Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Hottest Car Tournament

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Everyone seems to have their own opinion when it comes to deciding who has the hottest car.  There are several factors that come into play when choosing a hot car, starting with the decade that you were born all the way down to what you think is the best color.  We thought it would be interesting and fun to hold a ” Hottest Car Tournament”  and see what cars seem to have the most fans!  It’s  very simple to participate.  We’ll post two photos  of  “Hot Cars” – you decide which one you like better and let us know your choice.  The winner ( the car with the most comments) will take on another car until we have the ultimate winner of the tournament.  If you have a suggestion on a possible car entry, be sure to share that with us as well. We’ll start off with a battle between the old and the new!  Here are your first two options:  The Classic Mustang or The 2011 Mustang.

 

 

Classic Mustang

2011 Mustang

Gasoline Octane Ratings

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At a time when it is so important to get the most out of our money we need to understand gasoline octane ratings and how they can effect our wallets!

Since the mid 80’s engines have used fuel injectors with computers to accurately control their air/fuel mix.  The accuracy of the fuel injectors and computers is based on using the proper gasoline for that engine.  The difference in the name and price of the fuel is based on the gasoline’s “octane”.   To determine a gasoline’s octane rating, it is subjected to two testing methods, the motor method and the research method.  The motor method runs the gasoline in an engine running under load and the research method runs the gasoline in a free-running engine.  The octane rating is an average of  the two tests.

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

The octane rating tells you how much the fuel can be compressed before it spontaneously ignites.  When gas ignites by compression rather than because of the spark from the spark plug, it causes knocking in the engine.  Simply put, the octane rating of gasoline is a measure of its resistance to knock.

Most cars today are designed to run on Regular  87 octane gasoline, but it’s important to check your owner’s manual so you know that you are using the level of octane the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle.  Some people think if you put a higher octane gasoline in your car, you can increase the engine’s power or get better mileage.  This is a myth.  If your car is designed to run on 87 octane, high octane gasoline won’t improve mileage or increase your car’s power.  If your engine runs well and doesn’t knock or ping on low octane gasoline, there isn’t an advantage in switching to a higher octane gasoline.  So save your money at the pump and don’t pay premium prices for something that your car doesn’t need!

 

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

Fuel Injection Cleaning Service

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Maintaining our vehicles properly is the only way to ensure peak engine performance and good fuel economy.  Having a fuel injection cleaning service is sometimes overlooked but it is an important part of maintaining your car’s engine.

The fuel injector is a small engine part that injects fuel where it needs to go, at a rate that is best suited for your car.  When it’s in perfect condition, the fuel injector filters out debris that is not good for the engine and also allows the filtered fuel to be used by the engine correctly.  When fuel injectors are dirty, they can’t deliver the correct spray required for your car’s combustion, so your fuel economy and engine performance will suffer.  Fuel injectors get dirty over time because some chemicals in the gasoline don’t evaporate or get washed away and they leave deposits on the injectors. These deposits build up and if they aren’t removed they will clog the injectors.  If your car is misfiring or idles rough, it could be a sign it might need a fuel injection cleaning.

There are different ways of cleaning fuel injectors.  One is to add a fuel injector cleaner to a tank of gas every once in awhile to clean them.  Another way is to have the fuel injector removed, cleaned and serviced professionally.  This is the better method because as well as cleaning, you can also have repair work done on the injector if it’s needed.  It’s important to have your fuel injectors serviced once a year.  When you use an in-tank method of cleaning your injector you are unable to see the condition of the filters, O-rings and other parts of the injector.  All these parts wear out eventually and can cause problems if not replaced.  Also only using the in-tank method can damage parts of the injectors.  When you have a professional fuel injection cleaning service, your mechanic checks the filters, O-rings and other parts to see if they need to be replaced and then replace them if needed.  Though this method may be more expensive and time consuming, it is usually the best cleaning process.

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

Winterizing A Car

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We have all heard the saying “all good things must come to an end” and unfortunately this saying is true when it comes to the summer weather.  Summer weather is leaving and winter is on its way!  That means it is time for winterizing our car.  Because of our modern technology, winterizing a car isn’t the major hassle it once was, but it still needs to be done!  These are some simple steps to take for winterizing a car.

Have Your Car Serviced- The oil in your engine needs to be changed regularly to keep your car running smoothly, so if you haven’t had your oil changed, do it now.

Have Your Cooling System Flushed- Your car’s cooling system not only keeps the engine from overheating but also from freezing, so it’s important to flush the system and have it replaced with fresh coolant.

Have the Battery Serviced- Your battery cables, terminals, and fluid should be thoroughly inspected for any damage or wear.  It should also be checked to make sure it has the ability to hold a charge, so you are prepared for the colder weather.  If your battery is more than 4 1/2 years old, consider replacing it.

Replace the Windshield Wiper Blades– Your wiper blades should be replaced with snow blades and make sure there is windshield washer fluid in the windshield washer reservoir.  Don’t use plain water, it will freeze.

Have Your Tires Checked-Your tires should be checked to make sure they are in good condition for winter weather.  You may want to consider using snow tires during the winter months, they do a much better job than an all-weather tire in the snow.

Have Your Brakes Checked– There is nothing more frightening than trying to stop in bad weather and not having your brakes do their job.  If you haven’t had your brakes checked in the last six months, now is a great time to do it.

Those are the major steps that should be completed in winterizing a car but there are some small details you should do also.  Put together an emergency kit for your car with a blanket, gloves, ice scraper, a small snow shovel, flashlight and kitty litter ( for traction in snow).  Check the lights, heater and defroster to make sure they are working properly and have them repaired if not.  You should also keep your gas tank as full as possible to prevent moisture from freezing in the gas lines.

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

 

When Do You Replace Tires

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Your ability to control your vehicle depends on the traction between your tires and the road.  Tires don’t need to have tread designs or much tread depth to give you traction on a dry road, but tires do require tread designs to generate traction on wet, slushy or snow-covered roads.

A tread design is necessary to direct water and slush from between the tire and the road, as well as provide edges that cut into the snow.  When water collects on the road surface during a rainstorm, the depth of the water, the speed you are driving and your car’s weight, along with the tires’ tread design and depth, are all factors in determining when and if the tires will stop the car quickly or force it to hydroplane or float.    

It isn’t difficult to understand that the tread on tires will wear away over their life and the volume of their tread grooves will be reduced.  This is a gradual process and you may not notice it day-to-day, but eventually there will be a time when you notice your car slip in the snow or hydroplane in the rain or just not stop quickly when the road is wet.

So when do you replace tires?  If rain and wet roads are your main concern, it’s recommended you replace your tires when they reach approximately 4/32″ of remaining tread depth.  Since water can’t be compressed, you need enough tread depth to allow the rain to escape through the tire’s grooves.  If the water can’t escape fast enough, your vehicle’s tires will be forced to hydroplane on top of the water, losing traction and increasing your stopping distance.

If you drive on snow-covered roads you should replace your tires when they reach approximately 6/32″ of remaining tread depth so you can maintain good mobility.  You need more tread depth in snow because your tires need to compress the snow in their grooves and release it as they roll.  If there isn’t sufficient tread depth, the “bites” of snow your tires can take on will be reduced and your vehicle’s traction and mobility will be sacrificed.

While replacing your tires before they are completely worn out may not seem to be very economical, it is far less expensive than repairing your car after you’ve had an accident because your tires needed to be replaced and weren’t!

When you replace the tires on your vehicle it is recommended that you replace all four tires at the same time and also have your car checked to make sure it is aligned properly.  All these steps will give you longer life for your replacement tires.

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

How Often Should I Change My Automotive Brakes?

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This month we have been talking about brakes and we are often asked the question, “how often should I change my automotive brakes?”  Here are a couple of things to consider. 

Brake Pads

Brake pads typically come with a warranty – you may see a lifetime warranty, or more commonly, a warranty based on mileage, such as a 10,000 mile warranty.  Lifetime warranties aren’t meant to last a car’s lifetime.  Auto parts manufacturers use that terminology because brake pads do last a long time, but most car owners will trade and purchase a new car long before their brake pads need replacing.

Regardless of the terminology, it’s more important to listen to your car instead.  When you apply the brakes, you can hear the sounds of a worn brake pad.  If you hear a grinding noise or a squeak, its time to replace the brake pads, regardless of the mileage.

Rotors

Brake rotors, or brake discs, are what your vehicle’s brake pads clamp down on, and what stops the wheels from spinning.  Like brake pads, there are different types of rotors, depending on your car and driving needs.

Unlike brake pads, rotors do not need to be changed on a regular basis, and should last indefinitely if you provide regular maintenance routines on your automobile.  Rotors will be damaged if you allow your brake pads to wear down, and drive without the use of pads for an extended period of time.  The grinding noise you begin to hear from the brake pads is an indication of the screws in the base of the brake pads grinding into the groove of your rotor.  The more it continues to grind, the greater your chance of having to replace your rotors.

Do you want to keep your automotive brakes in top condition?  Have them checked and replaced on a regular basis.

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

Service Brake System

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If it’s time to service your brake system you will notice the following symptoms and conditions:

  • Soft or spongy brake pedal
  • Brakes not working properly
  • Manufacturers recommendation

Once it has been determined that you need to service the brake system on your vehicle, a skilled technician will perform the following procedure:  

  • Remove all of the existing brake fluid in the master cylinder using a specialized brake fluid service system.

This brake fluid service system, which is connected to all four wheels at the same time, will refill the master cylinder with high quality new brake fluid after the old brake fluid has been completely flushed from the entire brake system.  The old contaminated brake fluid is removed at each wheel until new brake fluid has completely filled the system.

Your brake system benefits from this service because as brakes are used they generate heat and the brake fluid needs to remain liquid, without boiling, to operated properly.  Over time, brake fluid can become contaminated.  Contaminants, including moisture can lead to early failure of brake components.  The moisture absorbed by the brake fluid causes the brakes to feel soft, spongy, or not work properly.

The brake system is the most important safety system on your car.  By regularly changing the fluid in your brake system you can improve the performance of the brake system and reduce the chance of costly repairs due to brake failure from brake fluid contamination.  The contamination and deterioration of the brake system can be a gradual process.  While you may not notice any problems, it is a good idea to take preventative care of your brake system to help prevent future costly repairs.

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

Brake Specialist – Understanding How Your Brakes Work

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When you’re driving in your car, and push down on the brake pedal, we unconsciously know it’s going to work.  But how does it work?  And more importantly, what do you watch for to make sure they keep working for you?  Those are questions a brake specialist deals with every day.   

Your car’s brake system is a complex system of parts and components that spreads all along your car.  The easiest way to avoid brake failure is to maintain your car, and to listen to your car’s system regularly.  Your brakes squeak, click and grind – its just a matter of listening and discovering when the noise changes.  And using a brake specialist to keep you on a regular maintenance schedule.

In your car, the brake pedal is connected to the pistons, and the pistons are connected to the brakes.  Your car will have two sets of brakes:  disc front brakes and drum rear brakes.  In both sets, friction is used to control and stop the car when you require them.  Several things can interfere with the friction, leading to failure:

  • An oil leak can eliminate the friction within the braking system
  • If brakes routinely overheat, they can create hard spots in the brake rotors or drums.  These hot spots resist friction, reducing the grasping mechanism within the brake system.
  • A squeaking noise can indicate thin or wearing brake pads.  Replacing brake pads early can prevent future maintenance.  If pads wear down  to the rotors, it can cause further damage, and cost even more to replace.

Take notice of your cars messages.  Your anti-lock brake system (ABS) light will come on at the first sign of damage.  You may also start hearing squeaking or grinding noises when you apply the brakes.  Or you begin to feel a pulse in your brake pedal, or a pull or grab to one side or the other during the braking process.

Instead of waiting or ignoring the problem, check in with your brake specialist today.

 

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

 

Car Maintenance Tips For Your Older Car

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I have an older car. ” What type of car maintenance tips can you offer to make sure my vehicle stays in top shape?” ” I’m not ready to jump into a new car, so I want to keep my older car in the best shape possible.”  We’re hearing a lot of this these days.  Instead of replacing a car every three to four years, people are pushing the window of ownership, and are choosing to keep their older cars an extra year or two.  Not only will it save  money on monthly payments, but it also can save  on insurance rates as well.

Keep a car maintenance log

Keep a small spiral notebook and pen in your glove compartment, and keep track of all of your car related maintenance.  You may also want to record your gas fill-ups and mileage, a reduction in mileage can be an early warning sign of a future problem.  Also use the same service location for all your car maintenance items-they will track your maintenance and be able to monitor potential problems along the way.  Keep your receipts from the services you have performed on your vehicle, they will help you remember what work you’ve already had done.

Buy gas at reputable service stations

Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filter regularly.  Some stations don’t have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline.  Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly or water down their product.  Find a station you trust and stick to it.

Don’t fill up if you see the tanker

If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station.  As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment.  Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly repairs.

Lighten up your key chain

Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys?  That’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it’s in the ignition.  The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure. To add years of service to your ignition switch, purchase a light weight key chain that allows you to separate your ignition key from the others.  Drive with only the ignition key in your ignition.  If your ignition key “sticks” when you try to turn on the car, it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail.  Replace it before you get stranded.

Fix and fill your washer fluid tank

With Colorado’s variable weather patterns, you may notice a cracked washer fluid tank on an older car.  Fix immediately, and keep it filled with plenty of window washer fluid, especially on cold, slushy days.

Clean your car thoroughly

Clean your car inside and out.  While everyone likes a clean car on the outside, the inside is just as important.  Clean off the magnesium chloride from your wheel wells and undercarriage, which Colorado uses to keep the streets ice free in the snowy months.

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

Colorado Celebrates

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We are very fortunate to live and work in a great state! I was born and raised in Colorado and I can’t picture myself living anywhere else.  As Colorado celebrates its entry into the Union on August 1, I thought I would share some Colorado history with you so you can celebrate as well.

Colorado was first visited by Spanish explorers in the 1500s.  The origin of the states name, Colorado, comes from the Spanish, “ruddy” or “red”.  They might have called it that because of all the “red” soil that can be  seen throughout our state.

The United States obtained eastern Colorado as a part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, then in 1845 the central portion was admitted with Texas.  The western part was obtained in 1848 as a result of the Mexican War.  But Colorado didn’t become a state until August 1, 1876 when it became the 38th state to join the Union.

In 1890 the first governor, John L. Routt, was elected and on July 4, the cornerstone of the State Capitol in Denver was laid.  The population of the state at that time was 413,249.

In 1908 on August 1, Colorado Day is celebrated for the first time, marking the thirty-second anniversary of Colorado’s admittance to the Union.  The Dome of the State Capitol was plated with gold leaf at a cost of $14,680.

In 1920 our population had grown to 939,629 and a year later the state began building concrete highways on its main routes.  From 1945-1950 military installations and scientific institutions continue to develop and many veterans relocated to Colorado.  These changes brought a steady increase in the population.

During the 1950’s and 60’s, the tourist and ski industries blossomed. Maybe because Colorado has the highest average elevation of any state and more than 1,000 peaks over 10,000 ft. high and 54 above 14,000 ft.  Our mountains are beautiful!   In 1960 Colorado got the Denver Broncos professional football team. And you football fans know that the Broncos later won two Super Bowls.

In the 1970’s and 80’s we had tremendous growth in Denver suburbs and with that growth came traffic problems and the “brown cloud”.  Coloradans became concerned over the consequences of pollution and “overselling” Colorado.  During the 1980’s and 1990’s there was major growth of technological industries and the population continued to increase.

Colorado once was primarily a mining and agricultural state, now our economy is driven by the service industries, and other business and professional services, which we here at Express Care, are proud to be a part of.  As Colorado celebrates being a part of these United States, we celebrate being able to serve our community in this great State we call home!

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

 

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks