Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Car Maintenance Checklist

by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

Auto Repair Estimate

by Leave a Comment

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

Auto repair estimates are designed to inform both the mechanic and the customer about the kind of work required to repair a car after an accident or just normal every day wear and tear.  There are several kinds of auto repair estimates available.  Some websites offer repair estimates online.  The sites take into account the year, make and model of the car as well as the extent of the damage.

An online estimate, however, is not a replacement for an auto repair estimate from a qualified mechanic.  When you bring your car to a repair shop, you should expect that a reputable mechanic will provide you with a detailed estimate that includes the cost of parts,  the cost of labor and a time line for the job.  Some mechanics may insist that they cannot provide an estimate until part way through the job so that they can examine the extent of the damage, but a reputable mechanic will be able to provide you with an outline of the expected repairs before extensive work is done on the vehicle.

Written estimates protect both the mechanic and the customer from potential problems.  When you sign off on an estimate, you are agreeing to pay reasonably within the figure you’ve been quoted.  If a mechanic performs the repairs included in the estimate and charges you around the same amount as the estimate, you cannot insist that you didn’t know how much the repairs would cost as a means of avoiding payment.

Likewise, mechanics must be held to the amounts listed in their estimate.  States issue their own guideline for adhering to estimates, but a standard rule is that a mechanic cannot perform repairs that would result in more than a twenty percent increase in cost without your expressed consent.  That means that if a mechanic quotes you $500 for a repair, he cannot perform any work that would end up costing you more than $600 unless he specifically gets your consent to do so.

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

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

Clutch Repairs

by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

Oil Pressure Light

by Leave a Comment

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

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

Low oil pressure may also be caused by debris that gets sucked into the oil pump.  The oil pump is the only engine component that is continually lubed with unfiltered oil.  The oil doesn’t pass through a filter until after it leaves the pump, so any abrasive debris can pass through the pump before it is trapped by the filter.  This debris can restrict the flow of oil and reduce oil pressure.

A plugged oil filter can be another cause of low oil pressure.  When the oil leaves the pump, it passes through the filter before going on to the bearings.  All filters create a certain amount of resistance to flow but if the filter becomes clogged with debris, oil flow will be blocked which will cause damage to your engine.

The oil pressure light may also appear if the engine is leaking oil from its gaskets or seals.  There are quite a few things that could be wrong when the oil light appears.  These could be simple and minor repairs or more serious repairs that could damage your engine if they are ignored.   So have a trusted mechanic or auto repair technician check it out right away.

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

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks