MAKE DON HEWLETT YOUR HUB FOR EVs

A headline like that would imply that someone has a lot of Silverados. Yes, it’s true, someone does have a lot of Silverados and that someone is us. Don Hewlett Chevrolet has nearly 300 Silverados including half ton and heavy-duty models! There are many different powertrains and trim levels available from basic to loaded, 2WD to 4WD and all versions of cab sizes. Even our friend and spokesperson Chet Garner, “The Daytripper”, came in here saying “Wow, we need to change the name of this place to Don Hewlett Silverado…” We’ll see what he does with that. Yes, the vehicle shortage was (and still is) real. But we’ve done our part in turning inventory fast enough to be rewarded additional allocations from General Motors and now they’re here. This is the best Silverado selection we’ve had in years, and we invite you to come see them. Do you want to separate your Silverado from the crowd? Our Accessories Department can do just about anything you can imagine from spray-in bedliners, bumpers, window tint, steps, toolboxes, the list never stops…. If you can dream it up, they can install it. Come see us at Don Hewlett Chevrolet, our inventory selection is so exciting even our own sales staff is having a hard time keeping up with it as it seems that another transport truck is always pulling in with another load.We look forward to seeing you, John Chauvin, General Manager Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick, Inc.

Holy Smokes! Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick has opened a Thanksgiving Buffet of deals for the month of November. There are several HUGE sales events happening now. Red Tag Event! This annual national Chevy sales promotion offers deals on the purchase or lease of certain Chevy models. Some models offer a Red Tag bonus plus a cash allowance offering the customer additional savings. Dealer discounts plus Red Tags equal exceptional savings! 0.9% APR on Select Buicks: With NO monthly payment for 90 days, your first payment will not be due until 2025. Trade in your ride, skip the payment, and have extra Christmas cash! Custom Accessory Package Giveaway: Don Hewlett Chevrolet and Texas Tough Accessories are excited to announce that customers that purchase a new Silverado 1500 Custom will get to select an accessories package valued at over $1,000 at NO additional charge. Choose from 3 different packages to make your Custom, truly custom! Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick continues to receive new inventory making our selection better than we’ve seen in many months. Obviously with deals like these out there, the best will go first. We’re out to break records for the month of November and with these deals, the timing to get that new Chevrolet Buick you’ve always wanted could not be better. Come test drive your next vehicle today, we look forward to seeing you! John Weldon, General Sales Manager Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick, Inc.

By: Mike Hewlett Since regularly being installed in the majority of production vehicles in the U.S., we’ve fielded numerous questions regarding Automatic Stop/Start Vehicle Systems from our guests. Please find below the answers to the most asked questions: What is an Automatic Stop/Start vehicle system? The auto restart (Stop/Start) technology feature that is found on our newer vehicles automatically shuts down the internal combustion engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop, and then restarts the engine promptly after the gas pedal is pushed. Why do we now have Stop/Start technology in our vehicles? In response to the air pollution reduction guidelines found within the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA), vehicle manufacturers were forced to develop ways to both improve fuel efficiencies for their vehicles as well as reduce tail pipe emissions. Auto Stop/Start vehicle systems are one piece of this complicated emissions puzzle. (Some studies claim up to a 10% increase in fuel efficiencies.) Do these Start/Stop systems use traditional wet cell battery technology? No. Due to increased demands, Stop/Start systems use an Absorbent Glass Matt (AGM) battery. AGM batteries offer near-zero maintenance because of their design. They never need watering, can be positioned on their side, work well in low temperatures, and are vibration resistant. How many AGM batteries does my vehicle have? Most of our newer models (2020+) will still just have one AGM battery. However, this one battery is now responsible for both the initial vehicle start and the Start/Stop functionality. If you have an older vehicle, you may have a dual battery system that was designed to ensure that restarting capability would not be compromised during a stop event. In these dual battery systems, the primary battery is dedicated to the starting function, while a secondary battery manages power demand during stops. Not sure? Please see a friendly Hewlett Service Advisor to identify your vehicle’s specific set up. Why are Start/Stop Batteries more expensive? Start/Stop car batteries are generally more expensive than normal car batteries due to their advanced construction and technology. However, the higher price is offset by their longer lifespan and durability (average AGM battery life = 6 Years). Can I put a traditional wet cell battery in a Stop/Start car? Never install a conventional wet-cell battery in a vehicle with a Start/Stop function that is equipped with an AGM battery as a factory standard. Do you need a special battery charger for a Stop/Start battery? Check what kind of battery your vehicle has: If your car has start/stop technology, you'll have an AGM battery. A conventional charger isn't suitable for these types of batteries, and you'll need a 'smart' charger instead. Can I jump start my AGM battery from a traditional battery vehicle or using a jump box? Yes. Since you’re not trying to ‘charge’ the battery, a temporary ‘jump’ is OK. (Fun fact: most portable jump boxes use an AGM battery as the power source.) Is auto Start/Stop bad for starter motor? The easy answer is, “No.” Starters in vehicles equipped with this new tech are made differently. These starters are optimized to turn the motor more slowly, which increases its longevity. Can’t I just ‘Delete’ the Start/Stop functionality on my vehicle? Dealerships cannot help you modify your vehicle in this way, and with all the integrated technologies running through the various vehicle data computers it’s just not worth the potential damage risk to your vehicle or your wallet. (Any modifications or aftermarket reprogramming that causes damage to your vehicle or its systems will not be covered by any warranty.) GM has provided the means to easily deactivate this feature after vehicle startup, but this action will need to be repeated after each new key cycle. We hope after reading this article you now have a better understanding of the Auto Stop/Start System found in your vehicle. While a lot of us may have a Love/Hate relationship for this tech the potential fuel savings and improved emissions should help to lessen any brief daily inconvenience experienced. Thanks for your business and please call on our amazing team the next time we can provide friendly, professional vehicle support for you, your family or place of business!