Winter Driving Tips

The winter months are a lovely time in New Jersey. The tree covered snows and smell of fireplaces linger among every neighborhood. Unfortunately there is one major draw back, driving in snow and ice. The best advice is to not drive at all, if you can avoid it. If you can't here are some safe winter driving tips.

• Decrease your speed and make sure to leave extra space between you and the car between you.
• Brake slowly to avoid locking your wheels. If they do lock up, ease off the brakes.
• Keep your lights on in snowy conditions to increase your visibility to other drivers.
• If attempting a hill, make sure to put your car in a lower gear which increases traction.
• Do not use cruise control if you are on a highway.
• If your car has ABS brakes, which all new cars do, DO NOT pump your breaks. Instead apply steady pressure, the pumping you feel is normal and means the ABS is doing its job.
• It's not a good idea to pass plows and salt trucks. They have very limited visibility and the road ahead of them is probably in worse condition than the road behind them.
• Just because your car has four wheel drive, or all wheel drive, does not mean it can stop any better than other cars. Treat it the same as a car with front wheel, or rear wheel drive.

If your car is stuck:

• Do not spin your wheels, you are only digging yourself deeper and compacting the snow into ice.
• Turn your wheel side to side, this will push some snow away from your front tires.
• If you have a shovel, try removing the snow from the front and rear wheels.
• If you have any salt, sand, gravel, or even kitty litter in your car sprinkle it in the path of your tires. This will help you gain traction.

These tips will help you stay safe while driving in the winter conditions. These conditions are still unpredictable and treacherous. It's one of the most common times for minor car accidents that result in body damage. If this is the case it is a good idea to get in contact with a body shop professional. Bergen Brookside is an auto body repair shop in Hackensack that has years of experience and can assure your car is in like new condition ASAP.

Bergen Brookside Auto Body

83 Zabriskie St.
Hackensack, NJ 07601

201-342-8253

Keeping an Emergency Kit in your Car

When you are stuck on the road, being prepared is vital to staying safe and getting through the ordeal. In the winter, ice and snow can create huge problems for tow trucks and emergency response vehicles, and something that can someday save your life is a simple emergency kit of supplies and equipment. The New Jersey towing service at Bergen Brookside Auto Body and Towing can help you prepare one of these emergency car kits for yourself, so that you are not left in the freezing cold.

Have an ice scraper – although this isn’t necessarily going to save your life in the event of a breakdown, ice scrapers can certainly prevent winter driving hazards.

Flashlight – a flashlight is a good tool to have handy in the car at any time, but especially when there is short amounts of sunlight in the winter this item can be the difference between being blind or being able to get yourself out of a jam.

Extra washer fluid – the after effects of salt, ice and snow can smear grime all over your windows, making safe driving a challenge due to restricted vision. You will need some extra fluid at some point, and you want to have it on hand.

Extra gloves, boots and a jacket – if you are broken down, even the fastest and most efficient towing company in New Jersey might take some time to help you out. Don’t freeze, but prepare to have some extra warmth and be ready to wait it out if you need to.

Flares – a flare alerts traffic to your situation and catches the attention of responders to help you. By having flares, you protect yourself as well as other motorists.

These are just some helpful tips, but when you find yourself stranded on the road this winter you can always depend on the experts at Bergen Brookside to help you in a fast, convenient and professional manner. We are contracted with AAA in over 20 municipalities as well as in the County of Bergen and the NJ Turnpike Authority due to our excellence in towing and our unparalleled customer satisfaction.

Bergen Brookside

83-85 Zabriskie St.

Hackensack, NJ 07601

201-342-8253

Paramus Auto Body Repair Tips

We all hope that we never need to deal with an emergency car breakdown, but in the event that we do it is important to know what to do in order to stay safe. The Paramus auto body repair experts at Bergen Brookside have compiled some basic information that every driver should know in case of emergency.

• Get off the road as fast as possible if your car can still move, and stop in a way where you can see oncoming traffic as well as allowing them to see you.
• Do not leave the car if you are stuck on the highway. Attempting to cross the road on foot is extremely dangerous both for you as well as other drivers. Stay in the car – most highways are frequently patrolled by police who can give you assistance.
• Always put your emergency blinkers on so that other cars know you are not moving. If you are stopped at night, you should also use emergency flares a minimum of six feet behind your car in order to let other drivers know something is wrong.
• If you have a flat tire, do not attempt to replace it unless you are safely on the side of the road.

Every driver must be prepared to deal with the worst at any time – even when nothing seems to be wrong. Just by knowing some simple facts and tips about emergency breakdowns, you can prevent harm to yourself, your passengers and other drivers as well. Bergen Brookside offers auto body and towing services in Paramus, NJ that can get you back on the road quickly. Call today to ask an expert about what our auto repair in Paramus can do for you.

Bergen Brookside
83-85 Zabriskie St.
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-342-8253

Emergency Car Tips

No matter how new or well kept your car is, there is always a possibility of something going awry. There are a few things that you can keep in your car that will make any of these inconveniences a little easier. Some of these things are standard, but some you may not have thought about:

• Spare tire – All cars being produced come with a spare tire, with only a handful of exceptions. Periodically you should check on the condition of your spare tire. Make sure you have a jack and tire iron as well.
• Tire Sealer – There are many products out there that can help you temporarily patch a puncture hole in your tire. Most are available at any auto parts retailer.
• Jumper Cables – Always keep a set, even if you have a new battery it is nice to lend a helping hand once in a while.
• Duct Tape & WD-40 – These seem to be two of life's fix-alls. Duct tape's durability make it great for any quick repair inside or outside your car. And WD-40 has other applications, did you know you can use it to remove adhesive from your windows?
• First Aid Kit – These don't need to be anything major, but something that can be used on a decent sized laceration. 
• Seat Belt Cutter – A knife won't get you through your seat belt, which is good in a sense. But in some accidents your seat belt buckle can become jammed, these cutters will get you out ASAP.
• Flare – Keep a flare or two in your trunk, save them for use at night time and inclement weather conditions. If you are broken down they not only make other motorists aware, but they will alert police and tow trucks to where you are.
• Maps – These days everyone has Google maps on their phone, or a GPS in their car. Batteries die and having a hard copy map may come in more handy than you realize.
• Fluids – This goes for you and your car. Keeping a gallon of water in your car can help both you and your car if either is over heating. Keeping a few quarts of oil, trans fluid and power steering fluid can come in very handy if anything starts to leak.

All of these things will help you if you find yourself stranded, some might even help get you home safe and sound. If it seems the repair is something that needs to be done in a garage, calling an emergency towing service is your first step. Bergen Brookside is a 24/7 emergency NJ towing service and has a complete line of trucks to service all types of vehicles.

Bergen Brookside

83-85 Zabriskie St. 

Hackensack, NJ 07601

Phone: (201) 342-8253

Fax: (201) 342-7022

Auto Body Hackensack NJ

There are many people that attempt to do their own body work after they have been in an accident. This can prove to be disastrous and look terrible. If your car is in need of bodywork, it is strongly advised to go to a professional Hackensack NJ auto body repair shop. Bergen Brookside Auto Body and Towing is a spacious facility with an experienced staff that is dedicated to getting your car repaired as soon as possible.

Here are some reasons why you should not attempt to perform your own body repair work:

• You don’t know what you’re doing. Internet instructions may seem easy, but disassembling and reassembling a car is very difficult. Professionals have done this many times and can perfectly repair your vehicle.
• It can be dangerous. Crawling under a jacked up car and taking things apart can be dangerous if you are not accustomed to it.
• You may make things worse. If you take things apart and do not put things back together correctly, you can end up escalating your problems.

If you would like more information on any of the services that auto body shop in Hackensack NJ performs, contact Bergen Brookside Auto Body and Towing.

Bergen Brookside Auto Body and Towing
83-85 Zabriskie St.
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-342-8253

Fleet Maintenance Bergen County

How many trucks do you have? Would you consider it a fleet? Well, if your fleet is not leaving the parking lot, then you have nothing more than a junkyard. If you need fleet maintenance in Bergen County, Bergen Brookside Auto Body does repairs on any commercial vehicle. We have over 15,000 sq ft of workspace to repair an entire fleet of tow trucks, 18 wheelers or any type of oversized trucks that need repairs.

Your business depends on your fleet’s ability to to perform. We understand that you need your trucks repaired swiftly and as affordably as possible. For over two decades, our staff has mastered the art of fleet maintenance in Bergen County. Your fleet will be operating in no time.

Now I can tell that you are wondering, “If my truck fleet is broken, how can I get it to your most excellent mechanics?” That is no problem. We offer a 24 hour towing service. Our fleet can tow your fleet back to our garage where they will be repaired immediately. We are Wreckmaster certified.

We specialize in all types of services involving commercial vehicles including:

• Complete collision service
• CCC Pathways and Audatex Solutions estimating
• Trained I-CAR technicians
• DataLiner 9000 Alignment Bench
• Celette M2 Jigs System
• Weelander and Sitill aluminum kit
• Aluminum welder
• DataLiner Galaxy Measuring System
• Snap-on Electric Dent Remover
• Kansas Jack Pull System
• Super-Mig Welder
• Plasma cutter
• Welbilt downdraft painting system
• Glasurit high-quality paint/mixing systems
• Prep station and lamp cure

Our clients know us for our excellent service as a real class-organization. We repair any special vehicle. For more information on fleet maintenance in Bergen County, call 201-342-8253.

Commercial Auto Body in Bergen County

Commercial vehicles are the lifeblood of any company with large transportation needs.  Without these vehicles, production schedules would be backed up, customers would be angry, and profitability would suffer.  It is essential that any interruptions to a normal routine are handled quickly and appropriately.  Bergen Brookside Auto Body understands the importance of keeping your trucks running and offers commercial auto body in Bergen County to help your business.

Bergen Brookside has 25 years of experience in Bergen County commercial auto body and has seen it all.  Personal car maintenance is a challenge too, but our employees are well-trained in handling even more complex projects such as commercial vehicles.  We guarantee the highest level of professionalism and attention to detail with all of the work we do.  We find it is not sufficient for your vehicles to just be fixed for the moment.  It is important to us that the repairs we make mean that you will not need more maintenance in the near future.  A job half-completed is not even worth starting.

Do not waste time and money trying any other solution for your Bergen County commercial auto body needs.  Get your vehicles back out on the road faster and start generating revenue again by trusting in us.  For more information on our commercial auto body services, call Bergen Brookside Auto Body today at 201-342-8253 or send an e-mail to info@bergenbrookside.net to speak with one of our experts.

Towing Service in Paramus, NJ

Think of everything that you need a car for.  Going to work, grocery shopping, picking up the kids, transporting anything, and the list goes on.  Without your vehicle, you would essentially be lost and maybe you have already suffered through this in the past.  Bad weather, a flat tire, or running out of gas are all factors that can leave you stranded on the side of the road.  Losing your car can be rough and that’s why Bergen Brookside Auto Body has a towing service in Paramus, NJ to help you out the next time you run into trouble.

Whether you have been in an accident, are experiencing mechanical trouble, or are stuck somewhere due to rough road conditions, our Paramus, NJ towing service is available 24 hours to assist you.  Our fleet is capable of handling a variety of tasks, thanks to the flat beds, wreckers, service trucks, and landoll transports that we have at our disposal.  For those with AAA coverage, we have an AAA contract and look forward to assisting all of their customers as well.  

Vehicles have a tendency to be very needy and like to test your patience at some of the worst times.  Regular maintenance helps, but you cannot prepare for everything and that is where we come in for the rest.  For more information about our towing service in Paramus, NJ please call Bergen Brookside Auto Body at 201-342-8253.