Posts by dakotaridgeauto

Synthetic motor oil has been around for a long time, and more and more new vehicles are leaving factories with synthetic in their engines. But a lot of drivers don’t really know much about it. Let’s start with conventional oil – the kind folks are used to. Conventional oil is made up of naturally occurring…

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. Several things can cause this.  One of the most common is that the steering column locking mechanism is stuck.  Locking steering columns are an anti-theft…

Let’s talk about cabin air filters. There seems to be some confusion about them in Littleton that we should be able to clear up. Much of the confusion starts because cabin air filters are relatively new. Not all vehicles in Littleton have them, so some people confuse their cabin air filter with the engine air…

All passenger vehicles manufactured since 2006 are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems – or TPMS.  TPMS alerts you when your tires aren’t properly inflated with a warning light that looks like a cross section of a tire with an exclamation point in it.  Some vehicles may also have a digital readout showing tire pressure…

When Littleton drivers’ wheels are properly aligned they all point in the same direction. When they are out of alignment, most Colorado drivers notice a couple of things. First the vehicle pulls to one side when driving. It could be slight or pretty severe. If your wheels have been out of alignment for a while,…

It’s always exciting to get a new car – even when it’s used. But it can feel like you’re going out on a limb a bit when you buy a used vehicle. I mean, people sell vehicles for a lot of reasons. Maybe they just wanted a new car, maybe there was something wrong with…

As engine technology advances, recommended oil change intervals have gotten longer. High quality oil in a well-engineered engine has led to extended intervals. Here’s the problem: With longer oil change intervals, it’s for Littleton to follow them closely. Back in the day of 3 months or 3,000 miles (4,500 kilometers), if you went an extra…

Your alternator makes electricity to start and run your engine and all the electrical systems in your vehicle. That’s everything from the on-board computers to the turn signals. And of course, there is the entertainment system, seat heaters, power windows, and everything you plug into the power outlets. After your alternator makes enough electricity to…

When that car battery finally gives up the ghost and it’s time to replace it – you have options.  First let’s be clear that you should always get a replacement battery that meets or exceeds your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.  But you may have some special needs. When they first put the battery into your vehicle…

I need new tires. How do I know which tires to get? Dakota Ridge Auto Answer: Let’s look at selecting new tires in light of three factors: Function, Fit, and Value. Function: This gets at what your needs are for new tires: weather conditions, terrain, temperatures, etc. New family vehicles sold in CO come with…