Ross Downing Voted 2026 Best Auto Dealership in Best of Tangipahoa Ross Downing has been voted 2026 Best Auto Dealership in the Hammond Daily Star's Best of Tangipahoa. The award is voted on by the community, and we are honored by every vote and grateful for your trust. Thank you, Tangipahoa This award belongs to the people of Tangipahoa Parish who chose to shop with us, service with us and then vote for us. It also belongs to our team: the salespeople, technicians, service advisors, parts specialists, finance managers and office staff at Ross Downing Chevrolet, Ross Downing Cadillac, Ross Downing GMC and Ross Downing CDJR who show up for our customers every day. Family-owned in Hammond since 1973 Since 1973, three generations of the Ross Downing family have been driven to serve south Louisiana. We earn trust every day: integrity in every deal, straight answers to every question, and real care for every customer and every member of our team. Being recognized by our own neighbors means more than any sales number. What this means for you Straight answers. Ask us anything about buying, financing or maintaining your vehicle, and we'll explain it in plain language. A team that knows you. Many of our customers have bought and serviced their vehicles with us for years. Four Hammond dealerships, one family. Chevrolet (including Corvette), Cadillac, GMC and Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram. See the full list of winners in the Hammond Star's Best of Tangipahoa results. Come see us Ross Downing Chevrolet, 600 S. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, LA 70403 Shop and schedule service online or call (985) 520-4147. Thank you, Tangipahoa. One family of dealerships. One community.

Chevy maintenance schedule checks take on added urgency before Louisiana hurricane season. Evacuation travel can place extra demands on your vehicle. Heavy rain can also expose weak tires, worn wipers, or a struggling battery. Therefore, preparing early gives you time to address problems before a storm approaches. Start with the parts that support starting, traction, visibility, braking, and longer travel. Start Hurricane Season With a Vehicle Inspection A pre storm inspection gives you a clearer picture of your Chevy before hurricane travel becomes necessary. Therefore, schedule the review before a named storm creates a rush for service. Start with the maintenance items already due for your vehicle. Your Chevrolet Owner's Manual provides the model specific schedule. In addition, the vehicle may provide oil life or service reminders through its displays. Routine maintenance is only one part of storm preparation. You also need to consider what a long evacuation trip may require. That can include extended driving, slow traffic, heavy rain, and repeated stops. Before hurricane season becomes active, review these areas: Check whether oil service, tire rotation, or another scheduled maintenance item is due soon. Inspect the battery, tires, brakes, wipers, exterior lights, and fluid levels before longer travel. Address warning lights or new vehicle noises before relying on the Chevy for evacuation travel. Furthermore, do not wait for a storm forecast to begin the process. Service departments can become busier as local preparation increases. Ross Downing Chevrolet provides online access to schedule Chevrolet service. Scheduling early gives technicians more time to identify items that need attention. Check the Battery and Tires Before Evacuation Travel A battery can start your Chevy today and still test weaker than expected. Therefore, a battery review should include more than looking at the terminals. A technician can inspect the battery case for cracks or leaks. They can also check the terminals for corrosion. In addition, battery testing can measure its current health. Why does this matter before a hurricane? Evacuation travel may involve repeated starts and long periods in traffic. Your phone charger, lights, climate controls, and other electrical items may also stay active. Tires deserve the same level of attention. The tread grooves move water away from the tire's contact area. Therefore, worn tread gives the tire less depth for moving water. Chevrolet identifies 2/32 inch as the replacement threshold for tread depth. However, tread depth should not be the only check before storm season. Review tire pressure when the tires are cold. Then look for uneven wear, cuts, bulges, or other visible damage. Additionally, inspect the spare tire if your Chevy carries one. A tire review should answer three direct questions: Does each tire have enough tread for the upcoming travel? Is the cold tire pressure set to the Chevrolet specification for your vehicle? Are there wear patterns or damaged areas that need inspection before a long trip? Furthermore, do not forget the tires simply because the Chevy drives normally on dry roads. Heavy rain places greater importance on tread and proper pressure. Prepare Visibility, Brakes, and Fluids for Heavy Rain Seeing the road clearly becomes critical during Louisiana rain. Therefore, inspect the wiper blades before storm season reaches its busiest period. Replace blades that streak, skip, chatter, or leave sections of the windshield uncleared. Also check the washer fluid level. A working washer can clear road spray, dirt, and debris from the glass. Exterior lights deserve a quick review too. Confirm that headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights work. Heavy rain can reduce how clearly other drivers see your vehicle. Brakes should also be part of the inspection. Listen for grinding, squealing, or other new sounds. Additionally, note any vibration or unusual pedal feel. Fluid checks matter before longer travel. Review engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid according to Chevrolet service guidance. Address any visible leak before a long drive. These checks work together during wet travel: Clear wipers and working lights support visibility during heavy rain. Properly serviced brakes support controlled stopping in slow or crowded traffic. Correct fluid levels help prepare the Chevy for longer hours on the road. Still, maintenance cannot make flooded roads safe. Never drive into a roadway covered by floodwater. Turn around and use another route. Build a Louisiana Hurricane Vehicle Kit Your Chevy should also carry supplies that support you if travel slows or plans change. Louisiana emergency guidance includes water, food, lighting, first aid items, and personal documents. Keep the kit easy to reach. A sealed container in the cargo area can keep supplies together. However, medication, identification, and phones should remain accessible. A vehicle focused hurricane kit can include: Drinking water, shelf stable food, a flashlight, spare batteries, and basic first aid supplies. Needed medications, identification copies, a phone charger, rain gear, and basic hygiene items. A battery powered radio, simple tools, paper maps, and contact information for family members. Furthermore, fill the fuel tank before a storm reaches the area. Fuel demand can rise quickly during evacuation periods. A fuller tank also gives you more flexibility if routes change. Think about the people riding with you. Children, older adults, and pets may need additional supplies. Therefore, tailor the kit to the passengers who may travel in the vehicle. You should also keep footwear and clothing suited for rain. Wet shoulders, roadside stops, and power outages can make simple clothing choices more important. Schedule Service Before a Storm Creates Urgency The strongest time for hurricane vehicle preparation is before the forecast becomes urgent. That gives you room to handle repairs without racing against a storm timeline. When you schedule service, explain that you are preparing for hurricane season. Ask the technician to review the battery, tires, brakes, wipers, lights, and major fluid levels. Additionally, mention any warning lights or recent changes you have noticed. Small clues can help a technician narrow the inspection. You can use the Ross Downing Chevrolet service scheduler to request an appointment. The dealership also provides Chevrolet Certified Service for maintenance and repair needs. If your tires need attention, ask the service team to review tread depth and pressure. If the battery tests weak, discuss replacement before evacuation travel becomes necessary. You can also contact Ross Downing Chevrolet with service questions before scheduling. That can help you confirm what to bring or what inspection your Chevy may need. A hurricane plan should include more than supplies stored at home. Your vehicle may become a key part of evacuation, family transport, and daily travel. Therefore, prepare it before the storm calendar becomes crowded. Check the battery, tires, visibility items, brakes, fluids, fuel, and emergency supplies early. Then keep your Chevy ready for the travel decisions that hurricane season may bring.

Chevy commercial fleet incentives can be part of a Silverado purchase, but truck selection should come first. A small business needs a truck that matches its daily jobs. Therefore, start with towing, payload, cab space, bed needs, and planned equipment. Then review Chevrolet commercial programs that may apply to the purchase. Financing and tax questions belong in that same discussion. Start With the Work Your Silverado Needs to Do A Silverado for small business use should match the work assigned to it. Therefore, begin with the jobs the truck will handle each week. Those duties can point toward Silverado 1500, Silverado HD, or a specialized commercial configuration. Silverado 1500 can serve businesses with lighter towing and hauling needs. It can also work for service calls, estimates, deliveries, and daily jobsite travel. However, heavier trailers or equipment may call for Silverado HD. Your first review should cover several details: Estimate the heaviest trailer the truck will pull and the equipment it will carry. Decide how much passenger space the crew needs during a normal workday. List the tools, racks, storage boxes, or other equipment that must travel with the truck. Additionally, think about annual mileage. A truck that travels between jobs all day may need different priorities than one staying near one site. Ross Downing Chevrolet lists both Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD models in its new Chevrolet inventory. Comparing both classes can make the size decision easier before you discuss incentives. Match the Trim and Configuration to the Job The trim name should follow the job. Therefore, a business should decide what the truck must carry before choosing cabin equipment or appearance features. The Silverado WT is the starting work focused trim. Ross Downing Chevrolet currently lists WT configurations within its Silverado HD inventory. However, another trim may fit a business that spends more hours traveling between customers. Cab configuration also deserves attention. A crew that travels together may need a Crew Cab. By contrast, a truck assigned to one person may not need as much rear seating. Bed length can shape daily use too. Longer materials, tool storage, or larger equipment may call for more bed space. Still, parking space and route type should remain part of the decision. Upfits should be discussed before the purchase is finalized. Common additions can include: Bed protection, steps, tie downs, and tool storage for daily jobsite use. Racks or storage equipment for businesses carrying long tools or materials. Specialized bodies or equipment for trades that need a dedicated commercial setup. The Ross Downing Chevrolet Silverado HD inventory provides a closer look at current heavy duty configurations. That can help a business compare WT with other available trims. How Commercial Incentive Programs Differ Chevrolet commercial offers do not all follow the same rules. Therefore, business owners should identify the program before comparing dollar amounts. Chevrolet Business Choice is one program to review. Eligible customers may receive an allowance toward qualifying GM Accessories or an eligible upfit. However, eligible vehicles, amounts, and offer dates can change. A fleet allowance follows different rules. GM Fleet requires qualified fleet status for its National Fleet Purchase Program. A Fleet Account Number is part of that qualification process. That distinction matters for a small company purchasing one or two trucks. Business ownership alone does not confirm fleet eligibility. Therefore, ask which program applies before adding an allowance to the purchase calculation. Retail Chevrolet offers can also appear on a truck at the same time. However, each offer has its own eligibility rules. Some programs may not combine with others. Before counting an incentive, confirm: Whether your business meets the current program requirements. Whether the exact Silverado configuration qualifies for the offer. Whether the offer can be combined with other current Chevrolet programs. Current offers should always be verified at the time of purchase. Therefore, treat any advertised amount as time sensitive until the dealership confirms eligibility. Build Financing and Tax Questions Into the Purchase Truck selection and financing should be reviewed together. A small business may care more about monthly cash flow than the lowest possible payment alone. Therefore, consider how long the business plans to keep the truck. Also review expected mileage and replacement timing. Those details can shape the preferred loan term and down payment. The Ross Downing Chevrolet finance department provides financing resources and an online credit application. Current rates and programs can change, so direct confirmation remains important. Tax treatment deserves a separate review with a qualified tax professional. Chevrolet currently publishes guidance for qualifying business vehicle deductions. However, vehicle weight and configuration can affect which rules apply. A Silverado 1500 configuration may not receive the same tax treatment as another Silverado. Therefore, do not assume every truck qualifies for the same deduction. Before finalizing the purchase, gather these details for your tax professional: Exact model and configuration, including bed length and gross vehicle weight rating. Expected percentage of business use during the tax year. Purchase timing and the date the truck will enter business service. Tax law can change, and each business has its own circumstances. Therefore, dealership staff should not replace professional tax advice. Prepare for a Small Business Truck Conversation The most useful commercial truck discussion starts with specific information. Therefore, bring details about the work before asking which Silverado to purchase. Know your towing needs, typical cargo, annual mileage, number of passengers, and planned equipment. Also identify whether the truck will stay with one employee or rotate through a team. Furthermore, explain whether the vehicle will support construction, service calls, deliveries, agriculture, or another trade. That context makes it easier to narrow the configuration. You should also bring questions about current Chevrolet programs. Ask whether Business Choice applies to the truck you are considering. Then ask whether your company qualifies for fleet status or another current offer. Finally, compare the full acquisition cost. Include the truck, added equipment, financing, insurance, and planned maintenance. Then review any eligible commercial program separately. A small business Silverado purchase works best when the truck and the financial structure support the same job. Start with what the truck must carry and tow. Then compare current Chevrolet offers against verified eligibility. You can contact Ross Downing Chevrolet to discuss current Silverado inventory and commercial purchase questions.