Car Maintenance

What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Car’s Motor Oil

August 14, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

One of the very basic items to keep your vehicle running is motor oil. Outside of gasoline, it’s the number one thing you’ll change out on a routine basis.

But as you buy another can, or drive into your local service station for a motor oil change, have you ever wondered what would happen if you skipped it altogether? What if you waited a few months? What if you didn’t follow the guidelines? How bad could it be?

Many of the guidelines state that a car’s motor oil should be changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. If you check your owner’s manual, depending on the vehicle you drive, it may push that up to 5,000 or more.

What should you believe?

What motor oil does

Before we get into how frequently you should change it out, let’s talk for a moment about what it does.

Motor oil has one purpose: it’s designed to keep your car running smoothly. It’s designed to lubricate the engine and help carry heat away from the engine compartment. As the motor oil circulates throughout the system, it continuously lubricates the thousands of parts that come together and make your vehicle operational. And at the same time, it helps dissipate heat, carrying it away from where it can do the most harm.

That makes motor oil pretty important, right?

Think of motor oil as the lifeblood of your vehicle. If it doesn’t have a high quality supply running throughout the system, it can function at peak performance. And that means things will start to wear down over time.

Fresh, clean motor oil will keep your car in its best possible condition.

If it degrades, your car will start to wear down.

What really happens without fresh motor oil?

Glad you asked. It’s important to keep in mind that every car reacts in its own unique way. Your car won’t suddenly wear out without new motor oil at 3,001 miles. It’s more of a gradual process.

As motor oil works and moves throughout the system, it picks up all kinds of dirt and debris. If it’s working well, it can push this debris away from the moving parts and into an oil filter. But if you don’t replace the filter (it’s part of a regular oil change), the filter will eventually become too clogged to do its job. That means whatever the motor oil pushes in, it bypasses it and leaves it within the system.

That’s when engine parts start to wear down. Instead of fresh, clean motor oil, dirty fluid is circulating throughout the system. And it might not be doing a very good job. It can be abrasive, causing parts to rub together in wrong ways. It might not keep each part properly lubricated.

Motor oil isn’t just oil. Instead, it’s a combination of oil and additives designed to keep your car running at its best. It has things like detergents, dispersants, rust-fighters and friction reducers all working together to provide your vehicle with what it needs to thrive. You know when you’re washing dishes and the soap bubbles eventually dissipate because of all the grime that makes its way into your sink? That happens to motor oil too. The additives can’t work the way they did when you first added motor oil to the system, not once the system is compromised.

So the oil gets thicker, dirtier, and loses the ability to do what it was designed to do – keep heat out of the engine compartment. Heat builds. Parts warp. Damage starts to occur. And your car might not drive quite the way it did before.

But you still might notice anything. You might continue driving.

This turns oil into sludge. The volume of dirt and grime becomes too much, and it can’t process it at all. It barely moves, loses most of its lubricating qualities, and brings no relief to your vehicle’s parts.

If you leave it this way for too long, the engine will seize, and stop working altogether.

A high quality motor oil change is something you’ll barely notice in your monthly budget. We guarantee you’ll feel the pain of replacing a seized engine. It can cause thousands of dollars to bring your car back into working condition.

What else happens along the way?

Now that you know what happens within the engine compartment itself, let’s talk about a few other things you should know.

Did you buy a new or used car with a warranty? The warranty is only good if you follow the rules. And if you read the fine print on the warranty itself, you’ll find that it states you have to service your vehicle according to a schedule. If you don’t service it according to factory guidelines, the warranty will be null and void. Yes, that means you should keep track of every motor oil change you do. For that matter, you should keep a record book of every maintenance item you do, just to be able to refer back and determine all that you’ve done to your vehicle over the years. It can also be something that gives you an edge when trying to sell it down the road.

And long before you face a seized engine, you’ll also find your vehicle shows poor engine performance. When detergents and lubricants aren’t working correctly, you’ll hear and feel your engine sputtering. It can materialize as poorer gas mileage too.

It’s time to change your motor oil today

There’s an adage: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And while that’s true for every system in your vehicle, it definitely applies here.

If you want a car that continues to operate well throughout its life, giving you the longest lifespan possible, it’s important to keep it working well.

You can do that easily just by pulling into our service station on a regular basis. Three or four times a year, for most.

It’s not about the money you’ll spend on new motor oil. It’s about the money you’ll save on repair bills down the road.

What Shock Absorbers Do For Your Car

August 10, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

We’ve all seen the movies where a car goes bouncing down the road. But in reality, if you start to feel your car bounce, you know you have a problem. It could be a sign your shock absorbers are worn out.

What is a shock absorber?

A shock absorber is an integral part of a car’s suspension system. The shock absorber was designed to absorb the compression and rebound of the springs. They are created to take away the bounce and spring motion produced as your car moves.

Shock absorbers keep your tires connected to the road, so you experience a smooth ride.

As your car moves, you hit a variety of things in the road – bumps, dips, even fast-acting swerves to avoid large items. Your car’s suspension system reacts to your controls, which in turn moves energy to the tires, so they continue to connect with the road and absorb this energy. Shock absorbers dampen the movement of the springs, turning kinetic energy into thermal energy (or heat energy.) Thermal heat is dissipated into hydraulic fluid.

Shock absorbers exist within a cylinder controlled by a piston that moves as the vehicle’s suspension system operates. Small amounts of fluid are released from the piston head, which helps slow down the suspension movement, further controlling the rebound of the springs. The faster the springs move, the more resistance a shock absorber provides.

That’s what shock absorbers do when they work correctly. Over time, they start to wear down.

How do you know if your shocks are bad on your car?

Most drivers rely on their senses to tell them when something is wrong with their cars. Paying attention can mean the difference between a minor repair and a major overhaul. When you hear, smell, or feel something that seems not quite right, it’s better to bring your vehicle in to a mechanic and have them check it out right away.

All of your vehicle’s systems offer various warning signs, including faulty shock absorbers. As you’re driving, you may notice any one of these items:

The vehicle bounce

Now that you know how shock absorbers work, it’s fairly easy to understand why your car would bounce when they no longer work well. Shock absorbers work together with the springs attached to your car’s suspension system. If the shock absorbers aren’t working the way they should, it allows more action from the springs. And that is going to cause you to feel more bounce from your car. If the shock absorbers aren’t there to alleviate the resistance, the energy will move into your tires, producing an uncomfortable ride.

A metallic sound

As a suspension system wears down, it produces a telltale sound of metal to metal contact. If shocks and bushings can no longer support the strut, the result will cause a knocking sound you’ll hear either from the front or rear wheels.

Diving or squatting as you start and stop

Shock absorbers help your vehicle stabilize as you pull away from stop signs and traffic lights, and control the movement as you brake and come to a stop. If the mechanics of the shock absorber can’t handle the weight of the vehicle during this action, you’ll find the front end diving down or the rear of the vehicle squatting during this process.

Body rolls

In a similar movement to diving and squatting, a body roll takes place as you bring your vehicle through turns. As the shocks start to go bad, you’ll feel your car leaning more into every turn you make. Over time, this can present safety issues, so it’s important to take action and correct the problem as soon as possible.

How long do shock absorbers last on a car?

Just like other parts of your car, finding an answer to how long shock absorbers last depends on a variety of things.

Most manufacturers will give you a ballpark number. You may see things like “10 year guarantee. ” That is subjective at best. A delivery van that puts on hundreds of miles a week will clearly need new shock absorbers long before a car that sits in the garage most days because the owner is retired.

Mileage or time frame is a starting point, but it also depends on how you drive.

It also depends on the roads you drive on regularly. Smooth highway miles are different than rural gravel roads. Lots of stops and starts can wear down the mechanics of the shock absorber long before a car that mostly drives on the highway.

Then there are also considerations around road conditions. Driving in the heat of the summer is different than driving on roads filled with mag-chloride, ice, snow, and salt. Chemicals can always play a part in how long various components will last.

Do shock absorbers need any maintenance?

All vehicles have four shock absorbers (or a strut/shock absorber combination) at each wheel. The good news is that your shock absorbers don’t require scheduled maintenance like other parts in your vehicle. This doesn’t mean they never need replacing.

Shock absorbers do fail over time. And replacing your shock absorbers is one of the more common replacements you’ll make keeping your vehicle safe and in good working condition.

But there’s another reason many people upgrade from factory-grade shock absorbers: ride quality. People often come in and state their luxury car is suddenly driving like a truck. That’s a sign you need new shock absorbers. Your ride will be smoother. It can also make a vehicle corner and brake like when it was new.

When a shock absorber goes bad, it’s not necessary to replace them all at one time. However, it’s usually recommended to replace them in pairs – both front or both rear. This is because new shocks will absorb more of the road bumps than the old. If you were to replace only one, there would be an unevenness from side to side. This could quickly cause other problems within your vehicle.

Are you ready for a smooth ride? If you’re tired of feeling every bump in the road, it might be time for new shock absorbers.

Does Your Car Have a Cooling System Leak?

July 23, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Imagine trying to survive outside all day in 100 degree heat without a bottle of water. It wouldn’t take you very long to start fading.

You need water to function, to survive.

Your car works in much the same manner.

Without the proper fluids, your car would quickly grind to a halt. It would perform only as good as it could, trying to pull what it needs from the various resources. Until nothing was left. The only choice it has is to quit functioning altogether.

Coolant is an important fluid your car needs to function year round, but especially in the summer months. Coolant is designed to prevent water in your radiator from boiling over. In the summer months, your vehicle can reach much higher temperatures, especially as you drive under the extreme heat we face here along the Rocky Mountains. Coolant also provides lubrication for all the moving parts it comes into contact with, keeping seals and gaskets supple, so they are less likely to harden and leak.

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is one of the most important fluids to keep your car running properly. If you’ve noticed an odd, sweet smell after turning your engine off, you might have a coolant leak.

While the term antifreeze might have you thinking it’s only used in the winter months when temperatures fall below freezing, antifreeze is equally important in the summer months for your cooling system. Coolant – antifreeze – control’s the engine’s temperature so it won’t overheat.

A car’s radiator is filled with coolant, which is a mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water. The engine pumps coolant through the radiator, engine, and heating system to help keep your engine operating at the proper temperature, regardless of how high or low the temperatures climb.

When an engine starts running low on coolant, it causes the radiator to run too hot, which hurts both performance and fuel economy. If allowed to operate too long in this condition, your engine can overheat, which will damage your car, possibly bringing it to a halt. If it destroys your engine, it will be a complete replacement, a costly endeavor at best.

If you have a cooling system leak, it’s important to discover it as quickly as possible, and get it fixed. The cooling system has many different parts, something a good mechanic will know how to search out. A coolant leak could be something as simple as tightening a loose clamp, or as complicated as repairing or replacing a broken water pump. Bringing it in will allow a technician to diagnose the problem and fix it quickly to have you back on the road in no time.

How to tell if you have a coolant leak

In most cases, you’ll know if you have a cooling system leak in one of three ways.

If you notice a sweet aroma from outside your vehicle, or immediately after you turn your car off after you’ve driven it.

Look for puddles of liquid underneath your car. They are either lime-green, orange, pink, or blue-green in color. Different antifreeze manufacturers create different dye lots to help differentiate coolant from other fluids your vehicle uses. For example, engine oil is gold when new or a dirty brown or black as it’s used. Transmission fluid is a deep red color. This is one reason to park in the same spot regularly, and pay attention to what lies underneath when you drive away.

Your car starts overheating. You may also notice the temperature gauge moving towards the hot zone as you drive.

Reasons for a cooling system leak

Once you’re sure you have a leak in the cooling system, you can start to pinpoint where the leak originates. There are a variety of ways coolant can begin leaking, here are several of the most common.

You have a leaky radiator cap – the radiator is an extremely pressurized environment. If the radiator cap isn’t tightly sealed, it won’t keep the cooling system at the right pressure level. Over time, this seal can begin deteriorating or the spring may wear out, causing coolant to leak.

Your head gasket blows – the head gasket plays an important role in the engine’s performance. When a head gasket blows, it may take time before you notice a problem. The head gasket manages a wide range of temperatures, and runs with both high and low pressure within the engine. It sits between the engine block and the cylinder head, and is referred to as “blown” when it develops a leak. The engine will no longer keep the oil and coolant separate once this happens, and ultimately leads to engine failure. It can also allow the coolant to leak and drop to low levels, which impacts the ability to cool the engine down.

Your radiator has a hole – the radiator endures both low and high extremes as you drive throughout the year. That constant temperature change takes its toll over time. Corrosion within the radiator is one of the main reasons for problems with leaks. As it ages, it gets weaker, allowing sediment or debris inside. This can spring tiny holes that lead to leaks.

Your water pump – the water pump is one of the key parts that ensures coolant is being circulated throughout the cooling system. It’s driven by a belt and is located in the lower part of the engine, connected by a hose to the radiator. This hose can break or become separated, or suffer damage over time. If coolant isn’t moving throughout the system, your engine will eventually overheat.

How to avoid cooling system problems

One of the easiest ways to avoid coolant leaks is to follow a regular maintenance schedule. That means changing out the coolant in your radiator according to manufacturer’s guidelines.

Older coolant can become sour, become acidic, and start eating away at the internal parts. Regular maintenance detects problems with hoses and connection, and finds tiny leaks throughout the cooling system before they become bigger problems.

No matter what problem you notice, whether it’s a smell, a noise, or moisture underneath your vehicle when you drive away, the best way to fix a problem is to bring your car in quickly and stop the problem in its tracks.

Let us help keep your car in good working condition this summer. It’s the best way to help you stay on the road, and avoid an overheating engine on one of the hottest days of the summer.

Fuel Pump

July 20, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Help your fuel pump last longer. One pump killer is contamination in the fuel tank. Sometimes this comes from the fuel itself. Buying fuel at a reputable Denver station will help make sure you are putting clean fuel into the tank. Older vehicles tend to have more sediment in the tank from years of rust or corrosion from the tank itself. The tank may need a thorough cleaning or replacement.

Another thing you can do to help your fuel pump last longer is refill your tank when it gets down to about a quarter full. The fuel pump is submerged in the fuel which cools it and lubricates it. When the fuel in the tank runs low, the pump has to work harder to suck up the fuel from the bottom and there is not enough fuel in the tank to cool it. This can lead to premature wear.

When the day comes that your fuel pump needs to be replaced, Express Car Care of Denver will use a quality replacement pump that meets or exceeds your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. The entire assembly should be replaced. Your Express Car Care service adviser will be sure to install a replacement pump that is compatible with your fuel type. For example, if you have a FlexFuel vehicle that can run on gasoline with up to 85% ethanol content, your fuel system components – including the fuel pump – must be able to withstand the corrosive effects of high alcohol content fuel.

We’d like to help you with all your car repair questions, give us a call or come in and see us.

Is Your Transmission Failing?

July 14, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

If you’ve ever driven a vehicle with a manual transmission, you became more aware of how much it shifts as you drive around. You shift into reverse to move out of garages and parking spaces. You move from first to second, to third and fourth gears as you speed up and slow down from stop signs and traffic lights.

When you move to an automatic transmission, it works in much the same way. The difference being that the internal workings of the car do the job for you. No pushing in the clutch and moving the gears into position.

The transmission system transfers power from the car engine to the wheels. It’s what gives your vehicle mobility. It’s what allows your car to move backward and forward.

As you can imagine, a lot of stress is put onto each of the components within the transmission system over the years. That’s why transmission failure is common; it’s not a matter of if, but when. The transmission will require repair work the older it gets.

The good news is there are warning signs.

If you pay attention to the signals, you can catch problems early. That can save you from being stranded, and prevent expensive repairs in the long run.

How do you know if your transmission is failing?

Dashboard light

Your vehicle was designed to warn you well in advance of serious threats to your car’s systems. Pay attention to lights on your dashboard. A lit up check engine light can mean a variety of things. It can be a simple repair, or a sign of a bigger problem. Don’t ignore it. Instead, schedule an appointment with one of our technicians as soon as possible so we can diagnose the problem and get you back on the road without issue.

Struggles to switch gears

Sometimes, with an automatic transmission, you start to hear it struggle to find the right gear. If you have a manual transmission, shifting becomes more difficult, often feeling like you have to add force to move it between the various gears. This could be a signal your transmission fluid is low, or the mechanic you trusted your car with put in the wrong kind of fluid.

Slipping gears

Another thing you might notice is that your vehicle’s transmission tends to impulsively slip in and out of place. This can be highly dangerous if you’re on a busy road and your gears slip. Imagine flying down the highway from a day up skiing, and your gears slip to neutral. If you feel this at any point, bring it in to have it evaluated as soon as possible.

Grinding

This is more common in an automatic transmission, where a grinding or shaking occurs as you move between gears. This is one of the clearest indicators that your transmission is failing.

Dragging clutch

With a manual car, if the clutch fails to disengage the clutch disk from the flywheel as you press down on the clutch pedal, it’s a sign your transmission is having problems.

Leaking fluid

Always be conscious as you approach your car for visible signs of a problem. Transmission fluid is dyed red in color to help distinguish it from other fluids. It also has a sweet smell.

Burning smell

While your engine is running, if you ever smell a burning smell, it’s time to bring it in to be serviced immediately. It’s often an indicator that your transmission is overheating, which could be from something as simple as low transmission fluid. The faster you repair it, the less risk you have of causing further damage to the system.

Unresponsive

In some cases, your car will refuse to respond to any attempt to change gears. If you can’t move from park to drive, it’s a problem with your transmission. Your only course of action may be to have it towed in for service.

How to properly maintain a transmission

Now that you’ve determined you may be experiencing problems with your transmission, how do you maintain it? How do you ensure you won’t run into trouble at the most inconvenient time?

First of all, remember regular maintenance is the key to your vehicle’s success. You should also pay attention to your car, and be alerted to any changes that may present a problem.

Check the level of your transmission fluid regularly, depending on your make and model. Some vehicles have a dipstick similar to your motor oil for easy access. Still others are closed systems, and require knowledge and a few tools, or bring it in and one of our mechanics can check the levels for you.

You should also schedule an automatic transmission fluid service change every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on your vehicle’s requirements. The old transmission fluid will be flushed from the system, the fluid pan removed and cleaned, and a new filter will be installed to the correct amount.

Be aware of the way you drive. Slow down. You should never make quick switches from drive to reverse, or reverse to drive, especially if the car is still moving. In most cases, this will stall the engine, and possibly do a lot of damage to your transmission.

Be conscious of how you drive. Smooth acceleration helps to allow gears to change at the correct times, and provide you with the most fuel efficient behavior.

Take care of your transmission

You may have heard the horror stories of drivers facing expensive repair bills installing a new transmission. And we’re not going to lie, a replacement can be one of the most expensive auto repair bills you’ll ever receive.

Instead of waiting for that repair bill to come, commit to regular maintenance instead. By watching your vehicle and getting to know how it acts, you’re more likely to recognize when something goes amiss. That means you can drive it into our service station long before you have a seized transmission.

We’re here to help you keep your car running, no matter how old it is or how many miles you’ve put on. Let us give you a quote today.

Why It May Be Time For Wheel Alignment

July 11, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

When you drive your car off the showroom floor, everything about it is in perfect condition.

From the moment it hits the open road, your car is at risk. Slam on the brake pedal and it impacts your braking system. Hit a pothole, and it can knock your wheels out of alignment.

The trouble is, most of the damage done to your car isn’t something that impacts it right away. Instead, it accumulates over time.

That pothole in the middle of the lane you always drive in to work? Yep, every time you hit it, it continues to impact your car. Bolts can loosen. Joints can come apart. And wheel alignment? Yep, that happens gradually too. Every bump you hit, every pothole you hit a little too hard, every curb you scrape and bump, it all adds up over time.

Why is wheel alignment important to my vehicle?

Wheel alignment is important for one very obvious reason: driveability. If you want a smooth ride as you drive to work, drop the kids off at school, or take your family out on the open road, a periodic wheel alignment is mandatory to keep your car working properly. Of course, there are other reasons too.

If your wheels aren’t connecting with the road properly, it also means your tires are being impacted every mile you travel. If a wheel is bent, it pulls the tires away from the road in certain spots. That means uneven wear. It also means the lifespan of your tires will be shortened.

When your wheels are in proper alignment, the entire suspension system is working together, keeping you pointed in the right direction. Without movement, you move in a straight line. But when wheels are out of alignment, that balance can shift and turn. Have you ever felt a pull to the right or left when you’re moving down an open stretch of highway? That’s a problem with your wheel alignment. It can cause other systems more wear as you overcompensate for the problem.

All of these extra problems can cause one more failure – gas mileage. It takes more energy to overcompensate for problems throughout your vehicle. If you start to see a slip in mileage each time you fill up your tank, it might be a wheel alignment issue.

How will I know if I have a wheel alignment problem?

Wheel alignment isn’t something you’ll find a dashboard warning light for. Instead, you’ll only discover you have a problem in one of two ways.

1. Regular checkups. If you let one of our mechanics check out your car periodically, we can find and correct issues before they become bigger problems.

2. Watch your tires. The easiest way to tell if you have a wheel alignment problem is to watch your tires for uneven wear. The tires should wear evenly across the tread. If you notice excessive wear on the inside of the rear tires, for example, it’s an indicator you may need an alignment. It also could be a sign of too much weight in the trunk.

How will my driving be impacted if the alignment is off?

Watching for uneven wear on your tires isn’t the only sign of an alignment problem. There are other noticeable signs you can watch for as you drive.

When your vehicle pulls to the right or left as you drive. You’ll tighten your grip on the wheel as you feel your car slowly moving one way or the other.
A steering wheel that looks crooked instead of straight. As you drive, your steering wheel should return to its original position. If you have to turn it slightly to keep it in the lane, it may be a sign.
Your tires may squeal and make noises. That high pitch squeal is because the wheels aren’t connecting the way they should.

Now what?

What it takes to calibrate a vehicle’s wheel alignment

You can’t look at your wheels and know you have a problem. It requires precision to ensure your wheels are calibrated perfectly, giving you the smoothest ride possible.

When you bring your vehicle in, alignment is performed using advanced computerized alignment equipment. Weights can be mere fractions, bringing all four wheels into alignment.

Our technology:

Measures all four tires and sets the alignment according to manufacturer’s guidelines. The more accurate this process is, the smoother your ride. It’ll also improve your gas mileage.
Provides an accurate reading. You can’t eyeball this, which is how it was performed years ago. Today’s technology is better than ever, meaning we can get accurate readings to ensure you’re driving out of our garage with the best alignment possible for your vehicle.
Understands the guidelines for your vehicle. A Prius will have different requirements than a large SUV.

How long does it take for a wheel alignment?

Like every service we perform, it depends.

If everything goes smoothly, you can be back out on the road shortly. But as we dive in and discover problems, it may lead to other issues.

Each wheel may have up to three alignment angles that need adjusting. They’re called caster, camber, and toe. Three alignment angles – four wheels – that means up to 12 adjustments needed for servicing. You can’t drive in, plug it in, and go. It may take a little time.

Because you have four wheels, all four must be adjusted at the same time. Performing one wouldn’t give you the right calibration to ensure your entire vehicle is driving the way it should. Instead, it’s essential to adjust the front wheels to be at a proper angle to ensure the back wheels operate correctly too.

An alignment check inspects both the steering and suspension systems. It will ensure your tires are pressurized correctly, and are still in good operating condition. It will adjust camber, caster, and toe angles, as needed. That may mean new parts and labor charges, depending on the issue. And finally, a road test. We want to drive it, to ensure it feels good when connecting with the road.

Sometimes your warranty requires occasional wheel alignments to ensure it’s in proper working condition. Check with your manufacturer, to ensure you stay within compliance.

Car Maintenance Items Before Your Road Trip

July 7, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

What will the summer of 2020 be remembered for? Recovering from a pandemic will be high on the list. Roadtripping is also going to be one of the most popular activities for families.

Forty-six million Americans say they will jump in the car and visit someplace on their bucket lists during the summer. If the coronavirus has canceled your big traveling plans, and you’re looking to stay a little closer to home, roadtripping just makes sense.

Right now, a lot of us are looking for a little escape. After being locked up at home with no place to go, even if you love your home, it’s looking a little closed-in right about now. The open road, the wide open skies, and new-to-you territory sound good right now.

But in order to make it there safely, it’s important to ensure what you’re driving gets you there without trouble.

Has your car been sitting in the garage, with only trips to the grocery store keeping it running?

Has your pickup been parked, with no place to go?

Are you sure they’ll get you where you’re going, especially if you’ll be driving into the middle of nowhere, without a service station in sight?

Car trouble is bad anytime it happens. But when your car doesn’t start in the office parking lot, it’s a minor inconvenience. If your car dies on the open road, it can be downright dangerous.

Before you leave home, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your car is the last thing you’ll have to think about as you’re having fun with the family.

How do I know if my car will make a long trip?

If you have a brand new car, you might not think twice before hitting the open road. But what if your car is three years old? Or five?

In most cases, if your car has been operating well, you’ve provided it with routine maintenance, you attend to issues as they occur, and it runs well for you as you carry out your daily tasks, it should run for you on a road trip as well. If it hasn’t given you trouble as you drive around your neighborhood, there’s no reason to think it will act up on your trip.

Being aware is the most important part of car maintenance. Watch for anything new that arises with your vehicle.

Are there any fluid leaks?
Do you hear any new noises?
Does a light shine on your dashboard readings?
Does your car act similarly to how it always has?

If you haven’t noticed anything new, chances are it’s in good shape to make your road trip.

How do I prepare my car for a long trip?

Are you wondering if your car is in good enough shape to go on a road trip? Whether your trip is a few hundred miles, or you’ll be adding several thousand as you venture far from home, being stuck without a car isn’t a part of your plans.

Even if you take care of your vehicle regularly, if you haven’t had it checked in a few months, doing so right before your trip can give you added peace of mind. Scheduling a car maintenance appointment will allow one of our mechanics to check the important things, ensure everything is in good working condition, and enable you to head out without having to worry about your car.

Here’s what we’ll do.

Check fluids

Fluids are the lifeblood of any vehicle. It’s not just an occasional oil change that keeps your car running well. But regular oil changes are an integral part of keeping your car moving. Oil changes are usually done based on mileage. Will you hit that point during your trip? Then it’s a good idea to have your car serviced before you leave, to ensure it operates well throughout your trip.

Oil keeps many components operating well, such as the pistons, crankshaft, and camshaft. Mechanics will tell you to change your oil somewhere around every 5,000 miles. Manufacturers may go as high as 10,000 miles, depending on your make and model. Check with your owner’s manual, and talk with one of our mechanics to get on a schedule that works best for your needs.

Other fluids you should check include:

Radiator fluid – this is also known as coolant or antifreeze. This helps pull heat from the engine and dissipate it through the radiator. A mechanic can ensure a proper amount of fluid is in the system, and flushing it every 40,000 to 50,000 miles will keep it working its best.

Brake fluid – brake fluid keeps the brake lines working well. When you push on the brake pedal, brake fluid flows through the brake lines, enabling the brake pads to clamp on the rotors, and slow and stop your car. Flushing the system every 25,000 miles or so will ensure your brakes work as designed.

Power steering fluid – this fluid ensures your steering is responsive to your movements at any speed. If you notice a change in the way your car steers, and it takes more movement to go the direction you choose, it’s time to change out the power steering fluid. Many manufacturers recommend every 50,000 miles or so regardless.

Windshield washer fluid – long trips in the summer mean plenty of bugs and dust accumulating on the exterior of your car. Topping off the windshield washer fluid will allow you to keep your windshield clean no matter how many miles you drive.

Tires

As you would expect, your tires are essential for safety. Know how many miles of wear they have, bring your car in for inspection to ensure you’ll stay safe throughout your journey. This can alert you to potential problems, such as uneven wear marks, or faulty tread.

If you don’t have a sensor to alert you with pressure problems, be sure to check tire pressure every 1,000 miles or so. Even if your tire pressure is correct, it’s a good idea to rotate your tires every 8,000 to 10,000 miles or so to help them wear better and last longer. Tires should also be replaced every 25,000 to 50,000 miles. Not sure how much tread you have left? Do the quarter test. Insert a quarter into the tread. If it doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it’s time to think about replacing your tires.

What other car maintenance items do you need before a road trip?

Cars have numerous components that need to be checked and observed over the years. The better you know your car, the more you’ll be aware when it’s time for replacement.

Other components that may need servicing or replacement include:

Brake pads – they provide friction needed to slow and stop your vehicle. Depending on the brake pad, you can expect anywhere from 25,000 to 70,000 miles before replacement. Keep in mind that brake pads may not always wear evenly from side to side. Be sure to have all brakes looked at and tested before heading out on the open road.

Air filters – especially in summer, you’ll be subjected to dust, dirt, and bug entering the engine and interior, clogging the filters. This can impact your drive as well as affect engine performance. New air filters for both your engine and interior cabin every 10,000 to 15,000 miles will give you a better ride.

Bulbs – when was the last time you checked your headlights? How about your brake lights? Make sure all of your lights are working properly to help keep you safe on the open road.

Belts and hoses – over time, belts and hoses can wear down, leak and crack. That can allow fluid to leak, and increase the potential of being stranded. Just a quick check can ensure your car is in its best condition for a safe trip, no matter where the road takes you.

Is Your Car Low On Coolant?

July 3, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Every time you start your car, several different systems kick into gear. First, the starter motor comes to life. Then the engine turns, and the spark plugs fire. As the engine turns over, the crankshaft moves, and the pistons push the cylinders to life. A combination of air and fuel is drawn into the cylinders, compressing it and using it to fire the spark plugs. This begins the combustion process.

Very quickly, you’ll start to feel heat. It doesn’t matter if you use a gasoline, diesel, or even a hybrid vehicle, they all naturally create heat.

Your car is designed to handle all of this heat. In the winter, if you turn on your heater, it can funnel some of this heat into the interior cabin to help keep you warm. The rest of the heat is handled in a different way.

It’s important to keep all internal parts at the proper temperature to ensure they work. That means keeping them cool enough to operate. To do this, your car relies on an engine coolant, also known as antifreeze. If your car starts to run low on coolant, it can allow your engine to overheat, which can severely damage your engine.

The cooling system includes the radiator, thermostat, coolant, and a variety of hoses that circulate the antifreeze where it’s supposed to go. It absorbs the heat as it operates, carrying heat away from the engine and into the radiator where a fan works to cool it down. The thermostat regulates this process, controlling just how much coolant is needed to flow through the system and keep it working.

What if your car is low on coolant?

One of the reasons regular maintenance is important is to ensure you never drive without major fluids circulating throughout your vehicle. If you’re low on coolant, it can create bubbles in the system. These bubbles can harm various parts, eventually seizing your engine altogether. Let’s start at the beginning.

Engine overheating

If your vehicle runs low on coolant, the longer you drive, the greater chance of your engine overheating. There will be a spike on temperature levels throughout the coolant system, creating hot spots that start to damage the system. As these hot spots erupt, they cause damage including leaking. This allows coolant to flow erratically, allowing more coolant then needed into the engine. This builds in the combustion chamber, which in turn reduces the car’s power supply. At best, your car won’t run the way it should, and at worst, it will come to a complete standstill.

There’s a misnomer that engine overheating only occurs in the summertime. That’s not the case. Being lown on coolant in the winter can lead to severe problems with the engine block. Without a proper level of coolant, it can allow water in the system to solidify and become ice. You’ll notice this if you turn on the heating system and all it blows is cool air.

Corrosion

Most of the parts in the engine are made from metal. If the proper levels of coolant aren’t in the system, if the parts aren’t working as they should, it can allow rust to begin to form on various components. Antifreeze often has different additives that help prevent rust from forming. If you haven’t replaced the coolant in a while, or it runs low, the engine compartment isn’t receiving the proper protection against rusting.

Blown head gasket

The head gasket sits between the engine block and the cylinder head. The head gasket keeps the coolant and the motor oil separate as the two fluids travel between the engine block and the cylinder head. Over time, the head gasket can wear down and start to leak. As this happens, coolant levels can start to drop without and visible signs of coolant leakage.

This is why regular maintenance is so important. You can identify a blown head gasket by checking the oil dipstick. If you notice a milky liquid or bubbles sitting on the end of the dipstick, it may be a sign of a problem with the head gasket. And the sooner you fix the problem, the smaller the repair bill.

How do you know if you’re low on coolant?

This is where it benefits you to pay attention to how your car operates on a day to day basis.

Check the coolant reservoir

The easiest way to check your coolant levels is to pop the hood and check the reservoir. You can do this, or pull in to our service station regularly and have us perform a thorough inspection. This is especially important if you’ll be heading out on a road trip in the coming weeks.

Watch the temperature gauge

If your systems are operating correctly, the temperature gauge on your dashboard should sit below the half-way mark. If it begins to rise, it’s signaling you have a problem.

Check for leaks

If you suspect you might have a coolant leak, turn your vehicle off and check underneath the hood. Coolant leaks show up as either green or orange water droplets on the various hoses connecting your cooling system to your engine.

No heat

If coolant isn’t flowing properly, it won’t provide heat through your conditioning system inside the interior cabin. If you have the heat on high and it never gets warm, it’s a sign you have a problem with your coolant levels.

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Smell

Like other fluids in your vehicle, manufacturers give coolant a distinct color and odor to make it easy to detect. Antifreeze has a sweet smell. If you notice that smell at any time you’re around your vehicle, it’s a sign of leaking coolant.

Fuel inefficiencies

It’s also a good idea to watch your gas mileage as you drive. The cooling system allows your engine to operate properly. But if the proper levels of coolant aren’t supplied, fuel will start to burn faster, reducing the efficiency of your vehicle. You might also have trouble accelerating as the fuel doesn’t vaporize correctly as you drive.

If you suspect your car is low on coolant, a visit with one of our mechanics will help diagnose the problem and provide a comprehensive inspection to ensure all systems are operating efficiently.

Help! My Car Shifter Is Stuck In Park

June 25, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

I was driving my car the other day, and pulled into a parking spot, expecting to run an errand and be on the road again in minutes. Three hours and one tow truck later, my best laid plans for a productive afternoon ground to a halt.

For most of us, driving is an automatic process. Unlock the doors. Start the engine. Put the shifter in reverse. Back out of the parking spot. Drive away. We repeat those actions again and again until we pull into the garage for the evening.

But what I experienced isn’t all that uncommon. Sometimes you’ll find the car shifter stuck in park, and no matter how much you turn your wheel or play with the shifter, it simply won’t budge.

What do you do if the car shifter is stuck in park?

Don’t force the shifter into action

When your gear shifter is stuck, the first rule of thumb is not to force it into action. To do so may cause further damage to your transmission.

There are a few different factors that could be in play. Some are more serious than others, so it’s important to evaluate the potential problems carefully. Start by asking yourself a couple of questions.

Is my car parked on an incline?

When you park on an incline, your car shifts as you put it into park and walk away. Sometimes, this causes excessive pressure on the parking pawl – a device that fits the automatic transmission in order for it to lock up the transmission. If this gets stuck, it may prevent the piece from retracting, sticking into gear. Pushing the car just a bit can sometimes relieve this action and allow you to continue to move on with your day. You can avoid this problem by applying the parking brake before letting your foot off the brake whenever you’re parked on an incline.

Do my brake lights work?

The brake switch and the shift interlock mechanism are interconnected. If you are stuck in park, have someone stand behind your vehicle and check your brake lights. Do they light up? If not, your brake switch may have come unplugged, disconnecting the sensor and making your parking connections inoperable.

Does your car have a manual shift interlock release?

Depending on the car you drive, some have what is known as a manual shift interlock release. Check around your automatic shifter for a plug, a button, or a small key slot. You can usually remove the cover by inserting a key or other small object into the slot. Pushing the button should allow you to shift out of park – just make sure you apply the brakes first as you might start rolling away. Just be aware that this might be a temporary fix. It’s still a good idea to get your car thoroughly checked to ensure it’s in good working condition.

Car still won’t shift? Now what?

If you’ve checked the above and still have a car that won’t shift, it might be time to call in a tow truck and bring it into our shop.

There are several other issues that may be at play, that may be preventing your car shifter from moving out of park.

Damaged safety mechanism

Every vehicle has a variety of safety mechanisms to keep you safe while around your car. When you start up your car, a safety feature prevents you from taking your car out of park until you press down on the brake pedal. This is called a shift interlock solenoid. Solenoids are metal cylinders that allow you to move the gearshift with ease. Every action on your vehicle triggers the next action. When you press down on the brake pedal, it signals the solenoid it’s okay to release the gearshift and allow you to move to your desired action. If this is damaged, you’ll be unable to get out of park. Replacing it is necessary to get on the road again.

Brake light switch failure

This is different from your brake light burning out. If the switch connecting your brake lights to the braking action fails, your gear shift will stick. The culprit is nothing more than a faulty switch. Replacing it will get you on the road once again.

Faulty shifter cable

If you’re driving an automatic, the transmission is fitted with a cable that links to the shifter. A manual transmission is equipped with two cables instead of one. These cables are at risk of breaking or being damaged, depending on how you drive. Slamming into gear, or frequent speed shifting can all cause wear and tear. A stretched cable won’t do the job effectively, and will eventually get stuck.

Limp mode

Sometimes your vehicle is unable to read the signals coming from the sensors. These sensors are what helps your vehicle determine when to switch gears. If one goes out, it triggers what is known as limp mode. This feature is designed to protect the transmission, giving a driver a chance to bring the car in for repair before damaging the transmission further. You won’t be able to pick up speed, so highway driving is out. You should only try this without getting a tow truck if you are close to the repair shop.

It might also be caused by weather

Let’s face it, Colorado can have extreme weather conditions in days, or even hours. If the weather drops below freezing, below zero, it can play havoc with your transmission. A frozen shift lock solenoid might be the cause of a car shifter stuck in park. Warming your car up may be an easy fix.

It’s time to let a mechanic get you back on the road

It’s easy to get upset, even angry when your car doesn’t work as designed. But in most cases, attempting to jam your car back into working condition may only cause more damage.

Carefully try out some of the mentioned techniques from above. If you can’t immediately put your finger on what the cause is, call in a tow truck and have one of our mechanics look for the cause.

You’ll save money in the long run by fixing the problem the right way without doing further damage to your car.

Is your car shifter stuck in park? What can we do to help you get on the road once again?

Serpentine Belt

June 22, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Your serpentine belt is powered by the engine as it turns. Your alternator, air conditioning compressor and power steering pump depend on your serpentine belt in order to run. On some vehicles it also runs the water pump, radiator fan and power brakes.

If your serpentine belt breaks, your battery won’t last long. If it runs your fan or water pump, your engine could overheat before your battery dies. Steering and braking would also be affected. To put it mildly, you could be up a creek without a paddle if your serpentine belt breaks. Hopefully, we’ve made an impression about how important it is to replace your serpentine belt before it’s worn out.

Your owner’s manual will advise you when they recommend it’s best to replace your serpentine belt. Your friendly and knowledgeable service adviser at Express Car Care can inspect the belt as well to determine if it’s close to failure.

You may have heard that it’s a good idea to check for cracks in your belt to see if it’s time for a new one. However, with the newer belts, belt thickness is a more reliable indicator of the status. At Express Car Care, we use a special tool to measure the depth of the grooves to see if a replacement is in order.

A worn belt can also cause problems even before it breaks. It can slip out of place and put undue stress on the accessories it runs.

There’s a tensioner pulley on your engine that puts pressure on the belt to keep it at the right tension. Since the spring on the tensioner wears out like any other part, we recommend replacing the tensioner pulley at the same time you switch out the serpentine belt.

Replacing your serpentine belt on schedule will save you from a dangerous breakdown.

Come in and let us help you keep your vehicle on the road.