Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Replacing Your Car Battery

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Christmas in July!?  Just as most of us are not thinking about Christmas or purchasing gifts in July, many of us aren’t thinking about replacing our car battery in the middle of the summer.  Whether or not you choose to purchase Christmas gifts in July isn’t really important.  What is important is replacing your car battery before it dies on you.

Most of you are aware that the winter cold shortens the life of your car battery.  But did you know that summer heat is harder than winter cold on the life of your battery?

We’ve all seen the advertisements showing the motorists stranded in the bitter cold with a dead battery!  It is almost automatic to think of dead batteries  and cold weather at the same time.  But we usually don’t think about our car battery in the summer as we should.  Summer heat can kill a battery 33 percent faster than winter cold!  On a day where the temperature reaches 90 degrees, the temperature inside the engine compartment can soar to 140 degrees or higher and running the air conditioning works the battery even harder!  Considering the fact we have been experiencing temperatures in the 100’s this summer, our batteries are really being put to the test.  We also need to remember that our car battery also powers all of the “toys” that we have in our cars,  MP3 players, GPS receivers, and DVD players.  So what do we need to do to ensure we aren’t stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery this summer?

  1. Have the battery fluid checked.  Some batteries have removable filler caps and the heat evaporates the fluid more rapidly.  If this is the type of car battery you have , you might want to consider replacing it with a newer, flush- top battery.
  2. Have the battery case inspected.  It shouldn’t have cracks or bulges or be leaking fluid.  If any of these are present, it should be replaced immediately.
  3. If your car battery is more than three years old, get it tested by a trained technician, they should be able to give you a good idea if you should replace it or not.  The life of the average car battery is about 4 years long, so keep that in mind as you consider whether or not it should be replaced.

Don’t let a dead battery interfere with the plans you have for this summer.  Come in and see us for a battery check and save yourself the time and aggravation that a dead battery brings.

What You Should Know About Auto Repair

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Owning a car is much more than buying insurance and fuel. As a car owner, you have a responsibility to your car if you want it to give you many years of service. At some point in the life of your car, you are going to have to seek repairs.

For many of us, a car is just a car. It is our means of transportation. We want it to be ready when we are, and give very little thought to how it runs or what it requires to keep running. If your car is just a car to you, you may not know the first thing about auto repair. There are several things you need to know about auto repair, including:

Prevention is a must. If you want your car to last for many years, you need to take care of it. This means arranging for maintenance, such as oil changes, tune-ups and new tires.
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How To Avoid Auto Repair Fraud

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Owning an automobile means being responsible for the upkeep and maintenance. If you neglect your car, your car will fail you – and most likely, it will fail at the most inopportune time.

Unless you are skilled in auto mechanics, you will need an auto repair technician to take care of maintenance and repairs. Unfortunately, auto repair strikes fear in many hearts, as there are some shady auto techs that only want to take your hard-earned money. While it may seem tough to find a fair and honest technician, we are here. The following tips will help you avoid being a victim of auto repair fraud.

If your car is still under warranty, head back to the dealer for repairs. Even a used car can come with some type of warranty – make sure you have a full understanding of the warranty and what it covers. [Read more…]

How is Your Car Cooling System Working?

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We have been having record breaking heat here in Denver and throughout our state.  There have been major wildfires and severe drought conditions and it doesn’t look like the record heat is going to be changing any time soon.  Since we usually use our air conditioning a lot more during the hot weather, it’s even more important we find out, “how is our car cooling system working?”  Is it functioning properly so it can do the job it was designed to do?

A typical car driving down the highway will produce enough heat to warm two average-sized homes! That is a lot of heat!  This is the amount of heat that needs to be diverted away from your car’s engine to keep it running the way it is suppose to run.  The job of your car cooling system is to maintain a constant engine temperature whether the  air temperature outside is 100 degrees or 5 degrees below zero.  If the temperature of the engine is too low the car’s emissions will go up and you will get lousy gas mileage.  But if the temperature of the engine gets too hot and stays that way for too long,  it will cause costly damage and great inconvenience to you.  If you would like to avoid all the inconvenience and damage that a faulty cooling system can cause or you would like to know more about how a car cooling system works, read our blog “Is It Time For a Cooling System Flush?  Then give us a call at (303) 691-2760 or come in and see us and let us know what we can do to help.

 

 

5 Car Noises You Shouldn’t Ignore

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Thinking about how pricey a trip to the mechanic can become?  As a result, you may stall when it comes to having car issues looked at.  Think again.

For some issues, this is no big deal.  But with others, hesitation can have very unpleasant results.  So, the next time your car makes one of these noises; don’t delay, have it checked today.

1.    The wheels squeak or chirp while you drive – If your car tires chirp or squeak at you, it could be a sign that your wheel bearing or axle bearing is failing; especially if the noise is altered by speed.  If this issue is left unchecked, the part could completely fail, leaving you with a locked up tire or possibly no tire at all.

2.    Engine hissing – Your car’s engine should hum…not hiss.  If you hear a hissing sound coming from the engine compartment either during or after driving, you probably have an issue with the heating system.  Carefully watch the temperature gauge, as overheating can cause serious damage to your engine. [Read more…]

What Your Mileage May Be Telling You

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Keeping track of your mileage is an easy way to determine how many miles you can get per gallon of fuel. But why should you track it for every tank of gas you fill you car with? Because your mileage can tell you more than your mileage.

When you notice changes in your mileage, it may signify a problem with your automobile’s system. And while a change in one tank may be from a variety of conditions, concurrent changes that continue from fill up to fill up should make you take notice.

There are several non-mechanical reasons why your mileage might change. It is normal for mileage to drop during cold weather. Your mileage may also change if a tank is consumed by several short trips over a time period as compared to predominately highway driving. And if your driving style has changed, your mileage may reflect the changes. If your driving pathways change (for instance, your commute to work), your mileage may change. While these are not the only reasons why your mileage might change, they provide you with a starting point to determine why your mileage might change. [Read more…]

What You Should Know About Servicing A Hybrid

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Hybrid automobiles are becoming more and more popular. With environmental concerns rising, consumers want a vehicle that reduces their carbon footprint – hence, hybrid automobiles.

Yet with this new line of automobiles comes the need for a new need for maintenance. Hybrids are still cars, yet they work in different ways from traditional makes and models.

Complicated repairs to hybrid autos are best left to the experts. However, if you are an expert or if the repair is something you are comfortable making, here are a few facts to remember when servicing a hybrid automobile.

  • Make sure the hybrid system is “off” – while this may seem obvious, it is easy to forget that a hybrid automobile is ready to turn on at any time [Read more…]

Fun Ideas for Summer

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Fuel system cleaning, radiator flush, clutch repairs or automatic transmission service, do these repairs sound like fun ideas for summer?  Not really.  But just because your car might be in need of some repairs, doesn’t mean you have to spend your summer trapped inside an auto repair shop.   Our shop is conveniently located across the street from the Colorado Light Rail Station, this allows you to drop your car off for repairs , catch the train, and enjoy yourself while we repair your car.  That sounds like it would be a little more fun than before, doesn’t it?  We also have provided a key drop system for you if you need to leave your car during our off hours.  What could be more convenient?!       

There are a lot of fun activities to do here in Denver this summer.  How about those Rockies!  You can drop your car off with us and then head out to watch them play and not miss a pitch!  Or if you’re not into baseball, there is always shopping and dining on the 16th Street Mall.  Some of you ladies may want to relax and have afternoon tea at the Brown Palace.

There are also fun summer ideas that you can do with your kids.  You can spend the day at the Children’s Museum, or take them on a tour of the State Capital and expand their minds and imaginations.  If you’re looking for ways to help them get rid of some excess energy, you could spend some time at Elitch Gardens.  They have over 40 rides plus the Minderaser and the Tower of Doom.  That should successfully wear them out!

We understand how difficult it can be to juggle the important along with the fun issues of life.  None of us want to sacrifice our fun activities all the time, so if you find yourself in a position where you think you can’t enjoy your day and have your car repaired too, check the Light Rail  schedule, give us a call at 303-691-2760,  and let’s see if we can’t make auto repair more  “fun”  this summer!

 

Auto Repair Safety Tips

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In order to save a few dollars, you may be tempted to set up and perform simple routine maintenance on your car at home in your garage. How difficult can it be?

And while some jobs may seem simple for the do it yourselfer, remember that cars can be dangerous for you and your family. While it is a feasible way to save money, if you are going to perform your own auto repairs, it is essential for you to be safe. The following auto repair safety tips will help you avoid accidental injury.

  • Never perform repairs that are beyond your scope of expertise. In other words, if you truly do not know how to make the repair, let a professional do it for you. [Read more…]

Changing Your Belts, Hoses, Fluids and Filters

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The best way to ensure that your auto stays in running condition is with proper maintenance. Preventing problems before they start will help you keep your car on the road, and will keep it in top shape to be reliable no matter what the conditions.

Oil – oil is the lifeblood of your automobile. If your oil is low, you need to add the additional fluid right away. Low levels can also be a sign of a possible problem, such as a leak. You should change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles. This will help keep your motor is tip-top shape for all of your driving needs. Make sure you change the oil filter each time you change the oil.
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Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks