If you’re like many people, 2020 has driven you to shift gears in many of your everyday practices – including how you motor around town. Did part of your daily routine include dropping your car at one of many Park-n-Ride lots around Parker and Denver, scanning your RTD MyRide Pass and hopping on your favorite RTD train or bus? Yep, us too. Here’s the thing: if you’re not going into the office, but instead working from home, how are you getting around town? You may now have a need for a reliable vehicle that allows you to hit the grocery store, get the kids to school or daycare, or make a needed trip to the doctor or dentist. This shift is common and has created a strong market in buying and selling used cars and trucks. If you’re a buyer, the best advice we can give you is consider working with a reputable auto broker who deals in used vehicles – such as H.M. Brown or AAA. If you end up buying directly from a private party, make sure to schedule a professional inspection with an independent mechanic , like I N C Auto Repair Center in Parker, Colorado. So … now that you’ve got that new used car or truck in your garage, what’s next? Here are our top tips and suggestions for properly maintaining your “new” vehicle! Do Your Homework Read your owner’s manual – cover to cover – on Day 1. You should find it in the glove box, or very likely online depending on the age of the vehicle. It will tell you everything you need to know about your new vehicle including recommended service cycles. It will illustrate where to find the basics like reservoirs for refilling everything from windshield fluid to oil. Best Maintenance: Oil Changes Level up on what type of oil is recommended for your vehicle, and how often it should be changed. Best practices: have a qualified mechanic look at your vehicle every 3-4,000 miles or every 3-months – whichever comes first. At I N C Auto Repair Center, we include a complimentary 30-point Vehicle Health Evaluation and Tire Rotation with every oil change. Even with driving less in 2020, you need to have your tires rotated, belts inspected, cabin filters changed, and fresh oil running through your engine. It’s the best maintenance you can hope to deliver to the car or truck you and your family rely on! Tires Carry the Load How much air pressure is recommended for your tires? Check the owner’s manual, the tire manufacturer’s website, or look inside the driver’s side door panel. Once you know how much pressure the tires require, grab your reliable tire gauge and check your pressure. By the way, it’s best to check your tire pressure while the tires are cold. Once they warm up through driving, the pressure can increase. Tire pressure is known to decrease during cold outside temps, so don’t be alarmed. Just give them a breath of fresh air! If your tire gauge or internal warning lights continue to report low pressure after you’ve add air and have driven the vehicle at least 25 mph for 5-10 miles, ask your mechanic to take a look. You may have a puncture or slow leak that they can fix for you! Can You See Clearly? The absolute worst is getting caught on a dark, rainy night or moist freeway kicking up damp road grit and mag-chloride with windshield wipers that don’t pull their weight. At the first sign of streaks, invest in a fresh set of windshield wipers – you will thank yourself! Let There Be Light When your checking over that new car or truck before the purchase, don’t forget to check ALL the lights: Low & High-beam headlights Tail & Brake lights Fog & Turn Signal lights Keep a Positive Charge. Again, with fewer or shorter trips in your car, it’s easy to have your battery lose charge over time. Make sure you have a set of jumper cables in your car and KNOW how to use them! A few basic tips in this order: #1 Find a friend or neighbor willing to help you, and put both vehicles in PARK. #2 Turn off the engine on the donor vehicle; your vehicle is already off (due to the dead battery). #3 Attach one RED clip to the POSITIVE terminal on the dead battery (presumably yours). #4 Attach one RED clip to the POSITIVE terminal on the donor car battery. #5 Attach one BLACK clip to the negative terminal on the donor car battery. #6 Only then should you attach the remaining BLACK clip to an unpainted steel part of your vehicle. #7 Start the donor vehicle and let it run for 5+ minutes to send a charge to your dead battery. #8 Then try and start your vehicle – it should start up pretty quickly. #9 Give your car a good run at higher speeds to give the battery a good charge. #10 If your battery fails to hold a charge, it may be time for a new one. We can help with that, give us a call. Tidy is as Tidy Does At our house we laugh that the car always runs better when it’s clean! While that may just be in our heads, the fact is you are protecting your car when you keep it washed. We mentioned mag-chloride that is used on roads to inhibit ice buildup. It can also corrode not only your paint but the vehicle body. The same with tree sap, bugs on the windshield and grill, and more. And did you know: it’s more environmentally friendly if you go to your neighborhood car wash than washing it yourself in your driveway? You end up using less water and send less soap and detergent into your lawn and city sewer systems. Have questions? We are always here to help. Give us a call at I N C Auto Repair Center in Parker Colorado. We’ll put that car or truck you have your eye on through its paces with a professional inspection and once purchased, help you build a solid vehicle maintenance plan !
Ah, the joyous winter travel months are finally here, November and December. A time for sumptuous turkey dinners and gathering around the tree with friends and family. It’s also a time for slippery, icy roads and shoulder to shoulder highway traffic. To get through the season, you’re going to need a can do attitude, some patience – and also a tip top shape vehicle! Here are some tips from I N C Auto Repair Center in Parker, Colorado on getting your car ready for those sometimes grueling but ultimately joyful Holiday road trips. Oil Changes: Let’s start with the basics. Sure, we all tend to fudge a little now and then on the timing between oil change intervals by 500 (or 1,000!) miles, but Holiday time is when you really, really don’t want to risk mechanical trouble. So take a peek at your odometer, or the handy reminder sticker on the upper corner of your windshield. Follow that sticker or odometer reading to a T! The recommended intervals vary between every 3,000 miles if you use conventional oil; and every 5,000 to 6,000 miles for synthetic oil. Be sure to check with your mechanic or the oil manufacturer for your particular oil needs. Regardless, don’t push the mileage too far beyond the recommendations. Just bring ‘er in and get ‘er done. Minor and Major Service: Here’s a simple rule: Typically starting at 15,000 and then in intervals of every 15,000, your car needs minor or major service, in addition to or along with your oil changes. Just think Odd and Even . At odd intervals (15K, 45K, 75K, etc.), you’re probably looking at minor service. For even mileage (30K, 60K, 90K, etc.), it’s likely time for regular major service. Consult your Owner’s Manual, or check with us here at I N C Auto Repair Center, for the exact recommended time/mileage of your next scheduled service. We can run a quick diagnostic to be sure nothing is missed. Tires, Tires, Tires: You may have perused one of our previous blogs devoted specifically to tires, and we won’t repeat too much of that same information. But let’s face it, Holiday Time is crunch time! You want those tires in tip top shape before hitting the road to Grandma’s. Some questions you can ask yourself: How does the tread look? You don’t need to be an expert to have a hunch on your tire’s safety. Are you up to date on the CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) rules on tire tread? How many miles do you have on the tires? Is your spare tire ready to come in and pinch hit in the event of a flat? Are your tires giving you the best possible gas mileage? Underinflated or misaligned tires/wheels can eat into your mileage over the long term. If, after running through the above checklist, you’re not sure about your wheels, zip over to I N C Auto Repair Center and we can confirm or reassure you on your hunch, and give the best recommendation for your tires. Auto Body Issues Large and Small: You know you don’t want to be driving through a snowstorm with a severely cracked windshield or significantly dented passenger door; but what about the smaller things, like a cracked headlight or burned out head lights or brake lights? While the temptation is there to tough it out on that Christmas Eve drive, why take a chance? Everyone’s safety is at issue when you get behind the wheel, and many such small body issues can be taken care of in no time at all. We know time is even more of the essence during the Holidays, and the staff here at Golden Triangle Auto Care is prepared to take care of those last minute small issues that will put your mind at ease once they’re taken care of. Detailing: There’s no need to go overboard and detail your car back to how it looked when you first drove it off the lot. But a quick cleaning inside and out prior that Holiday journey can lift everyone’s mood just a little bit and get your Thanksgiving or Christmas drive off on the right foot. If you have any regular maintenance that’s due or any questions – none too small – about the overall maintenance of your vehicle, give us a call at I N C Auto Repair Center, your Parker CO car care experts today!
How important are your tires? Very. Without reliable tires (and gas), your car, truck or 4×4 isn’t going anywhere. Here’s what you need to know. Inflation A tire that has too much or too little air is a problem. An improperly inflated tire could cause poor gas mileage, loss of traction, tire wear, or could even damage the tire leading to failure. You don’t want that when you’re driving! Make sure you know the recommended inflation level for your vehicle’s tires. How do you know? Check your owner’s manual or look for a sticker in the door frame on the driver’s side of your car or truck. Tire pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Pressure gauges are inexpensive and easy to use. Don’t have a pressure gauge? Ask our front desk Service Manager for one! Remember to always check your tire pressure when the tires are “cold” and haven’t been driven for about 30 minutes. Colorado Department of Transportation Traction Laws Driving on I-70 through Colorado’s high country can be both beautiful and treacherous. Especially between September and May. Within a matter of hours, climate and road conditions can swing from sunny and dry to wet, slushy, snowy, and icy. Are you up to date on the most recent rule changes regarding traction laws in Colorado? Here’s the official word from CDOT (make sure to check for any recent updates). Most Colorado drivers are pretty good when it comes to their vehicle’s winter-worthy capabilities, swapping out summer tires for winter tires and packing a set of chains in their trunk or tool kit. Between September and May, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) expects two things: 1) either snow tires, tires with the mud/snow (M+S) designation, or a four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle; and 2) all winter-worthy tires to have a tread depth of not less than 3/16 of an inch . Who’s checking the tread depth on those tires you might ask? Your trusted Parker auto mechanic should be doing that for you when they swap out your seasonal tires or doing the recommended 30-point vehicle health evaluation each time your oil is changed. Tread Wear What’s up with tire tread patterns? Tread patterns are designed to move moisture out of the way so the rubber can make contact with the road. Otherwise, the tire would drive on top of the moisture, which leads to hydroplaning. Definitely not as fun as it sounds. Being able to maintain control of your vehicle when there’s moisture on the road isn’t the only concern regarding your tire tread. If you go too long without replacing your tires, you risk having them fail while you’re driving. Wear bars will be visible when only 1/16 of your tire tread remains, which is an indicator that you need tires sooner rather than later. Tire Code Ever wonder what all the numbers and letters on the side of your tire mean? Each one is there for a specific reason. Your tire might have something that looks like this: P215/65R15 The “ P ” is for “passenger car.” You might also see “ST” (special trailer), “LT” (light truck), or “T” (temporary). “ 215 ” is the width of the tire in millimeters. Wider tires mean more traction. “ 65 ” is the aspect ratio, which is the height to width ratio as a percentage. Low aspect ratio (“low profile”) tires generally handle well at high speeds, but the trade-off is a bumpier ride. Want a smooth ride and good traction in slick conditions? Stick with a taller tire. “ R ” is for “radial,” versus “ B ” for “bias belt” or “ D ” for “diagonal.” This refers to how the tire is constructed. Radials allow the tread and sidewall to function independently, which equates to flexibility, better handling, and better capability to withstand heat. “ 15 ” is the diameter of wheel rim that the tire was designed to fit (in inches). This concludes your Tires 101 class! Knowledge is your best tool as a consumer, so use your new power wisely. Remember, our mechanics are here to help expand both your knowledge and your vehicle’s performance. Schedule an appointment for a basic oil change; while your vehicle is up on the lift, we’ll give it our 30-point vehicle health evaluation which includes checking your tires! Sources: Traction Law Code 15 Passenger Vehicle Chain Law Code 16 House Bill19-1207 Motor Vehicles & Traffic Regulations
Summer is finally here, and if you’re like most Coloradans, you have mountain adventures on your mind. We thought: hey, why not share a few Colorado Mountain car care & driving tips as you prepare for your Summer vacation! The last thing anyone wants to deal with is car problems when you’re away from home. There’s lots of things you can do to avoid those costly repairs and headaches while you are on your summer road trip and a long way from your favorite auto mechanic. First: Makes sure your vehicle is up to date on all its maintenance. Make sure you are following the right guide in your owner’s manual. Travel in and around Colorado is considered extreme driving due to our crazy climate changes, high elevation roads, and wide open spaces. If you keep the maintainable parts of your vehicle up to date, then all you have to worry about are the parts that are meant to wear out such as brakes, steering, suspension, and hoses to name a few. Every time you bring your car or truck in for an oil change, we perform a 30-point health & safety evaluation on your vehicle – so we’ll identify items that are wearing down and close to failing. Next: Stay Cool. What we mean by that is avoid overheating your vehicle – its about the last thing you want to do to your engine. On your drive up into the mountains, you always want to maintain speed and not push your engine too hard. If you ever notice the temperature rising on the dashboard display, here’s a quick tip : turn off the A/C (if it’s on) and turn the heater to defrost and full power. This will allow the engine to cool down. If need be, pull over and allow the vehicle to idle and cool down. Remember, the uphill incline will not last forever – before you know it, you’ll enjoy a nice downhill slope – racing uphill is never good for your vehicle. Last: Avoid over heating your brakes. Have you ever noticed a funny smell on the big downhill portions on I-70 or Hwy 285? Or maybe as you are driving down the mountain and you press your brake, your whole vehicle shakes? Both of these symptoms are a direct result of your brakes overheating. The goal when driving down the mountain is to stay in lower gears so your engine does the slowing down and not your brakes. Or tap your brakes briefly to slow down and coast in between. Braking causes friction and friction creates heat. Hot brakes become less and less effective and you could quickly find yourself in trouble if you don’t lay off them on the downhill run. It only takes a couple hard stops coming down to warp rotors and cause costly repairs. Ready to get out there and See America? We all are. Here are a few fun tips to keep everyone happy and safe along the way: watch your speed take a scenic byway – every time stop at that historic marker keep your eyes the road (not your phone) keep your National Parks Passport book handy in your glove box pack a snack box with dried fruit, nuts, red/black licorice, peanut butter & crackers dust off your dad’s “road trip games” and take them for a fresh spin load your favorite road trip play list on your phone select an audio book that tells a story based on where you’re headed Not sure if your car is ready for your next road trip? Schedule an appointment at I N C Auto Repair Center in Parker, Colorado. Our expert techs will make sure your car is road-trip-ready! Give us a call at (303) 400-4062 today!
You’re driving down the road and all of a sudden: your check engine light comes on. It’s like receiving a secret code but you can’t translate it. Your car has just sent you an important message and you have no idea what it means! What should you do? We all know computers have evolved in the last century. They’ve gone from giant calculating machines that filled entire rooms, to having more computing power in your phone than on the first lunar lander. Your car has evolved too and is now benefiting from newer, smaller sized technology. Most cars prior to the 1980’s were simple mechanical machines. Computer technology barely existed at that time and where it did, the benefits were minimal. Over time, finding a physical place in the engine compartment to accommodate that new technology threw a monkey wrench into the mix. Enter the microprocessor, which changed everything. In the 80’s car manufacturers worked together in implementing standards in microprocessors beginning with a changeover to computer managed fuel injection. As computers shrank in size and found new levels of power, our cars were the recipients of brains to manage every function. Now that we are well into the 21st century, our cars are loaded with computers that work in conjunction with each other and some independently. From keeping you in your lane to greater fuel, computers control it all. While back in the day the home mechanic could do a lot of work and maintenance on a car, today the vehicle is so loaded with technology it takes special classes and equipment to address many of today’s car systems. Which brings us back to the check engine light. Your car, now a computer on four wheels, has sent you a message. In Morse code. A single light that sits perpetually illuminated on your dashboard – telling you absolutely nothing that can be translated by a human! Helpful? Not so much as you’re driving down the road wondering if you should keep going or stop at the next exit. But wait! Your mechanic can save the day. Through a diagnostic check – a detailed code delivered to your mechanic will point them to the car’s issue. The good news is you can set the panic aside. Unless the light is flashing, which means you should pull over right away, the problem is probably not critical. You don’t need to go straight to the mechanic to get the issue diagnosed, but you also shouldn’t drive around indefinitely (as we all so often do) without addressing the potential problem. Some of the most common check engine light issues are not necessarily ones that lead to high cost repairs. Here are a few possible reasons that light is displaying on your dashboard: Gas Cap is Loose Did you replace your gas cap after the last trip to the gas station? The modern fuel system is pressurized, and the car knows if the gas cap is loose, not sealing or just plain missing. Emissions System Alert Your car will monitor the emissions system and throw the light on if it detects trouble, say with your Evaporative Emissions System (EVAP). EVAP is a closed system that captures fuel tank vapors and prevents them from escaping into the atmosphere. The problem could relate to a purge valve or a vent valve. This is a problem that could affect gas mileage or cause you to fail an emissions test, but not likely to strand you at the side of the road. Vacuum / Pressure Issue It could also be a vacuum issue – maybe a loose or bad hose, or an issue with the spark plugs and ignition system. Danger Zone? In general, if the light comes on and your car is not jerking, sputtering or having trouble running, call your Parker expert car mechanics at I N CAuto Repair and make an appointment relatively soon to get it checked out. Diagnostic Inspection is Required Computer technology continues to become more powerful every year and we see our cars getting smarter as well. Even though your car still won’t tell you what the problem is in plain English, you can feel more assured that you have a reasonable window of time to make it to your team at I N C Auto Repair without an issue. They’ll plug your vehicle into their state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and sort out the code and corresponding problem. As always, they will first discuss what’s required with you before making the repairs and getting you and your vehicle safely on your way.
Winter weather conditions can show up any time – particularly after Labor Day – here in Denver, Colorado. Regardless of what the calendar says, you need to plan ahead and be ready once the hard-core winter months of November through April arrive. Snowstorms and sub-zero temperatures are always looming here in Colorado, so now is a good time to assure you have checked and re-stocked your winter emergency kit in your vehicle. What should you include in your Colorado winter road emergency kit? A strong flashlight with brand new batteries A replacement set of batteries Road flares A heavy blanket or sleeping bag An extra set of gloves and warm hat Bottled water and nutrition bars Jumper cables Tire Chains – yes, even if you have an AWD or 4WD vehicle A basic tool set (screwdriver, pliers, adjustable wrench) Multi-Tool (Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife) A spare cell phone charger Ice Scraper & Snow Brush Small metal fold-up snow shovel First Aid Kit (aspirin, band aids, roll of adhesive tape, 4”x4” cause pads, roll of 4” gauze, blunt-end scissors) A strong flashlight with brand new batteries Other tips: Make sure you have a good spare tire and a jack. If you have run-flat tires, make sure you have information on what to do if you get a low-tire warning light. Hit the road with a fully charged cell phone and have it on you at all times. Be sure to check weather conditions before traveling extended distances or into rural or mountain areas. Always start your trip with a full tank of gas. Remember: wind changes everything. Conditions can change in mere minutes – especially if the wind kicks up on the high mountain passes or in the expansive parks such as South Park and North Park in Colorado. Visit our web site to check out our monthly car care coupons . Our job is to help take care of your car, and at the same time reduce some of your car care and maintenance expenses when we can! For more helpful car care advice for cars, light trucks, SUVs and more, call Golden Triangle Auto Care at (303) 400-4062 .
Winter can sneak up on us any time here in Parker and throughout Colorado. For sure it’s essential you plan ahead of the hard core winter months of November through April. As snow storms and sub-zero temperatures continue into the early spring months of March and April, it’s always a good time to assure you have checked and re-stocked your winter emergency kit in your vehicle. What should you include in your Colorado winter road emergency kit? A strong flashlight with brand new batteries Road flares A heavy blanket or sleeping bag An extra set of gloves and warm hat – and always your warmest coat! Bottled water, nutrition bars, dried nuts & fruit Jumper cables A basic tool set (screwdriver, pliers, adjustable wrench) A spare cell phone charger or external battery Shovel Bag of Sand or Kitty Litter (for traction!) Basic First Aid Kit (aspirin, bandages, alcohol wipes, anti-bacterial cream, scissors, tweezers, compression wrap, gauze) You should also make sure you have a good spare tire and a jack – and know how to use it. We recommend practicing changing your tire in summer or fall. It will definitely relieve the stress of trying to figure it all out on the side of a wet and sloppy road. Make sure too that you have information on how to handle your run-flat tires if you get a low-tire warning light. We suggest you hit the road with a fully-charged cell phone and have it on you at all times. Be sure to check weather conditions before traveling extended distances or into rural or mountain areas. Remember, conditions can change in mere minutes, especially if the wind kicks up on the high mountain passes or in the expansive parks such as South Park and North Park in Colorado. Visit our web site to check out our seasonal car care deals to help take the load off some of your car care and maintenance expenses throughout the year. For more helpful car care advice for cars, 4×4’s, light trucks, SUVs and more, call I N C Auto Repair Center at (303) 400-4062 .
Security is Next … Good work: you’ve had your student’s vehicle inspected , and you’ve handled all of the items needing attention. Your student’s car should be good for the commute for the immediate future. The best advice we can give to keep all cars in your garage in good running order is regular maintenance. We all know it takes more than a regular visit to the gas station to maintain your car or truck. What else can you (or your young driver) do on your own between now and your next service visit? Check your oil level and replenish as needed between oil changes. Check your brake fluids as well, but remember: do not top off low brake fluids. Instead bring your car in so we can see what else might be happening to cause those fluid levels to drop. Transmission fluids can be checked as well (newer cars no longer offer transmission dip-sticks for a quick check); we recommend professional replacement of these important fluids. Top off your windshield washer fluid for both your front and back windshields; there are few things worse than a smeared windshield when driving at night. Check air pressure in your tires (not all cars have tire sensors) – get a free tire gauge from us when you’re in the shop for service! Check your headlights when pulling into your parking space – including your turn signals & brake lights to insure all are illuminated & working. Do you carry a spare tire or have run-flat tires? Make sure you know what to do when you get a flat. AAA membership can be a life saver – for a small annual fee, the road service they can provide is priceless on a dark and stormy night. Blanket or Sleeping Bag is a great idea too. Colorado weather can catch us by surprise, so be prepared. Umbrella or rain jacket … same thing here, you’ve got room in the car so toss one in so you always have it at the ready! First Aid Kit. Can’t hurt, might help. Go ahead and stash it in the back along with the sleeping bag & umbrella. Flashlights. Today’s LED-powered flashlights pack a lot of light in a small casing, so make sure you have a couple in your console or glove box! Get your young driver involved in scheduling these tasks and equipping the car with these helpful supplies. By the way, not sure how to check your vehicle fluids? Ask our one of our expert Parker service techs when you pick up your car after your inspection and we’ll show you what to look for – it will take just a minute of everyone’s time and be worth it in the long run! Don’t miss our final blog in this series with tips on maintaining your sanity as a student commuter !
Whether you are a parent getting your teen set up with their first car for high school or college, a student wondering how to make your new life as a college commuter easier, or a teacher juggling all the details … we thought we’d offer a few tips to help you rock the commute! Safety First … Making sure your car is road-ready is the first step towards a hassle-free commute. Nothing will ruin your day like a breakdown on the road: teachers & professors are not forgiving when you are late for class, or worse yet … miss your exams. Don’t be that student. What can you do to avoid car trouble? Inspection Bring your vehicle in for a full health and safety evaluation … think of it as a pop-quiz! Here’s a list of just some of the systems and components we check: Tire Inflation Tire Tread Wear Tire Pressure Brakes Oil Fluids Filters Belts Transmission Exhaust System Shocks & Struts Suspension Steering Axel Shaft, Boots & U-Joints Engine & Transmission Leaks Lights Wiper Blades Factory Scheduled Maintenance Items Cooling/Heating System and many other items! Diagnostics We’ve got diagnostic equipment in our shop for many makes & models of cars and trucks. Our expert Parker Colorado auto mechanics will simply plug your car in and the system will generate a full report of recommended mechanical and systems items needing attention. We always capture your email at the time of service check in, so you’ll get a copy of this report too for your records. Give us a call and we’ll get you on the schedule ! Look for more student safety & commuting tips from I N C Auto Repair Center: Student Driver Security Tips and Commuter Sanity Tips … which in truth are smart check lists that all drivers in your family will benefit from!
Often a funny noise is the first indication that your car or truck is having a problem. Ever listen to the Car Guys, Click & Clack the Tappit Brothers on NPR? Some of their funniest shows featured callers imitating the noise their vehicles were making! In all seriousness, these sounds can indicate something is simply annoying, or it could be something that needs urgent attention. Let’s review some of the most common car sounds and what they might mean for your vehicle. Squealing from the Wheels This is likely the sound people are most familiar with from 1970’s cop shows: the squealing brakes. Unlike in the chase scenes from CHiPs, a squealing brake sound doesn’t just happen from time to time. More often than not if it happens in real life it is due to worn out brake pads. This will cause your rotors and calipers to grind metal on metal as opposed to metal against the brake pads. Get this fixed immediately before you destroy your brakes. Squealing from Under the Hood If you’re hearing a strange squeal from under the hood when you start up your engine, it’s time to get your belts checked. This sound can come from any belt system that you have in your car and only stops when the belt has warmed up. Just because the sound stops shortly after starting up doesn’t mean the problem is gone. It just means that you can’t hear the problem anymore. Get this fixed immediately or your car might abruptly stop dead. Thunking from the Front End As you’re turning a corner and you hear a pounding coming from under your car it’s likely that your CV joint is failing. The CV joint is what allows power to still go to your wheels when you are turning the vehicle (pretty important). There are a several reasons why your CV joint might be failing. For now, we suggest you focus on getting it fixed as soon as possible. Otherwise, your car might simply stop moving in the middle of a turn. Eeek! Rattling from Under the Vehicle Most commonly, rattling under your car will mean one of two things: Your exhaust pipe is damaged in some way Regardless of the reason, you’ll hear it rattle while you’re driving and even more when you’re going over bumps of any kind. Generally, we can’t determine the cause by the sound alone. In the end, the rattling needs to be taken care of before your suspension gives out completely or your exhaust pipe simply falls down mid-drive. The latter sounds ridiculous but trust us: we’ve seen it happen! There are dozens of other sounds that your car may be making for any number of reasons. If the sound is one of the above and is worrying to you … don’t ignore it. Give us a call at (303) 400-4062 . We’ll check it out and make a plan with you to resolve that noise!
