Blog

The type of mat that you choose for your vehicle may not seem like it is a big deal. However, this is an important decision for you to make. You can select all-weather floor mats or carpet. Each one of these options have their pros and cons. All-weather mats are designed to be used for many years. They are great at repelling water and are resistant to staining. Ice, rain, sleet and snow can easily be cleaned up if you have an all-weather floor mat. However, you do not have many style options to choose from.

 

If you've ever been on a road trip with a pet before, you know this can be a challenging experience. Not only do you have to worry about your own comfort and safety, but the comfort and safety of your pets is also important. We have some tips that we'd like to share with you for your next road trip.

-Make sure your vehicle is equipped for your pets. They may require a large crate for part of the trip, or consider installing a protective gate in your backseat so they can't jump up to the front…

Oversteer and understeer are two of the most common types of car handling problems that drivers may experience. They are often confused with each other because they both present themselves in different ways, but understanding what they really mean can help you diagnose your vehicle's problem more quickly.

Oversteer is when the rear tires lose traction and spin out. This usually happens in a turn when the front wheels have enough grip to cut into the corner, but due to weight or something else, there is not enough grip on the back end

 

A car seat is an important piece of equipment to keep your child safe while traveling in Charlotte, which means that it needs to be installed properly. One of the first things to know is how the seat should face as children up to one year old should be rear-facing while older children should face the front.

You want to use either the anchors on the seat or the belt in the car but not both. If possible, position the equipment in the center of the backseat so that there's space on both sides in the event of an…

Have you ever been driving down the road, and a bicyclist seemingly comes out of nowhere? If it hasn't happened to you yet, drive long enough around Charlotte, and it will. That's why Hendrick MINI wants to focus on bicyclist safety and ensure you stay protected against any potential danger zones.

A drivers' blindspot is very vulnerable to bicyclists. Because of their quickness and flexibility of weaving in and out of traffic, you may not be fully aware they're even around. But they usually see you. Therefore, they are expecting you to act accordingly and doing the…

Roadtrip games that get the whole family involved are fun, but sometimes a few quieter games are necessary or preferred. Not every game has to be a fast-paced and exciting one. Some roadtrip games are more laidback and thought-provoking. Thinking outside the box can provide families with untraditional solutions that are new and exciting.

Checkers is a game that is usually played at a table, but there is no reason it cannot make its appearance on a roadtrip. Some convenient stores or gas stations even have portable versions of this game available. 

 

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards sets the recommendations for car seats. Make sure that you choose a car seat that meets those standards. Many people buy used car seats because they want to save money. However, if you choose to accept a used car seat, then you will need to do so with caution. Never accept a car seat that is more than six-years-old and check the expiration date. You should also avoid buying one that is missing parts. Additionally, you should inspect the car seat for damage.

 

An infotainment system is a vehicle's interactive source of information and entertainment. The word first appeared in 1980 when scientists in the UK broke the monotony of professional conferences with intermittent comedy skits. Today, infotainment systems are widespread, user friendly, convenient and among our Hendrick MINI team's favorite tech features.

Anatomy of the Infotainment System

Late-model infotainment systems adhere to a basic design and format. They are a tiny computer with screen recessed into the dash. They have QNX, Linux or Android operating systems.

 

The tires on your car are designed to hold up under great pressures and stresses, but they can only do so when properly mounted and inflated. The good news is, most tires include detailed visual markings on their sidewalls that give you important information. Many such tires have at least eight different symbols, and these represent various dimensions and capacities.

Examples are the letter "P", "W", and "R". In this example, the "R" would denote tire construction style, the "W" would be speed rating, and the "P" would stand for vehicle style which is a passenger car in this case…

Even if you are shaken up after an accident, you need to take certain steps to get help to the scene and to document it appropriately. Here at Hendrick MINI, we want you to be safe out on the road. That's why we offer these steps to take after you are in a car accident.

Get medical help for anyone who is injured. Call 911 immediately if you find anyone injured. Next, make things as safe as possible. Get cars to the emergency lane if possible. If not, put out flares or reflective triangles to warn oncoming traffic. Anyone…