Car Maintenance

A Few “Key” Facts

November 23, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

You expect your key to turn in your vehicle’s ignition…but sometimes…it won’t, and that’s a problem. Whether you’re trying to start your vehicle or trying to leave it, it’s a problem.

Here are a few “key” facts of what can cause this to happen. One of the most common is that the steering column locking mechanism is stuck. Locking steering columns are an anti-theft feature introduced in the 1970’s. If yours is sticking, try moving the steering wheel a little from side to side as you turn the key; sometimes this will cause it to release.

A key may also stick if the vehicle is in gear. Most vehicles will only let you start in neutral or park. If you have an automatic transmission vehicle, make sure it’s in park. Move the shift lever through the gears and back into park to make sure. If the key still doesn’t turn, you can try jiggling the shift lever as you turn the key. Electrical and mechanical contacts sometimes don’t line up properly, and a little jiggle might nudge them into place.

Sometimes vehicles with alarms can cause a key to jam; some require the doors to either be closed or open before the key will move. Other vehicles with newer electronic ignition systems won’t allow you to turn the key if the battery is dead.

Another possibility is something jammed in your lock cylinder. The little pins and spring that figure out you are putting in the correct key can stick as well. Your key may also be the culprit. The ridges can wear down, or the shaft can get bent. Oh, and speaking of the key, are you trying to use the right one? Double check it.

If you have a key that resists turning and you’re able to get it unstuck, consider yourself warned. It probably won’t “fix” itself, and it’s time to have your qualified technician dig a little deeper to track down the root of the problem. You could be less “luc-key” the next time it happens.

Understanding Car Sensors, Why Your Car Has Them, And Keeping Them Well Maintained

November 21, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

In the early 1900s, thousands of different automobile companies existed across America, producing over 3,000 makes for consumers to choose from. Cars were simple by design, and had very few systems and parts when compared to today’s standards.

As driving became a mainstay, as roads weaved through every major city across the world and we began relying on vehicles like never before, safety became an issue.

So we modernized. Every system improved. Designs became sleek and sophisticated.

Technology entered the scene, and we found ways to improve a vehicle through a centralized computer system. The more parts a vehicle has, the more complex the systems became, the more of a need there was to help determine when something goes wrong.

That’s where car sensors come into the scene, helping owners understand when something goes wrong with their vehicle.

Understanding an internal combustion engine

An internal combustion engine needs three things to operate:

Air
Fuel
Spark

Going back in time, vehicles produced these three items with mechanical or electromechanical systems.

The carburetor was installed and used to control the mixing process, and meter how effective it was.

A mechanical distributor created and distributed spark delivery. A mechanical fuel pump would release fuel from the fuel tank and push it to the carburetor.

This process was fairly straightforward, but very hands-on for maintenance. A vehicle would need a thorough tuneup every 30,000 miles or so to keep the engine running well.

As vehicles increased and became the norm in households all across the world, rules changed, and new operational mechanisms were developed. The 1970s brought on electronic spark delivery rather than relying on mechanical means. The 1980s changed the emissions system and what was acceptable for the environment.

As the systems grew in complexity, sensors were added to deliver information to an analog management system. The problem with analog systems is they had to be programmed and managed. They had their limits. They wouldn’t respond to things as they happened, and could still allow problems to escalate quickly.

That all changed as technology became more sophisticated. As carburetors were replaced with fuel injection, engines needed more information to work properly. And that’s where sensors became a bigger part of the way our current vehicles operate today.

Understanding car sensors

Cars in the 1980s and 1990s increased in functionality. Every aspect of the engine and drivetrain is now controlled by a central processor and a series of sensors. Currently, a vehicle has anywhere from 60 to 100 sensors built into the vehicle. However, that number will rise as cars continue to get smarter.

In general, car sensors can be broken down into separate categories, including:

Motion sensors
Pressure sensors
Position sensors
Temperature sensors

Each of these is considered to be sensory organs that send critical information back to the engine, and control how well your vehicle works. These sensors can detect even the smallest of changes, compensating for differences to ensure your vehicle stays operating well at all times.

How do car sensors work?

The purpose of a car sensor is pretty straightforward. They detect changes in the environment around them. If something changes, a trigger turns them on and sends the info to the appropriate place.

For example, a pressure sensor is designed to register pressure. When it goes beyond the designated limits, it sends the info to the central processor, which in turn triggers either an alarm or a light on the dashboard.

This notification is designed to give you advance warning of a potential problem. It’s intended to provide you with ample time to pull safely off the road, get to a service station to have the issue evaluated, and get the problem fixed before you drive your car once again.

Car sensors and what they do for your vehicle

The average car on the road today will have between 60 to 100 sensors. The best way to learn more about what your car offers is to spend some time with your owner’s manual.

Here are a few of the more critical sensors and what they do for your car.

Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor

The intake air temperature sensor is an important part of keeping your engine in good working condition. It helps regulate the temperature of the air flow entering the engine. These temperature measurements are used as the engine balances the air-fuel mixture to properly operate the engine.

Cold air is denser than warm air, which means more fuel is needed to keep a proper balance for peak performance. The IAT sensor is mounted on the intake manifold in order to detect the temperature as the air flows in.

Oxygen Sensors

Oxygen sensors are one of the most common sensors on the vehicle today, having been on modern day cars for close to five decades. The oxygen sensor helps to keep the emissions in check by regulating the emission of the gases. While cars today have at least one oxygen sensor, many have up to four to help keep the car as efficient as possible.

Voltage Sensor

This is another common sensor that helps manage speed. It helps to ensure the car increases or decreases as required. It also helps control idling speed.

Tire Pressure Sensor

Tire pressure not only ensures you have a comfortable ride, but it also ensures you safely travel on the road without risk of an accident. Tire pressure sensors are located near the wheel and tire where it measures a tire’s air pressure. If it moves beyond the preset ratios, it alerts you to a potential problem.

Brake Fluid Sensor

The brake fluid sensor is located within a car’s braking system and helps detect brake fluid levels. Brake fluid operates under pressure, and any deviation to this pressure can impact brake performance. If fluid pressure ever drops, it alerts you through a dashboard light, giving you a chance to pull safely off the road and fix the problem quickly.

Car sensors – pay attention and stay safe

Like everything in our lives today, car sensors are designed to keep you well informed about how your vehicle is operating. Car sensors are an important part of the internal workings of your vehicle.

When any one of them is displayed, there is a reason for it. Don’t ignore them. Stop by and let us evaluate what’s wrong. The quicker you take action, the safer you’ll stay. And you’ll be able to fix the problem before it turns into something bigger.

Why Your Car May Fail The Emissions Test

November 18, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

How long have you called Denver home? If you were around in the 1970s or 1980s, you might remember the brown cloud. As we continued to industrialize our city, the population moved outward and began developing suburbia. That meant more driving for all of our daily needs.

The EPA adopted the Clean Air Act to establish standards on air pollution from both factories and vehicles. But even with this law, Denver’s air pollution was visibly noticeable, partially because the city sits in a bowl-like valley. With mountains on one side and the Platte River Valley on the other, a temperature inversion traps pollution inside this bowl, creating a “brown cloud” of unhealthy air.

While policies continue to work at keeping this brown cloud under control, it hasn’t gone away. Experts say that the brown cloud has been replaced by thick smog, with the EPA changing our overall rating recently from “moderate” to “serious.” In 2018, Denver logged 131 days of poor air quality. And that impacts everyone across the Front Range, especially those with compromised respiratory systems.

Years ago, Colorado set up a program to monitor gas emissions from vehicles. Its goal was to keep the worst polluters off of the roads. Several counties require an emissions test to register a vehicle, including:

Boulder
Broomfield
Denver
Douglas
Jefferson
Portions of Adams
Portions of Arapahoe
Portion of Larimer
Portions of Weld

There are exceptions to this rule. If you aren’t sure if this rule applies to you, check with the Colorado Air Care Testing Facility near you to determine if your car needs testing, and how often you should take it in.

What an emissions test checks for

An emissions test is designed to ensure that a vehicle isn’t producing unacceptable levels of toxic gases. Tests are designed to measure the amount of emissions coming from a car’s engine. It’s a simple test that checks the pollutants being emitted from the tailpipe and being released into the air supply. It measures:

Nitrogen oxide (NOx)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Particulate matter (PM)
Non-methane organic gases (NMOG)
Formaldehyde (HCHO)

If your car passes, you can register your vehicle and drive it on the roads.

But what if your emissions test fails?

Here are the most common reasons a car will fail an emissions test.

Your car needs an oil change. An oil change is considered to be regular maintenance. It’s something that you should perform regularly, whether you drive regularly or not. Clean oil has fewer hydrocarbons in it, and helps keep your engine cleaner. A clean engine means cleaner emissions output. Check with your vehicle’s manufacturer, or refer to your owner’s manual to determine how often your oil should be replaced. Remember, this is based on time and miles driven. Even if you work from home and your car sits idle most days, it doesn’t mean your car doesn’t need fresh oil on a regular basis.

Your car has a rich air-fuel mixture. This is often caused by a malfunctioning injector or a faulty oxygen sensor. Check and replace both of these items before checking the emissions once again; this fixes the problem in a lot of cases. If the system continues dumping too much gas into the system, it will burn out the catalytic converter. Bringing it into our shop for a thorough checkup can find this and fix it if it’s the problem.

Your spark plugs are worn. When spark plugs wear down, they produce incomplete combustion. The spark plug creates electricity that ignites the air-fuel mixture inside the engine. The spark plugs create the motion inside the piston, and continue to provide power to keep your vehicle moving. When this process is incomplete, it can impact how much your car is emitting. Changing your spark plugs may be all that is needed to get your car back on the road.

Your car’s gas cap is leaking. This is a simple issue you can fix yourself. First, inspect your gas cap to see if it’s properly sealed. Tighten it if necessary. If you notice a leak, replace the gas cap and test your vehicle’s emissions again.

Your car’s air filter is dirty. When a vehicle’s air filter clogs, it can increase the levels of hydrocarbons being emitted from your car’s engine. Most manufacturers suggest replacing your car’s air filter at least once a year. If you don’t remember when you last had it changed, consider replacing it and trying the emissions test again. This should be a part of your regular maintenance plan to ensure your vehicle is in the best condition possible.

Your car’s evaporative emission control system (EVAP) is defective. When a vehicle’s EVAP system isn’t working correctly, gas vapors will move from the gas tank and add to the pollution levels in the atmosphere. This is often caused by a leak in the hoses or vents, causing the EVAP system to work improperly. While this can be difficult to track, a thorough diagnostics test can often reveal where the problem lies.

Your car’s check engine light is defective. While every light on your dashboard is important, the check engine light is one you should never ignore. It can signal many different problems with the way your engine operates. Occasionally, the check engine light itself may malfunction, and be the cause of why your car is failing the emissions test.

The best way to proceed is with proper maintenance and an inspection by a professional mechanic

While a failed emissions test isn’t a sign your car has major systems problems, it is a warning of an issue that needs solving.

While regular maintenance can keep your vehicle in top driving condition, it’s an ongoing process.

By stopping by regularly, we can ensure your vehicle is in good condition, and will give you peace of mind, knowing your car will be reliable no matter where your travels take you.

How can we help you maintain your vehicle for years to come?

Why You Change Your Transmission Fluid

November 9, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

It’s very easy to forget about servicing your transmission because it doesn’t need it very often, but when you change your transmission fluid it keeps your vehicle running smoothly and helps you avoid costly repairs down the road. Your transmission undergoes a lot of stress. The grit you see in used fluid is actually bits of clutch material. This grit flowing through your transmission under pressure eats away at seals and gaskets which can lead to leaks. The transmission operates at very high temperatures – much higher than engine temperatures. Those high temperatures eventually cause the transmission fluid to start to break down and loose efficiency. At best, your transmission won’t operate smoothly. At worst, it could lead to very costly damage. When you change your transmission fluid and it’s running properly, it transfers more power from your engine to the drive wheels and improves fuel economy. That’s why manufacturers have recommended changing your transmission fluid at regular intervals. Your owner’s manual has a schedule for transmission service and, of course, your Express Car Care service adviser can tell you what the manufacturer recommends. At Express Car Care, we are able to perform a transmission service while you wait and the cost is usually quite reasonable. When you think about how much a major transmission repair can cost, the cost to change your transmission fluid with our transmission service is downright cheap. Come on in or give us a call and let us know what we can do to help you keep your car on the road.

Key Reasons Why Cars Last Longer Than Ever Before

October 28, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average car is driven about 15,000 miles per year. The New York Times found that fifty to sixty years ago, the average expected life of a vehicle was around 100,000 miles. Today, because of better technology, tighter tolerances, and better anti-corrosion coatings, the average life is closer to 200,000.

Cars are lasting longer than ever before. While that may be good for you as the car owner, it can compromise the overall driving experience if it isn’t well maintained. The average age of cars and light trucks on the road has reached peak levels to 11.8 years in 2019. It’s predicted to be more than 84 million vehicles on the road at least 16 years old by 2023. That poses significant problems, especially when car manufacturers 16 years ago weren’t thinking about that kind of longevity.

Why are coats lasting longer?

And equally important, what can you do to ensure your vehicle will last you for many years to come?

Improving the way a vehicle is assembled

The way cars are produced has changed a lot over the years. To say they’ve gone through a massive overhaul in the last century would be an understatement.

The first cars were powered by steam at the turn of the century. They didn’t have windshields, doors, or turn signals. Safety features – they weren’t in existence.

Mass production is what brought the first inkling of what we have with our vehicles today. Slowly, cars became safer, more durable, with improved systems and functions to create a better driving experience.

Laws like the 1966 National Traffic and Motor Safety Act worked on improving driving conditions. It included traffic safety programs, driver education and licensing, inspections, highway design, and traffic law enforcement.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began testing and rating vehicles for collision protection in 1978. That made manufacturers work harder at creating vehicles that would protect passengers.

And it all starts at the assembly line, with the way today’s modern vehicles are put together. What used to be left to humans, which varied from person to person, is now a precise task as machines and robotics handle every detail.

Emphasis is placed on making every part better, stronger, lighter, and more efficient. To improve fuel economy, for example, required designers to come up with ways to make body parts more efficient. They had to be thinner, lighter, and made of better materials so they wouldn’t rust or corrode.

All of this is because regulations keep getting better. And that isn’t going to stop. We now demand it in every car we purchase, knowing it’ll give us years of service.

Engine efficiency

Old engines made a vehicle operate, but they weren’t very efficient. That’s changed as laws and regulations required it so.

Old carburetors would drip fuel into the engine, and because there wasn’t a lot of control, that extra fuel would wash away, corroding parts as a part of the process. Unburned fuel would dilute the oil, wear out rubber, and cause the engine to be anything but efficient.

Now, modern fuel and oil have been modernized to the current status where they are beneficial at helping vehicles thrive. You no longer have engines that die from corrosion and buildup. Fuel injection makes every system a precise course of action. It controls fluids in such a way that they go where needed, in the right amounts, at the right time. A cleaner combustion process means a better engine that lasts longer, and saves on fuel and oil in the process.

Motor oil from just a few decades ago was simple at best. But as mechanics and engineers learned more about the process, they refined the fluids used in today’s engines. Synthetic oils are designed to work no matter what the temperature is outside, from freezing cold to sweltering heat. This isn’t the motor oil your parents used.

Thanks to technology, you can go farther between servicing, and expect parts to last for tens of thousands of miles. Spark plugs, for example, now last 100,000 miles or more.

It’s no longer about guessing when you’re vehicle is in need of repair. Today’s vehicles will tell you what it needs, when it needs it.

Better electronics

Imagine a vehicle that can tell you what it needs. Gauges alert you when you’re running low on fuel. Lights warn you of potential problems. Voice commands give you diagnostics, and offer refinement to improve the driving experience.

Of course, this isn’t sci-fi; this is reality. All you have to do is sit in a new car and you’ll find technology a big part of how it operates.

With on-board computer sensors and monitors, every system, every piece is watched closely to ensure it’s operating the way it should. When something moves outside of the established limits, a sensor is alerted, and it warns you via a dashboard light. They are finely tuned to maximize part life, give you advanced warning to bring your car in for servicing, and lessen the likelihood of being stranded because of a part that no longer works.

Establishing a car maintenance program you can live by

If you choose to keep your vehicle for years, it’s important to service your car regularly to maintain each of the systems at optimal performance. The average car built today includes over 30,000 parts. Each of those parts are attached and combined to work together. If one part is bad, it has the ability to impact every other part in some manner.

A reputable auto mechanic isn’t just there to service your vehicle when you have problems with your car. They are also there to be a part of the team that keeps it operating correctly for as long as you own it.

If you’re looking for a partner to keep your car operating in great condition, stop by today and give us a try. From regular oil changes to overhauling complete systems, we can help your car stay safe and on the road for years to come.

All-Wheel, Front-Wheel, Rear-Wheel – What’s The Difference?

October 21, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Here in Colorado, we face a variety of driving experiences throughout the year.

Scorching hot days where the pavement seems to melt before your eyes? Check.

Frigid temperatures with ice and snow packed roads that make it difficult to drive? Check, we have those too.

All of that can make it difficult to decide which car to buy. Should you focus on purchasing an all-wheel, front-wheel, or rear-wheel design? What’s the difference? Is one suited better for Colorado driving?

What is front-wheel drive?

When it comes to selecting a family car to get you around the city, front-wheel drive vehicles remain a popular choice. One recent study showed that just over 40 percent of the vehicles on the road today have front-wheel drive. But what exactly does that mean?

With a front-wheel drivetrain, the power of the vehicle remains with the front two wheels. This setup gives the front wheels the responsibility of moving and steering the car where you desire it to go.

From a design perspective, this is a less complex model, therefore it is also the least expensive way of powering a car. Because the engine is already upfront, it’s easier to connect power to the front wheels via two shorter drive axles.

But cost and ease is only part of the reason front-wheel drive vehicles remain one of the most popular choices on the road. They are also one of the most fuel-efficient.

Back in 1975, the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program was enacted. It was designed to improve fuel economy during the time of the Arab Oil Embargo. It sought standards to curtail fuel consumption as well as create jobs and cut global warming. As a part of that, automakers discovered that front-wheel drive vehicles was the quickest were to gain a few miles per gallon.

Having a more compact drivetrain, where the parts sit in front of the vehicle, reduces the weight. Less weight to move around on the road means a more fuel-efficient vehicle. It also works well here in Colorado because having the motor over the drivetrain also improves acceleration and traction. Whether roads are filled with water, ice, snow, sand, or gravel, a front-wheel drive vehicle will be easier to keep under control.

What is rear-wheel drive?

Everything we discussed above that comes equipped with a front-wheel drive car is reversed with a rear-wheel model.

You’ll find a variety of vehicles equipped with rear-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive is a transmission system designed for a more even weight distribution and optimal handling in normal driving conditions. When the sun is shining and you’re ready to take your car for a drive, you’ll enjoy the performance of a rear wheel drive system. Punch the accelerator from a standing start, the weight transfers to the rear, and gives you a smoother transition as you pick up speed. No fishtailing.

However, that performance doesn’t convert well when ice and snow build up. With more power in the rear wheels, it increases the possibility of fishtailing and losing control as your back wheels try to maneuver.

What is all-wheel drive?

All-wheel drive is a type of four-wheel drive system. It automatically shifts power between the front and rear wheels, depending on the kind of driving conditions. It’s designed for lighter winter driving and off-pavement use. If you truly want to go four-wheeling, you’re better off selecting a four-wheel drive vehicle. But for most driving conditions here across the front-range, all-wheel drive is a good choice.

The concept of all-wheel drive has changed considerably since its inception. The split between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive used to be more pronounced. To switch between the two, you would have to shift between them, selecting your driving preference. Thanks to technology, the difference is more automatic, with different types of vehicles moving seamlessly between the two, depending on the driving conditions. Vehicles like “crossovers” and others offer a wide variety of performance features. It’s easier to focus on the make and model, determining which is a good fit for your driving needs.

The role of the tires

While a vehicle’s drivetrain is important to how well your vehicle will perform in different situations, there’s another piece to the puzzle that can help make your car safer. The tires on your car are equally important to overall performance.

If you purchase a sporty vehicle, one that is designed for performance on dry roads, they are usually sold with summer tires designed with traction that can hug the open road. Dry conditions give you ease of handling, and can be quite fun to drive. However, the moment you add ice and snow to the mix, those tires won’t seem so impressive.

By adding snow tires to a front-wheel drive vehicle, you may see better performance than an all-wheel drive with summer tires. Again, the two pieces work in conjunction with each other to help you stay in control while you’re driving on the road.

Here in Colorado, we have both types of road conditions. And while all season tires can work well all year long, if you travel significant distances all year long and want the best performance possible in all conditions, combining snow tires with all-wheel drive is the way to go.

Problems with the drivetrain

No matter which type of vehicle you own, at some point in time, you may notice problems with the drivetrain.

Vibrations or intense shaking from under the vehicle
Difficulty making turns
A loud clunking noise when shifting occurs as you drive
A shuddering when stopping or starting
A squeaking noise at low speeds
A knocking noise as you drive

Any sound out of the ordinary is a reason for concern. If you notice something changes with the way your car drives, pay attention to where it’s coming from. This can help one of our mechanics pinpoint the problem.

Whether you have a front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive vehicle, the most important aspect of keeping them running well is to get them serviced regularly.

Why Is My Vehicle Vibrating As I Speed Up and Slow Down

October 18, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Part of driving is learning to recognize when your vehicle isn’t working the way it should. You can’t ignore your car’s warning signs and expect it to drive well time after time.

Your vehicle should provide you with a smooth driving experience. It should start without a hitch. It should speed up and slow down without the vehicle vibrating.

Yet over time, you may start to notice a change in the way your car handles. That smooth feeling is replaced by a shaking feeling that becomes more noticeable at certain times throughout the drive.

What’s causing it?

Brakes

If you notice the vibrations mostly occur as you apply the brakes, chances are it’s a problem with one of the components in your braking system.

Your braking system has several key components: brake pads, brake rotors, and brake calipers.

When you apply pressure to the brake pedal, it creates force to the brakes via hydraulic fluid. Because brakes require more pressure than your foot could give, this hydraulic fluid helps amplify the force into the braking system.

When you push the brake pedal, it depresses a piston, which allows hydraulic fluid to travel to a slave cylinder at each wheel. As these pistons move, it controls the pressure applied to each brake.

The brake pad is attached to the caliper, which presses up against the brake rotor to cause friction, ultimately slowing and stopping your vehicle.

If you notice a vibration, one or more components of this process no longer work the way they should. It’s possible the brake rotors have worn down, and are no longer circular in shape, meaning the brake pad can’t make proper connection. Or the brake calipers are warped, resulting in excessive heat when the brake pedal is pushed down.

If the components don’t connect in the way the system was designed, you’ll notice a difference in the way your car drives.

Wheel balance

Everyday wear can do a lot to your vehicle. With every bump you hit, every corner you cut too sharp, even minor imperfections from the factory can all give way to unequal weight distribution throughout your four tires.

You’ll feel it in the way your vehicle performs, with even an ounce of difference being noticeable in the way your car handles. While you may feel it at lower speeds, at around 45 miles per hour, the vibration will intensify.

Periodically, it’s important to bring your car in for a tune-up and to rotate your tires. This allows a technician to check all four wheels, find imbalances, and adjust the weights so all four tires match once again.

This also gives a mechanic a chance to evaluate your wheels thoroughly, ensuring one isn’t bent, damaged, or otherwise unsafe for you to continue to drive on. This alerts you to problems before they become bigger, and put you at risk.

Tires

Even if your wheels are in good condition, your tires may have a problem, causing your vehicle to vibrate as it operates. If you bring your vehicle in for a mechanic to check, he will look at:

Tire pressure, to ensure each tire is properly adjusted
Connections, to ensure lug nuts are all properly torqued
Tire wear, to ensure the tread is being evenly worn across the tire
Tread, to ensure it has ample tread to safely drive
Balance

Even if you’ve replaced your tires recently, one or more of these issues can lead to a problem with the way your vehicle performs. Fixing it quickly will prevent further damage to your vehicle.

Axle

Your car’s axle is the central shaft used for rotating the gears and wheels of your car. It gives you control over your car to turn the vehicle and go in any direction you choose.

A bent axle can occur from bumping a curb, a minor accident, or hitting a speed bump or pothole. Once bent, it can continue to worsen the more you drive.

In most cases, your vehicle has two axles, one to rotate the front wheels, and one for the back. Larger vehicles that carry more passengers may have more. They can wear down over time from dust, dirt, and other debris accumulating on the joints. And any damage can weaken the system, creating a vibration, especially as you pick up speed.

Steering

The steering wheel is used to turn your vehicle and keep it under control. The steering wheel is attached to a track rod, which is used to control the wheels, moving them right or left, depending on which way you turn. Ball bearings are used to connect tie rods to the steering arms, providing you with control. Each of these is connected to the wheels.

Most modern day vehicles use a rack and pinion gearset, which provides greater ease for turning. A notched rod – the rack extends out from the track rod. The steering shaft ends with a round gear called a pinion. As you move the wheel, the pinion moves through the notches on the rack, giving you control to move the vehicle to the left or right. This process is what gives you better control over the movements of your vehicle.

If each of these parts isn’t in proper alignment, they can throw off your drivability. It can change your control, and make it more difficult to follow through with turns and movement.

You may start to notice more “play” in the way your steering wheel responds to certain situations. Does it take move turning movement to move through a turn? That’s one of the first indications you may have an issue with something in your steering system.

These issues happen over time. Unless you are involved in an accident, or hit a very large bump, it takes time for minor symptoms to show up in the way your vehicle performs. Yet once you start noticing a change in performance, the faster you get your vehicle in for an inspection, the greater chance you can catch the problem before it grows in severity.

Engine

In most cases, vehicle vibrations will be most noticeable either as you gain speed or slow down.

Occasionally, you might notice your engine running rough, vibrating even as your vehicle is standing still. This is a clear sign of a problem somewhere in the engine. In order for the engine to run smoothly, there needs to be plenty of air, fuel, and spark. If any one of those components is off, your engine will have trouble starting and staying running.

A few things to check include:

Dirty or corroded spark plugs
A clogged or dirty air filter
Dirty fuel injector
Clogged fuel filter

The engine is attached to your vehicle with mounts attached to the frame of the body. It uses rubber joints to help absorb vibrations that can occur as you drive. Over time, this rubber can begin to fail, allowing the connection to loosen. That vibration you feel while your car stands still might just be an indication your system needs a little TLC to keep it functioning.

If you feel a vibration in your vehicle, stop by today and we’ll inspect it. Let’s get you back on the road safely once again.

Suspension System Service

October 12, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Suspension systems should continue to operate effectively for many years and tens of thousands of miles/kilometers, holding your tires’ footprint on the road. Eventually components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how and where you drive.

As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth highways, your vehicle’s shock absorber will last a lot longer than if you do most of your driving on bumpy mountain roads or if you’re often hauling heavy loads. In addition to just wearing out, upgraded suspension system components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact, like hitting a pothole, a curb or a rock in the road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your vehicle manufacturer recommends periodic inspections. During a car inspection at Express Car Care, your service technician will check for worn, broken or missing suspension parts. If the inspection reveals any problems, we recommend that you take care of them quickly for your safety and ease of handling your vehicle. When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. This will give you even handling at all four corners of the vehicle.

If you have special road handling needs like improved cornering or towing or hauling requirements, your Express Car Care service adviser can recommend an upgraded shock or strut to meet with your needed requirements. Give us a call or come in and see us and let us know how we can help you with your suspension system services.

Car Maintenance: Does It Matter Where You Park Your Car?

October 11, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

There are a variety of reasons your car can sit in place for a while. COVID and stay in place regulations have taught us that. Of course, a pandemic isn’t the only reason your car might not move.

Retirees may choose not to drive for weeks on end, especially if you live in a walkable community.
Work from home professionals may also prefer living in walkable communities, using a vehicle only if they go away for a weekend.
Business travelers are often jetting away to faraway places.
And if a spouse is deployed overseas for any length of time, their car may sit for months at a time.

Then, of course, there’s also a question of where you park the car. Is it sitting in the elements? Is it under a carport? Or in a garage?

No matter how frequently you operate your vehicle, no matter where you choose to park it, it still needs car maintenance from time to time.

Here’s why.

Where you park your car matters

If you leave a car parked on the street, it’s subjected to the elements. Bird droppings, fallen leaves, and UV light can all be a problem. It can also be subjected to wind storms, damage from ice and snow, and dents from hail. There may also be safety issues, with more break-in potential, or the risk of being hit from passing cars.

Placing your vehicle in a garage can help protect and support its performance. Being in a closed environment helps a variety of systems and components on the car.

Brakes – Especially here in Colorado, cold weather can take its toll on the braking system. It can accelerate rusting on your brakes, especially if you’re on a busier street that routinely is prepped for ice and snow. Exposure to moisture and things like salt and mag-chloride can make its way to the brake rotors, causing corrosion, or wearing out the brake pads sooner.

Tires – The hot summer sun is just one of the things that can contribute to wearing down your tires. The heat can dry out the rubber on the tires, and cause wall cracks. It can play with the internal air pressure, flattening the tire over time. And as that happens, it twists your tire out of shape, causing flat spots in the rubber.

Battery – The only way to keep your car’s battery operating correctly is to charge it up from time to time. But it takes more than turning it on; it needs to move and drive, even if it’s just a short ten minute ride. Excessive heat, as well as winter cold spurts, can all impact the battery fluid, and shorten the life of the battery. It may start, but will it stay running? And once a battery is damaged, it will stop running altogether.

Being in a protected garage can help reduce all of these and more. Being in a protected environment not only helps with the inside, but the outside as well. The paint won’t wear due to sunlight and other elements, and the vehicle will be at less risk for both safety and security reasons.

But it’s not just a garage that can help. Even covered parking can reduce exposure to elements that can cause cosmetic damage.

Weather and other elements are never good for a vehicle’s paint job. Exposure to sun, wind, and ice can cause the paint to oxidize, which causes the paint to fade and peel. Plus, chemicals in bird droppings, fallen leaves, and sap from trees can hurt the paint too.

Paint isn’t just to make your car look good. It also protects the interior and other parts of the car. If rust and corrosion set in, it can move to other areas of your car.

If you leave your vehicle on the street, in the driveway, or on the side of your property, the elements can impact the inside of your car as well. Sunlight can wear down the dashboard and upholstery, while excessive heat can cause cracks and fading.

Of course, there’s no surefire way to keep your car safe or prevent theft. But keeping your car behind closed doors, off the street, or covered will always create a safer environment than leaving your vehicle on the street. If you won’t be moving your car for a while, cover it as much as you can.

Car maintenance for long term parked cars

No matter where you park your car, it’s important to remember that cars aren’t designed to sit still. That’s the fastest way to expedite problems.

No matter how often you plan on operating your vehicle, there are certain things you should do periodically to keep it running well.

One a week:

Start the car and let the engine idle for a few minutes. Before you turn it back off, drive it for an additional few minutes, to get all of the systems in the car operating again. This allows fluids to flow, mechanics to run, and systems to operate. It ensures the components move and aren’t stuck in the same position. You should also pay attention to the gas level, as a full tank keeps the air out, preventing rust and corrosion from settling in.

Once a month:

Continue to drive the vehicle periodically for short distances. This ensures the engine heats up and all systems move positions. Check the oil levels. It shouldn’t change, but it will need changing periodically even without hitting 3,000 miles, depending on how long it will sit. Check tire pressure to ensure it’s at proper levels. This prevents tires from bulging, or from gaining small cracks. You should also check the windshield wipers, ensure they operate, and fill the washer fluid tank. This keeps the wipers in good shape, and prevents them from drying out.

Schedule car maintenance visits:

We often see cars that don’t have much mileage come in for large repairs. It’s important to note that no matter how often you drive your car, you should still have your vehicle checked out by a professional from time to time.

It isn’t only driving and adding mileage that wears down the parts on your vehicle. Age can also have an impact on how well your car operates.

What You Should Know About Spark Plugs

October 3, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Spark plugs; if you’ve ever seen them, you know they’re tiny little parts that somehow connect together underneath the hood, and help your car run.

You might not think twice about them, but they play an important role in how your car functions. Without them, your car wouldn’t stay running at all.

What should you know about these tiny little parts?

What do spark plugs do?

Your car’s engine is what makes your car operate. Without an engine, your car wouldn’t go.

What makes an engine run is through kinetic energy. But without the process of internal combustion, an engine wouldn’t be able to pull the kind of power needed to move you from place to place.

Every time you turn the key, (or press the button,) your engine goes through a cycle to make this entire process happen. Valves fill a cylinder with a mixture of air and gasoline. A piston in the engine pushes upward, compressing this highly explosive fuel-source into a tiny space. At its peak, the engine ignites this mixture with a small spark, forcing the piston back down into position. This turns the crankshaft in the engine, and creates enough power to move you forward.

This is where your spark plugs come into play. As the name implies, spark plugs create the spark to ignite the mixture of air and fuel. They do this over and over again, being able to sustain millions of tiny outbursts over their lifetime.

That’s why spark plugs are made from an extremely durable material. Spark plugs aren’t something that need to be replaced on a frequent basis. Still, these tiny explosions do make their impact, and eventually, like every part of your vehicle, the force behind the process will eventually weaken the material, and cause the spark plug to decrease its power. Weaker sparks can cause things like misfiring to happen. And eventually, failure.

Are there different types of spark plugs?

If you’ve started noticing your car misfires when you turn it on, it’s just one of the signals your vehicle gives you to let you know your spark plugs are wearing out. When it comes time to replace them, there are several different variations of spark plugs available.

The best spark plug for your vehicle is the one recommended by the manufacturer, which you can find by referring to your owner’s manual. There are several main types of spark plugs that include:

Copper spark plugs – the center electrode is made with a copper core surrounded by nickel alloy. It’s inexpensive and works well in vehicles built before 1980. They also have a shorter lifespan and require more voltage to operate.

Iridium spark plugs – these are the longest lasting spark plugs, as they require less voltage to generate a spark. They also come with a higher price tag because of it.

Silver platinum spark plugs – this is similar to a copper spark plug, only with a platinum disc welded to the tip. It lasts longer than nickel alloy, meaning it also has a longer lifespan.

Double platinum spark plugs – they have a platinum coating on both center and ground electrodes, making these efficient and long-lasting too.

Silver spark plugs – while they aren’t as common as other types of spark plugs, they feature silver coated electrode tips, and are often used on older European performance cars and motorcycles.

When is it time to change my spark plugs?

Today’s vehicles are more efficient than ever before. Depending on your vehicle, many manufacturers now install “extended life” spark plugs at the factory, giving you a long life before you start to notice problems. In many cases, these spark plugs will be rated at a lifespan of up to 100,000 miles. Of course, this is a suggested timeframe, and the closer you get to end-of-life, the more you should pay attention to how well your car runs.

As they wear down, the gap between the two loads widens. This is where efficiency decreases, and misfiring starts to happen. If you allow your spark plugs to wear down enough so that corrosion sets in, they have the potential of breaking, which can lead to serious damage to the interior of your engine cylinder. This can be an expensive repair to fix.

It’s much easier to follow manufacturers’ guidelines, be aware of any sounds or changes in the way your car operates, and replace parts before they wear down.

What happens as a spark plug ages?

Spark plugs move into action every single time you take your car out for a drive. They fire again and again, keeping your engine working at its best.

It undergoes thousands of miles in extreme temperatures. That’s one reason it’s important to focus on quality rather than price. The stronger the material, the more durable the spark plug will be.

Still, a spark plug won’t last forever.

Over time, deposits form on the spark plugs as it interacts with the air-fuel mixture.

As it continues performing this process, a tiny gap can form due to extreme temperatures, debris, and normal wear and tear.

And that’s when trouble begins.

But it doesn’t have to. Not if you replace your spark plugs regularly.

What are the benefits of replacing my spark plugs?

The biggest benefit of replacing your spark plugs at recommended times is to ensure your car starts without problem. Of course, there are other reasons too.

Better performance – when a spark plug is doing its job, it means the entire combustion system is happening without a hitch. That means your engine is performing at its best.

Better fuel efficiency – The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence states that a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Replacing your spark plugs before they wear down will help you save at the pump.

Better starting – have you noticed your car jumping and jerking when it starts? It could be a sign of a failing spark plug.

Better emissions – if you keep your engine running well, it will emit less emissions into the air. That means cleaner air for me and you to breathe.

When was the last time you had your spark plugs changed?