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Buying a car is a big investment, and you might not have experience getting through the process. For those of us who could use a hand with the car shopping and buying process, these 5 tips for buying a car in 2017 might be a good place to start. Shopping New or Used Car Tips for First-Time Buyers Read More: Why You Should Never Drive on Empty Narrow Your Choices: Consider the type of car you want, along with the size and price you need. Take a look through the research on our site to find direct comparisons and info about several models available. Once you find a size and budget figured you, narrow your options a bit to give yourself a direction to go when looking for the right vehicles to test drive. Assess Your Ownership Costs: Different cars have different costs for ownership, and this includes things like insurance, repairs and maintenance. Websites like Kelley Blue Book can give you a rough estimate of what your ownership costs will look like, and give your insurance company a call to see what your payments would look like. Check Out Your Financing Options: If you prefer to finance through the bank or credit union, rather than the dealer itself, go in to receive information and get a financing plan approved before you head over to the dealership. Not only will you feel more confident, but you'll have an idea of what your budget looks like before you fall in love with something too expensive! Take a Thorough Test Drive: When you get behind the wheel of your potential vehicle, be sure to really test out the driving experience. That means hitting highway speeds, testing the brakes and really getting a feel for how the vehicle handles turns. If it's a used car, be sure to test interior features and technology. Focus on Negotiating Skills: Before you head over to the dealership, take a few minutes to consider how you want to negotiate the price. A lot of times, a few of the classic negotiating tactics can help you to get a better price on a car you want. Don't be afraid to negotiate, as a little confidence goes a long way!

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. 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!

Snow tires can give us a little extra confidence when the roads become slippery and snow-covered. However, there are also snow chains that many drivers use to increase traction on snowy roads. So, which one is the best option for you? Is there one that is better than the other? We'll cover the pros and cons of snow tires and snow chains here. Should I Buy Snow Chains? The difference between snow tires and snow chains is that the traction of the chains adds large ridges to the outside of the tires. If you live where the roads are covered in snow and ice, snow chains are a great option for making the daily drive safer for everyone in the car. Read More: Removing Thick Ice From Your Windshield However, roads that don't have a truly consistent layer of compacted snow or ice are not a good option for snow chains, as they can cause damage to your vehicle or the roads. Are Snow Tires Enough for Winter Driving? In most cases with frequently falling snow and sometimes icy roads, snow tires are enough to add traction and make for a safer daily drive. Rain and ice during the winter months can make roads even more slippery, so it's important to take care while driving. Read More: Protecting Your Car Paint from Road Salt If you have any questions regarding your tires or what would make your vehicle more safe this and every winter, give us a call. Our service center experts are here to help!

As the cold and blustery weather approaches, the road conditions start to really take a toll on your vehicle. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that the salty roads and ice don't leave their mark on your car. Read on and get yourself set because winter is here and your vehicle doesn't need to suffer. We'll give you the tips to get started on prepping your car for the winter months. How to Prevent Salt Damage to Car Paint Add a Wax Coating Just like we add layers of clothes when the weather gets chilly, we should give our cars a little extra protection. It's suggested that you apply a layer of polymer wax to your car's paint to shield it from the salt and grime that comes with slushy, icy winter roads. Get the Grime Off If you have a few days between winter storms, you might want to take a little time to get the salt and dirt off your car. Use a pressure sprayer to ensure you ditch the grit, especially on your wheel wells and undercarriage.  Getting rid of the grime before it settles in can keep things looking fresh. Reapply Wax After the grime builds up and you wash it off, you'll need to reapply your protective wax. Once you've applied the polymer wax, try to add a spray wax for additional protection. Not only does the spray wax add just a bit of protection, but it's easy to apply and wipes off quickly. Mind Your Brushing Invest in a nice brush and scraper for getting snow and ice off your car. Be sure not to use the scraping part to get snow off painted parts of your car. While it works well on windows, it can leave marks and scratches in your paint. Use a soft brush or foam to remove snow. Car Cleaning and Detail Racine WI If you could use a hand keeping your car cleaned up this winter, give us a call or schedule an appointment online. Our team is experienced in getting your vehicle in ship shape, and we have the tools to ensure your car is ready for the winter roads.

When it comes to loading your trailer and hitting the road, we might forget that there's a right way to do it. Everything, from the way you put your cargo on the trailer, to the way you drive while the trailer is connected, is important for keeping you and other drivers safe on the road. Check out these tips for how to drive safely while towing a trailer and how to load your cargo so it stays put! How to Properly Load Your Cargo Trailer Tip 1: Check your trailer's weight capacity, and be sure not to load more than you should. Close to 60% of your cargo's weight should be in the front half of your trailer, with the other 40% in the rear half (Unless otherwise is stated on your trailer). Tip 2: Balance the weight of the cargo as evenly as possible between the two sides so that the trailer does not sway from side-to-side. The center of gravity should be low to the ground and over the axles. Tip 3: Once the cargo is placed and balanced, you'll need to secure it. This helps to avoid shifting while you drive, which can result in making your trailer unstable and unsafe. Nylon rope and towing straps are both great options for securing cargo in your trailer. Read More: How to Connect a Trailer to Your Ram 1500 Pickup Safety Tips for Driving with a Trailer Go Slow – You need more time to accelerate and to brake. Maintain Control --  Take your foot off the gas when you feel yourself losing control. Longer Trailer = Wider Turns Only Pass When Necessary Slow Down When Going Downhill Bring a Full-Size Spare Tire Always Park on a Flat Surface Pickup Trucks for Sale Racine WI If you are interested in driving a pickup truck to take advantage of the capability and versatility that comes with the powerful build and engine, check out the Ram 1500. We've got an up-to-date online inventory just waiting for you, so check it out and schedule your test drive appointment today!

Most of us know it's a bad idea to be driving around town with a flat tire, but there are steps to take before your tire reaches that point. Instead of waiting for your tires to become incredibly flat from a loss of air pressure, you should be checking the pressure and adding air every so often to keep things running smoothly. Read on and see how often you should be checking your tire pressure and what impact it can have on your vehicle. Three Ways Low Air Pressure in your Tires Damages Your Car Incorrect tire pressure greatly decreases the safety of your vehicle as it affects the cornering, braking and stability. You might even end up in a serious accident. So, what happens if you don't keep good track of your tire pressure? If the tire pressure is too high, less of your tire will be touching the ground when you drive. Because of this, your vehicle will much more easily slide around while you drive, and you'll notice a less comfortable ride as your tires absorb less of the shock of the road. If your tire pressure is too low, too much of the tire is touching the ground, increasing friction. This will cause your tired to wear prematurely, and to heat up when you drive. Overheating tires can cause treat separation. A sign of low tire pressure is a squealing noise when you turn corners. Your tire pressure changes regardless of whether your tires are leaking. Changes in temperature greatly affect your tire pressure, and leave many drivers who haven't been checking their pressure with under-filled tires in the colder winter months. Need New Tires in Racine WI? If your tires are leaking and your tire pressure is constantly low, you might need to make a trip to see the experts here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Racine. We'll help you to diagnose the issue, and even get you set up with new tires if need be. Our friendly professionals are here to answer your questions and to get you back on the road in a safe and reliable vehicle.

When you bring your vehicle in to see the service experts at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Racine, you are not only getting quality repair and maintenance, but the care and attention your vehicle needs from a group of professionals who work hard to keep your car running its best for as long as possible. Read on and check out the parts of your vehicle that we check for free each time you visit. Free Multi-Point Inspection at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Dropping your vehicle off at the service center can be expensive and inconvenient, so the team here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Racine wants to take some of the stress off your shoulders by helping you to keep your vehicle in tip top shape. Instead of simply changing your oil and sending you home, our service team will check a variety of parts on your vehicle to give you an idea of any issues you might not know about. Read More: Reasons To Never Drive On Empty How often do we only find out that our vehicle has a problem once it's become a big issue? With the free multi-point inspection from the service team, we are hoping to help you avoid big repairs and potentially dangerous issues. Whether you drive something shiny and new, or something used and well-loved, your vehicle means a lot to us, and we want to keep it in great shape. Here is a list of the things we will take a look at when we go through the free multi-point inspection. If you have any questions, or want to know more about what the service team will inspect, give us a call! Fluids (oil, transmission, brakes, and even wiper fluid) Belts and Hoses Tires Shocks/Struts Schedule Vehicle Service Racine WI If your vehicle could use a check-up, or it's time for your routine maintenance and repairs, give us a call or schedule your appointment online. We are here to answer your questions and to get your car driving and feeling great.

We've all driven our vehicle until that gas light turns on. Whether it was freezing outside and we really didn't want to have to stand outside and pump the gas, or money was tight and we just needed to make the fuel last as long as possible, we've all tried to stretch our empty fuel tank. Most vehicles can run for quite a few miles after the low fuel light comes on, but should we be pushing the limits? Check out these reasons why you should never drive your car on a nearly empty tank. Why Low Fuel Is Bad For Your Car When your fuel light comes on, it means that your vehicle has between 10%-15% of the fuel left, and that it is running on its reserves. Sure, that might mean that your fuel efficient little car has quite a few miles left in it, but it's not worth running the risk of letting your fuel run dry. There's more at stake than your ego when you're standing on the side of the highway waiting for rescue. Read More: Smells Inside Your Car That Mean Trouble Your fuel pump works while your car is running to send your gas to your engine, and the fuel in the tank helps to keep the pump cool and lubricated. Without fuel in your tank to keep the pump cool, you run the risk of it overheating and eventually failing. Not only is it an expensive part to replace, prior to the failure, your car will be running less efficiently and wasting the fuel in your tank even when it's full. Check This Out: Free Online Coupons for Vehicle Service & Repair Another risk of driving with a low fuel tank is loading up your fuel filter with gunk from the bottom of the tank. Any debris or sediment will settle at the bottom, and when your fuel levels are low, that's where the pump will be pulling from. For these reasons, and to save yourself the embarrassment of standing on the side of the road waiting for a tow or for a friend to bring you some fuel, you should try to remember to fill your gas tank when it reaches a quarter tank. Fuel Tank Issues Service Racine WI If you are worried that your fuel pump is on its way out, or that your filter is clogged with debris from inside your gas tank, give us a call or schedule a service appointment online. The friendly and experienced team at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Racine would love to get your car in ship shape, and help keep your fuel economy at its highest possible level.

Our vehicles just don't love cold weather. Sure, you might have snow tires and seat warmers and all the other added features to make your winter driving more convenient and reliable, but there's nothing worse than having to scrape your car and unstick frozen doors when you're ready to leave. It's a hassle, but the good news is that there's something you can do to solve your frozen door issues this winter. How to Prevent Frozen Car Doors This Winter Step 1: Inspect Your Doors There is a gasket that forms the seal between your door and the frame of your vehicle. If it is worn or torn, you'll find that water can get between the two and will freeze when the temperatures drop. This will seal your door to the frame of your car, and can make it nearly impossible to get it open. Step 2:  Clean the Door Frame Even if your gasket looks good, there is a chance that dirt and debris can get in the way of it sealing out the water. Take a microfiber cloth and some warm water to clean off the gasket all the way around. Step 3: Lube the Gasket There are certain types of rubber-safe lubricants you can buy that will help to keep the gasket in good shape. A dry gasket will crack and leak easier, so keeping it lubricated will help to ensure your doors don't freeze shut. Check out a silicone spray or general rubber conditioner. Step 4: Cover It Up If you don't have a garage to keep your car in, the next best thing you can do is to cover the car or the door you need to be able to get into. You can use a cover or a tarp to keep snow and rain off the door when the temperatures drop below zero.

We've all heard that plants are a great addition to our living spaces. They make our homes and offices feel more comfortable, and they clean the air we breathe! Do we need any more reason than that? There is one space we spend time in that might have you wondering, can I keep a plant there? That place is your car. The answer is maybe. Read on for some info about keeping plants in your car and tips to help make it more successful. Keeping a Plant in Your Car to Purify the Air We all love to breathe fresh air.  The sweet smell of air that is semi-free of pollutants can make for a healthier and happier lifestyle. So, what about purifying the air in your car? Your vehicle has carbon filters to keep some pollutants out of the cabin, but wouldn't a little plant add to the overall purity? Read More: Strange Smells in Your Car & What They Mean When it comes to putting a potted plant in your car, there are a few things you have to consider. During the summer, your car can be a very hot place, and the opposite is true in the winter. It's a good idea to consider having your car plant live indoors in the winter. During the summer months, having a plant in your car is more realistic. If you're up for the challenge, be sure to note these tips before you move the plant in. In the warm summer months, it's important not to stifle your plant. Keep the windows cracked so the temperatures don't suffocate the plant. Park your car where your plant can find some sunshine, and be sure to water as frequently as the plant needs. Feeding your potted friend will keep it alive longer. Find a stable location for your plant. If it's toppling over every time you take a left, you'll end up with a dead plant. It's important to make sure that it has a stable seat. Best Indoor Plants for Homes in Wisconsin If you give up on the dream of having an air-purifying plant for your car, you can still take advantage of the benefits of having one in your home! Check out this list of perfect indoor options for homes in Wisconsin. Lucky Bamboo: This hearty plant is great-looking and can live in even the least comfortable environments. Bring one into your home and water regularly to see quick growth. Golden Pothos Vine: This is a great suggestion for those who haven't had an indoor plant before. It doesn't need much light and only requires watering once a week or so. It grows quickly! Snake Plant: This slow-growing and exotic-looking plant will last for decades if you take care of it. Requires very little water and loves sunlight, but will survive even in less sunny rooms.

While you might notice smells inside your car more easily, since that's where you spend most of your time, the smells outside of your vehicle can be just as indicative of issues that need to be fixed. We'll help you diagnose the issue that is causing the burning smell outside of your car. Read on and learn about the smells that indicate issues with different parts of your car. Bad Smells Outside Your Vehicle Whether you are just noticing a slight smell, or there is obviously something wrong with your vehicle, the type of smell you are noticing can indicate what type of issue you are facing. Here are five different smells and what parts they indicate need some work: Rotten Egg/Sulfer Smell: If you are smelling rotten eggs, it is usually caused by a catalytic converter in the exhaust overheating. The converter could be failing, or your engine might need some work. Either way, this means a trip to the service center! Don't wait too long, as this can cause issues down the road. Burning Plastic Smell: This usually means that another part of your vehicle is contacting the exhaust and is melting. If you ran over something on the road, this can be burning on the exhaust, or if a part of your vehicle is loose, it might be touching it. Burning Metallic Smell: This usually means your brakes are wearing down, or your clutch is failing. The clutch disc and your brake pads are similar in composition, and both create a similar smell. Bring your vehicle in to the service center to diagnose the issue and replace the affected part. Sweet Smell: You could smell this inside or outside your vehicle, but wherever it comes from it means a coolant leak. If it is leaking onto your engine or the ground, you will probably be able to smell it. Bring it in to find the leak and repair the issue. Gasoline Smell: If you are smelling gas when your vehicle is parked or when it is in drive, it indicates a fuel leak. The most common ones are the top seal on the fuel tank and the injectors that you find under the hood. Get this checked out and save money on fuel, and get rid of that constant gas smell.

So, you're in the market for a new or used car, and you've got yourself wondering whether paying in cash or taking out a loan is a better option. We're here to tell you that paying with cash might not always be the best idea, so when you're choosing between the two options, it's important to consider what's going to work with your financial situation. We'll help you decide! Reasons to Pay Cash for Your Car Many people choose to pay for a car with cash because then they will not be paying any interest. When you pay with cash, you simply hand them the amount agreed upon and drive home. However, there are reasons that make financing a car the better choice. You might want to pay for your new car with cash if: You do not qualify for a low interest rate You don't trust yourself to make monthly payments on time The car is relatively inexpensive Reasons to Finance Your Car If you are buying a new car, one that is going to cost a decent chunk of change, you might want to strongly consider the convenience and advantages of financing. Many people can afford a nicer car through financing, rather than only buying the vehicle you can afford in cash on the spot. Making monthly payments can be tough or annoying for those with a tighter budget, but ending up with a more reliable vehicle might be worth the investment. Read More: Tips for Financing a New Car With Poor Credit If you have a decent credit score, you can potentially qualify for a low interest rate. A lower interest rate means that even after all those monthly payments, you will have paid much less in interest on top of it. If you have the room for close to a 20% down payment and qualify for a lower interest rate, it might make the most sense for you to choose a financing plan. Apply for Financing Pre-Approval Online If you are interested in seeing what kind of financing plan you qualify for, here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Racine, fill out the online credit pre-approval form. Our financing team will work with you to choose the plan that best fits your budget and your lifestyle, and help you drive home in a great new or used car.