Blog

Winter Maintenance Checklist: Is Your Vehicle Ready?

Snowy Road

Hard to believe but Old Man Winter will be rearing his blustery head before too long! Is your vehicle ready?

Winters here in the East can be brutal so it's best to be proactive and get ready for all that the season throws at us.

Here are our suggestions for preparing your vehicle for the cold months ahead.

Protect the Exterior
If you haven't cleaned away summer's buildup, now's the time for a clean slate. Then apply a good quality car wax to help protect against winter's oncoming assaults, not to mention road salt.


Oil Change
If it makes sense for your vehicle, consider switching to a synthetic oil. For winter temperatures, it's easier on your engine because it flows freer at lower temperatures.

There's also the added advantage that the vehicle won't need any time to warm up. If switching to a synthetic isn't right for your car, you may consider a synthetic blend.

These oils are mixed with naturally occurring car oil. Whatever you do, check with your mechanic or your vehicle manufacturer to get the right recommendation.


Battery Maintenance

There's no doubt about it, summer takes its toll on your car battery. When the first really cold morning hits, that's when you may find its weakness. The car won't start because of a dead battery.

We recommend testing your battery and your charging system. Go ahead and replace it if it's weak. You'll be glad you did on a cold, wintry morning.

A fresh battery is your best defense against Old Man Winter.


Visibility

We've written before about the under rated importance of good windshield wipers. But, we'll say it again. 

Check those wiper blades and replace, if needed. There's no need to court an accident because you can't see!

Be sure to fill your windshield washer well with deicing fluid as well. It's another added precaution for safe visibility on the road.


Tires

Inspect them! You're going to need good traction when snow and ice hit. If the treads don't have enough depth, don't risk it! Get another set.

Depending on the area in which you live, it may be wise to invest in snow tires. Remember, for every 10-degree drop in your tires air pressure, it's estimated that tire pressure reduces by one pound.

Under inflated tires are a bad investment because they wear out faster, decrease fuel economy, and they can impair traction and handling.

Keeping your tires at the right inflation makes good dollars and sense.


Antifreeze

Get an anti-freeze tester to measure the strength of your anti-freeze. Or, simply take your car to your mechanic.

This valuable test will tell you the lowest ambient temperature to which your vehicle is protected from freezing temperatures.

Additionally, what's your coolant reservoir level look like? Make sure it's properly filled.


Fuel Injectors

Cold weather can cause performance issues with your vehicle's fuel system. Cleaning those injectors will prevent some problems.

Add the cleaner to the gas tank during a routine fill up. If you've had problems with poor power, rough idling and hard starts, this will help!


Lock De-Icers

Inexpensive and a lifesaver, lock de-icers help to thaw and lubricate door locks while preventing damage.


Radiator Cap and Thermostat

A leaking radiator cap can cause your engine to overheat and anti-freeze to leak. Not good for winter driving!

Take a quick look at this inexpensive but important car part. If it's several years old, replace it. It will be the best $5 you've spent for a little peace of mind.

Also inexpensive is the thermostat. Yet, it's vital to maintaining your vehicle's heating and cooling system.

If coolant hasn't been changed regularly, corrosion can set in, and that can cause your thermostat to fail.

Put the odds on your side and replace the thermostat. Winter is hard enough. Might as well make sure you've got a warm interior throughout the season!

Turn to the service department at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza for all your car maintenance and repairs. Our certified Chevy technicians are trained to work on all kinds of cars, trucks, and SUV's. We do it every day!

Recommended Posts

Corvette E-Ray

The 2024 Corvette E-Ray: Quickest Accelerating Corvette Ever

It’s been 70 years and eight generations in the making, but the quickest accelerating Corvette ever built is here. The 2024 Corvette E-Ray is the hybrid sports car that’s a super car of contrasts—exceptional performance and practicality. The E-Ray is a sports car first on many fronts. It doesn’t just have all-wheel drive, it has e-AWD, an electrified all-wheel drive system that works in tandem with its LT2 V-8 engine. Hybrid Powertrain: The Most Revolutionary Corvette Ever Built In 2020, Chevy introduced a mid-engine layout with the C8 generation. Now with the new all-wheel drive hybrid variant, Chevy changes the game again. This electrified all-wheel drive system means the E-Ray is not just a performance vehicle. You can drive it in all four seasons. Dare we say, the E-Ray is a grand touring vehicle and a practical, mid-engine sports car? The 495-horsepower version of the 6.2 liter pushrod V-8, inherited from the Stingray, is known as the LT2. This engine feeds the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. In the front is an electric motor with 160 HP. The drive pack is about the size of a 12-pack. The electric ability allows you to convert to Stealth mode driving up to 45 mph for the first 3-4 miles with barely a sound made. It’s great for exiting neighborhoods without disturbing the neighbors. Together with the gas engine, the E-Ray has a combined horsepower of 655. The cool thing is that the electrified front axle gives that extra performance boost without adding too much weight to the car. E-Ray and E-AWD With AWD, the E-Ray has more traction, and that means better acceleration. (Did we mention the E-Ray goes from 0-60 in 2.5 seconds?) The V-8 plus the electric drive motor to power the front wheels creates unparalleled traction! And Mother Nature? With the electrified AWD capability, the E-Ray is always up for a challenge. Rain, snow, ice, or mud. How? Chevy paired Z07-grade stoppers with Michelin’s Pilot Sport all-season tires. The hips of the E-Ray are huge, 3.6” wider than the Stingray. But it also comes standard with carbon ceramic brakes which helps combat the extra weight added from the motor and the battery. But the E-Ray wasn’t built just to take on Mother Nature. This sophisticated super car has technology inspired by the C8.R race and Le Mans prototype. The Corvette E-Ray was made to take on the greatest cars in the world! Battery Powered Corvette Yes, it’s a hybrid but no it’s not a plug-in hybrid. The small 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery powers the Corvette E-Ray’s permanent synchronous AC motor. A separate 12-volt lithium-ion battery works to support the start/stop function and other accessories. This tiny battery, about 100 pounds, is the reason you’ll never have to plug-in. Designed to rapidly charge and discharge itself, the amount of electric assists varies with the six drive models. Tech You Can’t Live Without The E-Ray has a standard Head-Up display to keep you informed about your Vette’s battery power. Not to mention a host of performance parameters. There’s an E-Ray App, located on the screen which gives you a quick look at more performance data. There’s also available 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. A Sports Car Like No Other Chevy has always led the way in auto innovation, and the 2024 Corvette E-Ray continues that tradition. A spectacular performance sports car with year-round practicality. If you’re like us, you can’t wait! Joe Bowman Auto Plaza is a family-owned car dealership in Harrisonburg, VA. We’ve been helping neighbors like you for 60+ years find the new car or quality used car that fits your lifestyle and budget!

Approved car loan application form and key on desktop

GM Financing: The Cost-Effective Way to Buy a Car

Even before you start looking for a new or used car, truck, or SUV that’s right for you, it’s important to talk financing. Most people are surprised to learn how competitive GM financing is with interest rates comparable to local banks. In fact, our Harrisonburg VA car dealership offers some of the most competitive rates in the area. But it’s not just competitive interest rates that make GM financing worth a serious look. What Makes GM Financing So Attractive Getting the best interest rate you can for your car loan is one of the most important aspects of your loan terms. At Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we’ll work with you to find the very best rate possible, but we’ll also work to find you the best loan terms. We’ll fully explain our car loan agreement making sure you understand everything before you commit to the loan. Plus, we offer simple interest loans, a huge reason to consider auto financing with us. With a simple interest loan, you can make extra payments on the principle so that you pay off your loan quicker. An early loan payoff looks great on your credit score, earning you a higher score. If choose not to do that, paying off your loan on time also reinforces a good credit score. Bottom line. The choice is yours, not ours. A Bit More About GM Financing and Your Credit Score As with any lending institution, your credit score plays a big role in the interest rate available to you. That’s why we recommend you check your credit score through Experian, Equifax, Credit Karma, or any number of other reputable credit score companies. Knowing your credit score will allow you to know what to expect from your GM financing plan or any other bank. The better your score, the better your rate! 3 More Reasons GM Financing Makes Sense If you’re like most people who buy either a new car or a used car, once you’ve made the decision, you’re ready to take your vehicle home. You just want the loan process to be simple and easy. With our Harrisonburg dealership, it is. Here’s how it works: Sit down with our finance team. We’ll find the best rate and terms for you. We’ll process the paperwork while you’re in the office. Take home your new vehicle in a matter of a couple of hours. If, however, you decide you want to use your own bank, we can still process the paperwork for you. However, it does take a little longer because we’ll need to fill out your bank’s paperwork plus our own. GM Financing for Your New Car and Your Used Car at Joe Bowman Chevy Besides the advantages listed in this post on dealer financing, Joe Bowman Auto Plaza offers some other benefits after the sale. We always want to earn your loyalty! That’s why vehicles bought from our Harrisonburg car lot get some extra perks: Preferred service scheduling Lifetime FREE car inspections for as long as you own the vehicle Courtesy transportation when your vehicle is in the shop We don’t want to just sell you a new Chevrolet or a quality preowned vehicle, we want a customer for life. That’s how seriously we take your business. Stop by or shop online. We’re ready to assist you whenever you’re ready!

Chevrolet Suburban

2023 Chevrolet Suburban: What’s New

When Chevy says, “Welcome to the big league,” they mean it. And with good reason. The 2023 Chevrolet Suburban was named Best Large SUV for Families by US News & World Report two years running. But what makes the Suburban the vehicle that helps you live your biggest life? Take a look. 2023 Chevrolet Suburban: Spacious Interior Families need room and the Suburban gives it to them! Its spacious interior includes generous second and third row leg room, allowing all passengers to feel like they are riding in first class. And cargo space? The 2023 Chevy Suburban has best-in-class max cargo volume of 144.7 cubic feet. You can also use a cargo management system as well as a hands-tree power liftgate. No matter what you’re stowing, these features simplify your storage needs. But it’s not just about space with a purpose. Comfort is equally important. Seating up to nine, the Suburban’s Premium Smooth Ride suspension offers passengers a smoother ride by isolating the cabin from rough pavement. Always important, intelligent technologies keep you connected while on the road. Also available is a 10.2” diagonal screen paired with available Google Built-in so that you can get things done with voice commands. Google Built-in—with Google Assistant—helps you to set reminders, make phone calls, change the temperature, and more. All hands-free. With all that room as well as a premium cabin, this deluxe large family SUV feels like a private suite! 2023 Chevrolet Suburban: Exterior Features The 2023 Chevy Suburban offers up to 13 available camera views making it easier to pull into tight spaces, hitch a trailer, or back into your garage. Here’s the breakdown: 3 Available Hitch Views Hitch View Surround View Rear Top-Down View 6 Available Driving Views Transparent Trailer View Front Camera View Pic-in-Pic Side View Rear Camera Mirror Rear Trailer View Inside Trailer View 4 Available Parking Views • Rear Camera View • Rear Side View • Front Side View • Front Top-Down View Loaded with innovation and sophistication, drive with confidence and a stronger feeling of security! 2023 Chevrolet Suburban: Towing Classy and hardworking, the Suburban is all about power and not afraid to show it. The 2023 model can haul up to 8,300 pounds of cargo. And yet, it can go from a full stop to highway speeds with ease. With Chevy’s efficiency-enhancing Dynamic Fuel Management technology, you’ve got both capability and efficiency. 2023 Chevrolet Suburban: Safety Safety is priority one with Chevrolet, and the Suburban is no exception. Standard on the 2023 Suburban is Chevy Safety Assist. This is a suite of advanced safety features to help you drive with more peace of mind. They include: Forward Collision Warning Pedestrian Detection Automatic Emergency Braking Lane Departure Warning Lane-keeping Assistance Following Distance Indicator Automatic high beam headlights 6 Suburban Trims to Choose From Chevy offers six models to choose from: The LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country. Find the one that’s right for you! Always beautifully appointed, the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban is both luxurious comfort and practical. Take a test drive with us today and you’ll see why US News & World Report named it the Best Large SUV for Families. When you’re ready to buy a new car, SUV, or truck, turn to Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ve been helping families find the right vehicle for their lifestyle and budget for 60+ years. Learn more about us here.