Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

StressBusters

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After returning from a much needed and relaxing vacation, only to feel “stressed” a day later.   I have decided to deviate from our usual subjects and share with you some  “stress buster”  techniques instead.  Stress is an unfortunate fact of life and we have all experienced it.   But possessing a healthy sense of awareness and control can help us influence stress by shortening its duration or avoiding it altogether.  Here are some simple methods to help you deal with stress.

  1. Practice Breathing Slowly and Deeply– Anytime you feel tense, simply inhale deeply for two seconds, and then exhale for four seconds.  Repeat several times.  Momentarily relax yourself.  Let your shoulders and jaw drop.  A wave of relaxation will flow downward through your body.
  2. Practice Letting Go– Watch for the next instance  in which you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry at something trivial or unimportant.  Then make a conscious choice not to get angry or upset.  Change your perception of the event and don’t waste energy thinking about it.   Effective anger management is a proven stress buster.
  3. Practice Slowing Down your Speech– Whenever you feel overwhelmed by stress, practice speaking more slowly than usual.  You’ll find that you think more clearly and react more reasonably to stressful situations.  Stressed people tend to speak fast and breathlessly, by slowing down your speech you’ll also appear less anxious and more in control of any situation.
  4. Breathe in Some Fresh Air-Our grandparents were right about the healing power of fresh air.  Even five minutes outside on a balcony or sidewalk can be rejuvenating.  So don’t let time or weather stand in your way.
  5. Eat Right-Drink plenty of water and eat small nutritious snacks.  Hunger or dehydration can provoke aggressiveness and increase feelings of anxiety and stress.
  6. Turn Off The TV and  Computer-The TV and the computer disrupt the senses and can cause depression.  Don’t let them control you.  Don’t aimlessly channel surf or watch violent or depressing shows, including the news.
  7. Reward Yourself At the End of the Day-Put aside work, housekeeping or family concerns for a brief period before bedtime and allow yourself to fully relax.  You need time to recharge and energize yourself. You’ll be more fully prepared to face another stressful day.
  8. Consciously Choose to Be Happy-Abraham Lincoln said, “Most folks are about as happy as they choose to be.”  Choose to be happy by thinking about the positive events, people and situations in your life.  If you choose happiness day after day, it will soon become a habit.  A habit that you won’t have to break

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

Quick Lube

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Today I’m attempting to refute a myth that has been circulating about Quick Lubes and how we do business.  We quick lube owners and employees have been accused of recommending “unneeded”  oil changes just to make more money.  That may be true at some quick lubes, but when we service your car, we only suggest services that we believe are necessary to keep your car running at its best.  Let me explain why we recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles or every three months.

In recent years, many vehicle manufacturers have extended their recommended oil change intervals to try to help reduce the cost of maintenance for car owners, but have run into trouble.  The Center for Auto Safety  has gotten thousands of complaints from motorists who thought they were following the correct service intervals in their owners manuals but ended up with a crankcase full of sludge.   Motor oil does more than lubricate the engine.  It also forms a film on surfaces  that separates moving parts so they don’t rub against one another so friction and wear is reduced.  Oil also serves as a coolant for critical engine parts like the crankshaft and valve train.  It also helps to prevent rust and corrosion inside the engine, and keeps surfaces clean by dissolving and carrying away dirt and deposits.  Oil life depends on many factors; driving conditions, temperature, humidity, airborne dirt, and engine wear.

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

We have also heard the argument at our quick lube that since motor oils are of higher quality than they once were, we don’t need to change our oil as often.  Yes, motor oils are better than they once were, but oil filters have not kept up.  An engines main line of defense against abrasion and the wear it causes 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 is allowed to 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 has been little done to improve oil filters.   The majority of oil filters still need to be replaced every 3,000 miles.   So until the oil filters are equal in their quality to the  motor oils, we will continue to recommend a 3,000 mile or three month oil change at our quick lube.

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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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 system in cars and minivans and you can also find it on some SUVs and trucks.   Rack and pinions are, simply put, a pair of gears that work together to steer the vehicle.  In order to operate smoothly, the gears need hydraulic fluid, also called power steering fluid, to transmit power to your car’s power steering system.  If the power steering fluid is dirty and isn’t flushed, the risk of damage to the entire power steering system is increased.  A power steering flush is simply draining out your car’s old power steering fluid and replacing it with fresh power steering fluid.  The function of the fluid is to transmit hydraulic pressure so you can steer your car easily in every driving situation, from frigid cold to scorching heat.  It 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 have been subjected to wear and tear and 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.  The power steering pump now 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 are more prone to leaks if their systems aren’t flushed routinely.   If you drive one of these vehicles you might want to have the fluid checked to make sure you don’t need a power steering flush.   The power steering fluid should appear either an amber or pink in color when it is fresh.   When it appears significantly darker than its color when it was fresh, it’s time for a change. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicles recommendations.  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.   Since  the fluid is the least expensive part of your power steering system and flushing it can help to prolong the life of the other, more expensive parts of the system, it 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.

How to Improve Gas Mileage

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Whether you are shopping for a new car or just trying to maintain the one you have, you can take some steps to get the best mileage out of your gas purchases.  The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, offers these tips to use fuel efficiently.

On the Road:  Drive More Efficiently

  • Stay within posted speed limits.  Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour.
  • Stop aggressive driving.  You can improve your gas mileage up to five percent around town if you avoid “jackrabbit” starts and stops by anticipating traffic conditions and driving gently.
  • Avoid unnecessary idling.  It wastes fuel, costs you money, and pollutes the air.  Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait.
  • Combine errands.  Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
  • Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate.  They improve the fuel economy of your car when you’re driving on a highway.
  • Remove excess weight from the trunk.  An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce a typical car’s fuel economy by up to two percent.
  • Avoid packing items on top of your car.  A loaded roof rack or carrier creates wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by five percent.

At the Garage:  Maintain Your Car

  • Keep your engine tuned.  Tuning your engine according to your owner’s manual can increase gas mileage by an average of four percent.  Increases vary depending on car’s condition.
  • Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned.  It can increase gas mileage up to three percent.
  • Change your oil.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy( DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), you can improve your gas mileage by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.  Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.

At the Pump:  Use the Octane  Level Your Need

  • Your owner’s manual recommends the most effective octane level for your car.  For most cars, the recommended gasoline is regular octane.  In most cases, using a higher octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit.  Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money.

In the Showroom:  Consider the Alternatives

  • Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVS) operate on alternative fuels, such as methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, electricity, and other designated by the DOE.  Using these alternative fuels in vehicles may reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions.  FTC Rules require labels on all new AFVs to give the vehicle’s estimated cruising range and general descriptive information.  Find out how many miles a new AFV travels on a tank or supply of fuel because gallon for gallon, some don’t travel as far as gasoline-powered vehicles.
  • Hybrid Electric Vehicles offer another option for car buyers.  According to DOE And EPA, these vehicles combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motor and can be configured to achieve different objectives, such as improved fuel economy and increased power

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

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Antilock Brake Systems

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It wasn’t until we almost had a major accident on a recent trip in the mountains that I realized the importance of antilock brake systems.  We were on our way home from a day of skiing.  We were moving along at a pretty good speed, considering we were on I-70 at the same time as thousands of other cars, when almost instantly the car in front of us stopped.  If we didn’t  have antilock brakes (ABS) we would have had one big mess!

This is how antilock brake systems work.  ABS works with your regular braking system by automatically pumping them.  In vehicles not equipped with ABS, the driver has to manually pump the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking up.  When your wheels lock up on wet and slippery roads or during a panic stop, (like ours) you may lose traction and control, causing your vehicle to spin.  Antilock brakes keep your wheels from locking up, so your car maintains directional control and you can steer around hazards, if you can’t make a complete stop in time.  If your vehicle has ABS, your foot should remain firmly planted on the brake pedal, while ABS pumps the brakes for you so you can concentrate on steering to safety.  An ABS automatically changes the brake fluid pressure at each wheel to maintain optimum brake performance.  There is an electronic control unit that regulates the brake fluid pressure in response to the changing road conditions or an impending wheel lockup.

There is more than one kind of antilock brake system.  Four-wheel systems, including those found on cars and minivans, are designed to keep all four wheels from locking up.  Rear-wheel only systems, found on some pickups, vans and SUV’s, keep the vehicle from spinning out of control, but the front wheels may lock up, resulting in a loss of steering control.

Some of you may be asking if vehicles with ABS stop more quickly than those without.  Perhaps, but the main purpose  the Antilock brake system was designed for is to help you maintain control of the vehicle during emergency braking situations,  not necessarily make the car stop more quickly.  ABS may shorten stopping distances on wet or slippery roads and most systems may shorten stopping distances on dry roads.  On very soft surfaces, like gravel or unpacked snow, ABS may actually lengthen stopping distances.  In wet or icy conditions, you should still keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you and drive carefully keeping the road conditions in mind.

To find out whether your car has an antilock brake system and what type, check your owner’s manual.  You can also check your instrument panel for a yellow ABS indicator light that appears after you turn on the ignition.   For more information about driver’s safety call the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9153

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

Is It Time For A Cooling System Flush?

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More than the comfort and convenience of being able to control the temperature inside your vehicle, your car’s heating and cooling systems are necessary in preventing your vehicle from breaking down due to extremely high operating temperatures.  Is It Time For A Cooling System Flush?Your cooling system is what keeps your car from having a meltdown, so have it checked every time you have a routine service.   All of the parts that make up the cooling system have one goal, moving coolant around the engine so it can absorb and dissipate heat.  The system is made up of the following parts:  radiator, radiator top hose, radiator bottom hose, water pump, thermostat, thermostat housing, electric cooling fan, and a thermo-time switch.

The radiator is the most prominent part of the cooling system.   Every time you drive, your radiator uses up a coolant and water mixture to help lower the temperatures in your vehicle’s engine system.  The coolant that has traveled through the engine is pumped through the tubes of the radiator and is cooled off for another round.  Coolant, like all the other fluids used by your vehicle, has a tendency to break down over time.  This is why it is important to replace or “flush” your coolant mixture.  When the coolant breaks down there is more stress on your radiator and your engine runs hotter than normal.  Dirt and deposits also build up and reduce your vehicle’s performance.  A prolonged use of bad coolant can result in damage to your radiator that would require you to have to replace  it.  Also today’s engines are built with aluminum, the radiator and heater are also aluminum and aluminum needs much more corrosion protection to keep it in good condition.

How often you should flush your cooling system depends on the type of driving you do and the weather conditions where you live.  If you live in an area that has moderate climates, you can flush your system less often.  But if you live in an area known for its harsh winter and/or hot summers, and do a lot of driving than you might need to change your coolant twice a year, at the beginning of the summer and the beginning of winter.  A basic rule of thumb is every two years or 30,000 miles.  But no matter what, you need to ask yourself  the question, “is it time for a cooling system flush?”

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

Car Maintenance Checklist

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I’m sure we’ve all seen several different versions of a car maintenance checklist.  We’ve even printed some of our own.  The basic maintenance checklist includes checking the tires, the car fluids and checking the brakes and air filter.  But there are some maintenance items that are often overlooked and we want to make you aware of them.

  1. Spark plugs – You know your car has spark plugs, but did you know it’s a good possibility  that your owners manual recommends they should be replaced every few years or so.  Check your owners manual for your specific recommendations or ask your car maintenance technician for information.  Most automakers recommend replacing them every 100,000 miles.
  2. Battery Cooling Systems – Are you driving a hybrid vehicle?  If you are it’s very likely that your car has a dedicated cooling system for the vehicles’ electronics and/or battery.  Some vehicles even have two dedicated cooling systems, one for the battery and one for the electric motor.  Just like the coolant in a traditional car’s engine needs to be changed, the coolant in these cooling systems also needs to be changed at scheduled intervals.  Check your owner’s manual to find out what intervals are recommended for your car.
  3. Cabin Air Filters – If your car was built in the last decade, chances are fairly good it has been equipped with a cabin air filter.  This filter, similar to the one in your homes heating and cooling system, screens dust and debris out of the air that is entering your car’s passenger compartment.  Many automakers recommend replacing these filters once a year.  This will greatly improve the quality of air you are breathing while you drive.  If you aren’t sure ask your auto repair technician if your car has this filter.
  4. Differential Fluid – You know about your car’s coolant and transmission fluid, but there’s another type of oil that most automakers recommend replacing at certain intervals.  Your car’s differential, also called a gearbox, contains a lubricating oil that is heavier than motor oil.  This gear oil can diminish over time, especially in larger vehicles like SUVs or pickups that are used for heavy jobs like towing, and needs to be replaced.

These are just a few of the things that might not make it onto the basic car maintenance checklist, so make sure you put them on yours!

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 countless number of ways you may end up at the mechanic.  Maybe that subtle clanking noise suddenly turns into an aggressive roar.  Perhaps that dripping you always thought was just condensation from the air conditioner has now taken on a distinctive rainbow glow.  Whatever the reason, heading to a mechanic you’re unfamiliar with can be a nerve wracking experience, especially for your wallet.  Colorado Auto Repair Estimate

Auto repair estimates are designed to inform both the mechanic and the customer about the kind of work required to repair a car after an accident or just normal every day 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, is not 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 insist that they cannot provide an estimate until part way through the job so that they can examine the 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.

Written estimates protect 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 must be held to the amounts listed in their estimate.  States issue their own guideline 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 expressed consent.  That means that if a mechanic quotes you $500 for a repair, he cannot perform any work that would end up costing you more than $600 unless he specifically gets your consent to do so.

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

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

Clutch Repairs

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If you drive a manual transmission car and the clutch is working smoothly, you have complete control over the gears.  You decide when to shift and which gears to use.  You’re in control and are always aware of which gear you’re in.  But if your clutch is in need of repairs you will most likely feel “out of control”.    The clutch in a car allows the driver to engage the engine, which is constantly spinning, with a transmission that isn’t and do it, smoothly.  This isn’t what happens if your vehicle is in need of clutch repairs.   Clutch Repair

Clutch problems can occur at almost any mileage and for a wide variety of reasons.  Stop- and- go city driving with lots of shifting is always harder on the clutch than open highway driving.  One of the most common problems is slipping.  When a clutch starts to slip, you’ll notice it more when the engine is under load, like accelerating to pass another vehicle, driving up a hill or towing a trailer.  The more the clutch slips, the hotter it gets and the more it wears.  We also need to make sure we don’t ride the clutch when we drive.  Slipping the clutch excessively when starting out or when creeping along in traffic causes the clutch to get too hot and if it isn’t given a chance to cool, it can cause damage to the clutch and other parts as well.  If the clutch is slipping, you may notice a burning smell.  This is also a sign that the clutch is getting too hot.

Another problem is chattering.  This is a jerking and grabbing action that happens when the clutch is engaged.  Chattering can also be caused by burned linings or a warped flywheel so if you have these symptoms it’s best to get your vehicle into a trusted repair shop and have it checked out.

If your vehicle needs clutch repairs you will notice problems when you’re shifting.  A damaged clutch won’t engage smoothly and might shake a little bit when you put it in gear.  But there are several other problems that can be mistaken for a clutch problem, like a bad pressure plate, slave cylinder, clutch cylinder or throw-out bearing, so your best option might be to see a trusted mechanic to help you determine your best course of action.

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

Oil Pressure Light

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Oil Pressure LightQuestion from Reader: What causes the oil pressure light to appear when I stop?  I checked the dipstick, it’s okay and I still have another thousand miles before I’m due for an oil change.

Dear Reader: The oil pressure light in your vehicle is a warning system to alert you of low oil pressure.  This can be caused by a low oil level or something more serious.  Since you’ve checked the oil level and it appears to be fine, what could be happening when you come to a stop and the engine drops to an idle is that the oil pump, which is powered by the engine, is slowing and not pumping enough oil to keep the oil pressure up.  If the oil pump is worn or  isn’t working correctly the oil pressure light will appear.

Low oil pressure may also be caused by debris that gets sucked 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 flow but if the filter becomes clogged with debris, oil flow will be blocked which will cause damage to your engine.

The oil pressure light may also appear if the engine is leaking oil from its gaskets or seals.  There are quite a few things that could be wrong when the oil light appears.  These could be simple and minor repairs or more serious repairs that could damage 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 Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks