Posts by dakotaridgeauto

Some new vehicle manufacturers are now recommending much higher oil change intervals than they have in the past. As much as 5,000 to 8,000 miles or more.  Following these recommendations is very important to avoid engine damage.  When you go too long between oil changes, oil starts to turn to sludge.  This causes small oil…

Sometimes you may notice a little steam or vapor coming out of your vehicle’s vents when running the air conditioning or heater.  Is this something about which you need to worry? The answer is it may or may not be troublesome. Sometimes it can be caused by water accumulating in the vent system after it…

Question When should I replace my windshield wipers? Answer Well, most people wait until they fail.  The problem with that is that you find out they have failed when you need them most – a little too late. Wiper blades are really an important safety system.  As you can imagine, 90% of our driving decisions…

Reports say that the median age for cars on the road is over nine years and that two-thirds have over 75,000 miles.  In recent years those numbers have continued to rise. Many people are keeping their vehicles longer.  The economy has influenced that, but the fact that modern cars and trucks are more durable and…

Big advances in automotive technology have led to the development of high-tech fluids to keep pace. A simple example of this is the cooling system. For decades it was primarily made out of iron, steel and rubber hoses. There was one kind of coolant that protected these components from corrosion. Now cooling system components are…

Most people don’t service their air conditioning until after it fails.  Maintaining your air conditioning system means that you always have enough refrigerant to properly do the job.  Small leaks in the air conditioning system allow the refrigerant to escape and the system can’t cool the air as well. Along with the refrigerant, a special…

Batteries are a huge part of modern life. Think of how many battery chargers you have. Of course, our purpose here is to talk about your car battery. When people come into Dakota Ridge Auto and need a new battery, they’re really not that happy about having to spend the money. But the fact is…

Question: What is a differential and why do I need to have it serviced? Answer: First – your vehicle does have a differential.  If it’s rear wheel drive, your differential is on the back.  If it’s front wheel drive, your differential is built into your transaxle (transmission).  If you have all wheel drive or four-wheel…

You’ve just taken your vehicle in to figure out why the air conditioning isn’t working.  You remember a friend of yours just had to get a new evaporator, and your service advisor has told you it’s the same part that needs to be replaced in your vehicle.  But when you hear the estimated price for…

Hello, Littleton! Today’s Dakota Ridge Auto auto care topic is the serpentine belt. Your serpentine belt is a long belt that’s driven by your engine. It winds around several accessories that power important automotive systems. Let’s go over them. First, the serpentine belt drives your air conditioning system. Next, the belt powers the alternator. The…