J.D. Power Dependability Study: The Most Dependable Used Trucks
As part of the Bowman Chevrolet GMC dealership 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
...Financing Options for Buying A Used Car
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 interest rate.
It tells the lender...
Why Your Car Battery Keeps Dying
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 and glove box lights that come on, or stay on, ...
7 Crucial Questions to Ask When Shopping for Car Insurance
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...
5 Benefits of Our Harrisonburg Certified Chevy Service Center
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...
How Bad Is It To Let My Car Idle For A Long Time?
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...
5 Common Causes of Engine Problems (And How To Avoid Them)
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 ...
Tire Types: What's the Best Tire for Your Car?
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 lack p...
Long Distance Holiday Driving: 7 Tips for Getting There Safely
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...
7 Car Buying Tips for Finding the Right Vehicle
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...
7 Winter Tire Maintenance Tips for Longer Wear
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 ...
How the Kelley Blue Book Works
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...