Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

The Importance of Finding a Family Owned Auto Repair Shop

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Car repairs can drive you crazy, and the thought of the cost can make your stomach swell with butterflies.  The first question that enters your mind is, “can I trust this shop to do right by me?”  If the answer is “no” then you need some tips on how to find the right repair shop for your needs.

Start by asking family or friends where they take their cars for repair and what their experience was like.  You will probably discover that the majority of them used a family owned local shop because they can trust the advice – the owner is there and has to build up his reputation.     The Importance of Finding a Family Owned Auto Repair Shop

Dealerships or franchise repair shops may be locally owned but they have a corporate bottom line that a family owned shop does not.  The family owned shop has a vested interest in the community it operates in, their professional reputation depends on providing fair quotes and repairs that are done right the first time and are more likely to happen than with a dealer ship or franchise operated business.

The local mechanic is more familiar with his customer base, the types of cars his customers drive and he has the ability and interest in developing a relationship with each individual he comes in contact with.  He is also more apt to be honest about whether a particular repair is necessary or if it can be done at all.  He is not likely to risk his business or reputation doing unnecessary repairs just to make a dollar.  Word of mouth carries a great deal of weight and it doesn’t take but one unhappy customer to damage a business.

Using a family owned repair shop allows both the business and customer to develop a sense of trust that is hard to find these days.  If something is not repaired correctly, on time, and in accordance with the original cost quote, your redress would not include having to deal with a corporate structure that can be confusing and irritating.  You can have a face to face with a family owned repair shop and come to a mutually satisfactory resolution and still be friends.

Changing Serpentine Belt

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Have you ever gone in for a routine oil change and the technician has recommended changing the serpentine belt?  What was your reply?  Did you decline the service with the idea that they were just trying to make more money?  If your trusted technician recommends changing the serpentine belt, you might want to do it and save yourself a lot of trouble later.

First of all, exactly what is a serpentine belt?  The serpentine belt is what powers the alternator, water pump, power steering, and air conditioning.  Making sure your serpentine belt is in good condition and working correctly is essential in keeping your vehicle moving.  A single belt, winding its way through a maze of pulleys drives  every single engine accessory at the same time.  This belt has a lot of responsibility.  Changing Serpentine BeltEvery time the  belt passes around a pulley, it bends and flexes.  This produces heat which causes the rubber to harden over time.  The wear process can be greatly accelerated if the belt is loose or slips because any added friction makes the belt run even hotter.  If you want to lengthen the life of the serpentine belt it is important to make sure it is properly tensioned and that the proper tension is maintained throughout its service life.  Some signs that the tension isn’t correct can be a squealing belt, severe cracking on the belt, or a battery that keeps running down because of a slipping belt.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or if your technician recommended changing your serpentine belt the last time you visited him, it’s time for a change.  Don’t take the chance it won’t break on you, because when it snaps, all drive power is lost.  The water pump quits circulating coolant through the engine, the alternator quits producing amps, the power steering pump stops assisting steering and the air conditioner quits cooling.  We don’t want you to suffer the same consequences one of our customers did.  They were told their serpentine belt had a lot of cracks and needed to be changed.  They didn’t want to spend the $90 to $120 dollars that it costs to change the belt and left without the service.  Two days later their car was being towed into our shop and their costs were now much more than the cost of changing the serpentine belt because of the collateral damage the broken belt had caused!  Don’t let this happen to you!  Make that initial investment that will end up saving you money down the road.

Brake Fluid Change

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Brake Fluid ChangeReader Question: I took my truck in for a routine oil change.  The mechanic said I needed a brake fluid change because it was dirty and needed flushing because of the ABS anti-lock brakes.  I’ve never heard of this before.  Why do I need a brake fluid change?

Dear Reader: Clean brake fluid is vital in keeping your brake system working properly.  Brake fluid shouldn’t freeze or boil, but as soon as it is put into the brake system it starts to absorb moisture.  The fluid attracts moisture through microscopic pores in the rubber hoses or seals and through exposure to the air.  That moisture is very damaging to the brake fluid.  After only one year of service, the brake fluid in an average vehicle might contain as much as two percent water and it  takes very little  moisture to make the brake fluid less effective.  The heat generated by normal and especially hard braking makes the moisture in the fluid boil and that causes the brakes to loose their effectiveness.  Also brake fluid that is contaminated with moisture and dirt (if moisture can get in than so can dirt) can have a drastic effect on braking systems that use anti-lock brakes.  The contaminants can ruin the delicate inner parts of these systems, which are extremely expensive to repair.

Did you know that the average motorist who drives 10,000 to 15,000 miles a year uses their brakes about 75,000 times a year?  You would think that since drivers are using their brakes so much they would recognize the importance of having their brake fluid changed.  But probably half of all vehicles that are 10 or more years old, here in the U.S. have never had their brake fluid changed.  Just like you, they have never heard of it, or if they have, they have failed to see the importance of it.  Experts recommend having a brake fluid change every one to two years as a preventative measure.  We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t agree.

Fuel System Cleaning

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We are asked quite a few questions when we recommend a fuel system cleaning.  The most frequently asked questions are:  ” I haven’t noticed any problems so why do I need this service?”  The answer to this question is that most vehicles are equipped with a “knock sensor” which decreases the engine’s performance to prevent harmful knocking conditions.  You might not notice the reduced performance and fuel economy because it happens gradually.  After the fuel system cleaning you may notice a dramatic increase in the performance and fuel economy of your car.

We are also asked, “why does my car need a fuel system cleaning?”  Our cars have fuel systems that have fuel injectors, intake ports, intake valves, combustion chambers, throttle body and an intake manifold.  Each of these areas can have deposits build up that can create problems in the engine.  If you have experienced rough idling, engine stalling or hesitation, loss of power or engine knocking, the problem might be in your fuel system. Fuel System Cleaning

Another question we get is,” what’s the difference between a fuel system cleaning and a tune-up?”  When you have the fuel system cleaned there aren’t any parts replaced.  When you have a tune-up the spark plugs are usually replaced.  The fuel system service cleans the existing parts in the engine so they run like they were new.  Since we haven’t replaced any parts we’re often asked what we actually do to the car.  What our technician will do is attach cleaning tools to the fuel system that clean deposits from the fuel injectors, intake valves and the combustion chamber.  The deposits are also removed from the air intake system.   These deposits occur as a by-product of burning gasoline and need to be removed on a regular basis.  We recommend that you have a fuel system cleaning every 36,000 miles to keep your car running at it’s best.

Auto Brake Repair

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In these days of difficult economic times, none of us want to be taken for a ride when it comes to having an auto brake repair.  The braking system in a car is a complex system that needs  proper maintenance and care throughout the lifetime of the car to keep you and your family safe.   It’s important to get the best information on auto brake repair so you don’t end up being cheated out of your hard earned money.

The best thing we can do to save us from brake repair is preventative maintenance.  Avoid “riding” your brakes.  It’s better to slow down with moderate pressure and then release the brake allowing them to cool, rather than riding the brakes and overheating them.  Also consider downshifting to save your brakes. Downshifting lets your engine do some of the braking instead of your brakes.  This should only be used when traction conditions are good.  In ice, snow, or even rain, downshifting into too low of a gear may cause you to skid.  Auto Brake Repair

Even when we are pro active and do our best to avoid a brake repair, normal daily activities cause wear and tear on our cars and can cause problems.

The most common problem with the braking system is wear.  Brakes do a lot of work and the brake pads take the brunt of the punishment.  It’s a good idea to have them checked every six months or more often  if you suspect a problem.  If there is squeaking, grinding or difficulty stopping there might be a problem.  Most brake pads have a thin metal tab which vibrates when the pads wear down to a dangerous level.  Some brake pads don’t have this tab and if they aren’t check periodically they can wear down far enough to ruin the rotors.

Another problem is warped rotors.  Rotors warp if the brake pads are bent, defective or incorrectly installed or if they are exposed to excessive heat.  A warped rotor will give a pulsing feeling when you are applying the brakes.  This pulsing can be annoying and dangerous, have  your car checked as soon as possible if this is occurring.

When you have made the decision to visit your mechanic, keep these things in mind.   Ask your mechanic to clean all the brake system components after they’ve completed your brake repair.  This ensures a dust and squeak free job.  Also ask your mechanic about using an anti-squeak compound on the back of the brake pads.  This can keep the pads from vibrating and annoying you.  And most importantly, watch out for shops that practice bait and switch.  Bait and switch is advertising a product on TV or in the paper at a low price  and then when you ask for that product or service they claim not to have it anymore but can get you something “better”.  This is how they lure you into their business so they can sell you products or services that you don’t really need.  You can keep your money and your car safe by educating yourself about auto brake repair.

New Year Resolution

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The tradition of the New Year resolution goes all the way back to 153 B.C. when the Romans named the first month of the year after Janus.  Janus was a mythical king of early Rome believed to be the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances.  He was always depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back.  Therefore he could look backward and forward at the same time.  At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new.  Many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts  before the beginning of each year.New Year Resolution

Today we make New Year resolutions to try to improve some aspect of ourselves in the coming year.  Resolutions like losing weight, quit smoking, eat healthier or getting out of debt.  But unfortunately for most of us, our resolutions are broken shortly after we’ve made them.   In fact, a recent study found that 22% of people give up on their resolutions in the first week and by the end of March more than half of New Year resolvers have fallen off the bandwagon.  The  failure that we experience with New Year resolutions has inspired many famous quotes about them.  One unknown author wrote, “A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.” Another unknown author wrote,  “Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits.” Joey Adams wrote “May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolution.” But I think that Benjamin Franklin had the right idea about resolutions when he wrote, ” Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” With that as our goal, we here at Express Car Care resolve to discover what mistakes we make and do our best to correct them.   We resolve to continue to give our customers quality and honest service in a friendly and courteous manner at a fair price.  If you have ideas how we can better serve you this coming year please share them with us.  Happy New Year!

Quick Oil Changes

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At this time in history it seems that we are moving faster than ever and everything we want, we want it quick!  We even want quick oil changes!  Is there anything wrong with that?  I don’t think so.  There are certain advantages to visiting a quick lube for an oil change.  Of course the most obvious advantage is time.  The average quick lube shop takes 14 minutes to perform a full-service lube, oil and filter change and multipoint inspection.  Fourteen minutes every few months isn’t much time to spend on maintaining your vehicle.Quick Oil Changes

Another advantage of the quick lube is convenience.  It isn’t difficult to find a quick oil change shop, they seem to be on every corner.  That doesn’t mean it’s recommended to pop into just any quick lube.  It’s important that you do some research on the shop that you want to visit.  Find out if they use quality oil and if their service techs are properly trained.  Also make sure they are held accountable to perform quality work on your vehicle.  Most quick oil changes are accompanied by a multipoint inspection.  These inspections can catch things such as headlights or other small bulbs that need to be replaced as well as air filters and cabin air filters(the filter that works for your heat and AC inside the car, although not every car has one.)  An inspection can also alert you to a major repair that might be necessary soon.  (This is the time you want to make sure that the shop you are dealing with is reputable and trustworthy so they aren’t trying to sell you repairs you don’t really need.)  If your quick lube also has an auto repair shop, (like ours) you can set up an appointment to have your car repaired.  One stop shopping!  Getting a quick oil change in a shop like ours is even more convenient because we can also perform major services like a transmission flush or a coolant flush at the same time we’re changing the oil.  So if saving time while maintaining your car is important to you than quick oil changes is the answer you’re looking for!  What do you think?

Winter Driving Safety-Ten Tips for Winter Driving

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Here we are in the midst of the holidays and many of us are planning to drive to the mountains to enjoy the snow or set out across the country to visit relatives.  Whatever your plans are this winter  season we want you to drive and arrive in safety.  Even though the weather has been beautiful here in our area, we all know that it only takes a moment for it to change!   We all need to know winter driving safety tips.  To accomplish this we are sharing ten tips for winter driving from the publisher of RoadTrip America.                                                                    Winter Driving Safety

  1. Know your route and keep abreast of weather conditions. Make a list of Department of Transportation road-condition hotlines and consult them every few hours while you’re on the road.  Pay special attention to avalanche conditions along your route, because temporary road closures are common in mountain areas.  The Web is also a good source of current weather information.
  2. Drink plenty of water. When the weather is chilly, dehydration seems unlikely, but according to a study  by the Mayo Clinic, as little as a 1-2% loss of body weight can lead to fatigue and reduced alertness, which are both deadly when driving in winter conditions.  Carry five to six, 16oz. bottles of water per day.  Keep them with you in the passenger compartment, as they might freeze in the trunk.
  3. Eat enough food. Your body needs more nourishment in cold weather than it does on a balmy summer day.  Avoid candy bars and other quick-sugar-release snacks.  Sandwiches, fruit or a thermos of stew are much better choices.  Carry a day’s worth of high-energy food and water in a warm area of your car in case you are stranded for a few hours.
  4. Pack a winter travel safety kit. Include a cell phone, an ice scraper and brush, a tow rope, cat litter(as a traction aid), blankets, a good flashlight, a candle, matches, a portable weather radio and a can of lock de-icer.  Never use hot water on glass or locks- it will refreeze and create a bigger problem.
  5. Slow down. A good rule of thumb is to reduce speed by 50% in snowy conditions.  Blasting through snowdrifts may look cool on TV, but it’s way too hard on your vehicle to be worth it.  Equally important:  Don’t go too slow.  Your car needs momentum to keep moving through snow on grades.
  6. Keep a light touch on the controls. Smooth operation is the key to keeping control in slippery situations.  Nervousness can lead to a hard clench of the steering wheel, which can result in loss of control.  Consciously loosen your grasp or stretch out your fingers from time to time to help prevent that white-knuckled grip.
  7. Know how to recover from skids. When braking on a slippery road, it’s all too easy to “lock up” your wheels by stepping on the brakes a little too hard.  If you start to skid, steer the vehicle gently in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go and don’t touch your brakes.
  8. Keep tires in good condition and properly inflated. Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check and adjust frequently.
  9. Make frequent rest stops. Winter driving is much more tiring than summer cruising, so stop every hour or so.  Get out, stretch, it only takes  five minutes to improve your level of alertness.
  10. If you get stuck, stay in your vehicle. Stay warm and wait for assistance.  Make sure that your exhaust pipe is clear of any obstructions, including snow and ice; if you don’t, carbon monoxide gas can build up inside the vehicle.

Winter driving is a challenge but if you follow these tips you should be able to meet the challenge and win!

Merry Christmas

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We would like to take this time to say thank you to you—all our loyal customers!  We consider it a true gift to be able to serve you and we truly appreciate your continued business.  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, from our family to yours and we hope that each of you will experience a season full of love, joy and peace.

Merry Christmas


Distracted Driving

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This week I’m going to take the opportunity to vent about an issue that really concerns me.  Distracted driving!  I think we have all witnessed it and at some time or other we’ve been distracted ourselves while driving.  But enough is enough!  One of our employees was recently hit from behind by someone who wasn’t focused on their driving and ran right into the cars in front of them, even though they were not moving because of the heavy traffic.   Fortunately  no one was seriously injured but that person was clearly distracted from what should have been their primary focus while in their car—driving!!  Too many people today seem to be operating their cars like they would a video game. They act as if the action stops when they aren’t paying attention, but they  don’t seem to realize that when they crash and burn other people can as well.  And to be honest, I think I’ve seen people use more focus and concentration while playing a game than when they are driving.  Distracted drivers seem to have the idea that when they are in their cars whatever they are doing is nobody’s business but their own.  That is certainly not the reality.  Everything that we do in our cars, as well as in our lives has an impact on those around us.                             Distracted Driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that at least 21% of police-reported crashes involve some form of driver distraction.  Those are the reported accidents, there’s no information for all the accidents that go unreported!  In 2009, 5,474 people were killed on U.S. roadways and an estimated additional 448,000 were injured in crashes that were reported to have involved distracted driving. Drivers who use hand-held devices, (cell-phones, i-Pods, Blackberrys) are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to cause injury to themselves.  Here in Colorado there is a Primary law that bans the use of cell phones (hand-held or hands free) for novice drivers, which is anyone under the age of 18.  There is also a ban on texting for all drivers.

You might be thinking that it won’t happen to you because you don’t use your phone when you’re driving.  But distraction occurs when a driver is delayed in recognizing the information needed to safely accomplish the driving task because their attention is drawn away from driving.  So anytime the focus is on something other than the road and what is happening on it, that is distracted driving.  Let’s all do our part and concentrate on our driving so that  our streets are a safer place to be.

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