Car Maintenance | Express Car Care of Denver

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?

Drive a Lot? Take These Preventative Maintenance Steps Now

September 28, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

The average car being built today has around 30,000 parts. That includes every nut, bolt, screw, belt, and wire that together connect up and ensure you arrive at your final destination safely and securely.

However, with that many parts, it’s likely that at any given time, one or more will start to wiggle, loosen up, corrode, or even wear down, making your vehicle less than reliable. One part might not cause a problem. Even two or three. But eventually, you’ll start to see problems in the way your vehicle operates.

Studies show that as much as 80 percent of a mechanic’s time is working on preventable maintenance items that could have been stopped. They are predictive by nature, and with a little bit of preventative maintenance, a bigger situation could have been avoided altogether.

Bigger problems are almost always avoidable when you focus on routine maintenance.

That’s why your vehicle’s owner’s manual will make suggestions on when to have your oil changed and when to make system repairs.

They’re predictable by nature. The more you follow the guidelines, the more preventative maintenance you perform, the less likely you will have emergency repair work in the future.

Get to know your owner’s manual

Every single vehicle manufacturer spends a lot of time getting to know the vehicle they are producing. They pick parts for a reason. They put systems together with a goal in mind.

Who better to make suggestions as to when each part needs repair?

It may seem like a chore, but when you first purchase your vehicle, spend some time flipping through the owner’s manual. Make note of key dates and timeframes for regular maintenance. This guide gives you an A-to-Z approach about the details of your car. It tells you when to change the oil, when to rotate the tires, when to replace the brakes. It also includes suggestions and troubleshooting guidelines, such as what the correct tire pressure should be in different situations.

Don’t worry if you don’t have your owner’s manual right at your fingertips. You have something better: the internet. You can head to your manufacturer’s website anytime, and you’ll find the guidelines for your vehicle right there.

Now it’s time to make a plan

According to the US Department of Transportation, the average male drives around 16,000, and the average female drives 10,000 miles per year.

As your car ages, thousands of miles are put onto your vehicle, in lots of different conditions. Driving on a day when temperatures peak over one-hundred will do different things to your car compared with a day that breaks records for the cold. Ice and snow create different hazards than blazing sun.

Your car is equipped to handle it all. But it will need a little TLC from time to time.

Stick to the service schedule

Chances are you visit your doctor every year for a checkup. You visit your dentist regularly to ensure your teeth are healthy. It’s considered preventative maintenance; to ensure your body does you well.

Regular checkups for your vehicle accomplish the same thing. They ensure everything is running smoothly, and that parts are replaced before they can cause further damage.

When you work with a mechanic you can trust, they do all kinds of things. They check your tires, check fluid levels, ensure belts are tightened and in place. They ensure your lights work well, your windshield wipers are in good shape. They check the battery, hoses, lines, and wires to ensure they all are doing their jobs.

The goal of a regular service check is to ensure everything is working the way it should. To send you off knowing your car is in great shape. And that you’ll be okay in the next few thousand miles, before it’s time for another checkup.

Change the oil

Outside of gasoline, oil is one of the most important fluids for your car. Think of it as your vehicle’s lifeblood.

Changing out the motor oil regularly will ensure your vehicle stays healthy, that parts are well-coated, and protected against heat and wear.

As your car ages, as you drive more and put on more miles, this becomes more important than ever. Changing your motor oil every 3,000 miles is an important part of car maintenance. But when your car reaches 75,000, 100,000, or more, it becomes vital to ensure every part is working at its best.

Check tire pressure

You have new tires. Why worry about them for a few thousand miles?

Yet your tires are the one vital piece that connects your vehicle to the road.

So many things can change tire pressure: heat, cold, hitting a bump, picking up nails and other debris as you drive from place to place.

While more modern cars may have sensitivity controls as a part of your dashboard monitoring system, even if you don’t, it’s wise to check tire pressure from time to time. Even if you make it a routine as you fill up your gasoline, it can help you determine if there’s a problem with your tires.

Don’t delay if you notice tire pressure changing. It can lead to lower efficiency, or even a potentially dangerous situation.

Keep it clean

This may seem like something you can put off on your busiest of days. But washing your car inside and out not only helps it look nice, but also helps you take notice of potential problems.

Do you notice leaking fluid? Is there a rust stain that wasn’t there before? Is there a spot on your tire that looks out of place?

By washing it regularly and waxing it on schedule, you’ll also protect the paint and prevent rust and corrosion from forming. Vacuuming dirt and debris off seats and carpet helps minimize tears and holes over time.

And the best news is, it only takes a little time.

With just a few preventative maintenance steps now, your car will thank you later by living a long life.

The Pros of Pros

September 28, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Modern vehicles usually have four wheels, a steering wheel, and an engine, just as they have for decades. But an awful lot has changed since the days of carburetors and drum brakes. The addition of computers to so many automotive systems has been a game changer, enabling safer braking systems, stability control, and better fuel economy, to name a few.

Let’s face it. Vehicles are far more sophisticated than they have ever been. There was a time when many motorists felt they could take care of some basic maintenance and repair items. Those days are pretty much gone, and safety is the number one reason you should leave modern vehicle repairs to the pros.

Today’s best technicians stay up to date with the latest training and have tens of thousands of dollars in tools and electronic diagnostic equipment at their fingertips. The pros have the proper lifts and other heavy equipment required for reaching areas that can’t otherwise be reached. They know how dozens of onboard computers are integrated with sensors and mechanical equipment. The pros also know how to test and diagnose very complex concerns properly.

Your Express Car Care pros have access to repair databases, so they know the correct service procedure on a wide variety of vehicles.

Think about it. Skilled automotive technicians have acquired their expertise after years of training. Frequently an automotive problem isn’t quite as clear cut as it may seem, and those years of experience prepare technicians for the inevitable twists and turns in an issue they might encounter while working on your vehicle.

A vehicle is a heavy machine that travels at high speeds. It encounters unexpected obstacles and requires precise steering and braking. It contains safety equipment that can save your life if it’s working properly. It simply makes sense to enlist the services of people who know how to diagnose problems that are sometimes difficult and tricky to figure out and then repair them. That way your vehicle will work at peak efficiency, performance, and safety. Those are the pros of having the pros work on your vehicle.

Understanding a Car’s Emissions System

September 21, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

A vehicle from a hundred years ago appears to be pretty primitive by today’s standards. Manufacturers started with the basics, and over time, have made vehicles run better, have more efficiency, more comfort, and be less pollutant.

If you head back in time to the 1950s, various federal, state, and local governments started looking closer at air pollution. The California Air Resources Board and the US Environmental Protection Agency, among others, were created specifically to improve the world we live in. Their courses of action were to help control pollution by establishing guidelines for making automobiles more efficient.

A lot of rules came out over the course of the next few decades. The first effort to control emission standards occurred in 1966 when all newly produced cars sold in California had to meet certain guidelines. The US followed suit in 1968. Today, all modern vehicles are required to be equipped with catalytic converters.

What are emissions?

As gasoline burns, it gives off emissions, which have been determined to be toxic to humans and animals when breathed in. It also contributes to air pollution, or smog, which can hang in the atmosphere long after the emissions producer is removed. Emissions can include:

Hydrocarbons (HC)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Particulate matter
Sulfur Oxide (SOx)

What are emission control devices?

Slowly, the process of using gasoline to run vehicles has been changed to be less toxic for the environment. We’ve moved from regular gasoline to unleaded, making it cleaner. Technology has provided ways for better engine management. Direct injection and modern combustion chambers have made the process smoother. Still, additional controls were added to improve the process.

Air injection – a system that injects oxygen into the exhaust system to help burn unburned hydrocarbons.

Exhaust gas recirculation – a process that reroutes a certain amount of exhaust gas back into the intake tract. It reduces the formation of nitrogen oxide.

Catalytic converter – it’s a component placed in the exhaust system that reduces hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide by converting them into less harmful gases.

How do I know my car’s emissions?

Every vehicle manufactured today produces a certain amount of emissions. According to the EPA, the typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Of course, that changes based on many different things. Like how you drive your vehicle. Or even the make and model you’ve purchased. Your owner’s manual can give you more information.

As your car ages, many different things start to happen with age and wear. Until eventually, your car stops performing the way it was designed, and that’s when problems can occur with your emissions system.

When your vehicle starts producing pollutants, you might not see it or smell it the way you could with older cars. This is because the catalytic converter is doing its job, and technology is backing it up with air-fuel mixtures.

However, there are still ways you can tell your emissions system is failing.

Engine problems – Cars today are designed not to have a smell. If you start noticing smelly or visible exhaust fumes, it’s a sign something is wrong. Typically, you’ll find if the engine is burning oil, it can be from worn out piston rings, faulty valve stem seals, issues with the positive crankcase ventilation (PVC) system, or other parts that are simply worn out.

Coolant in the exhaust – In some cases, you’ll notice a sticky substance dripping from your tailpipe. It may be engine coolant. When coolant leaks into the combustion chamber, it can contaminate engine oil. This can show either has a coolant leak, or convert to a white/gray exhaust smoke.

Failing catalytic converter – This is one of the easiest problems to diagnose. Have you ever driven a car that smells like rotten eggs? If so, your car has a failed catalytic converter. The sulfur in gasoline is converted to hydrogen sulfide during the combustion process. From there, the catalytic converter changes it to sulfur dioxide, which has no odor at all. When the catalytic converter fails, it stops this process, causing the rotten egg smell to flow directly to the exhaust.

Poor engine performance – When all systems aren’t working optimally, you’ll usually find your check engine light illuminates on the dashboard. This can be a sign of many things, which is why it’s important to bring your car in right away. If you notice your exhaust smells like fuel, it’s a sign that the air-fuel mixture isn’t occurring at optimal levels. You might also notice black smoke coming from the tailpipe, which is a condition of rich fuel.

What can you do to reduce the chances of emissions problems and be proactive in keeping your car running smoothly?

Watch for your check engine light – Every light that illuminates on your dashboard is telling you your vehicle isn’t working at optimal level. Take it as a warning sign to get your car into the shop as soon as possible. With a simple check, you can find the problem, and fix it quickly.

Perform regular maintenance – Change your oil at regular intervals. Especially right now, where your car may have been sitting for awhile, it’s important to change it regularly based on miles driven and months between replacement. You should also be aware of fixing things like filters, hoses, and other components based on manufacturer’s suggested timeframes.

Pay attention to how you put the gas cap on – When you place the gas cap back onto your vehicle, it should have a tight fit. If it starts wearing out, you notice cracks in the rubber seal, or it’s just not fitting as tightly as it once did, it’s time for replacement.

Watch for warning signs – Your car is designed to get you from point A to point B. But it can only do so if it’s running at its best. It’ll give you great service if you pay attention to how it operates. Listen for noises, notice new odors, and pay attention to the way it drives. Anything out of the ordinary should be watched closely. And if it continues, it’s time to bring your car in for a check up.

It’s the best way to catch repairs early, and ensure they don’t turn into bigger problems down the road.

Help, I Think My Transmission May Be In Trouble

September 14, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Car problems are often difficult to diagnose for the average driver.

It’s easy to see when you have a flat tire, or if the windshield wipers are no longer cleaning the windshield. But once the problem is tucked up under the hood, and your car starts making strange noises or emitting odorous smells, it’s hard to tell what’s the cause. Signs often can lead in multiple directions. What’s a driver to do?

Yet each system in your vehicle is essential in keeping you safe as you drive. Imagine driving down the mountains after a day of skiing without a brake system. Or driving on the coldest day of the year without a heating system. Not a good thought.

Likewise, the transmission system is essential to keeping you safe while you drive. It’s also one of the most complicated. Without a transmission system, power would never transfer from your engine to your wheels. When a problem starts somewhere in the transmission system, it can take a while for you to notice the issue. The more time passes with a part loose or missing, means more damage can occur internally. And that equates to a more expensive repair down the road.

When you have trouble with the transmission, several signs occur as warning signals. Catch it early, and you can repair the transmission long before it becomes a serious threat.

What is a transmission system?

Today’s cars operate with one of two types of transmissions: automatic or manual.

The automatic transmission is by far the most popular on new car models today. But the manual transmission is simpler to understand, and you’ll still find it a popular choice in sports cars or off-road vehicles that want more control over how they shift and drive.

A manual transmission is made up of a series of gears and an input and output shaft. The gears on the input shaft engage with the gears on the output shaft, which determines what gear the vehicle is in while it drives.

The driver controls what gear it’s in by moving a shift lever. They press down on the clutch pedal to disengage the gears, the move the levers to reengage the gears depending on what gear they prefer.

With an automatic transmission, the same essential process occurs, only in an automatic way. Instead of having a clutch, the automatic transmission uses a torque converter to move the gear set. An automatic transmission also uses a single concentric shaft instead of two, with the gears located inside and around each other in more planetary fashion. Instead of being controlled by a shift lever, the gears move through hydraulics, which are in turn, controlled by an electrical panel.

If the transmission system is working well, your car moves without a hitch. At the first sign of transmission failure, it’s important to bring your car in. What will your vehicle do?

Check Engine Light

Because your vehicle is more automated than ever, the tiny sensors watch for errors within the system. At the first sign of trouble, it will illuminate the check engine light. People often ignore it for a bit because the check engine light can mean many things. The sooner you get your car checked, the more you can avoid bigger problems. This trigger is often so sensitive it can pick up errors long before they turn into smells, noises, or vibrations as you start and stop. And that means you can solve the problem long before it migrates into something bigger.

Gear Problems

When a car rolls off the assembly line, the transmission operates without flaw. But over the years, the shifting becomes a little more clumsy, cumbersome, often feel like it’s sticking as it’s moving from gear to gear.

If the transmission feels like it sticks before moving gears, it could be low on transmission fluid. It could have a leak somewhere in the system, or even contamination from a water intrusion. The more the vehicle is allowed to continue at these levels, the more likely your car will overheat, causing internal damage and transmission failure.

Sticking gears isn’t the only way a problem shows. In some cases, the reverse can occur, with the transmission slipping and revving the engine into high gear. This creates undue wear on the internal parts, possibly overheating the system and ultimately causing failure.

If it feels as if the gears struggle to engage at any stage of driving, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for a check up.

Leaking Fluid

Fluid should never visibly leak from your vehicle at any time. And sort of a leak is a red flag it’s time to bring your vehicle in for an inspection.

Transmission fluid is typically red, and will have a sweet smell. You’ll notice the drip from underneath the vehicle in the middle of the car.

A leak is an indicator of a loose transmission pan, a drive shaft out of balance, or worn out seals or gaskets. It can also be a sign of damage somewhere within the system.

Burning Smell

Within the transmission system, if the hydraulic fluid is ever low or starts to overheat, it will give off a burning smell. Because transmission fluid starts as a sweet smell, you’ll often notice that first, followed by the burning spell as it becomes too hot. This can often be serviced with a transmission flush and replacement. But if you wait too long, it can damage the entire system.

Neutral Noise

When you place your car in neutral, do you hear a grinding sound? Any noise you hear that’s out of the ordinary could be a sign of a problem within the system.

The source is usually something simple, like worn out bearings or low transmission fluid. Again, if you act quickly, chances are it will be a fairly easy fix.

Clutch Pedal Changes

If you do have a manual transmission, you can also watch for changes in the way the clutch pedal grabs. Does it engage very low or high in the process? That could signal a problem with engagement, or a hydraulic issue. A simple adjustment may solve the issue, or more likely replacing a worn clutch disk and pressure plate.

If you’re experiencing trouble with the transmission, it isn’t something you can put off indefinitely. The sooner you act, the quicker your car will return to normal, and the safer you’ll be as you move throughout your busy days.

Have a question about your transmission of any other problem with your car? We’re here to help. Give us a call.

Battery

September 14, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Battery Batteries are a huge part of modern life. Think of how many battery chargers you own.

Of course, our purpose here is to talk about your car battery. When people come into Express Car Care and need a new battery, they’re really not that happy about having to spend the money. But the truth of the matter is, that 70 percent of batteries don’t make it for 4 years.

That may sound grim, but there are some things that you can do to extend the life of your battery. First, keep it clean. If you see it getting dirty or greasy, let us know at Express Car Care and we can clean it off. A dirty battery runs hotter, and that shorten its life. If your battery terminals are corroded, let us take a look at that, too. We can clean them, and if the corrosion has gotten into the battery cables, we can replace them.

Also, running your battery way down is bad for it. Things like running the headlights or watching a DVD player with the car turned off can deeply deplete your battery. The typical battery can only take about 10 of those deep cycle depletions before it gives up the ghost.

Because we often take short trips around an area with lots of stops for errands, our batteries can end up not getting fully recharged just by driving around. That also shortens battery life. You can hook up a good quality automatic battery charger at home from time to time. We recommend charging once a month during hot months and every three months during cold months.

Now when it’s finally time to get a new battery, we can help you find the right replacement. We’ll always make sure to meet your manufacturer’s recommendations. If you have special needs, like living in a very cold climate or running a lot of electrical accessories, we can look at an upgrade that’ll give you the power you need.