Posts by dakotaridgeauto

Car has a fuel problem

A New Fuel Filter for Clean Fuel in Littleton

When your fuel isn’t clean, your fuel injectors can start to become clogged up and your engine may not get the proper amount of fuel at the correct pressure to run efficiently. This hurts fuel economy and performance and can also lead to the buildup of harmful deposits on valves and in the combustion chamber.…
winter driving

The Foggiest Idea (Fogged Windows in Cold Weather)

In cold weather, you may notice your windows fogging up. Then you can’t see where you’re going, and suddenly you and those around you are in danger. So, what causes your windows to fog up in cold weather, and how can you stop it? Fog is simply moisture condensing on a cold surface. When the…
oil change service

Engine Air Filter Basics for Littleton

Today in the Dakota Ridge Auto car care blog, we want to talk about your engine air filter. That’s the filter that cleans the air before it’s burned in your engine. Littleton residents wonder how often they should change their engine air filter. The simple answer is: when it’s dirty. That’s a function of how much…
6 speed manual transmission

Air Blend Box

You push a few buttons or turn some knobs, and voila, you have warm air blowing on your feet or cool air chilling your face. How does all that happen? Well, it’s all thanks to the air blend box. This box lives behind your dash and serves up just the right temperature of air right…
Check Engine Light On

Things to Know About the Cost of Auto Repair

Profit margins in the automotive service industry are a lot narrower than many people imagine. Cars are far more complex, thus the tools and diagnostic equipment are also more complicated and expensive. Diagnosing why your Check Engine light is on may require a machine that costs $18,000. Ask a senior technician how much he/she has…

Will Proper Auto Maintenance at Dakota Ridge Auto Really Save Gas?

Have you ever thought about all the little things we do to keep our lives running smoothly – like vacuuming? It makes a room feel fresher and more comfortable. We may not consider that we’re also prolonging the life of the carpet by keeping it clean. But Littleton drivers don’t always extend those good habits…
winter driving

Do I Need AWD? (Pros and Cons of AWD)

When the cold weather rolls around and the first slippery days confront drivers, it’s tempting to say, “I need an all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicle to deal with the weather.”  Well, maybe you don’t.  Maybe there’s another solution that is much more economical and may even have better results for you. There are a lot of…
where is the best auto repair shop

Your Car Scent Can Make You Safer in Littleton

Here’s an important travel tip from Dakota Ridge Auto that we bet you didn’t know, and it might keep you safer: • The average American commuter spends two and a half hours daily in their car. (The numbers are similar for Canadian commuters.) • The U.S. government says 100,000 auto accidents yearly are caused by drivers who…

Axle

The axle assemblies in your vehicle transfer power out to the drive wheels.  On a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, there is an axle shaft that goes from the differential in the center of the axle to each rear wheel.  On a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the axle shafts go from the transmission to each front wheel.  All-wheel drive vehicles…
spark plug replacement

Spark Plugs

In Littleton, CO, the days when Littleton drivers changed their spark plugs every couple of years has ended. Back in the day, spark plugs really did wear out that often. A couple of things are different now… First, spark plugs are made of better materials that last longer for Littleton drivers and they’re designed better.…