great surprise for the lucky riders during this special promotion! 2015 Dodge Charger Hell Cat This special vehicle has some truly impressive performance specs! A 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat engine puts out an overwhelming 707 horsepower! How could you turn down a ride in that awesome vehicle? The good news is that you don't have to. You can drive one home yourself! Here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine WI, we have the perfect vehicle for you and we know you'll enjoy your new ride. Take a Look at Our Inventory Schedule a Test Drive

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.

What's Better, Fuel Cells or Batteries? We all hear about electric vehicles and the changes the automotive industry is making to produce vehicles with better fuel economy and less of a negative impact on the environment. It's saves the planet and it saves you money, so the benefits are all around! So are electric vehicles better or should we be working towards better fuel cells? Many argue that electric vehicles are the best and most realistic choice, but the fuel cell technology is growing as well. What do you think? We'll give some info on both sides. more Dont Miss This! Dodge Increasing Hellcat Production! What Are Fuel Cells? Fuel cells are made of compacted hydrogen fuel that is collected from natural gas and pressurized into small cells that can be inserted into a vehicle and used as fuel. Right now, the technology costs and the process of hydrogen extraction makes fuel cells fairly expensive. Coming out to a rough comparable estimate of $4.50 per gallon of gasoline equivalent. However, with time and improvements in the technology, we could expect this price to drop significantly. What Are Electric Batteries? A much simpler idea to most of us, the electric battery in an EV works like any other battery. Electric energy is stored inside the battery and recharged whenever depleted. The EV runs on the electricity of the battery, and most vehicles are hybrids that switch to conventional fuel when the electric battery is depleted. Check This Out! What Are Daytime Running Lights? Which One Is Better? Fuel cells are not very popular sources of fuel for vehicles on the market today, so a lot less is known of the technology. Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular, especially in areas of the world where climate and road conditions are particularly mild. Here, in Wisconsin, tough cold winters can make EVs more difficult to rely on, but the technology is changing. Some believe that the fuel cell will end up being a more reliable form of fuel for future vehicles, and others believe that EVs are more realistic. It's hard to tell, but one thing is for certain, the world of automotive is changing and fast!

2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack with 485 horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi There are some vehicles that are just amazing to look at. The ones that make your head turn as it drives by. It doesn’t always mean that these vehicles are outside of your price range when they are gorgeous. And the Dodge Charger is a sport car that every person can enjoy, without having to pay the price. The 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack with 485 horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi comes ready to hit the road. Read more about it here. more There are few things as exciting and fun as driving a vehicle with power and agility. The 2015 Dodge Charger is one of the brands most popular vehicles, and the R/T Scat Pack model is not only more powerful, but also eye-catchingly exciting. With so much power behind the wheels and an overwhelmingly fluid driving experience, it’s no wonder that this beautiful vehicle is the sport car of choice for many drivers across the country. READ MORE: Does My Jeep Renegade Have Keyless Entry? Options like leather heated seats are hardly missed in a vehicle that offers such a fantastic drive and stylish looks. In several bright colors, the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack model is unique-looking, but keeps the stylistic taste of other Dodge models with the rear lights and body shape. With a starting price of only a little over $40,000, this vehicle challenges many more expensive vehicles in performance. Customizations are numerous in the Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack that offers a sunroof, leather upholstery, and ventilated seats to the choosy buyer. Staying at the base trim however, this beautiful charger really does bring out the excitement in getting out on the road. READ MORE: One Couple Owns Over 75 Dodge Vipers! Are you interested in seeing one of these amazing  powerhouses in person? Give our friendly staff a call. We would be happy to set up a time for you to test drive and witness the awesome power and exciting capability of the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack model.

Does the Jeep Renegade come with keyless entry? Keyless entry is the use of anything other than a key to unlock the doors of your vehicle. Most cars today come with keyless entry through the use of a remote on the keys of the car. However, there are lots of different forms of keyless entry in today's fast changing world of vehicle technology. Does the Jeep Renegade come with keyless entry? We'll tell you that and more! more The new Jeep Renegade is a beautiful crossover SUV that carries the tradition of rugged appearance and design from the rest of Jeep's history, and adds some modern flavor. Modern flavor, of course, adds cool technology for both the driver and passengers to enjoy. From a first-row LCD screen, to Bluetooth technology, the 2015 Jeep Renegade comes fully packed with entertainment and convenience features for everyone. Comfortable seats and high quality audio packages make every trip more enjoyable. A spacious rear and foldable seats makes it easy to take advantage of the maximum cargo space in the Renegade. READ MORE: How to Measure My Renegade's Horsepower Keyless entry is standard on vehicles today through the use of a remote on the key chain. It is included as a convenience feature for almost every vehicle on the road because of the lower risk factors that come with newer methods for remote entry. Some of these less safe methods include IPhone apps like the one recently created for Volkswagen. Through the use of the mobile phone, a Volkswagen owner can easily lock and unlock their vehicle from a long distance. While there are many new technologies in the world of automotives, including new ways to get into your vehicle and new ways to enjoy the drive. It might not stay the same for long, but the improvements that are made each day are impressive and exciting. READ MORE: Jeep Insurance is Cheaper than Other Cars Interested in taking the 2015 Jeep Renegade for a test drive? Our friendly professionals would love to show you the awesome features and great driving experience that the new Jeep Renegade provides. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you!

Is It Worth it to Wax New Cars? Yes, it’s time consuming, but even though it takes a little time and energy, the payoff can be great. So you’ve come here wondering, “ is it worth it to wax new cars?” We are here to discuss the benefits of waxing your car and how often you should do it. more Cars that were made before the 1980’s had less protection on the surface than cars that are made now. A natural top coat on cars today does a pretty fantastic job of protecting from the everyday elements, but older cars were much more easily damaged. Because of this, the wax was absolutely needed to protect the car’s surface. With today’s great technology, wax is more efficient, and cars need it less often. However, it does have some great benefits. Waxing a vehicle makes it look shiny and impressive. Cleaning the windows and giving it a wash is a great start, but wax truly makes a car look special. Many people even state that the waxing process is a great way to take pride in the appearance of their vehicle, and is a calming activity. Giving your car a wax is a great way to make it look great, but it also adds another layer of protection from scratches that lead to oxidation and further damage. New cars might have better protection than previous years vehicles, but it’s definitely worth an extra layer if you love your car! Since waxes are so much more effective these days, the process needs to be done less frequently than before. Any more than 5 times a year is excessive, but one wax in the fall and one in the spring is the perfect amount. Harsher weather is experienced in the winter, and so a wax before that season can keep your car looking it’s best. Here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Racine, we want you to drive in a beautiful and efficient vehicle. Come in to see us today to get your car looking great, feeling great, and driving the way it used to.

how long does it take to restore a 1968 Dodge Dart? When you see those restored classic cars driving around town in the warmer months, don’t you just wish you could have one for yourself? All the second-glances and smiles from people as you pass by.... we think that sounds pretty great. Well, we are sure you are wondering… how long does it take to restore a 1968 Dodge Dart to it’s former glory? Read on to see this beautiful vehicle that this man restored to perfection. more Classic vehicles look so nice. It’s hard to believe that it takes so much work to bring these cars back to their former glory, but it sure is great when someone devotes the time and energy to do it. There is something so special about seeing a classic car drive down the street. The nostalgia overwhelms us and we instantly wish we had lived in the days where these gorgeous cars drove down the street every day. This man out in sunny California has taken a 1968 Dodge Dart and transformed it back into the beautiful creature that it used to be. A convertible with the power and impressive appearance like this one is a real head-turner. The man explains that he has a deep appreciation for old vehicles and restores them one at a time until they are running great again. When asked how long it took him to bring the 1968 Dodge Dart back to life, he cheerfully said that it was right around 500 hours of work! Wow! Check out the video and interview here. Not sure you have the time, patience, or skill to restore a classic? Well, you are in luck because the 2015 Dodge Dart is a gorgeous vehicle that turns almost as many heads as it passes by. Offered in several fun colors and with a number of exciting modern features, the 2015 Dodge Dart is a fantastic choice in vehicle. Be sure to check in with the blog frequently to see what news and information we have out about the newest vehicles from Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep.

new diesel Jeep Wrangler with 8-speed automatic transmission in Racine WI Jeep has been around for over 50 years, and has built a reputation for power, utility, and rugged looks that has people around the world buying them. Their unique appearance was first developed to transport troops, and now has blossomed into a whole line of stylish adventure machines that take rugged design to the next level. The new diesel Jeep Wrangler with 8-speed automatic transmission in Racine WI, is sure to be the next step in rugged, versatile, efficiency for the Jeep lineup. more More gears in an automatic transmission mean more smooth acceleration and a better driving experience. It often also means more efficient gas usage. The vehicles of the past several decades were often set up with a 4 or 5 speed transmission, while the new Jeep Wrangler is going to be produced with an 8-speed transmission. Double the gears is impressive enough, but the Jeep will also feature a 3.0L diesel engine. This new Wrangler is surely going to be a winning combination of efficiency and technology. Without losing its classic design, the Wrangler has escaped from being forced to change up its image, making it a vehicle that people love for that reason. The new eco-diesel will keep it’s great style and design, but add a diesel engine that is sure to satisfy both the diesel lovers and those who want to save money at the fuel pump. It is unclear when the 3.0L EcoDiesel will make its grand appearance into the Jeep lineup, but we are excited! If you are interested in learning more about the new Jeep Wrangler with the EcoDiesel engine and 8-speed transmission, give us a call. Otherwise, feel free to look through our large inventory of fuel efficient vehicles and sign up for a test drive online. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Electric Minivans in WI There are so many great things about the minivan. It’s easy to fit the whole family inside, plus all their belongings. You can pack up everything you need for a trip without anyone feeling cramped or uncomfortable. They are affordable, convenient and spacious. On top of that, they are cheaper to insure than most large vehicles. What could possibly make them better? Electric minivans in WI. We’ll tell you when that is happening. more So the electric cars you see zooming around are getting lots of press. They get great gas mileage and are better for the environment. They are, however, incredibly small. There’s definitely not a lot of space for the whole family in these compact electric vehicles, and that is something that Chrysler is hoping to change. Word on the street says that they are working on an electric minivan that will solve the space problems for good. The plans for the electric minivan are really exciting since there are none available currently. If plans for this continue to go well, it will be the only electric minivan on the market. New technology makes vehicles more and more efficient with every year that goes by, and so we are excited to see what the electric minivan could offer families who are looking to save money on fuel and be able to bring their kids along for the ride. Smaller electric vehicles are also extremely improved in the last year, with the prices dropping into an affordable range, and many states offering rebates and free money for those who choose to drive these more environmentally friendly cars. This step towards a larger electric vehicle is thrilling for those of us who watch the changing automotive industry with anticipation for future improvements and technologies. If you are interested in learning more about Chrysler’s steps towards a more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly future, give us a call. Our experienced professionals are always ready to answer any questions you have. Take a look through our full online inventory of new and used vehicles that we have at the dealership and sign up for a test drive online. We can’t wait to hear from you!