Posts by dakotaridgeauto

Simple Answers Service Intervals Question: I hear a clunking sound from my front wheel when I make a turn. What could be the problem? Dakota Ridge Auto Answer: One possible cause of the problem is a worn axle. Front-wheel drive vehicles have axles that transfer power from the transmission to your front wheels. There is…

When it comes to vehicle service, a lot of people procrastinate.  The reasons? Don’t want to spend the money, don’t have time to get it done, it’s not urgent.  Sound familiar? Here are the three service items you shouldn’t put off, no matter what. Oil Change.  Oil is one of those things that just quietly…

Today’s Dakota Ridge Auto post focuses on the importance of protecting your mass air flow sensor or MAF. Air and fuel are mixed together to be burned in your engine. The amount is controlled by how hard you press on the accelerator or by external factors like climbing hills or hauling loads. Based on how…

When all a vehicle’s wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment.  Hitting a road hazard or even just the normal bumps and bounces of everyday driving can cause your wheels to be out of alignment.  This can lead to expensive premature tire and suspension wear. Here are some alignment…

Today’s vehicles are rolling computer networks with multiple processors, sensors, and miles of wiring. The mechanical elements from the suspension to the engine valve train are extremely sophisticated.  Diagnosis and repair are more exacting than ever before.  Even a simple tire rotation may involve resetting the tire pressure monitoring system. Our technicians train hard to…

A driver who uses his or her ears has a leg up on those who don’t.  In addition to noises helping, you be aware of traffic, they can give you clues to potential problems in your vehicle.  One noise to pay attention to is growling. Growling is a universally recognizable noise; you know it when…

You may own a vehicle that you only drive occasionally.  Maybe it is a summer day cruiser, an off-roader, or vacation hauler.  Here are some things you need to know about a vehicle that doesn’t get driven all that much. You know it has oil in it, and the problem with not driving a vehicle…

If you feel your vehicle vibrating when you’re braking, or if you don’t stop in as short a distance as you used to, it may be time to have your brakes checked. All newer vehicles have disc brakes in the front, and more manufacturers are using disc brakes all around (instead of an older technology…

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) help you stop faster. That is not always the case on loose gravel or snowy surfaces. Anti-lock brakes, in fact, are designed to help you maintain control of your vehicle in an emergency braking situation. Imagine you are driving on a snowy Littleton road. You slam on your brakes and your rear…

Your serpentine belt drives your alternator and air conditioning compressor. The power steering and power brake pumps are driven by the serpentine belt in many vehicles. In some vehicles, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt (in others it’s driven by the timing belt). The radiator cooling fan on some vehicles is also…