Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

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.

Shocks and Struts: More Than a Comfortable Ride

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Shocks and struts serve the same purpose,their main function is to keep your car from bouncing.  A car has front and rear springs to cushion it over rough road conditions.  Shocks and struts are designed to help keep your tires on the road.  There is a slight difference between a shock and a strut.

Shocks and Struts: More Than a Comfortable Ride

Installed Shock

Shocks are usually used to depress leaf springs and are usually a single cylinder in the open and a strut is normally surrounded by the coil spring and is bigger and more complicated.  Because of that, it usually costs more to replace a strut than a shock.

Shocks and Struts: More Than a Comfortable Ride

Installed Strut

Shocks are normally used in the rear suspension on a car and struts are on the front.  Some trucks have shocks on both the front and rear.  But they both achieve the same thing.  They control the action of the spring to resist bottoming out, like when you hit a pothole, and keep the movement of the springs under control as they rebound.  Since we have so much road construction going on in our area, potholes are in abundance and if your car continues to bounce long after you’ve hit one, you should have your car inspected for possible shock or strut replacement.

Worn shocks and struts not only affect the comfort of your ride and control of your car, but they affect its braking effectiveness too.  Here is a checklist for the signs of worn shocks or struts:

  • Do you experience excessive bounce ( 3 or more bounces) when crossing an intersection or dip?
  • When stopping quickly, does your car rock back and forth several times?
  • While applying your brakes firmly at higher speeds, does your vehicle have a tendency to drift left or right?
  • When changing lanes quickly does your car rock or sway from side to side?
  • On a tight curve like a freeway ramp, does your car lean and sway giving it an uneasy and disconnected feeling?

If you experience any of these signs you should have your car inspected by a trusted service technician, (like us)!  They can help you correct the problems , prevent further damage to your car, and restore that comfortable ride we are all looking for!

Winterizing a Car with Household Items

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It’s that time of year again, the holidays are approaching and so are the cooler temperatures.  We don’t always have time in our busy holiday schedules to deal with minor inconveniences caused by winter weather.  So here are some suggestions for winterizing a car using household items that most of us have in our pantry.  Winterizing A Car with Household Items

Michael Calkins, manager of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair program recommends using petroleum jelly on the  battery terminal caps to stop battery corrosion.  Simply remove the terminal caps and clean any existing corrosion with a wire brush, then coat the terminals with petroleum jelly.  The jelly forms an airtight seal that wards off  salt, slush, and mud, which causes corrosion on the battery terminals.

If you are going to store a car rather than winterize and drive it, there is a possibility of rodents building nests in your engine.  To discourage the little pests from nibbling on wires and making a home in your engine, tape a peppermint tea bag to the engine, away from moving parts.  The minty scent will repel rodents and keep them away through the winter.

Winter driving here in Colorado means snow one day, slush and mud the next.  This plays havoc on our cars as well as our headlights.  To keep your headlights doing their job, clean them and then apply a nonabrasive car wax with a soft cloth.  The wax is water-repellent and leaves a barrier that keeps dirt from building up.  It’s recommended to do this once a month.

Have you ever gone out to start your car in the morning and not be able to open the door because it’s frozen shut?  There is a simple winterizing trick for this.  Coat the rubber door seals with cooking-oil spray.  It repels the water that would otherwise collect on the rubber seals and freeze, causing the doors to freeze  shut.

Another problem we have in the winter is the frost accumulating on the inside of our windows, obstructing our view and increasing our chances of having an accident.  To prevent this, dissolve 2 tsp. of salt in a gallon of water and wipe the insides of the windows and windshield with this mixture.  As the mixture dries, it leaves an invisible layer of salt–which has a low freezing temperature, and will help keep frost from forming on the windows  for a month or more! Please don’t use this mixture on the outside of the car because the salt could cause corrosion to the exposed metal.

So before you go out shopping or drive to that holiday party,  winterize your car with these common items and see if your  life seems a  little bit easier!  I’m going to try them out right now!

Fact Vs Fiction With Your Car Engine

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In these days of endless information on the internet and Wikepedia, it’s more important to make sure the information we get is based in fact not fiction. It’s fact vs  fiction! We should separate fact from fiction in all areas of our lives including taking care of our cars engine.  With the help of Consumer Reports, I’ve compiled a small list of fact vs  fiction.

Fiction: You have to let your engine warm up for several minutes before you can start driving.

Fact: This advice was true in the past but today’s car engines warm up more quickly when they’re driven.  The sooner they warm up, the sooner they reach their maximum efficiency and performance.  But you shouldn’t rev the engine high during the first few miles while it’s warming up.

Fiction: Switching between conventional oil and other types of oil is bad for my engine.

Fact: Mixing or switching between types of motor oil isn’t harmful to your engine because conventional, synthetic, synthetic blend and high mileage oil are all compatible.

Fiction: If regular-grad fuel is good, premium must be better.

Fact: Most cars will run just fine on regular-grade (87 octane) fuel.  A higher octane fuel (premium) is often recommended for high compression, hotter running engines.  So if your car is designed for 87 octane, you don’t need to use premium, it won’t improve your car’s performance.

Fiction: There isn’t any difference between conventional and synthetic motor oil.

Fact: There aren’t any real differences in the stock base used to make synthetic and conventional oils, but there are differences in the processes used to make each oil and the additives  that they each contain.

Fiction: We should inflate our tires to the pressure shown on the tire’s sidewall.

Fact: The PSI figure on the side of the tire is the maximum pressure that the tire can hold safely.  The automaker’s recommended pressure is usually found on a doorjamb sticker, in the glove box, or on the fuel-filler door.  Check you tire pressure when the tires are cold for an accurate reading.

Fiction: A dealership must perform regular maintenance to keep your car’s factory warranty valid.

Fact: As long as the maintenance items listed in the car owner’s manual are performed on schedule, the work can be done at any auto repair shop.  Just keep accurate records and receipts in case of a warranty dispute on a car repair.

I’m sure this list is incomplete and many more facts vs  fiction could be added.  If you have some to add or any questions that you would like answered, please write a comment and share them with us.  We will do our best to answer them for you.

Motor Oil Types-How to Choose the Right One for Your Car

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When you walk into a quick-lube and ask for an oil change today, you will usually be asked what type of motor oil you want to use.  Because cars have changed, the motor oil we put in them has changed too.  Here are the motor oil types available and a brief description of the difference between them.  This information should help you choose the right motor oil for your car.

Conventional Oil-This is the standard car motor oil.  All leading brands carry a motor oil for service level “SL”.  “SL” refers to a group of lab and engine tests that the oil is put through in order to meet the standards of the American Petroleum Institute (API).  This oil works well in just about every light-duty car on the road.  When you choose this oil it is important to change your oil and filter regularly.Motor Oil Types-How to Choose the Right One for Your Car

Full Synthetic Oil-This motor oil is made for high-tech engines like BMW, Lexus, Corvette, or Mercedes-Benz.  It has superior sludge and varnish protection which keeps the engine cleaner.  It protects your engine from becoming to hot under severe driving conditions and also protects it in cold temperatures because the oil flows faster when the engine is started.

Synthetic Blend Oil-These have a mixture of synthetic oil and organic oil and are formulated to give engine protection for somewhat heavier loads and higher temperatures.  They evaporate less which increases fuel economy.  This type of motor oil is popular with people who drive SUV’s and pickup trucks with heavy loads.  Synthetic blend oil costs less than full synthetic and just slightly more than conventional oil.

Higher Mileage Oil-We are driving our cars longer now and if your cars odometer reads more than 75,000 miles, this type of motor oil would be a wise choice.  This oil is formulated with seal conditioners that restore their shape and increase their flexibility.  Rubber seals are designed to swell enough to stop leaks, this oil helps them do that.  Higher mileage engines can perform differently than new ones, causing oil consumption, decreased engine performance and more rapid oil breakdown.  By choosing higher mileage oil you can reduce oil consumption, improve horsepower and prolong the life of the engine by cleaning buildup and sludge from your older engine.

When you’re trying to determine which type of motor oil to choose for your car, don’t forget to check your owner’s manual and talk to your service technician.  They can give you the best advice for your particular situation!

Car Maintenance Checklist

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Living here in Colorado, we can never tell for sure when the snow might arrive.  In order to prepare your car for winter driving, here is a recommended car maintenance checklist.

  • Check the Hoses-Visually inspect hoses for cracks, leaks or loose clamps and feel them to check for spots that might be brittle or spongy, that means they need to be replaced.  Antifreeze can’t do it’s job if the hoses that carry it through your system are damaged.
  • Flush the Cooling System-The additives contained in the engine coolant (antifreeze) that lubricate and protect engine parts from rust and corrosion are depleted over time.  It’s recommended to have the cooling system flushed and new coolant added every two to five years depending on the car manufacturer.
  • Test the Electrical System-Have your car’s battery tested and make sure that there isn’t any corrosion on the terminals or clamps.  Check all the cable connections to make sure they’re tight.
  • Adjust the Alternator Belt-The alternator is the source of electrical power when your car is running, it also charges the battery.  The alternator belt needs to be adjusted properly.  For older model cars this is done manually.  Newer cars usually have automatic tensioners.  Have the belt checked for wear and cracks which signal it’s time to have it replaced.  It’s a good idea to have a trained auto technician do these services.
  • Windshield Cleaning Tools-Make sure the windshield fluid reservoir is filled with a non-freezing solution.  Check the pump and sprayers to see if they are working properly.  If your wiper blades leave spots or streaks, they should be replaced.  You might want winter wiper blades that have a rubber boot to prevent ice and snow from building up.
  • Check the Tires-Make sure your tires have an adequate tread depth.  You should replace worn tires right away.  Putting snow tires on for the winter is a very good idea.  Check the tire pressure.  When the temperature drops the pressures in your tires will too, so check the tire pressure more often in the winter months than you do in the summer.
  • Brake Inspection and Flush-If you have any existing brake problems, they will get worse in the winter when your traction is reduced.  Have the brakes inspected to make sure they are working properly.  Brake fluid absorbs water and then collects in the system, it can cause rust, fluid leaks or damage to parts.  To prevent this from happening, most manufacturers recommend that the brake system be flushed every two to three years.  Check your owner’s manual for your car’s recommendations.

If you apply this car maintenance checklist, you can keep your car running and hopefully keep a smile on your face all through the winter months.

Best Tires For Colorado Winters

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It’s that time of year again!  The air is colder, the leaves are falling and we need to prepare ourselves and our cars for winter!  One of the ways to prepare our car is to find the best winter tires for them.  Summer tires are designed to enhance traction in mostly dry and warm conditions, not winter conditions.  Wintertime has the most challenging driving conditions that we face all year.  We have less daylight and colder temperatures as well as snow, slush and ice.  We need the best winter tires on our car to get us where we need to go safely.

Tire experts, including Tire Rack say only dedicated snow tires will actually improve your vehicle’s grip in winter conditions.  All-season tires are suppose to provide traction in a variety of weather conditions but fall short in their performance on ice and snow.  An inexpensive winter tire performs better in ice and snow tests than all-season tires.

Best Winter Tires

Narrow winter tires are better for driving on ice and in snow, they are better at cutting a path through snow and slush.  It’s always best to use the tire size specified for your car.  You can find that information in your owner’s manual or by looking on the sidewalls of the tires that are already on your car.

Do you need a studded winter tire? Is that the best choice  for your car?  If you drive on icy roads regularly, the studded winter tire might be your best choice, just be sure that they aren’t banned or limited in your area.  If you are curious about which brands are rated  the best winter tire, talk to your service technician or visit consumersearch.com/snow-tire/reviews. Once you have decided on the best winter tire for you, you’ll want to have them installed before the weather turns.  It’s also important that you get four matching tires.  It may be tempting to buy only two tires, but experts don’t recommend it.  Different tires react differently, and unmatched tires can handle unpredictably.  Another small tip is winter tires wear faster than regular tires, so remove them as soon as the winter weather is gone and spring arrives!

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

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