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Around this time of year many of us get the bug, the spring cleaning bug. Whether this means you'll be scrubbing your floors or washing all the blinds in your house, there's work to be done! Many of us forget that our vehicles could use a good cleaning every so often, so why not take this opportunity to get your car in shape for spring! Read on to find our vehicle spring cleaning checklist and some tips from a professional on how to get your exterior to shine after the winter weather has finally left us. more Vehicle Spring Cleaning Checklist Remove From Vehicle: Trash and other items that don't belong in the car The floor mats and any seat covers (Shake out really well) Vacuum/Dust (Microfiber cloth/Q-Tips for cracks): The seats and floor areas (Don't forget vehicle ceiling!) The dashboard and center console (Q-Tips) Clean (Fabric-safe liquid cleaner, scrubber brush, tooth brush for smaller areas): Spot clean seats and floor areas with stains/dirt (scrubbing brushes) Windows (Glass cleaner & Microfiber cloth) Vehicle Exterior Spring Cleaning Tips

There are few things as frustrating as walking out to a car with a flat tire when you need to hit the road. Keeping an eye on our tire pressure is a great way to avoid this, but if there's a leak, you will probably have to get it fixed. If your tires are leaking, but you aren't sure where the leak is coming from, follow these five quick steps to finding the leak in your car tire. more Read More: Defogging a Windshield in Winter Find Your Tire Leak in Five Steps Step 1: Check Tire Pressure While it's important to check your tire pressure every few weeks throughout the year, you should check the tire pressure when you think you've got a leak to see how much air has been let out. If you notice you have one tire that regularly has less pressure, you've most likely got a leak. Step 2: Check Out the Tire Keep an eye on your tire tread throughout the year, but if you've got a leak, check for cracks, cuts or splits. You might be able to see objects embedded in the tire if your leak is caused by a nail or other item that punctured the tire. Use a white pencil or chalk to mark any parts of the tire you think might be leaking. Step 3: Re-Inflate Tire to Recommended Pressure Re-fill the tire to the recommended pressure using an at-home air compressor or an air pump at a gas station. Before going to the next step, listen for the high-pitched hiss of a leak. If you can hear this, then you know your tire needs servicing or replacement. Step 4: Use Cleaner Bubbles to Locate Leak If you can't hear a leak, use any kind of spray cleaner and spray around the tread covering only the visible part every time. Wherever you see bubbles appear, you know air is leaking from inside the tire. Circle these locations with the white pencil or chalk. Step 5: Plug the Hole and Have it Repaired Consider the size of the hole when deciding how it is best to repair it. If the leak is very small, you can probably purchase an affordable tire repair kit at the store. However, if you feel that the hole is bigger than you can handle, or the tire is worn in too many places, schedule an appointment with our service team to get things patched up. Check This Out: Best Dog Breeds for Frequent Travelers Schedule Tire Repair and Maintenance Kenosha WI If you think you've got a leaking tire, or it's just time to have them replaced, give us a call. Our service experts will help you get your car back in great shape. We've got an online tire store and scheduling tool that makes it quick and easy to get your car into the shop for whatever you need.

So, you got into a fender bender. You might not have felt like you were in any real danger, but your airbags were deployed. You car tries to protect you, but replacing airbags can be expensive. Read on and we'll give you an idea of how airbags work, and whether it's possible to avoid replacing them after an accident. more Read More: Safety Tips and Tricks How Do Airbags Work? Saving lives is important, and airbags in our cars have prevented life-ending injuries for thousands of people since they were created. The bag itself is made from a thin nylon that is folded into the steering wheel (or other side panels in the car). There is also a sensor that measures the force of your car during a collision and tells the bags to deploy. The other part is the inflation system, which is a combination of chemicals that create hot nitrogen gas. The combination of sodium azide and potassium nitrate reacts to create the gas, thus inflating the bag and quickly deflating afterwards (through holes in the bag). Because the chemicals can only react once, new, intact airbags must be put into the car after every collision to keep you and your passengers safe and sound next time you get into a tough spot! Check This Out: Service Center Coupons! Schedule Airbag Service and Repairs Kenosha WI If your car needs new airbags, feel free to contact the experts at Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac of Kenosha. We would love to get your car back in ship shape!

We think of cars and we think power. While we are quite aware of the fact that some are more powerful than others, it's important to note that horsepower doesn't always equate to towing capability. There are a lot of things that go into making a towing-capable SUV or truck. Why can't sports cars tow? They've got the horsepower, right? Check out the 6 things your towing vehicle needs below! more 6 Things Your Vehicle Needs for Towing Curb Weight When you buy a vehicle for towing, you'll have to take a look at the curb weight. The heavier the vehicle, the more weight it can tow with confidence. Modern SUVs and Trucks are lighter than they used to be, but are still capable of towing heavy loads. Wheelbase The wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axle, and the longer it is, the safer the vehicle is for towing. If the rear axel is too close, there can be issues with the front end lifting up because of the added weight to the rear. A longer wheelbase will make towing safer and easier on your car. Drive System Most full-size SUVs and trucks have rear wheel drive that can be turned into four-wheel drive when necessary. Smaller trucks and SUVs usually have all-wheel drive. Both are great options, but for those towing heavy weight or on rough terrain, the four-wheel drive might be the safer option. Check This Out: 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Tips Transmission A manual transmission used to be the standard on all towing vehicles, but these days an automatic transmission can give you the benefit of being able to focus on driving, rather than shifting gears while towing. The most important thing to consider is what you are most comfortable using. Chassis Design The frame of a full-size SUV or pickup truck usually has a "body on frame" design meaning that there's a solid steel frame giving the vehicle strength as a foundation. This gives them added strength for heavy loads.  Smaller SUVs have a less structured unibody design, but are still safe for towing smaller loads. Towing Package Finally, vehicles capable of towing heavy loads are often available with a specific towing package that could add upgraded suspension and brakes, a larger radiator and more efficient cooling system. If you're unsure if a vehicle has a towing package available, ask a professional at Palmen GM!

Buying a car is a big step, and it can become quite stressful if you aren't prepared. We've got four tips for getting yourself ready to buy a car, and give yourself a head start on the decision-making process. When you're in the market to buy a new set of wheels, there are lots of things to consider. Read on and find out what you can do before visiting a dealership to get yourself on track to end up in the perfect vehicle for your needs and lifestyle. more Preparing to Buy a New Car in 2017 Narrow Your Options: Consider the type of car, your budget and size of vehicle that you need. Once you have that narrowed down, do some research and compare the models that you have chosen to others in the same range. We offer a variety of research comparisons on our site that you can use to decide. Analyze Cost of Ownership: When you're considering one vehicle over another, consider costs like car insurance, monthly financing payments and regular maintenance and repairs. Websites like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds can give you a rough estimate of your costs, and you can call your insurance company for a quote. Read More: Palmen Vehicle Comparison Research Research Financing Options: Financing through a bank or credit union is an available option for those who do not wish to finance through the dealership. If you are considering buying a new or used vehicle, contact your preferred bank to apply for a loan and see what your budget and payments would be. Sharpen Negotiation Skills: Negotiating is especially important when buying a used vehicle. There are a number of tactics that you can use to try and get the best price for the vehicle you are interested in. Do some research about the value of the vehicle you've chosen and bring confidence to your negotiation with the dealer. Used Cars Under $10K in Kenosha WI If you're looking for an affordable vehicle on a tight budget, there's no reason to avoid stopping by the lot at Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac. We've got a large inventory of new and used models to fit any budget and lifestyle, so take a look at what we have online and schedule your test drive today.

Towing and hauling cargo is one of the great options that you have when you own a GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck. The capability and power enables you to pack up your gear and head out onto the road with ease. Wondering about how to set yourself up for success when towing? Check out these safety tips for towing trailers with the GMC Sierra 1500. more How to Safely Load Cargo in a Trailer Loading the cargo onto your trailer should be more thought-out than it often is. It's important to consider the balance and weight when placing the different cargo items. Read More: 2017 GMC Sierra Trim Level Comparison Tip 1: Keep 60% of the weight towards the front of the trailer and only 40% in the rear (unless otherwise stated on your trailer's manual). Do not overload your trailer past its capacity.  Tip 2: Balance the weight on either side of the trailer, ensuring the center of balance is low to the ground and over the wheel axels. This will keep the trailer from becoming unbalanced. Tip 3: Once things are placed and balanced, secure your items with nylon rope or towing straps. It's important to make sure that items cannot shift while you are on the road. Connecting a Trailer to 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 If you are using a receiver hitch with a ball socket, these are the steps you need to follow to securely attach your trailer to your GMC Sierra 1500. If you are using a gooseneck hitch or fifth-wheel hitch and need more information, check out this site. Step 1: Center your vehicle and trailer so that the hitch lines up. Back the vehicle over the trailer hitch. Make sure you have the coupler raised high enough to clear the ball. Set the emergency brake and turn your vehicle off. Step 2: Lower the coupler socket down onto the hitch ball until it is holding the full weight of the trailer. Close and lock the clamp using the hitch pin or coupler lock. Secure the safety chains so that the front end of the trailer won't hit the ground if it is accidentally disconnected while you are driving (be sure they are crossed). Step 3: Plug in all electrical connections and check the trailer hitch to be sure everything is secured. Test the brake lights and any other lights connected to your vehicle. Drive carefully and be sure to remain aware of other drivers and your trailer whenever you are on the road.

So, you're in a hurry to get to work and you start the car only to find that your windshield starts to fog up and you can't see. You could sit there and wait until the fog slowly disappears, or use your hands to clear an area leaving a hand print mess to clean up later, or you could use our tips to quickly get rid of the fog and be on your way. Read on and see what you can do to quickly defog your windshield in the winter, and also when it's warm out! more Fastest Way to Defog a Windshield in Winter Defogging Windshield When It's Colder Outside the Car If you are in a hurry, open your car windows to quickly bring the temperature inside closer to that outside. Turn your heat off, and you'll notice the fog will disappear very quickly. If it’s too chilly out to open your windows, turn the defroster on high and turn off your air recirculation. You want to allow the moist air inside your car to leave. Keep your windows clean because a clean window fogs up less easily. Purchase an anti-fog spray cleaner to use on the inside of your windows. Read More: How To Un-Freeze Car Locks in Winter Defogging Windshield When It's Warmer Outside the Car If the weather outside your car is warmer than it is inside your car, the fog will appear on the outside of your windshield. You can quickly wipe this off with your wipers. In order to keep the fog from returning, you'll need to help the interior air to become more humid. Do this by turning off your air conditioning and opening a window a little. Clean windows on the inside and out will fog up much less frequently. Read More: 3 Tips for Buying the Right New Wiper Blades

Some of us love dogs, and some of us love to travel. So, what do you do if you want to take a canine companion along with you when you travel? Well, there are certain breeds that make better low-stress companions for your next big trip. Planning a trip for people is hard enough, but if you have a dog that doesn't do well with the travels, you'll often have to leave them behind. If you're thinking about getting a dog, but you want to be sure to get a breed that can come along with you, check out this list! more What Kinds of Dogs Are Best for Traveling When it comes time to take a trip, there are a lot of reasons you might be feeling stressed out. Not only do you have to worry about packing your own gear, but if you're traveling with a pet, you might be worried about how they'll handle the change of scenery. The good news is that there are certain breeds of dogs with characteristics that go well with frequently traveling pet parents. Low-Stress Dogs The last thing you need on your trip is an anxious canine friend. Dogs that deal well in new situations and unfamiliar territory are the best traveling companions. There are two breeds that deal particularly well with these things and they are: English Bulldogs: These chill dogs don't need much exercising and are particularly great in the car. Not only are they full of wrinkly cuteness, but they love to relax in hotels and on the road. Maltese: These loyal little dogs are easy to bring along because of their size, and they are intelligent. They love to spend time with their masters, and make a fun friend for in the car or on the plane. Happy-Go-Lucky Dogs A dog that freaks out whenever you are near strangers can also add stress to your travels. There are certain breeds that tend to get along with pretty much everyone they meet, and they are: Spaniels: These cheerful dogs are happy to greet other dogs and people. Offering more than their good looks, these dogs are easy-going and can enjoy either relaxing or running around the park. Beagles: These traditionally sporting dogs are very social. They can be a little on the loud side, when it comes to greeting friends, but they love to make new friends. Good Listeners Anywhere you go, it helps to have a dog that listens. This often means many hours of training and practice, but there are certain breeds that make this easier on you. Dogs that are easily trained and make good travel buddies include: Rough or Smooth Collies: These dogs are beautiful, and were bred to be excellent listeners. They love to please their masters, and are very intelligent. Shetland Sheepdogs: These classic sheepdogs might not have as much hair as the collies, but that might be a good thing if you are not a fan of shedding! These smart dogs are good listeners and are bred to be trained and handle changing environments.

There's not much in this world as frustrating as going to get into your car before work and finding your locks are frozen. Not only can this make it impossible to get into your vehicle, but it can cost money to have fixed if you don't have the tips to get the job done yourself. We'll tell you how to protect your locks and deal with a frozen lock situation like a pro. more How to Unlock a Frozen Car Lock Step 1: Prevention is Key It might be too late for this step, but remember it for next time! Coat your key with rubbing alcohol or petroleum jelly. Then apply a lock lubricant to the keyhole. Grease-less products works the best, as they don't attract dust and won't clog the lock system. If you do both of these things regularly, your lock should not freeze. Step 2: Melt that Frozen Lock You can buy a de-icer product to spray into your car lock, but you might not always have this on hand. In a tight situation, grab that extension cord and a hair dryer to send some warm air into the lock. Hold it a few inches away from the lock and give it a minute or so to work. It's not as effective, but can get you out of a frozen situation! Vehicle Service and Maintenance for Winter Kenosha WI If you're looking to get your vehicle ready to handle the winter months, we are here to help. Give our experienced service team a call or schedule your appointment online. We would love to answer your questions and guide you through the steps of becoming equipped for winter weather situations.

Sunshades offer you the chance to protect the interior of your vehicle from sun damage, and can be useful in keeping passengers in the rear and front seats more comfortable when driving on sunny days. There are a variety of different sunshades for you to choose from including aftermarket shades that attach to the inside of the windows. There are two different types: solid fixed-position shades, or pull-down shades. more How to Buy High Quality Sunshades Buying the right sunshades will provide extra comfort for passengers and protection from bright sunlight while driving. The best shades offer UV ray protection. Here are the three different aspects to consider when purchasing sunshades: Type: When choosing between fixed position shades and pull-down shades, you'll want to think about who will be using them. Fixed position shades are probably best for protecting an infant in the back seat, while older passengers might enjoy the choice between sunlight and a pulled down shade. UV Resistance: Protect passengers' skin from harmful UV rays, but be aware that UV rays will degrade the material of the sunshade over time. Shape & Size: Take a picture of your car's window and measure across when you go to buy sunshades. There are a number of shapes and sizes to fit different windows. If you are looking for one to cover your windshield when you are out of the vehicle, read in the owner's manual to make sure you get one suited for your vehicle. Vehicle Accessories for Sale at Palmen GM in Kenosha WI If you are looking for a sunshade that is perfect for your vehicle, give us a call here at Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac. Our skilled technicians can get a hold of a part or accessory that fits your specific vehicle, or help you to choose the right one to purchase somewhere else. Our goal is to keep you and your passengers safe and happy on the road, so feel free to ask us when you have questions.

We all use our windshield wipers for a variety of reasons. Whether that means we are attempting to move snow piled on our car, or simply trying to see through pouring rain, our wipers sure come in handy. The arm of our windshield wipers are attached to an electronic motor, which powers the wiper itself. The blade is the part of the wiper that cleans the windshield and is usually made from a tough rubber material. Read on to learn three things you need to know about your windshield wipers. more Common Issues: Windshield Wipers If your wipers start to spread water rather than remove it from the window, it's an indicator that your blades are worn, dirty, or that you have bad windshield wiper fluid. Another common problem is water only smearing in one direction. This can indicate that your wipers are hard, old, or just the wrong size. If you have water beads that don't wipe away, your windshield is most likely dirty and needs a good wash. Finally, if your wipers are making noises or causing streaks it probably means you have a bent wiper arm. What Type of Windshield Wiper Does My Car Have? Did you know that there are different types of wipers and that they can have different benefits for your car? The traditional frame-style wipers are the most common and come standard on many vehicles. These use metal frame and a strip of the tough rubber to wipe the window. There are also winter blades you can put on your car that have a traditional blade in a protective rubber shell. The shell helps to keep ice and snow away from the wiper and thus is more effective in snowy conditions. Choosing New Windshield Wipers For Your Car Your owner's manual should include the specifications you need to choose the right windshield wiper replacements for your car, should you need them. Check out the requirements to determine the size of your windshield. When you replace your blades, it's important to replace both as it will ensure consistent wear. Car Questions in Kenosha WI? Call The Experts at Palmen GM If you have any questions about the size or type of windshield wipers that are on your car, give us a call or schedule an appointment. We would love to sort out any issues you're having with your wipers in order to get your car safe and ready to take on winter roads.

Vehicle maintenance can take a toll on our patience and our wallets. There always seems to be something that needs to be done. However, when it comes to your tires, which can be expensive to replace, there are a few maintenance activities that can help to keep them rolling longer. Read on and we'll tell you about 3 ways you can help to maintain the tread on your tires. more 3 Ways to Increase Car Tire Lifespan Use the Right Tires For Your Car Accelerate from a Stop in an Easy and Controlled Manner Perform Regular Tire Maintenance Changing your tires means considering more than just the size of the tire your car needs. You need to ensure that you get tires that are rated for the roads you drive on, the loads you carry and the speed of your vehicle. If the speed or load rating is too low for your vehicle, you'll see that the tread wears more quickly and that the tires have a shorter lifespan. Read More: 3 Tips for Replacing Wiper Blades Accelerating and stopping quickly wears the tread on your tires more quickly. Whenever you start moving quickly from a stop or stop quickly from moving you are leaving pieces of your tire's rubber on the road. It's best to try and accelerate and stop gracefully, almost like you're trying to keep water from spilling. Rotating your tires is the most important maintenance activity you can perform to lengthen the life of your tires. Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, you will notice that either the front tires or the rear tires lose their tread more quickly. If you don't bring your vehicle in for tire rotation, you will end up with two very worn tires, and will have to replace only two at a time. It's important and more convenient to change all your tires at one time, so be sure to rotate them and help them to wear evenly. Schedule Vehicle Service in Kenosha WI If you have any questions about replacing your vehicle's tires, the process of choosing new tires, or the cost of tire maintenance, give us a call here at Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac. Our skilled technicians are here to help get your car in great shape!