Monterey Collision & Auto Repair

It’s a little hard to believe that we’ve already started the slide into 2019. Even crazier to think about the electric slide the auto industry is making. While automakers aren’t making much money on their hybrids quite yet, the auto manufacturing industry is investing a lot into this technology because they know it’s the wave of the future. Ford is investing $700 million into it’s Flat Rock, Michigan plant and canceling the plans on the $1.6 billion new plant in Mexico. This will also bring about 700 new jobs in Flat Rock.   By 2020, Ford plans to introduce a hybrid version of the Mustang with power that promises to compare to a V-8. Ford plans to launch a hybrid F-150 (without losing any power from its gas model) and a small SUV alongside the Mustang in 2020 with a plan of introducing another 13 hybrid models over the next five years. In 2021 Ford will debut an autonomous model for the ride-sharing market as well as hybrid pursuit-rated police cars ... read more

We all know that Halloween is a night full of ghosts and goblins and, of course, candy. We also all know that Halloween is a night we should use extra caution while driving through our neighborhoods, but let’s take a moment to refresh. First of all, if you and/or your child/children are walking the streets Halloween night, be on the defensive. You may have the cutest most awesome costume in the world, but especially if it’s a dark color, take a few precautions to ensure you are seen after dark. Whenever possible choose light colors for your costume; apply reflective tape all over (ok...maybe be generous but you don’t have to ruin the effect of the costume); use face paint instead of masks since they tend to limit vision; and carry a flashlight making sure it’s batteries are charged and that it’s actually on. Sometimes Captain Obvious is a good thing. For everyone walking in the dark, these are some good precautions: Stick to neighborhoods with sidewalks ... read more

Some of these are obvious but are still worth mentioning. At Robert’s Auto Collision & Repair we want to help you in any way we can, and if we can save you some money, then that’s what we want to do!  All insurance companies offer discounts. Take the time, no matter how much you don’t want to, to talk to your agent. It has the potential to be time well spent. Shop around. Again… you’re not going to want to, but you’ll be surprised just how different insurance rates can be among the various companies.  Know your numbers. How much coverage do you want? Take the time to ask your agent about the numbers and why you might want to go with these numbers vs. those numbers. How much coverage? Deductibles? Liability? Etc! And don’t carry coverage you don’t need! Do you REALLY need comprehensive coverage on a car that’s worth less than your deductible? Drive safely. Even one ticket can cause your insurance to go up.  C ... read more

Just like a human, sometimes your car gives you signs that things aren’t going so well and it’s time to bring your vehicle into Robert’s Collision & Repair before it gets worse. Sometimes, also like a human, they keep it to themselves and just keep moving along. The later situation is exactly why regular maintenance is so important as it gives our auto mechanics a chance to see what might be creeping up before it turns into a real problem. The following, however, is a short list of the sounds that are telling you to get ‘er done sooner than later. Squealing or grinding noise coming from the brakes. Squealing or screeching can mean a worn pad. When it starts grinding, you’re usually talking about metal on metal… pads are gone. You never want to mess with your brakes. The longer you wait, the more dangerous it becomes to drive, because your brakes are no longer working at maximum capacity. AND the longer you wait for the more it’s going to ... read more

We all love fun facts, don't we? Today, we thought it would be cool to share some fun facts about cars. Fact #1  Did you know that the very first car to hit the road was a Benz? No, really. It was. German Inventor Karl Benz bought that vision to fruition in 1886 (well, the first time it hit the road was New Year’s Eve 1879). It was the first stationary gasoline engine and was a one-cylinder two-stroke unit. One of the first cars designed and built for the masses was our very own Model T manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. Most of us already know that fun fact, but did you know these? Fact #2  The world's record for replacing a car engine is 45 seconds, completed on a Ford Escort in 1985. Hmmm… do think they got it all locked down right?? Fact #3  Cruise control was developed by an annoyed blind man. He was annoyed with his friend, who while they were on horseback, would speed up when listening and slow down when talking. Ralph Teetor wanted co ... read more