Posts by dakotaridgeauto

Diesel engines are appearing in more and more vehicles in nearly every category from compact cars to pick-up trucks to high-performance luxury vehicles.  In much of the world, 40% or more of passenger vehicles are equipped with diesel.  North America is beginning to appreciate the power and fuel economy benefits of diesel engines. Many maintenance…

We rely on our brakes to safely slow and stop our vehicles. You’ve probably had the experience where you’ve slammed on your brakes and started to skid. You are just sliding over the road when your wheels are locked up. And if the road is wet or slick or covered with gravel – you really…

When your check engine light comes on, you may be torn between utter panic and just wanting to ignore it and hope it goes away.  That’s perfectly understandable.  That same check engine light could come on for anything from a serious engine or transmission problem all the way down to a loose gas cap. There’s…

When teenagers squeal at a concert, it’s usually a sound of joy. When your vehicle squeals when you are turning, it could be a sign of something dangerous. When engineers designed your vehicle’s steering system, they intended it to work smoothly and silently. So, you know when you get a warning sign like a squeal…

You may have noticed your tires have a pretty long number on them.  Yours might start with a letter, then a 3-digit number, followed by a few more numbers and letters.  That string of letters and numbers is very important for your vehicle because it contains useful information on what tires will give you the…

Question: I’m really confused about auto service intervals for various items on my car. Help! Dakota Ridge Auto Answer: The simple answer for Littleton residents is to follow the vehicle’s recommended service intervals listed in your owner’s manual or in your service center’s database. But the team at Dakota Ridge Auto in Littleton sympathizes with Littleton residents…

Batteries are a huge part of modern Littleton life. I mean, how many battery chargers do you have in your Littleton home? Of course, our purpose here is to talk about car batteries in Littleton. When Littleton drivers come into Dakota Ridge Auto and need a new battery, they’re really not that happy about having…

Headlamp repairs are extremely important, you may be surprised to learn that 40 percent of traffic fatalities in CO take place at night even though there’s 60 percent less traffic. It goes to show how important proper visibility is to nighttime driving in our Littleton community. Obviously, a clean windshield is important – so are good wiper blades. Your headlights…

So you’re probably wondering, how does a timing belt work?  Dakota Ridge Auto is here to help.  As your engine runs, the intake valves need to open up to allow air into the engine. They remain closed while the air and fuel are compressed and ignited, powering the piston. Then the exhaust valves open to…

Littleton drivers often ask questions about the cooling system, the system that cools your vehicle engine and keeps it at the proper operating temperature. Let’s examine the topic in two areas: first, the coolant itself, and second, the parts that make up the cooling system. The coolant is the mix of water and antifreeze that circulates through…