Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Simple Answers About Selecting Tires

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Question:  I need new tires, but how do I know which tires to select?

Express Car Care Answer:  Let’s look at selecting new tires in light of three factors:  Function, Fit, and Value.

Function:  This deals with what your needs are for new tires.  Weather conditions, terrain, temperatures, etc.

New family vehicles sold in Colorado come with all-season tires.  They can be used all year long and do pretty well on average road conditions – but they aren’t ideal in extreme conditions.

Winter tires have a more aggressive tread for handling snow and ice and they have a rubber compound that helps them have better traction as temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit/ 7 degrees Centigrade.  In Colorado winter weather, that means better stopping and road-holding characteristics for driving than all-season tires.

Dedicated summer tires enhance warm weather performance driving.

If you drive off-road in the foothills and mountains around Denver, there is a spectrum of tire choices, from all-terrain ( a good mix of highway and off-road capability) to dedicated off-road tires.

The key to selecting tires is to discuss the function you’re looking for with your tire professional, so you get the type of tire, load rating, speed rating and wear rating you need.

Fit:  The easiest thing is to select tires in the same size that were installed at the factory.  If you want a different size wheel or tire profile, be sure to work with a professional that can make sure that your new wheels and tires fit properly and don’t rub when your vehicle bumps or turns.  It’s also important to make sure that safety systems like anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control aren’t adversely affected by the new tire size. ( The computer may need to be recalibrated in order to make the necessary adjustments.)

Value:  Notice I didn’t say price.  The tire that meets all your needs and has the warranty and tread life you expect will probably not be the cheapest option – but it may well return the best value for your tire dollar.

Your friendly and helpful Express Car Care service adviser is ready and willing to discuss the options with you before you make this automotive decision.

5 Reasons To Keep Your Car Well-Maintained

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Thanks for visiting the Express Car Care auto care blog.  Today’s post lists 5 important reasons Denver drivers should follow recommended maintenance schedules.

  1. Be Safe  A well-maintained car doesn’t put you and your passengers at unnecessary risk.  Think brakes, headlamps, tires.
  2. Get Better Fuel Economy  Regular maintenance is an investment in optimum fuel economy.  Inadequate tire pressure, a dirty fuel system and a clogged air filter are just a few things that reduce fuel economy.
  3. Preserve Resale Value  How many used car buyers will pay full Blue Book price for a car with a filthy engine, clogged filters and bald tires?
  4. Don’t Void Your Warranty  Your warranty claims may be denied if your service history doesn’t fulfill the minimum requirements recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
  5. Save Money  Regular maintenance reduces the chance of catastrophic failures and repairs.

Here are some Express Car Care tips to help you remember the main items:  Fluids first.  Oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, differential fluid, etc.  We can take care of all of these for you at Express Car Care in Denver.

Then think Tires.  Air, rotation, balancing and alignment.  And while you’re thinking tires, think brakes and shock absorbers.

Air and Fuel.  Air filter replacement, fuel filters and fuel system cleaning.

This list doesn’t cover all the recommended maintenance,  but we can help you decide what you need when you come in and see us.  Or give us a call and set up an appointment.

Headlamps

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You may be surprised to learn that 40 percent of traffic fatalities in Colorado take place at night even though there’s 60 percent less traffic.  It goes to show you how important proper visibility is to nighttime driving in our community.

Obviously, a clean windshield is important – so are good wiper blades.  Your headlights play a big role as well.  There are two main concerns.  One is the headlamp, or bulb.  The other is with the lens.

The truth of the matter is that headlamps go dim over time on your car or other vehicle.  You just need to replace them.  Some vehicles come with a standard bulb which you can replace or you can upgrade to a halogen bulb that’s much brighter.  Halogen bulbs cost a little more but you’d be amazed at the difference.

It’s a good idea to replace your headlamps once a year.  The idea is that your lamps never dim to the point that they become a safety issue.  Just take care of it at a fall oil change so that your lights will be bright for the coming long winter nights.

The other big issue is the headlamp lens.  For the last couple of decades, most lenses are made of plastic which can get cloudy or yellow.  That blocks a lot of light.  You can replace the lens, but each lens assembly can cost as much as $350 to $400.  It’s much less expensive to restore the lens if it isn’t broken.

At Express Car Care, we use a process of special cleaners and polishes to remove the yellowed and hazy layer of the lens.  We then apply a hard protective finish.  When we’re done, your lenses really are as good as new.

The price depends on the size of the lens and how yellowed or cloudy it has become.  You can even restore taillights and turn signals.

So combining a headlamp restoration with new bulbs will light up the road like a new car.  Can you clearly see the advantage?

At Express Car Care we install quality NAPA replacement parts.  Give us a call if we can help you.

Used Vehicle Inspection

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It’s always exciting to get a new car – even when it’s used.  But it can also feel like you’re going out on a limb a bit when you’re buying a used vehicle.  I mean, people have a lot of reasons for selling their vehicles.  Maybe they just wanted a new car, or maybe there was something that they personally  didn’t like about the car.  But then again,  maybe there was something wrong with it or maybe there’s something really wrong with it.

It’s a great idea to order a report from a vehicle history service.  This can uncover title problems and may reveal any serious accidents or flood damage as well as any recall notices for the vehicle.  Maintenance and repair records are a plus, but most sellers don’t have them.

Of course the best idea is to get a professional to perform a used vehicle inspection.  The inspection will go much deeper than just how good the vehicle looks and drives.  You’ll get a feel for the vehicle’s overall condition, the status of major safety systems and an indication of how well it has been maintained.  You’ll get a good idea of any work that needs to be done – and that will help you determine an appropriate value for the vehicle and whether or not it’s worth purchasing.

It’s pretty easy to see how a used vehicle inspection is worth the cost.  If problems are uncovered, you can either steer clear of the vehicle or bargain for a better price.  If everything is OK, you’ll have a plan for addressing any routine services that should be done, as well as a whole lot of peace of mind.

It’s easy to fall in love with a vehicle – just don’t let your excitement cloud your judgment.  Bring the car in and have us perform a used vehicle inspection so that you’ll know if you’re getting a peach, or a lemon.

Question on Tire Wear

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Express Car Care Question:  My name is Dan. The tires on my vehicle wore out early and I had to replace them.  What can I do to make my tires last longer?

Express Car Care Answer:  Dan’s problem, premature tire wear, is a very common problem for Denver drivers.  Here are several suggestions on ways to lengthen your tire wear:

First, tires lose air pressure over time, so check the tire pressure at least once a month and fill them up as necessary.  A sticker on the driver’s side door jamb has the recommended tire pressure listed for your vehicle.

Another suggestion for lengthening tire wear is tire rotation.  Tire rotation is an important step in increasing the life of tires.  Your front tires take the brunt of stopping and steering forces, so they wear out faster than rear tires.  They should be rotated regularly so that all four tires are allowed to wear more evenly.  Talk to us at Express Car Care if you’d like more information on tire rotation.

Out of balance wheels can also cause a tire to wear out too fast. If you feel a vibration in your seat or steering wheel when you’re driving, you may have a wheel out of balance. It’s important to have your wheels balanced properly so the tires wear as evenly as possible.

Finally, a poor wheel alignment and worn or damaged suspension can chew through a tire very quickly.  Ask your friendly pros at Express Car Care to have your tires inspected for signs of premature tire wear.  Your technician will be able to pinpoint the cause and take care of it.

These are just some simple steps you can take to prevent premature tire wear.  Give us a call and let us know how we can help.

Safe Towing Guide

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Let’s talk about safe towing for drivers.  Too often many drivers will just slap a trailer on the hitch and take off.  But there are safety considerations to protect your tow vehicle, comply with Colorado laws and limit your liability.

First of all, know your tow vehicle.  Your options will affect the tow rating, so you need to carefully read the towing section of your manufacturer’s owner’s manual to know how much your vehicle can tow.

Next, you need to know the weight limits of your trailer hitch.  It will have a maximum tongue limit and an overall limit.

Third, know your hitch type:  a weight-distributing hitch may be required by your manufacturer for certain trailer weights.

And fourth, know the towing laws for the areas in which you’ll be towing, as they may have stricter equipment requirements.

Your owner’s manual will also give you some help in determining how to calculate how much weight you can tow.  It’s more complicated than the maximum weight the marketing guys trumpet.  There are two codes drivers can find on the driver’s side door.  One is GVWR- or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.  This is the maximum weight of the tow vehicle, including passengers and cargo.

The other is GCWR – or Gross Combined Weight Rating.  This is the combined weight of the vehicle, passengers, cargo and loaded trailer.

Every locality requires safety chains and they also have regulations for when trailer brakes are required in Colorado.  The tires on your vehicle and trailer should be in good condition and have the proper load rating.  Your suspension should be inspected to make sure it can handle the load.  Also your transmission may need additional fluid cooling, so check with your Express Car Care service adviser about adding a transmission cooler and/or performing maintenance.

Carefully follow your vehicle’s towing guidelines to maximize your safety, protect your vehicle from damage and protect yourself from liability.

A quick note on your trailer:  wheel bearings on trailers are often neglected by drivers.  They need to be serviced on schedule to avoid failure.  This is especially important for trailers that are driven through water.

If this safe towing guide has made you aware of any services you might need on your vehicle, come and see us at Express Car Care in Denver, we can help.

 

Exhaust Service

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Driving down the road or around town, we’ve all heard a car or truck that sounds like it needs a new muffler.  But there’s more to the exhaust system than just the muffler.  The exhaust system has three main functions:

 

  1. Safely get hot exhaust gas from the engine out the tailpipe.
  2. Treat the exhaust to remove harmful pollutants.
  3. Muffle the engine noise.

Exhaust gas is poisonous.  Drivers don’t want it getting into their passenger compartments.  Most of us know that carbon monoxide can be deadly.  That’s why you should never run your engine in a closed garage.  If you have a leak somewhere in the exhaust system, exhaust could get into the passenger cabin and make you sick or even kill you.

If you smell exhaust in the vehicle, roll down your windows and get it inspected at Express Car Care in Denver.  You may smell or see exhaust coming from the engine compartment or under the vehicle if you have a leak.  Sometimes the sound from an exhaust leak is loud and obvious.  Sometimes it’s a ticking sound when you start the engine that goes away as you drive.  That could be a small crack or a bad fitting that leaks when it’s cold but seals up when the metal heats and expands.

Then there are the environmental issues to consider.  Exhaust gas contains a number of pollutants and particulates.  The catalytic converter scrubs some of those harmful substances.  Diesel vehicles have systems that deal with soot.  Catalytic converters eventually wear out and need to be replaced.  They’re expensive,  so you want to help them last as long as possible by keeping the fuel system clean and replacing your air filter.  These components need to be tested for proper functioning with an emissions test from time to time.  Then there’s the muffler.

The beauty of getting a new muffler is that you can suit your own taste.  Some drivers want whisper quiet, some like a little rumble, and others like a roar.  Give us a call and let us know how we can help.

Timing Chain

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All engines have either a timing belt or a timing chain to synchronize the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves.  This keeps the engine running smoothly and efficiently.  If the timing is off, it may not even run at all.  Timing belts need to be replaced on schedule.  A broken or slipping timing belt could cause extensive engine damage.

Timing chains are being used more and more in modern engines.  They are more durable and usually don’t have a recommended replacement interval.  However, timing chains and their associated components do wear out over time.  The tensioner and guide rails can wear out, which causes the timing chain to be loose.  A tooth on a cam sprocket could break allowing the timing chain to slip.  You don’t want to wait for a complete failure ( and possible extensive damage) so it’s important to watch for the signs of impending failure.

You may notice sluggish performance, reduced fuel economy or difficulty starting when the timing chain system is worn.  You could hear a variety of noises:  rattle, rumble, whine, buzz, or whir coming from the engine.  If you experience any of these things, bring it to our attention and we’ll look into it.  If you do require a timing chain replacement, we’ll also replace all the other system wear components such as the tension and guide rails.

Although the timing chain does not require maintenance as we usually think of it, it does require constant lubrication.  The engine does this normally as it runs.  However, a low oil level or using a poor quality oil will keep the timing chain from being properly lubricated.  A timing chain can last a long time with regular oil changes using quality oil.  Regular oil changes are an easy way to lengthen the life of your timing chain, I bet we can all manage that.

 

How To Save Gas

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High gas prices have hit most of our budgets in the Denver area.  If increased fuel costs are consuming a bigger portion of your budget, you may be tempted to skimp in some other areas – like scheduled maintenance at Express Car Care.

According to news reports and industry studies, you’re not alone.  Nine out of ten personal vehicles on the road have at least one maintenance or repair item that hasn’t been done.  Some of these items are serious safety concerns, others are just more likely to affect the cost of operating your vehicle.

In this area, we can take a lesson from professional vehicle owners:  fleet owners and operators like trucking companies and delivery services.  Because their livelihood depends on it, they have gotten scheduled maintenance down to a science.  And the last thing they skimp on is regular maintenance.

Why is that?  Well, for one thing, they know that routine maintenance prevents expensive repairs and costly breakdowns.  They also know that a well-maintained vehicle uses less fuel.  For them, even a small decrease in fuel economy may mean a drop in profits.

Here are some Express Car Care services that could potentially help you save gas.  Fuel system cleaning, transmission service, differential service, oil change.  Ring any bells?  Is there at least one thing on the list that hasn’t been done for your vehicle?

Let’s suppose you chose to spend $150 and get caught up on some of these services and that they combine to improve your fuel economy by 15%.  What would that mean for your pocketbook?

The average personal vehicle is driven about 12,000 miles a year.  If you get 20 miles per gallon in your vehicle, over the course of one year you would pay for the $150 worth of service and save and additional $165 if gas is at $3.50.  If gas is $4.50, you’d save $255, and you’d rack up savings of $345 if gas is $5.50.

From this you can see that the more fuel cost, the more it pays to take care of your vehicle.  Some of us drive trucks for work or recreation – or want a large SUV for family needs.  A 15% improvement in fuel economy can generate huge savings – $660 a year if gas is $4.50 a gallon.

So catch up on those services you’ve been neglecting.  Talk with your service adviser about your vehicle’s needs.  Get a couple done now and a couple next time.  Chances are you’ll save a lot of money on fuel this year – and a lot more on repairs in the years to come.

Radiator Fans

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Denver drivers who are old enough have probably heard the term “fan belt”.  Back in the day, the radiator fan in your vehicle was turned by a belt driven by the engine.  There are still belt driven fans, although most are now driven by the serpentine belt.  But most vehicles now 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 a 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 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 highway speed, the air rushing over the radiator and around the engine will help control the heat.  By contrast, stop and go driving around town doesn’t generate much natural air flow so the radiator fans will be working hard.

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.

Both 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 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, servicing 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.

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks