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is premium gasoline better than the cheaper gasoline? Going to the gas station can be puzzling for those that don't know which gas is best for their vehicle. There are several different options for fuel and each one comes with a different price. You may wonder to yourself, " is premium gasoline better than the cheaper gasoline? " We are here today to answer that question and tell you why! Premium fuel comes at a premium cost. But what is the point? Why pay more for gasoline? How do you know if your car needs premium gasoline? It all begins in your owner's manual. Open it up and look to see what fuel it suggests. An engine that has a higher compression rate needs higher octane fuel to keep it from knocking. You will notice a knocking engine as it is often very audible. This is not a good sound to hear, and can be avoided by using premium gasoline. However, if your vehicle only suggests premium, you are most likely safe to purchase the cheaper lower octane fuel without risking a knocking engine. There are a couple myths involved with the purchase of vehicle fuel. The first is that the premium fuel keeps the engine cleaner. This is not true as all fuel companies are required to put engine cleaning fluid in with their gasoline to prevent build up. The second myth is that premium gasoline performs better than lower octane fuel. While there may be a very slight difference in performance, it is not enough to justify the more expensive price. Simply put, the premium fuel works the same as cheaper fuel in vehicles that don't need it. But a vehicle that does require premium fuel will suffer problems if the lower octane fuel is used instead. How is your engine running? Have you had a spring vehicle inspection ye t? Now is the time! During the month of May we are offering great deals on things like oil changes and new tires. Interested in looking at a newer vehicle for the summer months? Check out our large inventory of new and previously owned vehicles at very affordable prices. As always, our team of automotive experts are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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. 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.

Our Favorite Family Car Games for Road Trips Are you thinking of taking a long road trip this summer, but dreading the idea of having kids in the back seat whining the whole time? How about those sibling fights that are surely followed by threats of turning around? Yeah, that’s no fun. How about you fill that time with something a little less horrible, like a game! Here’s our favorite family car games for road trips. Planning a road trip? Get behind the wheel with preparations for bored children by gathering the tools for these fun car games. I Spy. This one is great because it doesn’t require any tools! You simply choose one person to spy something while the others guess what it is. The spier says “I spy with my little eye something (insert clue here),” and then everyone guesses. Who ever guesses correctly is the next spy! Car Bingo. This one requires you to make/print bingo boards with trip themed items in the boxes. Ex: Blue pickup truck. The players all look around during the ride to find items on their board. When they find one, it’s crossed out and the first person to form a row or column is the winner! The Picnic Game. This one works best with slightly older kids. It requires knowledge of the alphabet and a good memory. The first person starts with the game with “I am going on a picnic and I am bringing (insert item that begins with A),” while the second does the same only saying both the A item and a B item. The third person says the A item, B item, and then a C item. It follows this pattern all the way through the alphabet with the last person saying each item and ending with one that begins with a Z. It’s definitely a tricky game! 20 Question s. This game can be epic and exciting. Especially if you choose a person, place, or thing that is specific to the audience. To play this game, one person thinks of any person, place, or thing and then the other players get to ask yes or no questions. They get to make one guess after each question and if they get through all 20 questions without having the correct answer, they lose. Those games are a great place to start and offer different levels of excitement and challenge for different age levels. We are sure that you and your family can enjoy at least one of these games on your next road trip! Does this sound like too much work? Be sure to check out the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town and Country that offer rear seat entertainment that is sure to keep the whole family happy for hours on end!

how to stop a dog that pees in the car Do you find that your furry friend likes to relieve themselves inside your vehicle? That can be a real mess, and can make travelling with your dog a real struggle. Not everyone enjoys trips in the car, but there are some ways to discourage your dog from urinating while you are driving. We’ll give you our best tips for those who want to know how to stop a dog that pees in the car. So your canine friend can’t seem to control himself when you are on the road. There are a few things you should check before assuming it’s a behavioral problem, and then a few things you can do once you’ve ruled out medical problems. Does your dog have a urinary tract infection? UTI’s are very common reasons for dogs who seem to pee all over the place. If your car is the only place this is occurring, then it’s safe to start thinking about it being a behavioral problem. The first thing you want to do is to clean the area where “accidents” have occurred in the past. If the dog can smell that they’ve urinated in a spot previously, they are more likely to do it again. Generally, urinating in the car is a sign of anxiety, excitement, or territorial marking. So doing your best to remain calm before and during a car ride can be helpful. Avoid getting the dog worked up by saying things like “wanna go for a car ride?” It also might help to get a crate for travelling. Make sure it’s the right size for your dog, but you want it to be snug enough that the dog can’t pee in one corner and be comfortable sitting away from it in another corner. Just enough space to lay down and sit up. Sometimes it can help to give your dog a distraction during car rides. Examples are things for them to chew on to keep them occupied. Practice with shorter trips and slowly see if you can work up to longer ones without any urination problems. If the peeing is a territorial problem, it can also be a bad idea to have other strange dogs in the vehicle. Your canine friend might feel the need to claim the space by marking it. Those are our top tips for getting your dog to behave well in the car! Any ideas you want to add? leave them in the comments below! As always, here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we want to make sure you are driving safely and without distraction. We wish you luck in getting your furry friend to behave well in the car, as a happy driver makes a safer road for everyone!

Bad Car Sounds that Need to be Repaired Quickly How’s your car sounding these days? Are you ignoring sounds your vehicle makes, just hoping they aren’t a big deal? While this is okay with certain things, like the sound of your kids fighting in the back seat, your vehicle often gives you a clue as to how it’s feeling based on the noises it makes when on the road. Here’s our list of bad car sounds that need to be repaired quickly, before more damage is done. Creaks and squeaks are common in vehicles, and should not always be a reason for alarm. Here is our list of sounds to keep an ear out for, and what may be causing them. Noises when you turn the corner? Steering linkage issues might be the reason. Get it lubed up or replaced to avoid any bigger issues! Clanks and clunks when you brake? Get the brake system checked for parts missing, damaged, or wrongly mounted. It’s not worth risking brake issues. Get this looked at! Flapping sounds coming from under the hood? This is most likely a belt or fan issue. Belts tend to wear out and your fan is necessary to keep your engine cool. Either of these issues need to be fixed quickly to avoid bigger problems. Does your engine sound like a hissing angry cat or an over-boiling pot? That means there is a leak that is pouring onto your very hot engine. Check your oil, coolant, and vacuum lines. Patching these up will keep your vehicle running better. Hear a loud bang from the tailpipe? That means that you are experiencing a backfire or your catalytic converter isn’t doing its job. When there is too much fuel left in the air of the exhaust it can cause small explosions. Not good. Gravel sounds when you use your brakes? Yeah. That’s fixable, but only if you hurry! Your brake pads are worn through and every time you use them you are killing your rotors. Bring it into the service center, and fast! Well that concludes our list, but there are lots more things that could be making a sound when you drive. If you have any questions and want advice, feel free to give us a call at Palmen to speak with one of our technicians. We can help you decide whether you need to bring in your car for repairs. Tired of the whole repair and problem solving situation? Fill out this trade-in form to see what we can offer as an exchange for your vehicle. We can work with your budget to create a financing package and get you into a newer and more efficient vehicle.

Things to do in Racine WI 2015 Do you ever find yourself wondering what fun activities there are to do in Racine WI? We did a little research to find some of the best spots to hang out and exciting activities to do in your spare time. Wisconsin is a great place to be and Racine is full of fun activities to do any time of the year. Here are some ideas and tips for things to do in Racine WI 2015. Read on to find out! Each year around this time, we all come crawling out of our houses to greet the spring weather and to spend some time doing fun activities. There might not always be a huge festival to attend, or a show in town, but in Racine there are lots of great adventures that meet a variety of tastes and preferences. Our first suggestion is to take some time to visit the Racine Heritage Museum. There is nothing more fascinating than seeing the history and experiences of the people who lived in generations past. Not all of us have grandparents to pass along the great stories, so a trip to the museum can be the perfect way to learn more about Racine’s history, as well as a great and fun way to spend a day. Another fun idea is to pack up and get out on two wheels. Exercise is something we can all use, and Racine County has miles and miles (117 miles in fact) of bike trails. Whether you are looking for a casual ride or a great workout, the Racine bike trails surely have something to offer. Biking is the perfect exercise for people of all ages! Get out and enjoy the natural beauty of Wisconsin! You can’t leave Racine without giving the local delicacies a try! Nobody can dislike our favorite flaky pastry called “ Kringle.” Bakery shelves are never complete without this delicious and well-known local treat. We can’t give this tip without letting you know that the pecan flavor is the most common favorite. Better get one before they are gone! If you are looking for more exciting things to do in the spring, come in to see the exciting new vehicles we have on the lot here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep! Taking a test drive in a new vehicle is a thrill, and driving one home with you is even better! We hope you are having a great spring as we all look forward to the sunny summer weather ahead.

Which cars cost the least to insure Racine WI 2015? Insurance can cost an arm and a leg for expensive vehicles. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding your insurance premium, but if you buy a Jeep it doesn’t have to be as scary as you might think! Jeep vehicles are classic and have a great reputation, and because of that, you get to drive one without breaking the bank with insurance payments. We’ll tell you which vehicles cost the most, and which cars cost the least to insure Racine WI 2015. Even the idea of paying insurance for a vehicle each month or year can be overwhelming on top of all the other expenses. One thing you can do to make this easier and less expensive it to choose a vehicle that is cheaper to insure. Sure, fancy sports cars are nice to look at, but the payments for insurance alone cost a bundle. Whereas family vehicles and SUVs are easier to insure and will save you serious money on payments. They are less expensive due to the fact that SUVs and other family vehicles don’t have the reputation for being driven dangerously, and cost less to repair or replace. The top three most expensive cars to insure are: 1. Nissan GT-R Nismo 2. Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Convertible 3. Dodge SRT Viper Not too surprised? Us either. The real surprise comes when you see that 3 of the top 10 cheapest vehicles to insure are Jeeps! Clearly we must be doing something right. Top 10 least expensive cars to insure: 1. Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD 2. Jeep Patriot Sport 2WD 3. Honda CR-V LX 4WD 4. Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus 5. Honda Odyssey LX 6. Jeep Compass Sport 2WD 7. Subaru Outback 2.5i 8. Ford Edge SE 2WD 9. Smart FORTWO Pure 10. Ford Escape S 2WD Interested in taking one of these Jeep vehicles out for a test drive? Give us a call or make an appointment online here. The 2015 Jeep Wrangler is an excellent vehicle that is stylish as well as versatile and rugged.

So you’ve noticed that your vehicle seems to be losing oil between oil changes. This can be because of a number of things, and many of which are rather expensive to fix. Leaking or lost oil can cause your engine harm if it is not replaced, and is not a good sign. Older cars experience this quite often, so the problem is not rare. Is it normal for my engine car to burn oil between oil changes? No. We’ll help you diagnose the problem. So why does an engine burn fuel? Eventually the parts that have oil flowing through them become worn out like any other piece of the car. You get your brakes changed, but we don’t often get parts of our engine replaced because the process is tedious and expensive. Burning oil in an older car might even require a new engine. How do you tell if you are burning oil? Well if you check your oil level between changes and notice that you have less than you should, it means you are losing oil one way or another. Whether it is burning, or leaking, the results can range from a loss in power to a vehicle that doesn’t run, all depending on the severity of the problem. Before you try and get this fixed, take a minute to notice what symptoms your car is showing. Burning oil is usually indicated by blue smoke. Your engine pushed oil through a few different parts. Most of the time, the piston rings or valve seals will wear out and need to be replaced. If your valve seals are worn or broken, you will see blue smoke when you first start the engine. If your piston rings are damaged, the oil will leak out around the seals and the blue smoke will show when you are driving or when you are idling, depending on how bad the leak is. In either of these situations, it means that your engine needs serious work. Replacing piston rings or valve seals is expensive and tricky. You may want to consider getting a new engine, if they are available from a reputable source, or even looking to trade in and purchase a vehicle that runs more efficiently. Worries over car troubles can cause a lot of stress. If you are interested in taking a look at our selection of high-quality used vehicles, follow this link. Give us a call for any questions you have about fixing your oil burning car, or getting yourself into a newer one that fits into your budget. Our friendly and experienced team of professionals are always here to help!

spring cleaning checklist for the car Racine WI If you are anything like most people, climbing out of the wintery months of freezing cold temperatures and horrible road conditions seems like an uphill battle. A great way to greet the spring weather is to clean up your car and get it shiny and new looking again. We’ll give you our spring cleaning checklist for the car Racine WI. Trust us, it’s worth doing! Spring is almost here, so we want to help you get ready to enjoy summer without driving around in a sad wintery car. Here’s the list of things to clean: First, take out the trash. It’s bound to have built up, and that is always the best place to start when you are cleaning out a car. Next, vacuum the inside from top to bottom. Pull out your dirty floor mats and make sure to vacuum in all the nooks and crannies! Grab some automotive carpet cleaner and scrub things up. Start with the floor and work your way up over the seats. This step might not be mandatory, but it sure does make a difference! Wash those grubby floor mats. After all the salt and mud has built up and they will last much longer if you get them cleaned up every once in a while. Change out your windshield wipers. This is important if they aren’t doing their job. Getting stuck in a summer rainstorm with bad wipers is a recipe for disaster and dangerous driving. Lube up your hinges. This means doors and the trunk hinges. This way they won’t squeak and will wear out less quickly. Clean the windows. Grab your Windex and get to work. This will make driving in the muggy spring and summer weather much easier. Wash the outside of the car. You want to go from top to bottom, as salt has built up from the roads. Also try to really flush out the underbody. Road salt is not supposed to hang out there. Don’t forget your usual maintenance! Getting your oil changed and putting on tires with enough tread are two important things to do regularly. Getting the fuel system cleaned and adding washer fluid are also great ways to make sure you are all set for spring weather! If you are in need of spring maintenance or repairs, our service professionals are the perfect people for the job! Give us a call or set up an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you and to the summer weather that is on its way!

what to ask during a test drive Do you find yourself unsure of what to look for or ask when you take a test drive? Hoping that a natural feeling of “this is the right car” will enter your mind at some point during the drive? While that method is not always incorrect, it can make the experience more concrete to go in with a plan. If you find yourself wondering what to ask during a test drive, we hope to lend a hand. We’ll give you a few tips and ideas that will make the car shopping process a little less uncertain. You’ve narrowed your choices down to a handful and you brought your insurance information. You are ready to get into a new car and see how it drives. Here’s what to look for: 1) Drive what you’re going to buy While it might be impossible to drive the exact car that you are considering purchasing, test driving a turbo charged version when you are going to buy the base model is a mistake. The two might drive completely differently. 2) How do you fit inside? Get a feel for how your body sits inside the vehicle. With the seat adjusted, are you able to see the instrument panel well? How about stop lights? Check your blind spot. You’ll notice that the car feels different because you aren’t used to driving in it, but any awkward feelings outside of that should be a red flag. You want a car that feels like it fits. 3) Test everyday actions Sure, the car might go from 0-60 in 5 seconds, but can it parallel park easily? Can it accelerate smoothly on the on-ramp? Can you see what you are doing when you are parking and pulling into tight places? Take a moment to test the turn radius. Does your vehicle come with a rear-view camera? All of these things are very important when considering any vehicle. With these tips, test driving should be a little easier. We want you to find the right car to fit your lifestyle. Any car is a big investment! If you are interested in taking any of the vehicles in our large inventory for a test drive, contact us or sign up for an appointment online. As always, our professional team is here to answer all of your questions.

You just finished filing your taxes and sent them off with the joy in your heart of looking forward to your tax refund. Getting that check in the mail is important to you. It’s your money. So you are now wondering to yourself of all the things you could potentially buy with this? We’ll tell you why buying a car with your tax refund might be a bad idea. There is one thing that we all can agree on. Buying new things, especially a new car, can be really exciting. Sitting in that fresh car smell and driving it out of the lot might be a daydream for a lot of us, but spending our tax return money on a fancy new car is most likely not a great idea. Before you buy a car there is always a financing process. Unless you have the money to drop on a car without taking out any loans, buying a car requires a down payment and loan payments afterwards. The big difference between buying a car at any other time of the year, and buying one with this refund in your pocket, is that you might fool yourself into buying a more expensive car because you can afford the down payment. This is the big mistake. Sure, buying a car with your tax refund can be a great idea, but spending more than you can afford to make payments for is a definite no-no. Look at how much you make each month, and figure out how much you can spend on a car and pay off each month accordingly. You don’t want to end up in a situation where your tax refund is gone and you can’t make your loan payments. The best method of buying a car is pretending that you don’t have the extra cash from the refund and then purchasing a car just based off how much you make in a normal month. Then use the refund for a down payment once you’ve chosen a sensible vehicle. Here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, we want to get you into the perfect car for you. We are here to help you finance and choose the car that fits your budget and needs. Contact us if you have any questions, or schedule a test-drive here.

We aren’t quite out of the woods yet, as far as winter goes. It might seem that the days are getting longer and the temperatures are a little less vicious, but this means that there is potential for unexpected winter weather. We’ll tell you some of the key tips that make safe driving on black ice, possible. Everyone knows that sweaty and horrible feeling of the moments that you feel your car slipping on ice. You feel like you have no control and your life is at the mercy of chance, as you slip and slide on the road. This is particularly common in the winter when things are melting and refreezing. Melting snow means puddles, and puddles that get really cold become ice patches. So, what can you do? #1: Keep an eye out for the ice! Being extremely aware of the road is important in the winter, especially. Not only is there the chance that another vehicle isn’t driving safely, but you also need to keep an eye out for ice patches. To safely navigate the roads in the winter, it is key that you keep an eye out for black ice. This stuff is sneaky! It’s usually hard to see from the driver’s seat because it is often the same color as the road. Keep an eye out for roads that look shinier than they should be, and remember not to slam on your brakes. #2: Keep your car in good condition. This means getting those pesky oil changes and making sure your wiper blades actually work. A car that isn’t running right can cause more danger to both the driver and those driving around you in the winter. Need to get that done? Make an appointment here, and we’ll get you set up. #3: Keep an emergency kit in the car This is precautionary, but if you do end up in trouble, you’ll be happy you had the brains to plan ahead. Keep some sand or kitty litter in the car to help your tires get traction if you get stuck. A shovel, snow brush, and ice scraper will help you get out of snowy problems. An extra jacket or blanket is also a good idea because it’s really cold (especially if your car isn’t running). Want us to take a look and make sure you car is ready to take on the 2nd half of winter? Call or make an appointment. We’d love to help! If you are interested in looking at some vehicles that are great in the winter, check out our inventory!