Blog

How to drive a manual transmission vehicle: The basics and upshifting Have you ever been car shopping and found a car you loved, only to realize it had a manual transmission? With the enormous popularity of automatic transmission vehicles, many people don't learn how to drive manual transmission, or stick shift, vehicles anymore. But manual transmission models can be more fuel efficient if you drive them correctly, and they can put more control in your hands on the road. Learn how to drive a stick shift here! Read More: Road trip safely with your pet! Parts of a manual transmission vehicle The first step to learning how to drive a stick shift is learning what the different working parts are so that you can learn how to use them. Clutch pedal: Stick shift models have an extra pedal at your feet, called the clutch. It is located at the far left of the vehicle, and you will use your left foot to depress the clutch while you are shifting gears. Gear stick: Manual transmission models don't have gears for "drive, reverse, neutral, and park" like an automatic. Instead, the gear stick has numbers 1 through 5 or 6 and an "R" for reverse. Parking brake: The parking brake becomes especially important in a manual transmission model, because these models don't feature a set "park" gear like an automatic transmission. As such, you should always remember to use the parking brake when you park a stick shift model. Steps to drive a stick shift vehicle: Upshifting Before you actually start trying to drive stick, you should practice learning the gears and using the clutch with the car off to get the hang of the movement and motions. When you are practicing, get used to the feel of operating the clutch and switching gears at the same time, and make sure you are fully placing the stick into gear each time you switch gears. When you are ready to start the car, follow these steps: Ensure the car is in neutral (stick is in the middle, not pushed into any gear) and push the clutch down to start your vehicle. Put your stick into first gear with the clutch pressed down, and slowly let off the clutch as you press on the gas pedal (note: you will still use your right foot for the gas and brake pedals, your left foot should only be used on the clutch pedal). Around 15 mph or 3,000 rpm, you should be ready to move into second gear. Push the clutch in and let off the gas pedal, move the stick from first to second gear smoothly and fully, slowly let off the clutch while you push on the gas pedal, and then completely let off the clutch and keep your foot on the gas. This process will be repeated with each upshift. View Our Inventory Stay tuned to the blog for part two of this blog: Downshifting and reversing in manual transmission vehicles!

How to travel safely with a pet in the car A great way to experience the beauty of the country is to go for a road trip. This allows you to take in the sights firsthand as you travel to your destination. Many people want to bring their furry friends along, but it can be tricky planning a road trip with a dog or a cat in the car. Check out these travel tips to be safe on the road with your pet! Read More: Find the best camping spots on Lake Michigan in Wisconsin this summer! Tips to travel safely with a pet Check out these tips to make longer road trips more enjoyable for you and your fur-baby! Take shorter trips with your pet. Building up your pet's time in the car before you set off on a long road trip can help them feel more comfortable in the car and help them settle down and relax. Keep your pet safe in a comfortable carrier or harness attached to a seat buckle. Letting your dog or cat roam around the car can be distracting and dangerous in the event of an accident. Make sure they are either in a carrier that allows them to sit and stand comfortably, or use a harness with a seat buckle to secure them in the back seat safely. Never leave your pet alone in the vehicle. Even if you crack the window, parked cars heat up fast in the summer months and keep cold air in the winter months, making it dangerous to leave your pet unattended in the vehicle. Pack a pet-friendly travel kit. Items to include are food, water, bowls, a leash, waste bags, medications (if applicable), travel papers (like your pet's rabies vaccination record if you are traveling across state lines), a pet first-aid kit, old washcloths (to wipe dirty feet!), blankets or bedding, and toys. Other tips to keep in mind when traveling with a pet is to be mindful of their feeding schedule and try to keep them on a regular schedule. Never feed your pet in a moving vehicle, as it can cause tummy stress, and try to feed them a few hours before departure to allow their stomach time to digest their food before they get in the car. You should also make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and always keep their collar with identification tags that include your number, address, and any other relevant contact information. Never put a choke collar on your pet while traveling. We recommend bringing bottled water for your pet to avoid tummy upset. We hope you have a safe and fun trip with your pet! To schedule a service appointment before your road trip, come to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Racine today!

Many cars today offer a feature called Adaptive Cruise Control. But most people don't realize how this system works and what its key features are. Adaptive Cruise Control uses sensors to set your cruise controls and maintain a set distance from a vehicle in front of you. Learn more about this system in this helpful video below! View Our Inventory For all of your automotive needs, come to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine today!

How does a backup camera work? Many new vehicles today are equipped with a backup camera, or have it available as an option drivers can upgrade to on their model. But how exactly does a backup camera work to help you while you are driving in reverse situations? Check out this helpful video to learn more about backup camera technology! View Our New Inventory For all of your automotive needs, come to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine today!

When you are driving, seeing any sort of lights come on in your instrument panel can be frustrating, especially if you aren't sure what the cause is. When your check engine light comes on, it is important to bring your vehicle in for a diagnosis as soon as possible. Read More: What is traction control and how does it work? What to do when your check engine light comes on When your check engine light turns on, there are a variety of reasons this could be. That is why it is important to get your vehicle to a service technician right away, because it can be difficult to know how emergent the situation is. Your vehicle may help you out with this, by either staying on or blinking. If the light comes on and stays on, it is probably not a major emergency and you can get away with scheduling an appointment at your earliest convenience and taking your vehicle in. However, if your check engine light comes on and is blinking, that likely indicates a major engine misfire, so it is imperative you bring your vehicle in to our service center as soon as possible to determine what the issue is. There are a few things you can do to try and diagnose or lessen the problem on your own as well. You could try tightening your gas cap, reducing your speed and load (like if you are towing a trailer, drop that load as soon as you are able), and getting the code read so that you know what the issue is. Most automotive shops will be able to check out your vehicle and tell you what the issue is that caused the light to come on in the first place. For all of your automotive needs, come to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine!

How Does Traction Control Work Many people know that having a vehicle with traction control in the winter can be helpful, but often drivers don’t realize the full benefits of a system like this and how to best utilize it on the road. Check out this helpful video to learn more about what your traction control system does and how to use it! View Our Inventory For all of your automotive needs, come to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine!

How Blind Spot Monitor Works Many cars these days have a variety of safety and driver assistance features that help keep you safe on the road and give you more peace of mind behind the wheel knowing your vehicle has your back. While these features are no excuse for distracted driving, they can help you watch out for your surroundings and keep you in check. Let's learn more about how your vehicle's Blind Spot Monitor System works! View Our Inventory For all of your automotive needs, come to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine!

Pet Travel Safety Tips Over the holidays, many people enjoy traveling when they can to visit family and celebrate the season and the end of another year. For some people, their pets become members of their family, so the thought of leaving them behind isn't an option. Check out these tips to help you travel safely with your furry friend this season! Read More: How can I prepare my vehicle for winter? How to travel safely with pets The biggest thing to remember is that traveling can be a stressful experience for your pets, and it adds stress to you as well. Showing patience and love to your pet is important to ensure it is as enjoyable as possible for all parties. Whether you are taking a road trip or heading out on a plane, here are some tips to help you and your fur-child(ren) have a safe trip! Traveling in a car Prepare your vehicle. Ensure that your car is clean and there is nothing your pet could get into or eat that they shouldn’t. Get your pet used to traveling in the car. Take your pet for some shorter car rides to help it get used to traveling in the car to make the actual trip less stressful. Keep your pets secure. Keep your pet in a crate or carrier that they can sit, stand, turn around and lay down in. Secure the crate to the car seats so it doesn’t slide around as you accelerate and brake. Pack a pet travel kit. Include items like food, a leash, plastic bags for waste, any necessary travel documents (such as your pet's rabies vaccination record if you are traveling across state lines), toys, a bed or blanket, and plenty of water. Don't leave your pet alone in the car. Your car can reach extreme temperatures that can be unsafe for your pet if left alone too long, so always bring your pet in with you when possible, or at the very least strictly limit the amount of time your pet is in the car. Traveling by plane Book a direct flight. This will avoid the risk of your pet being left on the tarmac or jostled around by baggage personnel when you switch flights. Make sure your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date. This protects you and your furry friend in the event of an incident. You can also use the appointment to get tips from your vet on how to relax your pet for the flight. Get a sturdy crate. A USDA-approved crate will be the safest option for your pet, especially if it is riding as cargo. The crate should be big enough for your pet to be able to stand, turn around and lay down in. Identify the crate. Put the words "live animal" on the outside of the crate for airline personnel to see, and include your name and contact information as well so that you can be reached if necessary. Tell every airline employee you cross that you are traveling with your pet. They can assist in the event of plane delays and be ready if any additional considerations are necessary. View Our Inventory Here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season with your furry family members!

How to change clock on Uconnect® 8.4-Inch Touchscreen Display Daylight Savings time is just around the corner on this Sunday November 5th! You might be wondering how to change the clock on your Uconnect® 8.4-Inch system, especially if you have never had to change it before! Luckily, it is easier than ever to change your clock thanks to advanced technology and the touchscreen display. Check out this helpful video showing you how to change the clock on the Uconnect® system! View Our New Inventory Changing the Clock in your Uconnect® System It's as simple as that! If you are having troubles, or have any other automotive needs, come on in to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine and a sales professional would be happy to help you out!

How to prepare your vehicle for winter 2017 Winter is right around the corner here in Wisconsin, and it can be brutal. Freezing temps, snowstorms and ice are all pretty normal occurrences for the state. While you mentally prepare yourself for it, preparing your vehicle is a good idea too, so that you are ready for all of the unpredictability of the season. Following these tips below will help you to be ready to take on winter in Wisconsin! You May Also Like: Come to Palmen of Racine for your new tires! Tips to prepare your car for winter Getting regular maintenance on your vehicle is always a good idea to ensure its longevity, but it is especially important going into the winter! The last thing you want is to break down on the road when its below zero out. Make sure that you are getting an oil change when you need it, and check your car battery. If your battery is over three years old, it should be checked to make sure it can still hold a charge. If not, think about getting it replaced to avoid needing a jump-start in the inclement weather. Winter brings many days of snow, and your windshield wipers tend to get a lot more use during these months. Check your wiper blades to make sure they are in decent shape, and invest in new ones if your wipers affect your visibility at all during snow or rain. Also be sure to top off your windshield wiper fluid and check your defroster from the inside to ensure you can keep your windshield clear. Your tires are an integral part of your vehicle, especially in winter! Making sure they are properly inflated to whatever recommended PSI your vehicle manufacturer lists will help you keep the best traction possible on slippery roads. Check the tire tread depth as well to make sure your vehicle still has grip. If you are nervous about your tires or feel like they are worn down, consider switching out your tires for snow tires to help you get the best traction on the roads. We hope these tips help you get your vehicle in the best shape possible before the bitter cold sets in. If you are in need of vehicle maintenance, or just want to get your vehicle checked out before winter, you can make a service appointment online! For all of your automotive needs, choose 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. 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. 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.