Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Auto Repair Safety Tips

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In order to save a few dollars, you may be tempted to set up and perform simple routine maintenance on your car at home in your garage. How difficult can it be?

And while some jobs may seem simple for the do it yourselfer, remember that cars can be dangerous for you and your family. While it is a feasible way to save money, if you are going to perform your own auto repairs, it is essential for you to be safe. The following auto repair safety tips will help you avoid accidental injury.

  • Never perform repairs that are beyond your scope of expertise. In other words, if you truly do not know how to make the repair, let a professional do it for you. [Read more…]

Changing Your Belts, Hoses, Fluids and Filters

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The best way to ensure that your auto stays in running condition is with proper maintenance. Preventing problems before they start will help you keep your car on the road, and will keep it in top shape to be reliable no matter what the conditions.

Oil – oil is the lifeblood of your automobile. If your oil is low, you need to add the additional fluid right away. Low levels can also be a sign of a possible problem, such as a leak. You should change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles. This will help keep your motor is tip-top shape for all of your driving needs. Make sure you change the oil filter each time you change the oil.
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Brake System Service

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The last thing we need in this fast-paced life we live in, is to have trouble ” putting on the brakes!”  We can all benefit from slowing down and enjoying the ride every now and then.  And just as we need to engage our “life brakes” we also need to be able to use the brakes on our vehicles.  Sometimes this can be a challenge if our brakes haven’t been taken care of properly.

If the brakes on your vehicle are not working properly, or if the brake pedal seems soft or spongy, it might be time you looked into having a brake system service.

The brake system is the most important safety system on your car.  The brake fluid used in your vehicle transmits pressure from the driver’s foot to the wheel cylinders, that pressure is then converted into a frictional braking force on the wheels.  The frictional braking creates heat that can get transferred to the brake fluid itself. In order to operate properly, it is important that the brake fluid isn’t allowed to boil, even when this heat is created.  To make sure it doesn’t boil, your brake fluid must be free of contaminants. Contaminants, including moisture can lead to early failure of brake components.  Moisture absorbed by the brake fluid also causes the brakes to feel soft, spongy or to lose your brakes altogether.   This is why we recommend a brake system service.  Regularly changing the fluid in your brake system can improve the performance of the braking system and reduce the chance of costly repairs due to the failure of brake components because of fluid contamination.

When we perform a brake system service, one of our technicians will remove all of the existing brake fluid in the master cylinder using a specialized brake fluid service system.  This brake fluid service system is connected to all four wheels and will completely flush and refill the entire brake system and master cylinder.

Give us a call at (303)691-2760 or come in and see us if you’re having a little trouble “putting on the brakes” or for any of your other auto repair needs.

 

 

Are Rebuilt Parts Okay For Your Auto Repair?

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When your car breaks down, its natural to assume you will need to purchase new parts to replace the broken ones. Yet that isn’t always the case. In some circumstances, your best choice may be rebuilt parts.

Always look to reputable mechanics before you make a decision. If you’re buying a part from a “shady” seller of a classified ad, it may be a case of you get what you pay for. But if your mechanic recommends a rebuilt part as the best choice for your situation, it truly may be your best choice. [Read more…]

Women and Auto Repair

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Women and auto repair – the two words may not seem to go hand-in-hand, but they do. And while many auto repair shops still have the mentality of dealing with an all male customer base, others are embracing the fact that women now take control over many things in their family’s household … including their automobiles.

Want more proof? Take a look at these statistics.

  • About 74% of women are solely responsible for maintenance and upkeep decisions pertaining to their vehicle.
  • About 65% of auto repair shop customers are – you guessed it – women.
  • As customers, women usually ask more questions than men – they want specific information about the problem and the repairs being performed. They are also much more descriptive when describing a problem with their vehicle. [Read more…]

Building A Roadside Emergency Kit

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In today’s society, having a vehicle is almost a must – especially in areas without an abundance of public transportation. Owning a vehicle gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want to go.

However, driving a car does not come without its own risks. Automobiles are only machines and they can break down – often at the most inopportune times. If you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, a roadside emergency kit is essential.

The following items are must-haves for any roadside emergency kit.

  • Jumper cables – for jump-starting your car if the battery dies
  • Tire repair kit – to make emergency repairs to punctures in your tire
  • Tow rope – in case your car cannot be repaired and you need to be towed to the nearest service station
  • Flashlight with extra batteries – no one wants to be left in the dark
  • Orange cone(s) – to place around your car to warn other motorists that you are on the side of the road
  • Gloves – perfect for freezing temperatures
  • Rain gear – essential for working on your car in rainy weather
  • Blanket – another useful item for freezing temperatures
  • Water – necessary, in case help is not quick to arrive
  • Zip ties – useful plastic ties that can help make temporary repairs to your car
  • Food (granola bars and other items with a long shelf life) – again, necessary in the event of a long wait for help
  • First aid kit – necessary for any minor injuries

Within the first aid kit, you should have:

  • Rubber gloves
  • Gauze
  • Cotton balls
  • Bandages/Band-Aids
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Pain relievers (Tylenol)
  • Antibiotic cream

With a roadside emergency kit, you have one less thing to worry about – if your car breaks down, you will know that you are prepared for the worst. Preparing a roadside emergency kit takes only a few minutes (once you have all of the supplies) and you can pack the items into any backpack, duffel bag or other carrying case for easy transport.

Auto Repair Tip: Why Won’t My Car Start?

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Nothing is worse than heading out to your car, expecting a normal day, turn your car key … and nothing. What could it be? And how is this going to impact your day?

Finding the problem is simply trial and error. Start with the most obvious and keep looking until you find out the cause.

Dead Battery

 

The most common reason your car won’t start is due to a dead battery. How long since you’ve replaced it? Batteries won’t last forever, especially with severe cold and hot weather conditions. If you have a battery tester that can measure the cranking amps, test your battery and see if its weak. Or use jumper cables to jump-start your car. If it starts immediately, chances are it is a dead battery.

 

Battery Corrosion

 

Over time, your battery connections can become dirty. This corrosion builds up over time and actually breaks the connection your battery has with the rest of the car. A simple cleaning will remove dirt particles and return your car back to original condition.

Bad Ignition Switch

 

Battery issues are usually the most common reason your car won’t start. Yet if you’ve checked out the battery and it still won’t start, it may be  faulty ignition switch. Turn your key to the on position – not all the way to start up the car. If the warning lights on your dash don’t light up, its probably the ignition switch. Another test would be to turn on your headlights and try to start the car. If they dim or turn off, your ignition switch is okay. If not, the switch needs replacing. [Read more…]

Denver Express Auto Care Celebrates Earth Day 2012

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Happy Earth Day 2012. This year Earth Day organizers are focusing in on Renewable energy and a sustainable future for our planet. While there are many things we can do here in Colorado to help our city go “green”, why not start with the one thing you use everyday – your automobile.

When it comes to owning, driving and maintaining a car, there are many things we can do to help the environment. From better driving habits to regular auto repair and maintenance, not only will you be helping your car last longer, you may be giving it better resale value too.

The vital piece within your car is the engine. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. An engine running with clogged filters or running low of fluids can also make it run twice as hard. [Read more…]

The Difference Between Auto Mechanics And Auto Technicians

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We live in a day where job titles are getting a makeover to make them more appealing and politically correct.  Secretaries are becoming administrative assistants, stewardesses are becoming flight attendants, and hairdressers are now stylists.  So when you take your car in to get fixed and you are confronted by an auto technician, is this merely an auto mechanic hiding behind a vamped up name?

Just in case you weren’t sure, the answer is no.  There are several differences between auto mechanics and auto technicians.  One key difference is their area of expertise.  Auto mechanics are very handy at fixing a variety of parts in your car.  Auto technicians are trained to be able to interact with the computers in your car to diagnose the problem. [Read more…]

Car Air Conditioning System

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Spring has sprung early here in Denver! The trees and flowers are beginning to bloom and the wind has picked up its speed.  And as those gusty winds begin to blow, they cause those “lovely” little pollens that can cause so much trouble, to fly through the air!  If you are among the thousands of us that suffer with allergies, now would be a good time to check out our blog,  Car Air Conditioning and Allergies,  to see what you can do to help create a small haven of clean air in your car!

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks