Blog

You've found a preowned vehicle that you really like. Now it's time to take it for a test drive! As one of the Harrisonburg VA dealerships in the area, we take our responsibility of selling cars, new and used, seriously.

That's why all of our used autos must pass a 75-point inspection to be placed on our lot for sale. Then we back up that commitment to safety with either a 30 or 90 day warranty.

When you're ready to take that test drive at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we know you won't be disappointed. The biggest question you'll need to answer is, "Do I like how this car handles and drives?"

But we know that not everyone has the same commitment to customer service and quality. So, we've outlined 3 big red flags to look for when test driving that vehicle you want.

Steering Wheel Jitters

Make sur...

Having to say goodbye to your old truck is a lot like losing your best friend. It's tough. Truck owners love their vehicles as much as they do their pets or family.

But there's absolutely no reason for you to have to bid adieu to your truck before its time. Like everything in life, your truck will give you the performance you want if you simply take care of it.

Bowman used trucks are rigorously examined before they can be placed on the market for sale. Every preowned truck must pass a 75-point inspection or it's not for sale. Then we back up that commitment to safety with either a 30 or 90 day warranty.

But after that? Well, we preach two aspects of responsible ownership: maintenance and consulting your owner's manual. Most vehicle owners only use the manual when they want to find out how ...

Thinking about buying a new or used car? Joe Bowman Auto Plaza has been helping customers for 60+ years to get into the vehicle of their choice.

In fact, our auto financing rates are highly competitive, often beating out other local banks!

And if you have poor or a bad credit history and you are working to repair it, we have special financing auto loans just for you.

Joe Bowman Auto Plaza works with you to help you re-establish your good credit and helps you get car financing at the best interest rates.

How? We look for lenders who don't have astronomical interest rates, allowing you to build equity.

Additionally, we offer simple interest car loans with no pre-payment penalties, providing you with some of the best auto financing deals in Harrisonburg.

What's more, we even help you fin...

As part of the Bowman Chevrolet GMC dealer in Harrisonburg VA, we not only sell new vehicles, we also sell quality used cars and trucks.

Used trucks especially are a hot item because of their ruggedness and durability. And with demand for these vehicles so high, pre-owned trucks have become a valuable commodity.

That doesn't mean as soon as we get a used truck that we roll it out on the floor to sell. Quite the contrary.

Every used vehicle we sell must pass a rigorous 75-point inspection, and that includes trucks. We make sure that they are 100% mechanically sound, and that every feature works beautifully.

Then, we follow up our commitment to your safety with either a 30 or 90 day warranty, depending on the mileage and the year of the vehicle.

The JD Power Most Dependable Pickup Guide

In F...

There are so many good reasons to buy a Joe Bowman Chevrolet used car! Not only do we have a 75-point inspection that every pre-owned car must pass before becoming eligible for sale, we offer competitive financing rates, too.

As a quality Harrisonburg used car dealer with an excellent reputation, we back up our commitment to selling quality used cars with either a 30 or 90-day warranty, depending on the age of the vehicle and mileage.

But before you start looking for a newer vehicle, do your car loan homework!

• Know your credit score
• Get pre-approval
• Calculate loan costs
• Understand your financing

Know Your Credit Score

You can actually look up your credit score right on our website. And it's important that you do so! Credit ratings help determine your...

Car batteries die because of a huge number of reasons. But if we had to narrow it down to three categories, they would be:

• Electrical system problems
• Battery problems
• User error

But what causes a battery to keep biting the dust? Usually loose or corroded battery connections, charging problems, persistent electrical drains, extreme weather, and continually demanding more power from the alternator than it can provide.

Some of these problems will kill the battery outright. Still others are coupled with a battery that's already weak or dying.

Other causes include:

• Headlights or dome lights that are left on
• Battery is in weak or poor condition
• Corroded or loose battery connections
• Parasitic drains on the electrical system, including trunk an...

Most of us don't know a whole lot about car insurance procedures and practices. So when you've ready to buy a brand new Chevy or Cadillac or a Joe Bowman used car, you'll want to brush up on the finer points of a policy.

Whatever car insurance policy you choose, remember, the idea isn't to buy the cheapest or best policy. Instead, you want one that offers the best value for your money.

With that in mind, we've put together 7 crucial questions to include when car insurance shopping.

"Will my policy cover other drivers who drive my vehicle?"

Obviously, your policy will cover you while you drive. But what about when your best friend borrows it to run an errand? Or you sister borrows it to run to the grocery store? What happens if they have an accident? What happens if you have an accident dri...

Maintaining your vehicle means keeping up with brake service, fluid checks, oil changes, and tire rotations. Unless you stay on top of it, it's easy to forget when your car needs what!

At our Harrisonburg Chevy certified service center, we can help! Our technicians will provide you with a multi-point inspection about your vehicle's mechanical condition. Plus, we have information about regularly scheduled maintenance that will help you create a time table for future visits.

But that's just one benefit of Chevrolet certified service! Here are 5 more.

Excellent Quality Repairs

Because Chevy mechanics are highly trained, whether you own a brand new Chevy or one of our quality used cars, you and your vehicle are in good hands. From regular maintenance to that rattle under the hood, Chevy certif...

You've probably heard it both ways with car idling. No, it's not harmful to let your car run for a while. And yes, it's bad. Don't do it!

Our Harrisonburg auto center is here to clear up those misconceptions. The truth is that car idling isn't really harmful to your car, but it does have consequences.

First of all, idling your car is a gas waster. Letting your car run for just two minutes is the equivalent of driving one mile. Worse, letting your vehicle idle for more than an hour will burn almost a gallon of gas.

So, unless you literally have money to burn, burning gas that's not taking you anywhere is wasteful.

Car idling burns oil. The longer you leave your engine running means the more oil that has to circulate and burn. That means more frequent oil changes.

It's bad for the environmen...

Whether you buy a used car or truck or a brand new one, one thing's for sure. Your engine is the heartbeat of your vehicle!

Investing in a newer or new vehicle is simply that, an investment. Do everything you can to extend the life of your car by avoiding these 5 common causes of engine problems.

Lack of Regular Oil Changes

Your engine has a LOT of moving and rotating parts. That's why constant lubrication is a must. Driving degrades engine oil causing it to lose its lubricating ability and to carbonizes under high temperatures.

Driving your vehicle well past the regular oil interval date causes friction to increase. That, in turn, causes mechanical wear, which causes slow engine contamination with carbon deposits or sludge.

The engine ventilation system then carries these carbon deposits ...

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...