Denver Express Car Care

Are All Brake Noises Bad?

October 7, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

What’s that noise?

Maybe it’s a squeaking sound. Or maybe something is rattling.

You’d be surprised at the way people describe what’s happening inside their cars.

And we get it, It can be difficult to determine where a noise is coming from, and if it’s something to worry about.

Like most noises your vehicle can make, brake noises are designed to attract attention. While every system on your car is important, driving without a fully operational brake system could be dangerous at best.

But can you recognize bad noises from ones that aren’t of concern? Is that squeak trying to tell you something?

Not all brake noises are bad

Let’s clear this up before we move forward. When you get in your vehicle in the morning and drive away from your home, your brakes may occasionally have a squeak or a squeal.

Not all brake noises are bad.

The important thing here is to pay attention to when the noise occurs, where it’s coming from, and how long it lasts.

There are a few situations where brakes can cause a few noises, and that’s perfectly okay.

If it’s cold outside, it’s been snowing out, and there might be ice or snow on your brake pads or rotors, as the two connect as you first drive, they might squeak. As brake pads connect with the rotors, they start generating heat. Once the ice melts away, and the brake system heats up, the parts will resume, and function. The squeaking will disappear.

That’s not the only circumstance that can cause a sudden noise. Here in Denver, many of us head to the hills for a day of skiing. As you’re flying down the mountain on your drive home, your brakes may start to squeak. It could be from excessive heat. Are you riding the brakes as you come down in elevation? If the brake pads continually press up against the rotors, excessive heat builds. Eventually, the friction can start creating a noise. It may also lead to a temporary reduction in braking power, known as brake fade. If you notice this happening, pull over to a safe spot for five to ten minutes and give your brakes a chance to cool down. Learn to downshift as you descend in elevation, that can take the pressure off of your brakes.

Have you recently installed new brake pads? This can be especially annoying, knowing you’ve recently spent money on replacing your brakes. What is that brake noise? It may just be your brakes settling in. There are three different types of brake pads: ceramic, metallic, and organic. While you might not know which type you have before, it’s important to know that they each handle differently in unique situations. Metallic brake pads, for example, are performance-driven. They operate better in a wide range of conditions, making them preferable for some drivers. But when they’re brand new, metal can be especially noisy as they settle in. If you ever have any questions about performance, especially if they are brand new, we’re happy to check them.

Brake pads can also make noise if they’re dirty, and have dust buildup on the pads. Do you drive on dirt roads often? Do you clean your wheels equally as often? If you have any concerns about how your driving may impact the way the brakes work, give us a call.

What about other brake noises?

We’ve covered a few of the areas where brake noise may not be of concern. But it’s important to note that if you hear your brakes, if they make noises regularly, you’re better off getting it checked than putting it off.

If a noise doesn’t go away a few miles after you start driving, it’s time to check it out.

Grinding noises – One of the most common brake noises is a grinding noise when you apply the brakes. It kind of sounds like hitting a pavement strip when you’re driving down the highway. That grinding sound is a wake-up call, telling you the brake pad is reaching the end of its lifespan. It’s where the metal at the end of the brake pad is connecting with the metal rotor. If there’s no braking material left, you won’t be able to stop effectively.

If you continue driving this way, you risk further damage. Metal on metal can only occur for so long before both sides start wearing down. And replacing brake pads and brake rotors is far more expensive than brake pads alone. Full brake jobs include replacing calipers, pads, and rotors. If you hear that grinding noise, it’s best to drive in and have them replaced as quickly as possible.

Squeaking noise – A squeaking noise can be especially annoying. It’s designed that way to keep you safe. It may or may not be a sign of a bigger problem, but it is designed to get your attention.

It could be something as easy as telling you cheap, inferior brakes were installed on your vehicle. If they aren’t making a proper connection within the system, it could be a way of telling you something is wrong. Inferior products are the number one reason for squealing brakes. If they aren’t made from high quality products, large metal flakes can pull off and drag across the rotor as the pad makes connection. These pieces will flake away, but eventually, there will be another right behind it.

If the squeal gets more intense and never seems to go away, it’s probably worn out brake pads, where a small wear indicator is hitting the rotor. This wear indicator is placed into the pad as a warning sign. It’s designed to tell you your brake pads are worn. Don’t ignore this sound for too long; it is designed to tell you it’s time to replace your brake pads, before more damage can be done.

Are your brakes making noise?

If so, don’t ignore them. The noise will grow, the problem won’t go away. And you’re putting you, your family, and everyone on the road at risk.

Before the snow starts falling and you need your brakes in all kinds of situations, pull your car into our station and we’ll get to the root of the problem.

We’ll get you back on the streets in no time.

What You Should Know About Spark Plugs

October 3, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Spark plugs; if you’ve ever seen them, you know they’re tiny little parts that somehow connect together underneath the hood, and help your car run.

You might not think twice about them, but they play an important role in how your car functions. Without them, your car wouldn’t stay running at all.

What should you know about these tiny little parts?

What do spark plugs do?

Your car’s engine is what makes your car operate. Without an engine, your car wouldn’t go.

What makes an engine run is through kinetic energy. But without the process of internal combustion, an engine wouldn’t be able to pull the kind of power needed to move you from place to place.

Every time you turn the key, (or press the button,) your engine goes through a cycle to make this entire process happen. Valves fill a cylinder with a mixture of air and gasoline. A piston in the engine pushes upward, compressing this highly explosive fuel-source into a tiny space. At its peak, the engine ignites this mixture with a small spark, forcing the piston back down into position. This turns the crankshaft in the engine, and creates enough power to move you forward.

This is where your spark plugs come into play. As the name implies, spark plugs create the spark to ignite the mixture of air and fuel. They do this over and over again, being able to sustain millions of tiny outbursts over their lifetime.

That’s why spark plugs are made from an extremely durable material. Spark plugs aren’t something that need to be replaced on a frequent basis. Still, these tiny explosions do make their impact, and eventually, like every part of your vehicle, the force behind the process will eventually weaken the material, and cause the spark plug to decrease its power. Weaker sparks can cause things like misfiring to happen. And eventually, failure.

Are there different types of spark plugs?

If you’ve started noticing your car misfires when you turn it on, it’s just one of the signals your vehicle gives you to let you know your spark plugs are wearing out. When it comes time to replace them, there are several different variations of spark plugs available.

The best spark plug for your vehicle is the one recommended by the manufacturer, which you can find by referring to your owner’s manual. There are several main types of spark plugs that include:

Copper spark plugs – the center electrode is made with a copper core surrounded by nickel alloy. It’s inexpensive and works well in vehicles built before 1980. They also have a shorter lifespan and require more voltage to operate.

Iridium spark plugs – these are the longest lasting spark plugs, as they require less voltage to generate a spark. They also come with a higher price tag because of it.

Silver platinum spark plugs – this is similar to a copper spark plug, only with a platinum disc welded to the tip. It lasts longer than nickel alloy, meaning it also has a longer lifespan.

Double platinum spark plugs – they have a platinum coating on both center and ground electrodes, making these efficient and long-lasting too.

Silver spark plugs – while they aren’t as common as other types of spark plugs, they feature silver coated electrode tips, and are often used on older European performance cars and motorcycles.

When is it time to change my spark plugs?

Today’s vehicles are more efficient than ever before. Depending on your vehicle, many manufacturers now install “extended life” spark plugs at the factory, giving you a long life before you start to notice problems. In many cases, these spark plugs will be rated at a lifespan of up to 100,000 miles. Of course, this is a suggested timeframe, and the closer you get to end-of-life, the more you should pay attention to how well your car runs.

As they wear down, the gap between the two loads widens. This is where efficiency decreases, and misfiring starts to happen. If you allow your spark plugs to wear down enough so that corrosion sets in, they have the potential of breaking, which can lead to serious damage to the interior of your engine cylinder. This can be an expensive repair to fix.

It’s much easier to follow manufacturers’ guidelines, be aware of any sounds or changes in the way your car operates, and replace parts before they wear down.

What happens as a spark plug ages?

Spark plugs move into action every single time you take your car out for a drive. They fire again and again, keeping your engine working at its best.

It undergoes thousands of miles in extreme temperatures. That’s one reason it’s important to focus on quality rather than price. The stronger the material, the more durable the spark plug will be.

Still, a spark plug won’t last forever.

Over time, deposits form on the spark plugs as it interacts with the air-fuel mixture.

As it continues performing this process, a tiny gap can form due to extreme temperatures, debris, and normal wear and tear.

And that’s when trouble begins.

But it doesn’t have to. Not if you replace your spark plugs regularly.

What are the benefits of replacing my spark plugs?

The biggest benefit of replacing your spark plugs at recommended times is to ensure your car starts without problem. Of course, there are other reasons too.

Better performance – when a spark plug is doing its job, it means the entire combustion system is happening without a hitch. That means your engine is performing at its best.

Better fuel efficiency – The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence states that a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Replacing your spark plugs before they wear down will help you save at the pump.

Better starting – have you noticed your car jumping and jerking when it starts? It could be a sign of a failing spark plug.

Better emissions – if you keep your engine running well, it will emit less emissions into the air. That means cleaner air for me and you to breathe.

When was the last time you had your spark plugs changed?

Drive a Lot? Take These Preventative Maintenance Steps Now

September 28, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

The average car being built today has around 30,000 parts. That includes every nut, bolt, screw, belt, and wire that together connect up and ensure you arrive at your final destination safely and securely.

However, with that many parts, it’s likely that at any given time, one or more will start to wiggle, loosen up, corrode, or even wear down, making your vehicle less than reliable. One part might not cause a problem. Even two or three. But eventually, you’ll start to see problems in the way your vehicle operates.

Studies show that as much as 80 percent of a mechanic’s time is working on preventable maintenance items that could have been stopped. They are predictive by nature, and with a little bit of preventative maintenance, a bigger situation could have been avoided altogether.

Bigger problems are almost always avoidable when you focus on routine maintenance.

That’s why your vehicle’s owner’s manual will make suggestions on when to have your oil changed and when to make system repairs.

They’re predictable by nature. The more you follow the guidelines, the more preventative maintenance you perform, the less likely you will have emergency repair work in the future.

Get to know your owner’s manual

Every single vehicle manufacturer spends a lot of time getting to know the vehicle they are producing. They pick parts for a reason. They put systems together with a goal in mind.

Who better to make suggestions as to when each part needs repair?

It may seem like a chore, but when you first purchase your vehicle, spend some time flipping through the owner’s manual. Make note of key dates and timeframes for regular maintenance. This guide gives you an A-to-Z approach about the details of your car. It tells you when to change the oil, when to rotate the tires, when to replace the brakes. It also includes suggestions and troubleshooting guidelines, such as what the correct tire pressure should be in different situations.

Don’t worry if you don’t have your owner’s manual right at your fingertips. You have something better: the internet. You can head to your manufacturer’s website anytime, and you’ll find the guidelines for your vehicle right there.

Now it’s time to make a plan

According to the US Department of Transportation, the average male drives around 16,000, and the average female drives 10,000 miles per year.

As your car ages, thousands of miles are put onto your vehicle, in lots of different conditions. Driving on a day when temperatures peak over one-hundred will do different things to your car compared with a day that breaks records for the cold. Ice and snow create different hazards than blazing sun.

Your car is equipped to handle it all. But it will need a little TLC from time to time.

Stick to the service schedule

Chances are you visit your doctor every year for a checkup. You visit your dentist regularly to ensure your teeth are healthy. It’s considered preventative maintenance; to ensure your body does you well.

Regular checkups for your vehicle accomplish the same thing. They ensure everything is running smoothly, and that parts are replaced before they can cause further damage.

When you work with a mechanic you can trust, they do all kinds of things. They check your tires, check fluid levels, ensure belts are tightened and in place. They ensure your lights work well, your windshield wipers are in good shape. They check the battery, hoses, lines, and wires to ensure they all are doing their jobs.

The goal of a regular service check is to ensure everything is working the way it should. To send you off knowing your car is in great shape. And that you’ll be okay in the next few thousand miles, before it’s time for another checkup.

Change the oil

Outside of gasoline, oil is one of the most important fluids for your car. Think of it as your vehicle’s lifeblood.

Changing out the motor oil regularly will ensure your vehicle stays healthy, that parts are well-coated, and protected against heat and wear.

As your car ages, as you drive more and put on more miles, this becomes more important than ever. Changing your motor oil every 3,000 miles is an important part of car maintenance. But when your car reaches 75,000, 100,000, or more, it becomes vital to ensure every part is working at its best.

Check tire pressure

You have new tires. Why worry about them for a few thousand miles?

Yet your tires are the one vital piece that connects your vehicle to the road.

So many things can change tire pressure: heat, cold, hitting a bump, picking up nails and other debris as you drive from place to place.

While more modern cars may have sensitivity controls as a part of your dashboard monitoring system, even if you don’t, it’s wise to check tire pressure from time to time. Even if you make it a routine as you fill up your gasoline, it can help you determine if there’s a problem with your tires.

Don’t delay if you notice tire pressure changing. It can lead to lower efficiency, or even a potentially dangerous situation.

Keep it clean

This may seem like something you can put off on your busiest of days. But washing your car inside and out not only helps it look nice, but also helps you take notice of potential problems.

Do you notice leaking fluid? Is there a rust stain that wasn’t there before? Is there a spot on your tire that looks out of place?

By washing it regularly and waxing it on schedule, you’ll also protect the paint and prevent rust and corrosion from forming. Vacuuming dirt and debris off seats and carpet helps minimize tears and holes over time.

And the best news is, it only takes a little time.

With just a few preventative maintenance steps now, your car will thank you later by living a long life.

The Pros of Pros

September 28, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Modern vehicles usually have four wheels, a steering wheel, and an engine, just as they have for decades. But an awful lot has changed since the days of carburetors and drum brakes. The addition of computers to so many automotive systems has been a game changer, enabling safer braking systems, stability control, and better fuel economy, to name a few.

Let’s face it. Vehicles are far more sophisticated than they have ever been. There was a time when many motorists felt they could take care of some basic maintenance and repair items. Those days are pretty much gone, and safety is the number one reason you should leave modern vehicle repairs to the pros.

Today’s best technicians stay up to date with the latest training and have tens of thousands of dollars in tools and electronic diagnostic equipment at their fingertips. The pros have the proper lifts and other heavy equipment required for reaching areas that can’t otherwise be reached. They know how dozens of onboard computers are integrated with sensors and mechanical equipment. The pros also know how to test and diagnose very complex concerns properly.

Your Express Car Care pros have access to repair databases, so they know the correct service procedure on a wide variety of vehicles.

Think about it. Skilled automotive technicians have acquired their expertise after years of training. Frequently an automotive problem isn’t quite as clear cut as it may seem, and those years of experience prepare technicians for the inevitable twists and turns in an issue they might encounter while working on your vehicle.

A vehicle is a heavy machine that travels at high speeds. It encounters unexpected obstacles and requires precise steering and braking. It contains safety equipment that can save your life if it’s working properly. It simply makes sense to enlist the services of people who know how to diagnose problems that are sometimes difficult and tricky to figure out and then repair them. That way your vehicle will work at peak efficiency, performance, and safety. Those are the pros of having the pros work on your vehicle.

5 Tips For Choosing The Best Auto Repair Shop in Denver

September 24, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Part of living in a community is finding reputable people to do business with. A friendly face can make a routine chore just a little easier.

Plus, when you walk away, you feel good about the work that was done. You don’t feel like you were taken advantage of, or you paid more than the service was worth.

You have a hairdresser, a general practitioner, and someone to mow your lawn. Now it’s time to find the best auto repair shop in Denver to provide you with the best care for your car.

But with so many choices out there, how do you know where to start? How do you find an honest mechanic who will tell you the truth about your car?

Reputation

One of the easiest ways to find a repair shop is by reputation. Ask your neighbors, your co-workers, and your friends. Ask who they use for repairs, and whether they’d recommend them to a friend.

You’d be surprised how many people drop their car off for convenience, not because they like the work that’s done.

Don’t stop there. Head online too. A good auto repair shop will pay attention to their online presence as well. That’s how you ended up right here on this blog post. It’s because we’ve been in business for years and have the desire to be in business many more. So we care about the information that’s making its way to you.

You can check online reviews, and look at what people have to say about a shop. Very quickly you’ll start to discover a pattern forms, and you can tell how well they’re standing up in the community.

We also recommend starting with a small service. An oil change or rotating your tires is the perfect task to put an auto repair shop to the test. Small services can allow you to meet the mechanics and see the business from the inside.

And for us, this is where we thrive. You can get to know all of us – we’re a family-run business.

Inspection

Are you in need of a brake job? Do you know your shocks and struts need replacing? If you don’t have a regular auto repair shop you use, you might decide the best way to find one is to call around.

If you give ten different repair shops a call, you might hear ten different courses of action. And ten different quotes that go along with it. All with the “coupon” special, of course.

That’s because it’s nearly impossible to give you a quote over the phone. We can tell you how much brakes are for a car similar to yours. But until we take a look at it, we have no idea of the work that needs to be done.

If you notice a squeak, you might think it’s your brake pads. But with a little more investigation, we might discover the rotors are damaged.

A reputable auto repair shop will be happy to take a look and figure out what’s wrong before finalizing a quote. They will also give you options based on the condition of your car. The more you know the mechanics at the shop, the more they get to know your car, the more they can provide you with courses of action that make sense to your lifestyle and your budget.

Customer service

One of the reasons we suggest starting with a small service to check out an auto repair shop early is to learn how they treat you, no matter what the service. You can tell a lot about a company by the customer service they bring, no matter how much you spend.

Do they call you with recommendations? Do they give you options? Are they all about upselling? Or do they give you the truth, even if it means reducing the sale?

Only you can judge what you think good customer service is about. But we recommend taking the time to talk about your car, listen to explanations and recommendations before you decide to move forward. It’s the best way to get a feel for the type of company you’re dealing with.

Training

How old is your car? Do you care for it well, hoping to make it last for years?

Or maybe you’re the type who likes to trade in your car for a new one every few years?

No matter how old your current vehicle is, you probably realize how much cars have changed over the years. Even a vehicle from a few years ago doesn’t have the technology that today’s modern car has.

https://denverexpresscare.com/why-a-car-diagnostic-test-can-be-important-to-your-wallet

While you might be able to look under the hood and determine what’s wrong from an older car, many newer cars have complicated diagnostic systems. The easiest way to determine where problems lie is to hood it up and let technology tell you.

Of course, you can’t work on an older car in quite the same way as one built just a year ago. With increased technology comes more wires and connections. And if you don’t take that into consideration as you make repairs, you could cause even more problems down the road.

To be a good mechanic today means staying up to date with the industry news. It means learning more about technology and how to implement it in each make and model.

You’ll find that with a car repair shop that cares about reputation.

Convenience

Of course, one of the most important things to you when finding an auto repair shop in Denver is convenience. If you have to drive miles out of your way, or have a difficult time finding a shop, why would you continue to go there?

That’s one of the reasons we selected our location. We’re just off the highway, close to everything you do around town.

We get selecting an auto mechanic is an important decision. If you select wisely, it’ll help you keep your car in great condition.

And that’s what we’re really about. We’re a family-run business with years of dedication to the profession.

If you’re looking for someone you can trust to keep your vehicles on the road, winter, spring, summer, and fall, give us a call.

Understanding a Car’s Emissions System

September 21, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

A vehicle from a hundred years ago appears to be pretty primitive by today’s standards. Manufacturers started with the basics, and over time, have made vehicles run better, have more efficiency, more comfort, and be less pollutant.

If you head back in time to the 1950s, various federal, state, and local governments started looking closer at air pollution. The California Air Resources Board and the US Environmental Protection Agency, among others, were created specifically to improve the world we live in. Their courses of action were to help control pollution by establishing guidelines for making automobiles more efficient.

A lot of rules came out over the course of the next few decades. The first effort to control emission standards occurred in 1966 when all newly produced cars sold in California had to meet certain guidelines. The US followed suit in 1968. Today, all modern vehicles are required to be equipped with catalytic converters.

What are emissions?

As gasoline burns, it gives off emissions, which have been determined to be toxic to humans and animals when breathed in. It also contributes to air pollution, or smog, which can hang in the atmosphere long after the emissions producer is removed. Emissions can include:

Hydrocarbons (HC)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Particulate matter
Sulfur Oxide (SOx)

What are emission control devices?

Slowly, the process of using gasoline to run vehicles has been changed to be less toxic for the environment. We’ve moved from regular gasoline to unleaded, making it cleaner. Technology has provided ways for better engine management. Direct injection and modern combustion chambers have made the process smoother. Still, additional controls were added to improve the process.

Air injection – a system that injects oxygen into the exhaust system to help burn unburned hydrocarbons.

Exhaust gas recirculation – a process that reroutes a certain amount of exhaust gas back into the intake tract. It reduces the formation of nitrogen oxide.

Catalytic converter – it’s a component placed in the exhaust system that reduces hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide by converting them into less harmful gases.

How do I know my car’s emissions?

Every vehicle manufactured today produces a certain amount of emissions. According to the EPA, the typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Of course, that changes based on many different things. Like how you drive your vehicle. Or even the make and model you’ve purchased. Your owner’s manual can give you more information.

As your car ages, many different things start to happen with age and wear. Until eventually, your car stops performing the way it was designed, and that’s when problems can occur with your emissions system.

When your vehicle starts producing pollutants, you might not see it or smell it the way you could with older cars. This is because the catalytic converter is doing its job, and technology is backing it up with air-fuel mixtures.

However, there are still ways you can tell your emissions system is failing.

Engine problems – Cars today are designed not to have a smell. If you start noticing smelly or visible exhaust fumes, it’s a sign something is wrong. Typically, you’ll find if the engine is burning oil, it can be from worn out piston rings, faulty valve stem seals, issues with the positive crankcase ventilation (PVC) system, or other parts that are simply worn out.

Coolant in the exhaust – In some cases, you’ll notice a sticky substance dripping from your tailpipe. It may be engine coolant. When coolant leaks into the combustion chamber, it can contaminate engine oil. This can show either has a coolant leak, or convert to a white/gray exhaust smoke.

Failing catalytic converter – This is one of the easiest problems to diagnose. Have you ever driven a car that smells like rotten eggs? If so, your car has a failed catalytic converter. The sulfur in gasoline is converted to hydrogen sulfide during the combustion process. From there, the catalytic converter changes it to sulfur dioxide, which has no odor at all. When the catalytic converter fails, it stops this process, causing the rotten egg smell to flow directly to the exhaust.

Poor engine performance – When all systems aren’t working optimally, you’ll usually find your check engine light illuminates on the dashboard. This can be a sign of many things, which is why it’s important to bring your car in right away. If you notice your exhaust smells like fuel, it’s a sign that the air-fuel mixture isn’t occurring at optimal levels. You might also notice black smoke coming from the tailpipe, which is a condition of rich fuel.

What can you do to reduce the chances of emissions problems and be proactive in keeping your car running smoothly?

Watch for your check engine light – Every light that illuminates on your dashboard is telling you your vehicle isn’t working at optimal level. Take it as a warning sign to get your car into the shop as soon as possible. With a simple check, you can find the problem, and fix it quickly.

Perform regular maintenance – Change your oil at regular intervals. Especially right now, where your car may have been sitting for awhile, it’s important to change it regularly based on miles driven and months between replacement. You should also be aware of fixing things like filters, hoses, and other components based on manufacturer’s suggested timeframes.

Pay attention to how you put the gas cap on – When you place the gas cap back onto your vehicle, it should have a tight fit. If it starts wearing out, you notice cracks in the rubber seal, or it’s just not fitting as tightly as it once did, it’s time for replacement.

Watch for warning signs – Your car is designed to get you from point A to point B. But it can only do so if it’s running at its best. It’ll give you great service if you pay attention to how it operates. Listen for noises, notice new odors, and pay attention to the way it drives. Anything out of the ordinary should be watched closely. And if it continues, it’s time to bring your car in for a check up.

It’s the best way to catch repairs early, and ensure they don’t turn into bigger problems down the road.

Car Repair Services Drivers Often Ignore, But Shouldn’t

September 18, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

There are only twenty-four hours in a day, and for most of us, we fill each and every one of them as fully as possible. We schedule meetings close together. We double up on errands, trying to fit everything in. Why do one thing when you can multitask?

It’s no wonder we overlook the most obvious things.

Take your vehicle, for example. You know there are certain car repair services you should perform on a regular basis. There are certain things you should watch out for, and act fast to save yourself from higher service repair bills and the risk of being stranded without a car. Yet most of us push forward, ignoring situations until we no longer can.

General maintenance is important to keep your car working well. If you put a little time and money into basic services along the way, you’re more likely to catch car problems long before they materialize into something bigger.

What does that include? What should you watch for?

Differential service

While you might understand how important regular oil changes are for your car, differential fluid replacement is something a little more vague.

Your vehicle uses differential fluid to deliver power from your engine to each axel that turns each wheel. A four-wheel-drive vehicle will have four differentials – one at each wheel.

Consider for a moment how your wheels move as you drive. As you drive straight, all four wheels move at the same speed and distance. But if you take a turn, the outside wheels will experience more revolutions than the inside wheels to get you safely through the turn. The gears and fluid that allows that to happen is the differential.

Over time, differential fluid can break down. Yet it’s one of the important lubrication fluids that keeps your car running smoothly in all conditions. If you start to hear a whir as you pick up speed, or a banging sound when rounding a corner, it could be a sign you have a problem with the differential gears or fluid. Even if you don’t experience anything out of the ordinary, it’s important to have it checked according to your manufacturer’s guidelines, to ensure your driving experience is safe year round.

Tire check and wheel alignment

One of the scariest experiences you can have is a tire blow out as you’re traveling at high speeds. Rarely does this happen without a little advanced warning.

While newer vehicles often have automatic tire pressure checks built in, alerting you to when your tire is under or over inflated, older models require self checks as you drive. Test your tire pressure regularly. Also, do a walk around periodically to check the condition of your tires. If you notice a problem, stop by and have us evaluate it before you drive on it further.

Tire bulges, for example, can occur if your tire is overinflated, or if you hit certain debris in the road. A bulge forms when air bubbles move through the inner lining, causing a weak spot in the casing. The more you drive on it, the weaker it becomes. This is when it has the opportunity to burst unexpectedly.

If your tires don’t connect well with the road, it can allow jarring and bumps to impact and wear down the wheel alignment too. If wheels aren’t properly aligned, it can cause your car to pull to one side. If you continue to drive on it, the situation worsens, and will start to impact other components of your steering system. Not only can this wear down your tires faster, but it can also increase the cost of repair work, taking a bigger bite out of your budget.

Squeaky belts

All of those noises your vehicle makes are designed to warn you of potential problems. Your drive, serpentine, and timing belts all control various parts on your car, from keeping the engine running to powering the electrical systems inside your vehicle. And because they are only designed for so much resistance, they wear down over time.

If they break or snap, it can hit other parts of your car, costing you much more in repair bills. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule a maintenance visit periodically to have a mechanic evaluate every system underneath the hood. They can keep you advised on how many miles you have left on certain systems, and give you easy ways to head off issues that may happen without replacement.

The timing belt, for instance, should be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. They don’t give you a lot of warning, but can do irreparable harm, depending on how they break.

Transmission system

While the engine is designed to create energy, the transmission is needed to actually get your car to move. It:

Transfers power into the wheels
Allows the engine to move the vehicle forwards and backward
Enables the car to shift gears

Without a proper level of maintenance, each of these processes could fail, bringing your vehicle to a halt.

To avoid damage, and the possibility of needing a tow, a regular checkup can determine it the transmission system is working correctly. Check with your manufacturer’s guidelines to determine how frequently you should change the transmission fluid. Also, check with your vehicle’s warranty, as some extended warranties offer transmission coverage and could prevent a costly repair.

Is it time for car service repair?

These are just a few of the car repair services that a quality service shop will offer, to help keep you on the road.

Putting off services like these could cost you in the long run, and lead to dangerous, potentially deadly driving situations.

If it’s been a while since your car has had a maintenance check, even if it’s been sitting in your garage for weeks at a time, now is the time to check it and be sure it’s ready for winter driving.

We’re here to help you keep your car on the road.

Help, I Think My Transmission May Be In Trouble

September 14, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Car problems are often difficult to diagnose for the average driver.

It’s easy to see when you have a flat tire, or if the windshield wipers are no longer cleaning the windshield. But once the problem is tucked up under the hood, and your car starts making strange noises or emitting odorous smells, it’s hard to tell what’s the cause. Signs often can lead in multiple directions. What’s a driver to do?

Yet each system in your vehicle is essential in keeping you safe as you drive. Imagine driving down the mountains after a day of skiing without a brake system. Or driving on the coldest day of the year without a heating system. Not a good thought.

Likewise, the transmission system is essential to keeping you safe while you drive. It’s also one of the most complicated. Without a transmission system, power would never transfer from your engine to your wheels. When a problem starts somewhere in the transmission system, it can take a while for you to notice the issue. The more time passes with a part loose or missing, means more damage can occur internally. And that equates to a more expensive repair down the road.

When you have trouble with the transmission, several signs occur as warning signals. Catch it early, and you can repair the transmission long before it becomes a serious threat.

What is a transmission system?

Today’s cars operate with one of two types of transmissions: automatic or manual.

The automatic transmission is by far the most popular on new car models today. But the manual transmission is simpler to understand, and you’ll still find it a popular choice in sports cars or off-road vehicles that want more control over how they shift and drive.

A manual transmission is made up of a series of gears and an input and output shaft. The gears on the input shaft engage with the gears on the output shaft, which determines what gear the vehicle is in while it drives.

The driver controls what gear it’s in by moving a shift lever. They press down on the clutch pedal to disengage the gears, the move the levers to reengage the gears depending on what gear they prefer.

With an automatic transmission, the same essential process occurs, only in an automatic way. Instead of having a clutch, the automatic transmission uses a torque converter to move the gear set. An automatic transmission also uses a single concentric shaft instead of two, with the gears located inside and around each other in more planetary fashion. Instead of being controlled by a shift lever, the gears move through hydraulics, which are in turn, controlled by an electrical panel.

If the transmission system is working well, your car moves without a hitch. At the first sign of transmission failure, it’s important to bring your car in. What will your vehicle do?

Check Engine Light

Because your vehicle is more automated than ever, the tiny sensors watch for errors within the system. At the first sign of trouble, it will illuminate the check engine light. People often ignore it for a bit because the check engine light can mean many things. The sooner you get your car checked, the more you can avoid bigger problems. This trigger is often so sensitive it can pick up errors long before they turn into smells, noises, or vibrations as you start and stop. And that means you can solve the problem long before it migrates into something bigger.

Gear Problems

When a car rolls off the assembly line, the transmission operates without flaw. But over the years, the shifting becomes a little more clumsy, cumbersome, often feel like it’s sticking as it’s moving from gear to gear.

If the transmission feels like it sticks before moving gears, it could be low on transmission fluid. It could have a leak somewhere in the system, or even contamination from a water intrusion. The more the vehicle is allowed to continue at these levels, the more likely your car will overheat, causing internal damage and transmission failure.

Sticking gears isn’t the only way a problem shows. In some cases, the reverse can occur, with the transmission slipping and revving the engine into high gear. This creates undue wear on the internal parts, possibly overheating the system and ultimately causing failure.

If it feels as if the gears struggle to engage at any stage of driving, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for a check up.

Leaking Fluid

Fluid should never visibly leak from your vehicle at any time. And sort of a leak is a red flag it’s time to bring your vehicle in for an inspection.

Transmission fluid is typically red, and will have a sweet smell. You’ll notice the drip from underneath the vehicle in the middle of the car.

A leak is an indicator of a loose transmission pan, a drive shaft out of balance, or worn out seals or gaskets. It can also be a sign of damage somewhere within the system.

Burning Smell

Within the transmission system, if the hydraulic fluid is ever low or starts to overheat, it will give off a burning smell. Because transmission fluid starts as a sweet smell, you’ll often notice that first, followed by the burning spell as it becomes too hot. This can often be serviced with a transmission flush and replacement. But if you wait too long, it can damage the entire system.

Neutral Noise

When you place your car in neutral, do you hear a grinding sound? Any noise you hear that’s out of the ordinary could be a sign of a problem within the system.

The source is usually something simple, like worn out bearings or low transmission fluid. Again, if you act quickly, chances are it will be a fairly easy fix.

Clutch Pedal Changes

If you do have a manual transmission, you can also watch for changes in the way the clutch pedal grabs. Does it engage very low or high in the process? That could signal a problem with engagement, or a hydraulic issue. A simple adjustment may solve the issue, or more likely replacing a worn clutch disk and pressure plate.

If you’re experiencing trouble with the transmission, it isn’t something you can put off indefinitely. The sooner you act, the quicker your car will return to normal, and the safer you’ll be as you move throughout your busy days.

Have a question about your transmission of any other problem with your car? We’re here to help. Give us a call.

Battery

September 14, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Battery Batteries are a huge part of modern life. Think of how many battery chargers you own.

Of course, our purpose here is to talk about your car battery. When people come into Express Car Care and need a new battery, they’re really not that happy about having to spend the money. But the truth of the matter is, that 70 percent of batteries don’t make it for 4 years.

That may sound grim, but there are some things that you can do to extend the life of your battery. First, keep it clean. If you see it getting dirty or greasy, let us know at Express Car Care and we can clean it off. A dirty battery runs hotter, and that shorten its life. If your battery terminals are corroded, let us take a look at that, too. We can clean them, and if the corrosion has gotten into the battery cables, we can replace them.

Also, running your battery way down is bad for it. Things like running the headlights or watching a DVD player with the car turned off can deeply deplete your battery. The typical battery can only take about 10 of those deep cycle depletions before it gives up the ghost.

Because we often take short trips around an area with lots of stops for errands, our batteries can end up not getting fully recharged just by driving around. That also shortens battery life. You can hook up a good quality automatic battery charger at home from time to time. We recommend charging once a month during hot months and every three months during cold months.

Now when it’s finally time to get a new battery, we can help you find the right replacement. We’ll always make sure to meet your manufacturer’s recommendations. If you have special needs, like living in a very cold climate or running a lot of electrical accessories, we can look at an upgrade that’ll give you the power you need.

It’s Not Your Battery, It’s Your Alternator

September 10, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Many drivers on the road today have just a basic understanding of how their cars work.

The engine runs the car. The tires keep the car on the road. And gas and motor oil are needed regularly to ensure your car stays running smoothly.

But as you dive deeper, things get a little fuzzier. You may have heard words like “alternator” before. But hearing them and knowing what they do are two separate things.

When you turn the key (or press the button) and power turns on your radio, your headlights, and other electronic accessories throughout your car, what powers them? Most people guess: the battery. But that’s only half right. The battery may kickstart everything on. But it’s the alternator that keeps it all running.

What an alternator does

Every time you start up your car, it powers a drive belt that rests on a pulley, which is attached to the alternator. The battery provides the necessary power to start the car. Think of it in similar terms to a generator. The car’s combustion engine spins the pulley underneath the hood, which turns the pulley on the alternator, and creates energy. It converts mechanical energy into electricity.

Think of your alternator as your car battery’s charging system. It supplies the necessary electrical current for things like your ignition, radio, air conditioning, power windows, windshield wipers, and other electrical items throughout your car.

Inside is a voltage regulator that monitors the battery charge. As the battery runs low, the alternator supplies a power source to ensure it stays running. Without the two working together, your car wouldn’t run.

A car’s alternator isn’t something that will break down often. Alternators can last the lifetime of your vehicle. However, that doesn’t always happen. Every car on the road today wears down in different ways as it reacts to its environment. It depends on things like weather, heat damage, wear and tear, faulty parts, or frayed wires. If not caught early, it can impact a variety of other parts throughout your vehicle.

How do you know if your alternator is failing?

Dim or bright lights

When your car is running the way it should, the stream of light from your headlights will provide ample light as you drive. As an alternator fails, it supplies an inconsistent level of energy to the headlights, which will result in changes to the light source. Do your headlights seem brighter than usual? Can you barely see? They may also flicker or even act erratically as you drive, switching from dim to bright.

Malfunctioning accessories

While many people start to notice changes to the light source first, a failing alternator can materialize in different ways. The alternator powers all of the accessories on your vehicle. If you notice the windows taking longer to roll up or down, if your radio shorts on and off, or if your seats take longer to heat and cool down faster than before, it may be a sign of a problem with your alternator.

Because today’s modern cars are run by technology, your vehicle prioritizes which systems to shut down. It will limit power to non-essential systems like power windows or seat warmers, in order to keep more important systems operating. That’s why you should pay attention and have your car serviced as soon as you notice certain issues.

Dead battery

If you try and start your car and it won’t turn over, it may be a sign of a problem with your alternator. Of course, it can be just a dead battery. So a few tests can help you determine where the problem lies.

A bad alternator won’t properly charge the battery while the engine is running. One way to test this is to jumpstart your car. If you jumpstart it and the car stays running, it’s the battery. If, however, the car dies shortly after you jumpstart it, it might be the alternator. It’s not allowing enough power to properly power the batter while the car is operating.

Starting and stalling issues

If the alternator isn’t properly charging the battery, power isn’t flowing correctly through the system. Have you ever turned the key in the ignition and heard a clicking sound? That’s a sign of a problem with the power supply.

In some cases, you may be driving around, only to find your car stalls out periodically. This is a sign the engine isn’t getting enough power to stay running. The spark plugs aren’t receiving enough power, which brings the engine to a stop.

In either case, it’s important to get your car serviced quickly to ensure the safety of you and your vehicle.

Noises and smells

Like every system on your vehicle, there are certain noises and smells that are associated with different parts to help you indicate when there is a problem.

A problem with the alternator often causes a growling or whining noise from underneath the hood. The belt that turns the alternator can wear down, become misaligned, or rub other parts in the system, causing a noise. It also may whine as the bearing that turns the rotor shaft goes bad.

It can also materialize in the form of a foul smell, or even like burning rubber. Because the alternator belt is under constant pressure, and it’s located next to the hot engine, it can wear down and start smelling like burning rubber. If the wires are damaged and frayed, they can short and create a burning odor. If allowed to operate in this capacity for any length of time, it can potentially cause an electrical fire.

Battery light

Occasionally, your battery warning light might light up on your dashboard. This isn’t always a warning sign of a failing battery. Instead, it may be telling you something is wrong with the electrical system, which could be the alternator.

Because the alternator is designed to work at a specific voltage, if it falls below that level, it can cause the battery warning light. If you’re using several accessories at once – headlights, windshield wipers, and heated seats, for example – the overload of power may impact the electrical load, causing the battery light to flicker.

Lighting up once may be a coincidence. If you start to notice it frequently, it’s time to let one of our mechanics check it out.