Posts by dakotaridgeauto

If your vehicle has a few years on it, you’ve no doubt had your tires rotated a few times. That means, of course, that a technician has loosened the lug nuts (which hold the wheels on) to remove the wheels and then put them back on.  Many vehicles have lug bolts that go through the…

You try to take real good care of your vehicle. But there is something that you may be overlooking: wheel bearings on your trailer. Whether it’s a small utility trailer or toy hauler up to a big work trailer, boat or camp trailer, they all have wheels with bearings that need to be serviced from…

Simple Answers Service Intervals Question: My water pump went out and it cost much more to replace than ones I’ve had replaced in the past. My Littleton technician said it’s because of where it’s located. Why is that? Dakota Ridge Auto Answer: Some water pumps are driven by the serpentine belt and are bolted on…

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…

If you’ve walked through the automotive fluids section of an auto parts store, you’ll know how overwhelming the sheer number of products available can be.  How do you know what’s right for your vehicle? As you know, these fluids all serve a function in making your car run.  Your vehicle manufacturer has specified a particular…

Question: What do I need to do for my high mileage vehicle? Answer: This question gets asked a lot more these days.  The median age for vehicles on the road is now over 11 years.  Regardless of your reason for keeping your vehicle around, the good news is that it’s capable of going 150,000 to…

Modern vehicles usually have four wheels, a steering wheel, and an engine, just as they have for decades.  But an awful lot has changed since the days of carburetors and drum brakes.  The addition of computers to so many automotive systems has been a game changer, enabling safer braking systems, stability control, and better fuel…

Clean air quality is something that helps all of us thrive here on Planet Earth.  And considering that motor vehicles are a contributor to air pollution, emissions tests in the U.S. and Canada are in place to keep vehicles from needlessly spewing dangerous gases into the air. While laws vary from place to place, the…

You may not be familiar with all of the items on your Littleton auto service center’s menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. Remember, the board is there for reference; speak to your friendly and knowledgeable Dakota Ridge Auto service advisor about other possible…

You may be surprised to learn that 40% of traffic fatalities take place at night even though there’s 60% less traffic.  It goes to show how important proper visibility is to nighttime driving. Obviously, a clean windshield is important – so are good wiper blades.  Your headlights play a big role as well.  There are…