Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

After Buying a Used Car – Fix These Used Car Problems

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So you’ve bought a new-to-you car. You’re happy with your purchase. You researched the make and model, and scoured over the “for sale” section for weeks. After hours of searching and negotiating, the used car is yours. Now what? 

The price of used cars is skyrocketing all across America. A recent study found that the average used car price was $29,011, up 39 percent from just a year before. 

With prices rising, you may bid quickly on a used car, trying to secure its purchase. That also puts you at a greater risk of investing in a used car that may have problems. 

With a fast purchase process, how do you know? After buying a used car, your best course of action is to take it in for a thorough inspection. It’s a great way to get to know your used car a little better, and have a better understanding of its condition. 

Taking your car in for a maintenance inspection

When you purchase a used car, your first thought might be to take it out on the open road and see how it drives. It’s new to you, appears to run well, and you’re excited about having reliable transportation. 

Yet before you park it in the garage and return to daily living, take some time to ensure you made a sound purchase. Schedule a maintenance inspection with one of our mechanics. 

A good place to start is with an oil change. This will help you develop a pattern with your car, and start you on the road to success. Vehicles need fresh oil every 5,000 miles or so to ensure they operate well. This will also put you in charge of what type of oil your car uses, and ensure quality throughout.

After Buying a Used Car - Fix These Used Car Problems

From there, by alerting a mechanic that you’re the new owner, they will be able to move through the car carefully, evaluating different systems for safety and security. 

A diagnostic test will ensure the technology is working well. This is one of the easiest ways to ensure every system operates at its best levels. 

Fluid checks are a great place to start

A mechanic may also test each fluid level to ensure they are in good condition. If you don’t know when they were last changed, it’s a good way to move forward. Other fluids to check include:

Coolant – coolant (also known as antifreeze) plays an important role in keeping your engine at operating temperature. Check with your owner’s manual for more details, but in general, manufacturers recommend flushing and replacing your coolant every one to two years. Some models use extended life antifreeze, which may last up to five years. 

Brake fluid – brake fluid is important to the overall health of your brake system. It’s also one of the most commonly overlooked fluids for replacement. Over time, brake fluid becomes contaminated with particles that compromise the fluid. This reduces the stopping power of the car, which puts you and your passengers at risk. A mechanic can evaluate the risk inside your brake system, and help you make the right call. It is typically replaced every two years or so, depending on the make and model of your car. 

Transmission fluid – does your car’s make or model have a history of transmission problems? Why not start it out right and replace the transmission fluid now. Fluid replacement is necessary around 60,000 miles for most vehicles. But if you aren’t sure of how the car was handled by the previous owner, it’s a good idea to replace it now. A higher mileage used car is the perfect candidate for a transmission fluid replacement. It prevents future breakdowns on the road. 

Used car problems – fix them early

When you invest in a used car, you hope to have a reliable car for years to come. Initial maintenance checks are a great way to ensure it doesn’t leave you stranded by the side of the road. 

What’s the most critical system on a vehicle? Arguably, many would state the braking system ranks high on the list. Imagine coming home from a day of skiing and the braking system stops working. Yep, it’s easy to see how vital brakes can be. 

That’s reason enough to let a professional mechanic look at the braking system of your new used car. 

Start with the obvious – the tires. If the seller shined them up, defects may be a bit hidden. A mechanic knows what to look for, and will spot potential problems. They will check the date the tires were manufactured, and inspect them for signs of damage. If they’ve been sitting for a while without moving, they may have cracks on the sidewalls. A mechanic can pick up on these nuances and give you a better idea of what to watch for. 

From there, they will test brake pads, brake rotors, and ensure the hydraulics are working well. They can alert you to how much brake pad is left, to give you a better idea of when they’ll need replacing in the future. 

Mileage – it tells a lot

Every part of your car has a lifespan. The more mileage on your vehicle, the more parts will need replacing. 

With a new car, every part starts at the beginning. They wear down as you operate under normal driving conditions. 

But with a used car, you have no idea how the previous owner maintained the vehicle. Were they proactive? Or did they wait for maintenance problems to surface? 

When you invest in a used car, you’re choosing your starting point. You receive the vehicle as is, but you’re in control of how well it operates in the future. 

If you want your used car to last for years to come, the best course of action is to err on the side of maintenance, and choose to invest in repair work now. 

A full inspection will help you determine what parts to replace now, and give you a schedule of what to replace in the future. Having a professional mechanic on your side will create a routine that allows your used car to be in the best shape possible, now and well into the future. 

Did you recently buy a used car? Congratulations!

Let us help you get the longest life possible from your purchase. Schedule your used car inspection today.

Catalytic Converter Theft – What It Means To Your Car

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Have you heard talk in the media about catalytic converters lately? It’s not a lifestyle piece about what they do for your car. Chances are they’re talking about catalytic converters because of their increasing theft rate. 

A recent study shows as of June 2022, there have been more than 26,000 thefts this year, an increase of more than 33 percent from this time last year. 

Catalytic converters are an expensive part that are easily removed and stolen. What does a catalytic converter do for your car, and why are they being stolen? Read on. We have the answers you’ll need to keep your catalytic converter safe. 

What is a catalytic converter

A catalytic converter is part of your vehicle’s exhaust system. While they come in different shapes and sizes, they are usually about the size of a loaf of bread. You’ll find the catalytic converter in the exhaust system located somewhere between the engine and the muffler. They need high heat to function, so they’ll be located as close to the engine as possible. 

The catalytic converter’s job is to convert harmful exhaust pollutants into something less harmful. Through a chemical reaction, toxic hydrocarbons, carbon, monoxide, and nitrogen oxides are converted into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor. Though not perfect, the EPA still commends the use of catalytic converters as one of the top inventions so far in the quest to make our air supply cleaner.

Catalytic Converter Theft - What It Means To Your Car

 Why is catalytic converter theft on the rise

People steal catalytic converters for money. They contain three metals that aid in production of the chemical reaction needed to make pollutants less toxic: platinum, palladium, and rhodium. 

The prices of each of these metals have risen steadily over the past decade to make them valuable enough for thieves to take. Platinum, for example, was just above $100 an ounce, moving to an all-time high of over $2,000 an ounce in 2008. It’s settled to around $1,000 today, which still leaves a heavy profit margin to anyone taking it for profit. Because of the value, junkyards are more actively collecting catalytic converters, and have even gone so far as to advertise “mail-in” campaigns making it easy to profit with few questions asked. 

States around the US are now passing laws to make catalytic converter purchases traceable, and require proof of ownership when people try to sell them. Without the anonymity protection, it should help reduce theft. But until then, it’s important to know how to protect yours, and what to do if it’s stolen. 

Can you drive a car if the catalytic converter has been stolen?

As a general rule, you can drive a car without a catalytic converter. It’s the catalytic converter’s job to lower emission levels and toxic fumes being released into the environment. But it won’t hurt the engine if it’s not in place. 

That said, it’s illegal to drive without a catalytic converter in place. That means you’ll fail an emissions test if you don’t have one in place. 

You’ll also notice a difference in the way your car performs. 

Without a catalytic converter, the oxygen sensors will not operate within the designed range. That sends engine fault codes to diagnostics, engine performance will suffer. Diagnostics will receive a signal from the sensors to change the oxygen mixture to try and reduce emissions. You’ll likely see the check engine light with trouble code P0420. 

You’ll notice a reduction in power every time you take your vehicle out on the road for a drive. Without the proper fuel and oxygen mixture, the engine will sputter as it tries to operate. You’ll notice this hesitation each time you take it out. 

Your fuel economy will also be compromised, causing you to pull into the gas station more often. Because it impacts the fuel/oxygen mixture, it will push more fuel into the engine trying to accomplish the same action with new requirements. This results in more emissions production and less fuel efficiency. 

The exhaust noise will also be louder and raspier without it. 

Your car will definitely alert you to the problem. 

How to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen

While the good news is states across the US are putting laws into place to thwart criminal activity, it hasn’t stopped thefts from occurring. It’s harder to instill new laws onto older parts and technology, so it may take a while for rules and policies to catch up. 

Until that time, there are things you can do to protect your catalytic converter and reduce the risks of having it stolen. 

Catalytic converter replacement can typically cost thousands of dollars, depending on the vehicle. Some high performance vehicles may even have two catalytic converters in place, increasing the replacement cost. 

Luckily, there are things you can do to help protect your car’s catalytic converter. 

  • Park indoors if possible. If you have a garage, use it. It’s the easiest way to deter criminals from destructive behavior. 
  • Park in a well-lit area. Thieves are less likely to work on a vehicle in a well-lit area, in view of anyone who passes by. A well-lit area with abundant traffic around the location pushes any would-be thief to another location. 
  • Look for video surveillance. Some places make it well known the area is watched. Thieves want anonymity. If they know they might be observed and recorded, they’ll look for easier targets. 
  • Consider getting your catalytic converter etched. Many police departments and some auto shops are now etching your license plate number onto the catalytic converter. This will tie any purchase back to the particular theft, and help stop more thefts in the future. 
  • Have anti-theft devices in place. You can have installed shields that make it more challenging to steal. While not a perfect plan, with little evidence of how effective these are, if you live in a higher crime area, this may be worth trying. 

Have you ever had your catalytic converter stolen?

What If You’re Stressed About Car Repairs

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Driving here in Colorado is something most of us take for granted. While we have a public transportation system, to rely on it for everything you do, for all the places you go, in many cases, it just doesn’t make sense. 

Could you use it to take the kids to school, run to the grocery store, pick up your dry cleaning, and go to your next meeting? Of course. But most of us don’t. 

Instead, we choose to own an automobile, keep it tucked away in the garage, and pull it out each day as we need it. If it’s new, there might not be much to worry about. But as it ages, you might find yourself stressed about car repairs. 

Will your vehicle be there when you need it?

Will it leave you stranded by the side of the road? 

If this sounds all too familiar, you might be dreading the day when you hear an unusual sound, or something doesn’t feel quite right when you turn the key and pull out of your parking spot. The anxiety kicks in, and you start to think about all the possibilities. 

What if something’s wrong?

Where stress from thinking about car repairs comes from

Driving itself has turned into a very stressful experience. Traffic has increased by leaps and bounds over the past few years. Add in road construction and obstacles along the way. 

Driver tension? Yep, that’s at an all-time high too. Road rage is everywhere. 

No wonder you feel stressed every time you sit behind the wheel. 

Now add in a little worry about how well your vehicle is functioning. Will it get you where you’re going? Will that clunking noise turn into something more? And where are you going to find the money to pay for whatever the problem is? 

Stress!

You know this isn’t how to drive a car. The more stress you’re under, the more you miss. And that can leave you, your passengers, and those around you at risk. 

What If You’re Stressed About Car Repairs

Of course, knowing you’re stressed and pushing it aside are two different things. You can practice deep breathing whenever you feel yourself building tension. You can do a few stretches to relieve tension. And you can get to know your car a little better. 

Get to know your car

How well do you know your car? Beyond sitting behind the wheel, knowing how to turn it on, and how to change radio stations, do you really know how your vehicle operates?

When was the last time you looked under the hood? Do you know how various systems work to keep you safe? 

Once upon a time, kids learned a lot about how cars operate in school. You might have taken driver’s ed when you were turning sixteen, but how much did you learn about the car? 

And if that was years ago, a lot has changed in recent years. Your car is no longer all about mechanics alone; there’s a lot of technology that helps your car operate. 

While you don’t have to go back to school to learn how it all works, you can spend a little time getting familiar with your car. Take your owner’s manual out and flip through the pages. Pop the hood and take a look inside. Ask questions every time you bring your car in for a maintenance item. Do a little research before you schedule a repair. Even a basic understanding can help lower stress levels, and make you feel more in tune with how your car operates. 

Thinking about it may prevent action

We’re busier now than ever. You have places to go, people to see, things to do. You don’t have time for a problem with your car. 

When you hear a strange noise, that can start your mind whirling about how you may soon be juggling schedules to fit everything in. You just can’t handle a car repair right now. Ignoring it might solve the problem. Yet in your heart, you know it won’t. 

Or maybe you’ve had a bad experience in the past. You’ve taken your car into a repair shop, and on a scale of one to ten, you’d give it a minus ten. You were taken advantage of, and even worse, it didn’t fix the problem. Who would want to experience that again? It’s better to ignore the problem. 

Then there are the stories you read online. Maybe it’s an investigative piece about the auto industry. Or about unscrupulous behavior in a segment on a news show. Consumer beware!

Why should you bring your vehicle in when chances are you’ll only have problems coming out? 

It’s time to focus on prevention

The problem with minor car issues is they quickly escalate to significant vehicle problems if you don’t take care of them when they’re small. 

The average vehicle on the road has over 10,000 parts. They are all carefully connected and controlled to make your vehicle run efficiently. One part out of place, one small piece not doing its job will impact all other components in some way. Replace that one part, and your car will return to good working condition again. 

That’s why routine maintenance is so important. Mechanics are trained to look for the little things. They can listen to the sounds a car makes, pop the hood and look underneath, or ask you a few questions to help pinpoint where the problem could be. 

They can also run a complete diagnostic test to test the technology that makes your vehicle run. Today’s vehicles are complicated pieces of machinery. Today’s mechanics are trained in a variety of things to ensure they can get to the bottom of what’s wrong. 

The oil change you schedule every 3,000 to 5,000 miles matters. 

The tires you rotate on a regular basis. 

The brake pads you replace at the first sign of wearing down. 

All of that is about good maintenance on your vehicle. It’s what ensures it works well for you every time you climb behind the wheel. 

There’s no reason to feel stressed about car repairs. Learn more about the process, and it can reduce your anxiety. Replace the little things frequently, and they won’t escalate to major repairs. 

And more importantly, it will never leave you stranded on the side of the road. 

Because your car will continue to be in its best condition for as long as you own your car. 

Avoiding The Top 5 Car Repairs

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Your vehicle is one of the most expensive items you own. It’s a complex system with over 30,000 parts that, when operating correctly, gives you the ability to move around freely.

With that many parts, however, if one thing goes wrong, it can quickly escalate, causing problems with the way you drive. It might start as a noise or a funny smell, but if left unchecked, can turn into a major car repair.

Luckily, you can avoid costly car repairs by adhering to a regular car maintenance schedule. Regularly scheduled maintenance keeps parts well lubricated, the system running smoothly, and your vehicle on the road.

Let’s start by looking at five of the most common and most expensive car repairs we see coming into our shop.

Brake pad and rotor replacement

A car’s brake system is one of the most important systems on your vehicle. Imagine flying down the mountain after a day of skiing, and you discover your brakes don’t work. Even in town, as you move closer to a red light, without brakes, it can be a harrowing experience.

Over the life of your vehicle, you will have to replace your brake pads about every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. Of course, that changes based on the make and model of your car, as well as your driving experience. Someone with all city driving will replace brakes more often than someone with all highway driving.

Avoiding The Top 5 Car RepairsBrake pads are the least expensive part of this process. Brake pads are designed to provide you with warning signs as they start to wear down. They are built with a metal bar just shy of the recommended thickness level. When this is reached, it will produce a metal on metal grinding sound that warns you it’s time to replace the brake pads. This gives you plenty of warning to schedule a visit with one of our mechanics, and replace the brake pads before they impact performance or safety.

Ignore this sound, and the brake pads can start wreaking havoc on other parts of the braking system. Poor quality brake pads can impact rotors. If they are damaged or warped past the point of repair, these will also have to be replaced. And that can escalate your repair bill exponentially.

Tire replacement

A good set of tires can last you anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 miles or more. But you can’t replace a set of tires, have them installed, and leave them unchecked for all those miles. Because they are your one connection to the road as you drive, more can go wrong with a set of tires than most drivers realize.

How often do you test the air pressure in your tires? If you say every fill-up, you’re on the right track. Tire pressure can change rapidly depending on driving conditions. Both cold and heat change the way they perform, as well as how and where you drive your vehicle each day.

Pay attention to the tread as well. Do you see uneven wear marks? That’s a sign of a deeper problem in the performance of your vehicle. Rotate your tires regularly. You might consider having it done each time you change the oil. This ensures your tires wear evenly, and will prevent damage based on the way you drive. This can also alert you to bigger problems you can fix before they escalate.

Fuel injector cleaning

Think about all your vehicle goes through as you drive the Colorado roads. Ice and snow build up in the winter, with chemicals, rocks, and sand impacting many parts underneath the hood. Freezing temperatures can also impact the functionality of individual parts. Then in the summer months, heat can impact the way your car moves.

Fuel injectors spray gas into the combustion chamber to allow the correct amount of gasoline to enter into the engine. Each cylinder has a corresponding fuel injector – a four cylinder engine will have four fuel injectors.

Fuel injectors do wear out over time. But with the proper cleaning and service schedule, you can extend their life. Most manufacturers state fuel injectors will last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on care, gasoline used within the system, and how often fuel filters are changed.

Timing belt

The timing belt connects the engine with the vehicle’s crankshaft to ensure the valves open and close properly. The timing belt synchronizes the rotation of the camshaft and crankshaft to ensure the valves open and close, allowing the pistons to move up and down. Without a timing belt, your car’s engine wouldn’t operate.

A timing belt goes through a lot of wear and tear. The timing belt breaking is a big problem, and can lead to extensive damage to the engine. Check with your vehicle’s manufacturer to determine how often it should be replaced; it’s typically around 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

Warning signs can include missing teeth from the belt itself, a ticking noise from the engine compartment, or visible signs of cracking or damage. Simple maintenance checks periodically can warn you of potential problems, giving you the chance to replace it before it can break and cause extensive damage.

Transmission

It’s a problem with the transmission. Those are words no vehicle owner wants to hear because it’s one of the most expensive car repairs you’ll make.

 

Without a transmission, your car won’t move. It helps the engine run smoothly, and moves power from the engine through the wheels.

A transmission isn’t just one simple block. Instead, it’s made up of over 800 parts that are unique to each make and model on the road today. When they all work together, your car will operate seamlessly. To ensure that happens, it’s important to keep transmission fluid fresh and operational. Ensure it’s at the right level, and avoid aggressive driving or riding the brakes.

How a mechanic can keep your car running

These are just a few of the major car repairs that can impact your vehicle and your wallet. Owning a car doesn’t mean expensive repair bills. If you schedule your maintenance visits with a mechanic you can trust, you’ll ensure your car stays healthy and operating well for as long as you own it.

Scheduled checkups will always ensure your car stays operating and in peak performance. Don’t ignore mileage or date reminders; they are there for a reason. If you work together with a reputable mechanic, you can drive with peace of mind.

Replace Your Air Filter

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In order to run effectively, your engine needs clean air to burn fuel – and it needs a lot.  In fact, a typical vehicle needs about 216,000 gallons of air for every tank of gas.

All that air passes through a filter that catches the dust and dirt.  Eventually the air filter gets completely full of dirt because it can only hold so much.  Then the dirt and dust start getting through the air filter and it needs to be replaced.  This dirty air  passes through the mass airflow sensor and starts to accumulate on the delicate sensor element.  The mass air flow sensor measures how much air is getting into your engine.  When the airflow reading is incorrect, your engine doesn’t get the proper amount of fuel.  It runs rough and doesn’t perform as well as it should.

Eventually, if you don’t replace your air filter, the sensor is so damaged it needs to be replaced – which is pricey.  Truth is, you could buy a case or two of air filters for the cost of one sensor replacement.

Of course, that dirty air keeps on going through to your engine where it’s burned along with the fuel, which dirties up your combustion chamber and increases harmful exhaust emissions.

The next time your service adviser brings out your dirty air filter and recommends a replacement, remember the cost and poor performance that can be waiting for you around the corner if you don’t replace your air filter.  This is a simple service that shouldn’t be neglected if you want to keep your engine running properly.

Give us a call or come in and see us, we’re here to help.

Used Car Inspection

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It’s natural for Denver drivers to be a little anxious when they buy a used car in the Denver area; it’s natural to worry that it has something wrong with it or that it hasn’t been well maintained.  If it’s possible, bring the vehicle in for a used car inspection at Express Car Care.  Your friendly and knowledgeable service adviser can tell you if there are current or emerging problems in the used car that you’re interested in purchasing.  The peace of mind is well worth the price of the inspection service.

It’s also important for Denver drivers to get on track with the maintenance schedule and stay on track.  If you don’t have maintenance records for the used car assume the worst and get started right away with an oil change at Express Car Care.  The inspection by Express Car Care that comes with a full service oil change will reveal any basic problems.  Be sure to bring up any specific concerns you might have with your service adviser.  A more intense inspection can find hidden problems like body damage and sealer in A/C units which can be major expenses down the road.

Purchasing a Carfax report may let you know if the vehicle’s been in a major accident and give you a title history.  You can find out if that ’71 Barracuda really was owned by a little old lady who only drove it to church on Sundays here in Denver.

If you’ve bought well, there’s no reason to believe that with proper maintenance your “new” used car won’t last a long, long time.

Give us a call and let us help.

Why Car Repair Shop Reviews Matter 

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When were you last in a situation where your car had a problem, and you didn’t know where to go?

We’ve all been in that situation before. Maybe you’re new to town. Or maybe you’ve purchased a new home in a new neighborhood and aren’t familiar with the local shops.

You want to do business with a local, but where should you go?

Typically, there are three ways to find a new car repair shop.

1. Drive by. Every day as you’re out running errands, you notice the repair shops in your community. Which one should you trust?

2. Mailers and flyers. Of course, you can always rely on marketing. Homeowners are bombarded with flyers in their mailboxes offering coupons for different services. Does one of them seem to be a good deal, and applies to what’s wrong with your vehicle?

3. Referrals. Arguably, this is one of the best ways to discover new shops. If your neighbor or friend trusts a place, maybe you can too.

Still, we’ve all heard horror stories about taking your vehicle in for service, only to have the mechanic come out and tell you there’s a major complication with your car. Do you trust the advice? Do you sink hundreds – thousands – of dollars into your vehicle?

Do you trust that they are telling you the truth?

Two types of car repair shops, which is right for you?

Why Car Repair Shop Reviews MatterAs you’re running errands, you’ve probably come across two separate types of car repair shops in your neighborhood: national brands, and locally owned shops.

The national brands are part of a corporate conglomerate with shops all over the country. Their names are recognizable, and part of that is to gain your trust. If you visit one in your local city, you can go to one in another town and expect similar service. Of course, that’s not always the case.

Locally owned shops are also known as “mom and pop” shops. They were started by a local member of the community, and operate as a family operation. You’ll typically talk with the owner and get to know them over time.

According to a survey by Consumer Reports, independent mechanics provide a more satisfying experience. They surveyed over 40,000 consumers and asked them about their recent repair experiences. One mechanic they interviewed said it best:

“If you keep your car for many years, find a local, independent garage you can trust, and then build a relationship by giving them repeat business. If you stay loyal, they’re bound to treat you right, which can be advantageous when it comes to those really expensive jobs.”

With most large corporations, they operate to maximize profits. They set prices and stick with schedules to ensure maximum revenue. The people you meet when you bring your vehicle in are employees. And as employees, they come and go based on their goals and desires.

Local car repair shops are locally owned and operated, often bringing in family and friends who stick around. You’ll see the same friendly faces every time you bring your vehicle in.

How do you find a car repair place you can trust?

As mentioned before, you can find local service shops in a variety of ways. As you narrow down your focus, that’s when you should head online. While you might receive one or two reviews from your neighbors, online, you can gain a wealth of information with only a few clicks. Whether you use social media like Facebook, or review sites like Angie’s, you’ll start to see patterns emerge.

Car repair shop reviews help you monitor quality – If a business is around for any length of time, chances are you’ll find a number of reviews online. People realize how important this is, and they are highly motivated to leave their own. Don’t read one or two and finalize your decision. Instead, take some time to get a consensus about how people feel about the local shop. Do they like the people? Do they like the service? Do they have any trouble with the mechanics of the repair after they drive away? Online reviewers are honest about quality, and you can quickly build a better understanding of how well a shop is doing.

Car repair shop reviews build trust – One review might not be enough to lower your concerns, but how about ten, or twenty? Building reviews online should be a part of a local business’s goals. It’s a great way to tell other people in your community about the great resources you’ve been using for years. With reviews, you can also see the dates of when the item is posted. Does the service stay the same year after year? That can be a bonus for a local shop.

Car repair shop reviews can also show your customer service care – Let’s face it, all reviews aren’t going to be positive. This is also a chance for a car repair shop to show its true colors. How do they handle the situation? Do they ignore the review? Or do they take the time to answer the poster and face the problem head-on? Not every customer is going to gel with a business, and that’s okay. This is where it’s important to read reviews carefully, and go with the majority view. It will tell you everything.

Celebrate good reviews

There are many ways to celebrate good reviews. Increasingly, online review resources understand how difficult the process of finding quality repair shops can be, so they highlight service businesses that go above and beyond.

Here at Express Car Care, we take our reviews and ratings very seriously. We’ve recently been awarded the distinction of being a 2020 CARFAX Top-Rated Service Center, with an average rating of 4.9, and we couldn’t be happier!

If you want to see what other drivers already discovered, and want to have a mechanic who works with you to ensure your car is in top shape, schedule your maintenance visit with us today.

Growling that Grates

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A driver who uses his or her ears has a leg up on those who don’t.  Noises, in addition to helping us to be aware of traffic, can also give us clues to potential problems in our vehicles.  One noise to pay special attention to is growling.

Growling is a universally recognizable noise; you know it when you hear it.  In a vehicle, it’s usually the sound of metal contacting metal, and not in a good way.  So, what is your vehicle telling you if you hear growling when you are turning your steering wheel?

There are a few possibilities.  One is the mechanical linkage that helps your steering wheel turn your wheels and tires.  This system frequently has a hydraulic system that makes turning the steering wheel easier for you.  This can be one source of growling sounds you might hear.  An auto technician can check your power steering fluid to see if it’s at the correct level and still has a good consistency.

There are a few things that can go wrong with your power steering.  If your fluid is low, that might be a sign of a leak in the pump, hose, or somewhere else in the system.  It’s important to have your power steering working properly since losing the ability to turn precisely can sharply reduce the safety of your vehicle.

If that growling sound is coming from around the wheel area, it could be a suspension issue.  That growling is giving you a warning that a component such as a constant velocity (CV) joint or a wheel hub may be on the verge of failing, so it’s a good idea to get it checked right away.  Another reason you may be hearing growling when you turn your steering wheel is that your brakes are engaging when they shouldn’t.

Growling noises are trying to tell you something, and they can tell a trained technician a great deal.  Inform your service adviser about the symptoms you’re hearing or seeing.  Your Express Car Care service provider can put that growling to a an end.  Your ears will thank you.

Is Your Car Worth Fixing?

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There used to be a time when cars wouldn’t last more than a few years. The parts would wear out. The systems would cease to work. There wasn’t a choice – you had to replace your car out of necessity.

Over time, manufacturers have gotten better at building reliable parts and cars. No longer can you expect a car to last a handful of years. In fact, according to a recent IHS Markit study, the number of pre-2005 cars and trucks on the road today has climbed to an all-time high. One in four vehicles on American roads are at least 16 years old.

One-hundred thousand miles on a vehicle used to be considered a breaking point. Now, many car owners who hit that milestone say their vehicles are just getting started.

Still, if you’ve driven your current vehicle for years, it’s hard not to wonder at what point it’s better for your wallet to invest in something new. You like not having car payments. Your car may have been cost-effective up until now. But how do you choose whether to keep your car or replace it? Is your car worth fixing, or should you start shopping for something new?

Start with a simple question: Is it cosmetic or mechanical?

People often start considering a new car for one of two reasons: The car may no longer appeal to them visually, or repair bills are starting to escalate.

Why are you considering investing in a new car? Is it for cosmetic reasons? Is the paint chipping? Do you have scratches and dents all over the car?

Maybe a little bodywork could improve its looks. Yet before you take your car in for estimates on sprucing up the outside, think about the inside for a moment. Does your car shake, rattle, and roll? Do you continuously smell gas fumes when you’re near the rear?

As a driver, paying attention to the way your car handles is part of being a good driver. It helps you recognize what’s happening underneath the hood, and make good choices before your vehicle leaves you stranded by the side of the road.

Is Your Car Worth Fixing?If you’ve put money into repairing it before small fixes turn into larger problems, it might be worth fixing a few car dings, or even repainting your car. It can make you feel happier when you walk up to your car in the parking lot, and drive it on the city roads. It can even add to the value, becoming something someone else wants to drive rather than an eyesore they hide from their friends.

Mechanical problems are an entirely different issue. Small repairs that can be easily made maybe a decent trade-off, especially if you no longer have a monthly car payment. But when small repair bills grow in size, it’s time to start questioning their value.

Where do you draw the line?

Get a car repair estimate

The good news is if you bring your vehicle in, and trust a neighborhood mechanic rather than a dealer, you’ll get an estimate before we even start the work. Neighborhood mechanics almost always charge less for repairs than dealers – it’s just one of the ways they keep their large lots in business.

Before you decide what repairs to make to your car, take a look at the estimate and see what work needs to be done. Transmission assembly can be well over $6,000. Replacing an engine begins at $5,000, depending on make and model. Replacing a hybrid battery and reprogramming and engine control model can be in access of $4,400.

Once you have your estimate in hand, talk with your mechanic. Is there a way to make the process less expensive? Are there certain parts of the process you can forgo, or at least put off, spreading the costs over several months? Can you use salvaged parts? Or can you rebuild rather than replace?

That’s where working with a neighborhood mechanic stands apart from working through a dealer. Neighborhood mechanics understand it takes a lot to budget everything in your life. They are more willing to give you options and help you make the right – and safest – choice for your needs.

Run the numbers

With an estimate in hand, you can now run the numbers. Use Kelley Blue Book to determine the value of your car if you were to sell it to a private buyer.

If your car is worth $3,500, for example, and the repair estimate is in excess of that amount, it would be hard to justify the repair. Edmunds makes a simple rule of thumb that applies to this situation: If the cost of repairs will be greater than either the bluebook value of your car or one year’s worth of monthly payments, it’s time to consider a new vehicle.

Remember, though, that repairing a car will ultimately be less expensive than purchasing a new one. It’s not always the money alone you should consider.

  • Do you want to take on several years of car payments?
  • Are you worried your car will break down even after this repair?
  • How is the outlook of your job?
  • What changes are occurring in your life right now?

If a repair could bring you several more years of reliable transportation, it might be your best choice.

You know this car, and its history. It might be better than going with another used potential problem.

Make the right choice for you

As you’re making your final decision, remember reliable transportation is always crucial. And there are still ways around getting a reliable car.

If you’ve had your heart set on a specific car, can you lower your expectations for the time being? Instead of a Honda Accord, will a Honda Civic be a better choice for now?

Or maybe you can purchase a used car. We offer an inspection service that will check out the major systems and give you more assurance you’re investing in a quality car rather than a lemon.

No matter which direction you choose, regular maintenance is critical in keeping your vehicle on the road without leaving you stranded.

Have further questions about repairs for your car? Just ask.

Buying Auto Parts or Visiting a Mechanic – Which Is Better?

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No matter what type of vehicle you own, you’ll eventually have to replace a few parts to keep it running. Whether it’s a can of oil, a new belt or hose, or replacing an entire system, you have a choice:

  • Buying auto parts yourself and handling the fix yourself
  • Visiting a mechanic and letting an expert handle the repair

There’s never a right or wrong answer every time. It depends on your knowledge, your skills, and how much time you have to invest in the outcome.

Buying auto parts may seem like a great way to save money. But so much can go wrong.

There are no guarantees or warranties to help you down the road

There are two scenarios at work here.

Let’s say you buy the auto parts necessary to repair your vehicle. The part itself may come with a guarantee, but it often is limited to the part; it will not cover a potential problem when you install it yourself. A manufacturer can’t take that risk – what if you install it incorrectly? It’s limited to what you spend on the part itself.

Some budget-minded drivers attempt to buy parts at a low cost, then take them to a mechanic in an attempt to counter this problem. In this case, it depends on the mechanic helping you out.

Mechanics often won’t use auto parts supplied by the driver because they can’t guarantee the parts are in good working order. This is their reputation on the line. They don’t want to be held liable for using a part that simply won’t work.

An expert will want to take control over the entire situation, to ensure your car is safe as you drive away.

You might not buy the right equipment

Buying Auto Parts or Visiting a Mechanic - Which Is Better?One trip to the auto parts store will tell you there are dozens – hundreds – of parts for your vehicle, and when it comes right down to it, they all look the same.

The size may change slightly. Ratios may be off. Parts often vary from make, model, and year.

Imagine ripping your car apart, running to the auto parts store, buying a part, and coming home only to realize it isn’t the right part. Rinse. Repeat.

In some cases, you might not have the right tools for the job either. Different parts have different installation methods – do you have the right wrench?

It’s a matter of time, expertise, and money. Bringing your car to a mechanic will get the job done the right way. Trying it yourself is always a hit or miss at best.

Are you convinced visiting a mechanic is in your best interest?

Want your visit to run smoothly from beginning to end?

Communicate clearly

A mechanic can’t guess at what’s wrong with your car. They don’t drive it every day like you do. Instead, they rely on you to help them determine where the problem is.

Whether you’re bringing it in for a routine checkup, or have a larger problem that can no longer be ignored, spend a few moments creating a list of the things you want the mechanic to check out. Even if you aren’t sure if something is a problem or not, a working list will help a mechanic get to the root of the problem. Noises, smells, rattles, leaks, sensations – even if it seems to be little, it’s better to bring it to a mechanic’s attention to help determine where the problem is.

Be prepared

Cars cost money to operate. Too often, drivers attempt to ignore problems until they become so bad they can’t drive. That ends in a very large bill repairing multiple problems and big-ticket items.

Often, a regular maintenance schedule can find problems as they start, and make minor repairs that will keep your car operating well for the life of the vehicle. Still, cars will eventually need larger services, such as brake replacement and new tires. If you understand how each system is wearing on your vehicle, and you monitor it as you drive, you can save for the larger repairs.

Your car isn’t a storage unit

Today’s vehicles are bigger than ever. That means we see many drivers come in that use their vehicles as storage units. There are golf clubs in the back, boxes stacked from bottom to top. There are leftover papers everywhere, even a stroller tucked behind the front seat.

Trouble is, in some cases, a mechanic will have to remove those items to get where they need to be.

All of that extra equipment adds weight to your vehicle. That might impact the overall quality of the repair. While you might need some of it for your weekly trips and errands, before you bring it into the shop, spend a few minutes decluttering it for your repair visit.

Trust the mechanic to do their job

While you may know how your vehicle drives from day to day, a mechanic is trained to find where potential problems lie, and understands how to fix them. Tell them your concerns, even give them your list, then let them take over and do their job the right way.

If they have questions, they’ll be in touch. Do they have your cell number to reach you at any point during the repair visit? This can speed up the process, and allow you to make decisions as they come up.

Is it time for visiting a mechanic that can help you keep your car in good working order? 

When it comes time to finding the right mechanic, sometimes trusting a local service will ensure you learn how to work with the people, and that they understand working with you.

It gives you a chance to build a team to help you keep your car in as good of condition as possible. No matter what.

Whether you’re looking for an oil change, need your tires balanced, or are in need of new brakes on your car, our family-owned business is ready and waiting to help you.

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

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