Denver Express Car Care

How The Colorado Climate Impacts Your Car Battery

August 4, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

If you’ve ever been stranded because of a dead car battery, you know it’s not a lot of fun.

What causes it?

Age is only one factor that determines how well the battery will operate. What you might not have considered before is how the Colorado climate impacts your car battery.

Think of all Colorado weather can dish out. Just recently, Denver broke a 145-year-old record as temperatures climbed above 100 degrees for the fifth time this year. But warmth isn’t the only thing Front Range residents experience. Looking back through history, temperatures have dropped down as low as 29 degrees below zero.

Think these wild and crazy temperatures don’t impact the performance of your car battery? Think again.

Yet which is worse: heat or cold? Which climate impacts your car battery more?

What hot weather does to a car battery

While most people assume cold weather has the most impact on the performance of a car battery, summertime temperatures can wreak havoc too. That’s because high temperatures weaken the battery because of heat.

As temperatures climb, if you were to reach under the hood and record how hot it is, you would find it rises as high as 140 degrees or higher. Under that amount of extreme heat, battery fluid starts to evaporate, which can damage the internal structure of the battery.

Extreme temperature can also cause the voltage regulator and other charging components to malfunction, ultimately overcharging the battery system. This slows function and ultimately means the battery fails faster than its stated life.

Heat can also build inside and allow the lead plates inside the battery to corrode. Corrosion leads to deterioration, and ultimately failure.

What cold weather does to a car battery

How The Colorado Climate Impacts Your Car Battery

While car batteries can die at any time, with or without extreme temperatures, as winter moves in and the temperatures continue to dive, it can break down the internal components of a battery.

Car batteries aren’t something you replace like motor oil. Instead, car batteries can last three to seven years. That means a car battery will experience heat buildup during summer months, only to turn around and face freezing conditions in the winter. That cyclical beating can take its toll.

Cold weather can reduce the capacity of the battery by as much as 20 percent as temperatures drop to freezing, and as much as 50 percent when we start setting record lows. This reduction in capacity lowers battery output, which weakens the process of starting the car.

Cold temperatures also cause motor oil to thicken and solidify, making it harder for the engine to turn over. That forces the battery to work even harder, even though capacity is struggling for power.

A battery doesn’t power your vehicle. Instead, it’s used as a charge to turn the engine over, and provides power to the accessories like car windows and radio. As you drive your car, it recharges the battery, so it’s ready for your next outing. In cold weather, this recharging process slows down. That means you’ll have to drive further to accomplish the same recharge process. If you only head out on short errands, it might not be enough to keep the battery working efficiently.

The coldest days are also the shortest days. Cold brings out dreary weather, cloudy skies, and sunrise and sunset to shorten considerably. That means you’ll use things like headlights, windshield wipers, and heater functions more than ever. This increases the battery load at a time where the recharge rate is reduced too.

How to keep your car battery healthy all year long

Car batteries are not something you have to maintain; they simply need to be replaced every three to seven years. While you will find some batteries that have a water level indicator, allowing you to see the battery’s water level, most are sealed.

Still, it’s worth your time to pop the hood from time to time and check out the condition of your battery. Make sure that the battery and its posts are clean and free from dirt and engine grease. Dirt and grease act as a conductor, meaning they’ll lower battery power.

You’ll also want to ensure there isn’t corrosion anywhere on or near the battery. Battery corrosion often takes on a blueish tint. If enough corrosion builds up, it acts as an insulator, which prevents current flow in your battery.

To reduce the chances of impact from extreme temperatures, pay attention to where you park. If possible, park in a garage. Look for spots that are shaded by trees or buildings. This keeps the effect of sunlight to a minimum.

How to know if your car battery is weak

In the same way that the human body breaks down in record-setting temperatures, you’ll notice similar impact on your vehicle. High temperatures make us more susceptible to dehydration; the heat dries us out. Inside a battery, the liquid can evaporate as it experiences high heat, especially for long periods of time. This weakens the battery’s charge, and speeds up deterioration.

This isn’t an overnight process. Just like other systems on your vehicle, your car battery will give off warning signs as it starts to fail.

As you start your car, listen to the engine cranking over. Does it take longer to start?
The check engine or battery light may illuminate for short periods.
If you have a battery with a water-level indicator, this fluid level will be low.
The battery case may appear bloated or swollen.
The battery posts have corrosion.
You start to notice accessories like headlights appear dim and aren’t working at top levels.
Your battery is three years old or older.

Just because your battery stated a specific life span, doesn’t mean you’ll see it. It depends on driving conditions too. As you near the three-year mark, it often makes sense just to replace the battery if you start to notice any of the above symptoms frequently.

Wonder if Colorado’s climate is impacting the way your car battery performs? Bring it in. We can check your battery and determine if it’s still functioning correctly, making it a solid and dependable part of your vehicle. If it needs replacing, we can help there too.

Don’t get stranded – check your battery instead.

Is It Bad For My Car If I Run Out Of Gas?

July 28, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

There are two types of drivers in the world: the ones that prefer to fill up the gas tank the moment their vehicle’s gas gauge nudges towards a quarter tank, and the ones who prefer to push the limit and drive it down as close to empty as possible.

Running out of gas is never fun. Depending on your current destination, it can leave you stranded in compromising places. It can make you late, and even put you in danger.

If you have a running out of gas story, chances are you remember the details of what happened. But have you stopped to think about your car? What goes on underneath the hood when there’s no more gas to feed the system? Does it hurt the engine? How about the other mechanics?

Today’s vehicles are finely tuned pieces of equipment with specific parts that help push fuel to the engine. If fuel no longer exists within the system, these components can quickly break down.

Where the process starts

You might assume that from the moment the gas tank empties, the car screeches to a halt and no longer works. It doesn’t work that way.

Instead, traces of gasoline continue to feed the system. The car will start showing signs that gas is no longer running through the system in the expected quantities. It may have power surges, engine sputtering, or even engine backfire. And in between it all, you’ll also notice a loss of power. This is your cue to get to safety. Pull to the right and get to safety as quickly as possible.

This process may be further complicated by the fact that your hydraulic power to your brakes and steering systems start failing as well. It won’t completely take away your steering or brakes, but you’ll certainly notice a difference. It will require additional effort on your part. If you have electric power steering, it will continue to function from the car’s battery, so you’ll have more control and power over other types of vehicles.

What goes on underneath the hood

If you start to notice the difference, you can only imagine what’s going on with the mechanics of your vehicle.

Is It Bad For My Car If I Run Out Of Gas?

A car is designed for safety. It will do everything it can to keep you safe. When your car runs out of gas, the engine ceases to work. The loss of power will cause hydraulic assist to help with steering and brakes for a short time to get you to safety. It won’t cause damage to those components. But without gas flowing through the system, it can cause extensive damage quickly that surfaces as costly repairs.

Why?

Because running out of gas damages the fuel delivery system. Today’s vehicles are intricately designed to work together, fed by electronics and technology to ensure every piece is efficient as possible. Today’s modern cars are equipped with an electronic fuel pump that resides in the gas tank. That fuel pump stays in good working condition by using the gas to both keep the tank cool and provide proper lubrication. If no gas exists, there isn’t anything left to perform this function. With a minimal amount of gas in the tank, the fuel pump is very likely to overheat and fail.

That in itself can be a very costly repair. But it gets worse.

As this process occurs, the fuel pump is, in essence, self-destructing. As it’s trying to perform its function and can’t, it can shed a variety of debris that makes its way into the fuel system. That spreads the possibility of destruction.

The problems that occur when you run out of gas

Your fuel pump is only the beginning of where the damage can occur. Most car manufacturers today recommend filling up your gas tank at a quarter tank. Never let it go much lower to help keep an adequate supply of gasoline in the system to do its job. It’ll make your fuel pump last longer, and will ensure all working parts are well lubricated.

But as gas runs lower, the fuel pump starts running into problems, followed by other possible conditions.

The fuel injectors may also be impacted. Over time, debris and other impurities can create sediment that falls to the bottom of the gas tank. It’s the fuel filter’s job to filter this all out to prevent it from moving further into the engine. But when the fuel level drops too low, the impurities can make their way into the fuel lines, clogging the fuel injectors, which are tiny nozzles that spray gas into the engine.

Like the fuel pump, the fuel injectors may not display symptoms right away. If your car won’t start after running out of gas previously, it’s usually a problem with either the fuel pump or fuel injectors.

To start your car after running out of gas, don’t turn the key and crank the engine right away. After refilling the gas tank, turn the key to “on” without cranking the engine. Then turn it back off. Do this a few times to help prime the fuel pump with plenty of gasoline before you crank the engine. This helps remove any air that has entered the fuel lines as a result of being without gasoline.

If this doesn’t work, it’s time to let a mechanic check out the entire system. A qualified technician can ensure fuel injectors are properly working, and help restore power to your engine.

What to do when your car runs out of gas

Prevention is everything when it comes to keeping your car in good working condition. Pay attention to the gas gauge. As it nears a quarter tank, make plans to stop at the nearest fuel station to add gasoline back into the tank.

Yet if you do find yourself running out of gas, first and foremost is to stay calm. Find a safe place to pull over where you aren’t putting yourself or others at risk. If possible, exit the highway and find an open area or parking lot to stay free of traffic.

Turn on your hazard lights. This will help warn other drivers that your car is temporarily a hazard to driving, and will help warn them to stay clear. This is especially important if you are near traffic and you could become a problem.

Call for help. This is what roadside assistance is made for. You can rely on friends and family too if they are nearby.

Then have your car inspected to ensure there is no damage. Fixing minor problems early will ensure they don’t escalate and turn into larger problems.

Have Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems? Here’s How To Maintain Them

July 24, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Just a few years ago, the thought of having a car do the work for you was still more hopeful than reality. That didn’t stop sci-fi movies from showing us what would be possible. Flying cars. Cars that drive themselves. Cars that did everything for you.

While we might not be able to kick back in the backseat and get work done on the way to our jobs, we have come a long way with technology. Today’s car manufacturers are competing, trying to be first to market with all kinds of modern tools that make driving safer and easier.

Most new cars come equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). They add to the complexity of how your car runs, and more importantly, to the ongoing maintenance of your vehicle.

What is ADAS?

ADAS – advanced driver-assistance systems – are technological features designed to increase safety and drivability of your vehicle. When properly designed, these systems are installed to work together with the driver to improve functionality, and increase the ability to react to dangers on the road.

Safety is key. ADAS is designed to provide warnings of potential dangers, automate portions of certain aspects of driving, and give drivers ample time to react and safely gain control over the vehicle.

Some are built standard into a vehicle in production, while others are added aftermarket, allowing consumers to personalize based on their preferences and needs.

How does ADAS work?

ADAS is the result of years – decades -of safety improvements. Over time, manufacturers have created things like three-point seatbelts, shatterproof glass, airbags, and more to make the driving experience safer, minimize injury, and reduce risk for all on the road. ADAS takes it a step farther by using three advanced technologies to keep a car safe as it moves about.

Have Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems? Here’s How To Maintain Them

Ultrasound tracks the immediate space around the vehicle.
Cameras provide surround view and offer things like park assist.
Radar, sensors, lidar, and other technology, can physically respond faster than a driver, creating warning systems that potentially alert dangers.

Some of the most common ADAS applications include:

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) – allowing you to maintain your speed on long stretches of road.
Adaptive light control – adapts the exterior lights to the conditions of the road.
Automatic parking – uses sensors and cameras to avoid blind spots when parking.
Navigation system – provides on-screen instructions and prompts to help you follow directions on your route.
Night vision – helps you see things that might otherwise be difficult to see. Uses both infrared and thermal energy to help you avoid animals, cars, and other objects.
Automatic emergency braking – helps you avoid danger by breaking as necessary.
Driver drowsiness detection – uses sensors to detect driver’s attention and alerts using warning signals as necessary.

Does your car have ADAS?

ADAS is not the same as having autonomous driving. Many cars today have a variety of features, including advanced driver-assistance systems. If you’re not sure what ADAS your car comes equipped with, there are a few ways to check.

Start with your owner’s manual. It might be collecting dust in your glove compartment, yet this guide is one of the most important indicators that came with your car. It can guide you to all kinds of information, including knowing what systems you have, and how to take care of them throughout the life of the vehicle.

Walk around your vehicle. Sometimes you can tell what ADAS systems you have simply by walking around your car. Check places like the tailgate, the side mirrors, rearview mirror, and front bumper. Do you see tiny cameras? That’s a sign of an ADAS system.

Talk with your mechanic. The next time you drop off your car, talk about which systems you have in place. We can help point them out, and provide you with proper maintenance schedules for them.

Scheduling a vehicle alignment

As a driver, you’re probably familiar with alignments. A wheel alignment is a computerized process that calibrates and aligns all four wheels to ensure it drives straight. Often, these aren’t noticeable adjustments. Instead, technicians use sensitive equipment to ensure each wheel angle is adjusted to match manufacturer’s specifications. If you continue to drive with improper alignment, it can wear your tires faster, and also decrease overall safety while you drive. If you want to prolong the life of your vehicle, getting proper maintenance ensures everything is working correctly.

While wheel alignment is performed using computerized equipment, ADAS alignment moves to another level. It requires specialized equipment and a fully trained technician to ensure proper ADAS alignment. Since ADAS uses technology to control things like brakes, cruise control, and steering, it also requires a special alignment process called a Safety Systems Alignment.

A Safety Systems Alignment adjusts the angles of the tire, calibrates the ADAS cameras, sensors, and radar system that help control the technological systems and components. If they aren’t in proper alignment, they cannot function properly, putting you at risk. For example, if the rear camera system is out of sync, it can’t track your wheel angle to help you reverse.

This isn’t something just anyone can do. It requires state of the art equipment, a highly skilled technician, and additional time to ensure your vehicle is up to par with your vehicle’s manufacturer’s guidelines.

Do you need a Safety Systems Alignment?

When your wheels are out of alignment, several warning signals appear to alert you to potential problems. You might notice your car drifts to one side or the other as you drive straight. Or your steering wheel is crooked while going straight.

That’s not always possible with ADAS. Your vehicle’s wheels may be in alignment, but with one of the ADAS features not working, it can steer you into a dangerous situation.

The best way to ensure your ADAS is working correctly is with regular maintenance. Just like you get frequent oil changes, or rotate the tires every few thousand miles, a check-up to ensure your ADAS is working correctly will ensure the safety of you and your passengers.

Short Distance Driving? Here’s How It Affects Your Car

July 21, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

How much do you drive each day?

Lots of people create a lifestyle where they don’t spend a lot of time in their vehicles. They live close to work. They walk. They work from home.

Driving means taking the car to the grocery store … just a few miles away. Or maybe to pick up the kids from school … a few miles away.

According to the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the average person drives around 13,500 miles per year, which equates to just over 1,000 miles per month.

Yet you know in your heart even that’s high. You just don’t drive.

What does that do to your vehicle? Should you still follow maintenance guidelines according to mileage, even if it’ll take you many years to reach what manufacturers suggest?

Let’s start with your warranty

If you have a newer car that’s still under warranty, you’re stuck with following the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure your car maintains the suggested servicing schedule. You’ll void the warranty if you don’t. Pay attention to that as you purchase a vehicle, as some spell out maintenance schedules using different guidelines.

If you aren’t sure, now is the time to pull out your owner’s manual and read all about it.

Once your vehicle is out of warranty, then you can start to develop your own service routine depending on the type of driving you do. Keep in mind that it’s still important to bring your car in for service periodically. A vehicle left sitting unused can wear out parts in different ways. Rubber can harden. Oil can go bad. Parts can deteriorate simply by not being put into use.

Short Distance Driving? Here’s How It Affects Your Car

Instead of waiting for something to happen, it’s better to find a trusted resource who can help you monitor your vehicle and help you decide the right maintenance routine for you. Going with an independent mechanic can provide you with a trusted resource whose goal is to help you maintain your vehicle. Dealers are notorious for pushing you into service you don’t need, upgrading to new vehicles every chance they get. A reputable independent mechanic wants to increase the lifespan of your current vehicle, and to help ensure it does so without causing problems while you’re on the road.

Short distance driving damages engine oil

If you were to pop the hood on your vehicle and take a look underneath, you would find the engine is made from a variety of metal parts. Metal expands every time the temperature increases. An engine is created by piecing together a crankshaft, valves, pistons, con-rods, rings, cams – parts put together carefully to meet certain guidelines that are adhered to in a variety of conditions. They’re calibrated to ensure they work together to keep your vehicle operating smoothly, no matter what conditions it faces.

Motor oil is a thick, slow-moving flow designed for lubrication. It flows throughout the system every time your vehicle is put into operation. As the engine heats, this oil becomes less dense, which allows it to flow freely throughout and lubricate the internal components to keep them operating efficiently.

When these engine parts are cold, they don’t operate right. There isn’t enough lubrication to give each part the clearance necessary to work to the best of its ability. It takes time for the motor oil to warm, flow freely throughout the system, properly lubricate the entire system, and allow the engine to work to the best of its ability.

Additionally, motor oil also uses this generated heat to rid itself of moisture and other byproducts. If your vehicle rarely reaches the desired temperatures, these contaminants aren’t removed, meaning the motor oil increasingly has the potential to compromise the integrity of your vehicle as well as overall performance.

Short distance driving damages battery life

The biggest boost of energy comes from starting up your vehicle. When you turn the key (or press the button), it creates high demand from your battery.

As you drive, the alternator recharges the battery, so it’s ready for action the next time you start up your car. When you take short trips, the alternator doesn’t have a chance to fully recharge the battery, weakening the overall effectiveness with every trip.

Much like your engine needs time to warm up and reach its optimal operating temperature, so does the alternator. If the battery isn’t recharged properly, it pushes rapid depletion into motion, meaning your battery life decreases with every short trip.

Weak batteries can impact how well your vehicle starts up each time you turn the key. But it impacts other items on your car as well. The battery also operates your vehicle’s accessory, which means your headlamps might not be as bright, or your heated seats might be impacted.

Wear dates

Manufacturers list wear dates because many drivers use that as a gauge for maintenance and repair. And if you drive average distances or more each year, these guidelines are a good indication of things to watch for as you drive.

Yet if you’re a short distance driver, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security just because your car rarely leaves its parking spot. Parts wear down whether they are constantly in use or not. They just wear down differently.

No matter how much you drive each year, it’s important to create a maintenance schedule and stick with it.

Work with a trusted mechanic to ensure your vehicle is well maintained, has fresh oil on a rotating basis, and parts are well cared for no matter how much action they see during a year.

We can help you keep your car in good working condition, no matter how much you drive.

Mountain Driving – Why There’s a Burning Smell Coming From Your Brakes

July 17, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Colorado driving brings all kinds of challenges to drivers. Here in Denver, you’ll deal with ice, snow, heatwaves, flooded roads, and sudden drops in temperatures that can have you turning on your air conditioner and heater all in one day.

One of the greatest challenges comes from mountain driving. You may start out at home in a relatively flat location. Hop on the highway, and in just a couple of hours, you can be climbing thousands of feet, change from dry roads to snow-packed highways, and you’re left navigating it all.

Whether you’re new to Colorado driving, or have been here for decades, it takes some getting used to.

A big challenge comes from navigating up and down the mountain. It takes a lot of power getting up some of those hills. It also takes a lot of power to keep your car under control as you drive down. If you’re driving and you suddenly notice a burning smell from your brakes, what does it mean? You know it’s not good,

Anytime you smell a burning smell while you’re driving, it’s not good. Of course, it can mean different things. Any change in your vehicle should be brought to a mechanic’s attention as soon as possible to ensure it’s not a serious problem.

What could a burning smell from the brakes mean?

When you smell a burning smell coming from your brakes, it can mean a variety of things, depending on what you’re doing at the time you notice it.

Mountain Driving - Why There’s a Burning Smell Coming From Your Brakes

New brakes

If you’ve just picked up your car where new brakes have been installed, it can be a little disheartening when you notice a burning smell as you tap on the brakes just a few miles from the shop. In this case, the burning smell isn’t a bad thing at all. A slight burning smell coming from new brakes is harmless, meaning the resin coating built into the brake pad is coming off, and the brakes are settling into use. Consider this the break-in period to allow your brake pads to adjust to your vehicle.

Different brands and types will have a different break-in period. Some might not smell at all, while others have a noticeable odor for an extended period of time. If you’re not sure, give us a call. We can assure you everything will be alright, or if we feel there may be a problem, we’ll recommend you return so we can check everything out.

Your parking brake may be engaged

We’ve been taught that the parking brake is just for parking, but it actually has a lot more uses than that. The parking brake is part of your overall braking system. When engaged, it presses against the rear brakes with less force than the regular braking pads. It’s a secondary system that was designed as a safety feature in case the braking system failed, yet today it’s primarily used to keep a vehicle in place while parked, especially if you’re on a steep incline.

To engage a parking brake, you usually have one of four types of parking brakes.

Stick lever – this can be located on the steering column of older models
Center lever – located between the two front seats
Foot pedal – located to the left of the other pedals
Push button – located on the console on newer vehicles

Manufacturers suggest using the parking brake as a safety precaution every time you stop. If you follow these guidelines, sometimes the parking brake feature might not disengage all the way when you release it before you start driving again. If so, this brake function is pressing against the rear brakes, and can cause a slight burning smell.

Do you notice other problems? Do you hear a squealing or grinding noise? Are you having trouble accelerating? All can point to a problem with the parking brake releasing.

Brakes are overheating

When you press down on your brake pedal, it engages the brake pads against the rotors, working hard to bring your wheels to a stop. This friction can produce a lot of heat in a short period of time. Aggressive or frequent braking can continually build heat rather than giving the braking system a chance to cool and dissipate some of the heat it’s generated as you drive. Eventually, this can cause the entire system to overheat.

Now think about what happens when coming home from a day in the mountains. It’s miles of road at steep grades bringing you safely down thousands of feet at a rapid pace. Tapping the brakes to slow, over and over again, continues the process of allowing the brakes to generate heat. Especially as you’re navigating a long line of traffic heading in the same direction.

In today’s world, most of us no longer use manual transmissions to get where we’re going. We rely on automatic transmissions to do the work for us. Yet even if you drive an automatic, have you noticed a “2” and “1” on your automatic gear shift? It’s built for these conditions.

Instead of leaving your gears engaged for everyday forward driving, by shifting down to a lower gear, it will take the effort of slowing your vehicle off your braking system, and put it on the power of the engine instead.

If you’re traveling under 50 mph, you can shift into 2nd gear on the fly, meaning you don’t have to pull over. You’ll hear the engine downshift, and the vehicle will begin to safely slow on its own. You need to use the brakes should be significantly reduced.

For an exceptionally steep hill, you can further reduce your speed by moving it into 1st gear – as long as you’re traveling 30 mph or less.

Then eventually move it back into automatic when the steep incline is gone.

Do you notice a burning smell coming from your brakes? Try one of these three techniques and keep a watchful eye out to see if further problems develop. If they do, we’re only a phone call away. Schedule your appointment today, and we’ll ensure your brakes will keep you safe for as long as you own your vehicle.

What a Shaking Steering Wheel Means

July 14, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Shake, rattle, and roll. Throw in a catchy beat, and you have the makings of a great song.

But if you start feeling your steering wheel shaking while you drive, that can be the start of something you won’t be singing about for very long.

A shaking steering wheel is a symptom of a bigger problem. From bad tires to worn out brakes, there are a variety of issues that could be causing your steering wheel to shake. If you feel shaking, start noticing when it occurs. That can help lead to where the problem lies.

Tires out of balance

One of the most common reasons that might start your steering wheel shaking starts with your tires. They may be out of alignment or out of balance, which sends shaking through your vehicle and into your steering wheel.

If your tires are out of balance, you won’t notice this as you’re pulling out of the driveway, or moving at low speeds due to traffic. But as you pick up speed, the shaking will increase. That’s because tires out of balance start becoming a bigger problem the faster you drive. Slow down, and it goes away.

The first thing to check is a visual inspection of all four tires. Are they properly inflated? Is one of them flat? Your car is designed to operate with all four tires evenly connected to the road as you drive. If one of them has lower air pressure than the others, it can throw the balance of your car off.

If all tires are inflated correctly, the next thing to check is the tread on the tires. In order to keep the tread even on all four tires, it’s important to get them rotated periodically throughout the year. You can have this done at the same time as an oil change. This will ensure even wear for the life of your tires. It also keeps your car evenly connected to the road, meaning a smoother, safer drive for you.

If the problem persists, it’s time to look at other potential problems.

Worn brake pads

Have you noticed that your steering wheel shakes only after you press down on the brake pedal? It might be a sign of worn brake pads.

As you apply the brake pedal, a caliper applies pressure to the brake pad, which in turn connects with the rotor to slow you down. This slows you down until ultimately, you come to a stop. If anything happens during this process, you might feel a shake coming through the steering wheel.

If it’s your brake pads, it’s usually because they are old, work, or dirty and can no longer grip the rotor effectively to bring your vehicle to a stop. The brake pad connects unevenly, which causes the skipping movement which vibrates up into your steering wheel.

Calipers are designed to last. The problem usually stems from the brake pads, which have to be replaced on average about every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. It can also be from the brake rotors, which may need replacing every 70,000 or so miles. This depends on your driving conditions, how you drive, the weight of your vehicle, among other things.

Suspension

The suspension can also be a common occurrence for a shaking steering wheel. This is especially true with vehicles that aren’t properly maintained, and haven’t been closely evaluated by a mechanic over time. That’s because suspension problems rarely surface overnight. Instead, they develop slowly over time.

What can cause it? It might be a loose tie rod, or a ball joint that wiggles out of position. It might start with an odd, subtle noise, one you put off because you don’t notice changes right away in the way your car operates. This is also why it’s important to pay attention to any changes in the way your vehicle operates, and provide any noticeable differences to the mechanic in charge of working on your car. It can lead to pinpointing a problem that might not have surfaced without it.

Dry guide pins

Guide pins are part of the brake calipers. Over time, they can slow down from dirt and lack of lubrication. To keep them performing well, they need to be periodically cleaned and lubricated or they become dry and corroded. This means they don’t apply the correct pressure as you press down on the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pad to connect with the rotor at the wrong angle. And when that happens, it produces a vibrating steering wheel.

This is detailed work. A trusted mechanic will inspect the entire brake system, including the caliper housing to ensure it’s handling the lubricant correctly throughout the process. If a problem exists, correcting it early will ensure parts don’t wear down before their time.

Do you have a shaking steering wheel?

Once you notice even a slight shake, it’s hard to ignore it. Don’t. Even a slight shake from time to time is a warning sign of future problems.

Do a search online and you’ll find all kinds of horror stories about faulty equipment. In almost every case, horror stories are caused by people who ignored the warning signals.

Even a tiny shake is trying to alert you to a problem. Take note of the details and bring it in. We can properly diagnose it, find the origination point of the problem, and fix it before it has a chance to grow.

The best course of action will depend on the specific problem. But if you catch it early, you’ll reduce the chances of having an expensive problem that moves to different locations throughout your vehicle.

While every part of your vehicle is important in helping to keep you safe and secure, any indication of a problem with your braking system should be checked immediately. If a problem threatens the longevity or safety of your car, fix it early to ensure you’re back on the road safely again.

Just in time to turn up the radio and start singing your favorite tunes once again.

Here’s What Can Happen If You Drive With Worn Brakes

July 10, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

What’s one of the most important systems on your vehicle? While it’s easy to make a case for several, moving the brake system towards the top of the list is apparent. Imagine sailing down the highway after a day of skiing, only to find your brakes no longer work. That would be a scary experience at best.

Yet a lot can happen to the brake system between being brand new and complete failure. Worn brakes occur after a lot of miles put on your car. It happens over time. And as the miles add up, your brakes deteriorate, they don’t work quite the way they do when they were new.

They also start providing telltale signs they are wearing down. Notice the warning signs and you can fix your brakes long before they present you with a problem.

Understanding the brake system

Before we get into the many ways you’ll start to notice worn brakes, it’s important to understand how a car’s brake system works.

If you’ve ever ridden a bicycle, you have a basic understanding of how a brake system works. A bike has two wheels, with a brake attached to both. To control the speed, you press down on a hand brake, which applies pressure to each wheel and slows it down. The harder you push, the more force is used until eventually, the bike comes to a complete stop.

The same applies to a vehicle, using four wheels instead. Cars have brakes on all four wheels, which is operated through a hydraulic system to make it easy to stop without a lot of work on your part.

Here’s What Can Happen If You Drive With Worn Brakes

When your foot pushes down on the brake pedal, hydraulic force is sent into the system to start the braking process. A piston moves into a cylinder and squeezes hydraulic fluid into the braking system. It moves through a series of brake lines and hoses to lubricate and produce a reaction. Pressure is transmitted to all four brake lines, which forces friction between the brake rotors and brake pads. As this pressure continues, it slows the vehicle until it eventually comes to a full stop.

If any piece of this process starts to wear, it impacts the drive of your car.

Of course, some are more noticeable than others. What can happen if you continue to drive with worn brakes?

You can experience unpleasant sounds and smells

There’s no ignoring worn brakes. That’s by design. One of the most common repairs within the brake system is to replace worn out brake pads. Manufacturers design brake pads with a warning signal built in. As you get towards the end of the brake pad, metal is revealed which, when it connects with the brake rotor, will create a loud squealing sound.

You might also notice a burning smell. If your brakes are new, that burning smell might simply be the resin used in production burning away as the brakes settle in. But if you’ve been driving for a while and you start to notice a burning smell, it can be from other complications. Brake fluid leaking can settle onto the brake pads, and when it’s heated from the friction of stopping, it can produce a burning smell. This is where it pays to know your car well.

You can feel your car vibrate as you brake

When your vehicle is working properly, every process works smoothly. When you tap on the brakes, your vehicle slows until eventually coming to a stop.

But when your brake pads have excessive wear or are damaged in any way, they don’t make a solid connection with the rotors. And without a solid connection, it can trigger an on-off connection, meaning you’ll feel a vibration as it works its way up through the system.

If the car shakes or you feel vibrations through the steering wheel as you apply the brakes, and it stops as you take your foot back off the brake pedal, there’s a good chance it’s time to have your brakes serviced.

You notice it takes longer for your car to come to a complete stop

Remember when your brakes were new? You tapped on the brake pedal and it felt like your car could stop on a dime?

Over the years, you have to apply more pressure to get the same reaction. It’s essential to pay attention to response time. How much give is there as you press on the brake pedal? Do you feel your vehicle slowing with a tap, or are you having to press it all the way down?

If you don’t have as much control through pushing on the brake pedal, it can slow your reaction time, putting you in more danger. If they don’t engage or disengage, the pads aren’t gripping properly or uniformly, which impacts how well you control your car. This can put you in a variety of dangerous positions, especially if you add inclement weather into the mix too.

You notice your tires wearing down

Your tires are one of the most important parts of the brake system. They are what connects your vehicle to the road. Without the proper tire pressure and tread levels, they won’t have gripping power. And that can mean putting you at risk as you drive.

You can do a few things to check your tires. Check the tire pressure at least once a month, more as we move through heatwaves and cold spells. If your car doesn’t have a tire pressure gauge built in, you can check it regularly at your local service station.

You should also do a visual test regularly. Before getting in and driving away, walk around your vehicle and inspect your tires. Is one flatter than the others? Do you see any signs of damage? The faster you take action on potential problems, the better chance you have of fixing it before it needs full replacement.

Keep an eye on tread levels as well. You can do this easily with a penny test. Place a penny with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you into the tread of the shallowest part of the tire. If you can see the top of his head, your tires have worn down and need to be replaced.

Can you drive on worn brakes? You do so every day. But when they reach a point of putting you, your passengers, and others around you at risk, it’s time to take action.

When It’s Time To Schedule a Diagnostic Test For Your Car

July 7, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

The human body is a complex machine. It has an array of parts and systems that work together to keep you healthy and strong.

In many ways, today’s automobiles closely resemble the human body. It’s a complicated network of more than 30,000 parts, all creating systems that allow you to travel safely wherever you need to go throughout your day.

While cars used to operate with fairly simple systems, now it’s a complex network that relies on modern technology. It’s no longer possible to pop the hood, take a glance underneath, and know what’s wrong.

In modern medicine, a diagnostic test is a procedure that is used to identify specific areas of weakness in order to determine a condition or disease. Diagnostic tests for vehicles are used in a similar manner.

A diagnostic test used on a car, truck, SUV, or CUV can help an auto mechanic determine what’s wrong with the vehicle. It can also give them a snapshot of the vehicle’s overall health. If you’re buying a used car, for example, this snapshot can be a valuable piece of information in helping you determine whether to sign on the dotted line.

By utilizing specialized diagnostic equipment, it allows a technician to pinpoint problem areas within the various systems quickly, and get to the root of the problem better, faster.

Sounds like a good idea to run a diagnostic test, right?

According to Kelly Blue Book, the average price of a new vehicle in the US here in 2021 is $40,472. The average vehicle produced today is expected to last 11.4 years, while the average length of time drivers keep a new vehicle is at 71.4 months.

Doesn’t it make sense to keep your car in as good working condition as possible?

It’s time for an annual checkup

When It’s Time To Schedule a Diagnostic Test For Your Car

When you go in for your annual checkup, it gives your doctor a chance to assess your vitals. They can check your blood pressure, assess your weight, perform blood tests to determine how healthy you are from the inside out.

A diagnostic test for your vehicle works in much the same manner. If you bring your vehicle in annually, a diagnostic test can pinpoint weaknesses in the system, and give you a chance to fix it before the problem escalates. The sooner you make a repair, the less chance it has of breaking other parts around it, potentially stranding you by the side of the road.

If you partner with an auto mechanic right here in Denver, you can be sure to build a relationship with someone who understands your vehicle, can help you make the best decisions for you and your wallet, as well as ensure your car remains in the best condition possible for as long as you own it.

Pay attention to the check engine light

The average vehicle produced today comes with more than two dozen computer modules working together in the form of a network, linking all the components together to make your car run. In order to keep you apprised of potential problems, each of these computer modules is linked to a dashboard light, signaling to you there is a problem you shouldn’t ignore.

While you should take all of them seriously, one of the most crucial is the check engine light. It’s one of the most common to illuminate on the dashboard. It’s also one of the least specific. That’s because the check engine light is connected to so many different parts, and can be warning you of many different potential problems. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, or be more urgent in telling you there’s a loss of compression, which could quickly lead to engine failure.

When this little light comes on, don’t ignore it. Schedule a diagnostic test and bring it in for inspection. This one simple test can use technology to get to the root of the problem, make the necessary changes, and get you back on the road in as little time as possible.

Listen for changes in noises

Cars are built with a network of parts placed together to keep you safe as you drive each day. The first time you started up your car, you paid attention to the different sounds it made. You could feel the engine turn over. You could hear the gears as they clicked into place. All of these sounds became ingrained in your mind. It became your normal.

Over time, as a vehicle begins to wear down, it can start creating sounds out of the ordinary. This isn’t something that happens quickly; in most cases, it’s a slow process that happens over time.

It’s easy to ignore these noises. With so many other things going on in your daily life, why pay attention to small changes that are hard to hear? Yet these little noises are your warning sign of bigger problems.

Do you hear a squeak, grinding sounds, a rattle, or a hum? Has it been intensifying over time?

It’s time to schedule a diagnostic test.

Before you buy a used car

Given how well cars are put together today, it sometimes makes sense to buy a used car instead of new. New cars are expensive; used cars can save you money. A new car built today can operate well for more than a decade, and provide several hundred thousand miles of driving.

But how do you know if you’re sitting in a quality car or a lemon? While the condition of the car is a good representation of how well it was maintained, it isn’t everything. A diagnostic test can alert you to minor problems and help you choose wisely before putting money down on a used car. It’s an easy way to get third-party approval before you complete the transaction.

Have you made diagnostic testing a part of your regular routine?

Think of it as a checkup for your vehicle. It can help you understand how well your car is operating, allow you to make smaller repairs before they escalate in damage and price.

Schedule your diagnostic test today.

What Exhaust Problems Are Telling You About Your Car

July 3, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Sitting in traffic gives you a chance to notice potential problems with the cars around you.

The car in front of you might have smoke pouring out of the tailpipe, with an odor that has you reaching to control the inside cabin’s airflow.

Another car might have water leaking from the tailpipe, a trail forming as it drives along.

A car drives by with sounds louder than usual. Maybe you hear a loud roaring sound when someone starts up a car nearby.

Still another seems to operate perfectly. It quietly buzzes along the road, appearing to operate efficiently.

Exhaust issues can quickly turn into problems. Priority in fixing them means you’ll stop potentially costly repair bills before they escalate, as well as reduce the risk of health problems if the gas enters your cabin.

Before we talk about ways of fixing car exhaust problems, let’s learn a little more about the basics.

How the exhaust system works

The purpose of a car’s exhaust system is to limit emissions, noise, and vibrations, and be a release system for combustion gases. It also improves performance of the engine, and fuel consumption. It’s made up of a series of components that stretch the length of your car, starting with the engine and running to the rear exhaust pipe.

Combustion fumes of car exhaust pipe, The engine is not working properly.

Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, the design of the exhaust system may vary. However, they all work in a similar manner, to pull the harmful exhaust gases from the engine, which are produced as the engine operates. The gases produced include three toxic gases: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and nitrogen monoxide.

The system starts with the manifold, which has the job of collecting exhaust fumes from the engine. It acts as a funnel to divert gases from cylinders in the engine through a single opening referred to as the front pipe.

The gases then travel through a catalytic converter which removes the harmful elements and converts them to inert gases. They pass through a silencer or muffler, which reduces the sound waves and produces a quieter car. This is one of the biggest warning signs – if you hear a loud car, there’s a chance it has a problem with the exhaust system.

The tailpipe is the exit point for exhaust fumes. This is what takes toxic fumes away from the vehicle, and keeps the passengers inside safe from harm.

Common problems with an exhaust system

One of the most common problems within the exhaust system is corrosion of various components, including the front pipe. The silencer is also prone to corrosion damage, which is one of the biggest reasons you might experience more engine noise.

Because the exhaust system stretches the length of the vehicle on the undercarriage, it can also be impacted if you hit something because of low clearance. There are many joints that can loosen, break, or cause vibrations over time, and can affect performance. If you hear a hissing noise, it might be a leak.

Signs you have problems with the exhaust system

Like other parts of your vehicle, when something goes wrong in the exhaust system, it creates specific problems to alert you early, to give you time to fix the problem before it escalates.

Decreased power and acceleration – one of the first issues you’ll notice with a compromised exhaust system is a decrease in performance of your engine. You won’t be able to accelerate well, and you won’t get the same power you’ve grown accustomed to while owning your car.

Decreased fuel efficiency – when your vehicle isn’t performing well, you’ll also start to notice a decrease in fuel efficiency. Your car will have to work harder to achieve the same functions, which will take more fuel to accomplish the same goals. Watch your mileage numbers every time you fill up. Significant decreases in efficiency are your car’s way of telling you there’s a problem.

A noisy engine – if any part of the exhaust system breaks down, it will impact the noise level of the engine. A faulty manifold gasket, for example, will cause an exhaust leak that sounds like a hissing or tapping sound. It will increase in decibel levels from a cold start, or as you accelerate.

A burning smell – if the manifold gasket fails and begins to leak, the heat produced could impact the wiring or any of the many plastic pieces located underneath the hood. As the heat takes hold, they start to burn and it releases a distinct burning smell.

A gas smell – if one of the exhaust pipes or tubes is damaged and starts to leak, it can allow a gas smell to circulate inside your vehicle while you drive.

A loose or dragging exhaust pipe – if one or more of the brackets holding up the tailpipe are damaged or loosened, it can allow the exhaust pipe to hang or drag on the ground. When this happens, it’s important to fix it immediately, as it can quickly damage other parts of your vehicle through vibrations. If it falls off completely, it’s a danger to you and the other drivers around you.

Keep your vehicle in good working condition through regular inspections

Although the exhaust system is vulnerable to both damage and corrosion, a well cared for vehicle will rarely have problems with the exhaust system with regular driving alone. Modern vehicles are designed for an exhaust system to last for 100,000 miles or longer with regular maintenance. Unless your car is damaged or you take your vehicle four-wheel driving, it should stay trouble-free for years.

When you bring your car in for regular maintenance, we can use diagnostic tests to determine where minor problems exist. If we find a problem with the exhaust system, we can complete the required maintenance to bring the system back to good working condition, and get you on the road again in no time.

Get Ready For Road Trip Driving – How To Avoid Common Car Problems

June 28, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

You’ve made your plans, booked your reservations, bought a new swimsuit, and set out all the toys you want to bring with you. Get ready for road trip driving – you’re going to have a blast sharing time and memories with your family.

But what if it all grinds to a halt a few hundred miles out of town? It’s hot. Your car has a problem. It’s now by the side of the road, while you’re scratching your head wondering what’s wrong.

If you’re out in the middle of nowhere, waiting for a tow to the nearest station, it’s going to cost you both time and money.

Could any of this have been changed before you left home? Could you avoid common car problems and avoid being stuck by the side of the road, with your car packed and ready to go, your family now at risk?

The answer is: Yes.

Road trips often put your car under stress. You drive beyond your normal routine, have a loaded down car with more weight than you’re used to, driving in conditions outside the ordinary. And that can put your vehicle at risk, especially if you haven’t had it inspected lately.

Statistics show that the global vehicle roadside assistance market is growing steadily at about 2 percent per year. As vehicles continue to get older, they are at more risk for breaking down.

These are the most common car problems that occur when people head out on the open road.

Your car battery quits

On average, a car battery will last from two to five years. One of the most important factors in determining how long the car battery will last is the weather. All you have to do is watch the weather forecast to realize a heatwave has extended all across the US this summer. If you’re heading out on the open road, there’s a good chance you’ll drive through record-breaking heat.

A running engine is already producing a significant amount of heat underneath the hood. Now add in record-breaking heat, and the fact that your vehicle is operating many hours a day at top speed. It can be a recipe perfect for making your car battery call it quits.

If your car’s battery is more than a year old, it’s important to get it checked to ensure it’s properly charged. If there are any questions about its efficiency, it’s better to replace it before heading out on your journey.

Your tire goes flat

What happens if you’re at a campsite, or a little hotel in the middle of nowhere, and you wake up to a flat tire? One recent report stated as many as 60 percent couldn’t change a tire. Add in heat, and pulling everything out of the car to find the spare, plus the possibility of not having the right tools for the job, and you’re looking at a situation that can go from bad to worse quickly.

What’s more, heat can play havoc on your tires, especially if they aren’t in great shape. A worn tire has a much greater chance of causing a tire blowout. People don’t know how to recognize bald tires, tires with tread problems, or even if they are filled properly. They often rely on computerized data to warn them of a potential problem. Yet the last place you want a warning signal is on the open road.

Your best bet is to have your tires checked before you head out on a road trip. Have the tires rotated and balanced, and ask a trusted mechanic how well they will perform in the coming weeks as you complete your trip. If they suggest replacement, listen to their advice. It’ll cost a lot less for you to make a well informed decision at home rather than a small town hundreds of miles from home.

Your vehicle has brake trouble

Brakes are always under a lot of pressure to perform. Now throw in hours of driving each day, unfamiliar territory which means you’ll be using your brakes even more, plus the heat of the engine as it travels down the road in record-breaking heat. Yep, that can definitely impact the way your braking system performs.

Now imagine a car filled to the bring with personal items and family members. This isn’t the time you want your braking system failing.

Before you head out of town, have a reputable mechanic take a look at the braking system and make the necessary repairs to keep it working at its best. This includes an inspection of the brake pads, fluid, rotors, and drums. If something needs repair, get it replaced before you head out on your trip.

Your transmission goes out

Your transmission system is what makes your car sail smoothly down the road. It’s what moves the power from the engine to the wheels. It includes a clutch, gearbox, prop shaft, differential, and drive shafts.

While your transmission can go out unexpectedly, in most cases, it gives off warning signs long before you experience trouble. Have you experienced problems with your dashboard lights? Noises as you move your car between gears? Or maybe you’ve noticed a fluid leak when you pull out of a parking space? They are all signs your transmission is in trouble.

Catch it early and one of the easiest ways to combat potential problems is with a transmission flush. By adding new fluid, it’ll keep the entire system operating well for thousands of miles into the future.

Your engine dies

We’ve all seen drivers on the side of the road with their hoods up, smoke circling everywhere. Yep, that’s potential engine failure at its worst. If your engine dies, it’s the heart of your vehicle. Experience it on the road and you might be looking at an expensive repair bill, or even the possibility of investing in a new car.

Pay attention to the check engine light. It’s one of the most common to illuminate because it’s a warning signal for so many things. If it illuminates before your trip, be sure to have a diagnostic test performed before you leave to pinpoint any potential problems.

Fixing things early can ensure your road trip is a success from beginning to end, without having to worry about repair bills and downtime for a car that simply doesn’t work.