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There have been a lot of advances in technology, but tread life is still finite, and it still varies by car and tire type, road and weather conditions, and driving aggressiveness.

When it comes time to replace your tires, it pays to know your options. Usually, you'll want to replace your tires with something similar. But you'll also want tires that excel in the areas that matter most to you. For example, braking, ride comfort, noise, and braking.

Each type of tire comes with its own set of pros and cons. Here's a quick rundown to help you decide what's right for you.

All-Season Car Tires

These tires fit everything from small cars to light duty SUV's to pickup trucks. Made for car owners who want year-round traction, long tread wear, and a comfortable ride, all-season tires generally l...

Hard to believe but we are in the thick of another holiday season! That means packing up to head to grandma's house. But that's not the hardest part.

For long distance driving, the hardest part is the road itself. Highway hypnosis can be quite common if you haven't prepped in advance. In fact, more than 60% of drivers say they have gotten behind the wheel while drowsy! That's a considerable risk to take for you and your family.

Before the trip, you'll make sure your vehicle is in good running order and fueled with gas. Why not get prepare yourself with these 7 easy-to-do and valuable long distance driving tips?

Plan Ahead

Get a good night's sleep. Relying on coffee to get you to your destination is risky and unwise. If you're leaving early in the morning, make sure you go to bed earlier th...

Whether you're new to buying a car or haven't purchased one in a long time, it can be hard to know where to begin!

All it really takes is a little research and planning to find the right new or used car for your lifestyle. And that's key. Your research will determine whether buying a new car, a pre-owned vehicle, or leasing is right for you.

Let's take a closer look.

Assess Your Lifestyle Needs

What's "right" for you depends on what you expect your vehicle to do for you. Are you a person who likes practicality in a car? Do you want a vehicle that meshes with an outdoorsy lifestyle? Do you need a vehicle with lots of cargo space? Have a family?

Think about what works for you, and ask yourself these questions:

• Is fuel economy important?
• Do you need an all-wheel drive vehicle?
• Are there c...

We don't have to tell you how important your tires are to your car. They are all that's between you and the road! That's why taking care of them requires attention seasonally, with the exception of tire pressure. It should be checked monthly.

With summer behind us, it's time to prepare your tires for the next season, winter driving. Here are our 7 tire maintenance tips to help you get the most out of your tires and to keep you safe on the road.

Proper Tire Inflation

Tires must be properly inflated to perform well and to last a long time. Over or under inflation may cause your vehicle not to brake, steer or accelerate properly.

Check your tire pressure at least once each month but do it when tires are cold. If you're not sure what the proper tire pressure is for your car, there's a vehicle ...

Les Kelley, the owner of a successful used car dealership in the mid-teens of the 20th century, created lists of the cars he wanted to buy and how much he would pay for them. Then he began to send these lists to other banks and dealers.

It became so valuable, that he eventually published the first Blue Book in 1926. At that time, it was just a price guide with a list of cars and their accompanying prices.

Today, the Kelley Blue Book is a guide for used and new cars, classic cars that date back to the 1940's, and motorcycles and recreational vehicles. That's 100 years as a respected resource guide for car dealers around the country as well as consumers!

A lot of the Kelley car information is free on the company's site. And all of its information pertains only to vehicles sold here in the St...

It's exciting to buy a vehicle, whether it's new or pre-owned! Here at Bowman Chevrolet, we've found over the years that buyers who come prepared are the most satisfied ones.

Whether you buy from us or from another Harrisonburg car dealership, we encourage you to be an informed buyer. Here's what we've found that makes for the happiest used car owners.

Do Your Research

We have a lot of used cars on our lot with many makes and models. That's why walking in cold without knowing what you want can be overwhelming!

Do a little research before you come in to the dealership. Know what you're going to use the car for, what kind of gas mileage you're looking for, and your budget. This will help you narrow down your choices.

Get prequalified. You can do it right from our site. We even have a secure ...

Of course you want to get the most out of your tires. That only makes sense! But along with extending the life of your ride, you're also ensuring the safety of your passengers. That's why regular tire maintenance is so important.

The Biggest Reason for Consistent Tire Maintenance

Tires affect just about everything with your ride. From vehicle handling, braking, smooth riding, to safety. That's because your tires are the only part of your vehicle that have direct contact with the road.

Constantly working, it's critical to have the correct air pressure, balance, tread depth, and wheel alignment.

Signs of Tire Wear

Not caring for your tires can lead to premature wear, a flat, or a blowout. What's more, wheel alignment and worn suspension parts directly affect tire wear and tire performance.

H...

Buying a new car, it's exciting! And when that new car is a used car, there are steps to follow to make sure you're protecting your wallet, as well as buying the right car for you.

One of the most important steps is the test drive. Obviously, you want to see how the car performs.

But before you get behind the wheel of your potential new car, you want to make sure you can afford the vehicle. Sounds simple, we know. But it's easy to get caught up in new car fever!

So, get pre-approved financing first. Know what you can afford. Here at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we can help you with that. Or, you can talk to your bank or credit union.

Then run a vehicle history report to uncover any possible issues the vehicle may have had. Now that you've got those checked off your list, there are three must-do'...

It won't be long before Old Man Winter makes his appearance, wreaking havoc on both humans and the outdoors, and that includes your vehicle.

You already know that regular maintenance is one of the best ways to keep your car running smoothly in plunging temperatures. But cold weather has some sneaky ways of tearing away at your vehicle that you may not have thought of.

Here are some critical winter car care tips to get your car ready and keep it ready all winter long!

1. Making Your Car into Compost

If you live in a place with lots of trees, take care to clear them from your car! Twigs, old leaves, and other organic matter can cause the exterior of your car to deteriorate.

The air plenum near the windshield is a classic example. Leaves, twigs, and debris love to gather there. Got a sun roof...

Your teen driver is dreaming of a Mazarati for their first car and you're thinking more along the lines of a good 2nd hand used car. Ah, such is the life of a teenager!

Finding a used car that is reliable, dependable, and gets a thumbs up from your teen isn't easy. Fortunately, Joe Bowman Auto Plaza's Harrisonburg used cars can make the task much easier.

But what is the best type of pre owned car to buy for your teen? Here's what the experts say.

The Best Type of Used Car for Your Teen

The good news is that vehicles are much safer than when you were a newly minted driver. That's because crash safety standards and government laws are more stringent. You'll find this to be true especially if you buy a newer model vehicle because they have more safety features.

But to buy the...

Did you know that the average age of a car on the road is 11 years? Used cars are a valuable commodity, lasting years with proper care!

And with the price of new vehicles soaring, a good quality used car just makes sense. But remember, buying a car, new or used, is a complex process. It's important that you keep a level head and not buy your new car or truck based on excitement alone.

Why turn excitement to turn into buyer's remorse? So how can you keep that from happening? Here are our 5 tips for making a wise investment, one that pays you back for years to come.

1. Becoming Infatuated with a Particular Model

Forget about becoming infatuated with one single model. Take a wide-eyed approach. Decide in advance what you need and then work from there. Compare models and base your decisio...

Whether you buy a brand new Chevrolet or Cadillac or you buy a quality used vehicle from Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, here's something you may not know.

Our certified Chevrolet mechanics can service every vehicle we sell! Our mechanics are highly qualified with additional GM and Cadillac certifications, which requires that they must go through specific classes and training.

GM also updates our service team regularly on emerging issues, so they can stay ahead of the curve. So how does that help you if you've bought a used car from us?

Call it the trickle down effect, but knowledge is power. Whatever our techs learn about GM and Cadillac vehicles is very helpful in servicing all vehicles. It keeps our mechanics sharp, curious, and always searching for the right answers to mechanical challenges.

Ta...