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While having the latest technology in your new 2019 Jeep Cherokee can be amazing, there is still a small problem; how do you connect your phone to the Uconnect® infotainment system? We are here to give you step-by-step instructions in order to make this as painless as possible, so you can get back to what really matters; enjoying your new 2019 Cherokee. more Pairing your phone to Uconnect We are going to be using the Uconnect® 4C NAV with 8.4” display for these instructions. Press the ‘phone’ icon on your touchscreen display. Select ‘yes’. Take out your phone, and under ‘settings’ go to ‘connections.’ Find the Bluetooth® If your phone requires it, turn the Bluetooth® to ‘on.’ Select the ‘Uconnect’ option for the device you want to pair to. Enter your PIN number (4 digits) that is shown on your Cherokee’s touch screen’s display. Read More: How can I change my clock with the Uconnect® Touchscreen Display? Technically, you are done. However, you can continue with these steps: Save your phone as a favorite by selecting the ‘yes’ option on your touchscreen. Locate the Uconnect Phone button on your steering wheel in order to utilize the hands-free calling. Now that you know how to connect your phone to the Uconnect infotainment system in your new 2019 Jeep Cherokee, get ready for great features like music streaming, hands-free calling, and voice texting, to name just a few! Test drive the 2019 Jeep Cherokee Today Test drive your future Cherokee here at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Racine. You can see the technology features for yourself. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us! We will be glad to help you.

Gift Ideas for Car Lovers Almost everyone knows someone that is a car enthusiast. But for those that aren't, it can be tough to figure out what type of gifts will be most appreciated by the car lovers. That's why we’ve created this helpful list for you to check out the next time you are trying to buy a gift for a car lover! more Read More: What can I do with my old tires? Gift items to buy car enthusiasts While many car enthusiasts are fairly particular and have specific tastes about what goes on or in their car, there are a number of gifts you can give them that will still be very much appreciated! Check out these ideas below! Car Cleaning Gift Basket: items to include in a basket like this are high quality products like soap, a car wash nozzle for a hose, scratch-free wash mitts, microfiber towels, and you can put it all in a bucket! Driving Gloves Phone dash mount Dash mount for a camera (bonus points to buy the camera as well!) Jump starting kit Personalized Key Chain Wheel Cleaning Kit: items to include in a kit like this are wheel cleaners and wheel scrub brushes to get into every nook and cranny, scratch-free towels, wheel cleaner and wheel guard coats. A good tool kit geared toward mechanical work Car seat protectors Cordless tire inflator These are just a sampling of the many things you can get for the car enthusiast in your life. Model-specific gear and accessories like clothing, model cars and more also often make great gift ideas. View Our Inventory For all your automotive needs, come to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Racine today!

Mexican Restaurants near Racine WI Cinco de Mayo is coming up this weekend, and many people like to celebrate by enjoying fantastic Mexican cuisine! Check out these local restaurants around Racine to enjoy Mexican food on Cinco de Mayo! more View Our Inventory La tapatia Location: 1951 Mead Street, Racine, WI Hours: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. Javier's Cuisine Location: 2011 Lathrop Avenue, Racine, WI Hours: Monday – Thursday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday – Saturday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Los Cantaritos Racine Location: 2405 Racine Street, Racine, WI Hours: Monday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Wednesday – Thursday and Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday – Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Mi Jacalito Restaurant Location: 1318 Douglas Avenue, Racine, WI Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday – Saturday: 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. Taqueria Arandas Location: 1501 Prospect Street, Racine, WI Hours: Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. We hope you have a great weekend celebrating Cinco de Mayo!

How to reuse and repurpose old tires If your tires are worn out and you need to get them replaced, you might be wondering what you can do with your set of old tires! Recycling them is important, but there are a variety of things you can do to reuse and repurpose your old tires too! Check out these ways to use your old tires! more Read More: Get the most life out of your tires! Kids' Play Area Outdoor Décor and Planters Other Uses for Old Tires For all of your automotive needs, come to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Racine!

How to make tires last longer Tires are an integral part of your vehicle, meaning it is important to ensure they are in good shape and working properly at all times for your safety. Worn out tires are at an increased risk to pop, and they can cause more wear and tear on your vehicle overall. Learn how to get the most out of your tires with these tips! more Read More: Take away the distractions in the car! Tips to make tires last longer Watch your driving habits. Speeding, fast turns, starts and stops all cause more tire wear. Avoid objects in the road like curbs, potholes and rocks. Visually inspect your tires periodically (especially if you run something over) to ensure there are no scrapes, bulges or major tread wear. Check tire pressure regularly. Your tires can lose up to two pounds of pressure a month, so monthly checks are recommended to ensure your tires are properly inflated. It is best to check tire pressure when your tires are cold, so try to do it in the morning before you go anywhere. Check your tire alignment regularly. Tires that are not properly aligned will not wear evenly, making it likely that they will need to be replaced sooner. Bring your car into our service department for a quick appointment to check your tire alignment! Rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. This helps all of your tires wear evenly so that you get the most out of your tires. We hope following these tips help you get the most life out of your tires! If you are in need of tire service or replacement, schedule an appointment at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Racine today!

How to avoid distracted driving April is Distracted Driving Awareness month, and in an effort to keep you safe on the road, we want to share some tips to help you avoid driving distracted! Check them out here! more Read More: Drive safely at night! Tips to avoid distracted driving Distracted driving is becoming increasingly more common with the advancement of technology. While many new vehicles offer connectivity to help you stay connected hands-free, even these systems can lead to distracted driving. Many people don’t realize how dangerous it can be to drive while distracted – it only takes a fraction of a second for an accident to occur! Following these tips will help you avoid driving distracted. Use your phone for emergencies only. While it can be enticing to check a text message, answer a phone call, or change the music playing from your device, this is one of the biggest causes of distracted driving-related accidents. Even hands-free devices can be distracting, so save the social calls for when you are not on the road. Don't multi-task behind the wheel. In today's society, multitasking is often the only way people can be successful in their busy lives. However, eating while driving, making work or personal phone calls, checking text messages or emails can all take your attention away from the road and cause you to get into an accident. Don't drive while drowsy. When you are drowsy, you lack alertness and awareness of other vehicles, making a crash much more likely to occur. If you are drowsy or dozing off behind the wheel, pull over and take a stretch break or get some rest before you get back on the road. Limit the number of passengers inside the car. Driving with friends or pets can be just as, if not more, distracting than talking on the phone behind the wheel. Try to limit the number of passengers you bring along with you, and keep pets secured with a leash in the back seat. View Our New Inventory We hope that these tips help you stay focused on the road! For more information about distracted driving statistics and tips, check out the National Safety Council's website for Distracted Driving Awareness Month!

Tips to drive safer at night There is no question that driving in the dark is more dangerous than driving in the daytime. No matter how bright your headlights are, there is only so much they can do to illuminate the road ahead. But there are some things that you can do to help lessen the risks of driving at night to stay safe on the road. Check them out! more Read More: Road trip safely with your pet! How to drive safer at night Align your headlights so that they are aimed correctly at the road Clean your headlights often Dim your instrument panel and dashboard lights Leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles on the road Avoid staring at oncoming lights Keep your eyes out for animals on the side of the road by watching out for reflections of your headlights in an animals eyes If you spot a deer: slow down as fast as possible, and don't try to swerve around it. They will often follow your headlights and move in front of you Clear your windows and windshield often to avoid build-up and keep your line of sight clear Clean and adjust your side mirrors and rearview mirror as needed Get your eyes checked regularly Take regular breaks to avoid getting too drowsy If you are feeling drowsy, stop and stretch, get some fresh air, do jumping jacks, or get a coffee from a convenience store to help you stay alert If you are too drowsy, stop at a safe rest stop or a hotel to get some sleep Especially when you are traveling at night, it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. If you are tired and feel yourself nodding off behind the wheel, it is important to listen to your body and take a break to get some rest. Keep your headlights bright (but lower them when you see oncoming traffic to avoid dazzling another driver!), give yourself plenty of space between vehicles around you and plenty of time to reach your destination, and always be alert for dangers on or around the road that could cause an accident! We hope these tips are helpful to you while driving at night. You can get your lights checked out and aligned at our service department! You can make an appointment online before coming in to Palmen of Racine!

How to drive a manual transmission vehicle: Downshifting and reversing Learning how to drive a manual transmission model can be tough, but that's why we are creating a helpful how-to guide to help walk you through the steps to drive stick! If you are catching up, check out part one of how to drive stick! Let's dive right in and learn the next steps to driving a manual transmission: downshifting and reversing. more View Our Inventory Steps to drive a stick shift vehicle: Downshifting Once you've got the hang of accelerating and shifting gears (upshifting), you need to learn how to decelerate to slow down and stop safely. Downshifting is especially helpful on hills or in bad weather where it can be dangerous to brake too harshly. To downshift, you should be using the clutch and the brake while you shift gears, rather than the clutch and the gas pedal. Push in the clutch and shift down one gear while pressing on the brake. Let off the clutch slowing to avoid high revs. Repeat this process until you can reach a stop. Note: there is no real need to downshift into first gear, as at speeds that low you can generally just reach a complete stop and put the vehicle into neutral once you hit the bottom of second gear. But always make sure to get back into first gear as you start accelerating again! Important notes to remember about downshifting and stopping while in a stick shift vehicle are that you should only move one gear at a time. When at a stoplight, try not to press the clutch for more than a few seconds. You should put your car in neutral whenever you are stopped for any period of time. Steps to drive a stick shift vehicle: Reversing Once you’ve gotten the hang of moving forward in your stick shift vehicle, it's time to learn how to reverse! There is only one gear for reversing, but often it moves quickly, so it is especially important to let off the clutch slowly and push it back in while stepping on the brake if you need to slow it down. Learning to drive stick shift is a process that takes practice and time. Popping the clutch, or releasing it too quickly, will cause your car to lurch and stall out. This happens often as you are learning to drive stick, so try to get the hang of gear shifts before you drive in heavy traffic. Practice in open (read: empty!) parking lots, on long straightaways of deserted roads, and always have someone that knows how to drive stick shift along with you in case you run into trouble. We hope these blogs were helpful to teach you the beginning steps to learning how to drive a manual transmission vehicle! For all of your automotive needs, come on down to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Racine!

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

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

2019 Ram 1500 Engine Performance and Towing Capabilities The 2019 Ram 1500 is all-new and improved. It features a plethora of updates that make it more stylish than ever and provide ample power under the hood to take you where you need to go with ease. Let's take a closer look at the 2019 Ram 1500's capabilities! more Read More: What kind of technology is in the Ram 1500? 2019 Ram 1500 Engine Options and Performance The 2019 Ram 1500 offers three engine options for drivers to choose from. The first, which comes standard on most trim levels, is a 3.6-liter Pentastar® V6 engine with eTorque technology. This engine reaches 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. The second engine option is a 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 engine that offers impressive power and capability, reaching 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. The third engine option is a 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 engine with eTorque mild hybrid system that blends performance and fuel-saving technologies. This engine also reaches 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. Each of these engine options are paired with a class-exclusive TorqueFlite® eight-speed automatic transmission that optimizes efficiency and handling. The 2019 Ram 1500 offers an improved aerodynamic design, with an elevated hood that deflects air better, and a sculpted hood design that now directs airflow to the rear spoiler. An active front air dam extends further to reduce drag, and an available Class-Exclusive Active-Level™ Four Corner Air Suspension lowers the Ram 1500 automatically when driving at highway speeds to reduce drag and improve efficiency. 2019 Ram 1500 Towing Capacities The towing capacity of the 2019 Ram 1500 depends on your engine option and equipment chosen. Check out this table for Ram 1500 towing capacities here: Drivers interested in more information about the 2019 Ram 1500 are encouraged to contact a member of the Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Racine sales team today!

2018 Dodge Charger Selected for Edmunds Best Retained Value® Award Drivers of Dodge vehicles know that they are made to be dependable and long-lasting, and now one of Dodge's models has the award to prove it! The 2018 Dodge Charger won the Edmunds award for Best Retained Value® for the large car segment. more Read More: What colors does the 2018 Charger come in? About Edmunds Best Retained Value Awards According to a press release from the FCA North America Newsroom, "The 2018 Edmunds Best Retained Value Awards are determined based on the qualifying new models that have the highest projected private-party residual value five years after their launch, expressed as a percentage of their initial True Market Value®. To be considered for a model-level award, a vehicle must be a 2018 model year, have launched before December 31, 2017, and account in January 2018 for at least 25 percent of the average sales for the models that fall in its award segment. To be eligible to win a brand-level award, an automaker must have eligible vehicles competing in at least four of the 17 award segments." The Edmunds Best Retained Value Awards are meant to be used as a tool for car shoppers to find a model that will allow them to get the most out of their purchase and take the vehicle's longevity into account. The 2018 Dodge Charger is powerful, sleek and responsive. It has available all-wheel drive and has an efficient 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that provides high-performance driving and premium comfort behind the wheel. Every model comes standard with the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, and the 2018 Charger is America's only four-door muscle car. Drivers interested in the 2018 Dodge Charger can check it out today at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Racine. You can browse our Charger inventory and even set up a test drive online before you come to the dealership!