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There's nothing more frustrating than getting stuck at a red light for what feels like an eternity, whether you're running late or perfectly on time. However, there are a few things you can do to help things move along some of the time. Check out these tips for quicker changing traffic lights, and you might get to your destination just a bit more quickly. How to Change a Red Light Green The first thing to consider when you're wishing things would change is the type of traffic light you are sitting at. If you notice a camera or indentations/detectors on the road surface, then the light can be influenced by where your vehicle is. However, if it's a simple, timed traffic light, there's nothing you can do as it's set to change at regular intervals regardless of traffic. Read More: Why Is Gasoline So Colorful on the Ground? Traffic Light Tips for Cars: Center your vehicle in the lane Pull to the very front of the lane, but don't cross the lines into the crosswalk If there is a camera, try to position your vehicle where it is pointed Traffic Light Tips for Motorcycles: Look for the indents in the road's surface and try to position yourself in the center of them If there are no markings, position your bike in the venter of the lane, close to the front without crossing the lines Traffic Light Tips for Bicycles: Follow all the same rules as you would on a motorcycle If there is a bike lane, look to see if there are detector markings there (if not, you'll need to use the lane to induce the light change) If the light doesn't change, try pressing the pedestrian crossing button to induce the light change.

When you drive your car, you often bring along a few valuable items like your wallet, purse and important documents. You might try your best to avoid leaving your purse or wallet in the car, but sometimes it's easier to just leave them behind. Read on and find three tips for hiding your valuable items or wallet in your car to avoid a break-in while you are away. 3 Tips for Hiding Purse in Car to Avoid Burglary Read More: What to Do With Hands Smashed in a Car Door Tip 1: Avoid The Usual Hiding Spots When someone gets into your car and is looking for things to steal, they will start by looking in the traditional hiding spots. These include: the glove box, under the seats and in the front seat pockets. (If your vehicle's glove box has a lock, then don't hesitate to leave your valuables there!) Tip 2: Hide Your Valuables Before You Drive Someone who intends to steal from your car might be watching as you stow away your items before getting out of the car. For this reason, it's best to put the items in their designated hiding spots before you drive to your destination. Tip 3: Check Your Car for Uncommon Hiding Spots Hiding your items doesn't always have to mean hiding it completely. Phones often fit inside mint boxes, and your other larger items might fit best in a spare tire storage spot, or in floor storage spaces. Burglars are usually in a hurry and won't have the time to search thoroughly. Read More: Why Does Gasoline Look Colorful Spilled on the Ground?

We all have painful experiences throughout our lives, but most of us have had our fingers smashed by a car door at least once. It can be incredible painful, and it can even result in some serious damage if not treated properly. Read here and find some tips for how to treat car door smashed fingers, and learn when you need to seek medical attention. Home Treatment for Car Door Smashed Fingers The first thing you should do after smashing your fingers in a car door is ice the injury. Quickly put an ice pack or bag of frozen veggies onto your fingers to help numb the pain and help to lessen the swelling. Don't panic if your hand throbs and hurts as the quicker your heart is racing, the more blood will rush to the fingers and that will only make the pain worse. Read More: Why Is Gasoline So Colorful on the Ground? After you've got the ice on and you've taken a few deep breaths, find some over-the-counter pain relievers and take the recommended dose. The best options are medications with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If you have any reason to question how your body will react with certain pain relieving medication, be sure to consult a medical professional before taking it. When To See a Doctor for a Smashed Hand If your injury from the car door seems to be more than a home treatment can help, or your pain is mostly in your palm or joints, you should seek expert medical attention. Injuries that include any of the following observations should be checked out by a doctor as soon as you are able: If you can't bend a finger If the joints or palm bones are injured If your nail bed appears damaged, or blood is pooling under your nail If there is a deep cut or broken bone If there is any sign of infection Accidents happen and we can't always avoid injury, but if you follow these basic rules for what to do after smashing a hand in the car door, you should be able to get your hand back in great shape. Don't hesitate to call a doctor if your injuries appear severe.

We've all been walking through a parking lot and noticed the colorful substance on the ground. Most of us know it's gasoline, but do we know why it looks so colorful? Why doesn't it look colorful when it's coming out of the pump? Keep reading to learn more about what makes leaked or spilled gasoline so colorful on the ground. Why Gasoline Looks Like a Rainbow Gasoline that is spilled on the ground creates a thin and spread out display of fun colors in the light. The combination of oil and water that makes up the gasoline separates into layers, and the oil layer reflects the light. The light frequency and the thickness of the oil in different parts of the spill are what creates the different colors. Read More: Avoiding Blind Spots By Properly Adjusting Side View Mirrors The thicker oil in parts of the spill will make the blue and purple tones, while the thinner spread oil will give off the yellow and red tones. Just remember, that while gasoline spills can seem pretty harmless, a vehicle leaking gasoline should be checked out! If it's yours, bring it in and have us take a look. Why Do We Enjoy the Smell of Gasoline? First, let's clear the air (pun intended) and say that not everyone loves the smell of gasoline. Neither are we suggesting that you ever intentionally take a big sniff of the stuff. The fumes from gasoline can actually be linked to certain cancers and can make you feel a bit woozy if inhaled too much. However, there are people out there who enjoy the passing smell of gasoline. Read More: Recycling Hazardous Waste in Racine WI The most reasonable explanation for this is the link between certain smells and happy memories. Many of us, as children, traveled with our parents and stops at the gas station might have meant the start of a new adventure or even a chance at a snack from the convenience store. This natural psychological phenomenon is the most likely reason why you find yourself smiling every time you fill up at the gas station.

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. 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. 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.

Do you find yourself staring at the new vehicles on a dealership lot just wishing your budget had a little more flexibility? Do you also find yourself unsure of whether the used inventory has something as nice as you'd prefer? The good news is that there are some vehicles you might not have considered. A demo car is a vehicle that the dealership has used to offer test-drives for their latest models, meaning that you can get behind the wheel of a much newer car without paying the higher price of an all-new car. Read about the 3 benefits of buying a used demo vehicle here. What Is a Demo Vehicle? Dealerships use demo vehicles to allow potential car shoppers to test drive a vehicle before buying it. Instead of breaking the bank paying for a brand new vehicle, why not consider a demo car with only a few thousand miles on it, and the modern style you've been dreaming of? Check out these 3 benefits to choosing a used demo vehicle. Benefit #1: Fewer Miles than Most Used Cars Because the dealership only gives the vehicle out to dealership employees or interested customers to drive, the miles travelled will most likely be lower than that of a used vehicle. It's important to consider who was driving a vehicle before you, but with fewer miles under the wheels, you might be able to score a deal on a nearly-new vehicle. Benefit #2: Discounted Price From New Model Scoring a deal might not be as easy with an all-new vehicle, but since demo vehicles have miles on them and are still considered a new vehicle, you'll be getting something modern and exciting without paying the full price. Be sure to check out all the important systems  (brakes, suspension, transmission) and ask about the vehicle's maintenance before buying. Benefit #3: Easily Available Vehicle History Because the vehicle was owned by the dealership and records exist for everyone who has driven it, it's easy to ask the dealer for information about where the car was driven and who drove it. If you feel confident that the vehicle looks nice and drives the way it should, you can definitely consider buying a used demo vehicle. Read More: 5 Tips for Buying a Car in 2017

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! 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. 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. 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! 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. 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.