Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Car Air Conditioning and Allergies

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If you suffer at all with seasonal allergies or asthma, you are more than likely very serious about trying to prevent triggering their symptoms.  You have probably followed all the recommended guidelines for reducing the risk of triggering your allergies.  You keep your windows and outside doors closed as much as possible.  You use air-conditioning to cool your home and avoid using window and attic fans during pollen season.  You avoid being outdoors in the early morning when the pollen is more prevalent and you keep your car windows rolled up and use your car air conditioning when driving.  But each time you enter your car and turn on the air conditioning, something very unpleasant happens.  Your eyes start to water and your nose starts running, then you begin to sneeze while your throat starts itching.  What is happening?!

Common allergens and irritants found inside the average car can make driving a real challenge for people who suffer with allergies.  Dust mites and mold can grow in cars and linger for long periods of time.  A car air conditioner doesn’t harbor mold because it is a sealed unit that outside air can’t penetrate.  But mold can grow in your air conditioner’s vents and the hoses that connect it.  This happens when moisture becomes trapped and can’t escape through the venting, like the  showers in our homes.  Mold loves humidity and thrives in moist conditions.  To help prevent mold in your car’s air conditioning vents, here are some steps to try.  As you near your destination, after running your air conditioning, switch your air conditioning system off and turn on the vent.  Do this at least two miles from your destination.  Turn the vent on high so there is a lot of air blowing through the vents.  The air won’t be as cool as it is when the air conditioning is on but it will dry out any moisture that might be trapped in your vents.  If you do this each time you use your air conditioning it will help prevent mold and pollens from accumulating and triggering your allergies.

If you practice these guidelines and still notice allergy problems when you are in your car, we offer a service here at Express Car Care, that can clean your car air conditioning so you can enjoy driving again.  Ask one of our service technicians for more information.

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

Is It Time For A Cooling System Flush?

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More than the comfort and convenience of being able to control the temperature inside your vehicle, your car’s heating and cooling systems are necessary in preventing your vehicle from breaking down due to extremely high operating temperatures.  Is It Time For A Cooling System Flush?Your cooling system is what keeps your car from having a meltdown, so have it checked every time you have a routine service.   All of the parts that make up the cooling system have one goal, moving coolant around the engine so it can absorb and dissipate heat.  The system is made up of the following parts:  radiator, radiator top hose, radiator bottom hose, water pump, thermostat, thermostat housing, electric cooling fan, and a thermo-time switch.

The radiator is the most prominent part of the cooling system.   Every time you drive, your radiator uses up a coolant and water mixture to help lower the temperatures in your vehicle’s engine system.  The coolant that has traveled through the engine is pumped through the tubes of the radiator and is cooled off for another round.  Coolant, like all the other fluids used by your vehicle, has a tendency to break down over time.  This is why it is important to replace or “flush” your coolant mixture.  When the coolant breaks down there is more stress on your radiator and your engine runs hotter than normal.  Dirt and deposits also build up and reduce your vehicle’s performance.  A prolonged use of bad coolant can result in damage to your radiator that would require you to have to replace  it.  Also today’s engines are built with aluminum, the radiator and heater are also aluminum and aluminum needs much more corrosion protection to keep it in good condition.

How often you should flush your cooling system depends on the type of driving you do and the weather conditions where you live.  If you live in an area that has moderate climates, you can flush your system less often.  But if you live in an area known for its harsh winter and/or hot summers, and do a lot of driving than you might need to change your coolant twice a year, at the beginning of the summer and the beginning of winter.  A basic rule of thumb is every two years or 30,000 miles.  But no matter what, you need to ask yourself  the question, “is it time for a cooling system flush?”

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

What Is a Cabin Air Filter & When Should It Be Replaced?

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Many car owners have never even heard of a cabin air filter and would have no idea when it needs to be replaced if they had!  Hopefully the information here will answer the questions you might have about this unknown filter.

Cabin Air Filter

Dirty Cabin Air Filter

A cabin air filter is a part of your car’s ventilation system that removes pollutants from the air before they can enter the passenger compartment.  Cabin air filters can also be referred to as pollen or dust filters, interior ventilation filters, ACC filters, or passenger compartment filters.  A cabin air filter purifies the air as well as protecting the heater and AC components.  If the cabin air filter is dirty or clogged, the heating or air conditioning performance will suffer as well as the inside air filtration.  When this filter looses its effectiveness, you might notice unpleasant odors or reduced air flow from the cabin vents.  It is recommended to replace this filter at least once a year or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.  It should be replaced more often if your car is driven in places with heavy pollution or dusty conditions.  Two types of filters are offered for replacement, single stage and multi-stage filters.  Single stage filters trap dust, large soot, and allergens.  Multi-stage filters use activated carbon that reduces toxic gases and odors as well as dust and allergens.  Multi-stage filters are usually the better quality filter and more often recommended.

This filter is a relatively new feature and not all vehicles have one.   If you own a 2000 or newer car, it probably has one.  Cars and trucks in the U.S. began using cabin air filters around 1995, so check your owner’s manual or talk to your repair technician.  Most repair technicians  will be able to tell you whether or not your vehicle has one.   The ease or difficulty of replacing the filter depends on the make and model of your vehicle.  You might have to have it replaced by a technician.  Once you know whether your car is equipped with one or not, then you’ll know if you need to add” check cabin air filter” to the list the next time your car is serviced!

Spring Cleaning – Air Conditioning Repair Before You Need It

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It’s springtime. And here in Colorado, that means you may be using your heat in the morning, and the air conditioning by early afternoon. Instead of waiting for the days to turn from warm to hot, plan now to have your auto air conditioning repaired.

With an older car, several things can impact the way your air conditioning operates.

  • Lack of airflow
  • Low Freon
  • Overheating

The air conditioning system is made up of the air conditioning compressor, and different sized metal and rubber hoses and valves that allow the Freon to move within the system. As the Freon expands and contracts within the system, it gets very cold. As it makes its way into the car’s dash area, it moves through an evaporator much like a small radiator. A small fan sits in the evaporator core, blows air across the core and out through the vents of your vehicle.

Just a simple check now can ensure you have the long hot summer in a cool comfortable car. The first place to check is the Freon levels. There are two types of Freon – the older type R12 that you’ll find in older cars, and the new environmentally friendly R134A Freon. If your Freon is low, it may be as simple as adding more to your system.

It’s also a good idea to check out the hoses and valves to make sure they are in good working condition. Even the smallest leak can turn into a big problem on a 90 degree day.

And finally, it important to check out the working condition of the compressor and the cooling fans near the condenser.

By checking in with your local repair shop now, you can save the waiting time when you need it most. And catch small problems that ultimately are lower in cost today, and won’t turn into big expensive problems tomorrow.

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