Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Archives for February 2011

Clutch Repairs

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If you drive a manual transmission car and the clutch is working smoothly, you have complete control over the gears.  You decide when to shift and which gears to use.  You’re in control and are always aware of which gear you’re in.  But if your clutch is in need of repairs you will most likely feel “out of control”.    The clutch in a car allows the driver to engage the engine, which is constantly spinning, with a transmission that isn’t and do it, smoothly.  This isn’t what happens if your vehicle is in need of clutch repairs.   Clutch Repair

Clutch problems can occur at almost any mileage and for a wide variety of reasons.  Stop- and- go city driving with lots of shifting is always harder on the clutch than open highway driving.  One of the most common problems is slipping.  When a clutch starts to slip, you’ll notice it more when the engine is under load, like accelerating to pass another vehicle, driving up a hill or towing a trailer.  The more the clutch slips, the hotter it gets and the more it wears.  We also need to make sure we don’t ride the clutch when we drive.  Slipping the clutch excessively when starting out or when creeping along in traffic causes the clutch to get too hot and if it isn’t given a chance to cool, it can cause damage to the clutch and other parts as well.  If the clutch is slipping, you may notice a burning smell.  This is also a sign that the clutch is getting too hot.

Another problem is chattering.  This is a jerking and grabbing action that happens when the clutch is engaged.  Chattering can also be caused by burned linings or a warped flywheel so if you have these symptoms it’s best to get your vehicle into a trusted repair shop and have it checked out.

If your vehicle needs clutch repairs you will notice problems when you’re shifting.  A damaged clutch won’t engage smoothly and might shake a little bit when you put it in gear.  But there are several other problems that can be mistaken for a clutch problem, like a bad pressure plate, slave cylinder, clutch cylinder or throw-out bearing, so your best option might be to see a trusted mechanic to help you determine your best course of action.

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

Oil Pressure Light

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Oil Pressure LightQuestion from Reader: What causes the oil pressure light to appear when I stop?  I checked the dipstick, it’s okay and I still have another thousand miles before I’m due for an oil change.

Dear Reader: The oil pressure light in your vehicle is a warning system to alert you of low oil pressure.  This can be caused by a low oil level or something more serious.  Since you’ve checked the oil level and it appears to be fine, what could be happening when you come to a stop and the engine drops to an idle is that the oil pump, which is powered by the engine, is slowing and not pumping enough oil to keep the oil pressure up.  If the oil pump is worn or  isn’t working correctly the oil pressure light will appear.

Low oil pressure may also be caused by debris that gets sucked into the oil pump.  The oil pump is the only engine component that is continually lubed with unfiltered oil.  The oil doesn’t pass through a filter until after it leaves the pump, so any abrasive debris can pass through the pump before it is trapped by the filter.  This debris can restrict the flow of oil and reduce oil pressure.

A plugged oil filter can be another cause of low oil pressure.  When the oil leaves the pump, it passes through the filter before going on to the bearings.  All filters create a certain amount of resistance to flow but if the filter becomes clogged with debris, oil flow will be blocked which will cause damage to your engine.

The oil pressure light may also appear if the engine is leaking oil from its gaskets or seals.  There are quite a few things that could be wrong when the oil light appears.  These could be simple and minor repairs or more serious repairs that could damage your engine if they are ignored.   So have a trusted mechanic or auto repair technician check it out right away.

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

The Importance of Finding a Family Owned Auto Repair Shop

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Car repairs can drive you crazy, and the thought of the cost can make your stomach swell with butterflies.  The first question that enters your mind is, “can I trust this shop to do right by me?”  If the answer is “no” then you need some tips on how to find the right repair shop for your needs.

Start by asking family or friends where they take their cars for repair and what their experience was like.  You will probably discover that the majority of them used a family owned local shop because they can trust the advice – the owner is there and has to build up his reputation.     The Importance of Finding a Family Owned Auto Repair Shop

Dealerships or franchise repair shops may be locally owned but they have a corporate bottom line that a family owned shop does not.  The family owned shop has a vested interest in the community it operates in, their professional reputation depends on providing fair quotes and repairs that are done right the first time and are more likely to happen than with a dealer ship or franchise operated business.

The local mechanic is more familiar with his customer base, the types of cars his customers drive and he has the ability and interest in developing a relationship with each individual he comes in contact with.  He is also more apt to be honest about whether a particular repair is necessary or if it can be done at all.  He is not likely to risk his business or reputation doing unnecessary repairs just to make a dollar.  Word of mouth carries a great deal of weight and it doesn’t take but one unhappy customer to damage a business.

Using a family owned repair shop allows both the business and customer to develop a sense of trust that is hard to find these days.  If something is not repaired correctly, on time, and in accordance with the original cost quote, your redress would not include having to deal with a corporate structure that can be confusing and irritating.  You can have a face to face with a family owned repair shop and come to a mutually satisfactory resolution and still be friends.

Changing Serpentine Belt

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Have you ever gone in for a routine oil change and the technician has recommended changing the serpentine belt?  What was your reply?  Did you decline the service with the idea that they were just trying to make more money?  If your trusted technician recommends changing the serpentine belt, you might want to do it and save yourself a lot of trouble later.

First of all, exactly what is a serpentine belt?  The serpentine belt is what powers the alternator, water pump, power steering, and air conditioning.  Making sure your serpentine belt is in good condition and working correctly is essential in keeping your vehicle moving.  A single belt, winding its way through a maze of pulleys drives  every single engine accessory at the same time.  This belt has a lot of responsibility.  Changing Serpentine BeltEvery time the  belt passes around a pulley, it bends and flexes.  This produces heat which causes the rubber to harden over time.  The wear process can be greatly accelerated if the belt is loose or slips because any added friction makes the belt run even hotter.  If you want to lengthen the life of the serpentine belt it is important to make sure it is properly tensioned and that the proper tension is maintained throughout its service life.  Some signs that the tension isn’t correct can be a squealing belt, severe cracking on the belt, or a battery that keeps running down because of a slipping belt.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or if your technician recommended changing your serpentine belt the last time you visited him, it’s time for a change.  Don’t take the chance it won’t break on you, because when it snaps, all drive power is lost.  The water pump quits circulating coolant through the engine, the alternator quits producing amps, the power steering pump stops assisting steering and the air conditioner quits cooling.  We don’t want you to suffer the same consequences one of our customers did.  They were told their serpentine belt had a lot of cracks and needed to be changed.  They didn’t want to spend the $90 to $120 dollars that it costs to change the belt and left without the service.  Two days later their car was being towed into our shop and their costs were now much more than the cost of changing the serpentine belt because of the collateral damage the broken belt had caused!  Don’t let this happen to you!  Make that initial investment that will end up saving you money down the road.

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks