Express Car Care of Denver

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When It’s Time To Schedule a Diagnostic Test For Your Car

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The human body is a complex machine. It has an array of parts and systems that work together to keep you healthy and strong. 

In many ways, today’s automobiles closely resemble the human body. It’s a complicated network of more than 30,000 parts, all creating systems that allow you to travel safely wherever you need to go throughout your day. 

While cars used to operate with fairly simple systems, now it’s a complex network that relies on modern technology. It’s no longer possible to pop the hood, take a glance underneath, and know what’s wrong. 

In modern medicine, a diagnostic test is a procedure that is used to identify specific areas of weakness in order to determine a condition or disease. Diagnostic tests for vehicles are used in a similar manner. 

A diagnostic test used on a car, truck, SUV, or CUV can help an auto mechanic determine what’s wrong with the vehicle. It can also give them a snapshot of the vehicle’s overall health. If you’re buying a used car, for example, this snapshot can be a valuable piece of information in helping you determine whether to sign on the dotted line. 

By utilizing specialized diagnostic equipment, it allows a technician to pinpoint problem areas within the various systems quickly, and get to the root of the problem better, faster. 

Sounds like a good idea to run a diagnostic test, right? 

According to Kelly Blue Book, the average price of a new vehicle in the US here in 2021 is $40,472. The average vehicle produced today is expected to last 11.4 years, while the average length of time drivers keep a new vehicle is at 71.4 months. 

Doesn’t it make sense to keep your car in as good working condition as possible? 

It’s time for an annual checkup

When It’s Time To Schedule a Diagnostic Test For Your Car

When you go in for your annual checkup, it gives your doctor a chance to assess your vitals. They can check your blood pressure, assess your weight, perform blood tests to determine how healthy you are from the inside out. 

A diagnostic test for your vehicle works in much the same manner. If you bring your vehicle in annually, a diagnostic test can pinpoint weaknesses in the system, and give you a chance to fix it before the problem escalates. The sooner you make a repair, the less chance it has of breaking other parts around it, potentially stranding you by the side of the road. 

If you partner with an auto mechanic right here in Denver, you can be sure to build a relationship with someone who understands your vehicle, can help you make the best decisions for you and your wallet, as well as ensure your car remains in the best condition possible for as long as you own it. 

Pay attention to the check engine light

The average vehicle produced today comes with more than two dozen computer modules working together in the form of a network, linking all the components together to make your car run. In order to keep you apprised of potential problems, each of these computer modules is linked to a dashboard light, signaling to you there is a problem you shouldn’t ignore. 

While you should take all of them seriously, one of the most crucial is the check engine light. It’s one of the most common to illuminate on the dashboard. It’s also one of the least specific. That’s because the check engine light is connected to so many different parts, and can be warning you of many different potential problems. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, or be more urgent in telling you there’s a loss of compression, which could quickly lead to engine failure. 

When this little light comes on, don’t ignore it. Schedule a diagnostic test and bring it in for inspection. This one simple test can use technology to get to the root of the problem, make the necessary changes, and get you back on the road in as little time as possible. 

Listen for changes in noises

Cars are built with a network of parts placed together to keep you safe as you drive each day. The first time you started up your car, you paid attention to the different sounds it made. You could feel the engine turn over. You could hear the gears as they clicked into place. All of these sounds became ingrained in your mind. It became your normal. 

Over time, as a vehicle begins to wear down, it can start creating sounds out of the ordinary. This isn’t something that happens quickly; in most cases, it’s a slow process that happens over time. 

It’s easy to ignore these noises. With so many other things going on in your daily life, why pay attention to small changes that are hard to hear? Yet these little noises are your warning sign of bigger problems. 

Do you hear a squeak, grinding sounds, a rattle, or a hum? Has it been intensifying over time? 

It’s time to schedule a diagnostic test. 

Before you buy a used car

Given how well cars are put together today, it sometimes makes sense to buy a used car instead of new. New cars are expensive; used cars can save you money. A new car built today can operate well for more than a decade, and provide several hundred thousand miles of driving. 

But how do you know if you’re sitting in a quality car or a lemon? While the condition of the car is a good representation of how well it was maintained, it isn’t everything. A diagnostic test can alert you to minor problems and help you choose wisely before putting money down on a used car. It’s an easy way to get third-party approval before you complete the transaction. 

Have you made diagnostic testing a part of your regular routine? 

Think of it as a checkup for your vehicle. It can help you understand how well your car is operating, allow you to make smaller repairs before they escalate in damage and price. 

Schedule your diagnostic test today. 

What Exhaust Problems Are Telling You About Your Car

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Sitting in traffic gives you a chance to notice potential problems with the cars around you. 

The car in front of you might have smoke pouring out of the tailpipe, with an odor that has you reaching to control the inside cabin’s airflow. 

Another car might have water leaking from the tailpipe, a trail forming as it drives along. 

A car drives by with sounds louder than usual. Maybe you hear a loud roaring sound when someone starts up a car nearby. 

Still another seems to operate perfectly. It quietly buzzes along the road, appearing to operate efficiently. 

Exhaust issues can quickly turn into problems. Priority in fixing them means you’ll stop potentially costly repair bills before they escalate, as well as reduce the risk of health problems if the gas enters your cabin. 

Before we talk about ways of fixing car exhaust problems, let’s learn a little more about the basics. 

How the exhaust system works

The purpose of a car’s exhaust system is to limit emissions, noise, and vibrations, and be a release system for combustion gases. It also improves performance of the engine, and fuel consumption. It’s made up of a series of components that stretch the length of your car, starting with the engine and running to the rear exhaust pipe. 

Combustion fumes of car exhaust pipe, The engine is not working properly.

Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, the design of the exhaust system may vary. However, they all work in a similar manner, to pull the harmful exhaust gases from the engine, which are produced as the engine operates. The gases produced include three toxic gases: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and nitrogen monoxide. 

The system starts with the manifold, which has the job of collecting exhaust fumes from the engine. It acts as a funnel to divert gases from cylinders in the engine through a single opening referred to as the front pipe. 

The gases then travel through a catalytic converter which removes the harmful elements and converts them to inert gases. They pass through a silencer or muffler, which reduces the sound waves and produces a quieter car. This is one of the biggest warning signs – if you hear a loud car, there’s a chance it has a problem with the exhaust system.  

The tailpipe is the exit point for exhaust fumes. This is what takes toxic fumes away from the vehicle, and keeps the passengers inside safe from harm. 

Common problems with an exhaust system

One of the most common problems within the exhaust system is corrosion of various components, including the front pipe. The silencer is also prone to corrosion damage, which is one of the biggest reasons you might experience more engine noise. 

Because the exhaust system stretches the length of the vehicle on the undercarriage, it can also be impacted if you hit something because of low clearance. There are many joints that can loosen, break, or cause vibrations over time, and can affect performance. If you hear a hissing noise, it might be a leak. 

Signs you have problems with the exhaust system

Like other parts of your vehicle, when something goes wrong in the exhaust system, it creates specific problems to alert you early, to give you time to fix the problem before it escalates. 

Decreased power and acceleration – one of the first issues you’ll notice with a compromised exhaust system is a decrease in performance of your engine. You won’t be able to accelerate well, and you won’t get the same power you’ve grown accustomed to while owning your car. 

Decreased fuel efficiency – when your vehicle isn’t performing well, you’ll also start to notice a decrease in fuel efficiency. Your car will have to work harder to achieve the same functions, which will take more fuel to accomplish the same goals. Watch your mileage numbers every time you fill up. Significant decreases in efficiency are your car’s way of telling you there’s a problem. 

A noisy engine – if any part of the exhaust system breaks down, it will impact the noise level of the engine. A faulty manifold gasket, for example, will cause an exhaust leak that sounds like a hissing or tapping sound. It will increase in decibel levels from a cold start, or as you accelerate. 

A burning smell – if the manifold gasket fails and begins to leak, the heat produced could impact the wiring or any of the many plastic pieces located underneath the hood. As the heat takes hold, they start to burn and it releases a distinct burning smell. 

A gas smell – if one of the exhaust pipes or tubes is damaged and starts to leak, it can allow a gas smell to circulate inside your vehicle while you drive. 

A loose or dragging exhaust pipe – if one or more of the brackets holding up the tailpipe are damaged or loosened, it can allow the exhaust pipe to hang or drag on the ground. When this happens, it’s important to fix it immediately, as it can quickly damage other parts of your vehicle through vibrations. If it falls off completely, it’s a danger to you and the other drivers around you. 

Keep your vehicle in good working condition through regular inspections

Although the exhaust system is vulnerable to both damage and corrosion, a well cared for vehicle will rarely have problems with the exhaust system with regular driving alone. Modern vehicles are designed for an exhaust system to last for 100,000 miles or longer with regular maintenance. Unless your car is damaged or you take your vehicle four-wheel driving, it should stay trouble-free for years. 

When you bring your car in for regular maintenance, we can use diagnostic tests to determine where minor problems exist. If we find a problem with the exhaust system, we can complete the required maintenance to bring the system back to good working condition, and get you on the road again in no time.  

Get Ready For Road Trip Driving – How To Avoid Common Car Problems

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You’ve made your plans, booked your reservations, bought a new swimsuit, and set out all the toys you want to bring with you. Get ready for road trip driving – you’re going to have a blast sharing time and memories with your family. 

But what if it all grinds to a halt a few hundred miles out of town? It’s hot. Your car has a problem. It’s now by the side of the road, while you’re scratching your head wondering what’s wrong. 

If you’re out in the middle of nowhere, waiting for a tow to the nearest station, it’s going to cost you both time and money. 

Could any of this have been changed before you left home? Could you avoid common car problems and avoid being stuck by the side of the road, with your car packed and ready to go, your family now at risk?

The answer is: Yes. 

Road trips often put your car under stress. You drive beyond your normal routine, have a loaded down car with more weight than you’re used to, driving in conditions outside the ordinary. And that can put your vehicle at risk, especially if you haven’t had it inspected lately. 

Statistics show that the global vehicle roadside assistance market is growing steadily at about 2 percent per year.  As vehicles continue to get older, they are at more risk for breaking down. 

These are the most common car problems that occur when people head out on the open road. 

Your car battery quits

On average, a car battery will last from two to five years. One of the most important factors in determining how long the car battery will last is the weather. All you have to do is watch the weather forecast to realize a heatwave has extended all across the US this summer. If you’re heading out on the open road, there’s a good chance you’ll drive through record-breaking heat. 

Happy tourist travelling in countryside

A running engine is already producing a significant amount of heat underneath the hood. Now add in record-breaking heat, and the fact that your vehicle is operating many hours a day at top speed. It can be a recipe perfect for making your car battery call it quits. 

If your car’s battery is more than a year old, it’s important to get it checked to ensure it’s properly charged. If there are any questions about its efficiency, it’s better to replace it before heading out on your journey. 

Your tire goes flat

What happens if you’re at a campsite, or a little hotel in the middle of nowhere, and you wake up to a flat tire? One recent report stated as many as 60 percent couldn’t change a tire. Add in heat, and pulling everything out of the car to find the spare, plus the possibility of not having the right tools for the job, and you’re looking at a situation that can go from bad to worse quickly. 

What’s more, heat can play havoc on your tires, especially if they aren’t in great shape. A worn tire has a much greater chance of causing a tire blowout. People don’t know how to recognize bald tires, tires with tread problems, or even if they are filled properly. They often rely on computerized data to warn them of a potential problem. Yet the last place you want a warning signal is on the open road. 

Your best bet is to have your tires checked before you head out on a road trip. Have the tires rotated and balanced, and ask a trusted mechanic how well they will perform in the coming weeks as you complete your trip. If they suggest replacement, listen to their advice. It’ll cost a lot less for you to make a well informed decision at home rather than a small town hundreds of miles from home. 

Your vehicle has brake trouble

Brakes are always under a lot of pressure to perform. Now throw in hours of driving each day, unfamiliar territory which means you’ll be using your brakes even more, plus the heat of the engine as it travels down the road in record-breaking heat. Yep, that can definitely impact the way your braking system performs. 

Now imagine a car filled to the bring with personal items and family members. This isn’t the time you want your braking system failing. 

Before you head out of town, have a reputable mechanic take a look at the braking system and make the necessary repairs to keep it working at its best. This includes an inspection of the brake pads, fluid, rotors, and drums. If something needs repair, get it replaced before you head out on your trip. 

Your transmission goes out

Your transmission system is what makes your car sail smoothly down the road. It’s what moves the power from the engine to the wheels. It includes a clutch, gearbox, prop shaft, differential, and drive shafts. 

While your transmission can go out unexpectedly, in most cases, it gives off warning signs long before you experience trouble. Have you experienced problems with your dashboard lights? Noises as you move your car between gears? Or maybe you’ve noticed a fluid leak when you pull out of a parking space? They are all signs your transmission is in trouble. 

Catch it early and one of the easiest ways to combat potential problems is with a transmission flush. By adding new fluid, it’ll keep the entire system operating well for thousands of miles into the future. 

Your engine dies

We’ve all seen drivers on the side of the road with their hoods up, smoke circling everywhere. Yep, that’s potential engine failure at its worst. If your engine dies, it’s the heart of your vehicle. Experience it on the road and you might be looking at an expensive repair bill, or even the possibility of investing in a new car. 

Pay attention to the check engine light. It’s one of the most common to illuminate because it’s a warning signal for so many things. If it illuminates before your trip, be sure to have a diagnostic test performed before you leave to pinpoint any potential problems. 

Fixing things early can ensure your road trip is a success from beginning to end, without having to worry about repair bills and downtime for a car that simply doesn’t work. 

Tire Rotation – Should You Rotate Regularly, or Not?

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With every part of your vehicle, there’s a set of guidelines to ensure they remain in top condition. As they wear, there are also suggested plans of action for repair and replacement, to ensure you’re never stranded by the side of the road. 

One of the most common reasons you’ll find people pulled over along the highway is for a flat or blown tire. It’s one of the most common repairs, because your tires are constantly under pressure. 

When you purchase new tires, they promise you they’ll last 40,000, 50,000, even 60,000 miles or longer. The reality of that depends on how well you care for the tires during that time frame. 

No, you can’t put new tires on and forget about them. Tire rotation is a crucial part of giving tires their longest lifespan. 

What is tire rotation?

Tire rotation means periodically moving the tires to a different position on your vehicle. You should rotate them as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer, or about every 5,000 miles. To make the process easy, you might consider bringing your vehicle in for an oil change, and have the tires rotated at the same time. 

When a mechanic rotates your tires, it also gives them a chance to inspect them for other potential problems. They can check air pressure, look for visible signs of damage, and check their tread depth. If you’ve noticed anything unusual with the way your car drives, let your mechanic know. It’s a perfect time for them to inspect the tires in more detail to ensure a safe drive for you in the coming months. 

Why should tire rotation be a part of your regular routine? 

Tire rotation is important for several reasons. 

Banner For Car Wheel Business. 3d render and illustration. Wheel black background.

Potentially the biggest reason is to ensure you get the full mileage from your tires. By rotating them and putting tires in new positions every few thousand miles, it ensures the tread life is maximized. Tires on the front of a front wheel drive vehicle take a larger portion of the friction as you move down the road.  Each wheel could have its own little quirks about pressure and the way it handles on the road. Rotating them changes the way each tire connects, and gives them the best chance at an extended life. 

Also, even pressure on a tire ensures even tread wear throughout the life of a tire. Tread depth helps with traction on the road. Because we have a variety of weather conditions here in Colorado, connection is everything. With proper tread depth, you’ll ensure the safest levels of cornering and braking performance your vehicle can offer. That means a safer drive for you, your passengers, and the people around you. 

If you have an all-wheel drive car, keeping your tires in balance means less stress on the drivetrain. And that can amount to less maintenance over time. 

Is 5,000 miles suggested or mandatory?

We see all kinds of advice online that suggests mileage markers as a guideline instead of a rule. Ultimately, it’s about two things. 

First, you should always consult your owner’s manual for maintenance requirements. The people who built your vehicle have the best understanding of how to maintain it. When in doubt, heed their guidance and follow their advice. 

Second, Nothing is ever cast in stone. However, if you wish to keep your car in the best condition possible, and avoid potential problems that could impact your drive, erring on the side of being consistent with checkups will never hurt. 

Allowing a mechanic to inspect your vehicle regularly gives them a chance to find potential problems before they escalate. With tire rotation, they can determine any potential problem with your tire before it gives you trouble on the road. 

It reduces the cost of an expensive repair, giving you a chance to fix it before more goes wrong with your vehicle. 

Other reasons to rotate your tires regularly

While your tires are an expensive part of your vehicle, parts you’ll be replacing regularly as you drive, there are other reasons to inspect them regularly. 

While regular tire rotation can ensure your tires the longest life, it also ensures your safety. If tires don’t wear evenly, it can increase your risk of a blowout. At a minimum, it will impact the performance of how you drive, and can lower your gas mileage, making you spend more at the pump each time. 

Your tires are also largely responsible for braking. Think of your tires as a protection system for the wheels. If tires are overly worn, they can jar the wheels, impact the brakes, which can cause you problems in emergencies. Ever had to stop quickly and your brakes not perform the way you’re used to? It could be a problem with your tires. 

Especially on a front-wheel drive car, it uses gripping for traction. If the tires on the front are compromised, it can affect your car’s performance overall. 

What happens during tire rotation? 

Above all, tire rotation gives the mechanic a chance to inspect the tires and determine if there is a potential problem. This stops issues in their tracks. It also allows them to look at a variety of conditions, from proper inflation to how they are impacting the drivetrain. They also check tire safety, looking for things like overinflation, blistering, or cupping on your tires. 

In most cases, tire rotation involves moving the front tires to the rear, and the rear tires to the front. There are other possible patterns depending on what the professional finds, and according to your manufacturer’s guidelines. 

What’s your next step?

When was the last time you had your tires rotated? 

When was the last time you scheduled a maintenance visit with your local mechanic?

Regular inspections are the easiest way to keep your vehicle in good condition, create peak performance, and reduce the cost you’ll spend on repair bills when things go wrong. 

It’s your early warning protection system. 

Schedule your maintenance visit today. 

Why Is My Car Overheating?

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The temperatures are climbing – 90, 95, 100. You’re stuck in traffic, and it’s hot!

You look over to the side of the road. Standing there is a person with the hood of their car propped open, smoke pouring out in all directions. Their car is overheating. 

Aren’t you glad it’s not you? 

Yet you stop to think about the probability of you being in the same situation. Your vehicle is several years old. You change the oil, put new tires on periodically. Maintenance? You bring it in when there seems to be a problem.  What more can you do?

Are you in a situation where your car might overheat? 

Why a car overheats

Your car’s engine can overheat for a variety of reasons. In most cases, it’s because something is wrong with the cooling system, and the heat isn’t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the cooling system issue could be many things, including:

  • A cooling system leak
  • A faulty radiator
  • A broken water pump
  • A clogged coolant hose

No matter what causes an issue, allowing your engine to overheat in any way isn’t something you want to linger. The longer it goes unchecked, the more damage your engine can sustain. Until it eventually sustains permanent damage and can’t be repaired. 

What are the signs of an engine overheating?

Luckily, an engine doesn’t overheat without a few warning signs along the way. This is why it’s good to pay attention to your vehicle as it ages. If you see any of these warning signs, take steps to cool your engine before it overheats more. You may be able to reduce the risk of irreversible engine damage. Signs of overheating include:

Why Is My Car Overheating?

Steam – this is the one thing we all recognize when we see people pulled over to the side of the road. If you notice any amount of steam leaking from underneath the hood, pull over as quickly as you can. 

The engine temperature gauge increasing – the monitors on your dashboard are there to warn you of potential problems. If you see the temperature gauge increasing, spiking up towards “H” or to the red, it’s time to pull over and turn off your engine. (Temperature gauge icons change depending on the make and model of your car. Take the time to become familiar with your vehicle before you drive it.)

A strange smell coming from the engine compartment – if anything is leaking, it’s going to give off a smell outside of ordinary. Coolant has a very distinctive sweet smell, while oil dripping anywhere into the engine compartment would create a burnt smell. 

If you notice any of these symptoms of overheating, pull over as soon as you can, turn off your vehicle, and let the engine compartment cool down. 

The engine is overheating … now what?

When you first see warning signs of an engine overheating, time is of the essence. The faster you act, the greater chance you have of limiting damage, meaning less cost from repair bills. If you notice any of the signs from above, do these things. 

Turn off the air conditioner and crank up the heat.

You often see cars by the side of the road, smoke billowing from underneath the hood, in the middle of a heatwave. When you’re running your air conditioner at high for miles, it adds stress to the engine. If it’s weakened to begin with, it can be more than it can handle. To reduce the stress, turn the air off and dial it to maximum heat. This can help pull the heat away from the engine to keep it from overheating. This gives you a chance to find a safe place to pull over. 

Safety first

Immediately look for a safe place to pull over. This isn’t the time to put your safety at risk – cars are easier to replace. Put your car into park and shut off the car. This gives the engine a chance to cool. Keep the engine off for at least 15 minutes. You can also keep an eye on the temperature gauge, as it should move back to the normal range as the engine cools. 

Check your coolant levels

After your vehicle cools down, you can check to see if your coolant level is low. If it is, topping it off and adding more coolant can prevent overheating and allow you a chance to bring your vehicle in to get things fixed. Keep in mind that this step won’t do much good if the coolant hose is clogged, or if the problem stems from a broken fan or water pump. If you’re unsure, towing your vehicle might be the safest route. 

Restart your car

If your car appears to be back to normal, and you’ve chosen to drive it to a mechanic, start the car and watch all signs while you carefully drive your car to the repair shop. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If it rises again, pull over and consider having it towed. 

The key to lowering your repair risks is not to panic. If at all possible, pull over, turn the vehicle off, and don’t keep driving. This exacerbates the problem. 

Also, be aware that you should never open the hood immediately as soon as you pull over. That steam is hot! Opening it could put you at risk of burns and injuries. Let the temperature gauge settle before popping the hood. 

How to prevent your car from overheating

The easiest way to recover from an overheated vehicle is never to have it overheat in the first place. Taking care of your car ensures that it will always be there for you. 

This means scheduling regular inspections to allow a mechanic to inspect and test every system of your car. This can find minor problems that can snowball. Regular coolant flushes can keep fresh coolant inside your vehicle, and prevent leaks and blockages by finding them before they become a problem. 

You can also stay up to date on all other maintenance items, such as ensuring your radiator is inspected and in good shape, according to manufacturer’s guidelines. 

It’s far more beneficial and less expensive for checkups each season than allowing your car to show signs of a potential problem, and waiting until your car breaks down. 

Schedule your maintenance visit today. 

Drum Brakes

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Brakes that work properly are essential to your safety.  You want to carefully maintain your brakes.  In vehicles that are equipped with drum brakes, the brake components are housed inside a drum that rotates with the wheel.  When you step on the brake pedal, brake shoes push out against the inside of the drum, slowing the wheel.

Brake shoes will wear away with use from rubbing on the drum as you brake.  When it’s time to replace brake shoes, it’s a straight-forward repair.

If you hear squealing or grinding when you are braking, have your service adviser check them out.  He’ll have a technician perform a thorough brake inspection to see what needs to be done.  He’ll check for signs of brake problems and go over other brake components to see that they’re working properly.

He can tell you it it’s time to replace the shoes or if there are other issues with your drum brakes that should be addressed.  Some people ignore the warning signs and keep on driving long after the shoes are completely worn out.  When this happens, metal brake components will grind against the drum, damaging it enough that it must be resurfaced or replaced.

When you push on your brake pedal, the wheel cylinder is activated, and it pushes the shoes against the drum to slow the vehicle.  This cylinder, and various springs within the brake, can wear out affecting your ability to stop.  The worn components can be easily replaced.

The new shoes we put on your vehicle will restore your brakes to manufacturers’ specifications.  Or, we can install upgraded parts to increase your stopping power and reduce brake noise and brake dust.  We have several options to meet your braking requirements as well as your budget.

Taking care of your brakes keeps them working safely – and you can also prevent premature brake repairs from happening down the road.

Give us a call or come in and see us and let us know how we can help you.

Daily Driving Habits That Are Destroying Your Suspension

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Habits and resolutions are something we all work on from time to time. Studies consistently show that while we’re good at setting habit intentions, we’re not as good at making them stick. Up to 80 percent of people give up or fail within the first 30 days of implementing a new habit. 

Driving habits are difficult to break. While the basic skills we learned from our parents or a driving instructor, most habits we pick up as we age. If cell phones weren’t a thing when you were learning, you picked up the habit as new technology was introduced. If you text and drive, for example, you’re increasing your risk of an accident.

But some habits go deeper and impact the way your car operates. Your driving habits can cause uneven wear on your tires, wear your breaks long before their stated lifespan, or even affect your fuel efficiency. Damage may start out small, but if you’re consistent with your driving habits, it may be destroying your suspension system. 

You don’t have to drive slow, take the back roads, or avoid driving altogether to keep your vehicle in good working condition. By being conscious of hazards and practicing good driving, your car will remain in good condition for the life of your car. 

Do you find any of these daily driving habits in your normal routine? 

Driving too fast

The faster you drive, the more risk you take while on the road. You become a defensive driver, always responding quickly to what’s happening around you. 

If you tailgate and drive too close to the car in front of you, for example, you’ll be in reactionary mode. If they tap their brakes, you’ll slam down on your brake pedal to adjust your driving to match the road conditions. This wears down many parts within the suspension system, including the brake pads, rotors, shocks and struts. It can wear out all parts within the braking system prematurely, put you more at risk while you drive, and cost you more money as you’ll have more repair bills over time. 

Daily Driving Habits That Are Destroying Your Suspension

You’ll also risk overheating the brakes. Here in Colorado, that can be a real risk, especially if you drive in the mountains frequently. Keeping your foot on the brakes is never a good idea while descending from higher altitudes. It’s tough on the suspension system if you slam on the brakes. 

Hitting speed bumps without slowing down

The dreaded speed bump. They may have been designed to slow you down, but instead, you look at them as an inconvenience in how you drive. Ignore them and hit them at your regular speed and they can do extensive damage to your suspension. 

While they may be annoying, they are placed on the road for a purpose. They are designed to slow you down; in this case, it’s a good idea to follow the rules. 

While it may seem to do little to your car the first time you hit one, or the tenth, the damage is cumulative. You can hit it multiple times without visible consequences, but one day, you’ll face a multitude of problems. Like a blown tire, a broken shock or strut, or even break an axle if it’s old and in bad shape. The suspension system is designed for smooth driving conditions. The harder you take the largest bumps and dips in the road, the more impact it will have on all 30,000 parts. 

Slamming into parking space dividers

How fast do you drive as you park your car? Are you always in a hurry to get where you’re going? Do you use the parking space dividers as a checkpoint to bring you to a halt rather than as a guide to keep your car safe? 

Those parking space dividers may be there as a guide to keep you within the lines of the parking space, but they are big enough to do severe damage to your suspension system. 

As you move your car forward into the parking space, your tires, wheels, and entire suspension system are in forward rotation. If they bump into the parking space divider, it brings your entire vehicle to a sudden stop. That jolts the wheels, and forces the whole system into a direction it’s not prepared to go. Damage may be unnoticeable the first time. Over multiple times you will start to hear and feel the results. 

Hitting curbs

Now that you’re aware of what hitting a parking space divider can do, let’s talk about curbs. Curbs are built as dividers to keep the road separate from walkways and private property. They are built at about the same height as parking space dividers, and can create extensive damage to your vehicle. 

Instead of creating a sudden forward/stop motion, hitting a curb can bounce your car around like a bumper car. It may be going forward one moment, but in an instant it’s moving sideways and in all directions in a matter of seconds. 

Or maybe you’re in an area where parallel parking is a mandatory part of living. You used the curbs as a telltale sign you’re close enough to the curb. Every time you hit it, it forces your suspension to adjust to a new direction instantly. It can knock your wheels out of alignment, damage your tires and wheels, and create havoc on the suspension system. 

Avoid road debris

The more aware you are of driving conditions, the better your car will handle over time. 

Colorado seems to be a constant landmine filled with potholes, rocks, miscellaneous debris that drops off cars and trucks, tire rubber, and more. If you’re not aware of what’s in the road in front of you, if you drive too closely to watch for things in the road, your chances of hitting it increase. 

Spotting hazards gives you a chance to avoid the issues before you hit them. It also allows you to have more control, adjust slowly to issues rather than jerking the wheel, and preventing damage to your car over time. 

Be aware. It’s one of the best ways to keep your car safe from anything standing in your way. 

How are your driving habits? 

If you choose to change and adjust the way you drive, remember, it’s not a race but a journey. Be aware of how you drive. Make conscious changes. 

Your car will thank you. 

What Happens If Your Car Experiences a Vacuum Leak

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One of the most frustrating things about owning a car is experiencing a problem and not knowing the cause. That’s when the questions begin.

Is it important?

Should you bring it into the shop immediately? Or can you push it, waiting for a better time?

Car repairs can be expensive. If you wait, it can cause the cost of the repair to escalate rapidly. Instead of replacing a hose, for example, you might end up replacing an entire system. And that can be a heavy hit to the pocketbook.

It can also be difficult to know exactly what’s going on inside your vehicle. The average car has over 30,000 parts. If one piece has a problem, how will you ever find it? It may be easy to see if a headlamp is burned out, but it can be a lot more difficult to determine if there’s a problem inside the engine.

Understanding a car vacuum leak

To better understand how a vacuum leak forms, it’s essential to know how a car engine works.

What Happens If Your Car Experiences a Vacuum LeakAn engine is a large, powerful vacuum that draws air in to be able to produce the amount of energy needed to move your vehicle. It uses pistons moving up and down to create the vacuum, which draws air into the engine and creates combustion.

This air is carefully metered through computerized sensors that analyze how much fuel to take in for maximum efficiency and power. Thanks to modern technology, it’s a process that can be tweaked and controlled to ensure your car continues to operate smoothly as you drive.

Through wear and tear, problems can arise. Each make and model can be set up slightly differently, but a vacuum leak occurs anywhere between the engine and the airflow sensor. Unmetered airflow enters the system and causes actual airflow to be higher than what the sensor can measure. That allows the system to miscalculate the amount of fuel injected into the system, which means your engine will run lean. Too much air causes too little fuel. And you’ll notice the impact of this vacuum leak in the way your engine idles.

How do you know if your car has a vacuum leak?

The 30,000 parts that make your car operate are all interwoven together in a complex way. When something goes wrong, it’s designed to make you aware of a potentially escalating problem by giving off warning signs. A vacuum leak is often diagnosed in one of several ways:

A rough idle

This is perhaps one of the most common ways to diagnose a vacuum leak. Because the leak allows too much air into the system and not enough fuel, it immediately shows up in the way the engine operates. You’ll feel it in the way the engine runs, and hear it as it attempts to stay operational.

Engine hesitation

In addition to the rough idle, you’ll also have trouble with the way your vehicle operates as you drive it down the road. With too much air and not enough fuel in the system, as you press the accelerator, the vacuum pressure will be more noticeable. You’ll have an engine that hesitates or stumbles as it attempts to pick up speed and move forward.

Fuel economy and emissions problems

When there is a change in the air-fuel ratio, the engine will burn hotter than normal. This increases the generation of oxide emissions, such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide. Even if it isn’t strong enough to trip the check engine light, it will still be detected if you run your vehicle through an emissions test. You’ll also notice a reduction in fuel economy as the overall system tries to compensate by adding more fuel to the process. The EVAP – evaporative emissions control system – also depends on the vacuum to work. When it doesn’t, it can throw off the system functionality, sending an emissions trouble code back into the system.

Check engine light

Depending on your vehicle, the vacuum leak will eventually be detected by the monitoring system and react by turning on the check engine light. The check engine light can mean a variety of things, which is why it’s imperative to bring your car in as quickly as possible to avoid damage to any part of the engine system.

Engine damage

If you catch a vacuum leak early, you can minimize damage and fix the problem easily. The more the vacuum leak is allowed to continue, the more extensive the potential damage. Driving with a vacuum leak elevates temperatures within the engine compartment by running on a lean air-fuel ratio. This mixture over time can damage pistons and bearings, and can move to other parts within the engine, such as the catalytic converter.

Over time, damage can move more extensively underneath the hood. If you leave a vacuum leak unchecked, the situation will worsen over time. Depending on where the vacuum leak is and what type of car you drive, you can experience many other problems. With some vehicles, it may impact the engine and stall it as you park. For others, it can reduce braking power, meaning your car will be harder to stop.

The faster you solve the problem, the less likely it will affect other parts, putting you further at risk.

Identifying a vacuum leak

If you do a quick search online, you’ll discover several ways you can test the system to see if your car is experiencing a vacuum leak. Some take more working knowledge than others. If you aren’t familiar with how a car operates, your best course of action is to bring it in and let one of our skilled mechanics take a look. We can find the root of the problem, fix it, and have you back on the road in no time.

A visual check can alert you to potential problems with hoses and tubes. If they become stiff and brittle, they can easily crack or break under pressure.

A water check is a simple way to detect where the vacuum leak is. Spray a bottle of water where the vacuum leak is thought to be. A vacuum leak will suck in moisture and temporarily seal the leak.

Once you find the leak, fix it at the source. Keep in mind that the fix isn’t always straightforward. Hoses and sensors can be easy to find and change out. But if the problem goes deeper, such as a faulty intake manifold, it can be more time-consuming and costly, especially if you don’t fix it right the first time.

Think you have a problem under the hood? Is a vacuum leak impacting your drive? Bring your car in today. We’ll have you back on the road in no time. 

Radiator Fans

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Radiator FansSome of you are maybe old enough to have heard the term “fan belt”.  Back in the day, the radiator fan in your vehicle was turned by a belt that was driven by the engine.  There are still belt driven fans, although most radiator fans are now driven by the serpentine belt.  But most of the new vehicles now also have electric fans that draw fresh air across the radiator to cool it.

As coolant/antifreeze circulates in the cooling system, it captures heat from the engine and flows into the radiator.  Air cools the radiator and the coolant in it  before it sends it back into the engine to pick up some more heat.  Now your engine has an ideal temperature range in which it is most efficient:  it shouldn’t be too hot or too cool.  The electric radiator fans help maintain the ideal temperature.

A switch mounted in a cooling system passage checks the temperature of the coolant.  If the coolant is at the low end of the range, the switch turns off the fan motor.  When the coolant rises to certain temperature, the switch turns on the fan.  When you are running the air conditioning, the radiator fan will likely be turned on as well to help reduce the extra engine heat created by the load placed on it by the air conditioner.

A lot of Denver residents vehicles will actually have two radiator fans.  One, both, or neither may be running at any given time depending on the conditions.  When you are cruising at highways speeds, the air rushing over the radiator and around the engine will help control the heat.  By contrast, stop and go driving around Denver doesn’t generate much natural air flow so the radiator fans will be working harder.

Some drivers may hear the sound of the radiator fan running after turning the vehicle off.  This keeps the engine from heating excessively after it has been run and shut off.

Now the radiator fan motors and the switch are wear items that will eventually fail.  If your temperature light comes on while driving, you have a cooling system problem.  Your friendly and knowledgeable Express Car Care service adviser can test your entire cooling system, including the radiator fans, to determine what is causing the indicator light.  Of course, serving the cooling system as recommended will help extend the life of all the components.  Ask your Express Car Care service adviser if you are due for a cooling system service.

Avoiding The Top 5 Car Repairs

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Your vehicle is one of the most expensive items you own. It’s a complex system with over 30,000 parts that, when operating correctly, gives you the ability to move around freely.

With that many parts, however, if one thing goes wrong, it can quickly escalate, causing problems with the way you drive. It might start as a noise or a funny smell, but if left unchecked, can turn into a major car repair.

Luckily, you can avoid costly car repairs by adhering to a regular car maintenance schedule. Regularly scheduled maintenance keeps parts well lubricated, the system running smoothly, and your vehicle on the road.

Let’s start by looking at five of the most common and most expensive car repairs we see coming into our shop.

Brake pad and rotor replacement

A car’s brake system is one of the most important systems on your vehicle. Imagine flying down the mountain after a day of skiing, and you discover your brakes don’t work. Even in town, as you move closer to a red light, without brakes, it can be a harrowing experience.

Over the life of your vehicle, you will have to replace your brake pads about every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. Of course, that changes based on the make and model of your car, as well as your driving experience. Someone with all city driving will replace brakes more often than someone with all highway driving.

Avoiding The Top 5 Car RepairsBrake pads are the least expensive part of this process. Brake pads are designed to provide you with warning signs as they start to wear down. They are built with a metal bar just shy of the recommended thickness level. When this is reached, it will produce a metal on metal grinding sound that warns you it’s time to replace the brake pads. This gives you plenty of warning to schedule a visit with one of our mechanics, and replace the brake pads before they impact performance or safety.

Ignore this sound, and the brake pads can start wreaking havoc on other parts of the braking system. Poor quality brake pads can impact rotors. If they are damaged or warped past the point of repair, these will also have to be replaced. And that can escalate your repair bill exponentially.

Tire replacement

A good set of tires can last you anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 miles or more. But you can’t replace a set of tires, have them installed, and leave them unchecked for all those miles. Because they are your one connection to the road as you drive, more can go wrong with a set of tires than most drivers realize.

How often do you test the air pressure in your tires? If you say every fill-up, you’re on the right track. Tire pressure can change rapidly depending on driving conditions. Both cold and heat change the way they perform, as well as how and where you drive your vehicle each day.

Pay attention to the tread as well. Do you see uneven wear marks? That’s a sign of a deeper problem in the performance of your vehicle. Rotate your tires regularly. You might consider having it done each time you change the oil. This ensures your tires wear evenly, and will prevent damage based on the way you drive. This can also alert you to bigger problems you can fix before they escalate.

Fuel injector cleaning

Think about all your vehicle goes through as you drive the Colorado roads. Ice and snow build up in the winter, with chemicals, rocks, and sand impacting many parts underneath the hood. Freezing temperatures can also impact the functionality of individual parts. Then in the summer months, heat can impact the way your car moves.

Fuel injectors spray gas into the combustion chamber to allow the correct amount of gasoline to enter into the engine. Each cylinder has a corresponding fuel injector – a four cylinder engine will have four fuel injectors.

Fuel injectors do wear out over time. But with the proper cleaning and service schedule, you can extend their life. Most manufacturers state fuel injectors will last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on care, gasoline used within the system, and how often fuel filters are changed.

Timing belt

The timing belt connects the engine with the vehicle’s crankshaft to ensure the valves open and close properly. The timing belt synchronizes the rotation of the camshaft and crankshaft to ensure the valves open and close, allowing the pistons to move up and down. Without a timing belt, your car’s engine wouldn’t operate.

A timing belt goes through a lot of wear and tear. The timing belt breaking is a big problem, and can lead to extensive damage to the engine. Check with your vehicle’s manufacturer to determine how often it should be replaced; it’s typically around 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

Warning signs can include missing teeth from the belt itself, a ticking noise from the engine compartment, or visible signs of cracking or damage. Simple maintenance checks periodically can warn you of potential problems, giving you the chance to replace it before it can break and cause extensive damage.

Transmission

It’s a problem with the transmission. Those are words no vehicle owner wants to hear because it’s one of the most expensive car repairs you’ll make.

 

Without a transmission, your car won’t move. It helps the engine run smoothly, and moves power from the engine through the wheels.

A transmission isn’t just one simple block. Instead, it’s made up of over 800 parts that are unique to each make and model on the road today. When they all work together, your car will operate seamlessly. To ensure that happens, it’s important to keep transmission fluid fresh and operational. Ensure it’s at the right level, and avoid aggressive driving or riding the brakes.

How a mechanic can keep your car running

These are just a few of the major car repairs that can impact your vehicle and your wallet. Owning a car doesn’t mean expensive repair bills. If you schedule your maintenance visits with a mechanic you can trust, you’ll ensure your car stays healthy and operating well for as long as you own it.

Scheduled checkups will always ensure your car stays operating and in peak performance. Don’t ignore mileage or date reminders; they are there for a reason. If you work together with a reputable mechanic, you can drive with peace of mind.

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks