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Sure, you may have bought a used car before, but buying a pickup truck is a bit different. There are many parts and features that a pickup truck has, that you might not have had to check when buying a used car or SUV. Buying a pickup means adding versatility and power to your daily drive, but that means that a used pickup may have taken on some big jobs before it found its way to you. We'll give you some tips for buying a used pickup truck, so you can rest knowing you've got a good one before you take it home. Five Easy Tips for Buying a Used Pickup Truck Racine WI Examine the Truck In the Sun --  This might seem obvious, but make sure that it is daytime when you are checking out your potential truck. You want to make sure that defects are visible, and you'll want to be on ground level in order to accurately check the fluids. Check for Rusty Edges --  This goes for any vehicle, but especially for trucks that are going to be towing or hauling anything heavy. Run your hands along the edges and all the joints and body panels to check for rusty areas, or places where the panels are not original. (hint: use a magnet to detect plastic repair parts if you are questioning a body panel piece) Start the Engine – Listen for knocks or other sounds of trouble. The engine should start easily and without hesitation. Let it idle for a moment or two to listen for any signs that the engine is struggling. If anything sounds iffy, have a mechanic take a look at it. Check all Lights and Switches – This is a no-brainer, but don't forget to check all the different lights and any extra features inside the truck. You want to make sure that you can turn on the air conditioning and heat when you need them! Drive the Truck -- You'll want to give the vehicle at least 10 miles to really show any symptoms of trouble. Then let the engine cool for a bit, and start it again. If the engine struggles to turn over, have it checked out by a mechanic. Be sure to feel for any transmission issues when you accelerate! Used Pickup Trucks for Sale Racine WI If you are interested in taking a look at some of our quality used truck inventory, here at Palmen of Racine, stop by the dealership lot! You can also peruse our up-to-date inventory online, and schedule your test drive appointment without ever leaving the comfort of home. Read More: Financing a Car with Bad Credit in Racine WI Here at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Racine, we want to make your car shopping process easy and comfortable. Feel free to call our sales team to ask questions about our inventory or the financing options available to you.

So your phone is almost dead, but you really need that navigation system to get where you need to go. Which charging method should you choose? When you're considering the USB vs cigarette lighter port for charging phones in the car, you have to decide between versatility and efficiency. We'll tell you more about the benefits of choosing each, and you can decide what works best for your specific phone and vehicle. Best Way to Change a Phone in the Car Many newer vehicles these days come fitted with a USB port and a 12V power socket (or cigarette charging port). Whichever you choose, your phone will be receiving charge. However, the quickest way to charge your phone is through the cigarette charging port, rather than the USB. It comes down to the amount of power delivered through each outlet, and the 12V power socket simply offers more. Read More: How to Tell When Your Car Needs and Oil Change? However, when you choose to charge your phone with the 12V power socket, you're going to need an adapter plug. Much like you need an adapter for your USB cord to charge your phone in a wall socket, you'll need a car charger adapter to plus your phone's USB cord into the 12V power socket. However, there are a large number of very affordable options available for purchase, making this a quick and easy solution to your phone charging problems! Using the USB Port for Charging IPhone in the Car There are benefits to using the USB port on your vehicle's stereo system to charge your phone. While it may not fill your battery quite as quickly, it makes up for it in ease of use and versatility. Your USB port, as is clear by the title, only requires the use of a USB cord that works with your phone. No additional adapter is needed. On top of that, you'll find that the stereo system connection through the USB port makes it easy to listen to your favorite music and utilize your smartphone's apps while the battery is charging. Read More: Is Horsepower Or Torque More Important for Speed?

When it's summer time and you and the family are packing up for a road trip, it's important to think about car seats and how best to ensure that your most precious cargo are safe and comfortable in the car. This information can serve as a summer car seat safety checklist for you to use whenever you're headed out onto the road with your young kids in the summer. Here at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Racine, we want to help you have a safe and happy summer! Every year, accidents occur and children are hurt in the process. It's not a happy thing to dwell on, but it's important to recognize that many vehicle-related injuries that children face are avoidable. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that three out of four car seats are not installed properly. Why risk the safety of your children, when you can follow these tips to help prevent injury and discomfort on car rides this summer? Read More: All-New 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Minivan Safety Features Car Seat Safety Checklist No Additional Layers – When you open the door to your vehicle in the summer, you'll often notice that the air and the seats are hot to the touch. Instead of putting blanket down and putting your child into the car seat, take a minute to let the cabin cool down by opening the doors and windows. An added layer between your child and the seat can prevent the car seat from keeping them safe in the event of a crash. Have Patience and Cool Down – As we mentioned above, taking a minute to let the inside of the car cool down can be helpful in preventing burns and uncomfortable kids. Metal parts and dark-colored seats can become too hot when left in the sun for a period of time. Instead of rushing to get your kids in the car, let things air out and be sure that the metal buckles are not burning hot! No Rented Car Seats – You might think this is a great way to save some cash, but it's important to know the history of a car seat before you use it. Car seats that have been in a collision might look fine, but without proof that the seat is still capable of helping to prevent injury, you can't be too careful. Read More: Car Seats Have Expiration Dates? Family Friendly Vehicles in Racine WI After reading through our safety tips, you might be thinking to yourself that your kids could use a little more wiggle room in the back of your car. Come to see us at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM to find a variety of family vehicles at affordable prices! We look forward to helping your family make the most out of this summer season and future family road trips!

Vehicle maintenance can often be put aside during the cold and unfriendly winter months, but as summer gets closer, it's a great time to catch up on forgotten maintenance. By keeping your vehicle looking and running its best, you can increase it's life and enjoy a less stressful driving experience in any weather. Read on to find Chrysler Dodge Jeep service center coupons for Racine WI, and to learn more about what maintenance should be on your summer checklist! Summer Vehicle Maintenance Checklist When it comes to winter driving, we know that our vehicles take a beating. Slippery roads, salt and constantly changing temperatures cause strain on your vehicle's engine, tires, and other systems. Now that summer has arrived,  it is a great time to make sure that your vehicle is running as reliably as possible before the winter weather returns. Check These Out! Free Service Center Coupons! Read below to find a checklist of parts and areas of your vehicle that should be checked and maintained. Things like oil and filter changes should be done throughout the year, but many maintenance strategies are left by the wayside out of inconvenience. Test Your Battery Replenish Coolant Check Out the A/C Oil Change Tire Examination and Rotation New Windshield Wipers Read More: How to Tell if My Car Needs an Oil Change Online Service Appointment Scheduling Racine WI We know your schedule is packed, so we want to make scheduling your vehicle maintenance and repair as quick and easy as possible. That's why we offer convenient online scheduling at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Racine. Our skilled technicians are here to work on any and all makes and models. Schedule your appointment now, and take advantage of the affordable pricing and excellent customer service that makes us one of the area's best service centers.

If you are looking to buy a vehicle, many people will argue about the benefits of choosing either a four-cylinder or a V-6 engine. While there are real reasons to choose one over the other, depending on what you're hoping to get out of your vehicle, it is also important to realize that automotive technology has changed dramatically over the last several years. This means that smaller engines are doing more than they used to, and larger engines are using less fuel than they were. We'll help to show you the differences between a turbocharged I-4 vs V-6 engine, and hopefully will guide your decision as you consider purchasing a new or used vehicle. Benefits of a 4-Cylinder Turbo Engine The physical difference between a four-cylinder engine and a V-6 engine lies in the difference in the number of cylinders. Larger displacement engines have more cylinders, and often the cylinders are in a V-shape inside the engine. This is how the V-6 engine gets it's name. And I-4 engine simple means that the four cylinders are in a line, making it an inline-four-cylinder engine. Read More: How Often Should I Change my Oil? In order to achieve more power for the I-4, without decreasing fuel efficiency or increasing the number of cylinders, is to add a boosting system. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine will produce extra power, but only when necessary, making it a great option for those who are fuel-conscious. The down side of a turbocharged engine is that the power can be slightly delayed during acceleration. With a powerful engine, the push of the pedal elicits immediate speed, but a turbocharged I-4 will sometimes take a second or two before fully getting in on the action. V-6 Engine vs Turbocharged I-4 When you decide to jump in and go with the more powerful V-6 engine option, you are sure to experience a few great benefits. First of all, the difference in power and quickness in acceleration will make for a more responsive driving experience. Secondly, you'll notice a real dip in your fuel efficiency. While technology has allowed V-6 engines to become much more fuel efficient than they were, the difference between an I-4 and a V-6 is still noticeable.

Vehicle maintenance may not be our favorite activity, but it is a crucial step in preserving your vehicle, and preventing further issues. The engine oil keeps all your parts lubricated and helps to prevent overheating. If you're wondering how to tell if your Dodge needs an oil change, we'll help you check and see! Read on to learn about doing a dipstick test. Doing a Dipstick Oil Check If you want to check the engine oil in your Dodge vehicle, you'll need to warm up the engine first. Once the engine is warm, turn it off and wait a moment for all the oil to return to the oil pan. Open your vehicle's hood and look for a small loop or handle. Pull on the loop/handle and fully remove the dipstick from the engine. Take a heavy paper tower or a rah and wipe off all of the oil on the dipstick. Then put the dipstick back into the shaft and wait a moment. Remove the dipstick once more and use the markings on the end to see where the oil levels are and how clean the oil is. Read More: How to Prevent Rusty Rims Signs your Dodge Needs an Oil Change Your vehicle might need an oil change for two reasons. Either the oil levels are low because your engine is burning some of the oil away as it runs, or your oil is dirty and old and can do longer do its job. How to Check for Low Oil: Look at the end of the dipstick to see where the oil ends, and how it is marked. If the oil doesn't reach the last line, you'll need to add more. If the oil doesn't reach any of the lines, you're at least a quart of oil low. Add oil between changes by researching your vehicle age, driving conditions, and engine. If the oil consumption requires you to add anything near a quart for every 1,000 miles, take it as a sign to bring your local Dodge experts. How to Check for Dirty Oil: Look at the oil at the end of your dipstick to see what color and viscosity it is. The oil should look smooth and glossy and a nearly transparent color. If the oil has sludgy deposits or is dark in color, it is time to get your oil changed. Sometimes, oil can even smell like rotten cheese, and this is also a sign that it needs a change!

If you've got credit that isn't exactly perfect, it can be tough to buy a car. Whether you're aiming to drive off in a new car, or simply something that's new to you, we want to help you get the set of wheels you are looking for. At Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Racine, we have a huge up-to-date online inventory that makes it easy for you to see what vehicles we have in stock. We also have an experienced financing team that is here to help you navigate getting a car loan with bad credit in Milwaukee WI. Car Loan Tricks for Bad Credit A low credit score can make buying a car trickier than it has to be. Of course, you don't always have time to grow a better credit score before you buy a car, so these are a few things to keep in mind. - Getting a car loan and making payments on time will help raise your credit score! - Your interest rates are likely to be higher with a lower credit score. - Make sure to bring a pay stub to show that you have a job, and how much you earn - Check your credit score ahead of time to address any issues the dealership might question Free Online Financing Tools for a Car Loan Here, at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Racine, we want to make your car buying process as quick and easy as we can. While a low credit score might mean you have a harder time getting a big loan with a low interest rate, it doesn’t mean you can't get the car you've been dreaming of. Read More: Used Vehicles that Get Over 30 MPG Using our free online tools, you can enter in your information and get pre-approved for a car loan without ever leaving your house. Our sales professionals will work with you to find a financing plan that fits your budget. From our website, you can apply to get pre-approved for a car loan, or even receive an estimate on the value of a vehicle you might trade-in during your purchasing process. Our goal is to find the right car for you, and we are willing to help you through a bad credit score. Contact our sales team to get started, and let us get you out on the road in a car you love. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

When you're looking to buy a new car, there are many aspects to consider. If you are hoping for a fun driving experience, two factors that you will need to think about are torque and horsepower. When you want to go fast, you'll need both of these, but is torque or horsepower more important? We'll tell you what makes each a crucial part for a fun drive, and which one you should focus on when you're shopping for your new car. Horsepower vs Torque Buying a new car is tough, as there are so many high-tech features that change the driving experience these days. But two trusty measurements for a fun drive have been around for quite a while. Horsepower and torque work together to make your car fun to drive, but is one of them more important than the other? Read More: Which Dodge Vehicle is the Fastest? If you're looking for a quick take-off at a green light, torque is what you need. Torque makes for that fun and fast acceleration that pushes you back in your seat. A huge truck can have a lot of horsepower to tow thousands of pounds, but it can't get going fast very quickly. That's because it's lacking in the torque category.  If you are going to be towing heavy weight, or simply are looking for the ability to drive incredibly fast, you'll want to focus on horsepower. It might not mean a quick take-off, but it will make it easier on your vehicle to maintain a fast speed for a long time. b Fast Cars for Sale in Near Milwaukee WI Here at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Racine, we have a few vehicles in our inventory that have truly impressive amounts of horsepower and torque. Great options like the 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, and 2016 Dodge Charger are vehicles that look amazing and are fun to drive. We also have a large inventory of trucks that are perfect for towing, offering incredible horsepower for tough jobs and heavy cargo.  We look forward to helping you drive home in the car you've been dreaming of.

It's that time of year again! Spring is just around the corner, and you're starting to notice all the dirt and grime and junk that has built up inside your car. Whether it was the salt from the icy roads, food from pit stops at your local McDonalds, or just general dusty grossness, it's about time you cleaned it up. If you follow our advice, you can get your car cleaned up and looking great in no time at all. Just imagine driving to work tomorrow in a car that looks as nice as new! Keep reading to see how to spring clean your car in 3 easy steps. What is the Origin of Spring Cleaning? Let's take a moment to pause and reflect on why we feel the need to clean things up every spring. There is some logic involved in the idea of spring cleaning. We clean after a long dark and cold winter because we finally have the motivation, with the additional sunlight and warmer weather, to take out the trash. Read More: 3 Driving Myths You've Always Believed However, other traditions from cultures around the world encourage spring cleaning for a variety of reasons. For example, the Jewish custom of Passover is a time to clean the house. To mark the arrival of the Jewish new year, people clean their houses in remembrance of the story of their people's exodus from Egypt. In China, the new year celebration also involves cleaning the home to rid their living space of any bad luck and grime that may have accumulated over the previous year. 3 Steps to Spring Clean Your Car Step 1: Take out the garbage and clean up "grab-able" items from the floors and storage areas of your vehicle. Whether this is fast-food bags, tissues, or papers, it's important to start your vehicle's cleaning process by getting rid of the extra stuff. Once you have an uncluttered area to work with, you can begin to focus on the specifics. Step 2: Take out the car floor mats and vacuum all of the carpeted areas and seats. This is important to get rid of all the small pebbles and dirt you have undoubtedly dragged into your car. Make sure to get under all the seats and inside the cup holders. You want to make sure that all of the junk is off the floor and all small debris is out of the nooks and crannies. Step 3: Clean all the surfaces of your vehicle with the appropriate cleaning solution. This means you get the fabric cleaner out for your seats, the glass cleaner for your windows, and the all-purpose cleaner for your console. Start with the windows and seats. While those are drying, work your way through all the storage compartments and your center console. Items like cotton swabs and microfiber cloths come in handy during this part!

If you are a business owner and you purchased, or are looking to purchase a new or used vehicle for your business, then you might qualify for the section 179 tax deductions. Whether you pay in cash, are still paying off a loan, or are looking to finance a new work vehicle, you can use the Section 179 deduction to lighten the load and make your work vehicle more affordable. What Qualifies as a Section 179 Business Vehicle? Any vehicle that you purchase and use predominantly for business purposes may qualify for the Section 179 tax deduction. Most of the vehicles that qualify for full Section 179 deduction are vehicles that inherently aren't likely to be used for personal purposes. Some of these vehicles include (from www.section179.org): Heavy "non-SUV" vehicles with a cargo area that is at least 6ft in length and cannot be easily accessed from the passenger area. Many pickup trucks with full-sized cargo beds quality. Vehicles that seat more than nine passengers behind the driver's seat. This includes vehicles like airport and hotel shuttles.  Classic cargo vans. These vehicles have a fully-enclosed driver's compartment/cargo area, have no seating behind the driver's seat, and do not have a body section that sticks out more than 30 inches past the windshield. Section 179 Vehicles Can Be Used When it comes to qualifying for the Section 179 tax deductions, the vehicle must only be new to you. Buying used is a great way to save money on a new work vehicle, and the team at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Racine has something for you. Read More: Specs and Options on 2016 RAM ProMaster Cargo Van The vehicle must be used to business at least 50% of the time, and you can only claim the deduction in the tax year that the vehicle was "placed in service." This means that when the vehicle is ready and available, even if you aren't using it, you will count that as the vehicle's tax year. A vehicle cannot receive a deduction if it was first used for personal purposes and then later used as a business vehicle.

Here in Wisconsin, we definitely know about cold weather. We might have some muggy hot summers too, but winters here can be brutal. When your nose hairs are freezing every time you breathe, you can bet that your engine is having a tough time. Your engine wants to start about as much as you want to crawl out into the snow in your birthday suit. So, a great way to encourage your engine to run the best it can, and get your car's fluids moving is to use an engine block heater. Not sure what that is? We'll tell you what it is, and all about putting an engine block heater in your RAM 1500. What is an Engine Block Heater? An engine block heater works to warm your engine just a little bit, making it easier to start. We all know we wish our vehicles would warm up as quickly as possible, and this is a great way to give it the head start it needs, without wasting a ton of fuel. Check This Out: Which 2016 RAM Truck is Best And engine block heater works to keep the fluids in the vehicle warm and more easily circulated. Some types of engine block heaters warm the engine coolant and some warm the oil. The most common block heater is an electric heating element that is connected to an outside power source and uses electricity to warm the engine coolant. Other block heaters run on the vehicle's gasoline or diesel fuel and do not require an external power source. RAM 1500 Block Heater Installation Believe it or not, if you have a relatively new RAM 1500 truck, you have a block heater already installed. In the US, the truck doesn't come with a standard cord for the block heater. You can pay for the option to be included, or simply buy the cord later. The team here at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram can get you the cord you need to take advantage of your block heater this winter. Read More: 2016 RAM 1500 Color Options Check out this cool video that shows you how to connect your block heater cord and use your heater to keep your engine ready to go.

When you are considering purchasing a new car, it's important to take a look at the seat trim and decide whether the material is right for you. While most vehicles come with the affordable vinyl and cloth options, you can spring for the ultimately luxurious leather seats. Each material has its own pros and cons, so we will help you decide. Wondering which car seat material is easiest to clean? We'll answer that and more! Vinyl vs Cloth vs Leather Vinyl Seats This is the most affordable seating trim option and comes with a few added benefits. Vinyl might not be the best-looking option for seating trim, but it is certainly the easiest to clean and maintain. Vinyl is made from plastic, so it doesn't not stain or tear as easily as cloth or leather. It can handle mud and salt and water much better than other seating materials. However, the downside to vinyl, other than the less stylish appearance, is that it can be uncomfortably sweaty and hot in the summer. Read More: 3 Reasons to Keep Your Car in the Garage Cloth Seats More affordable than leather, and certainly more stylish than vinyl, cloth seats are the perfect middle ground. Commonly chosen for its comfort and affordability, cloth seating trim is breathable and feels nice, even on longer road trips. The downside to cloth seating is that it can tear and stain much more easily than vinyl. It can also be harder to clean cloth seats as the fibers hold onto smells and spills. Read More: Which Cars Require Premium Fuel? Leather Seats The top of the line, when it comes to car seating, is leather. It is the most expensive, most stylish, and best looking option for a new car. If properly maintained, leather seating can look great and prove to be one of the more durable seating options available. The downside to choosing leather is the importance of cleaning and maintenance. Leather seats will only stay looking great if you remember to keep water and salt from getting onto it. Dark leather seats can become extremely hot in the summer sun, so watch out if you sit down in shorts!