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Prepare for the winter months ahead by equipping your car with a range of items that will help you in the event that you break down.

Handy things like jumper cables, a tow rope, flares, a flashlight, duct tape and a fire extinguisher should have a permanent place in your vehicle. In the winter, you can add extra items to fix a tire puncture, like foaming sealant, an electric tire pump, tools and a tire gauge. To stay warm and comfortable, include a blanket, snacks, water, a battery-powered cell phone charger, playing cards or books. If you become stuck in…

Those just getting their start in off-roading may find themselves asking what the first steps are that they should take to get more involved in the process. It is easy to feel a bit overwhelmed with the whole prospect of this new hobby.

You can and should check out the local off-road shops as well as some of the local off-road clubs that are in your area. They will both have excellent ideas for where you should go and they will also help you get the parts and accessories that you may need to enjoy your adventures to the fullest…

Preventative planning is key when determining how best to deal with emergency roadside situations. Consider the following steps the next time you find yourself in a compromising situation while out on the road:

1. Plan to Put Out Flashers: Having a set of flashers or triangles available to steer oncoming traffic away from you and your vehicle is a must for safety as you wait for help.
2. Plan to Move Your Car: Only if you are able, go ahead and move your car to the side of the road. Note that this might not be possible or even advisable in some…

Motor oil keeps your engine clean, lubricated and healthy. The more you drive, the more frequently you need to change your oil, according to our Bowman Commercial service department. What if you don't drive that often? You still need oil changes, just not as frequently.

When You Don't Drive That Often

Regardless of how often you drive, your car engine stills needs an oil change every 3,000 to 7,500 miles. If you're driving a model that's more than 10 years old, consider oil changes at 3,000-mile intervals. 

Despite the belief that it’s the battery that gives your car power, the alternator is actually the powerhouse for your car. Although your battery gives your care the electricity needed to start the car, it’s the alternator that generators power and sends it to the battery. Many drivers mistakenly buy a new battery when it’s actually the alternator that needs replacing. Come to Bowman Commercial to get your alternator and battery-related questions answered.

Here are some signs your alternator may need replacing.
 

It's always a good idea to keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle, but many newer models come equipped with tire pressure sensors. These sensors will alert you if the pressure inside of your vehicle is too low or too high. It's important that your tires have an exact amount of pressure in them so they can safely keep you on the road.

As with any feature on your vehicle, tire pressure sensors can require repair or service themselves. You can usually narrow this problem down by checking all four of your tires. If their pressure is…

Buying a new or used car is a large transaction, and we at Bowman Commercial want you to be an informed buyer aware of all the options available to you. If you’re like most drivers, you may need financing to make the purchase. Having good credit scores is an important step towards obtaining financing. The better your credit scores, the better financing deals you’ll be offered. Here are some ways to improve your credit scores.
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It's hot outside and you hear a hissing sound coming from underneath your hood. Otherwise, maybe you hear a squealing sound in cold weather. Either way, these signs could mean expensive repairs on your vehicle. At Bowman Commercial, we're committed to helping you avoid unexpected and costly auto repairs, so we would like to tell you more about belts and hoses so that you can do preventative maintenance before small problems become big ones.

One of your hoses is responsible for sending coolant to your radiator. Without this coolant, your car can overheat, resulting in damage to your…

Let this blog post from us at Bowman Commercial remind you that your vehicle needs periodic alignment adjustments. This service can improve your drives' smoothness, and it can help your tires' treads last longer.

We use an alignment tester to evaluate your tires, wheels and related components. It provides key measurements like toe, camber and caster. Toe is simply where a tire points when your steering wheel is straight. We want neutral, straight readouts, but we sometimes see tires that point right or left. Camber deals with tires leaning in or out when viewed from above. 

Look at your vehicle as spring approaches and decide that you will take care of it how it should be taken care of from a maintenance prospective. In other words, don’t let things slide any more as you come out of the winter season. It is easy to bury our heads in the sand and pretend like there are no problems, but this is not advisable. There are some basic pieces of maintenance to take care of now.