Denver Express Car Care

What If You Leave Winter Tires On All Year?

May 14, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

This for a moment about a day of driving in January. You might start out with a sunny day on your way to work, but that can quickly change. Suddenly, the flurries start, it drops in temperature, and the snow starts to accumulate. Your drive home will be difficult at best.

Compare that to a day in the middle of July. You start out your day with a cool drive in, but the day quickly heats up from there. The temperatures climb – 80, 90, 100 degrees and more. It’s so hot even the pavement seems a bit gooey.

What about your tires? Should you prepare for each and get two separate sets? Or will one set of tires handle it all? Can you leave winter tires on all year? Or is there a better way to drive?

Get to know Colorado’s Traction Law

If you’ve ever driven Colorado roads, especially in the dead of winter, you know how treacherous they can be. When one car has trouble, spins out of control, and winds up by the side of the road, it can impact traffic for hours. It can turn one small accident into a major pileup in seconds.

It can also be deadly.

The Traction Law is designed to require motorists to have:

4WD or AWD vehicle with at least a 3/16 inch tread depth
Tires designated as mud and snow tires and a 3/16 inch tread depth
Winter tires with a 3/16 inch tread depth
All-weather tires with a 3/16 inch tread depth
Chains or an Autosock

It can go into effect at any time from September 1st to May 31st, depending on road conditions. If a Traction Alert is issued, you’ll have to stay off the road unless you have the specified tires on your vehicle.

This law was designed for two reasons. First, and the most obvious, is to keep Colorado drivers safe. Second, to keep the roads moving, and avoid hours of delay that can quickly occur in the event of a major pileup.

Your first question – Do your tires meet the Traction Law?

While this new Colorado law went into effect in 2019, if you haven’t evaluated if your car meets the guidelines, it’s time to give your tires a second look. All tires must have at least 3/16 inch tread depth to be considered compliant with Colorado law. If you aren’t sure what your tires’ tread depth is, measure it. Try this simple trick. Stick a quarter into the tread, making sure George Washinton’s head goes into the tire. If you can’t see the top of his head, your tire passes the 3/16 inch test.

However, don’t try the test just once and assume your tires are okay. Try all four tires. Try it in multiple places. In some cases, you might have a tire that isn’t wearing evenly, and you might be low in certain areas.

Don’t worry if you aren’t sure. The easiest (and possibly the best) way to determine if your tires are okay is to have them checked by one of our mechanics. We can tell you if they all meet required specifications, and how much traction you have left before replacement.

Winter tires, summer tires, what’s the difference?

Typically, you’ll find several different types of tires on the market: winter, summer, all-weather.

There are a few fundamental differences between them.

Winter:

Winter tires have a higher rubber content, which helps keep them softer, more supple when the temperatures dip low. The softer they are, the more able they are to grip the road surface in all kinds of weather conditions.

Winter tires have thousands of tiny grooves built into the tread blocks to disperse water and prevent hydroplaning. These grooves also can bite into the packed snow and provide optimal grip as you speed up and slow down.

Winter tires also have a deep tread pattern that allows snow to build up in the cavities. Snow helps grip snow, and intensifies the connection to the road.

Summer:

Summer tires are built from a harder compound that softens in milder and warmer weather conditions. This makes them more drivable on dry as well as rainy roads.

Summer tires have fewer grooves than winter tires, and are built more for handling afternoon rain showers and to prevent hydroplaning on suddenly wet roads.

Summer tires are made from a harder rubber compound that is designed to soften as the temperatures rise. They have more friction in the heat, which in turn gives you more fuel efficiency when the pavement reaches peak temperatures.

Summer tires also have a simpler block tread, which gives you better handling on hot roads, and has a massive impact on quickly you can brake.

All-season tires are somewhere in the middle. They are designed for average performance, no matter what the weather brings. You won’t have the grip and performance of summer tires, and will sacrifice more intense braking and handling in the winter. But overall, they get the job done.

Now let’s talk about winter tires. Are winter tires good all year long?

Should you leave your winter tires on all year? After all, the Denver metro area can see cold and snowy conditions ten months out of the year. It isn’t unheard of to have a snowstorm hit in May, while we’ve had sudden blizzard-like conditions as early as September.

And if you live in the foothills, the chance of snowfall increases from there. You might be tempted to trade in your tires for a good set of winter tires, and make those your year-round replacements. Here’s why you shouldn’t.

Winter tires are designed for traction and grip on snowy roads. They have unique features that make them great at what they do.

But if you leave them on, you’ll find:

They’ll wear down faster. Because winter tires are designed with deep treads that grip in cold weather, they can also wear down faster when they meet warm or hot roads day after day.

They won’t perform. You would never wear your snow boots to go jogging in the summer. You need the right tools for the job. Winter tires are designed for lower speeds and careful driving. When you want to hit the open road, you won’t get the same maneuvering or handling with winter tires.

You replace your tires faster. When we buy new tires, we focus on the manufacturer’s guidelines for how much mileage we can expect to see. If you’re not following the guidelines, the performance factors will decrease. You’ll replace your tires more often, and possibly have more problems (and repair bills) along the way.

It makes sense to have the right tire for the job.

Have you left your winter tires on all year long in the past?

Understanding the Menu Board

May 11, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

You may not be familiar with all the items on your service center’s menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. But understand that the menu board is there for a reference; you should speak to your service adviser about other possible needs or services.

Fuel system cleaning: Over time, the fuel system gets gum and varnish build up. A fuel system cleaning gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. This saves gas, by the way.

Headlamp replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. When one burns out, replace both so they’ll have the same brightness. Also, if your headlamp lenses are yellowed or cloudy, you can have them professionally restored to a like new condition.

Inspections: People get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they’re going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle’s ready for summer or winter. Maybe they just bought a used car and want to give it the once over. An inspection may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

Oil change – there are several options: Some centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full-service oil change. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

PCV valve: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It’s a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. It should be changed now and then.

Power steering service: Often overlooked but this service cleans out the system and replaces it with clean fluid and can keep the system running well for a long time.

Serpentine belt: That’s the belt that powers the engine’s accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You’ll want to replace the serpentine belt before it breaks or wears down, because that will lead to other problems.

Shocks and struts: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many people don’t notice when it’s time to change them. If they’re worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

Transmission service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It’s like an oil change for your transmission.

Tire rotation and wheel balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. This helps the ride and saves tire wear.

Remember if you don’t understand something on the menu board, ask your service adviser for help.

Should You Stick With The Car Maintenance Schedule Your Vehicle’s Manufacturer Suggests?

May 10, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

There’s something about driving your car for the very first time.

When you drive it off the lot, everything feels fresh and new. The smell. The touch. Even the way it drives, responding instantly to whatever move you make.

Then you fall into patterns. You drive. And slowly, your vehicle wears down.

Are you paying attention?

That’s why manufacturers have established a car maintenance schedule for every vehicle on the road. If you follow their guidance, you can protect the systems needed for a smooth ride. You prevent damage to the engine, which causes premature damage and wear.

Why a car maintenance schedule is important

Human nature has the belief: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. We don’t look for problems, we wait until they surface.

For some things, that works. For your vehicle, it doesn’t.

Do you really want to ignore your brakes until they “break?” Imagine the problems that would create if you’re on your way home from a day of skiing in the Rocky Mountains.

Or what about engine failure? What if that happens late at night as you’re coming home from a road trip, out in the middle of nowhere?

According to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry:

The average age of a vehicle in the US has increased by 17 percent in the past ten years
People are holding on to their vehicles, both new and used, 60 percent longer over the past ten years

The longer you own a vehicle, the more maintenance it’s going to need.

The same report shows older car owners are twice as likely to expect to spend more than $1,000 on a repair, and they are more aware of the work that needs to be performed on a regular basis.

Do you fall into that category?

The people that manufacture your car know everything about your car. Why not trust them to guide you towards the best car maintenance schedule you can follow? It will help you:

Save time by being stranded without a vehicle
Save money by addressing concerns before they blow up to bigger problems
Improve safety by assessing vehicle conditions before they cause you harm
Maintain the resale value of your car by keeping it in top condition
Create a record of work performed, something that can be invaluable when you decide to sell

What a typical car maintenance schedule looks like

The best place to find out more about your vehicle is by checking your owner’s manual. If you don’t have access to that, let Google be your guide. Simply type in your make and model into Google, and you’ll find a wealth of information pertaining to your car.

Of course, that’s just a starting point. The timing of maintenance intervals depends on a variety of things, such as make and model, how many miles you put on each year, road conditions, driving skills, and more.

What you’ll find are general guidelines. But if you talk with one of our mechanics about your own unique driving patterns, we can help you adjust them to fit better with your lifestyle.

Someone driving down the hill to work each day will have a different maintenance schedule than someone who works from home, logging just a few thousand miles each year running errands around town.

Typically, you can plan on servicing your vehicle about every 30,000 miles. This is a great time to schedule a service appointment to allow a mechanic to evaluate the different systems in your car. They will handle:

Replacing the engine air filter
Rotating the tires
Changing engine oil and replacing the filter
Inspecting the coolant system, adding coolant and replacing hoses as necessary
Inspecting the braking system, replacing pads and rotors as well as brake line and hoses
Inspecting the exhaust system to ensure it’s working correctly
Inspecting the transmission system for proper gear placement

Of course, that’s in addition to other routine maintenance visits you should plan out over time.

Every 3,000 to 7,000 miles – every manufacturer will recommend you get an oil change on a regular basis. This flushes new oil throughout the system, and replaces dirty oil filters. Furthermore, it allows a mechanic to take a look for other potential problems as well. Be aware that other fluids such as windshield washer fluid, new wipers, tire checks, and things like coolant and transmission fluid should be checked periodically as well.

Every 15,000 to 30,000 miles – be sure to check your battery during this time. Especially new batteries that come with a new car, they aren’t expected to hold their charge beyond the first couple of years, or 15,000 to 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. You should also chick coolant, hoses, filters, the heating and cooling system, brake pads, and all suspension parts.

Every 35,000 to 50,000 miles – start paying attention to the individual parts throughout your vehicle. Continue to check the battery regularly. Replace spark plugs and wires. Inspect the ignition system. Verify the suspension system is working well.

Every 60,000 miles – it’s time for a full-blown inspection. The older your vehicle gets, the more important it is to bring it in for regular maintenance visits. This gives one of our mechanics the chance to learn your car, and to work with you on creating a schedule for maintenance and repair.

What really impacts car maintenance schedule requirements

It’s worth mentioning again that it isn’t just the mileage you put on your vehicle that determines how frequently it should go in for inspections and repairs. Sitting and not operating are equally tough on your vehicle, just in different ways.

Factors that impact what type of maintenance should be performed include:

How you drive – are you aggressive? Do you push the limits? Do you rarely drive? Your driving behavior will impact which systems wear out quickly, and how your vehicle responds to different maintenance items.

Where you drive – Colorado can be hard on cars. They are exposed to extreme heat and cold, sometimes within days of each other. They face snowy roads, mag-chloride spraying up from the roads, rocks chipping away at the undercarriage. The harsh sun beats down on it almost every day. And then there’s mountain driving. How frequently do you head up into the hills? That can take its toll on how well systems like your brakes fare over time.

Your vehicle – parts matter. Of course, you can find cheap parts online. You can do things yourself, opting for the lowest priced components you can buy. But it will matter in the end.

Your vehicle is something you use every day. It’s a matter of safety for you, your family, and others out on the road.

Are you following your car’s maintenance schedule?

Or are you leaving it to chance?

6 Car Smells That You Should Never Ignore

May 7, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Have you noticed your car smells? What is it?

No matter how many times you clean out your car, sometimes things get trapped in the back. Especially if you have kids. A pb&j falls between the seats. Old gym socks are waded up and thrown in the corner. Until eventually, you can’t help but pull everything out of your vehicle to find the culprit.

What we’re talking about here is more than a moldy snack or old gym socks. It’s that smell that lingers when you turn the car on. It’s very distinct. In your gut, you know something is wrong.

Luckily, different parts of your car produce different smells when something goes wrong. If you learn to troubleshoot them early, it can save you by avoiding higher ticketed repair bills, and reducing the risk of being stranded on the road.

Ask yourself these questions.

Is it safe to drive a car that smells like rotten eggs?

This is the one smell you might mistake for an old, moldy snack left under the seats. As your car operates, you notice a rotten egg smell coming through the vents.

A smell of rotten eggs in your car is from a compound called hydrogen sulfide. This comes from the small amount of sulfate they mix into the fuel you use for your car. If your car is working correctly, sulfur is converted to sulfur dioxide, which doesn’t have an odor. When a part on your fuel system breaks down, the sulfur isn’t transformed correctly, and it can release a rotten egg smell into your car. It’s a malfunction somewhere in your fuel system.

It might be the catalytic converter. It might be a bad fuel filter. It could even be a fuel pressure sensor that causes the system not to work. But when sulfur gas leaks out from the system, you’ll know it. And it won’t go away without repair.

In fact, it can be downright dangerous. This is a problem with your fuel system. That means this is one repair job you can’t put off.

What if my car smells like gas?

Every time you fill up your car with gas, the scent of fuel may linger for a bit. You’re surrounded by it while you get in and out of your car to fill up.

But if you notice it long after you drive away, pay attention. Did you spill some on your hands or clothes while maneuvering the nozzle? Did you step in it and now have it on your shoes? Cleaning it up should solve the problem.

But if it doesn’t, it may be a bigger problem. It might be a problem with your gas cap or a leak in your fuel line. Not only will either of these hurt your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, but they can also lead to dangerous situations. Being that close to fuel vapors can also impact your health.

If the scent won’t go away, it’s time to bring it in and have your car checked.

Why does it smell sugary sweet inside my car?

Your engine coolant is treated with an ethylene glycol, which gives off a sickly sweet smell. You’ll most likely smell it after the engine has warmed a bit, or when your car shuts down.

This toxic fluid is usually a green or orange color when it’s healthy and freshly installed, but will turn a rusty color as it wears down. This tells you the rust inhibitor has been broken down and it’s no longer providing rust control and scale buildup inside your vehicle. If you see drips or a puddle underneath your vehicle in this color combination, it’s time to check for a coolant leak.

This also means it’s starting to impact various parts in your car. It could be coming from a radiator hose, a failed intake manifold gasket, or a bad cylinder head. It might be coming from a leaky radiator cap, or a problem with the radiator itself.

Pay attention to where the smell is worse; inside or outside of your car. If it’s stronger inside, it may be a bad heater core.

Why can I smell exhaust fumes inside my car?

Exhaust fumes have a distinctive odor. You’ve probably noticed it if you walk by a running car, or leave your car in the driveway to warm up on a cold winter day.

You may smell it as you enter your car and prepare to drive away. But if you continue to smell it inside your car, you should never ignore it. Exhaust fumes inside the car most often indicate a problem in your car’s exhaust system. You might also have a problem with the seals on your windows or doors.

This can lead to a dangerous situation. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which can be deadly to humans and animals. If you smell exhaust, unroll your windows to let fresh air in, and bring it into our service station as quickly as possible.

What creates a burning smell, almost like burnt carpet?

This is another distinctive smell you’ll notice right away. Because we live here in the Rockies, and free time often means heading into the hills for a day of fun, we tend to wear brake pads differently than other cities across America.

If you’ve been using your brake pads a lot, or pressing down hard because of sporadic traffic, you may notice a burnt carpet smell. This is a sign your brakes are overheated.

While this may be somewhat normal as you’re moving down the mountain pass, back into the city, it’s also a warning. It’s telling you that too much pressure is being placed on the pads; downshift to control your speed instead.

If you smell this on your normal commute here on most flat Denver roads, it’s telling you something else is wrong. You might have a brake problem caused by a seized brake caliper piston. Or maybe you forgot to release the handbrake. This can be checked with a glance.

What is that smell?

While we’ve mentioned some of the more popular smells your car will make when it’s trying to tell you there’s a problem, this by no means is all. Every part operates in its own way. Every problem can create its own unique set of circumstances.

That’s why it’s a good idea to really get to know your car.

If you pay attention to what it looks like, how it drives, and the various smells when it’s operating correctly, you’ll be able to notice quickly when something no longer works well.

Have a question? Give us a call. We’re happy to help you get to the bottom of your car smells, and get you back on the road safely and quickly.

Is Your Car’s Air Conditioner Not Working?

May 5, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

There’s one thing Colorado isn’t short of – sunny days. Colorado advertises 300 days of annual sunshine, mild temperatures, and record snowfalls – all of that makes it the perfect place to live, no matter how you like your weather.

Of course, once you live here, you have to drive in said weather. Those record snowfalls can be troublesome if you’re trying to get somewhere on time. And when the temperatures creep higher – 80s, 90s, 100s – you’ll be sweating it out as you make a break from your home to the car, and everywhere you choose to go.

But what if your car air conditioner doesn’t work when you need it most? You open up the windows, drive for a bit, and wait for the system to cool down. Only it never does, and you’re stuck roasting in a hot car, stuck to your leather seats.

Why won’t your car air conditioner work?

What is black death?

Imagine a sludgy, sticky, dark goo slowly flowing inside your car’s internal workings. As the refrigerant in your car’s air conditioning system breaks down, it slowly moves inside the compressor.

Refrigerant is a fluid that helps your car operate at its best. Think of it as the motor oil for your air conditioning system. But as this fluid breaks down, it thickens. And as it moves into the compressor, it gums up everywhere, including the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and all the moving parts.

And that sticky, grimy substance won’t just disappear. You have to replace the major pieces, and flush the lines clean. Yep, you guessed it, this isn’t an easy (or budget-friendly) process.

Of course, this is the worst case scenario. There are warning signs your car’s air conditioning system is having trouble long before it completely shuts down. Catch it early, and it’s a much easier (and less expensive) repair.

It starts with knowing your car’s air conditioner

From the moment you drive your car home, it’s important to take note of how it runs. Pay attention to the noises it makes, the feel of the drive, the smell as you turn different systems on. This is your base.

Two things make all the difference in keeping your car operating as it should.

1. Paying attention to changes – if you notice any change, don’t ignore it. The sooner you get it checked by one of our mechanics, the easier it will be to fix. And in most cases, a lot less expensive too.

2. Performing regular maintenance – along with oil changes and tune ups, if a mechanic completes a diagnostic test regularly, it can alert you to potential problems long before they create lasting damage to your vehicle.

These are the things you should watch for with your air conditioning system.

An air conditioner with weak airflow

Remember when your car was new, and you could barely handle the cold blast when you turned your air conditioner on high? Slowly, that blast has disappeared. The main causes of weak airflow include:

A hose has come loose. Through all of its use, the blower hose that connects to the blower unit has wiggled free.
The ventilation fan no longer works. If the fan is broken, it can’t push air through the system.
Seals have been compromised. Think of all the rattling, clanking, and banging going on underneath the hood as you drive each day. Bumps, potholes, and even speed on the highway can slowly rattle connections apart. There are a variety of seals within the air conditioning system that can eventually wear down, such as the core case seal or the blower hose seal.
Contaminants such as mold and mildew can build up over time. Water flows in the air conditioning system. That residue moisture from the cooling process sometimes accumulates. When this happens, mold and mildew can start to build. Not only will it impact the air flow, but it can also impact your health as it blows this contaminated air supply into your vehicle.

An air conditioner that isn’t as cold as it once was

Your air conditioner is still working … sort of. There is cold air, but it’s not as cold as it once was. That lack of cold air can be caused by a number of things.

A failed blower motor
A vacuum leak
A failed switch or fuse
A damaged condenser or evaporator
A failed compressor
A clogged refrigerant hose
A refrigerant leak

When one part of the air conditioning system no longer works, it throws the entire system off. If you’re experiencing an air supply that isn’t as cold as it once was, chances are there’s a problem somewhere in the system. Even the smallest leak can quickly escalate into a major repair.

An air conditioner that smells bad when you turn it on

This goes beyond the smell you first get when you turn it on for the first time. If you continually notice an odorous smell that resembles an old gym locker, it could be:

A dirty air cabin filter
A moldy evaporator case

Because the system has been compromised, you’ll continue to get that smell until you fix the system.

Is there a way to test for an air conditioner leak?

Since one of the biggest reasons for an air conditioner problem is a leak somewhere in the system, there are a few ways you can test to find out where it’s starting from.

The first way is by using a fluorescent dye. This is the least expensive and does a good job at detecting a leak. However, if the leak is tucked away from your line of vision, it can be difficult to detect.

The second way is with a sniffer. This is a tool that is placed near a suspected problem area to find the leak. When it finds a refrigerant leak, it emits a warning signal to the user. A faster beep means the leak is larger in size.

Both of these are dependent on knowing your vehicle and how it operates. You can trust one of our mechanics to find the root of the problem, and offer you the best solution to fix your car’s air conditioning problem.

Why fix your air conditioning problem right away?

Because the longer it goes unfixed, the bigger the potential problem can grow. If left unchecked, it can further damage your air flow system, and spread into other systems throughout your car. If a leak or crack turns worse, corrosion can occur on other parts, belts and lines can snap, doing further damage to parts nearby.

Are you set for the summer season with your air conditioner? How can we help you stay cool no matter how high the temperatures climb?

How Long Can a Car Battery Last? 5 Answers You Need Right Now

April 30, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

When was the last time you drove your car?

For most of us, that question would have been comical a few short months ago. But moving past a month of stay in place, that question now may take some thought. A week ago? A month ago?

Your wallet may be thanking you for not spending a lot on gas these days. But if you don’t pay attention to caring for your car the proper way right now, you may pay for that as we come out of lockdown. Cars are meant to be driven. The more they sit, the more problems can arise.

Which is why we’ve put together a series of questions and answers about one of the first things that can happen to your vehicle the longer it sits: problems with your car battery.

How long can a car sit before a car battery dies?

A car battery isn’t like a battery you put into your phone or your remote control. It isn’t fully charged, dropping down ever so slowly as it sits or is used.

Instead, a car battery is typically a lead acid cell battery made up of 6x 2V cells or piles. A lead acid battery is bigger and heavier than other batteries, and is designed to produce high current over short durations. Alkaline batteries produce low current over longer durations, and are in general safer even when leaking, as they won’t eat through what’s around it the way the sulfuric acid from a lead acid battery will.

With this set up, a car battery is designed for short spurts of energy. It’s designed to jolt the car engine to life as the key is turned or button is pushed. This charges the alternator, which is what continually powers a variety of things in your car, such as the lights or radio.

To stay in good function, the car battery needs that jolt periodically to recharge the cells. Without it, the power continues to drain until the battery no longer works.

How long a car can sit before the car battery dies depends on a variety of things:

How old the battery is
Under what circumstances the car battery has been used
Temperatures and road conditions
The make and model of the battery
Driving conditions

Predicting how long a car battery will last if it isn’t used is difficult at best. A month? Two months? Longer?

Your best takeaway is to realize the importance of operating your car regularly, even when you’re staying in place.

How do you change a car battery without losing your settings?

What’s one of the most frustrating things that can happen when you replace a battery? Having all of your presets disappear. And in today’s modern cars, that can be a wide variety of details.

That’s why it pays to watch your battery carefully, and change it for a new one long before it dies and leaves you stranded. If you replace a battery while it’s still holding a charge, you can do so and keep all of your presets in place.

To do so, you’ll need a secondary power source. You can use a secondary battery, or a jumper/booster pack. After attaching the secondary battery to your car, you can disconnect and replace the main battery. This will hold the charge in place during the process. With the new power supply in place, test the system and make sure it’s working.

You can also attach a memory saver, which is a small device you can plug in that will provide just enough power to hold your presets in place while the battery is changed.

How long can you play the radio before the car battery dies?

Have you ever sat with the engine off and the radio on, listening to your favorite tunes? Of course. We’ve all done it.

Did you know that’s one of the heaviest drains on your car battery?

How long you can play depends on a variety of things. How old your battery is. Temperatures. The power of your radio.

We Googled this question to find out what some of the answers were, and had to laugh. Some were very specific – how would anyone know you can get exactly 125 minutes of radio time before your car dies? The general consensus is: it depends.

Is your radio standard equipment? Does your radio have a digital screen – this will require more power from the battery.

The bottom line is, if you aren’t using your car regularly, find another way to play your tunes. Keep all listening to a minimum if you aren’t operating your car.

How do you reconnect a car battery safely?

If your car battery is dead, you’ll have to replace it. For safety’s sake, remember that this is an electrical device. “Dead” isn’t really dead, and it can still be harmful – fatal – if not handled properly.

Even if a car battery is dead, you should never let any metal object touch both the negative and positive posts on the battery at the same time. This can cause a current to spark, even to explode.

When removing a battery, identify the positive and negative posts – the positive will have a red plastic cover, while the negative will have black markings. Remove the black/negative cable first, followed by the red. When you reattach, reverse the order – attach the red first, followed by the black. It’s always in this order for safety.

Remove the battery carefully to ensure you don’t spill acid from the battery. They can weigh between 40 and 60 pounds.

Clean all the connections before you insert the new battery. Then reinstall the cables, red/positive before black/negative. Carefully double check all connections and ensure the battery is secure.

Of course, to ensure this process runs smoothly, we recommend never doing this as a DIY project unless you have been trained in auto mechanics. Because you’re dealing with dangerous chemicals and electrical current, it’s important to know what you’re doing before you try it.

What else happens to the car if the battery dies and isn’t replaced right away?

Car batteries die for a variety of reasons. And in some cases, it might not have to be replaced right away.

When you jump a car battery, be sure to keep it running for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure it regains its charge. Don’t take it far from home; remain in a location where you can have access to another jump if you need it.

If it holds its charge, you should have nothing to worry about. If it needs a second charge, it’s time to replace the battery.

The key to good car maintenance is being aware. Watch for signs. Evaluate how well your car is working.

How long a car battery lasts is all about knowledge. Knowing how old your battery is, the conditions it’s operated in, and how well it’s been treated since it was installed.

Do you have any questions about replacing your car battery? We’re here to help.

Air Blend Box

April 27, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

You push a few buttons or turn some knobs, and voila, you have warm air blowing on your feet or cool air chilling your face. How does it all happen? Well, it’s all thanks to the air blend box. This box lives behind your dash and serves up just the right air temperature right where you want it.

Here’s how we break it down. First there is the blower fan that circulates the air through the heating/air conditioning system. The fan can blow at different speeds, depending on how much hot or cold air you need to be comfortable. The air blend box can either draw in fresh air from outside or recirculate air from inside the cabin. People often choose to recirculate air when first starting the vehicle until it starts to either cool down or warm up.

The next thing the blend box does is direct airflow over the heater core to warm the air, or over the air conditioner evaporator core to chill it – or a blend of hot and cold to get it just right. From there the blend box can direct the air out into the passenger compartment through the floor vents, the panel vents, the defroster, or a combination of them. All of this allows you to customized the climate just the way you like it.

Some vehicles have different climate control zones, like one for the driver and one for the passenger – or even more zones for the back seat. Additional air blend boxes are used for this. Climate controls could be manually adjusted, or computer controlled depending on your vehicle.

The blower motor and all the little actuator motors that open and close the various blend doors can fail and need to be replaced. Most new vehicles come with a cabin air filter. This filter cleans the air before it gets into the blend box. If you neglect changing the cabin air filter, it can get clogged, smelly and even allow mildew and other microorganisms to build up in the blend box. Your service center can perform a heating/air conditioning system cleaning service that will clean and disinfect the system, restoring a fresh clean scent. If you are not getting enough hot or cold air, your service center can inspect your system, diagnose the cause and set things right. And don’t forget to replace your cabin air filter on schedule. If you live and drive in dusty conditions or where there is a lot of pollen or other pollutants, you may need to replace your cabin air filter more frequently.

6 Ways To Keep Your Brakes Working All Year Long

April 21, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

What’s one of the most crucial systems in a car? The brake system should be one of the first to pop into mind.

No matter how much you drive, your brakes are used over and over again throughout the trip. You use them to stop. You use them to slow down. And while you might not think of them much, you would if they ever started to fail.

Keeping them working their best is crucial. No matter what the Colorado weather throws at you, it’s important to be able to stop on a dime.

What the car experts say

Depending on what make and model you drive, your car will need to have new brakes installed every 25,000 to 65,000 miles. Of course, this is just a general rule of thumb. The number of miles you drive is only one of the determinants for how long your brakes will last.

A vehicle’s brake system is complicated. In contains multiple pieces that each need to be monitored separately, to ensure it works together as one complete system.

Brake pads – these are replaced more frequently than any other part in the braking system.
Brake rotors – these are the part of the brake system attached to the wheels. They are one of the most difficult to judge for lifespan.
Brake fluid – it needs periodic checking to ensure it’s at its full level.
Brake clamps and lines – these are designed to last the life of the car, barring no damage from accidents or rough driving conditions.

While parts wear down due to age and mileage, there are also a few other ways you can help keep your brakes working and extend their life, to ensure your safety no matter what the driving conditions.

Stop speeding

One of the biggest enemies of your braking system is speed. The higher your speed, the more effort is needed by the braking system to bring your car to a stop. Think about it for a moment, and it becomes obvious that the brakes would wear more trying to bring a car going 65 or 70 miles per hour to a stop than it would a vehicle traveling at 30 miles per hour.

We’re not suggesting that you slow down on the highway to try and save your brakes. Instead, it’s a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and travel at the speed limit and for travel conditions. If you’re racing through town traveling at the highest speed possible, chances are you’re going to be pouncing on the brakes a lot to maneuver through traffic. Slowing it down means you’ll fit in better with the traffic around you.

Drive with one foot only

It used to require two feet to drive – one for the brake and gas pedal, the other for the clutch. Most cars have eliminated the need for a clutch, yet some people haven’t removed the need for wanting to drive with their left foot.

If you use your left foot for the brakes, you have a better chance of applying pressure – even the lightest pressure – to the brake pedal long before it’s needed. That means the two actions will counter each other. You’ll be applying gas to go while at the same time causing a dragging action by having the brake system engaged. This is known as brake riding, and it can significantly lower the number of miles between brake jobs.

If this is your new habit, find a firm place for your left foot far away from the brake pedal and leave it there. Your brakes and your gas mileage will thank you.

Stop tailing

We get it; traffic can be horrendous on some days. A drive that would normally take you minutes can sometimes double or triple in the heart of rush hour. You’re in a hurry. You try and “push” the person in front of you to go faster. Guess what? It won’t work.

When you’re antsy, sitting in traffic, you tend to ride close to the car in front of you. That means you’re more likely to have to punch down on the brake pedal more often as you adjust to different road conditions.

Keeping your distance means you can apply pressure softer, which doesn’t wear onto the brake pads as quickly. Leave a little earlier and stop stressing about the drive.

Handle braking in the mountains the right way

Depending on where you live, you might face mountain driving on a regular basis. But even if you just head up into the hills for weekend ski trips, practice good mountain driving behavior to keep your brakes working the way they should.

Here’s how.

As long as the roads are safe to drive on, no icy or wet conditions, use your gears to bring you down in elevation instead of riding your brakes. Most cars, even automatics, have the ability to shift into a lower gear. This slows the vehicle down through engine power rather than riding your brakes.

This is also a safety issue. If you leave the brake pads engaged for miles coming back down into the city, heat can build and possibly cause the braking system to fail.

Control your weight

Did you know that the average SUV weighs can weigh 5,000 pounds or more? That’s empty, without passengers or cargo.

The trouble with SUVs is they have a lot of cargo space. And that means you can throw in a variety of things for the “just in case” and leave it there as storage. All of that adds extra weight, which requires more from your braking system to bring the vehicle to a stop.

Follow the three-second rule

If you think back to your driving school days, you’ll recall the instructor telling you to leave three-seconds between you and the car in front of you. It’s still great advice.

Leaving space gives you a longer reaction time. It means you won’t be pouncing on your brakes in stop and go traffic, and can tap on the brake pedal lightly to slow down. This saves on the wear and tear of your entire braking system.

Drive smarter and keep your brakes working longer

Your entire braking system – brake pads, brake rotors, drums – it all needs maintenance and replacement eventually. Stick with manufacturers’ guidelines to determine what’s right for your vehicle. If you think something’s wrong, or nearing the dates in your owner’s manual, don’t wait for the problem to grow. Stop by today and get your brakes checked.

Stay safe.

Diagnosing a Failing Alternator

April 17, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

How do you know if you have a failing alternator?

Let’s start at the beginning and define what an alternator actually does.

The job of an alternator

Why do the lights stay on in your car? What controls the radio? What gives the starter the ability to start your engine running?

Nope, it’s not the battery. It’s the alternator.

The battery provides a sudden surge of electricity to the motor to start the car. Once this occurs, it’s the alternator that provides the energy to feed the electrical system, and to provide a charge back to the battery.

Think of the alternator as a generator. As the engine runs, the alternator provides electrical power throughout the system to keep everything running. It’s bolted to the engine, and is operated by a serpentine belt.

In most cases, your alternator is a maintenance-free component on your vehicle. You don’t have to add new fluids, or rotate parts out on a regular cycle. For some cars, the alternator can easily last ten, fifteen years or more without creating a problem within the system.

If an alternator does fail, it defaults back to the battery, relying on it for the short term to keep things running. But as the battery charge depletes, the engine will stall.

Because the alternator is a vital component of your car, it’s important to learn the warning signs and know how a problem will impact the ride. Here are some of the warning signs that may materialize.

Warning light

Thanks to technology, your dashboard lighting system will warn you of almost any problem your vehicle faces. When a light appears, it’s your job to recognize it and find a solution as quickly as possible. This is the best way to avoid bigger, more costly problems down the road.

On most vehicles, a problem with your alternator will show up as a small battery light. Some will light up “ALT” or “GEN” for alternator or generator. Because people see the battery light, it’s easy to slip into a mild comfort, making plans to have the battery checked at a later date. But in this case, this isn’t why the light turns on.

The battery light covers a whole host of different systems within the car. It also monitors the voltage output of the alternator, and when it goes below a predetermined limit, the light comes on. It will remain lit until action is taken.

Sometimes the light flickers, or comes on when more energy is needed. For example, if you have the windshield wipers on during a rainstorm, and your lights turn on too. In this case, small amounts of energy does not trigger a problem. But when multiple systems are used, it drains the alternator. If the battery light pops on then, it’s the alternator warning you it’s not working at its full potential.

Dim lights

Because the alternator provides power for the electrical accessories in your vehicle, if you notice a problem with any of them, it could be a sign of a weak alternator.

One of the most used accessories is your lights, both inside your car and the headlamps on the outside. If you find yourself thinking it’s darker inside your car when you flip on the lights, or you see very little difference between the standard lights and the brights, it could be a sign your alternator has an issue.

Likewise, if you notice them flickering, it could also be a sign the alternator isn’t generating enough power to keep the accessories fully charged. To be able to help a mechanic out and pinpoint the problem, watch for patterns. Can you determine when the problem happens the most? That will help narrow down where the trigger points lie.

Dead battery

Batteries are only designed to last several years. Keep that in mind, especially if you start noticing problems with the power in your car.

Diagnosing a problem with the alternator instead of a dead battery is easy. Use jumper cables to jumpstart your car. Remove them as quickly as possible. If the battery cranks over, and the alternator fails to charge, the car will die shortly after removal.

Use caution when jumping to conclusions about what’s wrong with your car, especially if it’s an older vehicle. A good mechanic can help you pinpoint the problem, and give you viable options for different ways to handle every situation.

Difficulty starting

Sometimes you turn the key expecting it to start and the car won’t engage. This can be a symptom of a problem with the alternator. However, because so much is attached to the electrical system, and controlled by the connection between the battery and the alternator, it’s important to evaluate all pieces before making a final call.

Strange smell

If the alternator isn’t working correctly, it might be producing too much heat somewhere in the system.

Have you ever smelled burning from an electrical fire? That can occur if your alternator overheats.

Have you smelled burning rubber? It might smell a little like that too. The belt that keeps the alternator moving, doing its job, is made out of rubber. So if the system overheats, it might produce the smell of burning rubber.

Strange sounds

When certain parts wear down, they start impacting other parts near them. And as this happens, it can create strange sounds. A failing alternator is often described as having a “whining” sound.

The alternator is driven by a serpentine belt, which works in conjunction with a crankshaft pulley to produce power. This belt spins faster than the pulley system, and if it’s not supported properly on the shaft it sits on, it can create friction resulting in a whining sound.

Of course, if you ignore the problem and the alternator continues to wear, it can cause further damage. The whine can move to other sounds, possibly clanking or rattles if belts brake, bolts fail, and parts disappear.

Your course of action matters

Bringing your vehicle in may not be on your list of to do’s. But the sooner you bring it in, the quicker action we can take when we figure out what’s wrong.

A failing alternator can require less repair work if you catch the problem early.

If you have a question about anything not working correctly on your vehicle, bring it in. We’ll diagnose it and give you your options, and help you make the best decision for your situation.

What Happens When Your Car Sits For Too Long Without Running

April 14, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

The weeks are slowly starting to blur together. Have you stopped to calculate how long it’s been since you slipped behind the wheel of your car?

With so much else on your mind, your car might be the last thing to worry about. Yet depending on the age of your car, it might be time to give it a thought.

Why?

A car is designed to drive. Each system is created to be started and used on a regular basis. When that doesn’t happen, the internal workings can start to change.

If your car sits without running for too long, there are a number of things that can happen.

Battery

We’ll start with the first issue you may face. If you turn the key or press the button to start your vehicle, and nothing happens, it might be a dead battery. There’s a reason for that.

If you take a look around your house, you probably have a variety of things that use batteries. Your television remote. A child’s toy. Your digital devices.

These devices have a battery that holds its charge. Through use, it slowly drains until it’s time to either replace the batteries, or recharge them. It’s an ebb and flow, where you know you get a certain lifecycle from the device until it’s time for replacement.

Car batteries work differently. Its sole purpose is to jolt your car’s engine into service. It also works to keep your accessories working, such as your headlamps and your radio. The battery relies on this jolt to keep the battery flowing.

If your car doesn’t start, you’ll have to jumpstart it to try and get it going.

Jumpstarting your car

Every driver should have a pair of jumper cables in the trunk of their vehicle for safety reasons. While any set will do, if you’re buying new ones, look for ones that are 4 to 6 gauges and at least 20 feet in length. Err on the side of heavy duty; they’ll be more durable and reliable in the long run. This isn’t something you have to replace regularly, so starting out with a good set will last you a long time. And having the extra length will make it easier to connect two cars, especially if you can’t get them right next to one another.

When using jumper cables, it’s better to have two people, one at each end. Keep the red and black clamps free from touching one another as this can cause sparks. Open up the plastic hood that’s covering the battery to have access to the posts. Determine which is positive and negative. Brush away any dirt or corrosive material, then start with the red clamps. Place one red clamp on the dead battery, another one on the live battery. Next, connect the black clamp to the negative terminal on the dead battery, but instead of finding the negative terminal on the live battery, place it on an engine bolt or on the vehicle’s frame and secure for a safer jump situation.

Start the engine with the live battery first, then attempt to start the vehicle with the dead battery.

If your vehicle fires up, keep it running while you carefully disconnect the jumper cables, ensuring they don’t touch. Drive your car for a bit to ensure the battery receives a full charge.

If your vehicle clicks but won’t turn on, it might be a bad starter. If the lights come on and you hear the engine turning over without starting, it may be another issue.

Is the battery the only issue when your car sits without running?

While a car battery dying is one of the most obvious problems with leaving your vehicle sit for an extended period of time, it isn’t the only one. Several other problems can start to surface as it continues to sit.

Engine – the engine compartment is one of the main systems inside your vehicle. It’s an intricate set of wires, belts, nuts and bolts, all holding the various components in place. The longer your vehicle sits, the more these pieces start to wear. They are designed for movement; sitting can actually make them wear faster.

Rubber can harden and start to crack. Various belts and wires can corrode and stiffen. Animals can also play their part as they find a sitting vehicle the perfect place to create a home. And once they settle in, they can chew up wires and loosen parts.

The engine also pushes oil and other fluids through all the various systems located throughout your vehicle. If these fluids aren’t moving, it can impact the entire system.

Brakes – the constant pressure of stopping and going ensures brake fluid moves throughout the system. As the car sits, fluid doesn’t move, which can cause the braking system to lose their gripping ability.

Electrical system – without a jolt and coming to life, sometimes the interior accessories can develop a fault. You may discover a problem when you press the buttons to operate your windows, your seats, or your mirrors.

Fluids – fluids are meant to move throughout the system they were designed for. When not moving, they break down, lose their ability to lubricate the internal parts, and eventually stop working in the system altogether. Keep in mind that this takes an extended period of time, and won’t happen in just a few weeks. But the longer your car sits without running, especially if your car hasn’t been serviced in a while, it can cause internal problems that might not surface right away.

Keep your car safe no matter how long it sits without running

A car is designed to run. And while leaving it at rest for short periods is expected, longer patterns start the process of making internal systems weaker.

Before we start moving again as a nation, spend some time getting your vehicle in top operating condition. Start it up and drive it 10 to 20 miles to ensure all systems get the chance to be fully operational.

And if you notice anything out of place – a noise, a vibration, or a smell – drive it in, and we can test it out. Replacing small parts early will help prevent larger problems down the road.