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Winter is here and so are the cold temperatures. From below-freezing temperatures to wind chill advisories, 'tis the season for frigid days. On cold days like these should you warm your car up before you drive? Is it a positive thing or are you doing more harm than good? Can warming up your car harm the engine? Everyone has a very different idea of what it means to "warm up" their car. For some it means to have the heater cranked on in an effort to warm up the vehicle's cabin and engine at the same time. For others, it means to let the vehicle idle in order to warm up the engine. There has been a common misconception today that drivers have to warm up their vehicle before they drive by letting it idle. This idea was popular when most vehicles used a carbureted engine, which did need some time to warm up before you could drive the vehicle. You can still find these engines on classic vehicles. Thirty years ago, if you didn't let your car with a carbureted engine under the hood idle for a few minutes the car could stall on you. Read More: Tips for driving in sleet or icy conditions Today, most vehicles on the road use an internal combustion engine. The best way to "warm up" a vehicle with this type of engine is by driving it. To do this, you can let the vehicle idle for about 30 seconds, then slowly start to drive. The last thing you want to do is rev a cold engine. With that said, will you harm your car, truck or SUV if you don't let it idle for 30 seconds? No. By the time you turn your car on, scrape some ice from the windshield and then get back behind the driver's seat and you will be ready to roll. Read More: 5 warning signs of a dying alternator Do you have another question for our team of experts about automotive maintenance? Let us know in the comments below! From all of us at Palmen Motors, thanks for reading!

Winter Driving Safety Tips Before you know it, the snow will be flying and many people need a refresher on how to drive in the snow to avoid accidents and increase their safety. Check out these tips to help you drive safely in the snow! Read More: Tips for Driving in Sleet or Icy Conditions Driving Safety Tips for Winter Take your time accelerating. On snowy or icy roads, it can take your wheels longer to gain traction on the road to move you forward, so by accelerating slowly, you have a better chance of maintaining control of your vehicle. Brake with plenty of extra room. Similar to accelerating, it can be difficult for your wheels to maintain traction as you brake. Give yourself ample time to slow and come to a stop. A good rule of thumb to follow is that you should be able to see the tires of the vehicle in front of you when you reach a complete stop. Don't use cruise control when driving on slippery roads. It is safer to maintain complete control over your speed on slippery roads so that you have less of a chance of skidding or sliding around. Don't warm up your vehicle in an enclosed space. The fumes from your vehicle are dangerous, so you should only heat up your car in an open area. Get your vehicle checked out. The last thing you want is to break down when the temperature is below freezing. If you are in need of service, schedule a service appointment with Palmen Motors! Check the weather. Keeping an eye on the weather before a longer trip can help you plan around any major snowstorms so that you don't get stuck in one on the road. Follow these tips for safe winter driving! For all of your automotive needs, come to Palmen Motors!

Keeping your vehicle in great shape requires more than seeing an expert when things start to fall apart. Instead, you'll want to ensure that you're having things inspected, repaired and replaced regularly throughout the life of the vehicle. One of the first milestones in the life of a vehicle is the 50,000 mile mark. Once your vehicle has been driven for 50,000 miles, it's best to have a thorough inspection of the exhaust, suspension, fuel system and tires. Check out the 50,000 mile maintenance checklist here: Maintenance Checklist for 50,000 Miles on Car Inspect the Fuel Cell Cap Fuel systems are complex, and it's important that each of the systems are working together. The fuel cell cap has a rubber seal that can easily become damaged over time.  In order to keep an engine running the way it should, the rubber seal should be inspected and replaced if necessary at 50,000 miles. Replace the Fuel Filter Between the engine compartment and the fuel injection system the filter works to stream out any particles and contaminants that should not enter the fuel injector. It's best to replace the filter on most cars, trucks and SUVs that use unleaded gasoline. Perform Exhaust System Inspection Bringing a vehicle in for an exhaust system inspection will mean that they take a look at the muffler, exhaust manifold, exhaust downpipe, catalytic converter, resonator and tailpipe. This system takes the fumes out of the car, so any issues could lead to bad fumes ending up inside the cabin. Inspect Suspension Components Your front-end suspension system is worn out over time, and often needs to have the CV joints and tie rods replaced around the 100,000 mile mark. Getting these two parts inspected at the 50,000 mile mark will allow you ensure that your suspension is working the way it should, and is properly aligned. Replace All Four Tires Most new cars roll off the dealership lot with the OEM tires. These tires are usually made from softer rubber to provide a smoother ride, but tend to wear out around 50,000 miles. It’s a good idea to have your tires inspected and potentially all replaced Schedule Maintenance Online Kenosha WI If you'd like to have your vehicle inspected and checked for issues, we would love to help. Our experienced service team is here to ensure your vehicle drives its best, and we’ve got the tools and knowledge to get it done the right way. Schedule a service appointment online or give us a call.

We all know that our car has a battery, and that our engine uses it. We also know we have to fill up the gas tank to get our car moving, and get where we need to go. But other than the engine, battery and gas tank, many of us aren't aware of very many specific parts our cars need to get out on the road every day. If you think you might have an issue with your alternator, or aren't even sure what the warning signs are, we are here to help. Check out these five warning signs for a dying alternator. 5 Ways to Tell Your Alternator is Dying Dashboard Warning Most of the newer vehicles on the road have a dashboard warning light that will show up when the alternator is acting up. Some may say ALT and some may say GEN, but the light will usually only come on when you are using multiple electrical components at the same time. Rough Starts Your car battery is not made to last forever, but if your alternator is not replenishing the power that it uses, you'll go to start your car to hear it hesitate or not start at all. To find out whether it’s the battery or  the alternator that's causing you issues, charge the battery and attempt to start the car. If it's still a rough start, you're looking at alternator issues. Strange Sounds Producing electrical current requires a lot of parts that all work inside your alternator to power your vehicle. A grinding or whining noise might indicate a worn out part or belt needs to be replaced. Specifically, worn out bearings cause this sound. If you hear it, get in touch with our service experts to have us take a look! Burning Rubber Smell The alternator works with a variety of belts inside your engine, and if a belt is not turning the way it should, the friction will cause a burning smell. If you catch a smell similar to an electrical fire, you might need to replace or tighten a belt. Have then evaluated by our service team to ensure your vehicle is safe to drive. Dimmed Lights Your alternator runs all the electrical components in your vehicle, including your headlights and dashboard lights. If either of those are beginning to dim, it's an important indicator that you've got an alternator issue. Other parts like power seats and windows might also experience slower operation because of alternator issues.

Cold Wisconsin winters take a toll on our vehicles. From the slippery roads to the constantly changing temperatures, winter is a tough time for cars on the road. Luckily, we get a break from the harsh driving conditions of winter, and at Palmen Motors, you get a break from the full-price maintenance too! We offer free online coupons for our service center, and if you keep reading, you'll find a summer service center checklist that'll help you get your car in shape! Service Center Coupons Kenosha WI Whether you're looking to get your tires rotated, or you'd like to stop in for a routine oil change, there are savings options available for you! Our skilled technicians can handle maintenance and repairs for any make and model, and every trip to our service center comes with a complimentary inspection. We want to help keep your vehicle looking and driving its best. Summer Vehicle Maintenance Checklist You might have an older car, or even something new and shiny, but after a long Wisconsin winter it's important to get things checked out.  Several parts of your car can begin to wear down after being out on slippery, salty roads for a few months. Check out this list to find some of our top suggestions for maintenance this summer. Tire Inspection and Rotation With Alignment Brake Inspection Wiper Blade Replacement Battery Test A/C System Inspection Oil and Filter Change Wash and Wax Schedule Service Appointment at Palmen Motors of Kenosha If you are ready to bring your vehicle in to see the experts at Palmen Motors, give us a call or follow the link below to schedule your appointment online. We want to get your car back in shape, and do it at a time that fits your busy schedule. Be sure to give us a call with any questions, or to order parts you need to do repairs or maintenance at home. Read More: Will Premium Fuel Help My Efficiency Ratings? Our technicians pride themselves on quality customer service, so you can trust that you'll have a great experience when you come to see us here at Palmen Motors. We look forward to getting your vehicle back in shape for the summer!

When you venture onto the roads in the winter, there are always dangerous situations that you should be prepared to face. Wisconsin can throw some unpredictable weather your way, so when it comes to sleet and ice, it's important to be ready. We'll give you our best tips for driving in sleet or icy conditions. Read on to find out your best bet for a safe drive this winter. Three Tips for Driving on Icy Sleet Roads Tip 1: Slow Down You might think that slowing down is a natural reaction when the roads get slippery, but a lot of drivers try to continue driving at their normal speed. It's well worth adding a few minutes to your travelling time if you are able to ensure that your vehicle and all the passengers arrived safe and sound. Slowing down gives your vehicle a better chance of stopping if you need to make an emergency stop and it also lessens the damage to your vehicle if a collision cannot be avoided. Read More: Tips for Staying Awake Behind the Wheel Tip 2: Plan Ahead We aren't asking you to plan ahead for the weather, but to plan ahead while you are driving. If you can see a turn coming up or a corner ahead, it will help you to slow down your vehicle and keep the movements in control throughout the turns and curves. Control is your friend when it comes to icy roads, so whatever you can do to keep some, will make your driving experience much safer. Read More: 3 Reasons to Keep Your Car in the Garage Tip 3: Avoid Steep Hills When you can't avoid driving in icy weather all together, we suggest you do your best to avoid steep hills. Searching through the internet, there are tons of videos of cars sliding down icy hills, and gaining momentum like that can be extremely dangerous if there are other vehicles on the road or if you collide with anything at the bottom. It's in your best interest to avoid steep hills when the roadways are coated with ice. Other Safety Blog Posts!

We all know that garages aren't always available for vehicles. Those who live in apartment buildings or who have multiple vehicles are often forced to keep vehicles outside overnight and when they aren't in use. While this isn't the end of the world, we're going to highlight 3 reasons why you should keep your car in the garage at night. It's Clean and Dry While you might not think your garage is very clean, we bet it's going to be drier and nicer to your vehicle than the great outdoors. There are lots of dirt particles that travel in the air, not to mention debris on windy nights! Your vehicle will remain cleaner and stay dry if you keep it in the garage. This means no scraping the ice off windows in the winter or dealing with leaves stuck under the hood. Read More: 9 Reasons to Live in Wisconsin It's Warmer Than Outside You might live somewhere warm, but if you live in Wisconsin with the rest of the Kenosha-area shoppers out there, you'll know that the winters here are COLD. Keeping your vehicle warmer not only helps to prevent tubes and liquids in the vehicle from breaking or thickening, but it will make it easier for your car to warm up on those cold mornings before the sun comes up! Less Damage and Potential for Rust Where does rust and salt damage come from? The outdoors. While your vehicle might get rusty simple from driving around, keeping it in a dry garage at night can certainly help to slow the process. Sitting in a wet driveway or being covered in snow and ice can increase the rate of rust development and make your car look worse much faster! Read More: Girls Dance in A Dodge Challenger If you have a garage, USE IT! If you don't have one, try not to worry. It's not absolutely necessary, but in the long-run a garage can help a car to stay healthy and live longer. It's like you! Everyone should have a roof over their heads. Give one to your car if you can!

what's the difference between regular and premium fuel? There are some vehicles, believe it or not, that require the premium fuel. While these are usually the more powerful luxury vehicles, it is important to know. Do you find yourself wondering, what's the difference between regular and premium fuel? We are here to answer that today! Read on to find out what makes it so much more expensive! Your traditional modern vehicle has a very efficient engine in it. Newer vehicles roll off of dealership lots each year with more technology and modern features than the previous year. Only some luxury cars and old vehicles require premium fuel, but what is the difference? We'll start out by making sure to underline the fact that there are myths surrounding the use of premium fuel. There are some that believe that premium fuel is cleaner or more pure. This simply is not true. There is also the myth that it increases the performance of the vehicle. While this is also mostly false, the performance does increase a small amount. It is such a small difference in performance, however, that it is deemed not worthy of the price difference. READ MORE: Spring Car Washing Tips! So, why do some cars require premium? The answer is in it's ability to combust. Older engines and high end engines have a higher compression ratio, and thus need fuel that ignites less easily. Cheaper fuel ignites more quickly and can leave an older engine with a knock. What's an engine knock? That is when the engine is burning the fuel more quickly than it's parts are able to handle. A knocking engine is usually audible and can cause damage if left unchecked. READ MORE: Staying Awake Behind the Wheel If your owners' manual says that your engine requires premium fuel, it is probably best to follow it's instruction. An engine knock could mean expensive repairs down the road. However, a vehicle without the requirement will not be negatively affected by the more expensive fuel. The price difference makes the cheaper fuel more appealing, and it is most likely a fine choice for vehicles that do not require premium. If you are unsure of what your vehicle requires, simply give us a call at Palmen Motors in Kenosha. Our friendly and experienced automotive specialists are happy to answer any questions!

Best spring car washing tips in Kenosha WI We are all ready for spring to arrive. What better way to prepare than to wash up your car and get it looking it’s best for the sunshine ahead? Washing your car can be a chore, but doing it the most efficient way and with the right tools can make it much easier and more effective. We want to help you by giving you our best spring car washing tips in Kenosha WI so that you can drive the best-looking car this spring! Before you even start washing, you can make the job a lot easier by having the right tools prepared and ready to go. Tip #1: Use Car Washing Soap This might seem obvious, but it makes a big difference in the long-run. Other soaps like dish detergent can strip the polymers from the paint surface of your car. You don’t want to encourage oxidation, so the use of car washing soap will protect your vehicle’s pretty paint. Tip #2: Forego the cheap sponges We know that it can be appealing to grab the cheapest sponges for washing your car, but going for a microfiber washing tool is much better for your car. The microfibers will hold onto the dirt from the vehicle instead of spreading it around or scrubbing it into the paint on the surface. Small scratches add up over time! Tip #3: Two Buckets are Better than One Use two different buckets of water. One with soapy water, and one with just plain water. After you scrub a section of the car, rinse the cleaning tool in the clean water to get as much dirt out as possible. This way you won’t contaminate your soapy water. Now that you are ready to clean, do these things to make your car come out as shiny as possible! Tip #4: Work your Way Down Washing from top to bottom and not front to back will keep dirt from going anywhere you’ve already cleaned. This will save you the time it would take to re-clean areas and help your car to dry efficiently. Tip #5: Dry ‘er off! This is important. After washing, rinse the car and take the time to dry it by hand. Allowing it to air dry will result in soap spots and a less shiny finish. We hope these tips help you during your spring car cleaning adventure! Let’s all cross our fingers for warmer days ahead and a summer to drive a shiny clean car through! Make sure to give our service department a call if you have any questions. We’d love to help you out with advice from the professionals!

spring cleaning for your car We are all sick of the cold and blustery Wisconsin winters and the toll they take on our trusty vehicles. The snow and ice and salt from the roads can really turn your car into a rolling crust-wagon. There’s no denying that a spring cleaning for your car will have your car and you feeling much more prepared for the may flowers and sunny summer ahead. Doesn’t it feel like winter has been dragging on forever? We’re not quite through it yet, but there is always the hope of a warmer and sunnier future in the spring and summer months. Here in Wisconsin, we know more than anyone that our vehicles have a rough time getting through the freezing cold and we appreciate them for the days that they power through the struggle. So, the best thing you can do to keep your car running through many more winters is to take the time to clean it up each spring. First, you have to wash the car. From top to bottom, your vehicle takes a beating in the winter months. Cleaning the undercarriage and all the outer surfaces is important to keep the salt and sand from causing corrosion and wearing on the paint on your car. It is also suggested that you give it a coat of wax to ensure that things stay cleaner during the rainy spring and summer. Then, change things out and give your car a fresh start. Make sure all the liquids are topped off, as winter can deplete those more quickly (especially windshield wiper fluid!). Changing the wiper blades and the oil will help to make sure that you start the summer off on a good foot. Some people suggest taking your car in for a full tune-up and getting tires rotated as well! It really depends on the amount and type of driving that you do during the winter. Finally, check to make sure your tires and filled up and your tread looks good. Slippery rainy weather can make bald tires really dangerous. If you want to get your car prepared for the spring that is surely coming, give us a call at Palmen Motors. We would love to take a look at your car and get it running at its best for an affordable price. Looking to trade up to a newer car for the summer months? Check out our full online inventory!

Staying Awake Behind the Wheel We all know that we’ve had to make a trip when we weren’t feeling very energized and awake. This usually results in a struggle to avoid nodding off on the road. Falling asleep while driving is extremely dangerous ( especially in the snow!) and should definitely be avoided. Read here for some tips and ideas for staying awake behind the wheel. It is important for your safety to make sure that you’ve had enough sleep before getting behind the wheel, but sometimes even with enough sleep, we get drowsy. If that is a struggle you face, here are a few tips to get you through: #1: Eat or Drink something Exciting No, we don’t mean that the food has to be difficult to eat. What will help you stay alert is to eat or drink something that engages your senses. Some suggestions are things like sunflower seeds, ice chips, or chewing gum. The idea is keeping your mouth, and therefore your mind, too busy to fall asleep. The trick is to avoid too much sugar, as it will lead to a crash or higher level of drowsiness shortly after consuming it. #2: Eat or Drink something Slowly Again, keeping your body busy is key for keeping your mind awake! Drinking coffee in sips or eating chips one piece at a time can keep you focused on eating for a longer period of time. #3: Cool Everything Down You know when it’s hard to fall asleep? When you are slightly uncomfortable. That is why cooling things down in the car can make drowsiness disappear. Open a window or turn on the air so that the feeling in the car is just a little colder than you’d like. For an instant cooling effect, wipe your face and neck with a wet wipe or cloth. Even that little shock to your system can help keep your mind awake. #4: Blast some Music Listen closely here. You don’t want to play your favorite music. Since you know all the words and enjoy the music, your brain isn’t going to pay much attention to it, giving you a chance to nod off. Turn on something you either don’t know or dislike. For example, a big country fan might throw on some rap music really loud. Now, obviously there are other methods to keep yourself awake, but having a few tricks in the bag never hurts! Drive safe. Stay Awake!

Car Essentials Before Traveling If you want to take advantage of these last days of summer vacation, you have to act quick! But we aren’t talking about get on the next available plane to Never-Land. We want you to go in a hurry and get these car essentials before traveling. There is nothing more important that being secure while having fun, and here at Palmen Motors, we want to help you do just that. Nothing says "let's go" like being "ready" You might have not heard of this before, but these accessories might one day save you or your family from a tight situation. Let’s start with a medium-duty winching accessory kit. This kit comes with a pair of heavy-duty gloves, a 3-inch x 30-foot tow strap rated at 21,600 pounds, and two clevis shackles to secure the strap, which are meant to save you from any number of sticky situations. But that’s not all. This powerful kit also comes with tree-saver strap and a snatch block that effectively doubles the line-pull capacity. There is no doubt that this kit has the potential to help you out in a variety of ways! Don't hesitate! Take the adventure. Now, depending on where you are going, the road might not always be as steady as you want it to be. This is why you should always carry around a set of traction ramps. In case you are planning on going to visit some old friend and have no companion on the road, you can simply unfold the ramps and wedge them under the stuck tires -This you can do in any weather or soil condition.It’s like always having a best friend right when you need it. We have always said to take care of your tires before going on a trip, but what about after? If you are stranded in some eerie place and your tires have gone flat, what is better than having an air compressor right on hand. This way, you can always be sure to pump your tires right before getting on the road. Always remember to take good care of your vehicle! If you have questions, get in touch with one of our expert service center representatives. Just give us a call, and we will gladly set up an appointment for you.