Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Winterizing A Car

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We have all heard the saying “all good things must come to an end” and unfortunately this saying is true when it comes to the summer weather.  Summer weather is leaving and winter is on its way!  That means it is time for winterizing our car.  Because of our modern technology, winterizing a car isn’t the major hassle it once was, but it still needs to be done!  These are some simple steps to take for winterizing a car.

Have Your Car Serviced- The oil in your engine needs to be changed regularly to keep your car running smoothly, so if you haven’t had your oil changed, do it now.

Have Your Cooling System Flushed- Your car’s cooling system not only keeps the engine from overheating but also from freezing, so it’s important to flush the system and have it replaced with fresh coolant.

Have the Battery Serviced- Your battery cables, terminals, and fluid should be thoroughly inspected for any damage or wear.  It should also be checked to make sure it has the ability to hold a charge, so you are prepared for the colder weather.  If your battery is more than 4 1/2 years old, consider replacing it.

Replace the Windshield Wiper Blades– Your wiper blades should be replaced with snow blades and make sure there is windshield washer fluid in the windshield washer reservoir.  Don’t use plain water, it will freeze.

Have Your Tires Checked-Your tires should be checked to make sure they are in good condition for winter weather.  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.

Have Your Brakes Checked– There is nothing more frightening than trying to stop in bad weather and not having your brakes do their job.  If you haven’t had your brakes checked in the last six months, now is a great time to do it.

Those are the major steps that should be completed in winterizing a car but there are some small details you should do also.  Put together an emergency kit for your car with a blanket, gloves, ice scraper, a small snow shovel, flashlight and kitty litter ( for traction in snow).  Check the lights, heater and defroster to make sure they are working properly and have them repaired if not.  You should also keep your gas tank as full as possible to prevent moisture from freezing in the gas lines.

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

 

Car Maintenance Tips For Your Older Car

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I have an older car. ” What type of car maintenance tips can you offer to make sure my vehicle stays in top shape?” ” I’m not ready to jump into a new car, so I want to keep my older car in the best shape possible.”  We’re hearing a lot of this these days.  Instead of replacing a car every three to four years, people are pushing the window of ownership, and are choosing to keep their older cars an extra year or two.  Not only will it save  money on monthly payments, but it also can save  on insurance rates as well.

Keep a car maintenance log

Keep a small spiral notebook and pen in your glove compartment, and keep track of all of your car related maintenance.  You may also want to record your gas fill-ups and mileage, a reduction in mileage can be an early warning sign of a future problem.  Also use the same service location for all your car maintenance items-they will track your maintenance and be able to monitor potential problems along the way.  Keep your receipts from the services you have performed on your vehicle, they will help you remember what work you’ve already had done.

Buy gas at reputable service stations

Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filter regularly.  Some stations don’t have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline.  Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly or water down their product.  Find a station you trust and stick to it.

Don’t fill up if you see the tanker

If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station.  As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment.  Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly repairs.

Lighten up your key chain

Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys?  That’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it’s in the ignition.  The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure. To add years of service to your ignition switch, purchase a light weight key chain that allows you to separate your ignition key from the others.  Drive with only the ignition key in your ignition.  If your ignition key “sticks” when you try to turn on the car, it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail.  Replace it before you get stranded.

Fix and fill your washer fluid tank

With Colorado’s variable weather patterns, you may notice a cracked washer fluid tank on an older car.  Fix immediately, and keep it filled with plenty of window washer fluid, especially on cold, slushy days.

Clean your car thoroughly

Clean your car inside and out.  While everyone likes a clean car on the outside, the inside is just as important.  Clean off the magnesium chloride from your wheel wells and undercarriage, which Colorado uses to keep the streets ice free in the snowy months.

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

Auto Repair Questions to Ask Your Repair Technician

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Today’s cars are more complicated than ever, using computers and sensors to run virtually everything within your car.  From navigational systems, to videos, and even WiFi connectivity, when something goes wrong, it can have a major impact on your daily life.

Your automobile is a big investment.  And with today’s increasing technology, even a small repair can be a big investment as well.  It’s important to find an auto repair technician you can trust.  Someone who will give you honest feedback on the condition of your vehicle, and what your options are.  Here are some questions to ask your repair technician before you leave your car:

  1. How safe will my car be?  Certain cars are more susceptible to theft and break-ins.  Will they keep your car safe and locked up if you have to leave it overnight?  Do they have an alarm system in place and a well lit area?
  2. How much experience do you have?  Review the credentials of your auto repair technician, as well as the qualifications of the company as a whole.  A company should stand behind their work, no matter what technician works on your car, and should guarantee the work they perform.
  3. What type of certification do you have?  Again, both the company and the technician should have certification to work on vehicle.  Find out if your auto technician is ASE certified or has comparable training.  Ask if mechanics have received updated training that supports the technological advances found in today’s cars.
  4. Is there a guarantee policy and what are the conditions under which it is implemented?  While every good mechanic strives to offer the best service possible, occasionally something may happen with the work performed.  Find out what the guarantee policy is.
  5. Do you have a web site, and do you post specials or discounts?  If there are discounts, is it necessary to clip coupons to receive the discounted price?

The better working relationship you have with your auto repair technician, the more you can rely on them to answer questions, and keep your car in top shape.  They are there as a resource for you, not simply to repair your car.  They build their business by being an expert, and sharing their expertise with you.  Just ask.

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

Oil Change Special

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Regular maintenance is a part of the life of your car.  If you do just a few things on a regular schedule, you can avoid larger problems down the road.

Regular Scheduled Oil Change

At the top of this important list of  regular maintenance services  is the oil change.

Changing your oil regularly prevents the formation of sludge.  Fresh oil is used within the engine to clean away dirt particles, keeping them from settling onto the engine.  With regular changes, the particles are removed before they can begin to cause a problem.

In the same manner you visit your doctor for a routine checkup once a year, the auto industry has recommended that once every 3,000 miles your car has an oil change.  These guidelines provide you with a regular interval, and helps extend the life of your engine.

Different dealers and auto repair shops offer different services when you purchase an oil change.  Here at Express Care, we offer our Express Care Full Service oil change.  This includes:

  • Draining used oil and refilling with motor oil.
  • Installing a new oil filter

Plus we check and fill the following:

  • Lubricate your vehicle
  • Transmission fluid
  • Power steering fluid
  • Battery water
  • Windshield washer fluid
  • Antifreeze/coolant
  • Differential fluid
  • Transfer case fluid
  • Tire pressure

In these tough economic times, it’s so important that we take care of our vehicles properly so we don’t have to spend a lot of money to repair or replace them.

Right now we’re offering an oil change special to help you do just that!  Go to our home page and click on Shop Specials for an online coupon that offers savings on a full service oil change.

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

Transmission Troubleshooting

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Your transmission is the one piece of equipment that is multi-faceted.  It controls everything from shifting your car from gear to gear, to controlling how fast you are going.  While you may never change out a transmission or spend time learning how it works, there are some tips to help you with transmission troubleshooting, and knowing when its time to call in a mechanic.

While there are many pieces that make up a standard automatic transmission system, all transmissions have a few basic parts.

  • The bell housing, or metal case that sits underneath your car
  • The gears
  • The transmission fluid
  • A filter to keep the transmission operating properly

You’ll usually notice a problem with your transmission in one of two ways.  Either your car will simply stop, or it starts running roughly.  These two problems are generally caused by:

  • Low fluid level, which causes your car to shift poorly, and can eventually lead to transmission damage.
  • A leak within the system.  This is usually easy to spot because transmission fluid has a red tint.
  • A clogged filter, which limits the cars performance.

Because of the many parts associated with a transmission, and the specialized tools you’ll need for troubleshooting and fixing, it’s usually best to leave it  up to a professional.  A professional understands what can be causing the problem, and can usually spot the problem quickly.  They will test a variety of things before moving on to a rebuild or replacement.

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

Car Air Conditioning and Allergies

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If you suffer at all with seasonal allergies or asthma, you are more than likely very serious about trying to prevent triggering their symptoms.  You have probably followed all the recommended guidelines for reducing the risk of triggering your allergies.  You keep your windows and outside doors closed as much as possible.  You use air-conditioning to cool your home and avoid using window and attic fans during pollen season.  You avoid being outdoors in the early morning when the pollen is more prevalent and you keep your car windows rolled up and use your car air conditioning when driving.  But each time you enter your car and turn on the air conditioning, something very unpleasant happens.  Your eyes start to water and your nose starts running, then you begin to sneeze while your throat starts itching.  What is happening?!

Common allergens and irritants found inside the average car can make driving a real challenge for people who suffer with allergies.  Dust mites and mold can grow in cars and linger for long periods of time.  A car air conditioner doesn’t harbor mold because it is a sealed unit that outside air can’t penetrate.  But mold can grow in your air conditioner’s vents and the hoses that connect it.  This happens when moisture becomes trapped and can’t escape through the venting, like the  showers in our homes.  Mold loves humidity and thrives in moist conditions.  To help prevent mold in your car’s air conditioning vents, here are some steps to try.  As you near your destination, after running your air conditioning, switch your air conditioning system off and turn on the vent.  Do this at least two miles from your destination.  Turn the vent on high so there is a lot of air blowing through the vents.  The air won’t be as cool as it is when the air conditioning is on but it will dry out any moisture that might be trapped in your vents.  If you do this each time you use your air conditioning it will help prevent mold and pollens from accumulating and triggering your allergies.

If you practice these guidelines and still notice allergy problems when you are in your car, we offer a service here at Express Car Care, that can clean your car air conditioning so you can enjoy driving again.  Ask one of our service technicians for more information.

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

Differential Service

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Summer has arrived and for many of us that means we will be spending a lot of time in our cars.  We drive to sporting events, concerts, camping and fishing trips,  and some of us head to the mountains for a little off-roading!  But no matter how you spend your summer, you want your car to get you where you want to go!  To help you make that happen, we suggest you have your vehicle checked to  see if it’s  in need of a differential service.

Whether your vehicle is a front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive, it has a differential, maybe even two or three.  The differential is a special gear box located between the drive wheels of your car.  The differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds while still providing power.  Without a differential, our tires would rub and hop along the pavement, instead of gliding smoothly during turns.  Rear wheel drive vehicles have a differential in back.  The majority of four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs will also have a similar differential on the front axle. But no matter where they are located, all of the engine’s power is routed through your car’s differentials.  In order to perform their purpose, they need to be properly lubricated.  You can accomplish this by having a differential service done regularly on your vehicle.

A differential service is simply having the used fluid drained and replacing it with clean fluid.  Neglecting to change the differential fluid can cause poor performance, premature wear, noise and even failure.  Replacing a differential assembly can cost as much as $1500, so don’t let that happen to you.

The benefits of having a differential service are numerous.  It removes metal shavings and other contaminants that naturally enter the differential during normal operation.  A differential service reduces heat levels inside the differential and protects against friction, rust and corrosion.  It extends the life of your differential and provides protection especially under extreme conditions.   To keep the expensive metal parts of your vehicle protected, it’s important to have the differential fluid checked and changed at recommended intervals.

The mileage interval for servicing your differential can vary according to the type of vehicle you drive, and how and where you drive it.  Check with your service adviser or your owner’s manual for recommendations.

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

Replacing Shocks and Struts

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If you visit any auto repair shop regularly there is a good chance you’ve seen ads for replacing shocks and struts.  But is there a way to tell if your shocks and struts need replacing without taking your car to a repair shop? 

One way to evaluate if they need replacing is to look for damage or leaking.  Leaking is easy to see – just look for oil or wetness on the outside of the shock or strut.  Damage is also fairly easy to see – look for a broken mount, or dented housing.

Another way to evaluate your need for new shocks or struts is to consider how your vehicle has been handling and riding.  When you drive on rough roads or hit a bump, does it bounce excessively?  Does the nose dip down when braking?  Does the body roll or sway too much when cornering or driving in crosswinds?  Is it easy to bottom out the suspension when backing out of the driveway or when you’re  hauling extra passengers or cargo?

Because the damping characteristics of shocks and struts deteriorate gradually over time, the decline in ride control often passes unnoticed.  When you begin to notice the signs,  it’s usually way past the point when your shocks or struts need replacing.

Shocks and struts do not require replacing at specific mileage intervals like filters or spark plugs, but they do wear out and eventually need to be replaced.  Monroe engineers, America’s leading brand of shocks and struts, suggest following a 50,000-mile replacement plan just to be safe.  Driving on worn out shocks can be a hazard over time.  Worn out shocks and struts may cause your stopping distance to increase, especially on rough surfaces.  They can have a negative impact on your driving capabilities, especially in adverse conditions.  Worn out shocks and struts can also cause damage to your tires prematurely, meaning you’ll have more expense than is truly necessary.

Express Care is a family owned auto repair shop in the Denver, Colorado area that offers a variety of services, including shock replacement.  Conveniently located at Evans and I-25, we look forward to doing business with you.

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

Car Service Checklist For Summer

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Summer is just around the corner and if you’re like most people, you have some big plans as to how you’re going to spend it.  You might be planning a road trip this summer.  Or you might be thinking you’re just going to spend time relaxing, maybe taking in a ball game or two.  Either way, it’s important to prepare your car for the summer ahead.  A car service checklist might be the last thing on your mind, but if you take a little time to perform some simple steps, you’ll be glad you did!  

Replace your Air Filter: Your car’s air filter should be changed at least twice a year.  If you change it before summer and then before winter,  your car has a clean filter and it is easier to remember when the filter was last changed.

Replace your Windshield Wipers: Winter weather can be brutal on your windshield wipers making them virtually useless in a sudden summer rain shower.  Replace them at the beginning of the summer and eliminate any chance of problems later on.

Check your Tires: Summer travel can usually include driving in the rain.  The tread on your tires needs to be adequate to keep you on the road in rainy weather.  Check the tread depth to make sure it’s deep enough and check the tire pressure too.

Check your Battery: Corrosion can begin to build up during winter weather driving.  Have your battery posts and cables checked for corrosion and if necessary have them cleaned to avoid any problems starting your car.

Check your Headlights: We don’t always notice if a headlight bulb is out.  Putting this service on the checklist will make it safer to drive during the nighttime and twilight hours.

Check your Brakes: Just like replacing your air filter, it’s a good idea to have your brakes inspected twice a year also.  Have your brakes checked to make sure they are working properly and aren’t worn.  It’s also a good time to have your brake fluid checked.

Radiator Flush: Summer weather really puts your car’s coolant to the test.  By flushing your radiator of the old coolant and replacing it with fresh coolant, you are giving your radiator a better chance of keeping your car running like it should.

Now, once  your car service checklist for Summer is completed, you will be able to get on with the business of living life!  As you do, take a moment to reflect on this quote from Lillian Dickson, “Life is a coin.  You can spend it any way you wish, but you can spend it only once.”

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

Quick Lube

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Today I’m attempting to refute a myth that has been circulating about Quick Lubes and how we do business.  We quick lube owners and employees have been accused of recommending “unneeded”  oil changes just to make more money.  That may be true at some quick lubes, but when we service your car, we only suggest services that we believe are necessary to keep your car running at its best.  Let me explain why we recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles or every three months.

In recent years, many vehicle manufacturers have extended their recommended oil change intervals to try to help reduce the cost of maintenance for car owners, but have run into trouble.  The Center for Auto Safety  has gotten thousands of complaints from motorists who thought they were following the correct service intervals in their owners manuals but ended up with a crankcase full of sludge.   Motor oil does more than lubricate the engine.  It also forms a film on surfaces  that separates moving parts so they don’t rub against one another so friction and wear is reduced.  Oil also serves as a coolant for critical engine parts like the crankshaft and valve train.  It also helps to prevent rust and corrosion inside the engine, and keeps surfaces clean by dissolving and carrying away dirt and deposits.  Oil life depends on many factors; driving conditions, temperature, humidity, airborne dirt, and engine wear.

Extended oil change intervals of 7,500 or 10,000 miles are based on ideal operating conditions, not stop and go driving, or driving our cars for  several short trips, like most drivers do each day.  So most drivers should follow a “severe” service schedule rather than a “normal” schedule to protect their engines.  Most experts still consider a 3,000 miles or six month oil change for “severe” drivers.

We have also heard the argument at our quick lube that since motor oils are of higher quality than they once were, we don’t need to change our oil as often.  Yes, motor oils are better than they once were, but oil filters have not kept up.  An engines main line of defense against abrasion and the wear it causes is the oil filter.  The oil filter’s job is to remove solid contaminants like dirt, carbon, and metal particles from the oil before they can damage surfaces in the engine.  If your oil filter is clogged, it can’t do its job and unfiltered oil is allowed to enter the engine.  Contaminants that find their way into the crankcase will be pumped through the engine and accelerate wear.

Although motor oils have been improved and are continuing to be improved, there has been little done to improve oil filters.   The majority of oil filters still need to be replaced every 3,000 miles.   So until the oil filters are equal in their quality to the  motor oils, we will continue to recommend a 3,000 mile or three month oil change at our quick lube.

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

Brakes Service

Oil Change

Suspension

Transmision Service

Engine Service

Auto Tips & Tricks