Express Car Care of Denver

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How Potholes Damage Your Car’s Wheel Alignment and Suspension

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For many Colorado drivers, they don’t think about the weather. They look at the roads based on how bad the drive will be. 

Winter brings ice and snow. As it melts in the spring, potholes form all over the Front Range. Then we move into construction season, before it starts all over again. 

Navigating any of them could be treacherous at best. Yet in many cases, potholes can cause the most damage. How do potholes damage wheel alignment and suspension? Read on. 

What are potholes?

You can’t miss a pothole if you navigate the Colorado roads. You’ll find potholes in various sizes and shapes, yet no matter how large or small they are, they have the potential to damage your car. 

They form through expansion and contraction of groundwater after the water has moved past the pavement and into the ground. When temperatures fall, the water freezes and expands. This works similarly to an ice cube tray you pop into your freezer. The water may be level as you fill up the tray, but once it freezes, the ice cube may reach beyond the limits of the tray, taking up more space. This happens underground too. Water seeps in wherever there’s room. Then when it has a chance to freeze, it takes up more space, expanding, bending, and cracking the pavement wherever it lies. 

How Potholes Damage Your Car’s Wheel Alignment and Suspension

When the ice melts, the pavement contracts, leaving gaps and voids underneath the pavement. This allows more water to seep in, and the process starts all over again, expanding as it goes. This leaves weak spots underneath the pavement. 

As cars and trucks pass over weak spots in the road, the pavement starts to weaken. This causes the material to shift and be displaced until a pothole forms. 

When CDoT adds chemicals and salt to help keep Colorado roads clear, it lowers the temperature that water will freeze. This creates and expands the cycle that allows freezing and thawing to occur, which can cause more damage to the roads. 

If you’ve ever hit a pothole and immediately thought your car may have been damaged, you may be right. 

What damage can be caused by potholes? 

When you hit a pothole full-on, you can feel it jarring your car. The bigger the pothole, the greater risk it has of damaging your vehicle. No matter what size it is, it can be a nightmare for your wheels and suspension. 

In most cases, drivers hit potholes of various sizes every day. We tend to ignore the effects because it’s a common part of our drive. It may even seem like potholes don’t impact your car. Yet the more you hit them, the more potential damage may occur. It can alter the angles of your wheels, which impacts the way it connects with the road. That can result in a safety issue over time. 

Damage often starts with the wheel. If tires make direct contact, it could cause rim damage or even lead to a blowout. But it often starts in more subtle ways.

Wheel alignment is essential for the integrity of your car. When your tires are aligned, rotation follows a straight course. That means it’s easy to steer the car, and you have little resistance to keep your car on course. 

A misalignment means the drive moves off-center. It becomes increasingly difficult to keep it moving in a straight line. You may feel a vibration, or feel the car pull to one side. 

Misaligned wheels put undue stress on the suspension system, will decrease your fuel economy, and may impact the lifespan of your tires too. Misalignment is easy to fix; stop by for an alignment and we can have you back on the road in no time. 

The longer you drive a vehicle with misaligned wheels, the more issues you’ll find throughout your car. 

Tires may start to show uneven wear. This can cause them to become ineffective and unsafe if not corrected. 

A bad alignment can also put more stress on the vehicle’s suspension system. Think of your car’s suspension system as a series of components that help ensure your vehicle drives safely and smoothly. It’s a kind of carriage on which the cabin of your vehicle rests. It’s comfortable because of the various working parts designed to keep your car working well. It’s an insulator to protect the passengers on the inside. 

A car’s suspension includes:

  • Springs to help control height and load of the suspension and interior cabin
  • Shocks to help absorb and dampen energy as it moves from the road, through the tires, and into your vehicle

The suspension also has an anti-sway bar to help with movement from your wheels to the steering wheel. This is what stabilizes your vehicle as it travels across the road. 

How you hit potholes matters

When you come to a speed bump or dip in the road, it’s only natural to slow down to create less impact on your vehicle. Hitting a pothole doesn’t work in the same manner. 

If you can’t steer around it, it’s better to hit it without applying the brakes. Your natural reaction might be to press down on the brake pedal to lessen the impact. That can actually cause more damage. When you apply the brakes, your car’s front end dips down as the suspension slows the front wheels. This compression causes the wheels not to absorb as much of the road impact. Which ultimately can lead to more serious damage throughout your vehicle. 

Braking for potholes can be especially damaging to shocks and struts. Because shocks and struts affect alignment, if they are damaged, chances are your alignment is thrown off too. 

Have potholes impacted your vehicle? 

How many potholes have you hit this season? Lost count? 

While your vehicle can navigate the roadway without issue in most cases, over time potholes can impact the performance of your vehicle. 

Noticed it’s harder to control the car? Does it sway to the right or left? Do you feel a vibration as you drive? All could be problems with your wheel alignment. And if not corrected, it could do more damage to your suspension. 

Stop by today, and we’ll have you back on the road safely in no time. 

Short Trip Driving: How It Impacts Your Car

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Most of us don’t think twice about driving. Your car is there, waiting in your driveway or parking spot; why not take it every time you have to run an errand? 

We’ve become a nation obsessed with short trip driving. 

  • We take the car to the grocery store … three blocks away. 
  • We drive to a friend’s house … just down the street. 
  • We need to get to class at the local gym. We’re late. We drive. 

According to the EPA, car trips under a mile add up to about 10 billion miles per year. 

From an economic standpoint, walking or taking a bike for these short trips could save over a half-billion in fuel costs alone, while saving around 2 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. 

It would be better for your health, better for the climate. But what about your car?

Short trips within the community

When we move into a home, we want to be part of the community. We work there. Send the kids to school there. Join the local recreation center, and eat at local restaurants. 

That automatically shortens the drive time and shortens how far you drive each day. 

We like being close by. You can be at your favorite store, run in, and be back home in minutes. It’s perfect. 

While it works for your lifestyle, your vehicle may be more impacted by those quick trips than you realize. If you see yourself in this article, it’s time to pay attention to your car and give it a little TLC to ensure it’s there and waiting for you whenever you need it. 

Short trips may impact your motor oil

Most drivers are aware that motor oil plays a big part in keeping your car running smoothly. We’re conditioned to change it every 3,000 miles or so. 

Short Trip Driving: How It Impacts Your Car

Motor oil is a thick, slow moving fluid. But when you start your engine, motor oil heats up, becomes less dense, and starts flowing freely through the various internal engine components. This process can take anywhere from five to fifteen minutes, depending on the outside ambient temperatures. 

If you run to the store five minutes away, the motor may not reach its optimal operating temperature before you turn the engine off once again. This lack of heat prevents the motor oil from reaching the ideal viscosity level, meaning it won’t properly lubricate the internal engine parts as designed. 

That can add to the wear and tear of all internal parts, speeding up the process, and requiring more repair work for you down the road. 

In addition, when motor oil heats to the proper temperature, the heat helps remove contaminants such as moisture and other combustion byproducts. Without proper heating, these contaminants won’t effectively evaporate, remaining in the motor oil and continuing to impact both the integrity of the engine, and performance of the vehicle.  

Changing out your motor oil regularly is important no matter how much you drive your car. That’s why many experts suggest changing your oil based on manufacturer’s guidelines, and doing so either based on mileage or time. If it takes you a year to drive a few thousand miles, you should still be changing your motor oil regularly. 

Short trips may impact your battery 

One of the biggest power surges comes when you start your car. When you turn the key or press the button, a lot of demand is placed on your battery to ensure your car starts and runs properly. 

Once running, the battery goes into recovery mode. The alternator recharges the battery as you drive, so it’s ready the next time you start your car. 

With short trips, you may be starting your car more than driving it. This gives your vehicle’s battery very little chance of recovery. 

Today’s batteries give you anywhere from three to seven years of battery life. That’s under normal use. 

When the battery is subjected to quick turnaround, it shortens the battery life. In the same way it takes up to fifteen minutes for your engine to warm up, the battery needs time to fully recharge to maintain its operational levels. Without this, it may face rapid depletion of battery power. 

If short trip driving is a way of life for you, count on the fact that you’ll be replacing your battery more often. You’ll notice it weakens – it’ll take longer for your engine to crank, your headlights will be duller, and you might notice other accessories not working well. 

Short trips may impact your battery

Starting up your engine when it’s cold makes it work at its hardest. That’s because the oil hasn’t circulated yet, and the engine hasn’t warmed up to working at its optimal rate. Other parts are cold, and aren’t contributing to a well running car. 

When you first start your car, it’s important to give it a chance to warm up and be fully functioning before you add stress. This can take a few miles to break everything in. Your car may be under strain until it reaches that point. With short distance driving, it never has a chance to get to that point. If you accelerate quickly, or push your car to the limits, over time, it will impact the engine’s condition. 

Any stress on the engine will start to show by an increase in emissions, and possibly impact your gas mileage. Long term, it may show up as repair bills as you wind up taking your car into the shop more often. 

How long are your daily drives? 

Your car is meant to give you reliable service every day you own your car. 

Be aware of how you drive each day. The first few miles, be easy on how much you push your vehicle. Drive it further occasionally to give the systems a chance to operate fully. And be aware of your maintenance schedule. Regular oil changes will ensure the motor oil stays fresh and working well, and it gives your mechanic a chance to inspect each system and ensure they’re working well. 

Are you a short trip driver? 

Are You Properly Towing Your Trailer? If Not, It Might Be Impacting Your Brakes and Suspension

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You don’t have to look any further than your local highway to know Coloradans love taking vacations. Trucks and SUVs are towing trailers, heading out into the high country to take advantage of all Colorado has to offer. 

But did you know that towing a trailer has a huge impact on your brakes and suspension? If you aren’t aware of proper towing know-how, you could be putting a lot at risk. Improper towing could damage your car’s brakes, suspension, tires, transmission, and even impact your alignment. Your fun trip to the middle of nowhere could turn into one giant headache if you’re not adequately prepared. 

Are you properly towing your trailer? Are your brakes and suspension at risk? Here are a few questions to keep in mind. 

How much can your vehicle really tow?

You have a truck. You just bought a trailer. What could go wrong?

Quite a lot if the two aren’t properly paired. It’s important to understand how much your vehicle can tow before you purchase a trailer. If the trailer is too large for your vehicle, it can damage the suspension, transmission, even your engine. 

Your vehicle comes with a towing capacity. The conventional towing capacity is regarded as how much it can pull with a frame-mounted hitch. Fifth wheel towing capacity would be mounted directly in the bed of your truck. Check with the owner’s manual to find out how much weight your vehicle can handle. This is the maximum weight it can pull without damaging the vehicle. Keep in mind that if you add other items to the trailer after you purchase it, it will add to the weight capacity. Make sure you stay within limits to ensure safety precautions. 

Do you have the proper equipment?

Have you changed vehicles? Upgraded the trailer? Have a different combination than what you started with years before? 

Are You Properly Towing Your Trailer

Not all equipment works in every situation. Towing requires four main pieces of equipment: a hitch, a receiver, a drawbar, and a hitch ball. Each of these parts work together to keep your vehicle and your trailer properly connected. 

The hitch attaches directly to your vehicle and provides the connection between the vehicle and the trailer. A hitch class 1 tows up to 2,000 pounds, class 2 up to 3,500 pounds, class 3 up to 8,000 pounds, and class ⅘ up to 18,000 pounds. Hitches must be married up to the right vehicle to ensure proper towing capacity. 

The receiver is the base for all other elements, and is appropriately sized depending on the different load sizes. 

The drawbar is a tube that threads between the receiver and the hitch ball. You can buy an adjustable height to ensure you create a level plane no matter what load you’re towing. 

The hitch ball comes in multiple sizes and is designed for varying amounts of weight. 

These items are not interchangeable. You have to have the proper equipment as you move from towing your boat, to your trailer, to a mini-camper. Always ensure you have the proper equipment to remain safe at all times. 

Have you thought about all of the details? 

You have a truck or an SUV. You’ve purchased a new trailer. You’re about to head out on the open road. What could go wrong? 

A lot if you’re not diligent about the details. Safety checks are mandatory to ensure your vehicle stays safe. 

When you’re towing, you should ensure you have trailer lights to assure other drivers know what you’re doing. Do they operate correctly? Do they mimic your taillights and respond correctly to what you signal from your vehicle? 

Have you used extra support chains to provide additional support connecting your vehicle to the trailer? This can prevent your trailer from careening into another vehicle if something should go wrong with the hitch. 

Have you secured your load? Are all doors shut and properly locked? Is everything secured so it won’t fly out when you hit highway speeds? 

Have you checked the laws for where you’re going? Different states have different rules. If you are spending time in a location, you may be required to match those laws with your own setup. Paying attention before you leave can prevent headaches down the road. 

Check your tires regularly – all of them. If they aren’t properly inflated and in good working condition, they can become a danger out on the open road. This includes the trailer tires. A check up before you leave will ensure you don’t have tire troubles later. Look for worn spots, improper wheel alignment, or tires that simply aren’t up for the job you’re about to undertake. 

Is it time to invest in additional performance options? 

Chances are if you’re investing in a vehicle and trailer, this will be more than a one-time event. Think clearly about your long-term expectations, and find performance options that can help you stay safer. 

For example, you can find a lot of additional parts that can make a difference in the way your vehicle moves and operates. How about a set of helper springs that help absorb the shock as your vehicle moves. They can assist with adding extra support to the springs and shocks, cushioning the action with every bump you hit in the road. 

Or maybe an enhanced exhaust system to help release back pressure from the engine. This can help the engine breathe easier, which can be important especially if you’re heading into the Rocky Mountains. 

No matter what you decide, the key to staying safe is to ensure they are all properly maintained for as long as they are in use. 

Are you ready to go? 

Before you head out on your next great adventure, ensure both your vehicle and trailer are in excellent shape. 

Existing brake problems will only be exacerbated by towing a heavy load. 

Worn tires or improper wheel alignment can spell disaster as you weave around curvy roads. 

And the added weight can quickly impact your suspension, putting you more at risk of collision. 

The best way to prevent all that is through regular maintenance. If you’ll be towing a trailer in the near future, let us know. We’ll check your vehicle out thoroughly to ensure it’s ready for the job. 

And have fun on your next vacation!

Radiator Problems Your Car May Face 

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What does your car’s radiator do? If you’re like most drivers, you may have a vague idea, but you could never point it out if you looked underneath the hood. 

A car radiator is a heat exchanger used to lower the antifreeze temperature as it circulates in your engine. A radiator contains a series of narrow tubes that are designed to disperse heat rapidly, which helps keep the operating temperature of your engine in check. 

In addition to the narrow tubes that allow antifreeze to flow, it also has a cooling fan that draws in cool air at the front of the vehicle. This is what helps prevent the engine from overheating. 

A radiator is considered to be one of the main pieces of equipment in your vehicle’s cooling system. It’s placed at the front of the engine, where it can take in airflow, which allows circulation for the cooling process. It received a continuous supply of antifreeze, which flows through the engine to keep all parts moving and at the right temperature. 

Hot antifreeze moves in while cooled antifreeze moves out. It uses a pump to ensure the proper flow through the system, and is designed to discharge at the appropriate speed. That sums up the entire movement of coolant … as long as the radiator is doing its job. 

If any piece of the coolant system isn’t working, it can cause problems. 

Common car radiator problems 

Just like other parts of your car, the radiator can experience problems if any one piece isn’t working at its optimal level. A regular maintenance schedule is key to keeping it performing at its best. While radiators don’t fail often, the results can be extreme. If the engine overheats, you may well be looking at an entire engine replacement. 

Radiator Problems Your Car May Face 

How do you know if you have a problem? Like other systems on your car, before radiator problems escalate, it will give off warning signs. 

Leaking coolant – While a radiator leak can be caused by several issues, corrosion surrounding the radiator, hoses, and other components is one of the most common. It can be caused by rust, holes or cracks in the hoses, general deterioration, excessive pressure on the system, and more. Luckily, antifreeze/coolant has a distinctive fluid that’s easy to notice if it leaks. Watch for a sticky, bright-colored liquid. Coolant is usually thought of as a green color, but in the past, manufacturers have made it yellow, pink, red, blue, and green. It depends on the brand you use. Without proper levels of coolant, your engine will run hot, until it eventually fails. Getting it checked and fixed is vital to keep your car running. 

Malfunctioning thermostat and water pump – A radiator works hand in hand with the thermostat and water pump. If any one of these components stops working, your engine is at risk of running hot. When the water pump malfunctions, the coolant won’t circulate as it should. And if the thermostat goes bad, the system won’t know when to release proper flow of coolant, which can quickly cause the vehicle to overheat. It may stick closed and not release enough, or stick open and not allow your vehicle to reach proper temperature. Bot of these items can put your radiator at risk. 

Rust in the radiator – In order for a radiator to operate, it sees a constant flow of liquids and electricity through the system’s metal components. This continuous flow creates the perfect environment for oxidation, rust, and other corrosion to build. When voltage clears a path through the coolant, damage can cause internal rusting, pitting, or flaking inside the cooling system. Rusting eventually leads to cracks and holes, which allow leaking to occur. While rusting in the radiator is common, rusting on the outside can also occur in colder climates where road salt and other winter agents make their way inside your engine compartment. It’s best to inspect underneath the hood regularly to ensure you don’t have a problem. If you notice your antifreeze has turned a brown or reddish color, it’s an indicator it’s been contaminated with rust. 

Sludge build-up – Like other fluids inside your vehicle, as coolant ages, it can see a build-up of mineral deposits and other debris. As it accumulates and thickens, it can clog up the radiator, making it difficult to distribute coolant properly throughout the system. Sometimes you can notice this by seeing a reduction in heat into the interior cabin. 

Overheating – The radiator, water pump, and thermostat all work together to keep your cooling system running. If one component fails, it can cause problems with your cooling system. You may also find yourself in a situation where you’re sitting in traffic or idling, and the temperature spikes. This could be a result of a failing radiator fan. Modern cars also have an electric fan that draws air into the radiator to ensure it stays cool while you’re idling or moving at a low speed. If this fan breaks, overheating can occur, especially if idling for a while. 

Air in the cooling system – A radiator is sealed to ensure maximum flow throughout the cooling system. If air suddenly gets into the system, it can create pockets that will ultimately restrict proper flow of fluid. In most cases, air gets into the system during the radiator flushing process. 

Can you repair a radiator, or do you have to replace it?

The cooling system accounts for a large amount of the breakdowns on the road, with overheating one of the most common. Luckily, many of the problems associated with the cooling system can be fixed if caught early enough. The key is in detecting the problem early before it destroys the engine. 

When you notice your vehicle in the first stages of overheating, it’s important to bring it to a mechanic quickly for a thorough inspection. If they diagnose the problem early, they can tell you exactly where the problem lies. It may be something as simple as fixing a leaky hose. 

Some parts of the cooling system will cost more to repair than others. But if you fix the problem component, it won’t have a chance to escalate to other areas, causing more components to break during the process. A leaky radiator hose will cost less than replacing a water pump. 

By allowing a mechanic to check the system early, you’ll save more in potential repair bills, and be back on the road without worries. 

What Causes Low Oil Pressure?

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When you own a car, regular routine maintenance is part of ownership. Most drivers understand that to keep a car running, you have to fill the tank with gas as the gauge moves towards empty, replace the tires when they wear out, and change the motor oil regularly. 

The engine is one of the main components inside your car. Without it, your car wouldn’t run. 

To keep the engine operating smoothly, it needs gasoline to convert to energy to put the vehicle into motion. Gas gives it the power to go. 

Engines also need motor oil for lubrication. Motor oil reduces friction and wear on moving parts to help keep the engine clean from sludge as it moves through the process. 

Both gas and motor oil are an integral part of keeping your car working well. But while gasoline is something we’re aware of daily, watching the gas gauge as it moves as we drive along, motor oil tends to be a little more “out of sight, out of mind.” You may have a little sticker on your windshield reminding you of when it needs to be changed. But it’s not something you think about regularly. 

Yet your engine can’t survive without it. The lower the level of motor oil, the more likely it is to cause problems. Let the levels get too low, and it can do irreversible damage to your car’s engine, increasing your financial commitment too. 

What causes low oil pressure? What should you do at the first indication something is wrong? With today’s technology, most cars are built with warning lights that trigger early to help avoid bigger problems. A low oil pressure warning light on your dashboard isn’t something you should see very often. When it illuminates, you should stop driving immediately. This is an indication that there isn’t enough oil left to do its job effectively.  

What Causes Low Oil Pressure?

A dashboard light is only one symptom of low oil pressure. It’s a good indicator, and one of the first you may notice. But there are other signs. 

  • A burning smell – if it smells like burning oil, it could mean there’s an oil leak due to a failed gasket. 
  • A clunking sound – if your engine is making a clunking sound, it may be an indicator of low oil pressure. Low oil prevents the engine from receiving the lubrication it needs. 
  • An overheating engine – without the proper motor oil, the engine isn’t lubricated. That means it’s working harder than necessary, and has a good chance of allowing heat to build. 

Notice one or more of these problems? It’s best to bring your car in right away. 

When the low oil pressure light illuminates on your dashboard, it can be caused by one of several things:

Not enough oil – most manufacturers recommend that car owners change their vehicle’s motor oil between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. This keeps fresh motor oil in the system, and ensures it’s always circulating through your engine, keeping it working its best. 

Wrong oil viscosity – did you change the oil yourself and use the wrong motor oil? Oil that is too thick may not flow quickly enough, and won’t transfer heat as well as thinner oils. That allows operating temperatures to increase, which can break down the chemical components of the motor oil faster, allowing sludge and other deposits to form. 

Clogged or dirty oil filter – oil filters play an important role in helping maintain oil pressure. When the filter becomes dirty or clogged, it reduces flow. An oil filter is built with a pressure relief valve that prevents the pressure from getting too high. It can no longer do its job if it’s damaged. 

Oil pressure gauge – your engine may have plenty of oil, but the problem lies with the oil pressure gauge. If electrical issues prevent the indicator from reflecting what’s happening, it can give a false reading. The fix may be as simple as replacing the gauge. 

Engine wear – oil continually moves through the engine as it operates. If it’s not working properly, it can constantly impact other working parts. Oil moves from the engine through the crankshaft and camshaft bearings. If this area is worn and allows too much oil to flow, it can reduce oil pressure. The oil pump will work harder to move oil through bearings and other pathways. This can be a continual source of pressure until something breaks down. 

Overheating engine – if the engine experiences too much heat, eventually it will stop working. Overheating causes the oil to thin, trying to prevent pressure build up.  

Faulty oil pump – while this isn’t as common as other potential problems, a defective oil pump can drop the flow rate. 

Worn out parts and components – with over 10,000 parts on a car, any one of them within the engine compartment can impact the combustion process in different ways, and lead to general wear and tear on the vehicle. A problem with the engine oil is often recognized by a blue smoke as it exits the tailpipe. 

Many times, your oil pressure warning light will start to illuminate as it detects a problem. Instead of coming on and staying on, it might start to flicker on occasion as it notices a problem. The oil pressure warning light is designed to come on if oil pressure falls below 5-10 pounds per square inch (psi) at idle, depending on the vehicle you drive. At the very least, it should be at 5 psi when not in motion, or the oil light will flicker or stay on. 

Continue to monitor this light. Check the oil level as soon as it’s safe. If you’re comfortable adding a little more oil, do so while continuing to monitor your car’s actions. This could be a sign of something larger. In that case, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for an inspection to determine where the problem lies. 

The best way to prevent your oil pressure light from coming on, and avoid low oil pressure altogether is to schedule regular oil changes. This is the best way to allow a certified mechanic to evaluate your car regularly, and ensure it’s always working at its best. 

How The Colorado Climate Impacts Your Car Battery

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If you’ve ever been stranded because of a dead car battery, you know it’s not a lot of fun. 

What causes it? 

Age is only one factor that determines how well the battery will operate. What you might not have considered before is how the Colorado climate impacts your car battery. 

Think of all Colorado weather can dish out. Just recently, Denver broke a 145-year-old record as temperatures climbed above 100 degrees for the fifth time this year. But warmth isn’t the only thing Front Range residents experience. Looking back through history, temperatures have dropped down as low as 29 degrees below zero. 

Think these wild and crazy temperatures don’t impact the performance of your car battery? Think again. 

Yet which is worse: heat or cold? Which climate impacts your car battery more?

What hot weather does to a car battery

While most people assume cold weather has the most impact on the performance of a car battery, summertime temperatures can wreak havoc too. That’s because high temperatures weaken the battery because of heat. 

As temperatures climb, if you were to reach under the hood and record how hot it is, you would find it rises as high as 140 degrees or higher. Under that amount of extreme heat, battery fluid starts to evaporate, which can damage the internal structure of the battery. 

Extreme temperature can also cause the voltage regulator and other charging components to malfunction, ultimately overcharging the battery system. This slows function and ultimately means the battery fails faster than its stated life. 

Heat can also build inside and allow the lead plates inside the battery to corrode. Corrosion leads to deterioration, and ultimately failure. 

What cold weather does to a car battery

How The Colorado Climate Impacts Your Car Battery

While car batteries can die at any time, with or without extreme temperatures, as winter moves in and the temperatures continue to dive, it can break down the internal components of a battery. 

Car batteries aren’t something you replace like motor oil. Instead, car batteries can last three to seven years. That means a car battery will experience heat buildup during summer months, only to turn around and face freezing conditions in the winter. That cyclical beating can take its toll. 

Cold weather can reduce the capacity of the battery by as much as 20 percent as temperatures drop to freezing, and as much as 50 percent when we start setting record lows. This reduction in capacity lowers battery output, which weakens the process of starting the car. 

Cold temperatures also cause motor oil to thicken and solidify, making it harder for the engine to turn over. That forces the battery to work even harder, even though capacity is struggling for power. 

A battery doesn’t power your vehicle. Instead, it’s used as a charge to turn the engine over, and provides power to the accessories like car windows and radio. As you drive your car, it recharges the battery, so it’s ready for your next outing. In cold weather, this recharging process slows down. That means you’ll have to drive further to accomplish the same recharge process. If you only head out on short errands, it might not be enough to keep the battery working efficiently. 

The coldest days are also the shortest days. Cold brings out dreary weather, cloudy skies, and sunrise and sunset to shorten considerably. That means you’ll use things like headlights, windshield wipers, and heater functions more than ever. This increases the battery load at a time where the recharge rate is reduced too. 

How to keep your car battery healthy all year long

Car batteries are not something you have to maintain; they simply need to be replaced every three to seven years. While you will find some batteries that have a water level indicator, allowing you to see the battery’s water level, most are sealed. 

Still, it’s worth your time to pop the hood from time to time and check out the condition of your battery. Make sure that the battery and its posts are clean and free from dirt and engine grease. Dirt and grease act as a conductor, meaning they’ll lower battery power. 

You’ll also want to ensure there isn’t corrosion anywhere on or near the battery. Battery corrosion often takes on a blueish tint. If enough corrosion builds up, it acts as an insulator, which prevents current flow in your battery. 

To reduce the chances of impact from extreme temperatures, pay attention to where you park. If possible, park in a garage. Look for spots that are shaded by trees or buildings. This keeps the effect of sunlight to a minimum. 

How to know if your car battery is weak

In the same way that the human body breaks down in record-setting temperatures, you’ll notice similar impact on your vehicle. High temperatures make us more susceptible to dehydration; the heat dries us out. Inside a battery, the liquid can evaporate as it experiences high heat, especially for long periods of time. This weakens the battery’s charge, and speeds up deterioration. 

This isn’t an overnight process. Just like other systems on your vehicle, your car battery will give off warning signs as it starts to fail. 

  • As you start your car, listen to the engine cranking over. Does it take longer to start?
  • The check engine or battery light may illuminate for short periods.
  • If you have a battery with a water-level indicator, this fluid level will be low. 
  • The battery case may appear bloated or swollen. 
  • The battery posts have corrosion. 
  • You start to notice accessories like headlights appear dim and aren’t working at top levels. 
  • Your battery is three years old or older.  

Just because your battery stated a specific life span, doesn’t mean you’ll see it. It depends on driving conditions too. As you near the three-year mark, it often makes sense just to replace the battery if you start to notice any of the above symptoms frequently. 

Wonder if Colorado’s climate is impacting the way your car battery performs? Bring it in. We can check your battery and determine if it’s still functioning correctly, making it a solid and dependable part of your vehicle. If it needs replacing, we can help there too. 

Don’t get stranded – check your battery instead. 

Is It Bad For My Car If I Run Out Of Gas?

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There are two types of drivers in the world: the ones that prefer to fill up the gas tank the moment their vehicle’s gas gauge nudges towards a quarter tank, and the ones who prefer to push the limit and drive it down as close to empty as possible. 

Running out of gas is never fun. Depending on your current destination, it can leave you stranded in compromising places. It can make you late, and even put you in danger. 

If you have a running out of gas story, chances are you remember the details of what happened. But have you stopped to think about your car? What goes on underneath the hood when there’s no more gas to feed the system? Does it hurt the engine? How about the other mechanics?

Today’s vehicles are finely tuned pieces of equipment with specific parts that help push fuel to the engine. If fuel no longer exists within the system, these components can quickly break down.

Where the process starts

You might assume that from the moment the gas tank empties, the car screeches to a halt and no longer works. It doesn’t work that way. 

Instead, traces of gasoline continue to feed the system. The car will start showing signs that gas is no longer running through the system in the expected quantities. It may have power surges, engine sputtering, or even engine backfire. And in between it all, you’ll also notice a loss of power. This is your cue to get to safety. Pull to the right and get to safety as quickly as possible. 

This process may be further complicated by the fact that your hydraulic power to your brakes and steering systems start failing as well. It won’t completely take away your steering or brakes, but you’ll certainly notice a difference. It will require additional effort on your part. If you have electric power steering, it will continue to function from the car’s battery, so you’ll have more control and power over other types of vehicles. 

What goes on underneath the hood

If you start to notice the difference, you can only imagine what’s going on with the mechanics of your vehicle. 

Is It Bad For My Car If I Run Out Of Gas?

A car is designed for safety. It will do everything it can to keep you safe. When your car runs out of gas, the engine ceases to work. The loss of power will cause hydraulic assist to help with steering and brakes for a short time to get you to safety. It won’t cause damage to those components. But without gas flowing through the system, it can cause extensive damage quickly that surfaces as costly repairs. 

Why?

Because running out of gas damages the fuel delivery system. Today’s vehicles are intricately designed to work together, fed by electronics and technology to ensure every piece is efficient as possible. Today’s modern cars are equipped with an electronic fuel pump that resides in the gas tank. That fuel pump stays in good working condition by using the gas to both keep the tank cool and provide proper lubrication. If no gas exists, there isn’t anything left to perform this function. With a minimal amount of gas in the tank, the fuel pump is very likely to overheat and fail. 

That in itself can be a very costly repair. But it gets worse. 

As this process occurs, the fuel pump is, in essence, self-destructing. As it’s trying to perform its function and can’t, it can shed a variety of debris that makes its way into the fuel system. That spreads the possibility of destruction. 

The problems that occur when you run out of gas

Your fuel pump is only the beginning of where the damage can occur. Most car manufacturers today recommend filling up your gas tank at a quarter tank. Never let it go much lower to help keep an adequate supply of gasoline in the system to do its job. It’ll make your fuel pump last longer, and will ensure all working parts are well lubricated. 

But as gas runs lower, the fuel pump starts running into problems, followed by other possible conditions.

The fuel injectors may also be impacted. Over time, debris and other impurities can create sediment that falls to the bottom of the gas tank. It’s the fuel filter’s job to filter this all out to prevent it from moving further into the engine. But when the fuel level drops too low, the impurities can make their way into the fuel lines, clogging the fuel injectors, which are tiny nozzles that spray gas into the engine. 

Like the fuel pump, the fuel injectors may not display symptoms right away. If your car won’t start after running out of gas previously, it’s usually a problem with either the fuel pump or fuel injectors. 

To start your car after running out of gas, don’t turn the key and crank the engine right away. After refilling the gas tank, turn the key to “on” without cranking the engine. Then turn it back off. Do this a few times to help prime the fuel pump with plenty of gasoline before you crank the engine. This helps remove any air that has entered the fuel lines as a result of being without gasoline. 

If this doesn’t work, it’s time to let a mechanic check out the entire system. A qualified technician can ensure fuel injectors are properly working, and help restore power to your engine. 

What to do when your car runs out of gas

Prevention is everything when it comes to keeping your car in good working condition. Pay attention to the gas gauge. As it nears a quarter tank, make plans to stop at the nearest fuel station to add gasoline back into the tank. 

Yet if you do find yourself running out of gas, first and foremost is to stay calm. Find a safe place to pull over where you aren’t putting yourself or others at risk. If possible, exit the highway and find an open area or parking lot to stay free of traffic. 

Turn on your hazard lights. This will help warn other drivers that your car is temporarily a hazard to driving, and will help warn them to stay clear. This is especially important if you are near traffic and you could become a problem. 

Call for help. This is what roadside assistance is made for. You can rely on friends and family too if they are nearby. 

Then have your car inspected to ensure there is no damage. Fixing minor problems early will ensure they don’t escalate and turn into larger problems. 

Have Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems? Here’s How To Maintain Them

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Just a few years ago, the thought of having a car do the work for you was still more hopeful than reality. That didn’t stop sci-fi movies from showing us what would be possible. Flying cars. Cars that drive themselves. Cars that did everything for you. 

While we might not be able to kick back in the backseat and get work done on the way to our jobs, we have come a long way with technology. Today’s car manufacturers are competing, trying to be first to market with all kinds of modern tools that make driving safer and easier. 

Most new cars come equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). They add to the complexity of how your car runs, and more importantly, to the ongoing maintenance of your vehicle. 

What is ADAS?

ADAS – advanced driver-assistance systems – are technological features designed to increase safety and drivability of your vehicle. When properly designed, these systems are installed to work together with the driver to improve functionality, and increase the ability to react to dangers on the road. 

Safety is key. ADAS is designed to provide warnings of potential dangers, automate portions of certain aspects of driving, and give drivers ample time to react and safely gain control over the vehicle. 

Some are built standard into a vehicle in production, while others are added aftermarket, allowing consumers to personalize based on their preferences and needs. 

How does ADAS work?

ADAS is the result of years – decades -of safety improvements. Over time, manufacturers have created things like three-point seatbelts, shatterproof glass, airbags, and more to make the driving experience safer, minimize injury, and reduce risk for all on the road. ADAS takes it a step farther by using three advanced technologies to keep a car safe as it moves about. 

Have Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems? Here’s How To Maintain Them
  • Ultrasound tracks the immediate space around the vehicle. 
  • Cameras provide surround view and offer things like park assist.
  • Radar, sensors, lidar, and other technology, can physically respond faster than a driver, creating warning systems that potentially alert dangers. 

Some of the most common ADAS applications include:

  • Adaptive cruise control (ACC) – allowing you to maintain your speed on long stretches of road. 
  • Adaptive light control – adapts the exterior lights to the conditions of the road.
  • Automatic parking – uses sensors and cameras to avoid blind spots when parking. 
  • Navigation system – provides on-screen instructions and prompts to help you follow directions on your route.
  • Night vision – helps you see things that might otherwise be difficult to see. Uses both infrared and thermal energy to help you avoid animals, cars, and other objects. 
  • Automatic emergency braking – helps you avoid danger by breaking as necessary. 
  • Driver drowsiness detection – uses sensors to detect driver’s attention and alerts using warning signals as necessary. 

Does your car have ADAS?

ADAS is not the same as having autonomous driving. Many cars today have a variety of features, including advanced driver-assistance systems. If you’re not sure what ADAS your car comes equipped with, there are a few ways to check. 

Start with your owner’s manual. It might be collecting dust in your glove compartment, yet this guide is one of the most important indicators that came with your car. It can guide you to all kinds of information, including knowing what systems you  have, and how to take care of them throughout the life of the vehicle. 

Walk around your vehicle. Sometimes you can tell what ADAS systems you have simply by walking around your car. Check places like the tailgate, the side mirrors, rearview mirror, and front bumper. Do you see tiny cameras? That’s a sign of an ADAS system. 

Talk with your mechanic. The next time you drop off your car, talk about which systems you have in place. We can help point them out, and provide you with proper maintenance schedules for them. 

Scheduling a vehicle alignment

As a driver, you’re probably familiar with alignments. A wheel alignment is a computerized process that calibrates and aligns all four wheels to ensure it drives straight. Often, these aren’t noticeable adjustments. Instead, technicians use sensitive equipment to ensure each wheel angle is adjusted to match manufacturer’s specifications. If you continue to drive with improper alignment, it can wear your tires faster, and also decrease overall safety while you drive. If you want to prolong the life of your vehicle, getting proper maintenance ensures everything is working correctly. 

While wheel alignment is performed using computerized equipment, ADAS alignment moves to another level. It requires specialized equipment and a fully trained technician to ensure proper ADAS alignment. Since ADAS uses technology to control things like brakes, cruise control, and steering, it also requires a special alignment process called a Safety Systems Alignment. 

A Safety Systems Alignment adjusts the angles of the tire, calibrates the ADAS cameras, sensors, and radar system that help control the technological systems and components. If they aren’t in proper alignment, they cannot function properly, putting you at risk. For example, if the rear camera system is out of sync, it can’t track your wheel angle to help you reverse. 

This isn’t something just anyone can do. It requires state of the art equipment, a highly skilled technician, and additional time to ensure your vehicle is up to par with your vehicle’s manufacturer’s guidelines. 

Do you need a Safety Systems Alignment?

When your wheels are out of alignment, several warning signals appear to alert you to potential problems. You might notice your car drifts to one side or the other as you drive straight. Or your steering wheel is crooked while going straight. 

That’s not always possible with ADAS. Your vehicle’s wheels may be in alignment, but with one of the ADAS features not working, it can steer you into a dangerous situation. 

The best way to ensure your ADAS is working correctly is with regular maintenance. Just like you get frequent oil changes, or rotate the tires every few thousand miles, a check-up to ensure your ADAS is working correctly will ensure the safety of you and your passengers. 

Short Distance Driving? Here’s How It Affects Your Car

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How much do you drive each day? 

Lots of people create a lifestyle where they don’t spend a lot of time in their vehicles. They live close to work. They walk. They work from home. 

Driving means taking the car to the grocery store … just a few miles away. Or maybe to pick up the kids from school … a few miles away. 

According to the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the average person drives around 13,500 miles per year, which equates to just over 1,000 miles per month. 

Yet you know in your heart even that’s high. You just don’t drive. 

What does that do to your vehicle? Should you still follow maintenance guidelines according to mileage, even if it’ll take you many years to reach what manufacturers suggest? 

Let’s start with your warranty

If you have a newer car that’s still under warranty, you’re stuck with following the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure your car maintains the suggested servicing schedule. You’ll void the warranty if you don’t. Pay attention to that as you purchase a vehicle, as some spell out maintenance schedules using different guidelines. 

If you aren’t sure, now is the time to pull out your owner’s manual and read all about it. 

Once your vehicle is out of warranty, then you can start to develop your own service routine depending on the type of driving you do. Keep in mind that it’s still important to bring your car in for service periodically. A vehicle left sitting unused can wear out parts in different ways. Rubber can harden. Oil can go bad. Parts can deteriorate simply by not being put into use. 

Short Distance Driving? Here’s How It Affects Your Car

Instead of waiting for something to happen, it’s better to find a trusted resource who can help you monitor your vehicle and help you decide the right maintenance routine for you. Going with an independent mechanic can provide you with a trusted resource whose goal is to help you maintain your vehicle. Dealers are notorious for pushing you into service you don’t need, upgrading to new vehicles every chance they get. A reputable independent mechanic wants to increase the lifespan of your current vehicle, and to help ensure it does so without causing problems while you’re on the road. 

Short distance driving damages engine oil

If you were to pop the hood on your vehicle and take a look underneath, you would find the engine is made from a variety of metal parts. Metal expands every time the temperature increases. An engine is created by piecing together a crankshaft, valves, pistons, con-rods, rings, cams – parts put together carefully to meet certain guidelines that are adhered to in a variety of conditions. They’re calibrated to ensure they work together to keep your vehicle operating smoothly, no matter what conditions it faces. 

Motor oil is a thick, slow-moving flow designed for lubrication. It flows throughout the system every time your vehicle is put into operation. As the engine heats, this oil becomes less dense, which allows it to flow freely throughout and lubricate the internal components to keep them operating efficiently. 

When these engine parts are cold, they don’t operate right. There isn’t enough lubrication to give each part the clearance necessary to work to the best of its ability. It takes time for the motor oil to warm, flow freely throughout the system, properly lubricate the entire system, and allow the engine to work to the best of its ability. 

Additionally, motor oil also uses this generated heat to rid itself of moisture and other byproducts. If your vehicle rarely reaches the desired temperatures, these contaminants aren’t removed, meaning the motor oil increasingly has the potential to compromise the integrity of your vehicle as well as overall performance. 

Short distance driving damages battery life

The biggest boost of energy comes from starting up your vehicle. When you turn the key (or press the button), it creates high demand from your battery. 

As you drive, the alternator recharges the battery, so it’s ready for action the next time you start up your car. When you take short trips, the alternator doesn’t have a chance to fully recharge the battery, weakening the overall effectiveness with every trip. 

Much like your engine needs time to warm up and reach its optimal operating temperature, so does the alternator. If the battery isn’t recharged properly, it pushes rapid depletion into motion, meaning your battery life decreases with every short trip. 

Weak batteries can impact how well your vehicle starts up each time you turn the key. But it impacts other items on your car as well. The battery also operates your vehicle’s accessory, which means your headlamps might not be as bright, or your heated seats might be impacted. 

Wear dates

Manufacturers list wear dates because many drivers use that as a gauge for maintenance and repair. And if you drive average distances or more each year, these guidelines are a good indication of things to watch for as you drive. 

Yet if you’re a short distance driver, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security just because your car rarely leaves its parking spot. Parts wear down whether they are constantly in use or not. They just wear down differently. 

No matter how much you drive each year, it’s important to create a maintenance schedule and stick with it. 

Work with a trusted mechanic to ensure your vehicle is well maintained, has fresh oil on a rotating basis, and parts are well cared for no matter how much action they see during a year. 

We can help you keep your car in good working condition, no matter how much you drive. 

What a Shaking Steering Wheel Means

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Shake, rattle, and roll. Throw in a catchy beat, and you have the makings of a great song. 

But if you start feeling your steering wheel shaking while you drive, that can be the start of something you won’t be singing about for very long. 

A shaking steering wheel is a symptom of a bigger problem. From bad tires to worn out brakes, there are a variety of issues that could be causing your steering wheel to shake. If you feel shaking, start noticing when it occurs. That can help lead to where the problem lies. 

Tires out of balance

One of the most common reasons that might start your steering wheel shaking starts with your tires. They may be out of alignment or out of balance, which sends shaking through your vehicle and into your steering wheel. 

If your tires are out of balance, you won’t notice this as you’re pulling out of the driveway, or moving at low speeds due to traffic. But as you pick up speed, the shaking will increase. That’s because tires out of balance start becoming a bigger problem the faster you drive. Slow down, and it goes away. 

The first thing to check is a visual inspection of all four tires. Are they properly inflated? Is one of them flat? Your car is designed to operate with all four tires evenly connected to the road as you drive. If one of them has lower air pressure than the others, it can throw the balance of your car off. 

If all tires are inflated correctly, the next thing to check is the tread on the tires. In order to keep the tread even on all four tires, it’s important to get them rotated periodically throughout the year. You can have this done at the same time as an oil change. This will ensure even wear for the life of your tires. It also keeps your car evenly connected to the road, meaning a smoother, safer drive for you. 

What a Shaking Steering Wheel Means

If the problem persists, it’s time to look at other potential problems.

Worn brake pads

Have you noticed that your steering wheel shakes only after you press down on the brake pedal? It might be a sign of worn brake pads. 

As you apply the brake pedal, a caliper applies pressure to the brake pad, which in turn connects with the rotor to slow you down. This slows you down until ultimately, you come to a stop. If anything happens during this process, you might feel a shake coming through the steering wheel. 

If it’s your brake pads, it’s usually because they are old, work, or dirty and can no longer grip the rotor effectively to bring your vehicle to a stop. The brake pad connects unevenly, which causes the skipping movement which vibrates up into your steering wheel. 

Calipers are designed to last. The problem usually stems from the brake pads, which have to be replaced on average about every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. It can also be from the brake rotors, which may need replacing every 70,000 or so miles. This depends on your driving conditions, how you drive, the weight of your vehicle, among other things. 

Suspension

The suspension can also be a common occurrence for a shaking steering wheel. This is especially true with vehicles that aren’t properly maintained, and haven’t been closely evaluated by a mechanic over time. That’s because suspension problems rarely surface overnight. Instead, they develop slowly over time. 

What can cause it? It might be a loose tie rod, or a ball joint that wiggles out of position. It might start with an odd, subtle noise, one you put off because you don’t notice changes right away in the way your car operates. This is also why it’s important to pay attention to any changes in the way your vehicle operates, and provide any noticeable differences to the mechanic in charge of working on your car. It can lead to pinpointing a problem that might not have surfaced without it. 

Dry guide pins

Guide pins are part of the brake calipers. Over time, they can slow down from dirt and lack of lubrication. To keep them performing well, they need to be periodically cleaned and lubricated or they become dry and corroded. This means they don’t apply the correct pressure as you press down on the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pad to connect with the rotor at the wrong angle. And when that happens, it produces a vibrating steering wheel. 

This is detailed work. A trusted mechanic will inspect the entire brake system, including the caliper housing to ensure it’s handling the lubricant correctly throughout the process. If a problem exists, correcting it early will ensure parts don’t wear down before their time. 

Do you have a shaking steering wheel?

Once you notice even a slight shake, it’s hard to ignore it. Don’t. Even a slight shake from time to time is a warning sign of future problems. 

Do a search online and you’ll find all kinds of horror stories about faulty equipment. In almost every case, horror stories are caused by people who ignored the warning signals. 

Even a tiny shake is trying to alert you to a problem. Take note of the details and bring it in. We can properly diagnose it, find the origination point of the problem, and fix it before it has a chance to grow. 

The best course of action will depend on the specific problem. But if you catch it early, you’ll reduce the chances of having an expensive problem that moves to different locations throughout your vehicle. 

While every part of your vehicle is important in helping to keep you safe and secure, any indication of a problem with your braking system should be checked immediately. If a problem threatens the longevity or safety of your car, fix it early to ensure you’re back on the road safely again. 

Just in time to turn up the radio and start singing your favorite tunes once again. 

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

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