Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Car Engine Cleaning

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I recently purchased a classic car.  What can I do to make sure the engine will last longer?  I just bought a used car and I don’t know if the previous owner kept up with regular oil changes.  How can I make sure my car engine is clean?  These are just a couple of the reasons why someone would be interested in having a car engine cleaning service.

Over time, your engine can develop sludge, which leads to reduced horsepower and performance, and ultimately a shorter engine life.

Infrequent oil changes, combined with stop and go driving can cause a sludge to form inside the car engine and on its parts.  A formation of sludge can lead to problems such as reduced oil circulation, restricted oil passages.  It can also cause sticky valves, lifters and piston rings.  These symptoms can also occur just by having a car that has a lot of miles on the engine, 75,000 or more.

When anyone comes into our shop and has noticed any of these symptoms going on with their car, we will usually recommend an engine cleaning service.  An engine cleaning service uses pressure to eliminate virtually all of the old motor oil in your engine-rather than relying completely on gravity to drain the oil.  A skilled technician will remove the old oil filter and attach the engine oil system cleaning equipment to your car.  This equipment will circulate the existing motor oil and the engine cleaner through a filter and remove the sludge and contaminants from your car engine.  After all the contaminants have been removed, then our technician will install a new oil filter and refill it with fresh motor oil.

After you’ve had a car engine cleaning service, maintaining regular oil changes at recommended intervals will help you keep your car engine clean.

Come in and see us or give us a call at (303) 691-2760 for all of your auto repair needs.

 

 

Suspension Problems In Denver?

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

As you can imagine, if most of your driving is done on smooth Colorado highways, your vehicles shock absorbers will last a lot longer than if you do most of your driving on bumpy Denver roads or hauling heavy loads.  In addition to just wearing out, upgraded shock suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or rock in the road.

Because the life span of the suspension system can vary so widely, your vehicle manufacturer recommends periodic inspections.  During a car inspection at Express Car Care, your Denver service technician will check for worn, broken or missing suspension parts.  If the inspection reveals any problems, don’t neglect to take care of this important safety and handling work.   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 in Denver, your Express Car Care adviser can recommend an upgraded shock or strut to help with your specific needs.

At Express Car Care, we have been providing quality auto repair in Denver for over 10 years.  Ask the manager, Rob, about transmission service and windshield wipers.

For all your auto repair needs come in and see us or give us a call @ 303-691-2760

At Express Car Care in Denver we install quality NAPA replacements parts.  To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com

Automatic Transmission Flush

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Since we live in Colorado, a state known for its various outdoor activities.  Many of us use our vehicles for mountain driving or towing a trailer.  These extreme driving conditions will make an automatic transmission work even harder than usual.   It’s important to schedule an automatic transmission flush as a part of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.

Your automatic transmission creates an enormous amount  of heat  because of all the friction created  within  its parts.  Every time your transmission shifts up and down and with every start and stop, it is generating more and more heat.  In today’s transmissions, there are a number of electronic components necessary in order to keep the transmission operating properly.  Transmission fluid is also needed to reduce the heat that is produced by these components when the vehicle is running.  Low levels or dirty transmission fluid can clog the components and the tight spaces in its interior.  It doesn’t take the automatic transmission fluid long to heat up even under normal driving conditions, so towing a trailer, mountain driving, stop and go city driving, or trying to get your car out of a snowbank, will make your transmission work even harder.  This causes the fluid to overheat, break down and oxidize.  Transmission fluid that is oxidized turns brown and can smell like burnt toast.  Excessive heat will destroy the transmission fluids ability to lubricate or reduce friction and will ultimately cause damage to components.  This is the main reason why car manufacturers and auto repair shops recommend an automatic transmission flush every 30,000 miles–more often if you use your vehicle for frequent towing.

If we can help you with a transmission flush or any other automotive service, please come by or call us at (303)691-2760

 

Car Heater Not Working?

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Is your car heater not working?  Now is not the time to have problems with a car heater that blows out cold air!  The temperatures are getting colder and should continue to get colder, since the winter weather has only just began.  So it is very important that we take the necessary steps to prevent our car heater from not working or have it repaired if it’s not working.

The car heater uses excess heat from the engine and transfers that heat into the passenger compartment through the heater core.   Some of the heat created by the engine escapes through exhaust, but most of the heat is circulating a mixture of water and coolant.  The coolant or anti-freeze, heats up and flows through the radiator hoses and the heater core,  as the fan blows air through the heater core.  As the air blows through the heater core, it is warmed and warms up the passenger compartment.  If your coolant is low or dirty, it makes it extremely difficult for it to flow through the heater core.  Coolant, like other fluids used in your car, breaks down over time.  So it is important to replace or flush your coolant mixture.  You should have your coolant checked during routine maintenance visits, but it’s also recommended to have a radiator flush done at least once a year.  If your coolant is dirty, it can create a blockage in the heater core.  If there is a blockage in the heater core, the car heater will not work.

If you have had your coolant checked as well as had the heater core checked to make sure it isn’t blocked, and your car heater still is not working, than it might be a more serious problem.  We don’t want anyone to have to spend too much time in a car with no heat, so come in and see us or give us a call at (303)691-2760

Car Winterizing

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Well, here it is, the snow has finally arrived!  It seems like it has taken its time this year, especially for anybody that enjoys participating in winter sports.  And since the snow has come, it brings with it the task of car winterizing.  Even though you’ve probably heard it all before, it is a task you don’t want to ignore.  Modern technology has simplified car winterizing so it isn’t as difficult as it once was, so there is no excuse for not getting it done.

Take your car in and have it serviced.  The oil in your engine needs to be changed on a regular basis in order to keep your car running smoothly, so if you haven’t had an oil change recently, now is the time.

Car winterizing also involves your cooling system.  Now is a good time to have it flushed out.  Your car’s cooling system not only keeps the engine from overheating in the summer but also from freezing in the winter.  It’s very important to flush the system and have the old coolant replaced with fresh coolant.

Your battery cables, terminals and fluid should be thoroughly inspected for damage or wear.  It also should be checked to make sure it is able to hold a charge in the colder weather.  If your battery is more than four years old, you should seriously consider replacing it as a part of the car winterizing process.

Replacing your windshield wiper blades with snow blades and making sure you have enough windshield washer fluid ( not plain water) in the windshield washer reservoir is also important.

Checking your tires to make sure they are in good condition for the winter weather should be part of your checklist.  You may want to consider using snow tires during the winter months.  They do a much better job than an all-weather tire in the snow.

One of the most important tasks of car winterizing is having your brakes checked!  There isn’t anything more frightening than not being able to stop in the snow when you push on the brake!  If your brakes haven’t been checked out in the last six months, now is a perfect time to have them checked.

Well, that covers the most important tasks in car winterizing, but there are a few smaller details you might want to include, like an emergency kit for your car that includes a blanket, gloves, ice scraper, a small shovel, flashlight and sand or kitty litter, (for traction).  And check the lights, heater and defroster to make sure they are all working properly.  Also keep your gas tank as full as possible to prevent moisture from freezing in the gas lines.

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

When To Replace Shocks and Struts

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Although “winter” driving hasn’t been an issue for us yet.   There are plenty of construction zones in the city, where our cars shocks and struts are put to the test.  Knowing when to replace the shocks and/or struts on our vehicles doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little bit of knowledge the decision can almost be made for you.

The first thing to know is that not all vehicles have both shocks and struts.  Some vehicles have only struts and some have only shocks.  Shocks are usually a single cylinder in the open and a strut is normally surrounded by the coil spring , creating a  suspension assembly, but both shocks and struts serve the same purpose.  Their main function is to keep your vehicle from bouncing.  Each vehicle has front and rear springs that help to cushion it over rough road conditions.  Shocks and struts are designed to help keep the tires on the road.

Shocks are normally used in the rear suspension on a vehicle, whereas struts are on the front.  Some trucks have shocks on both the front and the rear, but they both achieve the same thing.  They control the action of the spring to resist bottoming out, ( like when you hit a pothole), and keep the movement of the springs under control as they rebound.  Because of all the road construction in our area,  rough roads and potholes are everywhere.  If your car continues to bounce long after you hit a pothole, it might be time to replace the shocks and struts.

Worn out, damaged or leaking shocks and struts need to be replaced.  Leaking is easy to see by looking for oil or wetness on the outside of the shock or strut.  Damage is also pretty easy to see – look for a broken mount, badly dented housing, etc.  Shocks and struts that may be worn out are more difficult to judge, so preventative checkups are the key to avoiding them.  Have your technician check them every time you have an oil change.  Because the damping characteristics of shocks and struts deteriorate gradually over time, if you begin to notice the need for them, it’s usually way past the point when they should have been replaced.  Other signs of when to replace worn shocks and struts.

  • When stopping quickly, does your car rock back and forth several times?
  • When applying your brakes firmly at higher speeds, does your vehicle have a tendency to drift to the left or right?
  • When changing lanes quickly does your car rock or sway from side to side?

A “bounce test” is still a valid way of knowing when to replace shocks and struts.  If the suspension continues to bounce more than one or two times after rocking and releasing the bumper or body, your shocks or struts are worn and need to be replaced.

 

Creative Ways to Winterize A Car

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During these difficult economic times and with the holidays approaching, we are all looking for ways to save money.  We have put together some creative ways to winterize a car using common household items that most of us have around the house.  Because we don’t have to buy specialty items, this saves us money!

Using petroleum jelly on your battery terminal caps to stop battery corrosion is recommended by Michael Calkins, the manager of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair Program.  Simply remove the terminal caps and clean any existing corrosion off with a wire brush, then coat the terminals with petroleum jelly.  The jelly forms an airtight seal that wards off salt, slush and mud, all of which cause corrosion on the battery terminals.

Winter driving here in Colorado means snow one day, slush and mud the next.  This can play havoc on our cars and our headlights.  To keep your headlights doing their job, clean them with soap and water,  and then apply a nonabrasive car wax using a soft cloth.  The wax is water-repellent and leaves a barrier that keeps dirt from building up.  It’s recommended to do this once a month.

Have you ever gone out to start your car in the morning and not been able to get the door open because it is frozen shut?  Here is a creative way to prevent this.  Coat the rubber door seals with cooking-oil spray.  It repels the water that would otherwise collect on the rubber seals and freeze, causing the doors to be frozen shut.

Another problem that occurs during the winter is frost accumulating on the inside of our windows, obstructing our view and increasing our chances of having an accident.  A creative way to “winterize” your windows is to dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in a gallon of water and wipe the inside of the windows and windshield with this mixture.  As the mixture dries, it leaves an invisible layer of salt-which has a low freezing temperature, and will help keep frost from forming on the windows.  This lasts for a month or more.  Don’t use this mixture on the outside of your car, the salt can cause corrosion to the exposed metal.

If you’re one of the people who store a car during the winter months, there is a chance that rodents might try to build a nest in your engine.  A creative way to discourage these little pests from nibbling on wires and making a home in your engine is to tape a peppermint tea bag, away from moving parts, to the engine.  The minty scent will repel rodents and keep them away through the winter.

If you try any of these creative ways to winterize a car, we would like to know how they worked for you.  We appreciate the feedback.

Why Is A Car Oil Filter Important?

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There are many times in our business that we meet customers who don’t understand why a car oil filter is important.  Most of them recognize the importance of quality oil but don’t realize how the oil and oil filter work together to keep their car running.  So why is a car oil filter important?

Oil filters have a very important function and if your oil filter has poor quality, it can shorten the life of your engine and cause other parts to fail as well.  This small part of your car’s lubrication system plays an important role in protecting your engine from premature wear.  All the moving parts in the engine need clean oil to properly lubricate them.  Tiny bits of metal chip off of various engine parts while it’s running.  If these bits of metal are allowed to recirculate through the oil, they could break off other bits of metal, which eventually will cause erosion in the engine.  A quality oil filter helps prevent this erosion from taking place.  The oil filter cleans the oil as it passes through the filter and prevents abrasive contaminants from damaging the parts in the engine.

It is very important to choose a high quality oil filter because the internal construction and quality of the filter has a huge effect on the life of your car’s engine.  Here at Express Care, we use a Wix oil filter.  Wix was patented in 1954 and has been at the forefront of oil filter technology and performance for passenger cars, trucks, buses and off-road vehicles ever since.

One of the standards used to determine the quality of an oil filter is called filtration efficiency or particle size retention.  Particle size retention is the measure of how well a filter can retain particles of various sizes.  Wix has developed optimum filtration efficiency in their filters.  They are able to trap and hold essentially all the particles larger than 25 microns (a human hair measures about 70 microns in diameter.)  These filters can also capture a high percentage of even smaller particles.

Another standard that a quality filter must meet is dirt-holding capacity.  This is the amount of contaminants that can be removed and held by the filter until the filter no longer works.  The capacity of Wix filters is much larger than the minimum requirements that are specified by vehicle manufacturers for a regular oil change interval.

Hopefully these facts help you understand why a car oil filter is important.  A quality oil filter and quality motor oil work together to help our cars run more efficiently.

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care.  Call us at (303) 691-2760 or stop by and see us.

 

Car Maintenance Schedule

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Even though today is Halloween and you might be bracing yourself for some “frightening” events, a car maintenance schedule doesn’t have to be one of them!  Preparing our car for winter driving shouldn’t be a scary endeavor.  Take a look at this recommended car maintenance schedule and don’t be afraid!

Check the Hoses– Do a visual inspection of the hoses for cracks, leaks,  or loose clamps.  Also feel them to check for spots that might be brittle or spongy, which means they need to be replaced.  Anti-freeze won’t be able to do it’s job if the hoses that carry it through your car’s system are damaged.

  • Flush the Cooling System– The additives contained in the engine coolant (anti-freeze) that lubricate and protect the engine parts from rust and corrosion are depleted over time.  It’s recommended to have the cooling system flushed (old coolant removed) and new coolant added every two to five years depending on your car manufacturer.
  • Test the Electrical System– Have your car’s battery tested and make sure that there isn’t any corrosion on the terminals or clamps.  Check all the cable connections to make sure they are tight.
  • Adjust the Alternator Belt– The alternator is the source of electrical power when your car is running, it also charges the battery.  The alternator belt needs to be adjusted properly.  For older model cars, this needs to be done manually.  Newer cars usually have an automatic tensioner.   Have the belt checked for wear and cracks that signal it’s time to have it replaced.  It’s a good idea to have a trained auto technician do these services.
  • Windshield Cleaning Tools– Make sure the windshield fluid reservoir is filled with a non-freezing solution.  Check the pump and sprayers to see if they are working properly.  If your wiper blades leave spots or streaks, they should be replaced.  You might want to get winter wiper blades that have a rubber boot to prevent ice and snow from building up.
  • Check the Tires– Make sure your tires have an adequate tread depth.  Worn tires should be replaced right away.  Putting snow tires on for the winter is a great idea.  Check the tire pressure.  When the temperature drops, the pressure in your tires will too, so check the tire pressure more often in the winter months than you do in the summer.
  • Brake Inspection and Flush– If you have any existing brake problems, they will get worse in the winter when your traction is reduced.  Have the brakes inspected to make sure they are working properly.  Brake fluid absorbs water and then collects  in the system, it can cause rust, fluid leaks or damage to parts.  To prevent this from happening, most manufacturers recommend that the brake system be flushed every two to three years.  Check your owner’s manual for your car’s recommendations.

Don’t let taking care of your car spook you!  Use this car maintenance schedule and keep your car running smoothly all winter long.

Best Tires For Snow

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Well, here it is, the first snow of the season, and it certainly won’t be the last!  Since we live in a state where the winters are very unpredictable, sometimes we have a lot of snow and other times, not so much.  We need to make a smart decision about which are the best tires for us.  All-season tires or snow tires, which do we choose?

Driving in the snow can be the biggest challenge that a driver will ever face.  If our vehicles aren’t equipped with the best tires for snow, we could be in real trouble.  We are driving with less daylight and colder temperatures, as well as in snow, slush, and ice.

Most tire experts, including Tire Rack, say that only dedicated snow tires will actually improve your vehicle’s grip in winter conditions.  All-seasons tires are intended to provide traction in a wide variety of weather conditions but have fallen short in their performances during tests on ice and snow.  An inexpensive snow tire has proven to perform better in ice and snow tests than an all-season tire.

Many of today’s vehicles are also equipped with anti-lock brake, traction control and stability systems that help them get more from their tire’s potential.  But none of these aids actually causes traction, traction is provided by the tires, and snow tires provided better traction than all-season tires.  Although the all-season tire performed well, in driving situations with four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicles the snow tires had a distinct advantage.  The results were especially striking during braking and cornering.  Snow tires improved performance by as much as 20%.

Narrow snow tires are better for driving on ice and in the snow.  They are better at cutting a path through the snow and slush.  It is always best to use the tire size that has been specified for your vehicle.  This information can be found in your owner’s manual or on the sidewalls of the tires that are already on your vehicle.

Once you have decided the best tires for you, make sure you buy four tires.  It was once a common practice to install just a pair of snow tires in the rear of a vehicle, this isn’t recommended now because of all the advanced technology that has gone into the new designs of snow tires.   Putting snow tires only on the rear tires can cause unpredictable handling and could be dangerous.  So don’t scrimp when it comes to your safety!

 

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks