Posts by dakotaridgeauto

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…

Simple Answers Service Intervals Question: My water pump went out and it costs 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…

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…

A lot of people are excited about the new diesel engines that are becoming available in passenger cars and SUV’s and they’re curious about the preventive maintenance requirements.  People may not know that diesel engines have long been used extensively in Europe and Asia.  In fact, in some markets, there are nearly as many diesel-powered…

When your vehicle doesn’t start, the first thing you think of might be the battery.  That may be the culprit, but it also might be that your alternator has gone bad. An alternator sends power to your vehicle’s electrical systems and accessories like your entertainment system, charging ports, and so on.  Any extra electricity goes…

We rely on our brakes to safely slow and stop our vehicles. You’ve probably had the experience where you’ve slammed on your brakes and started to skid. When your wheels are locked up, you are just sliding over the road. And if the road is wet or slick or covered with gravel – you really…