Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Basic Auto Repair Safety Rules

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Your car is something you rely on every day. And when it comes to trying to save a little money, doing your own auto repair may be the first thing that pops into mind. Yet before you pick up a screwdriver or pop the hood of your car, safety should be your number one concern. Safety is synonymous with planning. If you’ve planned ahead and know what you face, your likely to stay safe in the process.

Keep your work area clean

 

Its hard to work at a desk that’s buried under by paperwork. Likewise its difficult to work in an area cluttered with boxes, cans and “stuff”. When you’re moving around your car, the last thing you want to do is trip over a box and land on a hard surface – its an easy way to break a wrist or ankle. [Read more…]

Should You Try Auto Repair Yourself?

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If you are doing a little research and trying to determine if you should do auto repair yourself, the most likely reason for this is because you are trying to save money. With a little knowledge and skill, you may be able to do a few of the most common auto repairs yourself.

Yet a professional auto repair shop isn’t there to take all of your money; instead they are there to save you time AND ensure your repair is done correctly the first time. They have the tools, parts, knowledge and skills to get the job done quickly without leaving you questioning what truly is wrong.

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while now, you know I fill it with tips to keep your auto in great condition. In many cases your problem could require a simple solution. Below are a variety of auto repair articles I’ve written over the last few months, each designed to provide you with specific information on the upkeep of your car. Take a look to determine what is the right answer for you and your auto. And if you have any questions, just call. We would be happy to provide you with expert advice and help you make an informed decision on what it will truly cost to do your own auto repair.

How Often Should I Change My Automotive Brakes?
Have a question about how long your automotive brakes will last on your car? There are a couple of things to consider.

What’s So Important About An Oil Filter?
In the course of our business, we are often confronted with customers who don’t understand the importance of their oil filter.  They are usually focused on the quality of the oil and the cost of the oil change and don’t really see what’s so important about an oil filter? [Read more…]

Spring Auto Repair Tips – Troubleshoot Your Air Conditioner Before The Heat Sets In

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Spring is officially here – and soon to follow is summer. With a mild winter behind us, there is a good chance that the summer weather could be a doozy! To prepare for the sweltering temperatures, think a little ahead and make sure your car’s air conditioner is working correctly now before you need it. Some of the possible problems you might encounter with your car’s AC unit include the following:

Leaks – if your car’s air conditioning system has any leaks, you will lose the coolant that makes the system work. Your car’s AC. system contains coolant that helps make the air cool before it reaches your vents. If you have leaks, you will lose coolant and have warm air blowing through the vents. [Read more…]

Aggressive Driving

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As the weather gets warmer and warmer this spring, we see more and more drivers emerging from their winter cocoons and taking flight to the streets.  Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of this rebirth is the growing problem of aggressive driving.  We have all experienced the stress of driving at one time or another when we’re on the roads, but it seems like drivers have become more aggressive in their driving habits than ever before! The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that aggressive driving is a serious factor in up to 56% of all fatal car crashes, so it is definitely having a negative affect!

What is classified as aggressive driving, you might ask?  Aggressive driving includes such things as speeding, tailgating, improper or erratic lane changes (usually without signaling), running red lights or driving illegally on road shoulders or sidewalks. This is just the short list of “aggressive behaviors”. There is also passing (when it is prohibited by posted signs, highway markings or school bus warning lights) , making improper turns, talking on your cell phone while driving,  or honking the horn and using angry or obscene gestures at other drivers.  All of these behaviors threaten every single driver on the road.

Our streets would be a lot safer and we would have a much more pleasant driving experience if we would all follow some simple steps to avoid aggressive driving and its consequences.

  • Avoid cutting off other drivers and apologize if you do
  • Avoid tailgating and honking the horn
  • Avoid making offensive or inappropriate gestures
  • Steer clear of other aggressive drivers, don’t engage with them
  • Avoid eye contact if you are confronted
  • Seek help if you are being followed by driving to a safe or crowded location or call 911

As drivers, we each have a responsibility to control our own emotions and behaviors and not allow them to control us.  Maybe if we all do our part, by driving according to the law and showing consideration for our fellow drivers, aggressive driving and its consequences could be a “thing of the past.”

Use Your Senses As An Auto Repair Guide

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We are all familiar with the “mechanic scenario”.  Your car has finally caused enough trouble you take it to the shop.  You hand over your keys with a hope and a prayer that they will be able to fix your car without breaking your wallet.  Yet you have no idea how to explain what is wrong.

If you are the “non-mechanical” type, here are a few things you can do with simple observations to help maintain your car.  With your five senses (and a little common sense) you can get an idea of what is wrong with your car before you bring it in. And have basic knowledge to understand how to explain it to your mechanic.

Sight – Sight is probably the easiest sense to integrate.  You already use this sense to tell you when your car needs gas or when one of the dash lights comes on.  In addition to these simple steps, as you walk to your car, look to see if anything is hanging from the undercarriage.  Plastic protective covers can easily be reattached if they are discovered in time.  Is the tailpipe bent?  This could be signs of an exhaust leak.  Are their fluids leaking onto the pavement?  Any fluid leaking enough to leave a mark on the pavement (aside from condensation from AC) needs to be looked at by a mechanic. [Read more…]

Spring Auto Repair Tips: Test Your Air Conditioner Before The Heat Rolls In

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Summer is approaching and with it comes the hot, summer temperatures. While your home may be cool and comfortable, your car could be another matter. Driving in the heat is an uncomfortable experience – for some people, heat cannot be tolerated at all. This is why it is essential for you to test your car’s air conditioner before summer sets in. Fixing any potential problems in advance will ensure that you are driving in cool comfort all summer long.

Test your air conditioner while it is still cool outside. If you find a problem, you can fix it before the heat waves begin.

If your AC is blowing warm, there are two likely culprits – leaks or broken parts. As your car gets older, it is not uncommon for the air conditioning system to develop leaks. You can have a mechanic test your AC to pinpoint any leaks and repair them. [Read more…]

Spring Check Up For Your Auto

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Colorado winters are tough on a lot of things, including your car. For the past few months, your auto has been battling freezing temperatures, snow and ice, de-icers and road salts. And of course the never-ending assault that comes from hitting the potholes that seem to be all over town. That can put a lot of stress on your car battery, tires, brakes and suspension.

While Denver can seem like a very small town at times, its still likely you travel hundreds of miles each and every month. Washing your car and getting rid of the dirt may put you in a springtime mood, yet it’s the regular maintenance cycle that will keep it running as well as it looks, and keep it in peak performance all year long.

Here are a few auto repair tips to help keep your car in top performance as we move into the long, warm summer months.

Battery

 

Batteries work harder when the temperatures are below freezing. In fact, they can compromise cranking performance by up to 60 percent. If you have a battery that is three years or older, test it regularly and replace it if it shows signs of weakness. Its cheaper than a tow and an emergency replacement. [Read more…]

CV Joint Repair

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Since many of us here in Colorado drive front-wheel drive vehicles, it’s important that we keep an eye on the CV joints to make sure they aren’t in need of repair.  Front-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles transfer the power from the transmission to the wheels through a drive axle assembly.  These drive axles have constant-velocity  (CV)  joints at each end.

A CV joint is a group of bearings and cages that allow the axle to rotate and deliver power at different angles  so that the axle can change its length as it moves up and down.  The CV joints are protected by rubber boots that keep dirt and contaminants out and a protective layer of lubricant in.

Just like everything else in life, these rubber boots can crack or tear over time.  If moisture and dirt get inside a CV joint and the lubricant leaks out, due to normal wear and tear, there is a greater potential for CV joint failure.

The signs of possible CV joint failure are clicking or crackling sounds while turning, clunking sound during accelerating or sudden deceleration.  You might also notice front-end vibrations.

If you haven’t noticed anything unusual you should still have the CV joints checked routinely to keep you ahead of the repairs but if you think your vehicle is showing any of these signs  give us a call at 303-691-2760 or come in and see us before the damage becomes more costly to repair.

 

What to Remember When Finding an Auto Repair Company

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When your car has trouble and you have to find an auto repair company to bring it in for work, what goes through your mind?

Unfortunately, the bad often outweighs the good. There are many trustworthy, reliable shops in the Denver area today. Yet they don’t make the news. The news is always filled with who got scammed, who provides shoddy work, and case studies of people that “lost everything” by relying on someone who is anything but reliable.

According to the Consumer Federation of America, auto repair rip-offs are consistently one of the top five most frequently reported consumer complaints. Over $20 billion is spent annually on unnecessary or faulty auto repairs.

So what do you do when its time to find an auto repair company to do work on your car? It can be summed up with two items. [Read more…]

Five Tools Every Auto Owner Needs

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Everyone needs to have a great team on their side. An accountant for handling taxes each year. A painter for painting you home inside and out. An auto mechanic to rely on for regular maintenance as well as emergency repairs.

Yet in addition to your team, chances are you’ll do things on your own as well.

While you’ll probably bring your car into your reliable auto repair shop for most issues, there may be the day when you have to pop the hood and handle a few things on your own.

For those moments, here are five tools you should have on hand for the “just in case” moments.

Jack – While every car owner may have the desire to handle situations by driving to the nearest repair shop, there may be a time when you have to do things yourself. If you are running around town and walk out to the parking lot to find a flat tire, a jack might be just the thing you need to fix it yourself. [Read more…]

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Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks