Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

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During these times when we are dealing with the economic crunch as well as concerns over the environment, the answer to a common question has even more significance.  Synthetic vs. conventional oil, which is better?

Conventional oil comes from crude oil that is pumped out of the ground.  The crude oil is refined at an oil refinery and becomes the base stock for conventional oil.  Even though it goes through a refining process, conventional oil still contains small amounts of contaminants that can’t be removed.  Unlike conventional oil, synthetic oils are made through chemical reactions.  Even though they are considered “artificial”, synthetic oils still have the same natural ingredients found in “real” oil, but these ingredients are recombined like a Lego set to create the characteristics desired.  These oils are purer and cleaner, custom designed to provide the “ideal” lubrication. Typically, the best synthetic oils use a combination of up to three different synthetic base fluids.

Because of the higher purity properties of synthetic oil, it can stand up to heat and withstand colder temperatures much better than conventional oil.  This is a huge advantage when you first start your car in the cold weather.

Both synthetic and conventional oil have additives to help prevent sludge and deposit build-up, but synthetic oil also has performance additives that provide superior protection for the life of your engine and in extreme driving conditions such as extremely cold or hot temperatures.

Synthetic oil flows easier in colder weather, so if you live in an area where it gets really cold in the winter, synthetic might be the better choice for you.

Because synthetic oil doesn’t break down as readily as conventional oil, there will be longer intervals between oil changes.  Synthetics can last almost three times longer than conventional oil, but still not forever,  as some people may think.  Eventually the additives in the synthetic will break down just like in the conventional oil and it will need to be changed.

The higher cost of synthetic oil has been a major deterrent for some people, but the fact that they extend drain intervals, provide better fuel economy and reduce engine wear, can offset the cost and make them more economical than you might think.

Take a look at your vehicle’s owner’s manual and see what the recommendations are and then come in and see us or give us a call at (303) 691-2760

Air Filters In Cars

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Have you ever gone running during a dust storm?  Most of us know better than to try to run while there is dirt in the air that we can breathe into our lungs.  And just as sucking dirt into your lungs can ruin your ability to run or force you to stop running, if your car’s air filter gets clogged and dirty it will cause your engine to  “lose its breath,” and ruin its ability to run as well.

Cars need about 9,000 gallons of air for every gallon of gas in order to run properly.  Since most of the air surrounding a car comes from the dirty, dusty roads we drive on, we are most certainly  guaranteed that dust particles will be sucked into the engine and cause costly problems, especially if we don’t have air filters in our cars.

Air filters in cars today are manufactured using high-tech cloth or paper and typically trap up to 98 percent of particulate matter.  But even high- quality air filters in cars will eventually become clogged by all the dirt and dust that is trapped, this clogging  drastically cuts down on needed air flow.  When your engine isn’t allowed to ” breathe”  it is robbed of its necessary horsepower as well as fuel economy.  With gasoline prices as high as they are and since they seem to be on the rise, it’s important to have a clean air filter so that you aren’t burning up costly gasoline unnecessarily.  We usually recommend that the air filters in cars be replaced at least once a year for the average driver.  But if you and your car spend a lot of time on the road, the air filter may need to be replaced more often.

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs come into Express Car Care or call us at (303) 691-2760

Car Maintenance Checklist

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It’s hard to believe that summer has passed, it’s now September, the leaves are changing and it’s time to get our car ready for the changing weather!  This is the perfect time of year to go over your car maintenance checklist and make sure that your car is prepared for the coming winter.

  1. If you haven’t had the oil in the engine of your car changed recently, now is the time to have it serviced.  Regular oil changes are very important in your car maintenance.  Having clean oil in the engine helps to keep your car running smoothly.
  2. Battery Service–  The cables and terminals on your car battery should be thoroughly inspected for wear or damage.  The battery fluid should also be checked along with the batteries ability to hold a charge.  Colder weather can really deplete the battery.  If you’ve had the same battery for 4 years or more, you might want to think seriously about having it replaced.
  3. Check Tires– Your tires should be checked to make sure they are in good condition and will provide the traction you’ll need in the winter months.  Checking for proper tire pressure is another step on our car maintenance checklist.  In some of the newer cars, the tire pressure sensors can be triggered by the colder temperatures.  So if your car’s sensors have alerted you, have the tire pressure checked, so you’re sure the tires have the correct pressure they need.
  4. Replace Windshield Wiper Blades– Proper car maintenance includes replacing worn out wiper blades and refilling windshield washer fluid in the washer reservoir.  You might want to use snow blades during the winter months, they are designed for better snow removal.   Please don’t put plain water into your windshield washer reservoir!  It will freeze and crack the reservoir.
  5. Cooling System Flush–  Your car’s cooling system needs maintenance.  Not only does it keep the engine from overheating but it also keeps it from freezing.  It’s important to have the system flushed and replaced with fresh coolant.
  6. Have Your Brakes Checked-There is nothing more frightening than trying to bring your car to a stop in bad weather and the brakes don’t do their job.  If you haven’t had your brakes checked in the last six months, now is the time to have it done.

Before you know it, the leaves will be off the trees, and the snow will be falling.  Don’t get caught off-guard,  complete your car maintenance checklist today.  Let us help you with all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, you can trust Express Car Care.  Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.

Auto Repair Cost

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In these tough economic times, none of us want to pay more for auto repair than necessary.  None of us wants to walk out of the shop holding an empty wallet!  That being said, we’re still left with the question, how much should auto repair cost?

When you drive your car into an auto repair shop for some needed repairs, the cost of those repairs are determined by several factors.  The make, model, and the year the vehicle was manufactured will be one of the first things that the mechanic will look at and has a significant  affect on how much the repair will cost.  Most of the time, European and foreign cars like Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and BMW are more expensive to repair than domestic cars.  The parts on foreign cars almost always cost more than domestic car parts,which raises the auto repair cost.  Foreign cars and some domestic cars have engine designs that make their parts more difficult for your mechanic to access, this will also have an affect on the cost.

The type of auto repair needed will determine auto repair cost.  If your car needs a new part rather than a repair on an existing one, than the cost of the new part will be factored into the price.  Some repairs cost more because the replacement parts are more expensive.

Auto repair cost is also determined by labor rates.  The average independent auto repair shop has a labor rate between $90-$130 per hour.  If you take your vehicle to a dealership for repair, their labor rate will most likely be higher.  Dealerships usually charge more than independent repair shops because they have higher overhead costs to cover.  The labor charged is based on a standard “flat rate” and is usually the most expensive item on the bill.  The labor time required to perform a certain task varies depending on accessibility of parts, the degree of difficulty of the job, and if special procedures or tools are required to complete the job.  All these factors are taken into account by a vehicle manufacturer in order to determine and publish the flat rate tables for various repair jobs.  Cars today are just as technical as a personal computer, and when they crash, they’re just as costly to repair.  So use this information to look for a trustworthy shop that will give you honest advice, quality service and a fair price.

5 Signs You Need New Brake Pads

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Since as a rule, we don’t normally think about the brakes on our cars until they don’t work, we thought we would share with you five signs you need new brake pads.       

  1. High- pitched squealing or screeching sound.  If you hear a high-pitched squealing, this sound is coming from a small piece of metal called an indicator.  The indicator rubs up against the brake rotor creating the squeal to alert you to the fact that you need new brake pads.  If you hear this sound regularly you should have your car inspected as soon as possible.  Your brakes can also squeal if your car has been exposed to water and then left sitting.  This squealing should clear up after a few stops and isn’t anything serious.
  2. Pulling.  If your car pulls to one side or another when you press the brake, that can be a sign that the brake pads are wearing unevenly and need to be replaced.
  3. Lack of Response.  If your brakes don’t respond like they should when you step on the brake pedal or if the brake pedal feels soft, it might be a sign of a leak in the braking system.  You could have an air leak in the brake hose or a brake fluid leak.  If you see a small puddle under your car when it is parked, it could be leaking brake fluid and you should have a mechanic look it over.
  4. Grinding.  This is one of the signs that the brake pads have very serious wear and are in danger of damaging the brake rotors.  The grinding sound is caused by the disc and the caliper rubbing together.  New brake pads sit between the disc and the caliper and keep them from rubbing together.  When you allow your brake pads to wear down completely then they don’t “cushion” the metal parts as they should.
  5. Grabbing or vibrating.  If your brake pedal grabs or vibrates, this is often a sign of warped rotors, but it can also mean that your car is out of alignment.  If it’s a sign of warped rotors, the grabbing or vibration happens when the anti-lock brakes aren’t engaged.  Rotors can be warped by severe driving conditions where you are using your brakes for longs periods of time, like steep mountain driving or towing.  This type of driving causes huge amounts of friction which heats up the rotors and causes them to warp.  If you drive in these conditions, stop periodically and let the brakes cool off.

As you can see, properly maintaining brake pads happens progressively.  Be aware to the early signs of brake pad wear.  It can save you time and money.

Rotating Tires

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If you are interested in getting the maximum life from your tires, whether you do the job yourself or have it done by an auto repair shop, rotating your tires regularly is very important.  Rotating tires evens out the way the tires wear and when it is done properly can extend the life of your tires, as well as improve the way the car handles sudden stops and turns. 

The best indication that it’s time for rotating your tires is when you notice an uneven tread wear.  When you look closely at your tires, is there more wear showing on the inside or outside of one tire more than another?  Uneven tread wear is unavoidable since the weight of a car isn’t distributed evenly to all four corners.  Most engines are in the front and because the engine is the heaviest thing in the car, the front tires carry more weight.  This means that the front tires will wear quicker than the rear. This is the reason it’s necessary to rotate the tires, front-to -rear several times during the life of your tires, to equalize tread wear and maximize their life.   This is what we mean when we recommend “rotating tires”. Tires will develop wear patterns as they age.  Some of these patterns are caused by the suspension system and the alignment of each car, this is why the tires are kept on the same side of the car when they are rotated.  By rotating the tires,  moving each tire to a different corner of the car, then each tire wears more evenly and the life of the tires is extended.  Other indications of a needed tire rotation are:  noticing trouble handling your car when you are braking, or if your tire traction isn’t good in slippery or wet road conditions.  These are all signs you should be aware of and not ignore.

The general rule for how often to rotate tires is every 3,000 to 7,000 miles, but your vehicle’s manufacturer manual will also have their recommended times.  If you are in the habit of changing your oil every 3,000 miles, you can also pair the tire rotation with your oil changes and rotate the tires every other oil change.  You can also maintain a log or spreadsheet to help you keep track of when you perform tire rotations, this will help you stay up to date and keep your car running smoothly.  If you store the log in your glove compartment, you’ll have a handy reference with you.

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

Replacing Your Car Battery

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Christmas in July!?  Just as most of us are not thinking about Christmas or purchasing gifts in July, many of us aren’t thinking about replacing our car battery in the middle of the summer.  Whether or not you choose to purchase Christmas gifts in July isn’t really important.  What is important is replacing your car battery before it dies on you.

Most of you are aware that the winter cold shortens the life of your car battery.  But did you know that summer heat is harder than winter cold on the life of your battery?

We’ve all seen the advertisements showing the motorists stranded in the bitter cold with a dead battery!  It is almost automatic to think of dead batteries  and cold weather at the same time.  But we usually don’t think about our car battery in the summer as we should.  Summer heat can kill a battery 33 percent faster than winter cold!  On a day where the temperature reaches 90 degrees, the temperature inside the engine compartment can soar to 140 degrees or higher and running the air conditioning works the battery even harder!  Considering the fact we have been experiencing temperatures in the 100’s this summer, our batteries are really being put to the test.  We also need to remember that our car battery also powers all of the “toys” that we have in our cars,  MP3 players, GPS receivers, and DVD players.  So what do we need to do to ensure we aren’t stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery this summer?

  1. Have the battery fluid checked.  Some batteries have removable filler caps and the heat evaporates the fluid more rapidly.  If this is the type of car battery you have , you might want to consider replacing it with a newer, flush- top battery.
  2. Have the battery case inspected.  It shouldn’t have cracks or bulges or be leaking fluid.  If any of these are present, it should be replaced immediately.
  3. If your car battery is more than three years old, get it tested by a trained technician, they should be able to give you a good idea if you should replace it or not.  The life of the average car battery is about 4 years long, so keep that in mind as you consider whether or not it should be replaced.

Don’t let a dead battery interfere with the plans you have for this summer.  Come in and see us for a battery check and save yourself the time and aggravation that a dead battery brings.

How To Make Sure Your Auto Air Conditioner Is In Great Shape

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Summer is here and the temperatures are rising! Nothing is quite as miserable as having to drive in the sweltering heat without an air conditioner. That is why it is so important for you to make sure your car’s air conditioner stays in top shape all summer long. Otherwise, you may be stuck in traffic one day with no air conditioning to keep you cool. The following tips will help you make sure your auto air conditioner is in great shape for the summer.

Check the temperature of the air coming out of the vents. If it is not cold, your air conditioner may be low on refrigerant. You can use pressure gauges to determine if your air conditioner needs a charge.

With the car running, turn on the air conditioner and listen for the clutch to engage. If it does not engage or if it engages and disengages rapidly, you could be low on refrigerant.

Make sure that all mounting bolts connected to your air conditioning system are tight. This will help eliminate any rattling or other noises. [Read more…]

Does Your Car Transmission Need Repair?

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Your car transmission is a pretty awesome device.  The way each part of the transmission, the bell housing, gears,  the filter and the transmission fluid, all work together to send power to the wheels and keep them rolling.  Your transmission also knows how and when to  shift the engine smoothly from one gear into the next and does it, at exactly the right time.   At least that’s what it does when the transmission is performing the way it was designed to!  But what happens when your car transmission needs repair?

There are a few things to look for such as:  leaking fluid, unusual noises,  whining or clunking, rough shifting or grinding.  For a more detailed explanation of these symptoms, read How to Determine If Your Car Transmission Needs Repair.  Give us a call at (303) 691-2760 or come in and see us.

How is Your Car Cooling System Working?

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We have been having record breaking heat here in Denver and throughout our state.  There have been major wildfires and severe drought conditions and it doesn’t look like the record heat is going to be changing any time soon.  Since we usually use our air conditioning a lot more during the hot weather, it’s even more important we find out, “how is our car cooling system working?”  Is it functioning properly so it can do the job it was designed to do?

A typical car driving down the highway will produce enough heat to warm two average-sized homes! That is a lot of heat!  This is the amount of heat that needs to be diverted away from your car’s engine to keep it running the way it is suppose to run.  The job of your car cooling system is to maintain a constant engine temperature whether the  air temperature outside is 100 degrees or 5 degrees below zero.  If the temperature of the engine is too low the car’s emissions will go up and you will get lousy gas mileage.  But if the temperature of the engine gets too hot and stays that way for too long,  it will cause costly damage and great inconvenience to you.  If you would like to avoid all the inconvenience and damage that a faulty cooling system can cause or you would like to know more about how a car cooling system works, read our blog “Is It Time For a Cooling System Flush?  Then give us a call at (303) 691-2760 or come in and see us and let us know what we can do to help.

 

 

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks