Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Auto Repair Starts At The Bottom With Your Tires

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When you use something every day, its easy to take it for granted.

That is the life of your car. Whether inside your garage or outside your door, you never give it a thought as you run out to head to an appointment.

Yet like everything else in your life, your auto’s condition is dependent upon how well you maintain it throughout the year. A little TLC along the way will ensure its in top shape every time you need it.

Repairs can take place under the hood – but they also take place on other parts of your car. The tires of your auto are essential to the operation of your vehicle. Without good tires, no matter how well your car runs, you cannot get from place to place. It is essential to your safety and the safety of others that you make sure your tires are in good shape for driving. [Read more…]

Rotating Tires

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If you are interested in getting the maximum life from your tires, whether you do the job yourself or have it done by an auto repair shop, rotating your tires regularly is very important.  Rotating tires evens out the way the tires wear and when it is done properly can extend the life of your tires, as well as improve the way the car handles sudden stops and turns. 

The best indication that it’s time for rotating your tires is when you notice an uneven tread wear.  When you look closely at your tires, is there more wear showing on the inside or outside of one tire more than another?  Uneven tread wear is unavoidable since the weight of a car isn’t distributed evenly to all four corners.  Most engines are in the front and because the engine is the heaviest thing in the car, the front tires carry more weight.  This means that the front tires will wear quicker than the rear. This is the reason it’s necessary to rotate the tires, front-to -rear several times during the life of your tires, to equalize tread wear and maximize their life.   This is what we mean when we recommend “rotating tires”. Tires will develop wear patterns as they age.  Some of these patterns are caused by the suspension system and the alignment of each car, this is why the tires are kept on the same side of the car when they are rotated.  By rotating the tires,  moving each tire to a different corner of the car, then each tire wears more evenly and the life of the tires is extended.  Other indications of a needed tire rotation are:  noticing trouble handling your car when you are braking, or if your tire traction isn’t good in slippery or wet road conditions.  These are all signs you should be aware of and not ignore.

The general rule for how often to rotate tires is every 3,000 to 7,000 miles, but your vehicle’s manufacturer manual will also have their recommended times.  If you are in the habit of changing your oil every 3,000 miles, you can also pair the tire rotation with your oil changes and rotate the tires every other oil change.  You can also maintain a log or spreadsheet to help you keep track of when you perform tire rotations, this will help you stay up to date and keep your car running smoothly.  If you store the log in your glove compartment, you’ll have a handy reference with you.

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

8 Tips For Finding a Great Auto Repair Center

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When your car is in need of repair, it can be tough to find a repair center. You want one that is affordable, yet will provide quality service. With so many repair centers available, it can be hard to figure out which ones are actually worthwhile – and which ones should be avoided at all costs. The following tips will help you find a great auto repair center:

1.    Find an auto repair center in your community. If they are in your community, they will be more focused on their reputation, as word spreads fast. Don’t be afraid to go in and talk with the sales team and/or mechanics before you need repair. Start with something small to begin to build a relationship.

2.    Make sure your chosen auto tech is trained to service your vehicle. Try to choose one that is A.S.E. certified – this means that he or she is certified for Automotive Service Excellence.

3.    When you go in for service, have all of your maintenance and repair records handy. You want your new auto tech to know exactly what work has been performed on your car, as well as your maintenance history. [Read more…]

The History Of The Car Computer

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If you own a car, chances are it is run and operated by a computer.

Cars of today are not the same as cars of previous generations. Technology has come so far and it has not missed the automobile industry. Car computers make many of today’s vehicles safer, faster and easier. If you have ever wondered about the computer in your car, you might be interested in its history. Car computers have come a long way since they first came into use in the ’80s.

Auto manufacturers began to experiment with car computers during the ’70s. At this time, the government began creating mandates related to a car’s emissions. It became clear that better control over the fueling system was needed. Efficiency began to take precedence over power and “muscle”.

Gas shortages led manufacturers to dabble with circuit boards that controlled timing and spark. In the early ’80s, they began trying a computer-controlled carburetor – but success was minimal. Manufacturers determined the answer was in fuel injection and that is the area they began to focus on.

During the ’90s, car computers were delegated more responsibilities beyond timing and fuel mixtures. They started to take over most of the electrical systems of a car, such as the climate control, the brakes and the dashboard gauges.

Today, car computers handle a huge assortment of systems within your car. Car computers not only handle many of your motor’s operations, they also take care of advanced climate control (remember how your car monitors the temperature of the cabin and adjusts the air flow accordingly), entertainment and communication devices, and navigation systems.

The average car computer has more power than an ’80s desktop computer – and the future is only looking brighter for these technological wonders.

Auto Repair – Chain or Independent?

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Owning an automobile is a responsibility. You have to maintain your vehicle to keep it in the best condition. You want to ensure that each time you drive your car, it gets you from point A to point B without trouble.

Neglect the maintenance on your car and it is more likely to break down. Even with the utmost care, a vehicle is still going to run into some sort of mechanical problem at some point during ownership. When you have to seek repairs, you have an important decision to make – a chain or an independent auto repair shop.

Taking a closer look at chain repair shops reveals advantages and disadvantages. Chain repair shops often offer special deals and values, such as value-priced oil changes. While you can get a good deal on these initial repairs, others might cost you more than you planned on. They bring you in with the low price deals on basic repairs, only to raise the prices on more detailed or complicated repairs. [Read more…]

Auto Care Tips For Hot Weather Driving

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Summer is here full-force and with it are the rising temperatures. Summer brings heat waves and record-breaking temperatures. The heat can be quite hard on the human body. Of course, you take care of yourself by staying hydrated and cool. But what about your car?

The one thing you may not take such good care of is your car. Hot weather driving can have an effect on your car and on how well it operates. The following tips will help you take care of your car in the sweltering months of summer.

Pay attention to your battery. The heat of summer can cause the acid and fluid inside a car battery to expand. This expansion can lead to leakage – and that leads to a battery that no longer works. Have your battery tested to ensure that it is charging properly and if it is more than a few years old, have it replaced.

Check your tire pressure. Heat will make your tire pressure rise. If you have worn tires, this expansion can lead to a blow-out. Have the pressure inside your tires checked. If your tires are worn, consider having them replaced.

Have your cooling system inspected. The last thing you want to experience is an overheated car – this can leave you stranded on the side of the road in the heat. Have your hoses and belts inspected for wear and tear. Heat can cause them to stretch and even break. Make sure your coolant is also at an appropriate level.

Have your car’s air conditioning system inspected. Make sure it is working properly to avoid putting additional strain on your car’s cooling system. You will be using your air conditioner a lot more during the summer, so it is essential that it work right – not only for your car, but also for your physical comfort.

Replacing Your Car Battery

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Christmas in July!?  Just as most of us are not thinking about Christmas or purchasing gifts in July, many of us aren’t thinking about replacing our car battery in the middle of the summer.  Whether or not you choose to purchase Christmas gifts in July isn’t really important.  What is important is replacing your car battery before it dies on you.

Most of you are aware that the winter cold shortens the life of your car battery.  But did you know that summer heat is harder than winter cold on the life of your battery?

We’ve all seen the advertisements showing the motorists stranded in the bitter cold with a dead battery!  It is almost automatic to think of dead batteries  and cold weather at the same time.  But we usually don’t think about our car battery in the summer as we should.  Summer heat can kill a battery 33 percent faster than winter cold!  On a day where the temperature reaches 90 degrees, the temperature inside the engine compartment can soar to 140 degrees or higher and running the air conditioning works the battery even harder!  Considering the fact we have been experiencing temperatures in the 100’s this summer, our batteries are really being put to the test.  We also need to remember that our car battery also powers all of the “toys” that we have in our cars,  MP3 players, GPS receivers, and DVD players.  So what do we need to do to ensure we aren’t stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery this summer?

  1. Have the battery fluid checked.  Some batteries have removable filler caps and the heat evaporates the fluid more rapidly.  If this is the type of car battery you have , you might want to consider replacing it with a newer, flush- top battery.
  2. Have the battery case inspected.  It shouldn’t have cracks or bulges or be leaking fluid.  If any of these are present, it should be replaced immediately.
  3. If your car battery is more than three years old, get it tested by a trained technician, they should be able to give you a good idea if you should replace it or not.  The life of the average car battery is about 4 years long, so keep that in mind as you consider whether or not it should be replaced.

Don’t let a dead battery interfere with the plans you have for this summer.  Come in and see us for a battery check and save yourself the time and aggravation that a dead battery brings.

How To Make Sure Your Auto Air Conditioner Is In Great Shape

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Summer is here and the temperatures are rising! Nothing is quite as miserable as having to drive in the sweltering heat without an air conditioner. That is why it is so important for you to make sure your car’s air conditioner stays in top shape all summer long. Otherwise, you may be stuck in traffic one day with no air conditioning to keep you cool. The following tips will help you make sure your auto air conditioner is in great shape for the summer.

Check the temperature of the air coming out of the vents. If it is not cold, your air conditioner may be low on refrigerant. You can use pressure gauges to determine if your air conditioner needs a charge.

With the car running, turn on the air conditioner and listen for the clutch to engage. If it does not engage or if it engages and disengages rapidly, you could be low on refrigerant.

Make sure that all mounting bolts connected to your air conditioning system are tight. This will help eliminate any rattling or other noises. [Read more…]

What You Should Know About Auto Repair

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Owning a car is much more than buying insurance and fuel. As a car owner, you have a responsibility to your car if you want it to give you many years of service. At some point in the life of your car, you are going to have to seek repairs.

For many of us, a car is just a car. It is our means of transportation. We want it to be ready when we are, and give very little thought to how it runs or what it requires to keep running. If your car is just a car to you, you may not know the first thing about auto repair. There are several things you need to know about auto repair, including:

Prevention is a must. If you want your car to last for many years, you need to take care of it. This means arranging for maintenance, such as oil changes, tune-ups and new tires.
[Read more…]

Does Your Car Transmission Need Repair?

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Your car transmission is a pretty awesome device.  The way each part of the transmission, the bell housing, gears,  the filter and the transmission fluid, all work together to send power to the wheels and keep them rolling.  Your transmission also knows how and when to  shift the engine smoothly from one gear into the next and does it, at exactly the right time.   At least that’s what it does when the transmission is performing the way it was designed to!  But what happens when your car transmission needs repair?

There are a few things to look for such as:  leaking fluid, unusual noises,  whining or clunking, rough shifting or grinding.  For a more detailed explanation of these symptoms, read How to Determine If Your Car Transmission Needs Repair.  Give us a call at (303) 691-2760 or come in and see us.

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Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks