Blog

The limo known as “The Beast” or “Limo One”, is a Cadillac that could probably drive through a war zone with less effort than it takes you to drive to the grocery store. The limo shares almost nothing in common with a standard production car, so just what is the president’s limo made out of? For starters, it has a diesel engine and transmission that you would most likely find in a dump truck or a U-Haul truck. more How Strong is Limo One? It has enough power to obviously get a large vehicle with a heavy payload moving, which means this vehicle has to have more torque than any average vehicle on the road. You could probably use it at a construction site effectively if you added a trailer hitch to it. It’s also more durable than any vehicle you would find there. Its five-inch windows could likely outlast the body of most vehicles. It has 8-inch armor plating and the doors are just as heavy as a Boeing 757 aircraft’s. It also has Kevlar reinforced bus-size tires that can run while flat and it is shut off from the world from the inside so not even chemicals can get in. READ MORE: A Brand New Cadillac Crossover SUV in 2017? Is It Like A Spy Car? In some senses it is, for reasons mentioned above, but it does not have pop-out machine guns as far as we can tell. It does however have enough equipment in the trunk to outfit a small army. It can also seat seven passengers so you can take that army with you. And since seven isn’t always enough, the secret services has made a few other similarly equipped vehicles. Drivers of this mighty steed are trained with police-style evasion techniques and can make this weighty vehicle move like a sports sedan. It could definitely take on a tank, or the zombie apocalypse. In fact, it’s probably an integral part of that pentagon plan for a zombie attack. READ MORE: Does My Car Have Keyless Entry? We may not sell a limo quite like this one, but we have a huge inventory of gorgeous vehicles that are sure to be safe and exciting for you! If you are interested in taking any of them for a test drive, schedule your appointment online or give us a call. We love helping our customers find their perfect car! We look forward to hearing from you!

Do you find yourself feeling indecisive about which 2015 truck is the best fit for your preferences and lifestyle? We'll give you some neat tips and insider information about the GMC Sierra and the RAM 1500 to help you make the best decision! So, the 2015 GMC Sierra vs 2015 RAM 1500, who will take home the gold? Read on to find out! more There are certain things we want in a pickup truck. So we'll cover the basic differences between the base models of these vehicles: Engine: GMC Sierra: 4.3-Liter V-6 RAM 1500: 3.6-Liter V-6 Torque: GMC Sierra: 305 @ 3,900 rpm RAM 1500: 269 @ 4,175 rpm Maximum Payload: GMC Sierra: 1,950 lbs. RAM 1500: 1,520 lbs. Maximum Trailer Weight: GMC Sierra: 6,100 lbs. RAM 1500: 4,960 lbs. Fuel Economy: GMC Sierra: 18 mpg city/ 24 mpg hwy. RAM 1500: 17 mpg city/ 25 mpg hwy. Here are some pictures of these trucks to help you decide. It can be a challenge, but we hope our information helps you to see which of these pickup trucks is the perfect fit for you. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Self-Driving Cars Available in the U.S. Unless you particularly enjoy the witty banter of your chauffeur, you can expect to give him the boot in 2017. Or if you don’t have one, you don’t need to worry about finding one. The Cadillac CTS will be one of the few self-driving cars available in the U.S. by 2017. Luxury is being taken to a whole new level as Cadillac gives us what “customers around the world want.” more The Future is Now Beating many automakers’ former estimates of 2020, Cadillac is going to give the world a self driving vehicle just two years from now. The automaker hasn’t said much on the subject in the past, maybe they’ve been waiting to play their hand and see if anyone was as close as them, or they just happened to finally crack the code. Either way, we’re excited for a future where steering wheels are more of an option rather than something we have to hold onto while we drive. Our arms get tired sometimes, just like our legs, which is why we have cruise control. READ MORE: Why Choose a Crossover SUV vs Minivan? Super Cruise The feature for the self-driving technology will be called Super Cruise technology, which can control steering, acceleration and braking in both high-speed situations as well as in stop-and-go traffic. Though you shouldn’t sleep behind the wheel, with Super Cruise you probably could. The luxury sedan will also be able to communicate with similarly equipped vehicles for a safer performance on the road. Is This The End? There is no need to be worried about this technology being on the road. It will simply free up more time for drivers, or make it safer for people who like to text while drinking coffee and maybe looking at the road from time to time. So no, there will not be some kind of Maximum Overdrive/Skynet takeover once the Cadillac CTS sedan hits the roads in 2017. READ MORE: Brand New Buick Encore for 2016! Interested in taking a test drive in any of the vehicles we have now? Schedule an appointment online! We'd love to show you our latest technology!

? Keyless entry is a standard feature on vehicles today. It simply means that you have the ability to unlock your vehicle without using your key. While this might be a simple idea, there are lots of really awesome vehicle technologies that are making locking and unlocking vehicles more and more convenient! Read more here to find out about other keyless entry methods being used in new vehicles. more New vehicles come equipped with touch screens, and rear view cameras, and Bluetooth technology. It's crazy how fast the world of automotives is changing. Here are some examples of new technology available for vehicle buyers today: Volkswagen teamed up with Apple to create an App that allows vehicle owners to lock and unlock their vehicle using their phone. Long distance locking and unlocking has not been possible before this, and it is saving lots of drivers the hassle of needing to have their vehicle opened by a lock smith! Many vehicles come with the option for text alerts of their vehicle status. Whether that be the level of fuel or the vehicle security, you can know your vehicle stats simply by checking your phone! Lots of newer cars today have the option of wifi and intense 4G connectivity, making entertainment and internet use inside the vehicle both simple and fast. On top of great convenience features, vehicles today like the 2015 Buick Regal or the 2014 Cadillac ELR are getting fantastic fuel economy ratings, easily saving their owners money on fuel every time they hit the road. READ MORE: Does My Car Really Need Premium Fuel? There are so many amazing features and technologies that are rolling onto dealership lots each year. Buying a new car today means something completely different than it has in previous years, and we are sure that the creative minds behind new vehicles in years to come will continue to make driving an easier and more pleasurable experience for everyone! Interested in taking a new vehicle for a test drive? Feel free to contact us or to schedule your appointment online. Our skilled professionals would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding vehicles in our large inventory, or the financing process. We look forwarding to hearing from you! Happy Driving!

Why is premium fuel more expensive? There are few choices to make at the gas station. Namely, which fuel to put in the car. Most of us know the difference between regular and diesel fuel, but what makes the different options for regular fuel cost more or less? Why is premium fuel more expensive? We are here to talk about that today. Read on to learn more about premium fuel. more One of the worst things about driving a car is having to spend money on fuel every few days. It seems to be used up more quickly than it should, and it can cost a bundle to fill up the tank. So why would anyone choose to buy the more expensive fuel option, when there are at least 2 cheaper options? What makes premium fuel worth the extra money? Basically, it comes down to your car's engine. Your vehicle engine operates with a certain compression ratio. A higher ratio needs fuel that is less combustible, while a lower compression ratio can handle the cheaper stuff. An owners' manual for any vehicle should include information inside as to which fuel to put in the vehicle. While many only suggest the premium fuel, even fewer make it a requirement. If the suggestion is there, you are most likely safe to try the cheaper fuel. READ MORE: Synthetic vs Conventional Oil What happens if I put cheaper fuel in an engine that needs the premium fuel? A lower octane fuel in an engine with a high compression ratio will produce an engine knock. This is an often audible sound that can lead to engine damage and expensive repairs down the road. It is important to give a vehicle the fuel it needs to run smoothly. Have other questions about what your car needs? Give our service center a call. Our friendly and professional staff is always happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have! Need to bring your car in for service? No problem! Schedule your own appointment online! We look forward to seeing you!

The Benefits of Waxing Your Car Sometimes, waxing a car just seems like a waste of time. There’s only so many hours in the day and waxing a car takes a little time. However, the benefits of waxing the car are just as prevalent today as they were years ago when people waxed their cars more often. We’ll tell you why you should do it, and how often. Read on! more Back in the day, cars rolled off dealership lots with a lot less protection than cars today. The paint had fewer layers of protection and needed wax to keep it from being scratched and otherwise harmed while out on the road. Wax today is like old wax times ten. It works much better, is easier to apply, and needs to be applied less often. Cars today come ready to handle the environment much more easily, but a coat of wax every so often can still add protection from scratches and other damage. Modern car wax technology has made it quicker and easier to apply, and only needs to be applied 2-3 times per year. It is suggested that you give your car a wax each fall and each spring to maintain a watertight and shiny exterior. Even if you obsess over your car paint, modern wax doesn’t need to be applied more than 4 times per year, and spray wax is a great way to maintain the shine during the months you don’t apply wax manually. How is your car looking and feeling these days? Could it use a shine up and a tune up? Sometimes even the greatest cars need a little love and maintenance. Bring in your vehicle to see us and our team of experienced automotive experts at Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac in Kenosha WI. We look forward to hearing from you!

How do I switch my Buick Verano to synthetic oil Does the latest statistics and conversation about synthetic oil have you scratching your head? What’s the difference? Why should I switch? How do I switch my Buick Verano to synthetic oil? These are all valuable questions that we hope to answer in this blog post. Read on to find out more about the benefits of synthetic oil. more There are lots of automotive people walking around talking about the benefits of switching to synthetic motor oil. Here are a few of them: It keeps your engine cleaner: Conventional oil can become a sludge as is gets dirtier which can decrease the efficiency of your engine. Synthetic oil is more pure and resists the formation of sludge. Increases engine life: Conventional oil loses it’s oily texture as it gets dirty and used. This means that the parts inside your engine are rubbing together and not protected. Synthetic oil retains it’s slippery abilities for much longer. Winter is no match for it: Cold weather makes oil much thicker and as a result, it doesn’t do it’s job very well until the engine is properly warmed up. Synthetic oil, on the other hand, works just as well in cold weather and keeps the engine running in top shape even in the midst of Wisconsin’s intense coldness. Less frequent oil changes: The synthetic oil stays cleaner, longer. This means that it can carry a car farther between oil changes. So, what is the problem and why don’t we all just use synthetic oil? Well here are a few reasons why it’s a big choice to make. Once you go synthetic, you can’t go back! It’s a one-time switch over, so you need to make the decision and stick with it! It’s more expensive than conventional motor oil. You get this oil changed less frequently, but when you DO change it, it costs a little more. It evens out, but with an engine that runs more smoothly and less frequent oil changes, it just about pays for itself! Synthetic oils cannot fix a vehicle that is worn out or running poorly. It works best on newer vehicles. Now, how do you make the switch? If you are considering switching to synthetic oil, bring in your vehicle to see the experts here at Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac. We will get your vehicle’s oil switched and make sure that everything else in your car looks good. Our team of highly experienced technicians are always prepared and will get the job done quickly and affordably.

2016 Buick Verano with HID Xenon Headlights How could the 2015 Buick Verano get any more amazing? This was a question we were asking until we saw the pictures released recently from the Shanghai Motor Show. Buick showed up and amazed us all with the concept for the 2016 Buick Verano, a 2nd generation compact sedan. What else do we know about the 2016 Buick Verano with HID xenon headlights? Keep reading to find out! more So what has us so excited to see this new compact sedan? Just looking at the exterior, it’s easy to see that designers are working to make this into a more fluid and aerodynamic vehicle. The appearance of a slightly longer length and a more carved looking body design makes for a modern appeal, without losing the luxurious and exciting details of the Buick waterfall grille. Classic design meets modern charm in this new generation of Buick Verano. Without a doubt, the more angled headlights and natural lines flowing towards the back only add to what the Verano did so well in the previous generation. The rear lights stand out and direct the eye towards the Buick logo in the rear center. Under the hood, the new Verano is said to have a 1.5-liter turbocharged Ecotec engine that puts out an impressive 166 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The 17-inch wheels give it an authoritative stance that we hope makes it into the production line. Excited to get your own 2016 Buick Verano? We know they look great. Give us a call if you have any questions about financing for one of these gorgeous vehicles, or if you want to be one of the first to test drive one. Check back here often to see the latest news and updates from Buick!

you should drive a plug-in hybrid Cadillac ELR for $9,000 less in Kenosha WI Did you read that correctly? Yes, you did. Cadillac’s plug-in hybrid is officially being priced at $9,000 lower to boost sales. In an effort to make electric and fuel-alternative vehicles more reasonably priced for car shoppers, GM is pulling out some serious discounts in hopes that more drivers will make the leap and see how great electric vehicles truly are. Wondering whether you should drive a plug-in hybrid Cadillac ELR for $9,000 less in Kenosha WI? Read on to find out more. more There’s quite a few electric vehicles (EVs) that are making their way out into the automotive marketplace these days. Between hybrid vehicles and the even more impressive, 100% electric vehicles, car shoppers have quite a few options to consider when shopping for a gasoline alternative, high efficiency vehicle. Following a lowered price for the Chevy Spark EV, GM has decided to offer a large discount on their luxurious Cadillac ELR  to encourage those out shopping for a new vehicle, to give the electric and more environmentally friendly options a try. With an increase in horsepower and torque in the 2016 Cadillac ELR, drivers will find that driving this gorgeous vehicle, in either the sedan or coupe version, is unlike any other driving experience. This hybrid runs on electricity for approximately 40 miles before switching to gasoline, and it’s high-quality Cadillac interior is sure to impress as much as the fuel money savings. There are huge benefits for those who drive an EV, from savings on fuel to a more quiet and smooth driving experience. This comes from the fact that an electric battery operates without the shifting and jerking of gears and makes driving smooth like butter. And those are just a couple of the reasons why EV drivers say they never want to go back once they’ve made the change! Interested in test driving the a Cadillac ELR? Give us a call or sign up for a test drive online. Our skilled professionals are always willing and excited to help you find the perfect vehicle that meets your needs and lifestyle. Come see us today at Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac in Kenosha.

Efficient 2016 Buick Verano compact sedan New cars are introduced every day. So, what makes the 2016 Buick Verano so exciting? Well, as we’ve seen with the Avenir concept vehicle and the introduction of the Verano in 2009, Buick is no longer the car that you drive when you are 85. Buick is making some pretty intense changes to their lineup and we will tell you what we know about the efficient 2016 Buick Verano compact sedan. more GM has been impressing us all with their recent additions to the lineup of compact cars and SUV crossovers. There is no denying the stylish and exciting looking Buick Verano has been a popular choice in small sedans since its release in 2009. Looking forward to the 2016 model, we can only anticipate the innovative features and technology that are sure to make the new Verano a truly impressive vehicle. Looking a little akin to its European sibling the Opel Astra, the new Verano seems to be generating excitement for the future of Buick vehicles in the small sedan category. This brand new model will be similar to what we are seeing in the Chevy Cruze line here in the US. A slightly more aggressive stance compared to the Opel Astra makes this sedan a sleek and impressive appearance. It is anticipated to feature a turbo-charged 1.4-liter engine delivering what we can assume will be excellent fuel-economy ratings. We are so excited to see the 2016 Verano. Check back on the blog frequently to keep up with the latest news about the features and changes in the new Buick Verano. We anticipate its release in the last 2015 year. If you are interested in taking a 2015 Verano for a test-drive or talking with our friendly and experienced staff about what is to come, feel free to stop in or give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you!

fuel efficient 2015 Buick Regal with a LCD touchscreen Recently voted the #1 domestic built sports sedan, the 2015 Buick Regal is certainly a great looking vehicle. With so much change and innovation over the last few years in the automotive industry, we are starting to see a shift towards a preference for American car makers that were previously discounted in lieu of imports like BMW and Audi. Things are changing and the fuel efficient 2015 Buick Regal with a LCD touchscreen is the perfect combination of what was always good and what is great now. more Bringing home the award for the #1 domestic built sport sedan, the 2015 Buick Regal is certainly a great member of the new Buick lineup. With a variety of safety and convenience features, the Buick Regal satisfies a wide range of audiences. Their battle to leave the “retirees only” zone has been long fought, and seems to be finally paying off. According to consumer reports, the number of Buick’s purchased by those in newer generations has been increasing. On top of that, the new designing on the exterior of Buick models has given them a modern twist that we absolutely love. The curves and lines of the new Buick’s, and especially the 2015 Buick Regal, give them a sense of undeniable class and luxury. All of this has been achieved without Buick being forced to give up any of the comfort and convenience that they are known for. We are extremely excited to see what comes next! The Buick IntelliLink system in the front center console gives the driver the option of making hands-free phone calls, utilizing an available navigation system, and enjoying media while driving.  The touch screen interface is also connected to an available rearview camera that makes parking and backing up a safe and easy experience, without the neck ache of craning to look around. If you are interested in taking a 2015 Buick Regal out for a test drive, set up an appointment with us online. Make sure to look through our entire online inventory and see what deals and coupons we are offering this month!

People Love the IntelliLink There is almost nothing as frustrating as your computer acting up. Whether that means it is lagging and taking forever to load, or it literally doesn’t work, it’s a hassle that we definitely don’t have time for. With cars being produced with touchscreens and a variety of computing features available, there are bound to be days where those aren’t working too, right? Well if you are the owner of a GM vehicle with an IntelliLink infotainment system, then you don’t have to worry. Let us tell you why the people love the IntelliLink. more The touchscreens that are often located front and center of the newer vehicles produced these days are usually capable of doing a million things. From voice navigation and playing media to allowing the driver to make hands-free phone calls, the touch screens in our cars are downright useful. That is, until they aren’t working. Buick is working hard everyday to make sure that a lagging infotainment center never makes an appearance in your car.  Extreme testing is done inside and outside of the vehicle to test every aspect of the touchscreen functionality. Using simulated finger taps and pushes, the engineers at Buick are able to push IntelliLink to its limits, all to make sure that you get a computer that won’t ruin your day or commute to work. Even going as far as to make preparations for real-life encounters, owners can feel safe that their wishes are being looked into. For example, if you get out of your car to grab a drink from the gas station and get back in 3 minutes later, the IntelliLink system will not have completely shut down when you turned off your car. This allows you to continue what you had going on before getting out without waiting for the system to reboot. Buick sure seems to be thinking ahead! If you are interested in learning more about the IntelliLink infotainment system, contact us here at Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac of Kenosha WI. To look through our full inventory of new vehicles, follow this link and don’t forget to sign up for a test drive!