Posts by dakotaridgeauto

Most Littleton drivers are aware that manufacturers have service intervals for your car. The engineers that design our vehicles have tested the various systems and components to meet durability and safety standards. Some of these standards are self-imposed and others, like those for emissions components, are government mandated. The maintenance schedules are designed to achieve…

Ever get musky odors coming from your car’s air vents? It’s fairly common for Littleton drivers. Moisture can accumulate in the air conditioning/heating ventilation system allowing mold, mildew, fungus and bacteria to grow. Disinfecting and deodorizing is a process. Depending on how bad the problem is, there are a couple of approaches Dakota Ridge Auto…

Question How do I know when I should get my tires rotated and balanced? Answer The interval for tire rotation could depend on a recommendation from either the tire manufacturer or the vehicle maker.  The interval is typically around 5,000 miles but could range from 3,000 to 8,000 miles.  The background question is why do…

You’ve probably seen auto parts delivery trucks in Littleton making their rounds. Every part has a story behind it. Unfortunately, some of the stories are tales of repairs that could have been prevented. One stop may be to deliver an engine air filter and a mass air flow sensor for a customer’s pick-up. His service…

You may not know much about transfer cases, but if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you’ve got one.  It makes sure you have power available for both the front and rear axles.  For example, if you have a rear-wheel drive SUV, power goes to the rear wheels until you need 4-wheel drive.  That’s when…

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…