Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Fact Vs Fiction With Your Car Engine

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In these days of endless information on the internet and Wikepedia, it’s more important to make sure the information we get is based in fact not fiction. It’s fact vs  fiction! We should separate fact from fiction in all areas of our lives including taking care of our cars engine.  With the help of Consumer Reports, I’ve compiled a small list of fact vs  fiction.

Fiction: You have to let your engine warm up for several minutes before you can start driving.

Fact: This advice was true in the past but today’s car engines warm up more quickly when they’re driven.  The sooner they warm up, the sooner they reach their maximum efficiency and performance.  But you shouldn’t rev the engine high during the first few miles while it’s warming up.

Fiction: Switching between conventional oil and other types of oil is bad for my engine.

Fact: Mixing or switching between types of motor oil isn’t harmful to your engine because conventional, synthetic, synthetic blend and high mileage oil are all compatible.

Fiction: If regular-grad fuel is good, premium must be better.

Fact: Most cars will run just fine on regular-grade (87 octane) fuel.  A higher octane fuel (premium) is often recommended for high compression, hotter running engines.  So if your car is designed for 87 octane, you don’t need to use premium, it won’t improve your car’s performance.

Fiction: There isn’t any difference between conventional and synthetic motor oil.

Fact: There aren’t any real differences in the stock base used to make synthetic and conventional oils, but there are differences in the processes used to make each oil and the additives  that they each contain.

Fiction: We should inflate our tires to the pressure shown on the tire’s sidewall.

Fact: The PSI figure on the side of the tire is the maximum pressure that the tire can hold safely.  The automaker’s recommended pressure is usually found on a doorjamb sticker, in the glove box, or on the fuel-filler door.  Check you tire pressure when the tires are cold for an accurate reading.

Fiction: A dealership must perform regular maintenance to keep your car’s factory warranty valid.

Fact: As long as the maintenance items listed in the car owner’s manual are performed on schedule, the work can be done at any auto repair shop.  Just keep accurate records and receipts in case of a warranty dispute on a car repair.

I’m sure this list is incomplete and many more facts vs  fiction could be added.  If you have some to add or any questions that you would like answered, please write a comment and share them with us.  We will do our best to answer them for you.

Motor Oil Types-How to Choose the Right One for Your Car

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When you walk into a quick-lube and ask for an oil change today, you will usually be asked what type of motor oil you want to use.  Because cars have changed, the motor oil we put in them has changed too.  Here are the motor oil types available and a brief description of the difference between them.  This information should help you choose the right motor oil for your car.

Conventional Oil-This is the standard car motor oil.  All leading brands carry a motor oil for service level “SL”.  “SL” refers to a group of lab and engine tests that the oil is put through in order to meet the standards of the American Petroleum Institute (API).  This oil works well in just about every light-duty car on the road.  When you choose this oil it is important to change your oil and filter regularly.Motor Oil Types-How to Choose the Right One for Your Car

Full Synthetic Oil-This motor oil is made for high-tech engines like BMW, Lexus, Corvette, or Mercedes-Benz.  It has superior sludge and varnish protection which keeps the engine cleaner.  It protects your engine from becoming to hot under severe driving conditions and also protects it in cold temperatures because the oil flows faster when the engine is started.

Synthetic Blend Oil-These have a mixture of synthetic oil and organic oil and are formulated to give engine protection for somewhat heavier loads and higher temperatures.  They evaporate less which increases fuel economy.  This type of motor oil is popular with people who drive SUV’s and pickup trucks with heavy loads.  Synthetic blend oil costs less than full synthetic and just slightly more than conventional oil.

Higher Mileage Oil-We are driving our cars longer now and if your cars odometer reads more than 75,000 miles, this type of motor oil would be a wise choice.  This oil is formulated with seal conditioners that restore their shape and increase their flexibility.  Rubber seals are designed to swell enough to stop leaks, this oil helps them do that.  Higher mileage engines can perform differently than new ones, causing oil consumption, decreased engine performance and more rapid oil breakdown.  By choosing higher mileage oil you can reduce oil consumption, improve horsepower and prolong the life of the engine by cleaning buildup and sludge from your older engine.

When you’re trying to determine which type of motor oil to choose for your car, don’t forget to check your owner’s manual and talk to your service technician.  They can give you the best advice for your particular situation!

Car Maintenance Checklist

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Living here in Colorado, we can never tell for sure when the snow might arrive.  In order to prepare your car for winter driving, here is a recommended car maintenance checklist.

  • Check the Hoses-Visually inspect hoses for cracks, leaks or loose clamps and feel them to check for spots that might be brittle or spongy, that means they need to be replaced.  Antifreeze can’t do it’s job if the hoses that carry it through your system are damaged.
  • Flush the Cooling System-The additives contained in the engine coolant (antifreeze) that lubricate and protect engine parts from rust and corrosion are depleted over time.  It’s recommended to have the cooling system flushed and new coolant added every two to five years depending on the car manufacturer.
  • Test the Electrical System-Have your car’s battery tested and make sure that there isn’t any corrosion on the terminals or clamps.  Check all the cable connections to make sure they’re tight.
  • Adjust the Alternator Belt-The alternator is the source of electrical power when your car is running, it also charges the battery.  The alternator belt needs to be adjusted properly.  For older model cars this is done manually.  Newer cars usually have automatic tensioners.  Have the belt checked for wear and cracks which signal it’s time to have it replaced.  It’s a good idea to have a trained auto technician do these services.
  • Windshield Cleaning Tools-Make sure the windshield fluid reservoir is filled with a non-freezing solution.  Check the pump and sprayers to see if they are working properly.  If your wiper blades leave spots or streaks, they should be replaced.  You might want winter wiper blades that have a rubber boot to prevent ice and snow from building up.
  • Check the Tires-Make sure your tires have an adequate tread depth.  You should replace worn tires right away.  Putting snow tires on for the winter is a very good idea.  Check the tire pressure.  When the temperature drops the pressures in your tires will too, so check the tire pressure more often in the winter months than you do in the summer.
  • Brake Inspection and Flush-If you have any existing brake problems, they will get worse in the winter when your traction is reduced.  Have the brakes inspected to make sure they are working properly.  Brake fluid absorbs water and then collects in the system, it can cause rust, fluid leaks or damage to parts.  To prevent this from happening, most manufacturers recommend that the brake system be flushed every two to three years.  Check your owner’s manual for your car’s recommendations.

If you apply this car maintenance checklist, you can keep your car running and hopefully keep a smile on your face all through the winter months.

Best Tires For Colorado Winters

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It’s that time of year again!  The air is colder, the leaves are falling and we need to prepare ourselves and our cars for winter!  One of the ways to prepare our car is to find the best winter tires for them.  Summer tires are designed to enhance traction in mostly dry and warm conditions, not winter conditions.  Wintertime has the most challenging driving conditions that we face all year.  We have less daylight and colder temperatures as well as snow, slush and ice.  We need the best winter tires on our car to get us where we need to go safely.

Tire experts, including Tire Rack say only dedicated snow tires will actually improve your vehicle’s grip in winter conditions.  All-season tires are suppose to provide traction in a variety of weather conditions but fall short in their performance on ice and snow.  An inexpensive winter tire performs better in ice and snow tests than all-season tires.

Best Winter Tires

Narrow winter tires are better for driving on ice and in snow, they are better at cutting a path through snow and slush.  It’s always best to use the tire size specified for your car.  You can find that information in your owner’s manual or by looking on the sidewalls of the tires that are already on your car.

Do you need a studded winter tire? Is that the best choice  for your car?  If you drive on icy roads regularly, the studded winter tire might be your best choice, just be sure that they aren’t banned or limited in your area.  If you are curious about which brands are rated  the best winter tire, talk to your service technician or visit consumersearch.com/snow-tire/reviews. Once you have decided on the best winter tire for you, you’ll want to have them installed before the weather turns.  It’s also important that you get four matching tires.  It may be tempting to buy only two tires, but experts don’t recommend it.  Different tires react differently, and unmatched tires can handle unpredictably.  Another small tip is winter tires wear faster than regular tires, so remove them as soon as the winter weather is gone and spring arrives!

When To Replace Tires

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The condition of the tires on your car greatly affects your safety while driving.  Here are some tips to help you determine when to replace your tires.

  1. Look at the tread pattern. Most tires are manufactured with “tread wear indicator bars” built right into the tire itself.  They usually look like small bridges in between the tread.  When these indicator bars become flush with the tire’s tread that is a sign it’s time to replace the tires.       When To Replace Tires
  2. Check the tread depth. The “penny test” has been a popular method for a while, this is how it works.  Take a penny and place it upside down with the picture of the head facing you in the center of the thickest part of the tire tread.
  • If you can see the very top of the head, or the copper above it, replace the tires as soon as possible.
  • If the hair on the top of the head is somewhat visible, this mean you should begin looking for replacement tires.
  • If you can’t see the hair on the top of the head, then this means your tires don’t need to be replaced yet.

This is a simple method that works well if you are driving mainly on dry roads.  If you drive on wet, slushy and snow-covered road you should maintain a deeper tread depth on your  tires and replace them at the second bullet above.  You need enough tread depth (4/32″) to allow the water or slush to escape through the tire’s grooves.  If the water can’t escape fast enough your car’s tires will hydroplane or float on top of the water causing a loss of control and possibly an accident.  Test all of your tires at the same time and once you’ve decided when to replace the tires make sure they are all replaced at the same time.  Mismatched tires won’t give you the adequate safety or performance levels that a matched pair of tires will.  If you see wires on your tread or notice wear on the sidewalls of the tire, don’t waste time with a penny, replace the tires!  If any of this checklist gives you a headache just thinking about it.  Have your auto repair shop do the work for you, that’s their job!

What Is Antifreeze?

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Antifreeze is the colored fluid, usually red or green, found in your radiator.  It can also be referred to as coolant and serves a few purposes.     What Is Antifreeze? The main purpose for placing antifreeze/coolant in your radiator is to keep the water that is in the engine from freezing in cold temperatures and boiling over in hot temperatures.  The engine of a car produces high levels of heat when it is running, the fluids flowing through the radiator system help to draw some of the heat away from the engine so it doesn’t overheat.  Antifreeze/coolant also has corrosion inhibiting chemicals that prevent rust build up that can take place in the engine of a car.  Radiators are usually filled with a 50/50 mix of water and coolant, since antifreeze/coolant doesn’t evaporate like water does it keeps the levels of evaporation to a minimum.   An added purpose of antifreeze is lubrication, it lubricates the moving parts it comes in contact with, like the water pump.

By properly servicing your car’s cooling system, (which includes changing the antifreeze at recommended intervals), you will help to avoid major engine problems.  If you wait too long to change the antifreeze/coolant, the used coolant can harm cooling system components because the corrosion inhibiting chemicals have been used up and are no longer able to do their job.  The idea is to change the coolant before the corrosion inhibitors reach dangerously low levels.

For regular antifreeze the vehicle manufacturers generally recommend coolant changes every 30,000 miles or every two to three years.  There are also “extended life” coolants that are designed to last 100,000 miles or five years.  But be aware that these “extended life” coolants only provide extended life when used in a clean system mixed with water.  If they are mixed with regular antifreeze or old antifreeze in a system, the corrosion protection is reduced to that of regular antifreeze.

If you are unsure as to whether or not the antifreeze/coolant needs to be changed you can have your service center test it to determine its condition.

What Is a Cabin Air Filter & When Should It Be Replaced?

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Many car owners have never even heard of a cabin air filter and would have no idea when it needs to be replaced if they had!  Hopefully the information here will answer the questions you might have about this unknown filter.

Cabin Air Filter

Dirty Cabin Air Filter

A cabin air filter is a part of your car’s ventilation system that removes pollutants from the air before they can enter the passenger compartment.  Cabin air filters can also be referred to as pollen or dust filters, interior ventilation filters, ACC filters, or passenger compartment filters.  A cabin air filter purifies the air as well as protecting the heater and AC components.  If the cabin air filter is dirty or clogged, the heating or air conditioning performance will suffer as well as the inside air filtration.  When this filter looses its effectiveness, you might notice unpleasant odors or reduced air flow from the cabin vents.  It is recommended to replace this filter at least once a year or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.  It should be replaced more often if your car is driven in places with heavy pollution or dusty conditions.  Two types of filters are offered for replacement, single stage and multi-stage filters.  Single stage filters trap dust, large soot, and allergens.  Multi-stage filters use activated carbon that reduces toxic gases and odors as well as dust and allergens.  Multi-stage filters are usually the better quality filter and more often recommended.

This filter is a relatively new feature and not all vehicles have one.   If you own a 2000 or newer car, it probably has one.  Cars and trucks in the U.S. began using cabin air filters around 1995, so check your owner’s manual or talk to your repair technician.  Most repair technicians  will be able to tell you whether or not your vehicle has one.   The ease or difficulty of replacing the filter depends on the make and model of your vehicle.  You might have to have it replaced by a technician.  Once you know whether your car is equipped with one or not, then you’ll know if you need to add” check cabin air filter” to the list the next time your car is serviced!

Transmission Trouble

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Has your car lost its get up and go?  Here are five things to look for if you think your car might have transmission trouble.

  1. Lack of Response- Your car shouldn’t hesitate when shifting or refuse to go into gear.  If the engine speeds up when you step on the gas pedal but the car doesn’t, or if the car’s passing gear won’t engage, those could be signs of trouble.
  2. Whining, Clunking or Humming- Your car should shift quietly when it’s running correctly.  The sounds can vary but you should have your car checked if you notice new noises that can begin irregularly then grow in frequency.  If caught early you can avoid costly repairs.
  3. Grinding or Shaking- Your car should shift smoothly from gear to gear.  If you are experiencing any jarring or shimmying when your car shifts you might have transmission trouble.
  4. Check Engine Light- Newer cars have sensors that pick-up small irregularities in the engine and notify the computer that something is wrong.  These sensors can detect vibrations and early problems that you can’t even feel or see.  The check engine light can  also alert you to other issues that might be going on with your car.
  5. Leaking Fluid- Transmission fluid is vital to your car’s shifting ability and should be checked regularly.  The transmission fluid should be bright red, clear and smell sweet if parts are working correctly.  The fluid shouldn’t be dark in color or have a burnt smell.  Unlike motor oil, transmission fluid isn’t burned up so if the fluid level is low it is very possible you could have a leak.  The transmission fluid runs through a filter to help keep it clean.  This  filter should  be replaced according to your manufacturers recommendations so it doesn’t become clogged.   

Just being aware of the signs of possible transmission trouble and looking out for them can help you keep your car on the road and running smoothly.

Do You Need New Brake Pads?

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Brakes are one of, if not the most important safety devices on your car!  They should be maintained and inspected regularly to insure your safety and the safety of your passengers.  There is a simple way to determine if you need new brake pads.  Just stop, look and listen!  If your car doesn’t stop when you press on the brake pedal, that is a sign you might  need new brake pads!   If your car pulls to one side or the other when braking, or if the brakes grab or vibrate, those are also signs you might  need new brake pads.   Look at the brake pads. In order to really see the condition of the brake pads the wheels on the car need to be removed.  If the pad depth is less than 1/4 inch, they need to be replaced soon.  If you don’t trust your own judgment have them inspected by a professional. When the safety of your family is riding on your decision, don’t take chances.   Listen for a high pitched squeal.  Manufacturers have built a soft-metal wear indicator into the brakes to alert the driver when the brake pads need changing.  Unfortunately, if you hear a grinding sound that means the brake pad replacement is long overdue and the worn brake pads may have damaged the brake rotors.  Replacing your rotors can be a very costly job; so don’t let your brake pads get to this point!

We are quickly approaching the time of year when snow is a good possibility and no one wants to be driving in the snow with brakes that might not work!  So have your brake pads checked and replaced if needed.  You’ll be glad you did!

Finding a Good Auto Repair Shop

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None of us want to be looking for an auto repair shop when our car is in need of major repairs, but finding a good repair shop can sometimes seem a bit overwhelming!  Here are some tips to help you find a good auto repair shop. 

  1. Ask trusted friends, family and co-workers if they know a reputable repair shop.  Word of mouth is usually the best form of advertisement.  Ask them if the service they received was done on time and at the quoted price.  Following the advice of people you trust is always wise.
  2. Check consumer reports online. The internet is a good source of information and you can find other opinions regarding certain auto repair shops, whether the experience was good or bad.
  3. Check with the Better Business Bureau.  Once you find a shop you are interested in trying, they can tell you if there have been any reports filed against them.  Simply log onto www.betterbusinessbureau.com for information free of charge.
  4. Ask about the mechanics training and credentials. Most mechanics will have a general certification and some mechanics have gone on to specialize in certain fields.
  5. Compare rates.  There can be significant price differences between auto repair shops when it comes to parts and labor.  Make sure you know and are comfortable with what you will be charged for their services.
  6. On your first visit to your chosen repair shop, look for a clean well-organized work area and office. This will give you an idea as to how they run their business.   Do you expect to get good and dependable service if the place is a mess?

Once you find a good auto repair shop and are pleased with your  decision, let them know!  We so often complain about the things we don’t like but fail to mention the things we do!  Tell your repair shop when you’re happy with them and don’t forget to say a simple thank you when you pick up your car.  A few kind words can change a “good” auto repair shop into a “Great” one!

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks