SAME DAY DIAGNOSTICS? YOU BET!

Tanner Take care of your tires! Under inflated tires and poor wheel alignment can really decrease fuel mileage and cost you money in the long run. Let us help keep your tires and your vehicle running right with regularly scheduled maintenance visits. Mitchell Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick is the best place to take a leak --- fluid leaks that is! By discovering a leaking radiator, hose / hose connection, or other engine cooling system component early you can help to save the life of your engine. Ask me and I’ll be glad to point out the critical components when checking for fluid leaks. Chris Spring break is coming up, and regular maintenance and pre-trip checks can help to make your next driving vacation an enjoyable experience. Vacation car problems usually mean more than just a tow & repair bill. Add to that the cost of rental cars, unplanned lodging expense, the general inconvenience and the family trip becomes an expensive, frustrating situation. Let us help you avoid this scenario by performing a 77-point “pre-trip” inspection on your vehicle. Paul Most people know they need to change the oil regularly on their vehicles - but what about the brake fluid? Because brake fluid absorbs moisture, which can reduce brake efficiency in heavy breaking situations, it’s not enough to simply top off this critical fluid. We can check your brake fluid for contamination and perform a system flush that will help maintain brake function and avoid co$tly repairs later. Megan & Kaitlynn Hey Ladies - You’ve got a friend in the car business! Gone are the days when you have to depend on some guy to take care of your car needs. Today’s woman understands her vehicle’s maintenance needs and can make the right repair decisions with confidence. Let us help you with your vehicle service needs. Matthew Achoo! If you’re like me – winter/spring in Texas means allergy season. Changing your in-cabin air (or HEPA) filter can significantly reduce the amount of allergens that are circulated through your vehicles AC system. Ask us to check this filter the next time you’re in for service. Will Remember your vehicle’s battery (and the Alamo!) Today’s maintenance free batteries can lead to most folks forgetting to ensure their vehicle’s battery is working properly - until it’s too late. Please ask for a battery health check along with your other repairs to help avoid a frustrating breakdown.

We recently sat down with Chevrolet Make Ready Manager - Roy Campa - who is embarking on his retirement after reaching his 32nd year of employment at Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick. Roy began working for Mr. Don Hewlett in 1990 when the dealership was located on Austin Avenue in downtown Georgetown. During his 45-year career in the industry, Roy has witnessed significant changes in the automobile business and has been a crucial part in the exponential growth of the Hewlett organization. Roy figures he’s washed and delivered more than 10,000 vehicles in his career. Roy’s exceptional vehicle detailing skills are only surpassed by his genuine level of caring and both have earned him the respect of his peers and our customers. We are sad to lose Roy but thrilled for him as he embarks on his next chapter. Q: Where were you born / raised? Roy: Devine, TX Q: Tell us about your childhood, what was the best part? Roy: There was always music growing up. (Spanish at my grandmother’s – English in ours.) We didn’t have a TV during those years, so music was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed it. Q: Why did you choose vehicle reconditioning as your profession? Roy: I guess it kind of chose me. I started working after school and on weekends at a local gas station when I was 12. (Q: Were you washing and gassing up the customer cars?) Oh - we did a little bit of everything: gas, wash, brake jobs & tire repair – the tractor tires the farmers would bring in were the worst (they were humongous & not much fun!) I worked at that station for 10 years and then got a job at the local Chevrolet dealership in Devine. Been working for Chevrolet stores for 45 years. Q: What has been the biggest change in the car business in the last 32 years? Roy: I guess I’d have to say it’s the kind of people you work for and with. Years ago – I worked at stores where you never hardly saw the big bosses (only when they needed something). You were just expected to show up and do your job. That all changed when I went to work for Don Hewlett. Mr. Hewlett has always had time to really talk to you and you could always tell that he really cared. I’d say that’s the biggest difference – the people. Q: What do you like to do in your spare time? Roy: I like to build model airplanes and I hope to continue doing so into my retirement. I’ve always been fascinated with planes. (How many models do you think you’ve built over the years?) I don’t know about the total amount, but I do know at one time I had over 80 completed models in my house. (Q: How long does it generally take you complete a model build?) If people will leave me alone, I can get the normal size models built in a week – that’s painted and everything. Q: We know you’re a huge music fan. So, if you had a time machine – what singer or band would you like to see play live? Roy: Oh wow – just one? I’d probably have to choose a band called - The Rascals - in about 1967. They were originally called the - The Young Rascals - but they changed it. My favorite Rascals song is “Good Lovin’” probably – that’s their first big hit and the one everyone knows. Q: What is your favorite Don Hewlett dealership memory? Roy: There are so many memories and so many people I’ve worked with that it’s hard to pick just one, but if I had to choose it would probably be one of the times I scared the accounting office ladies and made them scream! I’m usually one of the first ones at the shop in the morning, so one day I brought in a big stuffed monkey and put it under the desk of one of the ladies. I’d fixed the trash can where she’d have to move it and when she bent down, she saw something big, and fuzzy with googly eyes and she started squealing like she’d been got! Yep – that was a good day!

By Brad Massey, Service Drive ManagerThis summer is proving to be one of, if not the hottest on record and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight. Just like it’s important to take care of yourself by staying hydrated, using sunscreen, and staying in the shade when possible, most people underestimate the toll these extreme temperatures can have on their car.Here are five things you can do to keep your car running smoothly:1. Check your tires. Checking your tires in the summer when blacktop pavement temperatures can exceed 140F is a must! Under or overinflated tires can negatively impact your gas mileage, cause premature tire wear and are more prone to blow outs during hot weather. Find your recommended tire pressures in your car’s owner’s manual or on the factory sticker in the driver’s doorjamb. It’ll list the proper PSI levels. Not a DIY kind of person? No worries – just swing by any of our dealerships and we’ll be glad to check and fill your tires to the proper pressures, free of charge.2. Inspect your belts and hoses. As a car ages and temperatures rise, belts and hoses can become dry and brittle, causing them to crack and break. If a main drive belt snaps on the road, your car will stop running and you’ll not only lose time, but it will cost you money. The good news is, we perform a complimentary visual inspection of all belts and hoses as part of our multipoint inspection when you bring your vehicle to our dealerships for regular maintenance.3. Check & top off engine coolant.Your car’s engine cooling system is critical when the weather heats up and now that you’re running the air conditioner at full throttle, it’s under even more strain. For most cars, the normal operating engine temperature is in the range of 195 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit, though a lot of vehicles will only provide a Cold - Hot gauge. Driving a vehicle in an overheated state – even for a relatively short time – can significantly damage critical engine components and cost you big bucks. If your vehicle seems to be running a little warmer than midrange or certainly if the ‘Check Engine Coolant’ light has come on recently, you need to stop where it’s safe and check the coolant level. STAY SAFE - Only check your engine coolant when the engine has cooled down, and make sure to top it off with the proper coolant for your vehicle.4. Refill washer fluid & inspect wipers.When there isn’t a lot of rain, your windshield will become covered in dust and bugs. You can quickly and easily remove these by making sure that your washer fluid reservoir is full. Washer fluid is cheap and is easy to refill; just look under the hood for the translucent fluid jug with the picture of a windshield on the cap. Keeping your washer fluid filled and your windshield clean will also help you quickly determine when you have a possible wiper concern. To maximize your safety, pay attention as the wipers operate to make sure both sides are clearing away the moisture in a nice, clean arch. Don’t wait for the next Texas downpour before you figure out it’s time for new wipers; at the first sign of troubles please let us help you put on a fresh set.5. Chill out!All vehicle air conditioning systems are made up of the same basic components: compressor, condenser, accumulator/drier, expansion valve and evaporator. The refrigerant in this pressurized system is always on the move and is constantly trying to find the weakest spot in the chain to escape. A lot of times when your AC blows warm this is due to a system leak. Low refrigerant not only makes you more uncomfortable it also presents problems for the related mechanical parts which use this gas/oil mixture for lubrication. Come see us if your AC isn’t working properly, and we’ll quickly diagnose and repair the problem.By paying attention to a few vehicle items now, you’re almost guaranteed to have a better, cooler drive, which by the looks of things could go on into October! As always, thank you for your business and please call on us the next time we can be of service to you or your family!