Posts by dakotaridgeauto

DAKOTA RIDGE AUTO: The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some and is totally ignored by just as many.  Just what it means is a mystery to most of us. First, if your check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic…

Ever wonder where they came up with the term “dashboard” for that part of your vehicle that sits behind the steering wheel? That name began back before cars were even invented.  People used to travel by horse and buggy, and streets weren’t as well built as they are today.  On a muddy road (which was…

DAKOTA RIDGE AUTO: New tires are a big ticket item for most Littleton drivers. You’re not only concerned about the price, but you want to know that it’ll be a long time before you need to buy new tires again. And of course there’s the safety aspect as well. The tires do a lot of…

DAKOTA RIDGE AUTO: Regular oil, also called conventional oil, comes from dead dinosaurs. Conventional oil molecules are long hydrocarbon chains of various lengths. Imagine a bunch of pencils – some used and some brand new. Synthetic oil is often more highly refined petroleum-based oil. The molecules are shorter and closer to the same length. Think…

At Dakota Ridge Auto, we recognize that many drivers in Colorado have never operated a car without power steering. That’s because power steering has been a standard system in cars for about 50 years. Without power steering, driving would be a tough workout. Be sure to maintain your car’s power steering parts to avoid unnecessary…

Do you wonder if you should use synthetic oil instead of regular motor oil? At Dakota Ridge Auto in Littleton, Colorado, we make sure customers understand the difference between synthetic and regular motor oil before getting an oil change. Synthetic oil is the newer oil scientifically engineered to optimize your engine’s performance while regular motor…

DAKOTA RIDGE AUTO: It means that one or more of your tires has low air pressure. The dashboard warning light, which looks like a cross-section of a tire with some lines in it, comes on when the tire pressure is 20% below what the manufacturer recommends. So if your recommendation is for 35 psi (pounds…

Let’s talk about air conditioning service and repair issues.  Most of us don’t give our air conditioning a second thought if it’s making cold air.  But it’s a complex and expensive system that we should think about before it starts blowing hot air. The refrigerant in the air conditioner contains a special oil that lubricates…

DAKOTA RIDGE AUTO: Let’s address a very important maintenance item for everyone in Littleton Colorado – timing belt replacement. It’s important because letting this one slide can lead to very expensive engine damage. Your timing belt choreographs the timing of your combustion process. Your pistons travel up and down in the cylinder. Intake valves open…

The anti-lock braking system is a safety feature that helps you maintain control of your vehicle in the event of an emergency braking. It usually plays an essential role in preventing the wheel from locking up during braking, consequently, ensuring that the vehicle maintains maximum stability on the road surface. However, for it to work…