Tips & Tricks

Get Ready For Road Trip Driving – How To Avoid Common Car Problems

June 28, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

You’ve made your plans, booked your reservations, bought a new swimsuit, and set out all the toys you want to bring with you. Get ready for road trip driving – you’re going to have a blast sharing time and memories with your family.

But what if it all grinds to a halt a few hundred miles out of town? It’s hot. Your car has a problem. It’s now by the side of the road, while you’re scratching your head wondering what’s wrong.

If you’re out in the middle of nowhere, waiting for a tow to the nearest station, it’s going to cost you both time and money.

Could any of this have been changed before you left home? Could you avoid common car problems and avoid being stuck by the side of the road, with your car packed and ready to go, your family now at risk?

The answer is: Yes.

Road trips often put your car under stress. You drive beyond your normal routine, have a loaded down car with more weight than you’re used to, driving in conditions outside the ordinary. And that can put your vehicle at risk, especially if you haven’t had it inspected lately.

Statistics show that the global vehicle roadside assistance market is growing steadily at about 2 percent per year. As vehicles continue to get older, they are at more risk for breaking down.

These are the most common car problems that occur when people head out on the open road.

Your car battery quits

On average, a car battery will last from two to five years. One of the most important factors in determining how long the car battery will last is the weather. All you have to do is watch the weather forecast to realize a heatwave has extended all across the US this summer. If you’re heading out on the open road, there’s a good chance you’ll drive through record-breaking heat.

A running engine is already producing a significant amount of heat underneath the hood. Now add in record-breaking heat, and the fact that your vehicle is operating many hours a day at top speed. It can be a recipe perfect for making your car battery call it quits.

If your car’s battery is more than a year old, it’s important to get it checked to ensure it’s properly charged. If there are any questions about its efficiency, it’s better to replace it before heading out on your journey.

Your tire goes flat

What happens if you’re at a campsite, or a little hotel in the middle of nowhere, and you wake up to a flat tire? One recent report stated as many as 60 percent couldn’t change a tire. Add in heat, and pulling everything out of the car to find the spare, plus the possibility of not having the right tools for the job, and you’re looking at a situation that can go from bad to worse quickly.

What’s more, heat can play havoc on your tires, especially if they aren’t in great shape. A worn tire has a much greater chance of causing a tire blowout. People don’t know how to recognize bald tires, tires with tread problems, or even if they are filled properly. They often rely on computerized data to warn them of a potential problem. Yet the last place you want a warning signal is on the open road.

Your best bet is to have your tires checked before you head out on a road trip. Have the tires rotated and balanced, and ask a trusted mechanic how well they will perform in the coming weeks as you complete your trip. If they suggest replacement, listen to their advice. It’ll cost a lot less for you to make a well informed decision at home rather than a small town hundreds of miles from home.

Your vehicle has brake trouble

Brakes are always under a lot of pressure to perform. Now throw in hours of driving each day, unfamiliar territory which means you’ll be using your brakes even more, plus the heat of the engine as it travels down the road in record-breaking heat. Yep, that can definitely impact the way your braking system performs.

Now imagine a car filled to the bring with personal items and family members. This isn’t the time you want your braking system failing.

Before you head out of town, have a reputable mechanic take a look at the braking system and make the necessary repairs to keep it working at its best. This includes an inspection of the brake pads, fluid, rotors, and drums. If something needs repair, get it replaced before you head out on your trip.

Your transmission goes out

Your transmission system is what makes your car sail smoothly down the road. It’s what moves the power from the engine to the wheels. It includes a clutch, gearbox, prop shaft, differential, and drive shafts.

While your transmission can go out unexpectedly, in most cases, it gives off warning signs long before you experience trouble. Have you experienced problems with your dashboard lights? Noises as you move your car between gears? Or maybe you’ve noticed a fluid leak when you pull out of a parking space? They are all signs your transmission is in trouble.

Catch it early and one of the easiest ways to combat potential problems is with a transmission flush. By adding new fluid, it’ll keep the entire system operating well for thousands of miles into the future.

Your engine dies

We’ve all seen drivers on the side of the road with their hoods up, smoke circling everywhere. Yep, that’s potential engine failure at its worst. If your engine dies, it’s the heart of your vehicle. Experience it on the road and you might be looking at an expensive repair bill, or even the possibility of investing in a new car.

Pay attention to the check engine light. It’s one of the most common to illuminate because it’s a warning signal for so many things. If it illuminates before your trip, be sure to have a diagnostic test performed before you leave to pinpoint any potential problems.

Fixing things early can ensure your road trip is a success from beginning to end, without having to worry about repair bills and downtime for a car that simply doesn’t work.

Used Car Inspection

May 10, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

It’s natural for Denver drivers to be a little anxious when they buy a used car in the Denver area; it’s natural to worry that it has something wrong with it or that it hasn’t been well maintained. If it’s possible, bring the vehicle in for a used car inspection at Express Car Care. Your friendly and knowledgeable service adviser can tell you if there are current or emerging problems in the used car that you’re interested in purchasing. The peace of mind is well worth the price of the inspection service.

It’s also important for Denver drivers to get on track with the maintenance schedule and stay on track. If you don’t have maintenance records for the used car assume the worst and get started right away with an oil change at Express Car Care. The inspection by Express Car Care that comes with a full service oil change will reveal any basic problems. Be sure to bring up any specific concerns you might have with your service adviser. A more intense inspection can find hidden problems like body damage and sealer in A/C units which can be major expenses down the road.

Purchasing a Carfax report may let you know if the vehicle’s been in a major accident and give you a title history. You can find out if that ’71 Barracuda really was owned by a little old lady who only drove it to church on Sundays here in Denver.

If you’ve bought well, there’s no reason to believe that with proper maintenance your “new” used car won’t last a long, long time.

Give us a call and let us help.

A Guide To Your Car’s Air Conditioner Condenser Before The Summer Heat Hits

April 17, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Springtime in the Rockies. It can be in the 70s one moment, and a blizzard the next. You may find yourself turning on your car’s air conditioner in the afternoon underneath the blazing sun, followed by the heater as the sun dips behind the mountains.

Is your car’s air conditioner condenser up for the job? Is it ready and waiting for the hottest days of the year?

How your car’s air conditioning system works

While almost every car purchased today comes with air conditioning as standard equipment, that wasn’t always the case. Air conditioning grew in popularity in the 1970s, and it quickly became the standard in auto production.

The air conditioning system in your car today works similarly to how it was first put into production back in the 1930s. Air conditioners are built with three main parts: the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator.

The three work together to push refrigerant through a high pressure/low pressure closed-loop system. As the refrigerant moves through the loop, it changes from gas to liquid, and back again.

The compressor takes in low pressure refrigerant gas and compresses it to a high pressure, high temperature gas. It then pumps this gas into the condenser.

The condenser dissipates the heat outward, and turns the high pressure gas into a high pressure liquid. It removes any water formed during this process as it moves through a dryer system before being pumped out to the thermal expansion valve.

It’s there that this high pressure liquid is allowed to expand and become a low pressure liquid that enters the loop system and into the evaporator located in your car’s interior. The refrigerant moves from liquid to gas form once again as the evaporator takes in the heat from the inside of your car.

As this occurs, a fan blows over the compressor, creating the cooled air you feel through your vents. As the gas enters the compressor, it continues through the closed-loop system, and the process starts all over again.

What are the symptoms of a bad AC condenser?

A vehicle’s air conditioning system depends on a steady flow of refrigerant moving through it. This is what it needs to produce cooled air, and send that air out through the ventilation system.

The only way refrigerant can do its job is if the air conditioner condenser is working. But like other parts on your vehicle, an AC compressor can fail. Luckily, it doesn’t happen all at once. It provides you with warning signs so you can take action before it stops working altogether.

Noises – You can’t miss the noises a compressor might make as it develops problems. The compressor relies on a closed-loop system to operate, which is held together by a series of sealed bearings and other components. As these wear, break, or are damaged in any way, it becomes more difficult for the compressor to operate properly. Whether it’s a squeak, a squeal, or a bang, if you notice a noise as you turn your air conditioning system on, it’s time for an inspection.

Hot air from the vents – On a hot day, if you turn on the air conditioner the moment you enter the car, the only thing you’ll feel coming from the vents is hot air. If that hot air continues, it’s a clear indicator of a problem with the AC compressor. If refrigerant can’t circulate throughout the air conditioning system, it won’t be able to create the cooled air you want. This usually isn’t an all-or-nothing process. Gradually, the cool air will warm, and you’ll start to notice your air conditioner doesn’t put out as much cooled air as it used to. Eventually, it will stop altogether.

Leaks – The AC compressor is made up of a series of components to keep it working well. Over time, if those internal bearings and connections fail, the pressurized refrigerant can start to leak. Refrigerant won’t show up as a puddle underneath your car, the way other fluids might appear. Instead, refrigerant leaks appear as a thin, greasy substance that appears around the compressor itself, or small pools if it’s really bad underneath your vehicle. Refrigerant is bad for the environment, so it’s imperative that you fix the problem quickly to avoid further release into the atmosphere.

Are there ways to maintain the air conditioning system?

Luckily, your AC compressor isn’t something most car owners replace. If your car is well cared for, your compressor can last for tens of thousands of miles.

But that doesn’t mean you should take a back seat, and wait until warning signs occur. Like other systems inside your vehicle, there are general maintenance items you can occasionally do to ensure the air conditioning system continues to work well.

Your vehicle’s cabin has an air filter, which is positioned between the air conditioning system under the hood and the vents that blow air inside your car. Check this regularly, and replace it if it’s clogged or blackened with debris.

Don’t forget to clean your entire vehicle, inside and out. Running it through an occasional car wash is a great way to ensure the outside looks great. But don’t forget that salt, mag-chloride, and other contaminants can spray up into the engine compartment as you drive on Colorado roads throughout the year. The condenser sits in front of the radiator. A simple flow of water from a garden hose can clean the grille, which allows the airflow needed for the air conditioner to work.

An occasional inspection should also be made, especially if you’re heading out on a road trip. Pull it into our service station and let us evaluate your entire vehicle. We often catch small repair items that, if left unchecked, could quickly escalate as you head out on the road. It’s one of the easiest forms of preventing, ensuring your car stays in great shape for years to come.

When was the last time you pulled your vehicle in for an inspection?

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.

Horsepower or Torque – What’s The Difference?

February 28, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

No matter what vehicle you own, the concept of power comes up from time to time. Especially here in Colorado, if you’ve ever tried to climb up into the hills for a day of skiing or hiking, you understand how important power really is.

Power gives you the ability to go. More power means your vehicle handles better in road conditions where you hope to pull ahead of the crowd. It’s important when zooming up the mountain. It’s equally as important in day to day driving conditions, where you’re moving in and out of traffic, staying aware of your surroundings.

If you’re looking for power, and you read the spec sheet on any vehicle on the market, you’ll notice they mention one of two things: horsepower and torque. But what’s the difference? Is one more important than the other? When it comes to horsepower or torque, where should your focus be?

Let’s start by defining both.

What is horsepower?

A horsepower is a unit of measure used to define the rate at which work is done by the motor or engine. Horsepower is what it takes to move your vehicle along. It’s what gives your vehicle the ability to accelerate under normal conditions, and to stay running as you cruise down the road.

What is torque?

Torque is the amount of force applied to the vehicle. It’s the force needed to start your vehicle in motion from a standing position. It’s also what is necessary to help it move up steep hills. If you own a pickup truck and haul or tow, it’s also something that is needed to add power into this process.

What’s the difference between horsepower and torque?

In general, you’ll often see commercials talk about both horsepower and torque when discussing large trucks and pulling heavy loads. But the concept holds through to all vehicles, no matter what you drive.

All engines produce power, which is also known as horsepower. Going scientific for a moment, one horsepower is the power needed to move 33,000 pounds one foot in one minute. It’s simply the rate of doing the work.

Mechanics will measure horsepower by using a dynamometer. This device places a load on the engine and measures the force of the engine crankshaft against that load. What it’s measuring is the torque output from the engine.

Torque is measured at various speeds, or revolutions per minute – RPMs. These numbers are used for calculating horsepower – torque times RPM divided by 5,252.

You’ll see horsepower listed in two ways: gross and net.

Gross horsepower is calculated without a load against the engine. Net horsepower is tested as you would drive it away from the showroom floor, with various loads against the engine, including emissions standards and more.

The easiest way to understand the difference is that torque is doing the work, whereas horsepower is how fast the work is being done.

Every car, truck, or vehicle you drive will have both controlling the way you move.

What makes your vehicle go – speed and acceleration

There’s another aspect we need to discuss before we talk more about how much horsepower and torque you need: speed and acceleration.

When most people talk about car movement, they mention the word speed. But there are two aspects of moving forward.

Speed is the rate at which a car can move. It’s the limits your car has built in to move forward. You might push your car occasionally towards one-hundred miles per hour. Top speeds are often tested – a 2017 Koenigsegg Agera RS can reach a top speed of 277.87 mph.

Acceleration, however, is how fast your car can gain that speed. This is where you’ll hear things like a car can do 0-60 mph in just a few seconds.

How speed and acceleration play into torque and horsepower

You’re probably seeing how each of these characteristics meld and work together.

The more horsepower you have, in theory, the better able you’ll be at pushing your car towards your top speed. Reaching peak torque means you’ve arrived at a place where you can sustain a constant speed.

This is where the two – horsepower and torque – work together.

If you ask the “experts” what number to focus on, you’ll hear just as many answers as there are people to answer them.

A racecar driver may be completely in-tune with their needs. For speed racing on land, they may prefer higher horsepower, while off-road racing may rely more on torque.

If you pay attention to sales ads, you’ll probably determine that more is always better. That’s marketing for you – they always want to push more, more, more!

But when it comes down to it, it’s more important to understand your own needs. How do you use your car, truck, or SUV?

Do you spend the majority of your time sailing down the highway at 60 mph? Do you haul boats and campers every weekend? Or is the majority of your time spent driving to and from soccer practice, with daily stops at the grocery store?

Torque can matter most if you haul heavy loads. Pulling a trailer, or consistently climbing deep into the hills can push torque ratings more in your favor.

If you’re worried about how fast you can peel away at the stoplight, focus more on horsepower than anything else.

It’s also about preference. We each tend to adjust our driving habits based on what we’re used to. Horsepower and torque don’t necessarily peak simultaneously, which means you can experience different driving conditions even with two vehicles with somewhat similar ratings.

Do your research before you drive a vehicle, and put some thought into where you want to put your money. The more power you gain, the more money you’ll put into your gas tank too.

Have additional questions about horsepower or torque? We’re happy to help you understand the mechanics of your car or truck, and keep it running well for life.

Your Nose Knows Gasoline

February 15, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Each time we fuel up our vehicles, we get a little whiff of gasoline, so your nose knows the smell. There shouldn’t be any gasoline smell in or around your vehicle when you are away from the gas station. When you do smell gasoline away from the gas pump, the causes can range from something simple to something that could be very dangerous.

Let’s begin with the simple causes. It could be a loose or faulty gas cap, or you might be missing one entirely. You may also have a leak in the fuel tank vent hose. These are relatively straightforward things to repair. By the way, because your vehicle has fans that draw in outside air, you may be able to smell these outside gasoline leaks inside the cabin.

Here are some other possible sources of a gasoline smell. You could have a leak in your fuel tank, and these are more common than you might think. Fuel tanks can rot or get punctures by road debris. The tank can be fixed or replaced.

The fuel lines can also deteriorate or be damaged by road debris. Vehicles with fuel injectors have high pressure in their fuel lines, so any small holes or leaks can allow vaporized gasoline to escape, sometimes near hot engine parts. Obviously, this is something that a technician should repair as soon as possible.

Another couple of causes of a gasoline smell? A leak near a fuel injector can also allow small amounts of gasoline to escape. A technician can replace the seals or O-rings if they have deteriorated. Also, you could have gasoline leaking out of your vehicle’s charcoal canister, which is a device that prevents evaporating gasoline vapors inside your fuel tank from venting out to the atmosphere. This will often cause the Check Engine Light to illuminate.

Gasoline fumes and leaks can be dangerous for a couple of reasons; they could be a fire hazard and inhaling fumes can cause health problems. It’s always wise to get fuel leaks checked out at your auto repair center as soon as possible.

How To Improve The Gas Mileage Of Your Pickup Truck

February 10, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

When gas prices are low, how much you spend filling up your tank each week might not be of concern. But the higher the prices climb, the more aware you are of the vehicle you drive.

On average, today’s passenger vehicles get just over 24 miles per gallon. For light trucks, that number falls to 17.5.

That can be a big deal if you drive hundreds of miles each week. It can cut into your budget very quickly.

Yet a vehicle comes predisposed with limits to the mileage it can achieve. You can’t change that. Right?

Turns out, you can. If you’re looking for ways to improve the gas mileage of your pickup truck, read on.

Regular maintenance is key

Every bump you hit in the road, every mile you put on your pickup truck, every trip you take, adds to the wear and tear of your vehicle. Regular maintenance is the best way to counter problems that arise over time.

This includes getting the oil changed according to manufacturer’s guidelines. It also includes ensuring your tires are inflated to proper levels, and maintaining them so you aren’t driving on under-inflated or poor quality tires.

Check your owner’s manual for the ideal pressure for each tire. It’s also listed on the panel inside the driver’s door. Do not go beyond the maximum pressure, and ensure it doesn’t fall below minimum pressure as you drive. Especially in Colorado’s harsh driving conditions, both can put you at risk for blow-outs and flat tires.

Be aware of aerodynamics

Pickup trucks are meant to haul. That’s why you bought your truck. It’s a workhorse, designed to help you do your job well.

Yet as you’re driving around each day, be aware of how you carry different loads. Would a bed cover help protect what’s inside? It might also provide better aerodynamics as you sail down the highway. Can you avoid roof racks and large items challenging the way you drive? Every item that changes the dynamics of your vehicle has the potential to reduce the way your truck moves.

Stop aggressive driving behavior

Traffic on Colorado roads can be crazy at times. How you approach each drive determines how many miles per gallon you’ll get with each tank of gas. Aggressive behavior means you consistently stop and go, apply the brakes, and waste gas.

Back off the person in front of you and learn to slow down and take it easy. Tailgating won’t get you where you’re going any faster, and it puts you and the cars around you at risk. When you can, use your cruise control to help remain at a constant speed. And slow down and respect speed limits, they are designed to help you achieve the highest gas mileage possible. Plus, it keeps your car safer, which means less risk of accidents and potential servicing issues.

Use the right gas

When manufacturers designed your pickup, they did so with optimal performance in mind. They build systems to accept certain types of oil, and specific types of gas. Don’t skimp on which fluids you select to put into your truck.

If the manufacturer suggests regular, it’s for a reason. Don’t add premium, assuming it will be better for your vehicle. If you select a reputable brand of gas rather than finding the cheapest in the city, you’re also ensuring the gas is high quality and contains additives designed to keep your truck running well.

Stop hauling extras

It’s a pickup truck; why not throw a few extra things in the back? A few sandbags for weight. A toolbox just in case. Pretty soon, you’ve added dozens of additional pounds to your vehicle, which ultimately takes more energy to move around town.

Your pickup came with suggested gas mileage ratings based on how it performs as designed. The more weight you add to it, especially unevenly as things are scattered around your truck, it can throw those averages off. Want an easy way to improve your gas mileage? Keep your truck bed clean.

Stop idling

Most drivers would be amazed at the amount of time they spend idling in their vehicles. You sit on the highway in rush hour, you sit multiple cars deep, waiting for drive-thru service. Instead of spending minutes every day wasting your gas in this manner, pull into a parking spot and go inside instead. In many cases, you’ll be in and out faster, and you’ll save on gasoline in the process.

Plan your route

How many trips, on average, do you take each day? Do you leave your home or office multiple times, stopping by to pick things up, running errands, and driving just to stay busy? Driving multiple short trips each day cuts into your gas mileage.

Instead, plan your trips before you ever leave. Can you drive a loop, completing errands as you go? Can you put off certain trips until you have multiple things to do in one area? Can you create days where you run errands, and days where you stay and work from home or the office? This might even add to your productivity levels.

Pay attention to gauges

Today’s vehicles are more automated and technologically advanced than ever before. It’s easy to ignore those little icons as they light up on your dashboard, or the service messages that dance across your instrument panel. They are there for a reason.

Think of them as an extension of your to-do list. They are a gentle reminder that it’s time to give your pickup truck a little TLC.

Staying ahead of potential problems not only produces a more reliable vehicle, but it also extends the life of your truck.

Are you getting the best gas mileage possible with your pickup truck?

Easy Ways To Repair Your Car Without The Stress

December 18, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

If you look up the word maintenance in the dictionary, it means:

Upkeep or support, the process of keeping something in good condition by regularly checking it and repairing it

Maintenance is something we spend a lot of our time working on. Your house and your car are your two biggest investments; it only makes sense to spend the time necessary to keep them in good working condition.

But therein lies the problem. Both your house and your car are large investments, you use them in a variety of ways every day. We tend to ignore the little things that might not seem like such a big deal, pushing it off for later “when we have the time.” And they go on our to-do lists, sitting there, waiting.

There are two approaches you can take to repair your car and keep it in good working condition:

Scheduling it
Waiting for emergencies

Think about your own patterns; drivers usually fall in one of the two categories. Regular maintenance is obviously the wiser choice, both to keep you safely on the road, and to spend less time, money, and energy on repairs.

Imagine for a minute, a driver who replaces their motor oil regularly. They replace the oil several times a year with fresh, high quality oil. Their car works well, and it operates as efficiently as possible. Compare that with the driver who forgets to change out the oil. What will that car look like two years down the road?

Creating a stress-free way to repair your car and keep it in good working condition doesn’t have to be difficult. But it does require you to set yourself up for success. Here’s how.

Create a car maintenance schedule and stick with it

Did you know every make and model comes with a handy guide that provides guidelines for how to repair your car over the years? Who better to keep you on track for maintaining your vehicle than the people that built your car?

When you signed the paperwork and drove away, you were presented with an owner’s manual filled with details about your car. Did you read it? If you bought a used car, you can also find this information online. Just Google it.

Most of us know we have to change the motor oil frequently, keep the windshield washer fluid tank filled, and install new tires as they wear down. That’s the easy stuff. But just like your motor oil or tires eventually wear down, so do the rest of the parts on your car. All 30,000 of them.

While you don’t have to check every part of your car frequently, it is a good idea to understand the major systems, and realize what parts need cleaning, changing, or replacing, and how often you should perform the task. If you find a reliable mechanic, they can also provide you with regular support – think of them as a general doctor for your vehicle. That’s especially important now as cars are increasingly more technology-driven.

Remember, all maintenance schedules are guidelines for how often they should be looked at. It’s equally important to pay attention to the way your car performs, noting any changes in the way it drives or handles on the road.

Create an auto repair log

Do you really need to create a log of all the repairs performed on your car? It may sound like a waste of time, but it can be a helpful tool. Here’s why.

A log of repair work can help you understand the needs of your car. It can help you:

Track fixes and repairs
Help troubleshoot problems and make it easier to find solutions
Provide proof of expenses
Help separate personal and business usage
Log mileage
Add value to your car when it comes time to sell

If you’ve ever purchased a used car before, a log of all repair work would make your faith in the vehicle that much higher, wouldn’t it? The proof of good maintenance would be right there. You can buy an inexpensive journal and keep it in your glove compartment, or consider downloading an app, so it’s always with you.

With your logbook in hand, you can keep a better eye on the repairs performed throughout the years. It helps you be better informed about how your car is operating.

Fix things sooner rather than later

Problems don’t go away by themselves. Instead, they build over time, escalating, until you have an emergency situation on your hands.

Take the example we used from above about changing out your motor oil. Pulling into a service station every few thousand miles for fresh motor oil keeps your car running smoothly. It costs a few dollars, and is a smart way to keep your car in good condition. If you don’t change the oil regularly, dirt begins to build, and over time can lead to extreme engine wear. If you run out of oil, your engine will fail. The parts will grind, seize up, and stall your vehicle. What would have been a few dollars for an oil change is now thousands of dollars in repair bills.

Of course, some car parts are more dangerous to leave unchecked than others. Determining the difference is something you’ll learn over time. You can consult with your owner’s manual to establish a guide of what to replace, and rely on a good mechanic to keep your vehicle in good running condition.

You can also use good judgment regarding what you replace quickly, and what you can leave until later. Common sense tells you that an oil leak is something that can’t wait, while a scratch in the paint can. In general, leaks, noises, smells, or changes in the way your car performs are things you should check immediately.

Follow the instructions – don’t delay

We’ve said it before in this article, but we’ll repeat it. The best way to repair your car and keep it in good working condition is to follow the guidelines established by your vehicle’s manufacturer.

It will explain the meaning of the dashboard lights as they flicker on, warning you of potential problems.

It will give you guidelines as to what to repair and when.

It will provide you with tips on making your vehicle operate better.

It will give your car the longest life possible.

Your car is one of your biggest investments. Isn’t repairing your car regularly worth it to make the most of your purchase?

A Few “Key” Facts

November 23, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

You expect your key to turn in your vehicle’s ignition…but sometimes…it won’t, and that’s a problem. Whether you’re trying to start your vehicle or trying to leave it, it’s a problem.

Here are a few “key” facts of what can cause this to happen. One of the most common is that the steering column locking mechanism is stuck. Locking steering columns are an anti-theft feature introduced in the 1970’s. If yours is sticking, try moving the steering wheel a little from side to side as you turn the key; sometimes this will cause it to release.

A key may also stick if the vehicle is in gear. Most vehicles will only let you start in neutral or park. If you have an automatic transmission vehicle, make sure it’s in park. Move the shift lever through the gears and back into park to make sure. If the key still doesn’t turn, you can try jiggling the shift lever as you turn the key. Electrical and mechanical contacts sometimes don’t line up properly, and a little jiggle might nudge them into place.

Sometimes vehicles with alarms can cause a key to jam; some require the doors to either be closed or open before the key will move. Other vehicles with newer electronic ignition systems won’t allow you to turn the key if the battery is dead.

Another possibility is something jammed in your lock cylinder. The little pins and spring that figure out you are putting in the correct key can stick as well. Your key may also be the culprit. The ridges can wear down, or the shaft can get bent. Oh, and speaking of the key, are you trying to use the right one? Double check it.

If you have a key that resists turning and you’re able to get it unstuck, consider yourself warned. It probably won’t “fix” itself, and it’s time to have your qualified technician dig a little deeper to track down the root of the problem. You could be less “luc-key” the next time it happens.

Why Your Car May Fail The Emissions Test

November 18, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

How long have you called Denver home? If you were around in the 1970s or 1980s, you might remember the brown cloud. As we continued to industrialize our city, the population moved outward and began developing suburbia. That meant more driving for all of our daily needs.

The EPA adopted the Clean Air Act to establish standards on air pollution from both factories and vehicles. But even with this law, Denver’s air pollution was visibly noticeable, partially because the city sits in a bowl-like valley. With mountains on one side and the Platte River Valley on the other, a temperature inversion traps pollution inside this bowl, creating a “brown cloud” of unhealthy air.

While policies continue to work at keeping this brown cloud under control, it hasn’t gone away. Experts say that the brown cloud has been replaced by thick smog, with the EPA changing our overall rating recently from “moderate” to “serious.” In 2018, Denver logged 131 days of poor air quality. And that impacts everyone across the Front Range, especially those with compromised respiratory systems.

Years ago, Colorado set up a program to monitor gas emissions from vehicles. Its goal was to keep the worst polluters off of the roads. Several counties require an emissions test to register a vehicle, including:

Boulder
Broomfield
Denver
Douglas
Jefferson
Portions of Adams
Portions of Arapahoe
Portion of Larimer
Portions of Weld

There are exceptions to this rule. If you aren’t sure if this rule applies to you, check with the Colorado Air Care Testing Facility near you to determine if your car needs testing, and how often you should take it in.

What an emissions test checks for

An emissions test is designed to ensure that a vehicle isn’t producing unacceptable levels of toxic gases. Tests are designed to measure the amount of emissions coming from a car’s engine. It’s a simple test that checks the pollutants being emitted from the tailpipe and being released into the air supply. It measures:

Nitrogen oxide (NOx)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Particulate matter (PM)
Non-methane organic gases (NMOG)
Formaldehyde (HCHO)

If your car passes, you can register your vehicle and drive it on the roads.

But what if your emissions test fails?

Here are the most common reasons a car will fail an emissions test.

Your car needs an oil change. An oil change is considered to be regular maintenance. It’s something that you should perform regularly, whether you drive regularly or not. Clean oil has fewer hydrocarbons in it, and helps keep your engine cleaner. A clean engine means cleaner emissions output. Check with your vehicle’s manufacturer, or refer to your owner’s manual to determine how often your oil should be replaced. Remember, this is based on time and miles driven. Even if you work from home and your car sits idle most days, it doesn’t mean your car doesn’t need fresh oil on a regular basis.

Your car has a rich air-fuel mixture. This is often caused by a malfunctioning injector or a faulty oxygen sensor. Check and replace both of these items before checking the emissions once again; this fixes the problem in a lot of cases. If the system continues dumping too much gas into the system, it will burn out the catalytic converter. Bringing it into our shop for a thorough checkup can find this and fix it if it’s the problem.

Your spark plugs are worn. When spark plugs wear down, they produce incomplete combustion. The spark plug creates electricity that ignites the air-fuel mixture inside the engine. The spark plugs create the motion inside the piston, and continue to provide power to keep your vehicle moving. When this process is incomplete, it can impact how much your car is emitting. Changing your spark plugs may be all that is needed to get your car back on the road.

Your car’s gas cap is leaking. This is a simple issue you can fix yourself. First, inspect your gas cap to see if it’s properly sealed. Tighten it if necessary. If you notice a leak, replace the gas cap and test your vehicle’s emissions again.

Your car’s air filter is dirty. When a vehicle’s air filter clogs, it can increase the levels of hydrocarbons being emitted from your car’s engine. Most manufacturers suggest replacing your car’s air filter at least once a year. If you don’t remember when you last had it changed, consider replacing it and trying the emissions test again. This should be a part of your regular maintenance plan to ensure your vehicle is in the best condition possible.

Your car’s evaporative emission control system (EVAP) is defective. When a vehicle’s EVAP system isn’t working correctly, gas vapors will move from the gas tank and add to the pollution levels in the atmosphere. This is often caused by a leak in the hoses or vents, causing the EVAP system to work improperly. While this can be difficult to track, a thorough diagnostics test can often reveal where the problem lies.

Your car’s check engine light is defective. While every light on your dashboard is important, the check engine light is one you should never ignore. It can signal many different problems with the way your engine operates. Occasionally, the check engine light itself may malfunction, and be the cause of why your car is failing the emissions test.

The best way to proceed is with proper maintenance and an inspection by a professional mechanic

While a failed emissions test isn’t a sign your car has major systems problems, it is a warning of an issue that needs solving.

While regular maintenance can keep your vehicle in top driving condition, it’s an ongoing process.

By stopping by regularly, we can ensure your vehicle is in good condition, and will give you peace of mind, knowing your car will be reliable no matter where your travels take you.

How can we help you maintain your vehicle for years to come?