Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

CV Joint Repair

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Since many of us here in Colorado drive front-wheel drive vehicles, it’s important that we keep an eye on the CV joints to make sure they aren’t in need of repair.  Front-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles transfer the power from the transmission to the wheels through a drive axle assembly.  These drive axles have constant-velocity  (CV)  joints at each end.

A CV joint is a group of bearings and cages that allow the axle to rotate and deliver power at different angles  so that the axle can change its length as it moves up and down.  The CV joints are protected by rubber boots that keep dirt and contaminants out and a protective layer of lubricant in.

Just like everything else in life, these rubber boots can crack or tear over time.  If moisture and dirt get inside a CV joint and the lubricant leaks out, due to normal wear and tear, there is a greater potential for CV joint failure.

The signs of possible CV joint failure are clicking or crackling sounds while turning, clunking sound during accelerating or sudden deceleration.  You might also notice front-end vibrations.

If you haven’t noticed anything unusual you should still have the CV joints checked routinely to keep you ahead of the repairs but if you think your vehicle is showing any of these signs  give us a call at 303-691-2760 or come in and see us before the damage becomes more costly to repair.

 

How to Get Better Gas Mileage

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We are living in a challenging time.  As gas prices continue to rise, ( they are up 11 percent),  it is even more important that we know how to get better gas mileage.  There are several things that can help us increase our gas mileage and  off-set our rising fuel costs.

One of the most important things to remember is don’t be an aggressive driver.  Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking wastes gas.  You can increase your miles-per-gallon by 33% if you allow yourself more than enough time to reach your destinations.  By practicing sensible driving, we’d all be a lot safer and a little bit richer!

Another way to get better gas mileage is to adhere to the speed limit.  Every vehicle has a different range of speeds where their best fuel economy is reached.  But gas mileage can be quickly reduced at speeds above 60 miles per hour. Use your cruise control at speeds above 60 mph, if available, maintaining a steady speed saves gas.  By observing the speed limit you can save as much as 58 cents per gallon of gas.

Maintaining your car’s engine and keeping it tuned properly can increase your gas mileage as much as 4%, that’s a savings of 15 cents per gallon.  This may not seem like much, but every little bit helps.  So make sure your vehicle passes its emissions test and if it has any major problems, have them repaired.  Doing this can improve your gas mileage by as much as 40 percent.

Another simple task that can improve your gas mileage by 3% is to keep your tires inflated to the proper tire pressure.  When the tires are under-inflated, gas mileage is decreased.

Last but not least, you can get better gas mileage by making sure you are using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil for your vehicle.  If you are using a 5W-30 grade of motor oil in a vehicle that has been designed to use 10W-30 it can decrease your gas mileage.

Put all these tips into practice and you’ll be well on your way to getting better gas mileage from your vehicle.  We here at Express Care are here to help you maintain and repair your vehicles,  so give us a call at 303-691-2760 or come in and see us.

 

Car Air Conditioning Repair

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Even though it has only been a few weeks since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and so determined that we would have six more weeks of winter. This is the perfect time to bring your car in and have the air conditioning serviced or repaired. If you bring it in now it will save you the worry of whether or not the air conditioning will work when the weather gets warmer.  And it’s also a good idea to have your car air conditioning system checked out once a year just so you can avoid major or costly repairs.

We don’t “top off”  your air conditioning system when you bring in your vehicle because your technician has no way of knowing exactly how much Freon is left in your car’s system.  If he tops off the system, he is relying only on his experience to guess how much Freon is needed to charge the system, which may or may not be correct.  So in order to do what is best for your vehicle we will perform an evacuation and recharge service.   During an evacuation and recharge,  all the remaining Freon is extracted from the system, so then the technician can charge the system with the exact amount of Freon recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer, then there is no guess work involved.  Another reason some technicians recommend an evacuation and recharge is because they believe it is better for the air conditioning system to have clean Freon running through it.

As well as checking the Freon level, your hoses and valves need to be checked to make sure there aren’t any leaks.  Even the smallest leak can cause a major problem.  So don’t wait around until you can’t live without your air conditioning before you get it in for repair!

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

 

What Is So Important About A Clean Air Filter?

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I have been really surprised there have been so many people coming into our shop for an oil change, that have been told that their air filter really needed to be replaced, but have made the choice to leave with an extremely dirty air filter!  Their response is usually, “what is so important about a clean air filter?”  Apparently we haven’t done a very good job informing everyone how important it is to have a clean air filter on your vehicle.  

Every internal combustion engine requires a mixture of fuel and air to operate properly.  Without air (oxygen), the gasoline or diesel fuels can’t burn and provide the energy needed to power the engine.  The air that is used by the engine needs to be cleaned before it enters the engine, otherwise dirt, dust, and debris accumulates and can cause poor engine performance.  As dirt and dust are allowed in the engine, they rub on the essential metal parts of the engine causing them to wear away and eventually they will have to be replaced.  It costs a lot less to replace a dirty air filter regularly, than it does to replace  the parts of the engine it protects.

Also, modern engines depend on a precise air to fuel ratio in order to function properly.  When the engine is deprived of air, the ratio is compromised and that puts more stress on your engine.  A clean air filter allows just the right amount of air into our vehicles engine and also traps the dirt that can harm our engines.

Hopefully, this explains the importance of a clean air filter, but how often should they be replaced?  If you’re having the oil changed in your car and the technician says it needs to be replaced, don’t put it off.  Otherwise a good rule of thumb is to replace it every 8,000 miles.  This can vary depending on how hard the car is driven and under what conditions.  If your car is used mainly for stop and go, city driving, with a lot of construction going on, the air filter would need to be changed more frequently.  But if you hardly use your vehicle, than the air filter wouldn’t need to be replaced as often.  It’s always a good idea to check your owners manual to establish a good baseline.

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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Since we have gotten quite a few questions concerning transmissions in recent weeks, we thought we would reprint a prior blog that could supply some answers to those questions.

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 your car goes.  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, so you will know 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 to run roughly.  These two problems are generally caused by:

  • Low transmission 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 as 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,  its usually wise 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.

Radiator Flush

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During the winter months when the temperatures can be as cold as below zero and in the summer when the temperatures can be so hot you’re sweltering, it is crucial your heating and cooling system is working properly.  These are the perfect times to have a radiator flush performed on your vehicle.            

The engines in today’s vehicles are filled with parts that are made of aluminum.  Water pumps, manifolds, engine blocks and the heater and radiator are all made of aluminum.  In order to protect the aluminum in these essential parts from corrosion, you need fresh anti-freeze in your engine.  Your anti-freeze should be checked during routine maintenance visits but you should also have a radiator flush done at least once a year, maybe twice a year, depending on the vehicle you drive and how it’s driven.

Every time you drive, your radiator is using up a coolant (anti-freeze) and water mixture to help bring down the temperatures in your car’s engine system.  The longer and the faster your car is driven the more stress is put on the engine, causing temperatures to soar.  These high temperatures increase the potential for your vehicle to overheat.   One of the ways to avoid overheating your engine is to keep fresh coolant in the radiator.

Coolant, like other fluids used in your vehicle, will break down over time.  This is why it is important to replace or flush your coolant mixture.  When the coolant breaks down more stress is placed on your radiator and your engine runs hotter than it should.  Dirt and deposits also build up and can reduce your vehicle’s performance.  Prolonged use of dirty coolant can result in costly damage to your radiator.  So if you haven’t had a radiator flush in the last year, take the necessary steps to get one and maybe save yourself some headaches in the future.

For all 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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During the winter, as we are driving around on roads that may or may not have had the snow or ice from the prior day removed by a snowplow.  While we are bouncing and bumping along, we might wonder if all the movement we are experiencing is actually caused by the road conditions or is it time for us to replace the shocks and struts on our car.  If you have found yourself asking that question anytime recently,  I invite you to click on the link below for one of our earlier blogs and see if the information there helps you determine the answer. Shocks and Struts-How Do You Know When They Need Replacing?

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

Reasons for a Car to Overheat

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In recent weeks, we have had a few customers who have gone through the  trying experience of having their car overheat.  Unfortunately, they didn’t all have the same positive outcome from their experience, but they each wanted to know the reason their car overheated and how they could avoid it in the future.  We’ll share with you the information we passed on to them.

One of the main reasons for a car to overheat is a lack of coolant in the car’s cooling system.  This happens when there is a leak somewhere in the system and the coolant is escaping or if fresh coolant hasn’t been put in the radiator. Cooling systems are often neglected.  If your coolant isn’t changed, the hoses and passages get dirt and sludge built up in them and the coolant can’t flow rapidly enough to cool the engine.  Keep your eye on your car’s temperature gauge.  If there is a possibility of your car overheating, the needle on the temperature gauge will move toward the “H” (for hot) to alert you to what is happening.

Another common reason for a car to overheat is a thermostat that is stuck.  The thermostat can freeze or stick in the closed position which blocks the coolant from flowing to your engine.

There are several other reasons for a car to overheat, such as a damaged water pump or cooling fan or possibly a clogged radiator.  These are all things that should be looked at and diagnosed by a professional mechanic and not something that you should try to figure out on your own.

But no matter what is causing your car to overheat, the most important thing to remember is don’t continue to drive the car!  Overheating can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage!  If you experience any of the signs your car is overheating, the temperature gauge is high, or there is steam and/or a burning smell coming from the engine, pull over as soon as possible and turn the car off!  Call a tow truck but don’t drive the car when it’s overheating!   By putting yourself through some slight inconvenience now, you can avoid major inconveniences and costly repairs later.

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

Cabin Air Filter

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Now that the weather has gotten colder and we can no longer drive around town with our windows down.  Have you noticed the air blowing around inside your car isn’t as quite as fresh smelling as it once was?  If that is the case, it might be time to change your cabin air filter.  The cabin air filter is an essential part of your car’s ventilation system.  It removes dust particles, pollutants, and unpleasant odors from the air before they can enter the passenger compartment. Cabin air filters are also called interior ventilation filters, pollen or dust filters, ACC filters, or passenger compartment filters.

A cabin air filter purifies the air ( which is especially important to those of us who suffer with allergies or respiratory problems).  And it also protects the heater and air conditioning components.  A dirty filter puts more wear on the ventilation system because when there is a higher resistance to air flow, the blower has to work much harder.  This reduces your heating and air conditioning performance over time.  So if your filter isn’t changed like it should be, you not only have unpleasant odors to deal with, but possible repairs to the ventilation system.

So when should they be changed?  Under “normal” driving conditions for a vehicle driven mainly in a city or suburb area, a cabin air filter lasts about a year.  For a vehicle in a rural area that is driven frequently on unpaved roads, the filter life may be only six months or less.  A lot depends on the vehicle and the way it is driven.

If you aren’t sure whether or not you have a cabin air filter in your vehicle, more than eighty percent of all new vehicles today have a cabin air filter.  If your car was manufactured after 2000, than it more than likely has one. But if you’re driving an older model of car and smell a strange odor, unfortunately, it might not have a thing to do with a cabin air filter!

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 Winter

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I was just listening to the weather report and they tell me, snow is on its way!  It made me stop and wonder if my car is prepared to meet with the winter weather.  This is my list of car maintenance tips for winter.  Check and see how your car stacks up!

  1. Inspect windshield wipers.  Wiper blades are like squeegees.  The arms of the wiper drag a thin rubber strip across the windshield to clear away the water.  The rubber needs to be clean without any nicks or cracks in order to clean the windshield.  Replace them if needed or wipe the edge of the blade with a cloth soaked in window cleaner until all the dirt is removed, this helps the blades make a tight seal against the window and prevents streaks.  Never use your wipers to clear off the snow or ice from your windshield!  Doing this will damage your wiper motor.
  2. Clean  headlights.  Wash them with soapy water, rinse them, and then apply a nonabrasive car wax with a soft cloth.  The wax is water-repellent and leaves a barrier that keeps dirt from building up on the lights.  It’s a good idea to do this once a month especially during the winter.
  3. Preserve door and window seals.  Wipe a rubber protectant  (like Armor-All) or silicone on the window and door weatherstripping to keep it in good condition.  Don’t use an oil based product, ( WD-40) because the oil can damage the rubber.  Regular treatment of your car’s weatherstripping will lessen the likelihood of your doors sticking to the rubber seals in the cold winter weather.
  4. Maintain  car battery.  Keep your battery clean, wipe it with a damp rag.  Clean the battery posts or terminals using a brass wire brush and baking soda paste.
  5. Inspect wheel-well splashguards.  Splashguards help keep water and winter’s salty slush from splashing up into the engine compartment where it can damage sensitive electrical components.  Check these guards for damage when you wash your car and re-secure or replace them as needed.
  6. Wash your car in winter too. Washing your car is even more important in the winter than in other times of the year.  All the sand, slush and ice mixed in with the road salt is exactly what makes your car rust.  The fastest corrosion occurs when the temperature repeatedly rises and falls below freezing.  Especially during the messy months, be sure to rinse the undercarriage and hard-to-reach areas that are susceptible to rust, like the bumpers and inside the wheel wells.

And last on our list of car maintenance tips for winter is, go easy when you’re stuck.  When you get stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component.  Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is OK, but if it looks as if you’re really stuck, don’t keep it up.  Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, can generate a lot of heat and cause trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. You’re better off calling a tow truck than risking major damage to your engine by trying to get out on your own.

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