Posts by dakotaridgeauto

Of all the warning lights on your vehicle’s instrument panel, there’s one that demands your attention.  And that’s the brake warning light. Common sense will tell you that if you can’t stop, you are endangering yourself and others.  Brake warning lights are there to warn you that something is wrong with this vital safety system.…

Question: My battery keeps going dead.  I had it tested and it is fine – what could be the problem? Answer: Well, your problem could be caused by several things.  Let’s start with a likely suspect: your alternator.  The alternator is like a little electrical generator.  It is spun by the serpentine belt on your…

With front-wheel drive being so common these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most folks don’t even have to think about it.  And most rear-wheel drive differentials don’t need to be serviced for many miles, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind.  So,…

Emergencies can range from a flat tire downtown to being stranded in a snowy ravine for three days. So, you may always want to consider a basic emergency kit to keep in the car and a travel kit tailored to a specific trip. Your close-to-home kit would have some basic items to work on your…

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…