Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

How Is Your Car Air Conditioner?

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What happens when you turn on the air conditioner in your car?  Do you get a nice rush of cool air?  Or if the air does come out, is it hot or foul smelling?  How is your car air conditioner working?  It can be very frustrating when you get into your car, expecting a cooling breeze, and instead you get sputters of hot air.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that your car air conditioner isn’t working.  With the summer months almost here, a working air conditioner in your car is practically a necessity and in this day and age, we don’t have to suffer from the heat while we travel.  The following tips should help you decide where the problem may lie and what you might do to fix it.

Your car air conditioner is made up of several parts:  a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and several valves, fittings and hoses.  A fairly common reason for your car’s air conditioner to stop working is a lack of refrigerant.    Pressure gauges can be used to determine if your air conditioner needs a charge, or if your system may be losing refrigerant due to a leak.  Possibly a cracked hose, a pinhole in the condenser, or a leaky compressor.  A special dye can be added to your system that will help to locate a leak.

While the car is running, turn on the air conditioner and listen for the clutch of your compressor to engage.  If it does not engage or if it engages and disengages rapidly, you could have a blown fuse or may need to replace the clutch.

If your car’s air conditioner is noisy, make sure that all mounting bolts connected to your air conditioning system are tight.  This should help eliminate any rattling or other noises.

If your system has intermittent cooling, it may be freezing up.  Air and moisture in the system can cause this to happen.  You should use a vacuum pump to rid the system of moisture and air.

If you have a mold or mildew smell when you use your air conditioner, condensation has probably become trapped within one or more of the areas of the air conditioning system.  There is a service available to remove this mold and mildew from your system.

When all else fails, take your car to your auto technician and have your cooling system serviced.  Your auto technician will be able to diagnose any problems and make the necessary repairs to make your summer driving cool, clean and comfortable.

Car Maintenance Schedule

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Most of us have everything scheduled , whether we realize it or not!  We eat, sleep and play,  all on a schedule that we have created.   So it only makes sense that we schedule regular car maintenance for the vehicles that we use every single day to get us to our other scheduled events!

We’ve put together a car maintenance schedule that should help keep your car running smoothly and efficiently.

 

Once per month

  • Check your car’s oil level.  Add oil if running low.
  • Check your tire pressure.  Add air as appropriate.
  • Inspect your tires as you check the pressure.  Make sure they aren’t leaking,  or wearing in an uneven pattern, or damaged.
  • Check your coolant or antifreeze.  Add if running low.
  • Check your windshield washer fluid, and add more as needed, especially during high use months.

Once per quarter

  • Change your car’s oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles.  Check your air filter and replace as needed.
  • Check battery, brake, transmission and power steering fluids.  Add fluid if its running low.  Also watch for patterns of low fluids, as it could be a sign of something wrong with your system.
  • Check hoses, belts and cables.  Clean if corroded, and replace when you notice worn, frayed or brittleness.

Once per year

  • Replace the wiper blades to avoid brittleness and smears.
  • Check headlights, brake lights and turn signals.  Replace bulbs as needed.
  • Check the spare tire to make sure it’s fully inflated.
  • Inspect the brakes for signs of wear or damage.
  • Inspect shock absorbers for wear or oil seepage.

Although this schedule should be followed routinely, you should add in extra checks if you have long road trips scheduled so you can ensure your family is safe for a long journey.  Checks and maintenance before you leave can prevent costly mishaps along the way and save you valuable time and money.

If we can help with any of these services give us a call at (303) 691-2760 or come in and see us at the shop.

 

 

Safe Roads

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Spring has arrived here in Denver and as all of us who live here know, spring weather always brings along with it more annoying road construction!  It seems that the process of building and rebuilding safe roads also includes having to endure an undetermined length of time driving through and around construction zones.  According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and AAA Colorado, there are more than 150 projects on state and interstate highways in Colorado this year.  Since work-zone crashes kill an average of 11 people per week, nationwide, it is so important that we do everything we can to keep our roads safe.

In a recently published article by AAA, they share these tips that they would like drivers to keep in mind when driving through “cone zones”.

  • Slow down and move over when road workers and emergency responders are present.  It’s a Colorado law and it can save lives.
  • Expect the unexpected.  The work zone you’ve driven through before may have changed since the last time you visited.  Out-of-state drivers won’t be familiar with lane changes, uneven surfaces and lower speeds and may take sudden evasive actions.
  • Obey road crew flaggers.  Ignoring them, racing past them or expressing anger towards them only endangers them and aggravates other drivers.
  • Don’t tailgate even when other motorists cut into the safe space you’ve created behind the car in front.  This requires patience on your part.
  • Minimize distractions.  Focus, focus, focus!  Store your phone, make your call later and don’t reach for food or drinks.  To put it simply, drop anything and everything that would prevent you from seeing and obeying road signs, steering clear of roadside workers or hearing emergency vehicle sirens.
  • Be patient and stay calm.  This is by far the most difficult step of all, because who doesn’t want to reach their destination sooner rather than later?

We can all contribute to having safe roads in Denver and Colorado and also have a positive impact on roadside workers and other drivers by simply following a few friendly guidelines.  So I guess the question is, ” How will you respond?”

Oil Change Intervals

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Quick lube businesses and their employees have often been accused of recommending “unneeded” oil changes so they can make more money.  That may be true for some businesses, but when we service a car, we only recommend services that we believe are necessary to keep your car running at its best.  Here are some of the reasons why we encourage an oil change interval of 3,000 miles or every three months.

In recent years, many vehicle manufacturers have extended their recommended oil change intervals to 7,500 or 10,000 miles.  They have good intentions of trying to help reduce the maintenance costs for car owners, but they have run into trouble.  The Center for Auto Safety has gotten thousands of complaints from drivers who thought they were following the correct oil change  intervals in their owners manuals but ended up with a crankcase full of sludge.  Motor oil does more than just lubricate the engine.  It also forms a film on surfaces that separates moving parts so they don’t rub against one another, reducing friction and wear.  Oil also serves as a coolant for critical engine parts like the crankshaft and valve train.  It also helps to prevent rust and corrosion from building up inside the engine and keeps surfaces clean by dissolving and carrying away dirt and deposits.

Extended oil change intervals of 7,500 to 10,000 miles are based on “ideal” operating conditions, not stop and go driving, or driving our cars for several short trips, like the majority of drivers do each day.  So most drivers should be following a severe service schedule rather than a normal schedule to better protect their engines.  Most experts still consider a 3,000 mile or six month oil change interval the best for “severe” drivers.

Customers at our shop have also told us that they think because motor oils are of a higher quality than they once were, they don’t need to change the oil as often.  This would be a valid argument if oil filters had also improved in quality as well, but unfortunately they haven’t.  An engines main line of defense against abrasion and the wear caused by it,  is the oil filter.  The oil filter’s job is to remove solid contaminants like dirt, carbon, and metal particles from the oil before they can damage surfaces in the engine.  If your oil filter is clogged, it can’t do its job and unfiltered oil will enter the engine.  Contaminants  that find their way into the crankcase will be pumped through the engine and accelerate wear.

Although motor oils have been improved and are continuing to be improved, there hasn’t been much done to improve oil filters.  The majority of oil filters still need to be replaced every 3,000 miles, so until the oil filters have been improved as well, we will continue to recommend a 3,000 mile or three month oil change interval.

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

Auto Repair Estimate

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There are a number of different ways that you might end up taking your car to the mechanic.  It might be that subtle clanking noise suddenly turns into an aggressive roar.  Or perhaps that dripping you always thought was just condensation from the air conditioner has now taken on a distinctive rainbow glow.  Whatever the reason might be, heading to an unfamiliar mechanic can be a stressful experience, especially for you wallet.

The purpose of an auto repair estimate is to inform both the mechanic and the owner of the car about the kind of work needed to repair it,  either repairs after an accident or just repairs that come with everyday wear and tear.  There are several kinds of auto repair estimates available.  Some websites offer repair estimates online.  The sites take into account the year, make and model of the car as well as the extent of the damage.

An online estimate, however, should not be used as a replacement for an auto repair estimate from a qualified mechanic.  When you bring your car to a repair shop, you should expect that a reputable mechanic will provide you with a detailed estimate that includes the cost of parts, the cost of labor and a time-line for the job.  Some mechanics may try to convince you that they cannot provide an estimate until they are part way through the job and can examine the full extent of the damage, but a reputable mechanic will be able to provide you with an outline of the expected repairs before extensive work is done on the vehicle.

A written repair estimate protects both the mechanic and the customer from potential problems.  When you sign off on an estimate, you are agreeing to pay reasonably within the figure you’ve been quoted.  If a mechanic performs the repairs included in the estimate and charges you around the same amount as the estimate, you cannot insist that you didn’t know how much the repairs would cost as a means of avoiding payment.

Likewise, mechanics are held to the amounts listed in their estimate.  States issue their own guidelines for adhering to estimates, but a standard rule is that a mechanic cannot perform repairs that would result in more than a twenty percent increase in cost without your consent.  That means that if a mechanic quotes you $400 for a repair, he cannot perform any work that would end up costing you more than $500 unless they specifically get your consent to do so.

If you are looking for a mechanic and they avoid offering you a written estimate for repairs, you need to move on.  Reputable mechanics understand the value of a written estimate and should incorporate them into their regular business practices.

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

Power Steering Flush

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Have you ever had a dream where you’re racing down the highway with the wind in your face and then all of a sudden it becomes a nightmare, and you lose your ability to steer your car?  I have, and I decided at that moment, I never wanted to have that experience in my real life!

The power steering system is one of the most critical parts of your vehicle.  Rack and pinion steering is the most common type of steering found in cars and minivans, but you can also find it on some SUVs and trucks.  To put it simply, rack and pinions are a pair of gears that work together to steer the vehicle.  In order to operate smoothly, the gears need hydraulic fluid, which is also called power steering fluid, to transmit power to your vehicles power steering system.  If the power steering fluid is dirty and isn’t flushed, there is an increased risk of damage to the entire power steering system.  A power steering flush is simply draining out your car’s old power steering fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid.  The function of the fluid is to transmit hydraulic pressure so you can steer your car easily in every driving situation no matter the temperature, from frigid cold to scorching heat.  Power steering fluid also lubricates the pump, controls the valves, and ensures a quiet operating system.

Over a period of time, the internal power steering components, as well as the seals and O-rings are subjected to wear and tear and they will begin to wear out.  When this happens the power steering fluid gets contaminated with broken down debris.  This forces the power steering pump to work harder.  Now the power steering pump has to pump the debris as well as the fluid and it eventually breaks down.  We have noticed that the 1996-1999 Toyota 4-Runners and Toyota Tacomas seem to be more prone to leaks if their systems aren’t flushed routinely.  If you own one of these vehicles you might want to have the power steering fluid checked to make sure you don’t need a power steering flush.  The fluid should appear either an amber or pink in color when it is fresh.  It is time for a change when the color appears significantly darker than when it was fresh.  Check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your particular vehicle.  If they aren’t available, a good rule of thumb is to change the power steering fluid as often as you change your engine coolant {anti-freeze}.  Since the fluid is the least expensive part of your power steering system and flushing it can help prolong the life of the more expensive parts of the system, a power steering flush is something that should be seriously considered.

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

Love Cars?

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What do you think?  Do you love cars?  You might think that someone who spends nine hours a day, six days a week with cars would get really tired of them.  But surprisingly, the opposite is true.  I love cars!  I love cars and trucks of all shapes and sizes.   I love to listen to the roar of the engine when I turn the key in the ignition.  I enjoy watching the wheels on my car spin and shine as I drive past a wall of glass or mirrors.   And seeing a sleek, shiny car hurling toward me on the highway makes me grin.   I love to sit at a stoplight with the knowledge that if I wanted to show off, my car has the power to beat the car next to me off the line every single time!

I also enjoy repairing cars.   Figuring out why a car is running poorly and then repairing it gives me a huge sense of satisfaction!  Working on and repairing cars  can be like solving a very difficult puzzle.  And I like puzzles!

If you love cars like I do and have some extra time, than you might want to check out the Denver Auto Show that is taking place this week.  The Denver Convention Center will be filled with cars and the people who love them!  So if you just enjoy looking at cars or if you’re in the market for a new car and would like to see what’s available, consider taking some time and join them!

If you love looking at cars, but not repairing them, and you need to have your car repaired,then come in and see us or give us a call at (303) 691-2760.

Fuel Octane

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At this time in our nation, when fuel prices are increasing at an alarming rate, we can save money at the pump if we understand fuel octane and how it affects our vehicles.

Modern engines use fuel  injectors run by computers to accurately control their air/fuel mix.  In order to get an accurate air/fuel mix in the fuel injectors and computers, the proper fuel must be used for that engine.  The difference in the name and price of the fuel is based on the gasoline’s “octane”.  In order to determine a fuel octane rating, the fuel is subjected to two testing methods, the motor method and the research method.  The motor method runs the gas in an engine running under load, and the research method runs the gas in a free-running engine.  The fuel octane rating is the average of those two tests.

The fuel octane rating tells you how much the fuel can be compressed before it spontaneously ignites.  In internal combustion engines, the compressed fuel-air mixtures have a tendency to ignite prematurely rather than burn smoothly, and when gas ignites by compression rather than because of the spark from the spark plug, it creates engine knock, a rattling or pinging sound in one or more cylinders.   The fuel octane rating is a measure of a fuel’s resistance to engine knock.

Regular fuel has a an octane rating of at least 87.  The octane rating of  “mid-grade”  gasoline ranges from 88-90.  “Premium”  fuel octane can vary depending on the state where it is purchased but is usually higher than 90 in most states.

Most vehicles today are designed to run on Regular 87 octane fuel, but it’s a good idea to check your owner’s manual for the correct fuel octane rating recommended for your vehicle.  Some people have the mistaken idea that if you use a higher octane fuel in your car, you’ll increase the engine’s power or get better mileage.  High octane fuel doesn’t do a better job than regular octane gas in preventing engine deposits from forming, or removing them, or in cleaning the engine.  If your vehicle is designed to run on 87 octane, a higher octane fuel won’t improve mileage or increase its power.  If your engine runs well and doesn’t knock or ping on low octane fuel, than you don’t need to spend more money on a higher octane.  Don’t pay a premium price for something that you don’t need.

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

Oil Pressure Warning

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Today’s vehicles are equipped with several gauges and lights on the dashboard that are suppose to help us determine if our cars are working properly.  There is a fuel gauge, a check engine light, and an oil pressure warning light.  It is very important to pay careful attention to the oil pressure warning.

The oil pressure warning light in your vehicle is the warning system that alerts you to low oil pressure.  A low oil level can cause the oil pressure warning light to appear, so always check your oil level first to see if the oil level is correct.   If you’ve checked the oil level and it seems to be fine and the warning remains on, there might be a more serious problem.

Sometimes when your vehicles engine comes to a stop, or drops to an idle, the oil pump, which is powered by your engine, slows down too much and is not pumping enough oil to keep the oil pressure up.  If the oil pump is wearing out or isn’t working correctly your oil pressure warning system will engage.

Low oil pressure may also be caused by debris that gets sucked up into the oil pump.  The oil pump is the only engine component that is continually lubed with unfiltered oil.  The oil doesn’t pass through a filter until after it leaves the pump, so any abrasive debris can pass through the pump before it is trapped by the filter.  This debris can restrict the flow of oil and reduce oil pressure.

A plugged oil filter can be another cause of low oil pressure.  When the oil leaves the pump, it passes through the filter before going on to the bearings.  All filters create a certain amount of resistance to oil flow, but if the filter becomes too clogged with debris, oil flow will be blocked and cause damage to your engine.

The oil pressure warning system may also be activated if the engine is leaking oil from its gaskets or seals.  These are  a few things that can cause an oil pressure warning.  Some are simple or minor repairs if they are caught and dealt with early, but they can become more serious and cause extreme damage to your engine if they are ignored.  So have a trusted mechanic or auto repair technician check it out right away.

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

 

Why Is My Check Engine Light On?

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One of the most commonly asked question among drivers is, “Why is my check engine light on”?  Although this is a simple question to ask, it’s not always as simple to answer.

All of our vehicles are equipped with a computerized engine management system (ECM) and the check engine light is a part of this system.  The ECM alerts us to possible problems inside the engine or inside the transmission that have an impact on the emissions system.  Check engine lights may be a graphic of an engine or a similar icon.  It can also be words, “check engine” or “service engine”.  Some vehicles use a yellow check engine light as a caution light that tells you to have your vehicle checked soon and a red check engine light that means your vehicle needs immediate attention.  Every car’s display is different, so it’s a good idea to make yourself familiar with how your particular make and model of vehicle works.  The check engine light is usually amber or red in color and has two stages, a steady light or a flashing light.  A steady check engine light signals minor problems, while a flashing check engine light usually means there is a serious problem in the ECM.

The cause of why your check engine light is on depends on your particular issue, but here are some general malfunctions that cause the check engine light to come on.

  • A misfire in your engine.  A misfire can cause catalytic converter damage if it’s not resolved quickly.  The catalytic convertor works to reduce exhaust gases.  It converts carbon monoxide and other harmful materials into harmless compounds.  Replacing a catalytic converter can be costly, so have the engine checked as soon as possible by a certified mechanic.
  • A failure in the emission control system.  The emission control system contains many active sensors that work to reduce the amount of pollution released into the air.  One of those sensors is an oxygen sensor that reads the air and fuel mixture.  If that mixture is out of the acceptable range or if you have  a faulty sensor, it won’t provide the correct data to the computer and the check engine light will go on.
  • Brittle, cracked or worn spark plugs.  Worn spark plug wires can lead to an electric misfire inside the engine.  If the wires are worn out, they should be changed as soon as possible.
  • A loose gas cap.  When it’s loose or cracked, fuel vapors leak out and can throw off the whole fuel system.  Sometimes when the cap is put on incorrectly the check engine light will come on.  If the light stays on for more than a day or two, have your mechanic run an on-board diagnostic to see if there is a code in the system indicating a more serious problem.

Check engine lights help you and your mechanic to keep your car running smoothly.  So the next time your check engine light goes on, don’t ignore it.  Come in and see us or call (303) 691-2760 and let us help.

 

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