Auto Repair Blog | Express Car Care Denver

Key Reasons Why Cars Last Longer Than Ever Before

October 28, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average car is driven about 15,000 miles per year. The New York Times found that fifty to sixty years ago, the average expected life of a vehicle was around 100,000 miles. Today, because of better technology, tighter tolerances, and better anti-corrosion coatings, the average life is closer to 200,000.

Cars are lasting longer than ever before. While that may be good for you as the car owner, it can compromise the overall driving experience if it isn’t well maintained. The average age of cars and light trucks on the road has reached peak levels to 11.8 years in 2019. It’s predicted to be more than 84 million vehicles on the road at least 16 years old by 2023. That poses significant problems, especially when car manufacturers 16 years ago weren’t thinking about that kind of longevity.

Why are coats lasting longer?

And equally important, what can you do to ensure your vehicle will last you for many years to come?

Improving the way a vehicle is assembled

The way cars are produced has changed a lot over the years. To say they’ve gone through a massive overhaul in the last century would be an understatement.

The first cars were powered by steam at the turn of the century. They didn’t have windshields, doors, or turn signals. Safety features – they weren’t in existence.

Mass production is what brought the first inkling of what we have with our vehicles today. Slowly, cars became safer, more durable, with improved systems and functions to create a better driving experience.

Laws like the 1966 National Traffic and Motor Safety Act worked on improving driving conditions. It included traffic safety programs, driver education and licensing, inspections, highway design, and traffic law enforcement.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began testing and rating vehicles for collision protection in 1978. That made manufacturers work harder at creating vehicles that would protect passengers.

And it all starts at the assembly line, with the way today’s modern vehicles are put together. What used to be left to humans, which varied from person to person, is now a precise task as machines and robotics handle every detail.

Emphasis is placed on making every part better, stronger, lighter, and more efficient. To improve fuel economy, for example, required designers to come up with ways to make body parts more efficient. They had to be thinner, lighter, and made of better materials so they wouldn’t rust or corrode.

All of this is because regulations keep getting better. And that isn’t going to stop. We now demand it in every car we purchase, knowing it’ll give us years of service.

Engine efficiency

Old engines made a vehicle operate, but they weren’t very efficient. That’s changed as laws and regulations required it so.

Old carburetors would drip fuel into the engine, and because there wasn’t a lot of control, that extra fuel would wash away, corroding parts as a part of the process. Unburned fuel would dilute the oil, wear out rubber, and cause the engine to be anything but efficient.

Now, modern fuel and oil have been modernized to the current status where they are beneficial at helping vehicles thrive. You no longer have engines that die from corrosion and buildup. Fuel injection makes every system a precise course of action. It controls fluids in such a way that they go where needed, in the right amounts, at the right time. A cleaner combustion process means a better engine that lasts longer, and saves on fuel and oil in the process.

Motor oil from just a few decades ago was simple at best. But as mechanics and engineers learned more about the process, they refined the fluids used in today’s engines. Synthetic oils are designed to work no matter what the temperature is outside, from freezing cold to sweltering heat. This isn’t the motor oil your parents used.

Thanks to technology, you can go farther between servicing, and expect parts to last for tens of thousands of miles. Spark plugs, for example, now last 100,000 miles or more.

It’s no longer about guessing when you’re vehicle is in need of repair. Today’s vehicles will tell you what it needs, when it needs it.

Better electronics

Imagine a vehicle that can tell you what it needs. Gauges alert you when you’re running low on fuel. Lights warn you of potential problems. Voice commands give you diagnostics, and offer refinement to improve the driving experience.

Of course, this isn’t sci-fi; this is reality. All you have to do is sit in a new car and you’ll find technology a big part of how it operates.

With on-board computer sensors and monitors, every system, every piece is watched closely to ensure it’s operating the way it should. When something moves outside of the established limits, a sensor is alerted, and it warns you via a dashboard light. They are finely tuned to maximize part life, give you advanced warning to bring your car in for servicing, and lessen the likelihood of being stranded because of a part that no longer works.

Establishing a car maintenance program you can live by

If you choose to keep your vehicle for years, it’s important to service your car regularly to maintain each of the systems at optimal performance. The average car built today includes over 30,000 parts. Each of those parts are attached and combined to work together. If one part is bad, it has the ability to impact every other part in some manner.

A reputable auto mechanic isn’t just there to service your vehicle when you have problems with your car. They are also there to be a part of the team that keeps it operating correctly for as long as you own it.

If you’re looking for a partner to keep your car operating in great condition, stop by today and give us a try. From regular oil changes to overhauling complete systems, we can help your car stay safe and on the road for years to come.

Driving on Technology

October 26, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Driving on Technology Think of how much technology has changed vehicles in the last several years. And there’s a lot more coming.

Many of you will remember when drivers were the ones who had complete control of several driving functions: steering, braking and skid and accident prevention, just to name a few. Thanks to driving technology, now computers and high-tech systems in the vehicle assist with many of these skills. Anti-lock brakes help the driver stop while avoiding uncontrolled skids, traction control helps reduce slippage, and stability control can minimize the chances of losing control.

Backup cameras let drivers see what’s directly behind them which they never could see before. Sensors warn drivers if a vehicle is crossing in front or behind them. Even more sensors and fish-eye cameras alert drivers when they’re getting too close to something. And those are just a few samples of the new driving technology advances.

The quest for self-driving vehicles has produced features that are already making their way into today’s cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Electric and hybrid vehicles are introducing break-out driving technologies. For example, a new braking technology allows the driver to let up on the accelerator, and instead of the car coasting for a while or the driver having to apply the brakes, the vehicle will slow down using regenerative braking without the driver even touching the brake pedal. This regenerative braking system recharges the batteries. Another system helps steer the car to keep it in the center of the lane using cameras and radar to keep track of the lane markers.

Most of these driving technologies aim at improving safety and efficiency, in much of the same way as all the other systems installed in the vehicle you currently own. But whether you’re driving on new technology or not, it’s always important to keep them maintained so they’re working properly. At Express Car Care we invest in training and diagnostic tools and equipment to keep your high-tech systems up to date as we all move forward to the vehicles of the future.

All-Wheel, Front-Wheel, Rear-Wheel – What’s The Difference?

October 21, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Here in Colorado, we face a variety of driving experiences throughout the year.

Scorching hot days where the pavement seems to melt before your eyes? Check.

Frigid temperatures with ice and snow packed roads that make it difficult to drive? Check, we have those too.

All of that can make it difficult to decide which car to buy. Should you focus on purchasing an all-wheel, front-wheel, or rear-wheel design? What’s the difference? Is one suited better for Colorado driving?

What is front-wheel drive?

When it comes to selecting a family car to get you around the city, front-wheel drive vehicles remain a popular choice. One recent study showed that just over 40 percent of the vehicles on the road today have front-wheel drive. But what exactly does that mean?

With a front-wheel drivetrain, the power of the vehicle remains with the front two wheels. This setup gives the front wheels the responsibility of moving and steering the car where you desire it to go.

From a design perspective, this is a less complex model, therefore it is also the least expensive way of powering a car. Because the engine is already upfront, it’s easier to connect power to the front wheels via two shorter drive axles.

But cost and ease is only part of the reason front-wheel drive vehicles remain one of the most popular choices on the road. They are also one of the most fuel-efficient.

Back in 1975, the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program was enacted. It was designed to improve fuel economy during the time of the Arab Oil Embargo. It sought standards to curtail fuel consumption as well as create jobs and cut global warming. As a part of that, automakers discovered that front-wheel drive vehicles was the quickest were to gain a few miles per gallon.

Having a more compact drivetrain, where the parts sit in front of the vehicle, reduces the weight. Less weight to move around on the road means a more fuel-efficient vehicle. It also works well here in Colorado because having the motor over the drivetrain also improves acceleration and traction. Whether roads are filled with water, ice, snow, sand, or gravel, a front-wheel drive vehicle will be easier to keep under control.

What is rear-wheel drive?

Everything we discussed above that comes equipped with a front-wheel drive car is reversed with a rear-wheel model.

You’ll find a variety of vehicles equipped with rear-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive is a transmission system designed for a more even weight distribution and optimal handling in normal driving conditions. When the sun is shining and you’re ready to take your car for a drive, you’ll enjoy the performance of a rear wheel drive system. Punch the accelerator from a standing start, the weight transfers to the rear, and gives you a smoother transition as you pick up speed. No fishtailing.

However, that performance doesn’t convert well when ice and snow build up. With more power in the rear wheels, it increases the possibility of fishtailing and losing control as your back wheels try to maneuver.

What is all-wheel drive?

All-wheel drive is a type of four-wheel drive system. It automatically shifts power between the front and rear wheels, depending on the kind of driving conditions. It’s designed for lighter winter driving and off-pavement use. If you truly want to go four-wheeling, you’re better off selecting a four-wheel drive vehicle. But for most driving conditions here across the front-range, all-wheel drive is a good choice.

The concept of all-wheel drive has changed considerably since its inception. The split between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive used to be more pronounced. To switch between the two, you would have to shift between them, selecting your driving preference. Thanks to technology, the difference is more automatic, with different types of vehicles moving seamlessly between the two, depending on the driving conditions. Vehicles like “crossovers” and others offer a wide variety of performance features. It’s easier to focus on the make and model, determining which is a good fit for your driving needs.

The role of the tires

While a vehicle’s drivetrain is important to how well your vehicle will perform in different situations, there’s another piece to the puzzle that can help make your car safer. The tires on your car are equally important to overall performance.

If you purchase a sporty vehicle, one that is designed for performance on dry roads, they are usually sold with summer tires designed with traction that can hug the open road. Dry conditions give you ease of handling, and can be quite fun to drive. However, the moment you add ice and snow to the mix, those tires won’t seem so impressive.

By adding snow tires to a front-wheel drive vehicle, you may see better performance than an all-wheel drive with summer tires. Again, the two pieces work in conjunction with each other to help you stay in control while you’re driving on the road.

Here in Colorado, we have both types of road conditions. And while all season tires can work well all year long, if you travel significant distances all year long and want the best performance possible in all conditions, combining snow tires with all-wheel drive is the way to go.

Problems with the drivetrain

No matter which type of vehicle you own, at some point in time, you may notice problems with the drivetrain.

Vibrations or intense shaking from under the vehicle
Difficulty making turns
A loud clunking noise when shifting occurs as you drive
A shuddering when stopping or starting
A squeaking noise at low speeds
A knocking noise as you drive

Any sound out of the ordinary is a reason for concern. If you notice something changes with the way your car drives, pay attention to where it’s coming from. This can help one of our mechanics pinpoint the problem.

Whether you have a front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive vehicle, the most important aspect of keeping them running well is to get them serviced regularly.

Why Is My Vehicle Vibrating As I Speed Up and Slow Down

October 18, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Part of driving is learning to recognize when your vehicle isn’t working the way it should. You can’t ignore your car’s warning signs and expect it to drive well time after time.

Your vehicle should provide you with a smooth driving experience. It should start without a hitch. It should speed up and slow down without the vehicle vibrating.

Yet over time, you may start to notice a change in the way your car handles. That smooth feeling is replaced by a shaking feeling that becomes more noticeable at certain times throughout the drive.

What’s causing it?

Brakes

If you notice the vibrations mostly occur as you apply the brakes, chances are it’s a problem with one of the components in your braking system.

Your braking system has several key components: brake pads, brake rotors, and brake calipers.

When you apply pressure to the brake pedal, it creates force to the brakes via hydraulic fluid. Because brakes require more pressure than your foot could give, this hydraulic fluid helps amplify the force into the braking system.

When you push the brake pedal, it depresses a piston, which allows hydraulic fluid to travel to a slave cylinder at each wheel. As these pistons move, it controls the pressure applied to each brake.

The brake pad is attached to the caliper, which presses up against the brake rotor to cause friction, ultimately slowing and stopping your vehicle.

If you notice a vibration, one or more components of this process no longer work the way they should. It’s possible the brake rotors have worn down, and are no longer circular in shape, meaning the brake pad can’t make proper connection. Or the brake calipers are warped, resulting in excessive heat when the brake pedal is pushed down.

If the components don’t connect in the way the system was designed, you’ll notice a difference in the way your car drives.

Wheel balance

Everyday wear can do a lot to your vehicle. With every bump you hit, every corner you cut too sharp, even minor imperfections from the factory can all give way to unequal weight distribution throughout your four tires.

You’ll feel it in the way your vehicle performs, with even an ounce of difference being noticeable in the way your car handles. While you may feel it at lower speeds, at around 45 miles per hour, the vibration will intensify.

Periodically, it’s important to bring your car in for a tune-up and to rotate your tires. This allows a technician to check all four wheels, find imbalances, and adjust the weights so all four tires match once again.

This also gives a mechanic a chance to evaluate your wheels thoroughly, ensuring one isn’t bent, damaged, or otherwise unsafe for you to continue to drive on. This alerts you to problems before they become bigger, and put you at risk.

Tires

Even if your wheels are in good condition, your tires may have a problem, causing your vehicle to vibrate as it operates. If you bring your vehicle in for a mechanic to check, he will look at:

Tire pressure, to ensure each tire is properly adjusted
Connections, to ensure lug nuts are all properly torqued
Tire wear, to ensure the tread is being evenly worn across the tire
Tread, to ensure it has ample tread to safely drive
Balance

Even if you’ve replaced your tires recently, one or more of these issues can lead to a problem with the way your vehicle performs. Fixing it quickly will prevent further damage to your vehicle.

Axle

Your car’s axle is the central shaft used for rotating the gears and wheels of your car. It gives you control over your car to turn the vehicle and go in any direction you choose.

A bent axle can occur from bumping a curb, a minor accident, or hitting a speed bump or pothole. Once bent, it can continue to worsen the more you drive.

In most cases, your vehicle has two axles, one to rotate the front wheels, and one for the back. Larger vehicles that carry more passengers may have more. They can wear down over time from dust, dirt, and other debris accumulating on the joints. And any damage can weaken the system, creating a vibration, especially as you pick up speed.

Steering

The steering wheel is used to turn your vehicle and keep it under control. The steering wheel is attached to a track rod, which is used to control the wheels, moving them right or left, depending on which way you turn. Ball bearings are used to connect tie rods to the steering arms, providing you with control. Each of these is connected to the wheels.

Most modern day vehicles use a rack and pinion gearset, which provides greater ease for turning. A notched rod – the rack extends out from the track rod. The steering shaft ends with a round gear called a pinion. As you move the wheel, the pinion moves through the notches on the rack, giving you control to move the vehicle to the left or right. This process is what gives you better control over the movements of your vehicle.

If each of these parts isn’t in proper alignment, they can throw off your drivability. It can change your control, and make it more difficult to follow through with turns and movement.

You may start to notice more “play” in the way your steering wheel responds to certain situations. Does it take move turning movement to move through a turn? That’s one of the first indications you may have an issue with something in your steering system.

These issues happen over time. Unless you are involved in an accident, or hit a very large bump, it takes time for minor symptoms to show up in the way your vehicle performs. Yet once you start noticing a change in performance, the faster you get your vehicle in for an inspection, the greater chance you can catch the problem before it grows in severity.

Engine

In most cases, vehicle vibrations will be most noticeable either as you gain speed or slow down.

Occasionally, you might notice your engine running rough, vibrating even as your vehicle is standing still. This is a clear sign of a problem somewhere in the engine. In order for the engine to run smoothly, there needs to be plenty of air, fuel, and spark. If any one of those components is off, your engine will have trouble starting and staying running.

A few things to check include:

Dirty or corroded spark plugs
A clogged or dirty air filter
Dirty fuel injector
Clogged fuel filter

The engine is attached to your vehicle with mounts attached to the frame of the body. It uses rubber joints to help absorb vibrations that can occur as you drive. Over time, this rubber can begin to fail, allowing the connection to loosen. That vibration you feel while your car stands still might just be an indication your system needs a little TLC to keep it functioning.

If you feel a vibration in your vehicle, stop by today and we’ll inspect it. Let’s get you back on the road safely once again.

Can Brake Pads Wear Unevenly?

October 14, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

If your vehicle relies on a disc braking system, it depends on brake pads to create the necessary friction to slow and stop your car.

Without working brake pads, your vehicle wouldn’t have the ability to bring you safely to a stop. That would put you, your vehicle’s occupants, and others on the road in danger.

They are vitally important to how well your car works.

Every time you step on the brake pedal, the brake pads engage, pressing against the spinning disc brake rotors, causing friction, and eventually wearing them down. They are designed to work together, pressing against your front wheels and back wheels with the same pressure. In most circumstances, they will wear down equally on both sides of your vehicle, no matter how much you step on the brake pedal.

However, there are situations where this isn’t so. The brake pads begin to wear, and you discover one is wearing differently than the others. Why is that so?

What causes brakes to wear unevenly?

The braking system works in pairs, with the front brakes and rear brakes wearing differently. As your vehicle moves, the forward movement puts more strain on the front brakes. This is why your front brakes wear faster than the rear.

However, if you notice that one side of your vehicle is wearing differently than the other, the issue is a bit more complicated. It can be caused by several different things.

Disc Thickness Variation

Disc thickness variation, or DTV, can be caused by different factors. It’s a mechanical term used to describe when the rotors have different thickness levels, and have worn unevenly over time. It can be caused by sticking calipers, rust, dirt and debris clinging to various parts of the pad and the rotor, or from slamming on the brakes frequently. When this thickness level is different, the brake pads will have to press against the rotor at varying degrees of friction. The rotors will have flat spots, meaning the brake pads will connect at different ratios. This will eventually cause one to wear down faster than the other.

Sticking Calipers

A brake caliper’s job is to connect the brake pads to the rotors. Without the caliper in action, the pad won’t connect properly to the rotor, bringing your vehicle to a halt. Because these brake calipers are under intense pressure and heat, they occasionally get stuck. It can be caused by dirt and grime that build up over time. As they stick, the brake pads can stay connected to the rotors, wearing down faster than usual. And because the calipers work independently on each wheel, it can wear down one faster than the others.

Misaligned Brake Pads

In order for the brake pads to work properly, they must connect with the rotor at the same level and speed every time they move into action. Because a vehicle is built for efficiency, this action is carefully aligned. Every time you start and drive your vehicle, the bumps, jolts, and movement of the vehicle can cause the connections to jar out of place. And sometimes, when you have your brake pads replaced, the mechanic may not align them evenly. All of this impacts the way your brake pads wear. Depending on when you notice this, it might be a simple adjustment. In other cases, your best course of action will be to replace the brake pads again.

Rotor Problems

Here in Colorado, the wheels of your car are in constant battle with the elements. Heat can build up in the summer, then a few months later, your wheels can be facing weeks of cold weather, mag-chloride build-up, as well as salt and gravel. That build-up can accumulate on the rotors, making uneven brake pad wear more possible. Of course, even new rotors can have a problem. If they have grease or dirt on them from where they were stored, the wear discrepancies can begin from the moment you drive away from the shop.

A warped rotor can also cause problems, if the surface isn’t perfectly smooth. This usually happens when cold water contacts a heated rotor. If the rotor isn’t perfectly smooth, the brake pad only connects with it in certain spots. Without full contact, it will wear unevenly over time. This is why you should never spray water into your wheel well immediately after intense driving.

Incorrect Brake Pads

When it comes time to replace your brake pads, it’s equally important to check with your manufacturer’s guidelines and install the type suggested. Don’t use different materials as they might not provide the same quality as designed for your vehicle. They can wear unevenly, and not give a full lifespan..

Can you change brake pads on one side only?

It is not recommended that you replace brake pads one at a time. Even if you have one brake pad worn more than the other side, it’s still preferable to replace them in pairs.

Brakes and rotors typically come in pairs – the front or the rear. Each set of brake pads will wear at the same level, which is why you typically replace them at the same time. If they wear at different levels, it’s still advisable to replace both, even if there is still wear on one. When you replace one with a new brake pad, it will not match the other wheel, which can be a hazard as you drive and attempt to brake.

How do you know if your brakes need to be replaced?

Cars are designed to send signals that it is in need of repair. Rely on your senses to help you determine when something isn’t working the way it should.

Sound – one of the most common ways people know their brake pads are worn is through sound. They make a squealing noise as you apply the brakes.

Sight – you can look at the brake pads periodically to see how worn they are. A general rule states that they should be replaced under a quarter of an inch in thickness.

Touch – do you notice your brake pedal pushes further to the ground for the same action? Does it list to one side or the other? All are indicators of a brake problem.

Smell – you can also notice odd scents that aren’t always there. Do you smell burning rubber? It may be a sign your brake pads need replacing.

Brake pads usually last about 50,000 miles. As always, check with your owner’s manual to determine the right maintenance routine for your vehicle.

If you have any questions, stop by today. We’d be happy to check your braking system, and help you create a plan to keep you and your family safe.

Suspension System Service

October 12, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Suspension systems should continue to operate effectively for many years and tens of thousands of miles/kilometers, holding your tires’ footprint on the road. Eventually components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how and where you drive.

As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth highways, your vehicle’s shock absorber will last a lot longer than if you do most of your driving on bumpy mountain roads or if you’re often hauling heavy loads. In addition to just wearing out, upgraded suspension system components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact, like hitting a pothole, a curb or a rock in the road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your vehicle manufacturer recommends periodic inspections. During a car inspection at Express Car Care, your service technician will check for worn, broken or missing suspension parts. If the inspection reveals any problems, we recommend that you take care of them quickly for your safety and ease of handling your vehicle. When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. This will give you even handling at all four corners of the vehicle.

If you have special road handling needs like improved cornering or towing or hauling requirements, your Express Car Care service adviser can recommend an upgraded shock or strut to meet with your needed requirements. Give us a call or come in and see us and let us know how we can help you with your suspension system services.

Car Maintenance: Does It Matter Where You Park Your Car?

October 11, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

There are a variety of reasons your car can sit in place for a while. COVID and stay in place regulations have taught us that. Of course, a pandemic isn’t the only reason your car might not move.

Retirees may choose not to drive for weeks on end, especially if you live in a walkable community.
Work from home professionals may also prefer living in walkable communities, using a vehicle only if they go away for a weekend.
Business travelers are often jetting away to faraway places.
And if a spouse is deployed overseas for any length of time, their car may sit for months at a time.

Then, of course, there’s also a question of where you park the car. Is it sitting in the elements? Is it under a carport? Or in a garage?

No matter how frequently you operate your vehicle, no matter where you choose to park it, it still needs car maintenance from time to time.

Here’s why.

Where you park your car matters

If you leave a car parked on the street, it’s subjected to the elements. Bird droppings, fallen leaves, and UV light can all be a problem. It can also be subjected to wind storms, damage from ice and snow, and dents from hail. There may also be safety issues, with more break-in potential, or the risk of being hit from passing cars.

Placing your vehicle in a garage can help protect and support its performance. Being in a closed environment helps a variety of systems and components on the car.

Brakes – Especially here in Colorado, cold weather can take its toll on the braking system. It can accelerate rusting on your brakes, especially if you’re on a busier street that routinely is prepped for ice and snow. Exposure to moisture and things like salt and mag-chloride can make its way to the brake rotors, causing corrosion, or wearing out the brake pads sooner.

Tires – The hot summer sun is just one of the things that can contribute to wearing down your tires. The heat can dry out the rubber on the tires, and cause wall cracks. It can play with the internal air pressure, flattening the tire over time. And as that happens, it twists your tire out of shape, causing flat spots in the rubber.

Battery – The only way to keep your car’s battery operating correctly is to charge it up from time to time. But it takes more than turning it on; it needs to move and drive, even if it’s just a short ten minute ride. Excessive heat, as well as winter cold spurts, can all impact the battery fluid, and shorten the life of the battery. It may start, but will it stay running? And once a battery is damaged, it will stop running altogether.

Being in a protected garage can help reduce all of these and more. Being in a protected environment not only helps with the inside, but the outside as well. The paint won’t wear due to sunlight and other elements, and the vehicle will be at less risk for both safety and security reasons.

But it’s not just a garage that can help. Even covered parking can reduce exposure to elements that can cause cosmetic damage.

Weather and other elements are never good for a vehicle’s paint job. Exposure to sun, wind, and ice can cause the paint to oxidize, which causes the paint to fade and peel. Plus, chemicals in bird droppings, fallen leaves, and sap from trees can hurt the paint too.

Paint isn’t just to make your car look good. It also protects the interior and other parts of the car. If rust and corrosion set in, it can move to other areas of your car.

If you leave your vehicle on the street, in the driveway, or on the side of your property, the elements can impact the inside of your car as well. Sunlight can wear down the dashboard and upholstery, while excessive heat can cause cracks and fading.

Of course, there’s no surefire way to keep your car safe or prevent theft. But keeping your car behind closed doors, off the street, or covered will always create a safer environment than leaving your vehicle on the street. If you won’t be moving your car for a while, cover it as much as you can.

Car maintenance for long term parked cars

No matter where you park your car, it’s important to remember that cars aren’t designed to sit still. That’s the fastest way to expedite problems.

No matter how often you plan on operating your vehicle, there are certain things you should do periodically to keep it running well.

One a week:

Start the car and let the engine idle for a few minutes. Before you turn it back off, drive it for an additional few minutes, to get all of the systems in the car operating again. This allows fluids to flow, mechanics to run, and systems to operate. It ensures the components move and aren’t stuck in the same position. You should also pay attention to the gas level, as a full tank keeps the air out, preventing rust and corrosion from settling in.

Once a month:

Continue to drive the vehicle periodically for short distances. This ensures the engine heats up and all systems move positions. Check the oil levels. It shouldn’t change, but it will need changing periodically even without hitting 3,000 miles, depending on how long it will sit. Check tire pressure to ensure it’s at proper levels. This prevents tires from bulging, or from gaining small cracks. You should also check the windshield wipers, ensure they operate, and fill the washer fluid tank. This keeps the wipers in good shape, and prevents them from drying out.

Schedule car maintenance visits:

We often see cars that don’t have much mileage come in for large repairs. It’s important to note that no matter how often you drive your car, you should still have your vehicle checked out by a professional from time to time.

It isn’t only driving and adding mileage that wears down the parts on your vehicle. Age can also have an impact on how well your car operates.

Are All Brake Noises Bad?

October 7, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

What’s that noise?

Maybe it’s a squeaking sound. Or maybe something is rattling.

You’d be surprised at the way people describe what’s happening inside their cars.

And we get it, It can be difficult to determine where a noise is coming from, and if it’s something to worry about.

Like most noises your vehicle can make, brake noises are designed to attract attention. While every system on your car is important, driving without a fully operational brake system could be dangerous at best.

But can you recognize bad noises from ones that aren’t of concern? Is that squeak trying to tell you something?

Not all brake noises are bad

Let’s clear this up before we move forward. When you get in your vehicle in the morning and drive away from your home, your brakes may occasionally have a squeak or a squeal.

Not all brake noises are bad.

The important thing here is to pay attention to when the noise occurs, where it’s coming from, and how long it lasts.

There are a few situations where brakes can cause a few noises, and that’s perfectly okay.

If it’s cold outside, it’s been snowing out, and there might be ice or snow on your brake pads or rotors, as the two connect as you first drive, they might squeak. As brake pads connect with the rotors, they start generating heat. Once the ice melts away, and the brake system heats up, the parts will resume, and function. The squeaking will disappear.

That’s not the only circumstance that can cause a sudden noise. Here in Denver, many of us head to the hills for a day of skiing. As you’re flying down the mountain on your drive home, your brakes may start to squeak. It could be from excessive heat. Are you riding the brakes as you come down in elevation? If the brake pads continually press up against the rotors, excessive heat builds. Eventually, the friction can start creating a noise. It may also lead to a temporary reduction in braking power, known as brake fade. If you notice this happening, pull over to a safe spot for five to ten minutes and give your brakes a chance to cool down. Learn to downshift as you descend in elevation, that can take the pressure off of your brakes.

Have you recently installed new brake pads? This can be especially annoying, knowing you’ve recently spent money on replacing your brakes. What is that brake noise? It may just be your brakes settling in. There are three different types of brake pads: ceramic, metallic, and organic. While you might not know which type you have before, it’s important to know that they each handle differently in unique situations. Metallic brake pads, for example, are performance-driven. They operate better in a wide range of conditions, making them preferable for some drivers. But when they’re brand new, metal can be especially noisy as they settle in. If you ever have any questions about performance, especially if they are brand new, we’re happy to check them.

Brake pads can also make noise if they’re dirty, and have dust buildup on the pads. Do you drive on dirt roads often? Do you clean your wheels equally as often? If you have any concerns about how your driving may impact the way the brakes work, give us a call.

What about other brake noises?

We’ve covered a few of the areas where brake noise may not be of concern. But it’s important to note that if you hear your brakes, if they make noises regularly, you’re better off getting it checked than putting it off.

If a noise doesn’t go away a few miles after you start driving, it’s time to check it out.

Grinding noises – One of the most common brake noises is a grinding noise when you apply the brakes. It kind of sounds like hitting a pavement strip when you’re driving down the highway. That grinding sound is a wake-up call, telling you the brake pad is reaching the end of its lifespan. It’s where the metal at the end of the brake pad is connecting with the metal rotor. If there’s no braking material left, you won’t be able to stop effectively.

If you continue driving this way, you risk further damage. Metal on metal can only occur for so long before both sides start wearing down. And replacing brake pads and brake rotors is far more expensive than brake pads alone. Full brake jobs include replacing calipers, pads, and rotors. If you hear that grinding noise, it’s best to drive in and have them replaced as quickly as possible.

Squeaking noise – A squeaking noise can be especially annoying. It’s designed that way to keep you safe. It may or may not be a sign of a bigger problem, but it is designed to get your attention.

It could be something as easy as telling you cheap, inferior brakes were installed on your vehicle. If they aren’t making a proper connection within the system, it could be a way of telling you something is wrong. Inferior products are the number one reason for squealing brakes. If they aren’t made from high quality products, large metal flakes can pull off and drag across the rotor as the pad makes connection. These pieces will flake away, but eventually, there will be another right behind it.

If the squeal gets more intense and never seems to go away, it’s probably worn out brake pads, where a small wear indicator is hitting the rotor. This wear indicator is placed into the pad as a warning sign. It’s designed to tell you your brake pads are worn. Don’t ignore this sound for too long; it is designed to tell you it’s time to replace your brake pads, before more damage can be done.

Are your brakes making noise?

If so, don’t ignore them. The noise will grow, the problem won’t go away. And you’re putting you, your family, and everyone on the road at risk.

Before the snow starts falling and you need your brakes in all kinds of situations, pull your car into our station and we’ll get to the root of the problem.

We’ll get you back on the streets in no time.

What You Should Know About Spark Plugs

October 3, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Spark plugs; if you’ve ever seen them, you know they’re tiny little parts that somehow connect together underneath the hood, and help your car run.

You might not think twice about them, but they play an important role in how your car functions. Without them, your car wouldn’t stay running at all.

What should you know about these tiny little parts?

What do spark plugs do?

Your car’s engine is what makes your car operate. Without an engine, your car wouldn’t go.

What makes an engine run is through kinetic energy. But without the process of internal combustion, an engine wouldn’t be able to pull the kind of power needed to move you from place to place.

Every time you turn the key, (or press the button,) your engine goes through a cycle to make this entire process happen. Valves fill a cylinder with a mixture of air and gasoline. A piston in the engine pushes upward, compressing this highly explosive fuel-source into a tiny space. At its peak, the engine ignites this mixture with a small spark, forcing the piston back down into position. This turns the crankshaft in the engine, and creates enough power to move you forward.

This is where your spark plugs come into play. As the name implies, spark plugs create the spark to ignite the mixture of air and fuel. They do this over and over again, being able to sustain millions of tiny outbursts over their lifetime.

That’s why spark plugs are made from an extremely durable material. Spark plugs aren’t something that need to be replaced on a frequent basis. Still, these tiny explosions do make their impact, and eventually, like every part of your vehicle, the force behind the process will eventually weaken the material, and cause the spark plug to decrease its power. Weaker sparks can cause things like misfiring to happen. And eventually, failure.

Are there different types of spark plugs?

If you’ve started noticing your car misfires when you turn it on, it’s just one of the signals your vehicle gives you to let you know your spark plugs are wearing out. When it comes time to replace them, there are several different variations of spark plugs available.

The best spark plug for your vehicle is the one recommended by the manufacturer, which you can find by referring to your owner’s manual. There are several main types of spark plugs that include:

Copper spark plugs – the center electrode is made with a copper core surrounded by nickel alloy. It’s inexpensive and works well in vehicles built before 1980. They also have a shorter lifespan and require more voltage to operate.

Iridium spark plugs – these are the longest lasting spark plugs, as they require less voltage to generate a spark. They also come with a higher price tag because of it.

Silver platinum spark plugs – this is similar to a copper spark plug, only with a platinum disc welded to the tip. It lasts longer than nickel alloy, meaning it also has a longer lifespan.

Double platinum spark plugs – they have a platinum coating on both center and ground electrodes, making these efficient and long-lasting too.

Silver spark plugs – while they aren’t as common as other types of spark plugs, they feature silver coated electrode tips, and are often used on older European performance cars and motorcycles.

When is it time to change my spark plugs?

Today’s vehicles are more efficient than ever before. Depending on your vehicle, many manufacturers now install “extended life” spark plugs at the factory, giving you a long life before you start to notice problems. In many cases, these spark plugs will be rated at a lifespan of up to 100,000 miles. Of course, this is a suggested timeframe, and the closer you get to end-of-life, the more you should pay attention to how well your car runs.

As they wear down, the gap between the two loads widens. This is where efficiency decreases, and misfiring starts to happen. If you allow your spark plugs to wear down enough so that corrosion sets in, they have the potential of breaking, which can lead to serious damage to the interior of your engine cylinder. This can be an expensive repair to fix.

It’s much easier to follow manufacturers’ guidelines, be aware of any sounds or changes in the way your car operates, and replace parts before they wear down.

What happens as a spark plug ages?

Spark plugs move into action every single time you take your car out for a drive. They fire again and again, keeping your engine working at its best.

It undergoes thousands of miles in extreme temperatures. That’s one reason it’s important to focus on quality rather than price. The stronger the material, the more durable the spark plug will be.

Still, a spark plug won’t last forever.

Over time, deposits form on the spark plugs as it interacts with the air-fuel mixture.

As it continues performing this process, a tiny gap can form due to extreme temperatures, debris, and normal wear and tear.

And that’s when trouble begins.

But it doesn’t have to. Not if you replace your spark plugs regularly.

What are the benefits of replacing my spark plugs?

The biggest benefit of replacing your spark plugs at recommended times is to ensure your car starts without problem. Of course, there are other reasons too.

Better performance – when a spark plug is doing its job, it means the entire combustion system is happening without a hitch. That means your engine is performing at its best.

Better fuel efficiency – The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence states that a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Replacing your spark plugs before they wear down will help you save at the pump.

Better starting – have you noticed your car jumping and jerking when it starts? It could be a sign of a failing spark plug.

Better emissions – if you keep your engine running well, it will emit less emissions into the air. That means cleaner air for me and you to breathe.

When was the last time you had your spark plugs changed?

Drive a Lot? Take These Preventative Maintenance Steps Now

September 28, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

The average car being built today has around 30,000 parts. That includes every nut, bolt, screw, belt, and wire that together connect up and ensure you arrive at your final destination safely and securely.

However, with that many parts, it’s likely that at any given time, one or more will start to wiggle, loosen up, corrode, or even wear down, making your vehicle less than reliable. One part might not cause a problem. Even two or three. But eventually, you’ll start to see problems in the way your vehicle operates.

Studies show that as much as 80 percent of a mechanic’s time is working on preventable maintenance items that could have been stopped. They are predictive by nature, and with a little bit of preventative maintenance, a bigger situation could have been avoided altogether.

Bigger problems are almost always avoidable when you focus on routine maintenance.

That’s why your vehicle’s owner’s manual will make suggestions on when to have your oil changed and when to make system repairs.

They’re predictable by nature. The more you follow the guidelines, the more preventative maintenance you perform, the less likely you will have emergency repair work in the future.

Get to know your owner’s manual

Every single vehicle manufacturer spends a lot of time getting to know the vehicle they are producing. They pick parts for a reason. They put systems together with a goal in mind.

Who better to make suggestions as to when each part needs repair?

It may seem like a chore, but when you first purchase your vehicle, spend some time flipping through the owner’s manual. Make note of key dates and timeframes for regular maintenance. This guide gives you an A-to-Z approach about the details of your car. It tells you when to change the oil, when to rotate the tires, when to replace the brakes. It also includes suggestions and troubleshooting guidelines, such as what the correct tire pressure should be in different situations.

Don’t worry if you don’t have your owner’s manual right at your fingertips. You have something better: the internet. You can head to your manufacturer’s website anytime, and you’ll find the guidelines for your vehicle right there.

Now it’s time to make a plan

According to the US Department of Transportation, the average male drives around 16,000, and the average female drives 10,000 miles per year.

As your car ages, thousands of miles are put onto your vehicle, in lots of different conditions. Driving on a day when temperatures peak over one-hundred will do different things to your car compared with a day that breaks records for the cold. Ice and snow create different hazards than blazing sun.

Your car is equipped to handle it all. But it will need a little TLC from time to time.

Stick to the service schedule

Chances are you visit your doctor every year for a checkup. You visit your dentist regularly to ensure your teeth are healthy. It’s considered preventative maintenance; to ensure your body does you well.

Regular checkups for your vehicle accomplish the same thing. They ensure everything is running smoothly, and that parts are replaced before they can cause further damage.

When you work with a mechanic you can trust, they do all kinds of things. They check your tires, check fluid levels, ensure belts are tightened and in place. They ensure your lights work well, your windshield wipers are in good shape. They check the battery, hoses, lines, and wires to ensure they all are doing their jobs.

The goal of a regular service check is to ensure everything is working the way it should. To send you off knowing your car is in great shape. And that you’ll be okay in the next few thousand miles, before it’s time for another checkup.

Change the oil

Outside of gasoline, oil is one of the most important fluids for your car. Think of it as your vehicle’s lifeblood.

Changing out the motor oil regularly will ensure your vehicle stays healthy, that parts are well-coated, and protected against heat and wear.

As your car ages, as you drive more and put on more miles, this becomes more important than ever. Changing your motor oil every 3,000 miles is an important part of car maintenance. But when your car reaches 75,000, 100,000, or more, it becomes vital to ensure every part is working at its best.

Check tire pressure

You have new tires. Why worry about them for a few thousand miles?

Yet your tires are the one vital piece that connects your vehicle to the road.

So many things can change tire pressure: heat, cold, hitting a bump, picking up nails and other debris as you drive from place to place.

While more modern cars may have sensitivity controls as a part of your dashboard monitoring system, even if you don’t, it’s wise to check tire pressure from time to time. Even if you make it a routine as you fill up your gasoline, it can help you determine if there’s a problem with your tires.

Don’t delay if you notice tire pressure changing. It can lead to lower efficiency, or even a potentially dangerous situation.

Keep it clean

This may seem like something you can put off on your busiest of days. But washing your car inside and out not only helps it look nice, but also helps you take notice of potential problems.

Do you notice leaking fluid? Is there a rust stain that wasn’t there before? Is there a spot on your tire that looks out of place?

By washing it regularly and waxing it on schedule, you’ll also protect the paint and prevent rust and corrosion from forming. Vacuuming dirt and debris off seats and carpet helps minimize tears and holes over time.

And the best news is, it only takes a little time.

With just a few preventative maintenance steps now, your car will thank you later by living a long life.