Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Drum Brakes

by Leave a Comment

Drum BrakesBrakes that work properly are essential to your safety as you drive and stop on our Denver streets.  You want to carefully maintain your brakes.  In vehicles equipped with drum brakes, (usually older model cars and trucks) the brake components are housed inside a drum that rotates with the wheel.  When you step on the brake pedal, brake shoes push out against the inside of the drum, slowing the wheel.

Now brake shoes just wear away with use from rubbing on the drum as you brake.  When it’s time to replace brake shoes, it’s a straight-forward repair.  If you hear squealing or grinding when braking, have your Denver service adviser check them out.  He’ll have a technician perform a thorough brake inspection to see what needs to be done.  He’ll check for signs of brake problems and go over other brake components to see that they’re working properly.

He can tell you if it’s time to replace the brake shoes or if there are other issues with your brakes that should be addressed.  Some people in our Denver community ignore the warning signs and keep driving long after the shoes are completely worn out.  When that happens, metal brake components will grind against the drum, damaging it enough that it has to be resurfaced or replaced.

When you push on your brake pedal, the wheel cylinder is activated and it pushes the shoes against the drum to slow the vehicle.  This cylinder, and various springs within the brake, can wear out affecting your ability to stop.  The worn components can easily be replaced.

The new brake shoes we put on your truck or other vehicle will restore your brakes to manufacturers’ specifications.  Or, we can install upgraded parts to increase your stopping power and reduce brake noise and brake dust.  We have several options to meet both your braking needs and your budget.

Taking care of your brakes keeps them working safely and can prevent premature brake repairs down the road.

Car Batteries

by Leave a Comment

Car BatteriesBatteries are a huge part of modern life in Denver and across the country.  I mean, how many battery chargers do you own?

But our purpose here is to talk about your car battery.  When people come into our Denver service center and need a new battery, they’re really not that happy about having to spend the money.  But the fact is that 70 percent of batteries don’t last four years.

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 shortens 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 not good for it:  Things like running the headlights or watching a DVD player when the car is turned off can deeply deplete car batteries.  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 town 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.  And 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 will give you the power you need.

Tire Rotation and Balancing

by Leave a Comment

Tire Rotation and BalancingYou can make the tires on your vehicle last longer with regular tire rotation and wheel balancing.

Let’s start with tire rotation.  In normal driving around Denver, your front tires wear more on the shoulders because they handle much of the cornering forces in turns.  Front-wheel drive vehicles have even more force on the front tires.

We rotate the tires so that all of the tires do some duty on the front end as well as getting a little break on the back end.  That way, all four tires wear more evenly over their life and should last longer.

For most vehicles, tires are rotated front to back.  Some manufacturers recommend a cross rotational pattern that includes the spare tire.  And some high-performance vehicles have different size tires on the front and rear and may even have uni-directional tires that can only be on the left or the right side of the vehicle.  Your service adviser at Express Car Care can help you sort that out and will perform the right tire rotation for your vehicle.

Your tire manufacturer will have a recommendation for how often you should rotate your tires.  It’s usually somewhere around 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

Let’s move on to wheel balancing.  That’s when there are heavy spots on the tire and wheel that cause it to wobble.  Balancing adds weights to the wheel to balance it out.  Now, we are talking about very small weight differences.  Variations in the tire and wheel manufacture can cause a slight imbalance.  The valve stem, and now the tire pressure monitoring sensors in the tire, also play into the equation.

Even small differences can cause annoying vibrations at speed:  the wheel is essentially bouncing a bit as it goes down the road.  For example, at freeway speeds, an out of balance wheel can be slamming into the road 14 times a second.  That’s annoying and can also cause your tires to wear out more quickly.

If a front wheel’s out of balance you’ll feel the vibration through the steering wheel.  When it’s a rear tire, you’ll feel the vibration through your seat.  If you’re getting bad vibes from your vehicle, bring it in to see if it’s a balance issue or something else.  You should balance your wheels whenever you get a new tire or remount a tire, like when it has been removed for a flat tire repair.

At Express Car Care in Denver, we install quality NAPA replacement parts.  To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com

Shocks and Struts

by Leave a Comment

Shock and StrutsLet’s talk shocks and struts.

Shock absorbers and struts last a long time and wear out pretty slowly for most cars and trucks in the Denver area.  They’re easy to take for granted, but your shocks and struts do a very important job so you need to pay attention to them.  They keep your tires on the road; and your tires are what connect your vehicle to the road and allow you to safely handle your car through turns, over bumps and even stop in time.

When your shocks and struts are worn, your tires bounce excessively over bumps in our city streets.  Your vehicle will wallow through corners; your front-end will dive when you stop; and your rear-end will squat when you accelerate.  All this hurts your ability to control your vehicle.  And your ride just isn’t as comfortable.

Worn shocks or struts cause excessive tire wear so you’ll have to replace your tires sooner than you should.  Worn shocks and struts also stresses other suspension and steering parts causing them to wear prematurely.  Struts are actually a major structural component of the suspension system; there’s a lot riding on them.

Replacing worn shocks and struts saves money in the long run for our local drivers – and of course you can’t really put a price on your safety and that of your passengers.  We generally recommend replacing shocks and struts at 50,000 miles.

When it is time for new shocks or struts, we’ve got you covered.  We can give you back the ride and handling of a new vehicle.  And if you have special needs we can help you there too.  We have premium shocks and struts that will improve your performance.  We can even help you with upgraded, heavy-duty shocks that will give you the confidence you need to handle those big towing or hauling jobs.

Experts recommend replacing all four shocks at the same time so that handling is even at each wheel.  If you need new shocks or struts, let us help you take care of this important safety service.  You’ll feel better, and you’ll save money on tires and other suspension repairs down the road.

Timing Belt Replacement

by Leave a Comment

Timing Belt ReplacementLet’s address a very important maintenance item for everyone in Denver – timing belt replacement.  It’s important because letting this one slide can lead to very expensive engine damage.

Your timing belt choreographs the timing of your combustion process.  Your pistons travel up and down in the cylinder.  Intake valves open at the right time to let in air and fuel, they close at the right time to allow the fuel to burn and then the exhaust valves open at the right time to let out the exhaust.  All these things happen thousands of times a minute and it’s your timing belt that makes sure the valves are opening and closing at precisely the right time.  If the timing is off, your engine won’t run.  And that’s the best case scenario.

The worst case is that a valve is opening at the wrong time and collides with the piston.  The result is bent valves and maybe even more damage to the cylinder head.  Repairs can run into several thousand dollars.

Timing belts just wear out naturally so you want to replace a worn belt before it slips or breaks.  Check your owner’s manual or with your service adviser at Express Car Care in Denver to see when they recommend you replace the timing belt.  If you’ve never replaced your timing belt and have 60,000 or more miles on the clock, talk with your service adviser right away to see if you’re due.

On some engines, the water pump is driven by the timing belt as opposed to the serpentine belt.  If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to replace the water pump when you’re replacing the timing belt, and vice versa since much of the same work has to be done for either.  The same is true for the timing belt tensioner – it should be inspected and possibly replaced.

Timing belt replacement is one of the more expensive routine maintenance items on your service schedule.  But not replacing your timing belt can lead to some of the most expensive repairs you’re likely to ever have.

Disc Brake Maintenance

by Leave a Comment

Disc Brake MaintenanceYour brakes are extremely important as you drive around Denver.  Having good brakes just keeps you out of trouble.  You’ll want to carefully maintain your brakes.  With disc brakes, brake pads rub on a disc – or rotor – to slow the wheels.  The brake pads are attached to a caliper that squeezes the pads against the rotor.  It’s kind of like how squeezing the handbrake on a bicycle pushes the brake pads against the wheel of the bike.

Now brake pads just wear away with use – like a pencil eraser wears out.  The good news is that replacing brake pads is a straight-forward repair.

If you hear squealing or grinding when you use the brakes, have your Express Car Care service adviser check them out.  He’ll have a technician perform a thorough brake inspection to see what needs to be done.  He’ll check for signs of brake problems and go over other brake components to see that they’re working properly.  He can tell you if it’s time to replace the pads or if there are other issues with your brakes that should be addressed.  Some people make the mistake of ignoring the warning signs and keep on driving long after the pads are completely worn out.  When that happens, metal brake components will grind on the rotor, damaging it enough that it needs to be resurfaced or replaced.

Rotors can also warp or crack, in which case they’ll need to be replaced.  Brake calipers also wear out over time.  They can develop leaks or the caliper pistons can freeze open or closed – either way it’s not good.  When this happens it’s time to replace the calipers.  A thorough brake inspection will reveal worn bearings or seals as well.

The new brake pads we put on your vehicle will restore your brakes to manufacturers’ specifications.  Or, we can install upgraded parts to increase your stopping power and reduce brake noise and brake dust.  We have several options to meet your braking requirements and your budget.

Taking care of your brakes keeps them working safely – and you could prevent premature brake repairs down the road.  At Express Car Care in Denver, we install quality NAPA replacement parts.

Driving and Texting

by Leave a Comment

Driving and TextingDriving and texting, we’ve all witnessed it and at some time or other maybe even done it ourselves.  But let’s wake up people!  Nearly nine in ten motorists think driving and texting is a bigger problem now than it was three years ago.  And almost eighty-nine percent believe that drivers that are talking on a cell phone while driving are posing a serious danger to other drivers.  When a person gets behind the wheel of a car, their primary focus should always be driving!

Too many people today seem to be operating their cars like they are playing a video game.  Whipping in and out of lanes, cutting people off without any regard for other drivers or the consequences of their actions.  They seem to think that the action stops when they aren’t paying attention, and they don’t seem to realize that their actions have a drastic effect on other drivers.

According to new research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (aaafoundation.org)  96% of drivers believe driving and texting or e-mailing is a serious threat to public safety.  But one of the surprising findings in their research is that the drivers most distracted by their mobile devices aren’t teenagers.  Even though the public often cites teens as being the most common offenders, according to AAA’s research, high school-aged teens report using their phones or driving and texting substantially less often than adults.  Here are some of the results of their research:

  • 43% of adults ages 25-39 reported using their cell phone fairly often or regularly while driving.
  • 20% of teens reported using their cell phone fairly often or regularly while driving.
  • 10% of fatal accidents involve distraction.

Here in Colorado, all drivers are banned from driving and texting.  Also drivers under the age of 18 are banned from all use of cell phones, including text messaging.  You might think you’re safe in using your phone while driving, but since there are 3,000 deaths a year blamed on distracted driving, why don’t we all just hang up and drive?

Since we try to give you a lot of ideas about keeping you and your car safe here at Express Car Care, this idea only takes a moment for you to do and doesn’t cost you a cent!  Think about it.

 

 

Deciphering the Menu Board at Express Car Care

by Leave a Comment

Deciphering the Menu BoardYou may not be familiar with all of the items on Express Car Care’s menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed.  Remember, the board is there for reference; speak to your Express Car Care Service Adviser about other possible needs or services.

Express Car Care Fuel System Cleaning:  Over time, the fuel system gets gum and varnish built up.  A fuel system cleaning at Express Car Care gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors.  This saves you gas as you drive around Denver and on the freeways.

Express Car Care 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 an almost new-condition.  Ask your friendly Express Car Care adviser for information.

Express Car Care Inspections:  Denver drivers 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 in Denver.  Maybe they just bought a used car and want to give it the once over.  An inspection at Express Car Care may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

Express Car Care Oil Change Service:  There are several options, some Denver auto service centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option.  We will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change.  We also have options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

Express Car Care PCV Valve Service:  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 just needs to be changed now and then.

Express Car Care Power Steering Service:  Often overlooked.  Your Express Car Care technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid.  Keeps the system running well for a long time.

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

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

Express Car Care 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.  Helps the ride and saves tire wear as you drive around Denver.

Give us a call at 303-691-2760 and let us help.

 

 

Check Engine Light Diagnosis at Express Car Care in Denver

by Leave a Comment

Check Engine DiagnosisMany Denver drivers have had their check engine light come on.  It’s an amber colored light that shows on your dashboard.  In newer vehicles it might just be a problem with your gas cap not being screwed on tight enough (or a worn gas cap), causing the vehicle to fail the self-diagnostic emission test.  All you need to do is go to your gas cap and verify that it is tight.  If that was the problem, the light will turn off and everything will be fine within one or two days.

Resist the temptation to have someone “clear” the codes to turn off your vehicles check engine light.  This erases important diagnostic information that your helpful Express Car Care technician needs to diagnose the underlying problem for the check engine light – and any other pending problems that may be stored in the car computer.

If the problem is still there – you still see the light – bring your vehicle in to Express Car Care in Denver and have your check engine light diagnosis as soon as possible.

Come in and see us at 4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, or give us a call at 303-691-2760 and we’ll see what we can do to help you.

At Express Car Care in Denver we install quality NAPA replacement parts.  To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com

A Long Lasting Cooling System for Denver Driving

by Leave a Comment

A Long Lasting Cooling System for Denver Driving e PadsOur vehicles operate in a wide range of outside temperatures in Colorado.  That’s why vehicle manufacturers use testing grounds from the frozen tundra to the blistering desert.  Your engine coolant must be able to perform in these extreme temperatures, even if we don’t always get the extremes in Denver.

Coolant has to move heat away from the engine to prevent costly damage.  Water does a very good job of holding heat, but it freezes at thirty two degrees (Fahrenheit).  That’s why we mix anti-freeze with water – it lowers the freezing point of the coolant, and raises the boiling point as well.  A fifty/fifty blend of water and anti-freeze is the usual recommendation from Express Car Care.

And on top of that, coolant has to protect the components of the cooling system from corrosion.  Your owner’s manual will tell you what kind of coolant you should use.  Of course, your Express Car Care service representative in Denver will know what you should put in your car.

Coolant system failure is one of the most common mechanical problems people experience.  Much of that can be avoided by following factory schedule service intervals.  Check your owner’s manual or with your service adviser at Express Car Care for recommendations.  We can also conduct a cooling system inspection to look for leaks, weak hoses or bad connections.

Give us a call at 303-691-2760, or stop by Express Car Care at 4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, 80222.

 

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks