Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

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…]

How to Get Better Gas Mileage

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We are living in a challenging time.  As gas prices continue to rise, ( they are up 11 percent),  it is even more important that we know how to get better gas mileage.  There are several things that can help us increase our gas mileage and  off-set our rising fuel costs.

One of the most important things to remember is don’t be an aggressive driver.  Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking wastes gas.  You can increase your miles-per-gallon by 33% if you allow yourself more than enough time to reach your destinations.  By practicing sensible driving, we’d all be a lot safer and a little bit richer!

Another way to get better gas mileage is to adhere to the speed limit.  Every vehicle has a different range of speeds where their best fuel economy is reached.  But gas mileage can be quickly reduced at speeds above 60 miles per hour. Use your cruise control at speeds above 60 mph, if available, maintaining a steady speed saves gas.  By observing the speed limit you can save as much as 58 cents per gallon of gas.

Maintaining your car’s engine and keeping it tuned properly can increase your gas mileage as much as 4%, that’s a savings of 15 cents per gallon.  This may not seem like much, but every little bit helps.  So make sure your vehicle passes its emissions test and if it has any major problems, have them repaired.  Doing this can improve your gas mileage by as much as 40 percent.

Another simple task that can improve your gas mileage by 3% is to keep your tires inflated to the proper tire pressure.  When the tires are under-inflated, gas mileage is decreased.

Last but not least, you can get better gas mileage by making sure you are using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil for your vehicle.  If you are using a 5W-30 grade of motor oil in a vehicle that has been designed to use 10W-30 it can decrease your gas mileage.

Put all these tips into practice and you’ll be well on your way to getting better gas mileage from your vehicle.  We here at Express Care are here to help you maintain and repair your vehicles,  so give us a call at 303-691-2760 or come in and see us.

 

Simple Auto Repair and Maintenance Tips

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Have you decided to keep your old car instead of buying a new one? You are not alone. Many people today are looking for ways to save. If your automobile is in great shape and only a few years old, it makes sense to avoid the monthly payments and the increased insurance premiums, and invest in a little auto repair and maintenance items instead.

One of the most important words in your car’s maintenance schedule can be summed up in one word … routine! You brush your teeth every evening for bed. You get your hair trimmed on a regular basis. Your auto maintenance should be just as routine.

Until it becomes a routine, it may be beneficial to mark it on the calendar. Schedule days to fit in with your normal routine; days when you can devote time to bringing your car in to a trusted auto mechanic – or do some of it yourself. Here is a list of regular auto maintenance items.

Monthly

 

Every month, check your brake, power steering, transmission, antifreeze and windshield washer fluids. While not all of these need to be changed each month, putting it into your routine can allow you to find problems before they turn into something more.

You should also check your tire pressure, and see if your head and tail lights are in working order. [Read more…]

Is There Something Wrong With Your Automobile’s Fuel System?

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Your car’s fuel system is vital to the smooth operation of your vehicle. When you have fuel trouble, chances are that your car is not going anywhere. Fuel problems can include anything from bad gas to a clogged fuel filter … and worse. The first step in pinpointing a problem with your fuel system is to understand the basic components.

Your car has a fuel tank for storing the fuel. This is the area where you pump your gas every week. Your fuel gauge in the dashboard will tell you how much fuel you have stored.

Your car also has a fuel pump, which pumps the fuel from the tank to the motor. You can find fuel filters before and/or after the fuel pump. These filters ensure that the fuel is clean before it reaches your motor – dirty fuel can lead to many problems. [Read more…]

How To Choose An Auto Repair Shop

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When you own a car, it is important to have regular maintenance performed. It is also important to have a trusted, reliable mechanic to perform this maintenance, as well as to repair any other problems.

Choosing an auto repair shop can be a bit of a chore because they are not created equal. You want to choose an auto repair shop that will not gouge you with high prices and will give you quality repair work. The truth is that there are some repair shops that do not practice good business. The following tips will help you choose the right auto repair shop for your needs.

Choose your repair shop BEFORE you have any automobile problems. You want to make an informed choice, not one under the stress of a malfunctioning vehicle. If your car is not running, you are more likely to do business with the first repair shop you find – which could have disastrous effects, not only on your car but on your wallet. Do your research and find your repair shop before you experience car trouble. Try them out with small jobs, like an oil change. This way you can talk with the service department and begin developing a relationship before you need larger repairs. [Read more…]

Car Air Conditioning Repair

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Even though it has only been a few weeks since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and so determined that we would have six more weeks of winter. This is the perfect time to bring your car in and have the air conditioning serviced or repaired. If you bring it in now it will save you the worry of whether or not the air conditioning will work when the weather gets warmer.  And it’s also a good idea to have your car air conditioning system checked out once a year just so you can avoid major or costly repairs.

We don’t “top off”  your air conditioning system when you bring in your vehicle because your technician has no way of knowing exactly how much Freon is left in your car’s system.  If he tops off the system, he is relying only on his experience to guess how much Freon is needed to charge the system, which may or may not be correct.  So in order to do what is best for your vehicle we will perform an evacuation and recharge service.   During an evacuation and recharge,  all the remaining Freon is extracted from the system, so then the technician can charge the system with the exact amount of Freon recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer, then there is no guess work involved.  Another reason some technicians recommend an evacuation and recharge is because they believe it is better for the air conditioning system to have clean Freon running through it.

As well as checking the Freon level, your hoses and valves need to be checked to make sure there aren’t any leaks.  Even the smallest leak can cause a major problem.  So don’t wait around until you can’t live without your air conditioning before you get it in for repair!

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

 

Do I Need An Auto Repair Shop To Replace My Clutch?

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We had a great question come in this past week.

“The clutch on my manual car has been making all kinds of noises. Do I need an auto repair shop to replace my clutch, or is it something I can do myself?”

While many people enjoy driving a manual car, few actually understanding how they work.

In your automobile, your engine spins all the time, while your wheels do not. The clutch is the device to smoothly engage a spinning engine to the non-spinning transmission, controlling the slippage between them. Your clutch is used to regulate the power from the engine to the transfer of power to both the transmission and the wheels.

Regardless of whether you drive a manual or an automatic, the principle remains the same. Because your clutch is the vital component that allows your auto to run smoothly, replacing it at the proper time can literally be a lifesaver. Here are three warning signs:

Burning Smell
Your automobile might emit a burning smell, similar to the smell of burning rubber or an electrical fire. In some cases it may also generate smoke.

Sticking Clutch
As the hydraulic linkages fail, your clutch will come under more pressure. When you notice the pedals becoming harder to press or disengage, it may be an indication of clutch failure.

Slipping Out Of Gear
If the clutch is worn or there in an oil leak from the crankshaft to the clutch plate, your vehicle may slip out of gear for no apparent reason. You may also notice jerky movements as you operate your car.

While this is not a comprehensive list of the things that can go wrong, chances are if your clutch is in need of repair, you’ve noticed at least one of these items.

Replacing your own clutch can be difficult at best. On a rear wheel drive vehicle, the driveshaft, transmission and bellhousing have to be removed from underneath the vehicle to get to the clutch. For a front wheel drive, replacing the clutch is even more challenging because it involves pulling the engine or dropping the transaxle.

What may take an auto repair shop hours to accomplish may be a never-ending chore for you. If you have any questions about your clutch, let Express Car Care have your auto running again in no time.

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks