Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Automotive Brakes

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One of the questions we hear in our shop is “how often do I need to change my automotive brakes?”  If you are asking the same question, here are a few things to consider.

It is very important to determine the condition of your brake pads.  Brake pads typically come with a warranty, sometimes a lifetime warranty, but more commonly, it will be a warranty based on mileage, such as a 10,000 mile warranty.  A lifetime warranty isn’t meant to last a car’s lifetime.  Automotive part manufacturers use this terminology because brake pads do last a long time, but most car owners will trade in a car and purchase a new one long before their brake pads need to be replaced.  Regardless of how you say it, it’s important to listen to your car instead.  When you apply the brakes, you can hear the sounds of a worn brake pad.  If you hear a grinding noise or a squeak, it is time to replace the brake pads, regardless of the mileage.

The condition of the brake rotors also needs to be determined.  Automotive brake rotors, or brake discs, are what your vehicle’s brake pads clamp down on and stop the wheels from spinning.  Similar to brake pads, there are different types of rotors.  The type of rotor used depends on your car and your driving needs.

Unlike brake pads, rotors do not need to be changed on a regular basis, and should last indefinitely,  if you provide regular maintenance routines on your automobile.  Rotors will be damaged if you allow your brake pads to wear down and drive without the use of pads for an extended period of time.  The grinding noise you begin to hear from the brake pads is a sign that the screws in the base of the brake pads are grinding into the groove of your rotor.  The longer you allow it to continue to grind, the greater your chance of having to replace your rotors.

If you want to keep your automotive brakes in top condition, have them checked and replaced on a regular basis.

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Car.  Come in and see us or give us a call at (303) 691-2760.

5 Signs You Need New Brake Pads

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Since as a rule, we don’t normally think about the brakes on our cars until they don’t work, we thought we would share with you five signs you need new brake pads.       

  1. High- pitched squealing or screeching sound.  If you hear a high-pitched squealing, this sound is coming from a small piece of metal called an indicator.  The indicator rubs up against the brake rotor creating the squeal to alert you to the fact that you need new brake pads.  If you hear this sound regularly you should have your car inspected as soon as possible.  Your brakes can also squeal if your car has been exposed to water and then left sitting.  This squealing should clear up after a few stops and isn’t anything serious.
  2. Pulling.  If your car pulls to one side or another when you press the brake, that can be a sign that the brake pads are wearing unevenly and need to be replaced.
  3. Lack of Response.  If your brakes don’t respond like they should when you step on the brake pedal or if the brake pedal feels soft, it might be a sign of a leak in the braking system.  You could have an air leak in the brake hose or a brake fluid leak.  If you see a small puddle under your car when it is parked, it could be leaking brake fluid and you should have a mechanic look it over.
  4. Grinding.  This is one of the signs that the brake pads have very serious wear and are in danger of damaging the brake rotors.  The grinding sound is caused by the disc and the caliper rubbing together.  New brake pads sit between the disc and the caliper and keep them from rubbing together.  When you allow your brake pads to wear down completely then they don’t “cushion” the metal parts as they should.
  5. Grabbing or vibrating.  If your brake pedal grabs or vibrates, this is often a sign of warped rotors, but it can also mean that your car is out of alignment.  If it’s a sign of warped rotors, the grabbing or vibration happens when the anti-lock brakes aren’t engaged.  Rotors can be warped by severe driving conditions where you are using your brakes for longs periods of time, like steep mountain driving or towing.  This type of driving causes huge amounts of friction which heats up the rotors and causes them to warp.  If you drive in these conditions, stop periodically and let the brakes cool off.

As you can see, properly maintaining brake pads happens progressively.  Be aware to the early signs of brake pad wear.  It can save you time and money.

Brake System Service

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The official start of summer is almost here and if you haven’t already gotten started on all those summer time activities, they will be starting very soon!  So before you head out on the road and spend all those hours driving here and there in summer traffic.  Now is the perfect time to take a few minutes and bring your car in for a brake system service.  Our brakes are one of the most important parts of our cars and if something malfunctions in the brake system, we can be in real trouble.  Proper maintenance and having the brake system inspected regularly can go a long way in preventing major problems from developing.  We are usually carrying precious cargo with us as we drive and getting the proper brake system service will help us keep it safe!  To learn more about our brake system service click on our link Service Brake System and then let us know how we can help you.

Brake System Service

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The last thing we need in this fast-paced life we live in, is to have trouble ” putting on the brakes!”  We can all benefit from slowing down and enjoying the ride every now and then.  And just as we need to engage our “life brakes” we also need to be able to use the brakes on our vehicles.  Sometimes this can be a challenge if our brakes haven’t been taken care of properly.

If the brakes on your vehicle are not working properly, or if the brake pedal seems soft or spongy, it might be time you looked into having a brake system service.

The brake system is the most important safety system on your car.  The brake fluid used in your vehicle transmits pressure from the driver’s foot to the wheel cylinders, that pressure is then converted into a frictional braking force on the wheels.  The frictional braking creates heat that can get transferred to the brake fluid itself. In order to operate properly, it is important that the brake fluid isn’t allowed to boil, even when this heat is created.  To make sure it doesn’t boil, your brake fluid must be free of contaminants. Contaminants, including moisture can lead to early failure of brake components.  Moisture absorbed by the brake fluid also causes the brakes to feel soft, spongy or to lose your brakes altogether.   This is why we recommend a brake system service.  Regularly changing the fluid in your brake system can improve the performance of the braking system and reduce the chance of costly repairs due to the failure of brake components because of fluid contamination.

When we perform a brake system service, one of our technicians will remove all of the existing brake fluid in the master cylinder using a specialized brake fluid service system.  This brake fluid service system is connected to all four wheels and will completely flush and refill the entire brake system and master cylinder.

Give us a call at (303)691-2760 or come in and see us if you’re having a little trouble “putting on the brakes” or for any of your other auto repair needs.

 

 

Auto Repair-Brakes

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During the winter months when the weather is constantly changing here in Colorado and you never know for sure what the driving conditions will be for each day, it’s very important to stay current with our auto repair, especially when it comes to our brakes.  Existing brake problems can become worse in the winter when we are driving in conditions that cause traction to be reduced.  Bring your vehicle in and have the brakes inspected to make sure they will perform correctly and keep you safe while you are driving in winter weather.

The simplest way to keep your brakes from failing is to have your vehicle  regularly maintained.  It’s also important to listen carefully to your car.  Brakes will squeak, click or grind when there is a problem, its just a matter of listening and discovering when the noises change.  Take note of any changes.  As well as hearing squeaking or grinding noises when you apply the brakes, you might feel a pulse in your brake pedal, or a grabbing or pulling to one side or the other.  These are all indications that it might be time to stop in at the auto repair shop and have the brakes checked out.

Having your brakes inspected regularly is the best way to avoid brake failure.  But sometimes despite our best efforts, something happens and the brakes fail!   In case this happens to you, here are some tips that might help make the experience a little less frightening.

  1. Don’t panic.  The calmer you remain, the more likely you will be able to steer your vehicle to a safe stop.
  2. Turn on your turn signal and carefully try to get your vehicle to the right lane.  Watch your mirrors so you can avoid hitting another car.
  3.  When you reach the right lane, put on your hazard lights.  This will let other drivers know that you are having a problem and allow them to steer away from your car.
  4. Take your foot off the gas pedal, downshift to a lower gear and allow the car to slow down.  You can downshift even if your car doesn’t have a manual transmission, move the shifter from “Drive” or “D” to “Low” of “L”.
  5. Steer your car onto the right shoulder of the road, and then shift your vehicle into neutral.  Gradually apply the hand brake (emergency brake) until the vehicle comes to a stop.  Pull the hand brake slowly to keep control over the vehicle.

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

 

When To Flush Your Brake Fluid

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Did you know that you should flush your brake fluid regularly?  Most of us don’t know when to flush our brake fluid or why we need to do it.

Brake fluid attracts moisture, and when moisture enters the brake fluid system, it creates some hazardous conditions.

  1. Moisture forms acid that attacks the rubber seals and keeps them from sealing properly.
  2. Moisture creates rust and corrosion that can become clogged in small passages and causes engine parts to seize.
  3. Moisture reduces the boiling point of brake fluid.  When brake fluid boils it changes from a liquid to a gas, this  prevents the brake fluid from doing its job correctly.  It can only perform effectively if it remains a liquid.  If your brake fluid boils, a vapor is created that reduces the amount of pressure that’s applied to the brake pads.  If this happens, you can push the brake pedal all the way to the floor and still not be able to stop your vehicle.

This moisture was not a huge issue ten years ago, but on ABS brake systems of today, the rust and debris that collects in the fluid can cause internal damage and be very costly.  For more information on ABS systems check out our blog.

So how do you know when to flush your brake fluid?  Have your technician check the three C’s:   color, clarity, and content.  The color of your brake fluid should be a light amber.  The clarity should be clear, which means it shouldn’t have any particles or debris in it.  And the moisture content should be less than 3 percent.

According to AAA, many cars on Colorado roads today, were built by European automakers and require regular brake fluid inspections, which about half the cars fail.  Such inspections aren’t required here, but someone needs to monitor the color, clarity and moisture content of a vehicles brake fluid, either the owner or better yet, a professional!  Brake fluid flushes are recommended every two years by industry standards, sooner if you live in a humid climate.  Check with your technician and discuss what works best for you and your vehicle.

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

Brake Problems

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In Roseville  Michigan, a twenty-four year old man tried to use his feet to stop his runaway truck that had serious brake problems.  After his brakes failed on a busy street in Roseville, about two miles north of Detroit, the man was unable to use his brakes to stop.  So he continued driving but stuck his feet outside the truck in a futile attempt bring the truck to a stop.  Witnesses said the man reached speeds of about 40 mph and struck two cars after going through a red light.  He continued on and was eventually able to bring the truck to a stop but not before he had hit two more vehicles!

Then there was the firefighter that experienced brake problems when he was approaching an intersection while returning from an early morning alarm.  The vehicle was going less than 45 mph and the roads were clear but the temperature outside was near 9 degrees.  He tried to gear down but the automatic transmission didn’t work and there were two cars waiting for the light on either side of the intersection.  Fortunately, he was able to move as far to the left as possible as he approached the intersection and he made a wide right hand turn onto a two lane road and was able to come to a safe stop in an empty parking lot!

Don’t let this happen to you!

Although brake failure accidents are very rare, ( they consist of 5% or less of car accidents per year) we certainly don’t want to be included in that 5%.  So take the steps necessary to maintain your brakes properly and prevent brake problems from turning ugly.  There may be no sure way to prevent the possibility of a brake failure accident, but you can make sure to do your part.

Make sure that your brakes are inspected and serviced regularly.  If there is a recall notice for your vehicle, affecting the brakes or anything else, take it seriously and don’t ignore it.

Listen for grinding or squeaking noises when using the brake, or difficulty actually stopping the car.  Also be aware if your car veers to one side or the other when you put pressure on the brake pedal.  And last but not least, don’t neglect your brake fluid.  Most experts recommend that you completely change the brake fluid every one to two years.  Brake fluid that has been in the car for a year may contain 2% water, which greatly decreases its effectiveness.

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

 

How Often Should I Change My Automotive Brakes?

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This month we have been talking about brakes and we are often asked the question, “how often should I change my automotive brakes?”  Here are a couple of things to consider. 

Brake Pads

Brake pads typically come with a warranty – you may see a lifetime warranty, or more commonly, a warranty based on mileage, such as a 10,000 mile warranty.  Lifetime warranties aren’t meant to last a car’s lifetime.  Auto parts manufacturers use that terminology because brake pads do last a long time, but most car owners will trade and purchase a new car long before their brake pads need replacing.

Regardless of the terminology, it’s more important to listen to your car instead.  When you apply the brakes, you can hear the sounds of a worn brake pad.  If you hear a grinding noise or a squeak, its time to replace the brake pads, regardless of the mileage.

Rotors

Brake rotors, or brake discs, are what your vehicle’s brake pads clamp down on, and what stops the wheels from spinning.  Like brake pads, there are different types of rotors, depending on your car and driving needs.

Unlike brake pads, rotors do not need to be changed on a regular basis, and should last indefinitely if you provide regular maintenance routines on your automobile.  Rotors will be damaged if you allow your brake pads to wear down, and drive without the use of pads for an extended period of time.  The grinding noise you begin to hear from the brake pads is an indication of the screws in the base of the brake pads grinding into the groove of your rotor.  The more it continues to grind, the greater your chance of having to replace your rotors.

Do you want to keep your automotive brakes in top condition?  Have them checked and replaced on a regular basis.

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

Service Brake System

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If it’s time to service your brake system you will notice the following symptoms and conditions:

  • Soft or spongy brake pedal
  • Brakes not working properly
  • Manufacturers recommendation

Once it has been determined that you need to service the brake system on your vehicle, a skilled technician will perform the following procedure:  

  • Remove all of the existing brake fluid in the master cylinder using a specialized brake fluid service system.

This brake fluid service system, which is connected to all four wheels at the same time, will refill the master cylinder with high quality new brake fluid after the old brake fluid has been completely flushed from the entire brake system.  The old contaminated brake fluid is removed at each wheel until new brake fluid has completely filled the system.

Your brake system benefits from this service because as brakes are used they generate heat and the brake fluid needs to remain liquid, without boiling, to operated properly.  Over time, brake fluid can become contaminated.  Contaminants, including moisture can lead to early failure of brake components.  The moisture absorbed by the brake fluid causes the brakes to feel soft, spongy, or not work properly.

The brake system is the most important safety system on your car.  By regularly changing the fluid in your brake system you can improve the performance of the brake system and reduce the chance of costly repairs due to brake failure from brake fluid contamination.  The contamination and deterioration of the brake system can be a gradual process.  While you may not notice any problems, it is a good idea to take preventative care of your brake system to help prevent future costly repairs.

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

Brake Specialist – Understanding How Your Brakes Work

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When you’re driving in your car, and push down on the brake pedal, we unconsciously know it’s going to work.  But how does it work?  And more importantly, what do you watch for to make sure they keep working for you?  Those are questions a brake specialist deals with every day.   

Your car’s brake system is a complex system of parts and components that spreads all along your car.  The easiest way to avoid brake failure is to maintain your car, and to listen to your car’s system regularly.  Your brakes squeak, click and grind – its just a matter of listening and discovering when the noise changes.  And using a brake specialist to keep you on a regular maintenance schedule.

In your car, the brake pedal is connected to the pistons, and the pistons are connected to the brakes.  Your car will have two sets of brakes:  disc front brakes and drum rear brakes.  In both sets, friction is used to control and stop the car when you require them.  Several things can interfere with the friction, leading to failure:

  • An oil leak can eliminate the friction within the braking system
  • If brakes routinely overheat, they can create hard spots in the brake rotors or drums.  These hot spots resist friction, reducing the grasping mechanism within the brake system.
  • A squeaking noise can indicate thin or wearing brake pads.  Replacing brake pads early can prevent future maintenance.  If pads wear down  to the rotors, it can cause further damage, and cost even more to replace.

Take notice of your cars messages.  Your anti-lock brake system (ABS) light will come on at the first sign of damage.  You may also start hearing squeaking or grinding noises when you apply the brakes.  Or you begin to feel a pulse in your brake pedal, or a pull or grab to one side or the other during the braking process.

Instead of waiting or ignoring the problem, check in with your brake specialist today.

 

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