Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

High Altitude and Your Tire Pressure

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High Altitude and Your Tire Pressure

Want to know the two biggest factors that can affect your tire pressure here in Denver? Temperature and altitude.

While there are many things we all love about living in the Mile High City, when it comes to your tires, they aren’t nearly as excited. We can go from 90 to 30 degrees in days. You can go up and down thousands of feet in altitude in a matter of hours. And one of the biggest things that keeps you safe as you head out on your journeys is your tires. Which means your auto maintenance routine should begin at the bottom.

Standard tire pressure depends on the size of your tire and the weight of your car. The best way to determine what your tires’ correct pressure should be is to look in your vehicles manual. Keep this number in mind as our temperature varies greatly, or you travel thousands of feet in direction over a short period of time. Tire pressure is measured in pounds per  square inch (psi) and can be measured easily at your local gas station or with a gauge you can buy at any auto supply center. As a guide, air pressure at sea level stands at 14.7 psi.

An increase in temperature causes the air in tires to expand. Likewise, cold temperatures have the opposite effect, reducing air pressure and causing tire to flatten. As a result, tires filled at one temperature could no longer be correct as the temperature changes. And here in Colorado, temperature change is something that can happen quite rapidly, going from winter to summer temperatures in a matter of days. Meaning your tires can quickly be over or under inflated – impacting the way your tires will wear.

When a car changes altitude, the external air pressure around it changes. The level of pressure in a tire is created from the relationship between the air in the environment and the air inside the tire. Climbing higher in altitude means the air offer less resistance, which creates a higher level of pressure within the tire itself. To keep your tires perfectly balanced, pressure should be adjusted while you are at higher altitudes and again when you make your descent.

A tire without the correct tire pressure is harder to control and creates unnecessary wear and tear on the vehicle. Whether they are over or under inflated, the tires will not be able to properly grip the road, which results in longer stopping distances. Not only does your car have to work harder, your tires do too.

To ensure your tires are at their optimal level, stop by today.

Keeping Your Car Safe With Routine Auto Maintenance

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Are you the type that spends every weekend washing, waxing, and working on your car?  If you are reading this article, you probably aren’t.  If you’re anything like me, your car is simply a means to an end; a way to get quickly from point A to point B.

Keeping Your Car Safe With Routine Auto MaintenanceHowever, I am coming to discover that this tool for transportation has needs too.  So, if I want my car to continue shuttling me safely from one place to another, I need to show it a little love back.

Regularly scheduled maintenance – If the car is running smoothly, this may seem like a waste of time and money.  But, there is actually a good purpose for the regular maintenance they recommend for your car.  At these little checkups, the mechanic can see how well the parts are working and what needs to be attended to.  Replacing parts before they break down tends to be much cheaper than fixing the mess they make when they go.

Tune-Ups – Consider these brief check-ups between your regularly scheduled maintenance.  The mechanic wants to make sure the little pieces are working well together to keep your engine (and your car) working at peak efficiency.

Oil Changes – Without oil, your engine will burn up.  Oil provides the lubrication that keeps your car from overheating as a result of natural friction.  In order for your car to continue running well, this oil needs to be changed periodically.  Clean oil keeps gunk from building up in the working mechanisms of your engine.

Fluid Flushes – If you look under the hood of your car, you will notice several different reservoirs.  These containers hold the different fluids needed to keep your car running.  Every now and then, your car would appreciate a top off or a fresh supply on each of these.

If you give your car a little love along the way, it will serve you much better.  A little TLC will keep you safe and moving in the foreseeable future.

Avoid These Used Cars – They Signal Endless Car Repair Problems

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Wouldn’t it be great to drive away in a brand new car?

Avoid These Used Cars - They Signal Endless Car Repair ProblemsUnfortunately, for many of us, a new car isn’t in our immediate future.

But that doesn’t mean we still don’t need a quality vehicle we can rely on for our day to day needs.

This need leads you to the used car market. While there are millions of used cars available, they are not all created equal. Just because a used car seems like a great deal does not make it the right choice.

When shopping used cars, it is essential that you take your time and use caution to ensure that you buy a quality vehicle that still has plenty of life left in it. Here are some used cars that you should avoid.

  • Cars with salvage titles – these cars were considered a total loss by insurance companies. Just because someone managed to make them look pretty again does not mean they are sound investments.
  • Cars that lack service records – you need to know that the used car you buy was taken care of by the previous owner. This reassurance comes from physical records of oil changes and other maintenance tasks, not from the mere word of the previous owner.
  • Cars with funky paint jobs and mismatched tires – if you can see brushstrokes in the paint, there is a good chance that someone tried to fix the paint themselves. If the tires do not match, this is an indicator that the tires may be wearing out at different rates, which could be a sign of a larger problem.
  • Cars with visible oil stains on the pavement – when you take a used car for a spin, if you notice oil stains underneath as you pull out, pull right back in. The last thing you need are engine problems, such as leaking oil.
  • Cars that were previously rented – no, not all rentals are bad cars, but there is always a chance that various drivers were harder on the car than necessary. After all, it wasn’t their car in the first place, so they didn’t have anything invested in it.

Auto Maintenance – Safety, Reliability and Longevity

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For the average person, an automobile represents a large investment. Next to your house, it’s the one thing that you put out a lot of money for each month, and you rely on every single day of your life. It’s important to have safe, reliable transportation available to you when you need it most, whether its on a hot summer day, or the coldest winter morning on record.

Auto Maintenance - Safety, Reliability and Longevity

Regular maintenance ensures three things:

  • It ensures you have safe transportation for your family – and for your family friends when the are along for the ride.
  • In ensures you have reliable transportation that is there when you need it and doesn’t leave you stranded at the most inopportune times.
  • In ensures the longevity of your car, to make sure you get a superior product for as long as you choose to own your car.

Maintenance schedules can vary depending on the make and age of your car. Older cars will need more extensive maintenance to avoid problems; newer cars need the basics to maintain their efficiency. But in all cases, there are basics that can be handled on a routine basis.

Start at the bottom – your tires are the most important item to help your car run efficiently. Tires should be checked regularly to ensure they are properly filled. Too much or too little air can cause patterns in the tires, making them wear out quicker and potentially putting your safety at risk. Also rotate tires on a regular basis – manufacturers recommend around 5,000 miles – and maintain a pattern in the process. Typically the two front tires will be switched to the back, switching the tires that go to the back from left to right. Maintain this pattern throughout the life of your tires.

Oil changes should occur at the same frequency of tire rotation, or around every 5,000 miles or so. Constant improvements are being made to engine oil technology, making some engines to farther before maintenance is needed. Make sure you check with your vehicle guidelines to determine the best schedule for your car.

Do you have windshield wipers in both the front and back of your vehicle? Sitting out in all kinds of weather – heat and cold – can wear out your windshield wipers quickly. Likewise in our ever-changing road conditions, you may use windshield washer fluid at higher levels as we change from season to season. Keep an extra gallon at hand either in your garage, or in your car itself.

The older your car gets, the more “problems” may show up unexpectedly. Never assume your vehicle is in top shape if you don’t have a reliable mechanic working with you on a regular basis. If you’ll be traveling longer distances than normal – a road trip to see family in another state, or a ski weekend with the girls – bring it in for a checkup first. It can help you avoid unexpected and more costly problems at the least opportune times.

Car Maintenance To Ensure A Safe Road Trip

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Its that time of year again. School is about to start up, and last minute vacations are close at hand. Before you head out on the open road for a funfilled weekend, make sure your car is in top shape with these maintenance tips.Car Maintenance To Ensure A Safe Road Trip

  1. Service your battery. When is the last time you changed out your battery? Batteries don’t last forever. If yours is three years old or older, you may want to test it or replace it to avoid unexpected trouble. AAA has reported that they assist on average around 1.6 million motorists with dead batteries during the summer months, and replace around 500,000 of them at roadside. Don’t be one of the statistics.
  2. Air conditioning check. While we haven’t had exceptionally hot weather here in weeks, out on the road may be a different story. In a short period of time, you can find yourself in intense heat with the sun beating through the windows – and no coolness coming out of your vents. Air conditioning systems typically don’t require routine maintenance, but if your system isn’t working well to begin with, an intense trip may be the ticket for failure. One of our mechanics can perform an AC inspection to check out your system, including compressor, belts, hoses and the temperature and cooling system.
  3. Tire check. No one anticipates a flat tire. But its even more of a hassle when you’re miles from the nearest exit and you have to pull out luggage to reach the spare. When it comes to checking tires, even newer tires should have a once over before a big trip. Check the pressure of each tire when the tires are cold and the car hasn’t been driven in a while. Make sure the pressure is at the recommended level. Also inspect the tread depth and overall condition of the tires. Yes, that small nail can be a problem – have it checked before you head out.
  4. Are you fully prepared? While preventative measures will help tip the scales in your favor, accidents are called accidents for a reason. There is always opportunity for problems along the way. Make sure you have an emergency roadside kit that is appropriate for the season and the areas you are going to. While you will probably have many mobile phones in the car, make sure you have chargers that work in your vehicle as well. Flashlights, first aid kits, drinking water, snacks and food, booster cables, standard tools such as a wrench, and emergency flares or reflectors should be included in any kit.
  5. Windshield wipers and fluid. Did you know the average windshield wiper lasts anywhere from six to twelve months? While you may experience dry conditions in Colorado, if your trip takes you to other states, you may be faced with a variety of seasonal elements, including rain and dirt. Will your current wipers hold up in extreme situations and provide you with the ability to see clearly? Do you have plenty of washer fluid in case you hit a variety of elements? Carry an extra gallon with you, especially for longer trips.
  6. Inspect belts, hoses and fluids. The older the car, the more potential you’ll have for problems. Belts only last so long before they begin showing signs of wear, cracks, frays, or become brittle or excessively soft. Clamps can lose their tightness over time, allowing leaks and drips to begin. Fluids also begin to flow quicker as a car ages. The older your car, the more maintenance-friendly checks should be made throughout the year to ensure your car is in good working order.
  7. Always plan and prepare. While the idea of a vacation is to get away from it all, don’t disappear without anyone knowing where you are going. Plan out your trip in advance, and map out your routes and patterns. Stick to your schedule as much as possible, and let a family member or friend know of your plans. Check in occasionally, especially for longer trips, so they know you’re okay.

 

What Is Regenerative Braking?

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Every once in a while, new technology is introduced into the automotive world, meaning new concepts are added to the world of purchasing cars and maintaining them over a lifetime.

Regenerative braking systems is one of those concepts. Regenerative braking was introduced when hybrid technology was introduced to the world of cars.

On a normal car, when you apply the brakes, the energy and heat of the action of braking dissipates and is wasted away. Not so with regenerative braking. Instead, when you apply the brakes, regenerative braking uses a mechanism that allows the vehicle to slow down while converting the resulting kinetic energy that is normally wasted into a useful form of energy. The energy and heat that is dissipated is instead converted and returned to the battery and reused in other systems throughout the vehicle. Because of this action, the battery is constantly being recharged, meaning the hybrid vehicle can go further on a charge without having to be returned to its outlet.

The concept of regenerative braking is still new and confusing to many. Imagine your car and what happens to it once you apply the brakes. The brake pads slowly apply pressure, creating heat from the friction of the pads and the tires slowing down. Energy is accumulated as the brake pads wear against the rotors. This energy is transferred to the vehicles electric motor, charging the battery in the process.

What Is Regenerative Braking?Regenerative braking does however have its limitations. Typically this system is only available on the wheels that drive the vehicle – so for a front wheel driven vehicle, it only applies to the two front wheels. This means your vehicle is only generating power on these two wheels. Because more action and power is associated with these wheels, they will have more wear and tear on both the wheels and tires, and on the brakes and brake pads. Which means you may be replacing tires, brakes and brake pads on a more frequent basis than those on the rear of the vehicle.

Regenerative braking works best at greater speeds. The more friction needed to stop the vehicle, the more energy is created. So to get the most benefit from this system, a person should be more apt to driving at high speeds on an ongoing basis than slower, city driving.

Have any questions about your regenerative braking system? Stop by or give us a call. We can make sure your car is in top condition, no matter how old or new, green or otherwise.

Do Hybrids Still Need Car Maintenance?

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So you’re looking for a new car. Do you spend a little extra and go with one of the latest “green” models on the road today? Would an electric or a hybrid car need car maintenance like your old model? Or could you save money on future repairs as well just by buying a hybrid today?

Do Hybrids Still Need Car Maintenance?When it comes down to it, a car is a car. Yes, hybrids operate a little differently than your standard gasoline model. But hybrids still have a regular gas engine along with their electric aspects. Which means they will need routine maintenance just like any other gas vehicle on the road today.

This includes changing out oil and air filters.

This includes oil changes.

This includes brake pads.

However the one thing that will change is the frequency.

With a hybrid, the electric side of the engine operates daily just like the gasoline side. Because the two work together, the electric side takes some of the load off the engine. Which means the car further between oil changes – 5,000 to 10,000 is a good ball park.

For air filters, a hybrid car typically needs to be changed closer to 40,000 miles.

Brake pads will also increase their wear because of the regenerative braking properties associated with hybrid cars.

All other aspects of a hybrid car work in a similar manner to a gasoline car, and as such need approximately the same level of maintenance on the same routine cycle.

How Your Neighborhood Car Repair Shop Can Help You Stay Safe

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You’ve had your car for a few years. Its paid off – why spend the extra right now in today’s economy? But keeping a car that is several years old comes with its own set of problems.

How Your Neighborhood Car Repair Shop Can Help You Stay SafeIn order to make sure your car is in top shape, don’t wait for a problem to occur. Instead, find a neighborhood car repair shop you can trust; one that will help you keep your car in great shape, and one that will give you reliable transportation for many years to come.

When it comes to car repair, you have a lot of choices. Should you go back to the dealer? Should you trust a national chain? Or should stick to your own community and go with your neighborhood car repair shop?

When it comes to developing a relationship that will help you maintain your car over time, the neighborhood shop may be the way to go.

Imagine bringing your car in and always being able to talk with the owner. He knows you, knows your family, and understands your car. Have a problem? Call him up – he’ll be able to provide expert advice at any time. Yes, in many cases you will be on a first name basis – and its easy to trust a friend and ask for advice any time.

Above all, your goal is to keep your car safe, no matter how old it is. By working with your neighborhood car repair shop, you can work together to make sure things are in top shape at all times. And to get you started, here are a few tips to talk over the next time you bring your car in.

  • Have the repair shop take a look at your tires. The tires are a crucial part of your car. If your tires fail in any way, it can lead to serious injury. It is a good idea to have your repair shop check the air pressure to ensure they are properly inflated, as well as the tread to ensure that they are not going bald. Under and over inflation can be dangerous, as well as driving around on bald tires.
  • Give your car’s glass a once-over. Your repair shop technician can make sure your windows, mirrors and even your headlights are free from dirt, dust and grime. You need your windows to see where you are going and what is behind you. You need your mirrors to see what is around you. You need your headlights to see where you are going. Grime, dirt and dust and inhibit your vision, so have all glass cleaned regularly.
  • Don’t forget the belts. The belts under the hood are not made to last a lifetime. They can become worn and cracked. If this happens, they can easily break – even when you are driving down the road. Have your technician examine all of your car’s belts on a regular basis and replace any that show signs of wear and tear.

Car Maintenance for Seniors – Avoiding The Scams

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It’s true, senior citizens are often the targets of scams, fraud and financial crimes. Many seniors have substantial financial assets, own their own home, and have large savings accounts at their disposal. They are often at home, easy to talk with, and in some cases are ready and willing to open up to a friendly face ready to give them some time.

Car Maintenance for Seniors - Avoiding The ScamsUnfortunately, criminals are getting more sophisticated in the way they prey on those that may be disadvantaged in some way. If a 75 year old woman always relied on her husband for maintaining the cars, her new “job” may be completely overwhelming, and she quickly trusts anyone who provides a smile and a simple “I understand”. Which of course may not be in her best interests.

With car maintenance, there are typically two common types of cons designed to trick consumers into giving up more money then is truly necessary.

1. The first is the door to door salesman or cold caller. Someone calls on the phone or knocks on the door, offering a super deal to repair your car. Only after you hand over a substantial amount of money and the person is on their way do you discover the work hasn’t been completed, its of poor quality, wasn’t needed in the first place, or in some cases, the work was never performed at all.

2. The second is a dishonest car repair shop that sees “opportunity” when they discover a gullible consumer has walked into their location. They will be friendly in the beginning, waiting for the chance to pull the car into the garage. And after a short period of time, “problems” began to arise rapidly. The oil change turns into a series of repairs that can range from the hundreds to the thousands of dollars. And of course the car can’t leave the repair shop – its not in good working order.

If you’re nervous about finding a reputable car maintenance shop that you can rely on again and again, keep these two tips in mind.

First, start with a local shop that has been around for years. Go into the garage and talk with the owner. Have them perform a simple service in the beginning to test out the relationship.

Second, ask questions. If you don’t understand, keep pressing for answers you can relate to. You can even follow up and see if the answers stay the same over time.

While it may seem in your best interest to price shop and find the place with the best deal today, you’ll wind up paying more over time. A car repair shop that you can trust, and you know will always steer you in the right direction, is much more valuable than saving a few dollars here and there. Its peace of mind.

Car Maintenance To Make Your Old Car Like New Again

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It is no secret that times are hard. More and more people are watching what they spend and finding ways to save money. One major way people are saving money is by avoiding a new car purchase. Buying a new car means taking out a loan – unless you have the cold, hard cash and most people do not have that kind of money.

Car Maintenance To Make Your Old Car Like New AgainSo, instead of buying new, people are finding ways to take better care of their current car to extend its life. The maintenance is worth the money because more and more cars are staying on the highway well past 100,000 miles. Here are some tips to help you keep your current car rolling down the road.

  • Take care of your muffler, catalytic converter and oxygen sensors. When your check engine light comes on, that is your car’s way of telling you that something is wrong. Pay attention to what it is saying. If it is determined that you need a new oxygen sensor, go ahead and replace it. However, if the same problem keeps happening, it is time to replace the catalytic converter, muffler and the sensors. Your car will run smoother, have more power, and get better gas mileage. Let us check the condition of your car to ensure running longer. Express Car Care of Denver auto repair can help if you do break down.
  • Flush more than just your radiator. Everyone knows that a radiator system should be flushed. However, your power steering fluid and your brake fluid should also be flushed to get rid of any build-up that may have developed over time.
  • Have your air conditioning system cleaned and deodorized. This will help keep your system running efficiently and keep it from having an obnoxious odor (a common problem after several years of use).
  • Replace your ball joints and struts or shocks. Your car may not be exhibiting signs that those items need replaced, but when you start racking up the miles, it pays to prevent a problem, rather than wait for a problem to occur. Not only will you be riding in a safer car, your car will ride much better.
  • Have your wheels (not your tires) aligned or replaced. Over time, your wheels can wear down in spots. Having someone align them and fix all the areas of wear and tear will improve the ride.

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