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Creepy crawlies can make driving a bit of a frightening experience for those of us who don't love to live with spiders. Not only do these eight-legged creatures find their way into our vehicles, but they can even take up residence and lay eggs! If that sounds like a horrible situation to you, check out this post on how to get rid of spiders in your car. We'll tell you where they hide and how to keep them from coming back. more Spiders are some of the most feared creepy crawlers on the planet, so it's easy to see why so many drivers dislike finding them in vehicles. Statistics show that many people die in vehicle accidents every year because of a spider scaring them while they are driving. The sudden crawler sighting can make a driver swerve and can result in injuries and vehicle damage. So, what do you do to fix this problem? Read More: Steps to Replace Your Car Stereo Where do Spiders Live in Your Car? Spiders like to hide in places that are warm and sheltered from the elements. Two of the best places for spiders to tuck themselves are behind your side-view mirrors and in your air vents. Other places include the places under your hood that are away from your engine, but that gather things like leaves. These spots are perfect hiding places for spiders and allow them to hide during the day to return to their webs at night. Check This Out:  Free Online Coupons for Vehicle Maintenance How to Keep Spiders Out of Your Car Now that you know where to look, go ahead and clean out those areas. You can't get into your vents, but cleaning under your hood and behind your mirrors should be easy enough. Once you have things looking a little less homey for the crawlers, try these methods to keep them from coming back: Buy some peppermint or citrus oil. Spiders hate peppermint and any citrus and will avoid those areas. Swap some oil around your side view mirrors, and mix 20 drops of oil with 1.5 cups of water to pray around your vehicle like air freshener. To keep spiders from coming in through the air vents, swab the vents with the oil or tuck a few lemon peels between the gaps. Not only will this make your vehicle smell lovely, but it will keep the spiders from making a home in your vehicle. Repeat this process periodically throughout the spider seasons to keep your car free of pests.

Caring for matte vehicle paint can be a little tricky if you don't take the time to understand what it needs. Traditional vehicle paint is made to be glossy, and thus can be polished and rebuffed if it is scratched. Matte paint is a little different. Read on to check out these three tips for cleaning your matte car paint. more What Makes Matte Car Paint Different From Glossy Paint? When you're considering purchasing or caring for your matte paint, the cleaning process looks a bit different. Because matte paint is not glossy, and it's not made to reflect light, the waxing and polishing process is not going to work. Read More: Vehicle Maintenance Savings Kenosha WI Matte paint can't tolerate scuffs and scratches the way that traditional paint does, so it's important to keep your matte vehicle clean. How to Wash a Matte Car Be sure to use a wax-free, ph neutral, car washing soap. It needs to be wax-free because wax in regular vehicle soap will cause a splotchy and clouded appearance. The ph neutral part will help avoid any damage caused by the soap. It is important to wash a matte vehicle regularly, as any excess dirt and oils will start to give the vehicle a sheen. If you wash the vehicle and it still seems to have a sheen, you can try diluted Isopropyl alcohol to remove any excess oils. Be sure to remove bird droppings or bugs as soon as you can to prevent damage to the matte finish. Schedule Matte Paint Cleaning Milwaukee WI If keeping your vehicle clean and looking its best seems like a little too much for you to take on, there are professionals who are happy to help. The team, here at Palmen Motors, are here to answer your questions and get your vehicle in top shape. Give us a call or schedule your appointment online.

So you're in the market for a new or used car and you aren't sure whether a turbocharged I-4 engine is enough? Despite recent advances in automotive technology, there are still some differences between the turbocharged I-4 and a V-6 engine. We'll tell you what makes each engine configuration different, and how you can choose between the two. Is a turbocharged I-4 engine like a V-6? Read on and find out! more I-4 vs V-6 Horsepower and Fuel Economy There are physical differences between an I-4 and a V-6 engine that lie in how the cylinders are laid out. In an I-4 engine, there are four cylinders and they are lined up next to each other, thus the name of the inline-four-cylinder engine. A V-6, on the other hand, has the cylinders lined up to create a V shape inside the engine. Several engines, the V-6, V-8, and V-12, all have the same cylinder layout, just with more cylinders in the larger engines. Read More: Roomy SUV With 3rd-Row Seating In order to give the I-4 more power to work with, without decreasing the fuel efficiency ratings, is to add a boosting system. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine can produce extra power, but only does it when it is needed. Unlike a V-6 that uses power all the time, resulting in lower fuel economy ratings, the turbocharged I-4 uses the extra power when you are accelerating. The downside to this is that your I-4 will sometimes take a moment or two to deliver the power, and might hesitate a bit when you first hit the gas. I-4 vs V-6 Similarities If you decide to go with a V-6 engine for your next vehicle, you will find that the decrease in fuel efficiency can result in spending more on gas. Both the turbocharged I-4 and the V-6 are great options for sedans and hatchbacks, but the I-4 might not be your best option in an SUV. For the daily commute and city errands, the I-4 is powerful and responsive, but for towing or hauling a trailer, you'll want to make sure you have a V-6 under the hood.

There are some people in your life who you might believe love their car more than their own family, and for those people, car-related gifts are the best. Need an idea for a car-related gift? You've come to the right place. We'll help you come up with the perfect option for your friend who would appreciate a new gadget or item for their vehicle, and you look like the considerate person who bought them something thoughtful. Check out this list of four great car-related gift ideas. more Car Themed Gifts for the Driver in Your Life Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you can use right away. Who needs a new sweater when you could get them a new seat cover? Of course, the following four ideas are cooler than a seat cover, but if you like that idea, you can always get one of those too. In fact, they make seat covers with pads to add lumbar support for drivers with back pain. Think about the possibilities! Seats for Pets: If you know a driver who has a pet, but doesn't like to get the dog hair all over the car, or wants to protect their leather seats, then you should consider getting them a seat for the car! Assuming they let their dog out of a crate in the car, car hammocks for dogs are a great way for them to ride. They can sit in the rear seat, and the cover hangs over the headrests to protect the seats. Read More: Getting Bad Smells Out of My Car A Road Kit for New Drivers: If you're buying a gift for someone who has recently gotten their license, a great gift to get them is a homemade car kit! Look for great items like a mini air compressor and jumper cables to help new drivers ensure that they have the tools they need to stay safe on the road. Car Seat Gap Filler If your friend is really tired of losing change and the last fry to the crack between their seat and the center console, then this gift might be a great idea! They make seat gap fillers to keep your car cleaner and make sure you don't lose any belongings in the cracks. Sure, it might not seem like a huge deal, but when it's below zero outside and you drop your house key, you will be glad not to have to search around with your hand in the crack. Read More: Tips for Warming Up your Car Quicker and Easier! Car Seat Cleaning Materials If your driver friend is a bit of a neat-freak, do them a favor and buy them some seat cleaning materials. This is especially great if your friend has leather seats. Special cleaning liquids and soaps are used on car seats, and can really help to keep your car looking spiffy. Check out the professional suggestions for what to use to clean leather or cloth seats and bring it on over. Spring is the perfect time for a clean car!

You can pay a bunch of money to have an emergency kit made for your vehicle, or you can throw together the necessities and keep them in your vehicle for just a few dollars. While we can't stop you from purchasing an expensive kit, we can give you our best suggestions for DIY vehicle emergency kit items and help you feel more confidence as you hit the road. It's important to have all of these items with you inside your vehicle, as we usually don't predict car trouble or an accident. We'll give you our top 5 recommendations for a vehicle emergency kit. more 5 Perfectly Affordable Items for Your Car Emergency Kit Save Money Have All Your Tools Drive With Confidence A Small Blanket Keeping yourself warm is only one of the many uses for a small blanket in your vehicle. Should you be stuck in your car for hours waiting for a tow, you can snuggle up for a nap in this blanket. It is also handy for putting on the ground when you are changing a tire, or wrapping around a sick passenger to keep them comfortable. In the unfortunate event of an injury, the blanket can be used to hold pressure to the affected person's wound. A Gallon of Water Inexpensive and a little chunky, this is the most important item on our list. Clean, filtered water in your vehicle is great for drinking, and can help with an overheating engine. You can pour a little water into your radiator to cool it down. It won't last long, but if you do this, you might be able to reach your destination or a nearby rest stop. Read More: Tips for Warming Up Your Car Some Nonperishable Snacks We all get a little more easily frustrated and anger more easily when we are hungry. If you are caught stopped traffic or are waiting for a tow truck, it's helpful to have a little something to snack on. Things like hard candies, granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit are great options to give your blood sugar a little boost and keep your attitude bright, even in an unfortunate situation. Basic First-Aid Supplies These shouldn't surprise you. In the case of an injured or sick person, you will want to have a few basic items on hand. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen and aspirin can help with minor aches and pains, while other items like, gauze, medical tape, alcohol pads, Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, and some antacids can come in handy in a pinch. Read More: Getting Bad Smells Out of Car Seats A Flashlight Basically any vehicle trouble is made worse by a lack of light. Nighttime travelling issues can really put a damper on finding a solution. Solve this potential issue by keeping a flashlight, headlamp, and some extra batteries in your emergency kit. Whether you're trying to look at your engine, are helping another driver with car issues, or simply need to find something in the back seat, a light will certainly make life easier.

Installing a new stereo in your car might seem too complicated, but if you spend the time to follow the right steps, you can do it all by yourself. If you are looking to improve your listening experience inside your car, installing a new car stereo in your Buick might be the perfect solution. Before you start installing your new stereo system, be sure to check and ensure that the new system you purchase is the right size and type for your vehicle. Check with an electronics store to get all the parts you need. more Steps for Installing a New Car Stereo Step 1: Turn off your car and disconnect the negative cable from your car battery. You want to make sure that you won't short circuit the stereo system as you are working with it. Step 2: Remove the trim surrounding the stereo by unscrewing any places it is connected and gently pulling it free from the console. Make sure to bring any additional components along with it, so that you have room to see the stereo. However, take a picture of how any wired components are connected for later reference in reconnecting. Read More: My Car Has Blue Exhaust Smoke? Step 4: Match up the wires to the new stereo and put together the mounting kit. Follow the instructions with the new stereo to ensure you have everything you need to mount it. Then start by plugging in the power source. Follow the power source with any other wires you need to connect. Use the picture you took before to match things up with the new stereo. If necessary, ground the (usually black) wire by attaching it to a part of the metal frame. If your cords are wrapped in a harness, then the new system should be grounded already. Check This Out: Tips for Faster Warming of Your Car Step 5: Carefully slide the new stereo into place and start the car and test the stereo to ensure that the installation was done correctly. Step 6: Replace the exterior cover and other components. Be sure not to force anything into place, and make sure to replace all the screws to secure all the parts. Start the car and test to make sure all the pieces affected by the installation are working. Step 7: Congratulate yourself on installing your new stereo!

Have you heard buzz about some of the new methods that drivers are using to get from place to place, without having to own a vehicle? Gone are the days of simply using a taxi, as technology and modern convenience has made it easier to offer travelers versatility in their transportation choices.  So, what exactly is a car sharing service, and how do car sharing services work? We'll tell you that and more! more What is Car Sharing? In order to make travel and the daily commute more environmentally friendly, and easy for drivers who do not own their own vehicle, the idea of car sharing was put into motion. Those who need to travel a short distance, and won't be using a vehicle for very long can become a member in a community organization that shares vehicles between its members. Members can pay to utilize a car by the hour, or by the day. Read More: Self-Driving Cars by 2017 All drivers do is apply and become approved as a member of the carsharing organization chosen. Then, they reserve a vehicle for a couple hours or the whole day. Drivers walk up to the car they have reserved (parked in a convenient location somewhere in the city), and use it for the reserved time. When it comes close to the end of the reserved time, they simply return the vehicle to its reserved parking spot. It's that simple! Best Car Sharing Programs in the US There are a number of different organizations for car sharing in the US. If you live in or near a big city, this can be a great method of transportation without needing to purchase a vehicle for each driver in the household. Some great options for car sharing in the US include: Lyft, Uber, and Zipcar. Each organization works a little differently, so you can choose the program and options that best match your lifestyle and driving needs! Read More: New Illinois Tax Law Improves Leasing Options Wondering where you can find Zipcar Car Sharing in Milwaukee WI? Check out this link for a map!

Buying a Used Car Seat With Expired Date Kids in the car should be sitting in a booster or car seat up until they are 4 ft. 9 in. tall! Did you know that your car seats might even be expired? Whether you simply want to learn more about the important of car seats, or you are thinking of buying a used car seat, read here to learn what you need to know about making sure that your most precious cargo is safe inside your vehicle. We'll give you the tips you need to make the right choice. more Is It Okay to Buy a Used Car Seat? Whether you have a friend who will lend you a seat, or you want to buy a used one to save some money, there are a few aspects to consider. Booster and car seats come with an expiration date for a reason, and there are a few reasons why you might want to purchase a new one. Read More: Quick Tips for Warming Your Car Before buying a used car seat, it's important to know its history. In order to ensure that your car seat is in good working order, you should be aware of who used the car seat and for how long. If you don't know the history of the seat, you can't be 100% sure that the seat is not damaged. A car seat should never be used once the vehicle it was in has been in a crash. Whether the seat was in use when the accident happened, or not, the seat may have been damaged in the impact. If the crash was only a minor one, there is a chance that the seat may still be safe to use. For example, if the accident did not set off the air bags, left the vehicle in safe driving condition, and there were no injuries to the vehicle's occupants, the car seat may still be safe to use. However, if you are questioning the seat's history, it's better to be safe than sorry. Read More: Tips for Getting Bad Smells Out of Car Seats Car Seat Expiration Dates Info When you are buying a new car seat, the plastic used to make the seat is still new and in good condition. The reason that car seats have an expiration date is because plastic ages and becomes brittle as time goes on. A car seat that has been around for too long or is worn out might not be a safe choice should an accident occur with a child sitting in it. For the safety of your kids, it's important to be aware of the age of the car seat and whether the plastic is safe. Read More: The Buick Enclave, Perfect for Families!

Warm Your Car Engine Quicker and Easier Do you find yourself questioning whether it's really necessary to let your car warm up before driving it on cold Wisconsin winter days? Are you wondering if there's a way to warm your car engine quicker and easier? We're here to give you three great tips for warming up your car! Read on to find out how to make the most of your warming time this winter. more Why Do I Have to Warm Up My Engine? When the weather gets cold and snowy, the fluids inside your car's engine get thick and sluggish. In order for your engine to run, you need to get the oil moving so that all the parts can work together. Letting your engine warm up, even just a little, in the winter can make driving a lot easier on your engine. Read More: Getting Bad Smells Out of Car Seats 3 Tips for More Efficient Engine Warming Cars Warm Up While Being Driven While we can't tell you to get into your car and try racing down the street, it's certainly not a bad thing to drive your car while it's warming up. This winter, consider giving your vehicle a minute or two to warm while idling and then drive nice and relaxed for the first few minutes on the road. This will warm your engine much more quickly and can actually be better than idling! Read more: The Buick Verano is the Perfect Daily Commute Idling for More than 5 Mins is Bad! Leaving your vehicle idling for an extended period can frustrate your engine. When in idle, your engine is running on more fuel than it does when it is moving. Because of this, it can decrease your fuel economy and performance over time as your engine loses its ability to be as efficient with less fuel. Remote Start or Block Heaters While the convenience of remote start makes it incredibly easy for vehicles to begin warming up while you are still inside the house, they tend to correlate with people letting their vehicles warm up for 10 minutes or more. Block heaters, an alternative to a remote start, are an affordable way to warm the engine without using up all your fuel or straining your engine. Call Our Service Center!

How Do I Know if My GMC Terrain's Four-Wheel Drive is Working? When the weather gets bad and road conditions are tough, it can make driving safer and make you feel more confident if you have four-wheel drive. So, your vehicle has four-wheel drive, but you are wondering if it's working? What does four-wheel drive even mean? We'll tell you how to test your four-wheel drive! more What Does Four-Wheel Drive Do? Four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are different. All-wheel drive uses all four-wheels to drive the car all the time, while four-wheel drive only puts power behind the two wheels that have the best traction while driving. All-wheel drive is a real fuel thirsty way to drive, and four-wheel drive can increase your confidence without using all your gas. So how do you know if your four-wheel drive is working the way it should? Read More: Deep Cleaning Your Vehicle Interior Tips! Test Method One: Use a Tree If you have a tree available, drive your GMC Acadia up so that the front end is touching the tree. There should be no gap, so that you don't do any damage to your front end. Now, hop inside and put your foot on the gas. Have someone stand outside of the car and watch the tires. As you drive into the tree, your tires will try to get traction. If all four wheels of your car are moving, your four-wheel drive is doing its job! Read More: What's New on the 2016 GMC Canyon? Test Method Two: Lift Your Car Either lift your car off the ground using jacks, or take your car into a service center with a hydraulic lift. You don't need your vehicle very high, just enough to get your tires off the ground. Then hit the gas while someone outside the vehicle checks to see if all the tires move. If they are all moving, your four-wheel drive should be working great. Call Our Service Center!

Getting Stink Out of Dirty Car Whether you are buying a used vehicle or you've had an incident in your own car, it can be very irritating to get the bad smells out of your seats and carpet. You spend a lot of time in your car, so you don't want to drive around torturing your olfactory system. We'll give you some great tips for getting bad smells out of your car's seats and carpet. more Getting Rid of Old Car Smell There are different types of car smells, and one of the most difficult to cure can be the smell of an old car. With old car smell, you can start with the basics. Get an air-freshener and if you have cloth seats, spray things down with Febreeze fabric spray. It may never quite go away, but these two things together are sure to help! If that doesn't help, shampooing your seats and carpet with car-specific products might be your best (if not slightly time consuming) option! Read More: Synthetic vs Conventional Oil Getting Rid of Cigarette Smell in Car A great tip for cigarette smell in a car can be to place dryer sheets around the vehicle cabin! Other great smell absorbers are baking soda or kitty litter. Shampooing and spraying the seats may help, but smoke can be a tricky thing to lose completely. It might just take time and multiple methods! Check This Out: 4 Reasons to Choose an SUV over a Minivan Getting Rid of Bodily Fluid Smells in the Car Whether it came out one way or another, it can be tricky to deal with smells left over from bodily fluids. The good news here is that you can spot treat the area where the smell is coming from, and it should help eliminate the smell! Starting with vinegar and water (50/50) you want to work on disinfecting the area and loosening any remaining mess. Then let everything dry. The next step is to apply baking soda to the area and give it time to absorb some smell. Once you've scrubbed it down after using the vinegar and baking soda, the smell should be considerably better. Don't Miss Out: Vehicle Maintenance Coupons Kenosha WI Nothing is Working? If you can't get things cleaned up, one of the best things to do is to go and get your car detailed. Essentially, we will take the time to steam clean your seats and carpet. It might cost more, but you can rest assured that you'll be dealing with less smells after we're done! Contact Our Service Center

Three Forgotten Fall Maintenance Items Fall is a great time to get caught up on vehicle maintenance that you might have forgotten to do in the spring and summer. Thankfully, the team at Palmen GM is happy to help out by reminding you of some great ways to keep your vehicle running its best for fall. Heading into winter will be less stressful and more exciting with a car that is prepared to handle the road. Read on to find out more! more Fall Has Lots of Rain, Too! Chilly fall days can consist of rain or sleet or sunshine, and in Wisconsin, you never know what you're gonna get! If you didn't change your windshield wiper blades in the spring, this can be a great time to do so. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to potentially scary driving conditions. Check This Out! Millennials Love Ugly Cars? Icy Roads are On the Way! While it may not be that time yet, the icy roads of winter are just around the corner. Fall is a great time to start looking for deals on new tires or snow tires. If you notice that your wheels are getting a little bald, or your tires are older than makes them safe, give us a call. We would love to help you find great new tires to drive with confidence this winter. Read More! The Cadillac ATS Coupe is Perfect for Empty Nesters Wax and Wash It might not be a sunny gorgeous day outside anymore, but giving your car a little TLC before the winter arrives can be a great help in ensuring your paint makes it through the tough winter. Salt from the roads and dirt from the wet weather can really do some serious damage to an unprotected vehicle exterior. Take the extra step and get it cleaned up. You'll thank yourself later. Do you have any extra tips for fall to offer? Leave them in the comments section below, and be sure to give us a call with any questions you may have! We love to help our customers get the help they need to drive a safe and comfortable car all year round. Check Out Our Service Center Specials! Check Out Our Used Car Inventory!