Take Alexa Along for a Ride and Enjoy A Truly Connected S(YOU)V Experience

Ever wish you could take Amazon’s Alexa along for a ride? Now you can!  

The first ever Buick Encore GX is available with Alexa fully integrated into the infotainment system. This compact 5-person SUV is innovative and engineered to fit the way your life moves.  It's intelligent and allows you to link accounts and pair your phone with the vehicle's Bluetooth giving you access to hands free calling, connecting to your smart home, and staying up to date on the latest news and sports. Wait there is more! Connect seamlessly to check calendar events, to-do lists, get

directions and even stream your favorite music service. The possibilities are endless, simply just ask Alexa! 

The Encore GX is available in several trim levels.  Stop by today and discover an S(YOU)V built with YOU in mind. 

 

Do I Really Need New Tires?

When tires are properly inflated and in good condition, the handling, stability, safety, and fuel economy of the vehicle are maximized. On the other hand, if your tires are old, have 5-7,000 miles on them, are worn out or damaged, and have less than 1/8" tread depth, turning and stopping may be compromised and the remaining safety systems on the vehicle may not be able to overcome the loss of control. 

Air Pressure. The tires on your vehicle are the only thing between you and the road. The air pressure in a tire is like oil in the engine; when it is low, the resulting internal damage is often unseen until it is too late. Tires naturally lose 1-2 psi per month, so ongoing neglect can result in a tire that fails to support the weight of the vehicle and the occupants. When this happens, the resulting blow-out can result in the loss of steering control which can lead to vehicle damage or even personal injuries. 

Tire Rotations. Every tire manufacturer stresses the importance of regular tire rotations to maximize the life and safety of their respective tires. The normal cadence for this service is between 5 and 7,000 miles. Today’s front-wheel-drive vehicles cause the front tires to wear at a much faster rate than the tires on the rear of the vehicle. By consistently rotating the front tires to the back and the back tires to the front in an ‘X’ pattern, you can extend the life and promote even treadwear on all four tires sustaining the performance and increasing the life of the tire. Failing to rotate the tires on the front, rear or all-wheel drive vehicles can lead to premature wear, irregular treadwear patterns, and vibrations. 

Alignments. In addition to keeping your tires inflated to the recommended psi and having your tires rotated regularly, attention needs to be placed on maintaining proper vehicle alignments. There is no gray area here – if the vehicle is not tracking down the road correctly your tires will begin to wear prematurely and, if left unchecked - will cost you money. 

Inspections. Finally, drivers should perform a visual inspection of their tires on a regular basis, especially after hitting a pothole, curb, or any type of road debris. Bulges, cuts, and other visible damage weaken the internal components of the tire, which can lead to a blow-out. Regular visual inspections will often identify any potential problems before they happen. 

The good news is: 

You do not have to become a tire expert to maximize the life and ensure the safety of your vehicle’s tires. By making regular visits to Xpress Oil Change Plus you will be doing your part to protect your family and your wallet against unexpected tire issues down the road. 

Right now, General Motors and Don Hewlett are offering a rebate when you purchase a set of 4 tires. Select from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Michelin, Goodyear, and more. Use your GM or BuyPower Card and double your savings and don’t forget, we do offer a Tire Price Match Guarantee. Provide us with a better price at the time of purchase and we’ll match it. 

For more information visit DonHewlett or XpressOilChangePlus or contact us at 512-681-3046.

Experience This Premier GM Fleet Event of the Year

 

Tips to Help Prevent Heat Related Breakdowns

Texas summers continue long past Labor Day, often lingering into October.  Long summers mean hot temperatures and after a while, hot temperatures can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s performance.  We’ve put together a list of tips to keep your vehicle running properly.

1. Check all vehicle fluids.  Hot temperatures can cause added strain on your car’s systems so be sure to check the oil, coolant, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and brake fluid in your car regularly to be sure they are at the proper levels.
2. Check your car’s temperature gauge. If the light comes on, or the thermometer enters the red zone, you should safely pull over. Driving even a short distance with an overheated engine can cause damage, and possibly lead to expensive repairs.  If you find yourself in this situation, wait for the engine to cool completely before driving. Do not try and cool the engine with water. A quick change in temperature can cause damage.
3. Do not remove the radiator cap (when the engine is hot). Doing so can cause hot steam and coolant to spray out, possibly causing injury. Wait for the engine to cool completely before adding coolant and water.
4. Check tire pressures. As the temperature fluctuates, so will the air in your tires. This can lead to possible problems if your tires become over or under-inflated.
5. Don’t forget about our Complimentary Pit Stop service.  We will happily check and top off your car’s under hood fluids and check your tire pressure on the service drive, anytime our service department is open.  Just pull up and let one of our attendants know you are here for a FREE Pit Stop.

These helpful tips together with regular vehicle maintenance from our Xpress Oil Change Plus center should help you avoid untimely heat related breakdowns.  Enjoy the rest of the summer.  Drive safe and stay cool! Give us a call at (512) 681-3046 when we can next be of service to you, your family or your business.

Vehicle Recalls. What Should I Do?

If you have owned a General Motors vehicle for any length of time, you most likely have received a Recall Notice from the manufacturer in addition to a phone call or postcard from the Customer Loyalty Center here at Don Hewlett Chevrolet.  A ‘Product Safety Recall’ can be issued for several things and should be taken care of at your earliest convenience. 

If you receive a recall notice, we ask that you:  

·         Simply call our Customer Loyalty Center during normal business hrs. (7-6 M-F, 7-1 Sat) at (512) 763-3555 and let our staff know you need to schedule a recall appointment.

·         When you call, please have the letter you received from GM in hand. We will need to know your (VIN) Vehicle Identification Number (this should be on the letter or you can find it on your vehicle insurance card), the Year/Make/Model of your vehicle and a good contact phone number along with your current email address.

·         Once we receive your call, our staff will guide you through the process of determining which recalls show to be active for your vehicle (all recalls are VIN specific).  They will verify parts availability and will work with you to set a convenient time to meet with a Service Advisor.

Auto manufacturers are required by law to provide the necessary recall repairs free of charge. They do this through their established franchise dealer network using factory original parts. In doing so, General Motors can better guarantee the quality, consistency, and efficiency of these needed repairs.

Most recall repairs can be completed quickly (under two hours). However, we do ask our customers to allow us a full day with their vehicles.  We do have a limited number of complimentary customer loaner vehicles available daily - by reservation only - but we try to save these for our guests with vehicles that will be staying overnight.  We also have two free full-time Customer Courtesy shuttles that are ready to take you to work, back to the house, or wherever you need to go within the North-Austin suburban corridor.  

We have found that when our customers follow the simple steps listed above the recall repair process goes smoothly. If you’d like more information from GM regarding the recalls specific to your vehicle, please click this link: https://my.gm.com/recalls

The technicians at Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick have performed thousands of recalls over the years and are trained to identify and repair the specific components involved.  We would like to thank our customers for continuing to put your trust in the Hewlett brand. Rest assured we are certainly proud to represent General Motors in this Central Texas area and stand ready to assist all current GM owners with their vehicle needs.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRUCK

The Accessories Team at Don Hewlett Chevrolet would like you to check out their latest project! This 2020 Texas Edition Silverado 3500 has it all!

• Premium LLumar® window tint is one way to survive a hot Texas summer especially considering the inside temperature of a vehicle can hit 130 degrees. LLumar offers the highest quality products with 99% UV protection. Window tint looks great and keeps the interior of your vehicle significantly cooler.  It's also a great way to keep your belongings hidden.

• One way to add style to your truck is by adding Bushwacker Fender Flares. Fender flares can be painted to match the truck and are flexible enough to withstand any environment from road debris to brush lined trails. 

• Four-inch chrome side steps. There are several reasons that customers add side steps to a truck: they enhance the appearance,  they add convenience for passengers getting into and out of the vehicle, and they offer protection from road debris. Our accessories department offers a wide range of side steps and running boards that can be customized to fit your needs and your vehicle.

• Husky® Liners can make all the difference. They are nearly indestructible and contoured to fit your vehicle’s interior flooring perfectly. These liners provide a level of protection and comfort minimizing the effects of everyday wear.

• If you like to go “off-road” or like the look of a truck that is high off the ground, then a Lift Kit is for you. The 2” lift kit added to this vehicle gives tires additional clearance while still retaining the factory suspension geometry and alignment.

• A Firestone Suspension Air Bag Kit was also included to complete this masterpiece. It was specifically designed to maximize the safe load carrying capacity, stability, and quality ride of this 3500HD.

All these additions and more are available through our Accessories Department. Come by today and speak with one of our specialists or call 512-681-3194.for more information. Follow us on Facebook at Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick for updates on our latest projects and vehicles.

SHOP. CLICK. DRIVE!

The Best Way to Reserve Your New Chevrolet or Buick from Don Hewlett.

Are you looking for the easiest and best way to reserve a new vehicle and estimate your monthly payments? Then look no further! DonHewlett.com offers SHOP. CLICK. DRIVE. for every vehicle in stock.

SHOP. CLICK. DRIVE. is an easy to use tool that instantly estimates your payments and provides pre-approval for financing. It is easy and can be done from the comfort of your home or your office. Just ask Chet!

By using SHOP. CLICK. DRIVE., you can shorten the sales process and save time by completing most of the vehicle purchase process in advance. Once complete, you can choose a time to pick up your new vehicle here at the dealership or you can arrange for free delivery to your home or office. Your new vehicle will be detailed, sanitized, and fueled for your first drive!

This month, GM is offering 0% financing for 84 months on select new vehicles including the popular 2020 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab and the stylish 2020 Equinox, one of the most popular SUVs on the market.  With over 500 new and 200 used vehicles in stock, you’re sure to find the model, color, and extras that are important to you.

WE'RE TEXAS STRONG!

While we’ve proudly embraced our role as an essential business during this virus scare - this isn’t business as usual. If you’ve stopped in recently, you’ll quickly notice that we’ve radically changed our customer contact procedures, campus cleaning protocols, and in some cases the physical space we’re operating out of to keep our guests and employees as safe as possible. We are still maintaining full-time hours at all facilities and we’re proud to be providing vital vehicle sales, service, and collision repair to our Central Texas neighbors. People are depending on us.

I’m not alone in being grateful for the work that our team members are doing. We’ve received dozens of emails, calls, and other positive feedback from customers on social media thanking our staff for continuing to provide critical vehicle services during this stressful time.

Much of the essential work we do cannot be done from home. We’ve implemented a series of preventative health measures for our employees and guests: everything from increasing the frequency and the intensity of cleaning, to adjusting our practices in all common customer areas to ensure the recommended social distancing guidelines are followed, to protecting our staff and customer vehicles with appropriate PPE equipment. Our management staff is meeting regularly, and we’ve even designated a member of our team as the ‘COVID-19 Czar’ whose core mission is to ensure we continue to appropriately follow our newly established cleaning protocols.

Our team is here to serve you, they care, and they are definitely Texas True. If we all continue to practice the recommended safety guidelines and utilize some good ole’ common sense, I’m confident that we’re going to get through this, together.

Thank you for your business & stay safe,



Mike Hewlett

THE SOIREE

– A Coming Together for the Kids

Don Hewlett Chevrolet is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2020 Soiree- A Coming Together for Kids. The Hewlett’s are passionate about serving and investing in the community and want to help ensure that our youth have a solid foundation for success.

The Soiree benefits three local non-profits, The Georgetown Project, CASA of Williamson County and the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center. Held on February 29, 2020, at the Sheraton in Georgetown, the Mardi Gras Masquerade will feature dining and dancing and will be an opportunity to put on your shiniest shoes, blingiest jewelry, and your most glamorous attire. Each of the organizations benefitting from the event provides much-needed services to children in Williamson County. 

The Georgetown Project’s vision is that no child is hungry, hurt, alone, or rejected and that all children and youth believe they are loved, respected and treated with dignity. Since 1997, the Georgetown Project has served almost 25,000 children and youth of all ages and from all walks of life. They believe that positive intergenerational relationships can make all the difference for young people. 

CASA of Williamson County provides valuable advocacy for abused children in the child protection system.  CASA volunteers serve as the "eyes and ears" for the judge in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child's situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are frequently the only stable presence in these children's lives as they navigate the foster care system.  

The Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center serves sexually and physically abused children in a child-friendly facility, where investigative agencies collaborate to put the child victim's best interests first.  Their mission is to provide a safe place to report child abuse, reduce the emotional trauma for children and non-offending family members, and extend professional services that protect the integrity of an investigation. 

Meet the Customer Loyalty Center Team

Computer-generated voices and ‘apps’ are becoming the norm when interfacing with most businesses today. At the Hewlett dealerships, we embrace these technologies once we know they can lead to increased production efficiencies and a greater overall experience for our guests. We’ve found that you just can’t replace the personal touch and level of care found in fully engaged, caring individuals. We have carefully selected the members of our Customer Loyalty Center (CLC) staff to provide our guests with a friendly, knowledgeable advocate to support their vehicle needs. Whether it’s setting up an appointment for transmission service, discussing a recent recall, or calling to make certain your vehicle was fixed properly, our CLC Team is there to make certain that your experience is a positive one.

We encourage you to get to know our CLC team members. 

There is no substitute for knowledge, continuity, and experience. Mari Auston, our CLC Manager, easily brings these skills to her position as CLC Manager. A former Service Advisor with nearly 20 years of dealership service experience, Mari truly understands the automotive business. Chances are if you’ve done business with us for years, that Mari's voice will be a familiar one. Mari’s mechanical knowledge and real-world experience bring a unique perspective to her department that can’t be matched. Mari enjoys spending her off-hours with her family & also loves gardening, fishing, biking and eating spicy Mexican food!

Alexa Mahaffey has been part of the CLC team for almost a year. She enjoys interacting with our customers each day and has a can-do attitude that makes her a valuable resource.  Alexa has many skill sets so when she’s not on the phones, you might find her in the cashier’s office or helping at the service reception desk. In her spare time, Alexa loves hanging out with her family, friends, and dogs Jypsy and Nala.

Katie Murrell, a resident animal lover, enjoys being part of the CLC team. Her infectious smile can be heard through the phone when she’s speaking with our customers. New to the automotive industry, Katie loves the challenges she faces in the CLC and enjoys learning new things. When not at work, she volunteers at local animal shelters and enjoys going to the dog park with her teacup Yorkie.

Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick welcomes Kaitlyn Diaz-Moreno, the newest member of the CLC team. Kaitlyn loves being surrounded by the great people at the dealership and enjoys helping our customers with their vehicles. When not at work, Kaitlyn can be found studying and recreating beauty looks found on YouTube. She also enjoys re-decorating and finds baking a great way to reduce stress.

When it’s time to schedule a service appointment, need clarification regarding a safety recall notice from GM or simply have a question about your vehicle, please call our wonderful team in the Customer Loyalty Center for friendly, personal assistance: 512-681-3044.

Introducing the New 2020 Buick Encore GX

It’s here, it’s here! The newest Buick crossover has arrived and is prominently displayed in the showroom at Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick. Named the Encore GX, this new SUV is engineered and crafted to fit almost any lifestyle. It’s stylish, intelligent and moves about effortlessly.

The New Encore GX starts with a 1.2-liter turbo engine that produces 137hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The selectable stop/start system improves fuel economy with an EPA estimated 26 MPG city and 30 MPG* on the highway. Standard safety features include forward collision alert and pedestrian braking, along with side blind zone alert and lane-keep assist.

Advanced technologies such as available Amazon Alexa integration and a built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot make using your mobile phone and listening to your favorite music effortless.

The 50.2 cubic feet of cargo space will accommodate quite the load. The Encore GX is perfect for road trips although it’s also well-suited for daily life including commuting, running errands, a night on the town and much more.  

The 5 passenger SUV comes in 3 different trim levels (Preferred, Select and Essence) starting in the mid-’20s. We invite you to visit us today and test drive the New Encore GX at Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick.

Mike Stephens, Sales Manager

*Estimated mileage for FWD models.

Daytripping Across Texas

Some things are just better together like chips & queso, beer & barbecue, and Don Hewlett Chevrolet & The Daytripper. Several years ago, Don Ross Hewlett and Chet Garner were introduced by a mutual friend from KLRU.  They quickly realized that they had many things in common including their love for the state of Texas, the true value of family, the importance of community, and their passion for adventure. Some might say they’re the perfect match! 

Chet has been driving Chevrolet’s across Texas for the past several years, in fact, he recently reached a huge milestone, logging in 150,000 miles traveled. Whether in a Suburban with his family, a Traverse for the crew or a Silverado Trail Boss for himself, there’s a Don Hewlett Chevrolet for any day trip you’d want to take.

A few months ago, Chet and his team developed a campaign to promote their favorite dealership and the trucks and SUVs they love. After several brainstorming sessions, the Boardroom campaign was developed. Chet and his team bring humor and fun to typical automotive advertising.

Watch the first two episodes of the Boardroom Campaign and see for yourself!

Episode 1  |  Episode 2