Avoid the Dangers of A Stuffy Car on a Sunny Day (auto detailing Rochester NY)

As a parent or pet owner, have you ever felt like you had to juggle many tasks, errands, and responsibilities all at once? During the summer, this type of juggling can lead to making the mistake of leaving pets or kids in a hot and stuffy car. There are devastating consequences to leaving a child or pet alone in a car on a hot day. On a 70 degree day, a car’s interior can reach 104 degrees in just 30 minutes! When the sun’s heat gets trapped inside, even a cracked window will do little to slow down the temperatures as they soar and dehydrate your loved one.  

So how do we avoid making these mistakes? Make yourself aware of common scenarios that put even well-meaning parents and pet owners in a position where they leave a child or pet behind. After you have loaded the car with groceries and strapped the kids in, you may realize you forgot an item in the store. You may be tempted to run back inside alone to save time. However, you never know the obstacles that could slow you down from returning to your car before the heat kicks up to dangerous levels.

For example, the checkout line may have grown longer and may keep you waiting and waiting. Another situation may occur where someone in the store or parking lot may distract you with conversation. The same could happen on a “quick” run inside Starbucks, McDonald’s, or the bank. Save yourself the anxiety and use the drive thru. Otherwise, remember to bring your kids with you, or grab it some other time if you’re with your pet.

For more tips on staying safe and keeping cool, come down to Brother’s Collision and Mechanical (auto detailing Rochester NY) to have your car’s air conditioning checked or installed.

Win Your Car Back from the Brutality of Winter

This past winter was tough on people, roads, and vehicles. While we were huddled behind our steering wheels with gloves, hats, and the heat blasting for protection, our cars were pelted with ice, snow, and snowplow gravel. To make it worse, the very roads we trusted betrayed our cars as they opened to reveal damaging potholes everywhere.

The good news is that all of that damage and dirt is fixable. At Brothers Collision and Mechanical (automotive maintenance Rochester NY) the vehicle needs you have will be handled for the right price. We will get the engine purring again, rather than shivering or sputtering as it may have during the winter. We will also tend to any damage done by plows and ice chunks. We will get your car looking and feeling just as it was before the first flake fell.

As for potholes, you might not have any idea just how damaging they may be to your car. The tires, wheel bearings, and other out of sight car parts may be damaged. Hitting a pothole hard enough can also mess up your alignment. The experts at Brothers Collision and Mechanical (automotive maintenance Rochester NY) can ensure any pothole damage is fixed promptly and without cutting into your summer vacation money.

Call Brothers Collision and Mechanical to get your car tuned up and looking sharp again.

Keep Safe on the Roads

Practice Defensive Driving

When you think of “defensive,” you might think of someone looking for trouble. However, when it comes to driving, practicing “defensive” techniques is smart and can help keep you out of trouble. The specialists at Brothers Collision & Mechanical (auto restoration Rochester NY) know a few tips to help keep you and your car safe.

One very important defensive driving tip is to always be aware of the actions of the traffic around you. If you see a turn signal blinking, don’t immediately assume the person is actually turning. Likewise, be equally prepared for the “turn on a dime without warning” type of person in front of you. Staying alert and keeping a safe distance is the best way to avoid colliding with this kind of driver.

Being defensive with distracted drivers is becoming more important than ever. Today, it isn’t unusual to see people on cell phones, doing their makeup, or even eating while driving. How many times have you looked over and seen a person using both hands for something other than controlling the steering wheel? You need to be aware of these people so you can react instantly if there is a problem.

One way to avoid any accidents with distracted drivers is to keep your sides open when you can. In other words, keep your car on the outside and have your sides open, if possible, so you can pull away when needed. Maintaining a safe speed that flows with traffic can also help you keep a defensive stance against those who are speeding or moseying along.

Lastly, you need to be aware of everything else around you. Keeping yourself focused on the cars around you isn’t enough. You need to look out for animals (especially at night), pedestrians, or other dangers that could get in your way.

If you keep alert and maintain a defensive driving strategy, you can minimize your chances of getting involved in an accident. If you do find yourself in an accident, seek out the specialists at Brothers Collision & Mechanical (auto restoration Rochester NY).

How to Avoid Road Rage

Road rage is never a good situation for anyone involved. It can lead to being fearful for your safety. For the person who is enraged, it can lead to increased blood pressure and other health issues. When someone encounters a road rage situation, everyone around can be in danger. For your safety and the safety of everyone around you, it might help to be aware of tips for avoiding road rage - given by Brothers (a collision shop Rochester, NY).

If confronted by an angry tailgater, simply slowing down might help. Don’t suddenly hit the brakes to send a message. Slow down with ease and let them just go around you and move on. This could help you and others avoid a visit to a collision shop Rochester, NY.

Another way to avoid a road rage situation is to minimize distractions. If you are more aware of your surroundings, you will be less likely to pull out in front of another driver. Keep your eyes alert and avoid staring off vacantly to day-dream. You can glance around and keep your mind awake by being aware of what is around you, including other drivers.

Checking your mindset before you hit the road can also help you avoid a road rage situation. If you are stressed, worried about work, or angry about a home situation, you may be more apt to overreact to minor mistakes by other drivers. Having an angry mindset from the get-go can increase the likelihood that you will be easily upset or react to someone else who is on the road.

Remember, every driver around you is only human and will make mistakes, just like you. If you stay alert and stay safe with how you drive, you can get where you are going without a road rage incident. The collision shop Rochester NY technicians at Brothers Collision and Mechanical want everyone to be safe and respect the other drivers around them.

Auto Accident Checklist

How to Handle a Minor Car Accident

Luckily, most of us rarely find ourselves involved in a major car accident. However, being involved in a minor car accident happens in a flash and is much more common than people think. Even if a fender bender or collision is considered minor, it is vital to know what to do when a minor accident happens. That’s why Brothers Collision & Mechanical (collision repair Rochester, NY) wants to give you useful tips on what to do.  

The very first concern should be with safety. Making sure you, your passengers, or anyone else involved is safe and uninjured is the main priority. If there is any reason to believe someone needs medical attention, call for help immediately. There may be times when passengers think they are fine or only slightly injured, but they may go downhill fast because they are in shock.

Secondly, get yourself or your vehicle off the road and to a safe spot. This may mean pulling over to the shoulder. But if the car is disabled, you should put your flashers on and light flares if anyone has them. Many people get hit or injured by being in an unsafe spot after a minor accident.

Once everyone involved is safe and sound, you need to get all of the information you can. Write down anything you can. You need the other person’s name, driver’s license information, and insurance information. It is also a good idea to write down anything else that may be important. People think they will remember things and then those things get cloudy. Factors like weather or road conditions are important to note. Today, most people have smart phones. Take pictures of damages or anything else related to the accident.

You should never discuss fault. But, if there was a clear violation or law broken, you should call the police and report the accident. Once the situation is resolved and you get back home, call your insurance company. You should then call the collision repair Rochester, NY experts at Brothers Collision & Mechanical to get your car back to its former glory.

How Snow Tires Work

You may already know having the right tires on your car or truck during the winter is important. However, you might not fully understand why. The more you know about tires and how winter tires benefit your car, the more prepared you can be for anything Mother Nature throws your way.

The experts at Brothers Collision (automotive services Rochester, NY) can help you find the best winter snow tires for your vehicle. Sticking with the tires you have from one season to the next can increase the risk of slipping, sliding, and the likelihood of an accident.

Snow tires are truly different than regular tires. First of all, they are made with a softer and more flexible material. This material works to grip the road, rather than simply slide on top of it. The increased amount of rubber helps displace any slush and snow too. Think of it like the sole of a snow boot. They grip and keep you from falling. A snow tire acts the same way.

Snow tires also have a different kind of tread. The types of cuts and depth of the cuts displace water, snow, and ice. As it displaces all that slippery white stuff, the tires grip the road and keeps you on course.

Brothers Collision can assist you with snow tire inquiries or any other needs relating to automotive services Rochester, NY.

If you didn’t get snow tires this year, will you next winter?