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Mohawk Auto Center would like to take a moment to wish every one of our customers a Happy New Year! You made 2016 a great year for us, and we are excited to see what 2017 will bring. Stop by and see us and let’s make the new year your best year yet.
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Thanksgiving is almost here! If you’re planning on doing any traveling for Turkey Day, you’re probably dreading the traffic. We can’t make it go away, but we do have some helpful tips that will make Thanksgiving travel a little bit more tolerable. Check them out below!
- Leave Early: Avoid driving on Wednesday and Sunday, as those are these busiest days for Thanksgiving travel.
- Take A Back Road: Consider alternate routes to your destination to avoid the bumper-to-bumper traffic.
- Be Prepared: Pack a bag with road trip essentials like drinks, snacks, and charging cables for the ride.
- Pay the Toll: Make sure you have your EZPass or enough change for the tolls!
- Avoid Distractions: Eliminate distractions while driving, especially texting.
- Proceed With Caution: Even if you feel like you’re in a rush, obey traffic laws like the speed limit and road signs.
- Get Checked Out: Make sure everything is working properly in your vehicle before hitting the road to avoid issues like a flat tire or overheating engine.
Stueber, Scott. “Ten Driving Tips to Help You Enjoy Your Thanksgiving Holiday.” West Bend Insurance of Wisconsin. N.p., 19 Nov. 2013. Web. 16 Nov. 2016.
What is a Mummy’s favorite type of music?
Wrap!!!!!
Happy Halloween from everyone here at Mohawk Auto Center! There is plenty of haunted happenings going on around Schenectady, Albany, Glenville, Clifton Park, and Johnstown, NY today and tonight. Whether you’re taking the kids trick-or-treating, staying home to watch some scary movies, or going out to a costume contest, we hope you have a ghoulishly good time!
We would like to share with you a few of the most common Fall Driving Hazards that you should look out for as you hit the road over the next several weeks. The change in weather and temperature can drastically affect road and driving conditions so you should be especially cautions as we head into the fall season. Read through the different types hazards that you could encounter below and keep traveling safely while you enjoy all of the best parts of Fall!
1.) Look Out For Deer – You may not realize this but the autumn is actually deer mating season which means that there are going to be many more of them around and most likely not alone. If you are going to be driving near wooded areas especially at night, be alert, because deer tend to dart right into the road without warning. Not only is hitting a deer dangerous but it can cause serious damage to your vehicle.
2.) Driver Carefully on Bridges – Even if it does not seem particularly cold out in the morning yet, the dew can lead to frost especially on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas. Drive carefully around these areas when you head out first thing in the morning.
3.) Use Your Rain Smarts – With the change in temperature, there will be a lot of extra moisture in the air which leads to increased rainfall and foggy conditions. Remember to drive more cautiously in the rain and always use your low beams or fog lights for better visibility rather than your brights.
4.) Avoid The Glare of the Sun – The National Weather Service predicts that we will begin to lose about one to two minutes of sunlight per day over the next several weeks. That means that the sun will be setting earlier and that your evening commute could fall right in the middle causing the glare of the sun to be much stronger than it has been for the past few months.
5.) No Braking On Leaves – This time of year gets its nickname of Fall due to all of the falling multi-colored leaves that cover the ground. While this namesake event may be beautiful to look it can also be quite hazardous for driving. When leaves get wet they become just as slippery as a patch of ice and just as dangerous. So make sure to avoid them whenever possible and never try braking over a patch of wet leaves since it will be just line trying to come to a stop over a patch of black ice.
6.) Adjust Your Eyes – As we mentioned in step number four, the days will begin to get shorter during this time of year. Therefore, the amount of daylight you are driving home in at the end of the day will be gradually less until eventually it will be completely dark out when you leave. Therefore, remember to take some time for your eyes to adjust to the dark before you start heading home.
7.) Get Your Vehicle Ready – Last, but certainly not least, make sure that you get your car all ready for the new season by making sure that all of the key vehicle elements have been checked over. The main areas to check out are the battery, heating system, windshield wipers, tires, and anything else that you feel may need attention before the winter fully arrives.
“7 Fall Driving Safety Tips.” N.p., 30 Sept. 2015. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.safebee.com%2Ftravel%2F7-fall-driving-safety-tips>.
Can you imagine a world where all vehicles on the road are electric? Well, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson can and he recently shared this prediction during an interview that he gave with CNN while he was out supporting the Virgin Racing Team at a Formula E race event.
His exact quote stated: “Formula E is pushing the boundaries forward into what will be the future. Fifteen years from now, I suspect every car on the road will be electric.”
He then later elaborated on that quote by stating that: “If governments set the ground rules — and they sometimes have to be brave and set positive ground rules — and for instance said, ‘more than 50% of cars must be battery-driven in 10 years and 100% in 15 years,’ we could make that happen. It will be great fun and really challenging to do. The cars would be much more efficient… and battery technology will get better and better.”
While Branson has always been known for his optimistic and innovative views into the future in terms of technology it will remain to be seen if this prediction actually comes true. More and more automakers seem to be putting emphasis on the electric vehicle market but there would need to be a big shift for such a dramatic change to occur in only a decade and a half since currently, the majority of all vehicle in the lineups for all automakers are not electric. So it remains to be seen whether Branson’s vision will actually happen when he thinks it will but one thing is for sure and that is that electric vehicle are definitely expected to remain on the rise and it is not out of the question to think that one day they will be the only option for vehicles. We will just have to wait and see how it all plays out.
“Richard Branson: “15 Years From Now, I Suspect Every Car On The Road Will Be Electric”.” Clean Technica. N.p., 17 July 2016. Web. <https%3A%2F%2Fcleantechnica.com%2F2016%2F07%2F17%2Frichard-branson-15-years-now-suspect-every-car-road-will-electric%2F>.
While you’re enjoying the long, hot and hazy days of summer, remember that is might not be so enjoyable for others right here in our community. At Mohawk Auto Center we enjoy doing our part to give back to the people and places that have supported us and help our business thrive. We encourage you to do the same, so we compiled a list of great options below!
Albany Stratton VA Medical Center– There are a number of ways that you can give back to the brave men and women who have served our country. If you’re interested in being a Van Driver, Hospice Volunteer, Companion/Visitor, Greeter, or if you would just like to learn more, you can reach out on their website.
Noah’s Kingdom Humane Society– If you’re an animal lover, you’ll love Noah’s. You can become an adoption counselor and help some pets find their forever home, or be a foster pet parent, or even a cat caretaker!
Swim for MS– What’s great about this is that it can be done at any pool, at any time! Swim for MS asks that volunteers create their own challenge and recruit donations online. Prizes are given to the top fundraisers of each month, it’s perfect for all ages and skill levels and it promotes the benefits of swimming!
“Do You Enjoy Swimming? Volunteer with Swim for MS!” VolunteerMatch. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 July 2016.
“Noah’s Kingdom Humane Society Volunteer Opportunities – VolunteerMatch.”Noah’s Kingdom Humane Society Volunteer Opportunities – VolunteerMatch. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 July 2016.
“Albany Stratton VA Medical Center Albany, NY.” Volunteer or Donate –. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 July 2016.
Each year an average of 37 children have died as a result of vehicular heat stroke with the highest number of deaths in recent years taking place in 2010 with 49 total fatalities. This is an extremely unfortunate and preventable situation that has gained a large amount of attention especially in the last several years. That is why organizations such as Kids and Cars have dedicated their efforts to helping to educate parents and caregivers on proper safety measures to take when you are traveling with children. Additionally, several manufacturers have begun developing new technologies that are designed to alert drivers and remind them that their children are still in the back seat once they arrive at their destination so that they are not accidently forgotten.
The inside of your vehicle can heat up very quickly, especially in the summer. Think about how hot your vehicle is when you first get into it when it has been parked outside for a long period of time in the heat ,the interior temperature of a vehicle can reach as high as 125 degrees in a matter of minutes. In fact, the majority of the temperature increase takes place in the first 10 minutes making that the most crucial time frame. Also, since a child’s body can overheat 3-5 times faster than an adult’s it puts them at an extra risk for suffering heat-related damage much quicker.
Here are a few safety tips from KidsAndCars.org for you to remember the next time you are traveling with a child in the back seat:
- Never leave your child alone in the vehicle for any period of time.
- “Look Before You Lock” – Make it a habit to always check the backseat of your vehicle whenever you get out of your car just to make sure you are not forgetting anything or anyone in the backseat.
- Create a reminder system for yourself such as leaving an item that you will need in the backseat such as your purse, wallet, or cell phone so that you have to go in the back to retrieve it. Another option is to leave an object such as a stuffed animal in the front seat as a reminder that there is a child in the back.
- Keep a strict policy with any caregivers that are left with your child and make sure that your daycare knows to call and check up on the whereabouts of your child if they are not dropped off without prior notice that they will be absent.
- Always keep your vehicle locked to prevent children from getting inside on their own and remember to ask guests visiting your home to do the same. Also, keep your keys out of reach you that your children can not open the vehicle on their own.
- Always make the interior and trunk of nearby vehicles one of the first places you look when a child goes missing.
- Call 911 immediately if you see a child alone in a vehicle and if they appear to be in distress get them out as quickly as possible.
- Remember to be especially alert whenever you are outside of your normal routine or traveling during a busier time of the day.
- Whenever possible use drive-thrus (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, and more) and try to pay for gas at the pump so that you do not have to get out of your car.
“Heat Stroke.” KidsandCarsorg. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 June 2016. <http://www.kidsandcars.org/how-kids-get-hurt/heat-stroke/>.
Being out and about is one of the best parts of warmer weather. Gone are the days of hibernation and only leaving the house for work or to forge for food (yes opening the door for the pizza delivery counts). Here are the days of windows down, great playlists and your furry BFF acting as co-pilot. But, when you have such precious cargo, it’s important to ensure their safety. Before leaving the driveway, be sure to do the following so you and your pet arrive at your destination safe and sound.
Properly Restrain Them: You wouldn’t let your toddler sit in the back seat without the proper restraints, and the same should go for your pet. They can often suffer from broken bones, ruptured organs, and severe trauma if in an accident. Also, unrestrained pets can injure themselves if they’re free to move around the vehicle by trying to jump or walk around. Prevent your dog from moving around with a step-in harness.
Keep Them in the Backseat: You may be tempted to have your pet sit on your lap, especially the smaller ones, but we assure you, this is a terrible idea! Keep them in the backseat, so even if you’re forced to stop short, your pup will have a backseat barrier. A partition that fastens between the front seats will keep them safely in the back as well.
Try a Pet Car Seat & Carrier: This is ideal for smaller dogs, and even cats! They attach to any car seat belt during your ride and once you’ve reached your destination it can become a pet carrier.
Summer is the time of year for fun, but it’s hard to have fun when every part of the family isn’t safe. Try out these simple steps to ensure nothing but good times this year!
“PetMD.” 7 Tips to Keep Your Pet Cool This Summer. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 June 2016.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has been making some historic strides in the effort to improve and strengthen automotive safety. Just last month they formed an agreement with 18 automakers that will make Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) standard by the year 2022. Now, they have announced a new collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The three organizations recently convened for a forum on Enhancing Safety Culture in Transportation.
Top U.S. airlines and automobile manufacturers came together to discuss ways that the automotive industry could use some of the safety lessons from the aviation industry and apply them to making vehicles safer. The overall goal is to maximize safety recall participation rates, enhance cybersecurity, improve data analysis, and create a new culture of proactive safety.
“The commercial aviation industry’s unprecedented period of safety is the result of hard work,” said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind. “The aviation industry and the FAA have partnered to create new strategies and build a safety culture from top to bottom. We believe that the best practices will apply to the auto industry too. We have started by establishing the proactive safety principles, which have already yielded concrete results. We will continue looking for new safety solutions anywhere we can find them.”
“U.S. Department of Transportation Convenes Aviation and Automobile Industry Forum on Safety .” NHTSA. N.p., 22 Apr. 2016. Web. Apr. 2016. <http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/nhtsa-faa-safety-forum-04222016>.
You may notice the days getting longer as we head into the summer now that daylight savings time has passed. However, even with the extra hours of daylight driving it is still important to make sure that your vehicle’s lights are always working properly so that when you do have to travel at night you will not be left completely in the dark. Here we have a list of four important lighting tips from Car Care that you should keep in mind to ensure that your vehicle’s lights are working properly.
Don’t Overdrive Your Headlights: When you are traveling it is always important to make sure that you have a safe stopping distance, especially when you are driving in the dark. Remember to adjust your speed so that your stopping distance stays within the area covered by the beam of light from your headlights.
When In Doubt Turn Lights On: Having a little extra visibility is always better than not having enough. If you are unsure whether the conditions require your lights to be on it is best to use them anyway just to play it safe.
Keep Headlights Properly Aimed: Misaligned headlights can cause visibility problems for you as well as the other drivers on the road so be sure to check to see that they are aimed properly for ideal visibility.
Keep Your Lights Clean: Any amount of dirt or grime that is covering your headlights or taillights can cause visibility to be reduced. So make sure to keep them clean and uncovered to not only help you see better but to also help other drivers see you better.
“Lights play a critical role in safe driving, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “From the driver’s seat you may not notice a light that isn’t working, so inspect all of your car’s lights and replace those that are out.”
“Lights Out? Check Vehicle Lighting.” Carecare.org. N.p., 13 Oct. 2015. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.carcare.org%2F2015%2F10%2Flights-check-vehicle-lighting%2F>.