Engine

Why Your Car Needs Regular Tune Ups

November 24, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

A car is comprised of over 10,000 components working together to provide you with reliable transportation. If it’s well cared for, it will continue running indefinitely. That’s why car manufacturers recommend regular tune ups to keep their vehicles operating at their best.

But what does that mean? The concept of a regular tune up is a bit vague. It can mean one thing to one driver, and have a completely different meaning to someone else.

What is a tune up?

When you bring in your car for a tune up, it will move through two processes: an inspection and servicing.

The inspection process starts with a visual check of all the major components of the vehicle. A mechanic will determine how well the engine is performing by inspecting the spark plugs, air filters, oil and coolant levels. They will assess the fuel system by making sure the fuel filter is clean and unclogged.

If a mechanic sees any potential problem, the inspection process can grow from there to assess other systems and ensure they are operating well.

The tune up service depends on the results of the inspection. Every tune up process will be different, with recommendations made based on what is found. The goal is to ensure the engine operates properly, receives the right amount of fuel and oil, and functions well based on the current road conditions. Suggestions for servicing might be as simple as adding coolant, to more complex issues that require replacing various parts of the system.

Typically, a mechanic runs through a series of tests to find potential problems before they escalate. The most common parts replaced after an inspection include:

Fluids – cars operate well if the fluids are topped off and in good condition. Mechanics often recommend replacing or topping off motor oil, coolant, transmission fluid, or power steering fluid after a thorough check.
Filters – a filter’s job is to keep contaminating particles from entering a system. Once a filter is dirty or compromised, it can no longer do its job effectively. If a mechanic notices a dirty filter, changing out may be an easy solution to the problem.
Belts and hoses – belts and hoses keep your car operational. It’s how power moves through the various components to keep your car running well. Cracks, leaks, and other damage can compromise the working condition of the various systems underneath the hood.
Ignition – this includes the electrical components of your vehicle, including spark plugs, wires, and coils.

Warning signs your car needs a tune up

Cars rarely fail without indicators far in advance. It’s your job to notice transitions in the way your vehicle is operating, and bring your car in for servicing before things move from bad to worse.

Luckily, there are built in warning signs that alert you to potential problems.

Dashboard lights – today’s vehicles are technologically advanced, and can easily alert you to potential problems before they grow. Every dashboard light tells you your vehicle is operating outside of “normal.” It gives you a chance to bring it in for servicing before it gets worse. An engine light can mean many things. A tune up will get to the root cause, and fix the problem quickly.

Brakes – the brake system is one of the most vital. If you notice squeaks when you apply the brakes, or the pedal feels a bit spongy as you apply pressure, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for inspection.

Fuel economy – with every fill up, pay attention to the gas mileage you got for that tank of gas. If you notice changes in gas mileage without a solid reason, it could be that your vehicle isn’t processing the gas as efficiently as when it was new. That can impact the way the engine performs, as well as effect the emissions being released every time you drive.

Stalling – as you apply pressure to the accelerator, does the car lag, jump, work to catch up with your demands? This can put you in a dangerous situation on a busy road, and continue causing damage underneath the hood.

Vibrations – whenever your vehicle shifts in ways it normally doesn’t, shakes as you drive, or hesitates, it’s a sign there’s a problem within the system. To stay safe, a tune up can find out what’s wrong.

While it’s important to bring your vehicle in for a tune up if you notice something not working right, it’s equally important to do so regularly. Manufacturers make recommendations based on the way your vehicle was constructed to ensure it continues working well throughout the life of the vehicle.

Modern vehicles only need tune ups every 30,000 to 100,000 miles. If you’re not sure about your vehicle, check the owner’s manual for more details. It’s best to stick with a plan to ensure a long life for your car.

What a car tune up includes

When you bring your car in for servicing, it typically will include:

Filter replacement
Change out spark plugs
Replace all worn components
Preventative maintenance
Fluid replacement
Examining the electrical connections
Repairing and replacing belts, hoses, and wires

If you stick with a regular maintenance plan, your tune up should be uneventful, with updates to the needed components.

Maintenance is the key to keeping your car well conditioned for as long as you own your vehicle.

Still have questions about the best care for your car?

We’re here to help.

To keep your car in good working condition, it’s important to pay attention to how well your vehicle operates from day to day. When you notice changes, it’s time to bring it in and have it inspected. It can help you stay safe in all driving conditions, and catch potential problems early to keep repair bills to a minimum.

When was the last time you scheduled a tune up for your car? Do it today.

What Fuel Injectors Do and How To Keep Them Operating at Their Best

September 17, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Once upon a time, all cars were built solely for transportation. With a simple set of parts, cars were designed to move passengers from point A to point B, with little thought for anything else.

As the decades moved forward, a lot changed with car production. Automakers added comfort, safety, and efficiency.

Looking back at the history of the internal combustion engine, the carburetor played a big part in supplying fuel to the engine. Over time, designers added a variety of systems to keep up with modern day operating requirements. Carburetors had several different circuits designed to manage fuel for different reasons:

Main circuit – provide enough fuel for driving

Idle circuit – provide enough fuel for idling

Power circuit – provide enough fuel for acceleration

Over time, as governments demanded stricter emissions requirements, catalytic converters were added to control the air to fuel ratio. Oxygen sensors were added to monitor the amount of oxygen in the exhaust.

Technology changed, and the first fuel injection system was introduced as a way to improve efficiencies over carburetors. Common types include throttle body injection, multiport injection, direct injection, sequential injection, and central fuel injection. These systems have an injector at each cylinder, located in such a way as to be able to spray directly at the intake valve. It’s a faster, more accurate way of fuel metering, providing quicker response.

How a fuel injector works

When a car works as designed, there’s little for a driver to think about. Step on the gas pedal, and the car moves forward.

A throttle valve opens up as you press on the gas pedal, allowing air into the engine. As this occurs, the engine control unit (ECU) reacts and increases the fuel rate as air enters the engine. This occurs simultaneously. With any hesitation, you’d feel it in the way your car performs. Sensors ensure that the air to fuel ratio remains constant, and the amount of oxygen in the exhaust meets manufacturer’s guidelines.

What Fuel Injectors Do and How To Keep Them Operating at Their Best

The fuel injector is an electronically controlled valve that supplies pressurized fuel into the system. As it’s energized, the fuel injector sprays pressurized fuel through a tiny nozzle designed to make the spray a fine mist so that it burns easily. The amount of fuel supplied is determined by how long the fuel injector stays open. This is controlled by the ECU.

The fuel injectors are mounted to the intake manifold, so the spray directly connects with the intake valves. In order to ensure the right amount of fuel is sprayed, the ECU operates with a variety of sensors. They can include:

Coolant temperature sensor – this monitors the operating temperature of the engine
Engine speed sensor – this monitors engine speed
Mass airflow sensor – this monitors the amount of air flowing into the engine
Oxygen sensor – this monitors the amount of oxygen in the exhaust for the ECU to determine how rich or lean the fuel mixture is and make adjustments accordingly.
Throttle position sensor – this monitors the throttle valve position to determine how much air is being released into the engine
Voltage sensor – this monitors the system voltage so the ECU can raise the idle speed if voltage drops

Fuel injectors will usually only fail in one of several ways

The fuel injectors on your vehicle are designed to last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. This is impacted by the type of gas you put into your car, as well as how often the various fuel filters are changed.

When fuel injectors wear down, it’s because:

The fuel injectors are clogged or dirty – when you turn off the engine, heat dissipates. This causes any fuel left in the injector to evaporate, which leaves behind tiny hard deposits. Over time, these can block the injector.

The fuel injectors are leaking – fuel injectors can leak internally or externally. The most common reason is failure of the o-ring, which connects the fuel injector to the fuel rail. It can become hard and brittle over time from the heat of the engine.

The fuel injectors fail – there are many moving parts inside a fuel injector. Over time, they can simply wear down and fail.

Signs your fuel injectors may be failing

Your vehicle has more than 10,000 parts to ensure it operates effectively. Over time, any number of those parts can start to wear down. Few break or fail without warning.

Like other systems on your vehicle, fuel injectors will start showing signs when there’s a problem. You may notice:

It’s difficult to start the engine when it’s hot
Your car has a rough idle
You failed your latest emissions test
You notice poor performance as you start your car and drive
The engine has a difficult time reaching full RPMs
You notice a decrease in gas mileage
You notice smoke pouring from the tailpipe
The car bucks at different throttle loads
Engine knocking

Preventing fuel injector problems

Fuel injectors are hard working pieces that can last the life of your vehicle. Like any other engine part, regular maintenance is the key to keep it operating efficiently. If you plan on owning your vehicle for years, there are a few things you can do to keep it operating at its best.

Regular maintenance and inspection

Vehicles don’t take a lot of maintenance. Most drivers do what’s necessary to keep their vehicles operating at their best

It starts with paying attention to what you put into your vehicle. Go with a high grade gasoline. Get regular oil changes. And stick with a car care center you can trust; one who will get to know your vehicle and ensure it’s working its best. Fuel injectors should be inspected every 25,000 to 40,000 miles under normal circumstances, more often if you do a lot of short journeys around town.

Keep your engine healthy by changing out the oil and fuel filter regularly. This ensures the engine has proper fuel flow.

You can also pay attention to the way you drive your vehicle. Short start/stop journeys increase wear and tear. While you can’t change your driving habits if you work and run errands close to home, you can be aware of ensuring your car is well cared for. Give your engine a chance to cool off before you shut it off on occasion. Maintenance is key to keeping it operating well.

And if you have any questions about how your car operates, bringing your vehicle in quickly will be your best bet every time.

Always Drive With Low Fuel Levels? Here’s What Happens To Your Car

September 11, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

We’ve all reached a point where we watch the fuel level of your vehicle move closer to empty, without a gas station in sight.

It can be a scary experience if you’re out on the highway with few cars around you.

For some, letting the gas tank empty out is a rare experience. For others, it’s a regular routine.

What happens as the gas tank moves towards empty? Can it impact your vehicle in other ways?

Experts say it’s a bad idea to allow your gas tank to get that low regularly. Here’s why.

Is empty really empty?

Drivers learn quickly that an empty warning sign doesn’t mean empty immediately. People often push a little further, pressing the limits of what their cars can do.

As the car’s gas tank empties, it triggers a warning light, letting you know the gas levels are low. Each auto manufacturer sets its own guidelines for how much gas is left inside the tank when that connection is made. Most do so to allow you to drive another 30 to 60 miles, enough to make it to the next gas station.

If you have a smart car, it may also give you mileage numbers on how many miles you have until your next fill-up. Keep in mind that these are estimates. Sitting in traffic, climbing hills, or driving at high speeds can all impact the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, and impact how much gas you’ll use in between fill-ups.

What driving on empty can do

As a general rule, manufacturers suggest that you not let your fuel level drop below a quarter tank. There are a few reasons for this.

The most obvious is that it can leave you stranded. If your car runs out of fuel, the engine will stop. That means it comes to a halt wherever you are – on the highway, on a country road, in the middle of the city, or out in the middle of nowhere. You’ll have to call for help or walk to the nearest filling station. In addition to being a major inconvenience, it can also put you and your passengers at risk.

Fuel Gauge Showing Almost Empty, Red warning icon light.

It can also damage your vehicle. Your engine runs on gasoline. Without it, it comes to a grinding halt. Without proper levels of gas in the system, it tries to make do with what’s in the system. That can cause components to work harder than necessary, and damage them internally.

Like your fuel pump. It isn’t designed to work without proper levels of fuel. The fuel pump sends fuel from the tank to the engine. The fuel pump relies on full levels of gasoline to keep it cool and lubricated. By driving on low fuel levels, your car isn’t getting proper lubrication, which puts the fuel pump into overdrive trying to keep up.

The fuel pump also has a filter, which can get dirtier faster if you drive with low levels of fuel. Dirt and debris can filter to the bottom of your tank, blocking the filter and causing significant damage to the system.

If fuel isn’t available to work its way through the system, it can take in air instead. Because your engine isn’t designed to work on air, it can cause misfires. You’ll likely feel this in the way of loss of power, hesitation, or vibration.

How does a car act when it’s running out of gas?

As your car runs on the last drop of fuel, it’ll be obvious as it comes to a halt. You’ll experience a brief hesitation as the engine misfires, trying to compensate for lack of fuel. When this happens, try to pull out of traffic to safety. From there, the engine shuts down and your vehicle will lose complete power.

If you reach that point, it’s important to pull over, if possible. Turn on your hazards and move to a safe location. If you know you won’t make it to a gas station, worry about safety first. Move your vehicle out of traffic and away from potential harm.

Then call for help. If a family member is nearby, a friend is in the area, or you have access to emergency road assistance, all can help by providing enough gas to make it to the next gas station. If those aren’t available, call in a tow truck or a non-emergency local police department.

Running out of gas causes damage to your vehicle

Think of fuel as the lifeblood of your vehicle. Without it, it can’t run properly, and will wear out faster and cause more repairs over time. Running out of gas can lead to:

Overheating – if the fuel pump is working harder to move gas into the engine, it can lead to overheating. Without proper cooling, it’ll impact the way your engine operates.

Corrosion of fuel injection system – condensation can start to occur with low fuel levels. This impacts internal temperatures, which can lead to corrosion in the fuel injectors. This can be a big concern for older cars that may still have tin gas tanks instead of the more modern plastic ones.

Clog filters – without gas in the tank, it can draw residue from the bottom. This residue is typically hidden in a full tank, and won’t impact the filters. As residue surfaces, it can start to clog filters, which leads to problems with the fuel pump.

Protect your fuel system

If you let your fuel levels consistently move towards empty, you’ll pay the price both in repair work and in higher fuel bills when you do fill up. Make it a priority to:

Keep your gas at a quarter tank or above
Use quality gas that keeps your vehicle operating well
Control speed or rapid acceleration to increase fuel efficiency
Be aware if you’re nearing empty and take the necessary precautions

And if you’re worried something may be wrong with your fuel pump, injection system, or filters, schedule an inspection today.

Radiator Problems Your Car May Face

August 14, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

What does your car’s radiator do? If you’re like most drivers, you may have a vague idea, but you could never point it out if you looked underneath the hood.

A car radiator is a heat exchanger used to lower the antifreeze temperature as it circulates in your engine. A radiator contains a series of narrow tubes that are designed to disperse heat rapidly, which helps keep the operating temperature of your engine in check.

In addition to the narrow tubes that allow antifreeze to flow, it also has a cooling fan that draws in cool air at the front of the vehicle. This is what helps prevent the engine from overheating.

A radiator is considered to be one of the main pieces of equipment in your vehicle’s cooling system. It’s placed at the front of the engine, where it can take in airflow, which allows circulation for the cooling process. It received a continuous supply of antifreeze, which flows through the engine to keep all parts moving and at the right temperature.

Hot antifreeze moves in while cooled antifreeze moves out. It uses a pump to ensure the proper flow through the system, and is designed to discharge at the appropriate speed. That sums up the entire movement of coolant … as long as the radiator is doing its job.

If any piece of the coolant system isn’t working, it can cause problems.

Common car radiator problems

Just like other parts of your car, the radiator can experience problems if any one piece isn’t working at its optimal level. A regular maintenance schedule is key to keeping it performing at its best. While radiators don’t fail often, the results can be extreme. If the engine overheats, you may well be looking at an entire engine replacement.

How do you know if you have a problem? Like other systems on your car, before radiator problems escalate, it will give off warning signs.

Leaking coolant – While a radiator leak can be caused by several issues, corrosion surrounding the radiator, hoses, and other components is one of the most common. It can be caused by rust, holes or cracks in the hoses, general deterioration, excessive pressure on the system, and more. Luckily, antifreeze/coolant has a distinctive fluid that’s easy to notice if it leaks. Watch for a sticky, bright-colored liquid. Coolant is usually thought of as a green color, but in the past, manufacturers have made it yellow, pink, red, blue, and green. It depends on the brand you use. Without proper levels of coolant, your engine will run hot, until it eventually fails. Getting it checked and fixed is vital to keep your car running.

Malfunctioning thermostat and water pump – A radiator works hand in hand with the thermostat and water pump. If any one of these components stops working, your engine is at risk of running hot. When the water pump malfunctions, the coolant won’t circulate as it should. And if the thermostat goes bad, the system won’t know when to release proper flow of coolant, which can quickly cause the vehicle to overheat. It may stick closed and not release enough, or stick open and not allow your vehicle to reach proper temperature. Bot of these items can put your radiator at risk.

Rust in the radiator – In order for a radiator to operate, it sees a constant flow of liquids and electricity through the system’s metal components. This continuous flow creates the perfect environment for oxidation, rust, and other corrosion to build. When voltage clears a path through the coolant, damage can cause internal rusting, pitting, or flaking inside the cooling system. Rusting eventually leads to cracks and holes, which allow leaking to occur. While rusting in the radiator is common, rusting on the outside can also occur in colder climates where road salt and other winter agents make their way inside your engine compartment. It’s best to inspect underneath the hood regularly to ensure you don’t have a problem. If you notice your antifreeze has turned a brown or reddish color, it’s an indicator it’s been contaminated with rust.

Sludge build-up – Like other fluids inside your vehicle, as coolant ages, it can see a build-up of mineral deposits and other debris. As it accumulates and thickens, it can clog up the radiator, making it difficult to distribute coolant properly throughout the system. Sometimes you can notice this by seeing a reduction in heat into the interior cabin.

Overheating – The radiator, water pump, and thermostat all work together to keep your cooling system running. If one component fails, it can cause problems with your cooling system. You may also find yourself in a situation where you’re sitting in traffic or idling, and the temperature spikes. This could be a result of a failing radiator fan. Modern cars also have an electric fan that draws air into the radiator to ensure it stays cool while you’re idling or moving at a low speed. If this fan breaks, overheating can occur, especially if idling for a while.

Air in the cooling system – A radiator is sealed to ensure maximum flow throughout the cooling system. If air suddenly gets into the system, it can create pockets that will ultimately restrict proper flow of fluid. In most cases, air gets into the system during the radiator flushing process.

Can you repair a radiator, or do you have to replace it?

The cooling system accounts for a large amount of the breakdowns on the road, with overheating one of the most common. Luckily, many of the problems associated with the cooling system can be fixed if caught early enough. The key is in detecting the problem early before it destroys the engine.

When you notice your vehicle in the first stages of overheating, it’s important to bring it to a mechanic quickly for a thorough inspection. If they diagnose the problem early, they can tell you exactly where the problem lies. It may be something as simple as fixing a leaky hose.

Some parts of the cooling system will cost more to repair than others. But if you fix the problem component, it won’t have a chance to escalate to other areas, causing more components to break during the process. A leaky radiator hose will cost less than replacing a water pump.

By allowing a mechanic to check the system early, you’ll save more in potential repair bills, and be back on the road without worries.

Why Is My Car Overheating?

June 21, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

The temperatures are climbing – 90, 95, 100. You’re stuck in traffic, and it’s hot!

You look over to the side of the road. Standing there is a person with the hood of their car propped open, smoke pouring out in all directions. Their car is overheating.

Aren’t you glad it’s not you?

Yet you stop to think about the probability of you being in the same situation. Your vehicle is several years old. You change the oil, put new tires on periodically. Maintenance? You bring it in when there seems to be a problem. What more can you do?

Are you in a situation where your car might overheat?

Why a car overheats

Your car’s engine can overheat for a variety of reasons. In most cases, it’s because something is wrong with the cooling system, and the heat isn’t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the cooling system issue could be many things, including:

A cooling system leak
A faulty radiator
A broken water pump
A clogged coolant hose

No matter what causes an issue, allowing your engine to overheat in any way isn’t something you want to linger. The longer it goes unchecked, the more damage your engine can sustain. Until it eventually sustains permanent damage and can’t be repaired.

What are the signs of an engine overheating?

Luckily, an engine doesn’t overheat without a few warning signs along the way. This is why it’s good to pay attention to your vehicle as it ages. If you see any of these warning signs, take steps to cool your engine before it overheats more. You may be able to reduce the risk of irreversible engine damage. Signs of overheating include:

Steam – this is the one thing we all recognize when we see people pulled over to the side of the road. If you notice any amount of steam leaking from underneath the hood, pull over as quickly as you can.

The engine temperature gauge increasing – the monitors on your dashboard are there to warn you of potential problems. If you see the temperature gauge increasing, spiking up towards “H” or to the red, it’s time to pull over and turn off your engine. (Temperature gauge icons change depending on the make and model of your car. Take the time to become familiar with your vehicle before you drive it.)

A strange smell coming from the engine compartment – if anything is leaking, it’s going to give off a smell outside of ordinary. Coolant has a very distinctive sweet smell, while oil dripping anywhere into the engine compartment would create a burnt smell.

If you notice any of these symptoms of overheating, pull over as soon as you can, turn off your vehicle, and let the engine compartment cool down.

The engine is overheating … now what?

When you first see warning signs of an engine overheating, time is of the essence. The faster you act, the greater chance you have of limiting damage, meaning less cost from repair bills. If you notice any of the signs from above, do these things.

Turn off the air conditioner and crank up the heat.

You often see cars by the side of the road, smoke billowing from underneath the hood, in the middle of a heatwave. When you’re running your air conditioner at high for miles, it adds stress to the engine. If it’s weakened to begin with, it can be more than it can handle. To reduce the stress, turn the air off and dial it to maximum heat. This can help pull the heat away from the engine to keep it from overheating. This gives you a chance to find a safe place to pull over.

Safety first

Immediately look for a safe place to pull over. This isn’t the time to put your safety at risk – cars are easier to replace. Put your car into park and shut off the car. This gives the engine a chance to cool. Keep the engine off for at least 15 minutes. You can also keep an eye on the temperature gauge, as it should move back to the normal range as the engine cools.

Check your coolant levels

After your vehicle cools down, you can check to see if your coolant level is low. If it is, topping it off and adding more coolant can prevent overheating and allow you a chance to bring your vehicle in to get things fixed. Keep in mind that this step won’t do much good if the coolant hose is clogged, or if the problem stems from a broken fan or water pump. If you’re unsure, towing your vehicle might be the safest route.

Restart your car

If your car appears to be back to normal, and you’ve chosen to drive it to a mechanic, start the car and watch all signs while you carefully drive your car to the repair shop. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If it rises again, pull over and consider having it towed.

The key to lowering your repair risks is not to panic. If at all possible, pull over, turn the vehicle off, and don’t keep driving. This exacerbates the problem.

Also, be aware that you should never open the hood immediately as soon as you pull over. That steam is hot! Opening it could put you at risk of burns and injuries. Let the temperature gauge settle before popping the hood.

How to prevent your car from overheating

The easiest way to recover from an overheated vehicle is never to have it overheat in the first place. Taking care of your car ensures that it will always be there for you.

This means scheduling regular inspections to allow a mechanic to inspect and test every system of your car. This can find minor problems that can snowball. Regular coolant flushes can keep fresh coolant inside your vehicle, and prevent leaks and blockages by finding them before they become a problem.

You can also stay up to date on all other maintenance items, such as ensuring your radiator is inspected and in good shape, according to manufacturer’s guidelines.

It’s far more beneficial and less expensive for checkups each season than allowing your car to show signs of a potential problem, and waiting until your car breaks down.

Schedule your maintenance visit today.

Your Coolant Is Low – Should You Keep Driving?

May 17, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

What happens if your vehicle runs out of gas? It comes to a stop.

What happens if your car runs out of motor oil? It comes to a stop.

What happens if it runs out of coolant?

Not quite sure?

Coolant is an important fluid to help your car run efficiently. But is it as important as gas or motor oil? Do you need it in the same way as other fluids? Can you keep driving with low coolant?

What is coolant?

Coolant is also known as antifreeze. It’s made from a heat-absorbing ethylene glycol or propylene glycol to help collect heat from the engine components. It’s designed to expand as it increases in temperature, and helps protect the engine from wear and tear.

Because of this expansion, coolant is placed into your vehicle using a 50/50 ratio with distilled water. It should be installed following manufacturers’ guidelines, and flushed on a recommended basis to ensure it’s working as designed.

How coolant works in an engine

Without an engine, your car wouldn’t go. A combustion engine works by burning fuel and oxygen at temperatures well over 200 degrees. The metal shell contains pistons that move up and down containing thousands of tiny explosions every minute. This is what creates the heat necessary to keep your car operating.

While the exhaust system is designed to expel hot gases from the engine after they burn, metal still absorbs some heat throughout the process. Coolant helps keep these parts cool, especially as it continues to build underneath the hood.

Enter your vehicle’s cooling system. It is designed to dispel heat no matter what the temperature is like outside. Winter or summer, cold or hot, engines can overheat if they aren’t running properly. It’s as important to ensure proper coolant levels in the winter months as it is in the summer.

During extreme cold spells, for example, your cooling system has to work even harder. Combustion engines produce two things: heat and friction. Friction forms when internal components of the engine move very quickly against each other. In cold weather, the thermostat or a coolant leak can block a portion of the system, limiting the friction necessary for normal operation. This allows the entire system to overheat.

What happens if your car runs out of coolant?

Coolant circulates through the entire engine as it’s operating to prevent it from overheating. This isn’t an all-or-nothing system. It begins to damage the engine the lower it gets.

When your car notices a problem, it alerts you to the danger by signaling through a dashboard warning light. It might be a temperature gauge warning your vehicle is running hot. Temperatures are rising, and there’s a reason.

Some cars today are built with an automatic engine cut-off. This is an automatic way of preventing further damage to your vehicle. When the system detects low coolant and a potentially hazardous situation for your car, it cuts the engine and won’t start until it’s corrected.

But before this is done, it can start damaging auto parts. Depending on your vehicle, if it doesn’t have the automatic kill feature, damage begins the lower the coolant becomes. While there are many parts that can be impacted, they include:

Water pump
Head gasket
Cylinder head
Pistons
Connector rods

The longer you drive, the more damage is done. The more money you’ll spend on the repair bill getting it fixed. Not only will you need extensive repair work, if the damage is too comprehensive, you may need a new engine altogether.

That makes your coolant a pretty important fluid inside your vehicle!

What are the warning signs of low coolant?

Luckily, your car is programmed to give you warning signs before real damage is done. Don’t ignore these warning signs. The faster you act, the more you can prevent dangerous and expensive repair problems.

A rising temperature gauge

Every dashboard has a temperature gauge to tell you how hot your engine is running. Become familiar with the settings and keep an eye on it from time to time. If it moves, signaling your car is hotter than average, pay attention to it. If it moves towards red, this is one of the key indicators there is something wrong with your cooling system. If you notice it changing as you’re driving, pull over and turn off the engine. You can open the hood to help it cool. Then as soon as you can, schedule a maintenance appointment to fix the problem before it can escalate.

Heater not working or a hot air supply

A car’s heater utilizes the hot air formed by your engine to help warm the passenger compartment. If it malfunctions, you may have problems keeping your interior cabin the temperature you prefer. If you notice a constant supply of hot air, or a complete lack of heat, it’s telling you there is a problem with your cooling system.

Poor fuel economy

Here’s another reason to keep an eye on your gas mileage each fill up. If there isn’t another reason for decreasing gas mileage, it might have something to do with the way your engine is operating. If it’s running at optimal performance, fuel will burn effectively, and your fuel economy will be maximized. As temperatures increase, it takes more power to complete the same results, which may materialize as fuel inefficiency. This also produces more emissions.

A sweet smell

Coolant is designed to have a distinct sweet smell. It can attract both kids and animals, which is why you should always keep it out of reach, as well as clean up any leaks or spills immediately. Coolant can leak at high temperatures, which can often be found by following your nose. This can help you pinpoint where leaks or damage has occurred.

Do you have a coolant leak? Should you keep driving with low coolant? Not if you want to prevent repair work down the road.

The moment you detect a problem with the way your vehicle operates, schedule a maintenance visit as soon as possible. It can be the difference between a minor repair with an equally low cost, or one that escalates and turns into a full-blown problem.

Is That a Radiator Leak?

April 7, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

If you’re a careful driver, and do what you can to ensure your car has a long life, you may notice when liquid appears underneath your vehicle and wonder if everything is alright. Is it oil? Is it water? Is it something else?

It’s good to be aware every time you get into your car. Awareness can help you drive safely without having to worry about being stranded by the side of the road. But it still takes a careful eye to notice all the potential warning signs your car sends out.

What is a radiator?

A car’s engine produces a lot of heat during operation. To prevent the engine from overheating, your car pumps coolant through the engine to take in the heat and move it away from the engine block. Coolant takes heat into the radiator, which blows air across the liquid to cool it down, before exchanging the heat with the air outside your car. It’s like a mini air conditioner built exclusively to keep your engine cool and running at its best.

If the radiator doesn’t work at its best, it can cause your engine to overheat, impacting the drivability of your car.

If your vehicle overheats, a lot can go wrong internally. Various parts can be impacted, including the engine, thermostat, gaskets, and other components connected to the engine block. That’s why it’s important to recognize potential problems, and fix them before they allow bigger problems to occur.

Leading warning signs of radiator leaks

Radiator leaks rarely happen overnight. Instead, minor problems slowly develop as your car ages. Here’s what to watch for.

Drop in coolant levels, rise in temperature – do you keep an eye on your temperature gauge? You should. You’ll notice it remains relatively static as you drive. Coolant levels rise and fall based on engine temperature. It adjusts to keep your engine at a constant level. A quick drop in coolant levels can be a good indicator there is a leak somewhere in the system. If you think there may be a leak, fill the reservoir back up with coolant, and recheck it after a few days of normal driving. Watch the temperature gauge during this time. Does it lose fluid? If so, bring your car in for inspection as quickly as you can.

Visible fluid leaks – if you’ve ever experienced an engine misfire, it’s easily recognizable. When you turn the key or press the button, the engine fumbles for a bit as it struggles to catch and stay running. The more frequent this is, the bigger the problem. A spark plug misfiring releases a variety of problems into the overall process of starting and operating your vehicle. It can release too much raw fuel into the exhaust, which can cause internal temperatures to rise. This restriction can lead to problems throughout the system, including the converter substrate, which may further restrict the exhaust. Never ignore the warning sign of an engine that doesn’t turn over quickly every time you turn the key.

Visible damage to hoses and parts – when is the last time you popped the hood and took a look underneath? You don’t need a class in auto mechanics to notice when something is wrong. Rust or discoloration around your radiator or surrounding the engine block may be a sign of a coolant leak. Radiator hoses and clamps will also wear down over time. They should be washed and checked regularly to ensure they are running smoothly without leaks.

Regular inspections – when you work with an auto mechanic regularly, they can notice items that may otherwise go undetected until bigger problems arise. Think of an auto inspection as your vehicle’s yearly checkup. It’s a way to test each system, look at the major parts, and determine how much life is left in each system. A mechanic will notice what systems have potential problems, and what parts should be replaced to avoid problems on the road. They can also give you a clear indication of how much time you have left in different systems. This can allow you to plan for further repair work when you have the time. This is especially important if you’re planning a road trip in the near future.

Is a radiator flush necessary?

Coolant’s job is to push fluid through the system, keeping your engine cool and running properly. Over time, that coolant can begin to break down. That’s when it no longer can serve its purpose.

Over time, dirt and debris can build up inside. That’s when a coolant flush is necessary, to flush out any corrosive debris, rust, or other contaminants that have built up inside.

A technician will take several gallons of radiator cleaner and water, and flush it through the cooling system. This gets both old antifreeze and other contaminants out of the system. If this isn’t done the right way, it can break loose debris and leave it in the system, which can quickly damage major other components and lead to problems with the engine overheating.

How do you know it’s time for a radiator flush? A technician will usually look for several things.

Orange or green fluid is leaking
The radiator is corroded, dirty, or rusty
You’ve noticed steam coming from underneath the hood
Your car smells like hot maple syrup under the hood

If you’re considering this as a DIY project, keep in mind that you have to clean the surrounding area thoroughly. Antifreeze is a sweet smelling liquid that attracts both animals and children. Your space should be cleaned entirely of both old and new coolant to ensure you don’t put anyone around you in danger. That’s the upside of having a mechanic perform this task for you. They know how to complete the job efficiently, as well as dispose of all fluids properly after the job is done.

You have a choice. If you pay attention to the way your car operates, you’ll notice slight changes that can have a big impact. You’ll check coolant levels, and fix leaks before they grow. You’ll flush your radiator to keep it operating at its best. This will allow you to stop problems before they arise; a radiator flush is much less costly than replacing the entire radiator. Or worse, the entire engine block.

Have you noticed a radiator leak?

What Cheap Gas Does To Your Car

March 21, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Have you ever thought about what happens when you visit the gas station and fill up your car? Do you pay attention to where you get your gas? Do you know what’s inside?

The quality of the gasoline ultimately impacts the way your car handles and drives. Do you know what cheap gas does to your car? Does it really matter?

Let’s find out.

How gasoline works

Gasoline is used to power your vehicles and other things we use every day. You may have noticed that gasoline comes with numbers representing different classifications of gas. These are octane ratings, usually 87, 89, and 91.

Octane ratings tell you how resistant the fuel type is to the combustion process. Pressure creates heat. The more pressure you apply, the hotter something gets. For gasoline, this tells you how much pressure is needed to heat it up until it combusts.

The higher the octane rating, the more resistant it is to spontaneously combusting. This is for performance issues. You don’t want the gasoline to ignite prematurely, which impacts the way your engine runs.

The three most common types of gasoline are:

Basic – 87 octane

Plus – 89 octane

Premium – 91 and above

The higher the octane, the more resistant it is to combusting under pressure. With some high-performance engines, they require higher compression rates, which means they operate using higher octane levels. Premium may be more expensive, but it’s required to keep the engine running well and keeping it efficient as it operates.

Before you fill up at the gas station, know which type of fuel your car demands. You can find this in your owner’s manual. If it states basic, it won’t help your vehicle to move to a higher octane level gasoline. It won’t increase performance or gas mileage. It will continue to burn it at the rate needed for your vehicle.

However, if your vehicle requires premium and you put in a lower grade, you can have what is termed “engine knock.” This happens when gas combusts prematurely and throws the balance off in engine timing. Your vehicle may be equipped to handle some of this with a timing sensor, but it’s still a good idea to protect it by inserting the correct octane level gasoline. A lessor octane puts undue stress on the engine, and over time, can increase the need for repair.

What gasoline does

Americans use over 360 million gallons of gasoline every single day. It’s hard to imagine life without the fuel source we’ve come to rely on.

When you pull into a gas station, you select the gasoline recommended for your vehicle. As you pump the gas, it flows directly down into the gas tank where it waits for use. Inside your vehicle is a fuel pump that pumps the gasoline into the fuel line as needed. It also has a measuring system to alert you when the gasoline in reserve gets low.

The fuel moves through a fuel filter to filter out harmful contaminants before it’s released into the fuel injectors. This keeps harmful debris away from your engine.

The fuel injectors operate via a piston that sprays gasoline into the cylinder. Air also enters the cylinder where it mixes with the gas, compressing the two together. A spark plug ignites the mixture, which causes the combustion reaction and forces the piston back down. This opens up the exhaust valves and forces the exhaust back out of the system.

This exhaust passes through the catalytic converter, which provides emissions control. It changes the chemical composition of the pollutants as they are released and turns them into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water, before being released out into the air via the muffler.

What cheaper gasoline does

The next time you drive down the street, pay attention to the different fueling stations around your home. You’ll find plenty of the Top Tier gasoline companies – Shell ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, Phillips 66, Texaco, and Valero, among others.

https://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

They will tell you that their brand name gas is better than lower quality independent gas companies because of the detergents and ingredients it mixes in with the fuel. In some cases, car manufacturers may even recommend going with these better brands because of the “secret sauce” it mixes into the fuel mixture. They state that because of the uptick in detergents, lower quality fuel may allow carbon deposits into the combustion changers, which will cause the knocking or pinging commonly associated with premature fuel ignition.

Keep in mind that this is a recommendation only. Even smaller independents – cheaper gas stations – will still post octane levels for their gasoline. The difference is in the detergents. If you’re on the road and your tank is empty, by all means, fill up, even it means a tank of lower quality fuel. It still has certain qualities in it, and it won’t impact your engine with only one fill.

Numerous studies have been done to find out the differences between gasoline products, all of which have been met with skeptical conclusions. A chief engineer for Toyota’s Avalon found that after ten years of being in charge of his division, he’s never seen an engine with a deposit issue.

What should you do?

Still worried about what cheap gas will do to your vehicle? Pick the right station to suit your needs. Whether for convenience, cost, or preference, ensure you select the right octane rankings and your car should be just fine.

It’s much more important to schedule regular maintenance visits with your local mechanic, have the brakes tested, the oil changed, and monitor the health of your tires.

When is the last time your car was inspected? Schedule your maintenance visit today.

Does Your Vehicle Have a Blown Head Gasket?

March 4, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Have you ever lost your cool, and someone around you said: don’t blow a head gasket, it’ll be alright? You’ve reached your limits. You’re furious to the point of losing control.

That phrase actually comes from a similar action in your car.

A vehicle’s head gasket isn’t a common auto part; it isn’t one you see sitting on your dashboard, or even tinker with when you pop open the hood. The head gasket sits between the engine block and cylinder block. Today’s modern head gaskets are created from multi-layer steel, while older engines were made up of composite asbestos or graphite, or even solid copper.

A head gasket’s purpose is:

Sealant – When your vehicle is running, it causes a lot of pressure in the gasoline cylinder. The head gasket sits between the engine and the cylinder and is designed to keep this pressure in check. It often contains a special cylinder ring designed to add extra protection from releasing pressure.

Fluid – Both the engine and cylinder need coolant and oil to operate properly. Ports in the head gasket allow these fluids to flow freely as needed. The cylinder uses coolant to maintain proper temperature while the oil lubricates and provides for hydraulic pressure.

At the same time, the head gasket’s job is to ensure that both coolant and oil are maintained in their proper channels. It keeps these fluids from mixing. It also prevents combustion gases from flowing back into the various passages. The head gasket may have o-rings to provide stronger seals, depending on the make and model.

What does a blown head gasket mean?

Does Your Vehicle Have a Blown Head Gasket? The head gasket has an important job to ensure your vehicle operates smoothly. When your head gasket is blown, it means one or more of these fluids or gases are going where they shouldn’t be.

A blown head gasket can allow coolant and combustion gases to mix, for example, or allow coolant to mesh with the engine oil. And when that happens, you’ll start having issues with the way your vehicle drives.

Some problems are more noticeable than others. Keep driving, and the problems will escalate until your car is undrivable.

Most head gaskets don’t blow right away. Here are symptoms to watch for.

There is a difference between a blown head gasket and one starting to show signs of a problem. This is where it pays to know your car well. If you catch the problem early, you can avoid a blown head gasket and all the potential problems that surface with it.

Pay attention to your coolant levels. If you notice coolant levels falling without an exterior leak, you might have a coolant leak somewhere in the engine.

Watch for smoke. Another telltale sign is white smoke coming from the tailpipe. It’s an indication of a crack in the head gasket, or a problem with the cylinder or engine block. White smoke usually indicates a coolant leak, which produces the white color as it burns.

Listen for misfires. As you’re starting up your vehicle, listen for symptomatic noises that may indicate misfiring. If you notice blue smoke while driving, it’s the first sign of faulty design somewhere within the engine compartment. Investigate sooner rather than later.

Overheating. Watch your car’s thermostat and ensure it’s running at optimal temperature. Any change in the way it runs could be an indication of a potential problem.

Can you drive with a blown head gasket?

The short answer is; No. Head gaskets, in general, can last 200,000 miles or more. They are considered to be a lifetime part on many vehicles. With regular maintenance, little can go wrong with this crucial piece of the engine.

However, even with optimal care, there is always a chance of things going wrong. Even driving on city roads in normal traffic conditions can sometimes jar systems enough to cause problems.

A blown head gasket causes two problems.

It allows coolant to escape from your engine compartment. When this happens, it leads to overheating of your engine. The longer you drive in this condition, the more damage is done to the engine. This coolant is hot – if you pop the hood, you can sustain serious burns. It can also catch fire. This is why it’s important to attend to a blown head gasket quickly.

It allows coolant to enter the cylinders. When coolant mixes with oil and gas, it results in white smoke releasing through your exhaust system. Too much coolant in the engine can destroy it, and prevent oil from doing its job, and providing proper lubricant.

What’s involved in replacing the head gasket?

If the head gasket is blown and the leak is too large to simply fix the sealants, it requires a new part. While the head gasket itself isn’t an expensive piece, it does take a significant amount of labor to install it. This isn’t a DIY project without adequate mechanical knowledge.

The oil and coolant need to be drained from the engine, before removing parts of the engine to access the head gasket. A lot of parts are involved in the process, and one wrong move could cause even bigger issues.

Will your car drive with a blown head gasket?

While your vehicle won’t come to a grinding halt when a head gasket is blown, the damage can quickly escalate. Coolant and oil intermixing is never a good thing. When the two aren’t flowing properly, and aren’t providing the necessary fluids where they are intended to go, it impacts all other parts in your engine. This lack of lubrication can further damage your engine to the point of ceasing altogether.

For all these reasons and more, we don’t recommend driving with a blown head gasket once you determine you have a problem. The quicker you fix it, the less damage will occur.

What Is A Turbocharger and How Does It Work?

February 7, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Imagine sailing down the highway, a cool breeze in your hair, passing by other cars like they are standing still.

It’s been something of fantasy since the early days of automobiles, pushing them to see how fast they can go and how quickly they can get up to speed.

We’ve even written songs about it. Back in 1961, the Beach Boys immortalized a turbocharged engine by writing the song 409. It was created about a Chevrolet 409 engine, dubbed “Turbo-Fire”, that could move zero to sixty in four seconds flat. That started a revolution in the auto industry, with people demanding more from their cars than ever before. Giddy up 409!

Of course, nowadays, it doesn’t take a street car to add power and control to a vehicle. People don’t want that in hot rods and street cars, they want it in the family sedan as they drive to and from work each day.

When you see an auto advertised as being turbocharged, you automatically assume it has extra performance, more power, and greater speeds. But is that truly the case? What does turbocharged really mean? Is it worth it to add it to the next car you buy?

What is a turbocharger?

You’ll find a turbocharger sitting between the engine and the exhaust. It’s a small turbine that connects both pieces together, as well as to the car’s air intake. The turbine uses the exhaust to spin and force more air into the engine, increasing power as it goes.

Most cars on the road today use an internal combustion engine. As the car operates, it’s the downward motion of the pistons that brings air into the engine cylinders. This air is mixed with fuel, and the vapor ignites and creates power. By pushing your car to higher speeds, you’re not adding fuel to the process as much as you are drawing in more air, which vaporizes more fuel to create more power.

The turbocharger changes that around using an exhaust driven process instead.

How do turbochargers work?

A turbocharger has four main parts to make it work.

The turbocharger resembles a snail. It has an air intake, an exhaust intake, turbines in the front and rear, as well as a hose line for bringing in oil.

The intercooler helps control the temperature of the charged air as it’s forced out of the turbocharger. It uses coolant for control.

The wastegate valve provides a boost of pressure.

The engine’s electrical control unit (ECU) controls the air mixtures and ignition timing, which is different from a standard internal combustion engine.

A turbocharger is designed to give you more power. How much power is a difficult question to answer. Car enthusiasts will tell you they can gain as much as 40 percent more power than average vehicles. However, that depends on a host of different variables. It’s safe to say that car gains will vary.

Is a turbocharger bad for your engine?

The main purpose of a turbocharger is power. If you’ve ever felt like you needed to push your car to make it up a hill, or even get through traffic without feeling a lag when you step on the gas pedal, a turbocharger can give you the added boost you might be looking for.

But keep in mind that by adding a turbocharger, it adds another element of maintenance to your regular needs. A turbocharger makes your engine work harder. A turbocharger increases both the pressure and the temperature in the combustion chamber, which will add strain to all parts involved.

The harder the engine works, the faster it will need repair. And replacement.

Having a turbocharger also works under more extreme conditions. This means there is less forgiveness if you don’t adopt a regular maintenance plan that changes oil and checks pressure periodically. Most turbochargers need higher quality oil, and demand shorter maintenance intervals to keep it working at its best.

Are turbochargers reliable?

According to Motortrend, turbochargers are more popular than ever, with about one in four cars being produced today having a turbo engine underneath the hood.

Is it right for you? Here in Colorado, turbochargers can give you the added boost you need, especially if you drive up into the hills often.

Yet keep in mind that by adding more components to the engine compartment for a turbocharger, you’ll also have more potential for things to go wrong. Each of the parts of the turbocharger – turbocharger, wastegate, intercooler, control system – add more pieces to the engine compartment, which means greater chance of potential error, especially as your vehicle ages.

As with any engine, any vehicle you purchase, the key to keeping your car in peak performance is to adhere to a regular maintenance schedule.

Are turbochargers better at towing?

Since turbochargers add power, it’s only natural to think they would be worth the investment if you plan on towing. Not so.

A turbocharger is great for bursts of power and acceleration. If you pull over and want to jet around the person in front of you, a turbo is the way to go.

Long term power for towing heavy objects such as campers and boats is better left to a heavy duty engine, such as a V6 or V8.

Thinking of buying a used car with a turbocharger?

Before you purchase any used car, it’s a good idea to do a little research first. Check reliability ratings. Does the car require premium gas? Have there been major upgrades to the vehicle because of problems with the turbocharger? A quick search in Google will give you plenty of advice on what other drivers are facing with the vehicle you’re considering.

One of the biggest problems you may find is a turbocharged engine that consumes oil. Check for low oil levels. Ask for service logs. Do you notice a trend that the engine needed a greater amount of oil than average? You can also check for oil leaks. Be aware if you notice a burnt oil smell when you look under the hood.

Of course, it’s also a good idea to bring in any used car before you sign on the dotted line. We can perform a full evaluation and inspect the vehicle from top to bottom, giving you a better idea of potential problems lurking in the near future.

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