Posts by dakotaridgeauto

You probably know that USB is a computer term (it stands for Universal Serial Bus). But do you know what a TSB is? You should, because it could be important for your vehicle. A TSB is a Technical Service Bulletin.  Once a new vehicle is introduced and starts being driven by thousands of real-world users,…

Getting into a car accident can ruin a lot more than just your day. So, consider these tips to make sure the damages aren’t worse than you originally think: Make sure everyone is OK, and call 911 to report the accident. Not only will this help in case of serious injury, but it will also…

When someone mentions diesels – images of smoky, rattley trucks may spring to mind.  The fact is that the modern clean diesel engine is much more refined than in the old days.  Sure, diesel engines remain a very popular choice with heavy duty pick-up trucks, but they are finding their way into nearly every segment…

When that car battery finally gives up the ghost and it’s time to replace it, Littleton drivers have options. First, let’s be clear that you should always get a replacement battery that meets or exceeds your vehicle’s specifications. But you may have some special needs. When they first put the battery into your vehicle at…

After they’ve had an accident, some people wonder why their airbags didn’t go off.  Movies and television lead us to believe that airbags go off with the slightest bump.  The reality is much more complicated.  First, airbags come out with great force and speed.  Now getting hit in the face with an airbag is way…

First of all – your vehicle does have a differential. If it’s a rear wheel drive, your differential is on the back. If it’s front wheel drive, your differential is built into your transaxle (transmission). Littleton drivers with all wheel drive or four wheel drive will have differentials front and rear and maybe one in…

Synthetic motor oil has been around for a long time, and more and more new vehicles are leaving factories with synthetic in their engines. But a lot of drivers don’t really know much about it. Let’s start with conventional oil – the kind folks are used to. Conventional oil is made up of naturally occurring…

You expect your key to turn in your vehicle’s ignition.  But sometimes it won’t, and that’s a problem, whether you’re trying to start your vehicle or trying to leave it. Several things can cause this.  One of the most common is that the steering column locking mechanism is stuck.  Locking steering columns are an anti-theft…

Let’s talk about cabin air filters. There seems to be some confusion about them in Littleton that we should be able to clear up. Much of the confusion starts because cabin air filters are relatively new. Not all vehicles in Littleton have them, so some people confuse their cabin air filter with the engine air…

All passenger vehicles manufactured since 2006 are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems – or TPMS.  TPMS alerts you when your tires aren’t properly inflated with a warning light that looks like a cross section of a tire with an exclamation point in it.  Some vehicles may also have a digital readout showing tire pressure…