Posts by dakotaridgeauto

Let’s face it, vehicles are complex machines, and hats off to the NAPA AutoCare technicians who can diagnose and repair them when things go wrong.  Here are four tips to follow when you take your vehicle in, according to service advisors and technicians. Describe the problem thoroughly and accurately.  When you tell friends how your…

Question:  What benefit will I get out of a fuel system cleaning? Answer: Well, the dirtier your fuel system is, the bigger the improvement you’ll see in performance and fuel economy.  But don’t wait until your engine is running poorly, you’ve wasted hundreds of dollars in gas or maybe even damaged your fuel injectors and…

Do you know what kind of braking system you have on your vehicle?  It matters.  Do you think you should pump your brakes to get them to stop better on a slippery surface? Or are they the new computerized ones that pump the brakes for you? The most common brakes on today’s vehicles are anti-lock…

Let’s talk about winter tires.  We’re not talking about all-season tires here, but dedicated winter tires. Modern winter tires do a terrific job in a wide range of winter conditions.  First, below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, regular tires become hard and inflexible.  That means they don’t provide the road grip you need. Even if you don’t…

The cooling system in an engine has five components: the radiator, the radiator cap, the hoses, the thermostat, and the water pump. The water is literally the heart of the system. Just as your own heart keeps your blood circulating through your body, the water pump keeps coolant circulating through your engine. The water pump is…

You’ve probably seen them lying around at the side of the road: someone’s outside rearview mirror that’s been knocked off by a driver’s not-so-perfect driving.  And you realize the person who owns that vehicle now has lost an important safety feature.  Having functional mirrors enhances your safety and that of drivers around you. You probably…

If you feel a slight shudder or vibration coming through your brake pedal when you stop, it could be a sign you need some brake work done. That gets you thinking, how long should my brakes last anyway? It depends on a lot of factors.  But for discussion’s sake, let’s talk about the components that…

Dakota Ridge Auto Tech Question: I was driving on a local Littleton road and my vehicle started sputtering. And then the engine finally quit and I couldn’t get it started. I was towed to a shop in Littleton and found out I had to replace my fuel pump. What could I have done to have…

When the weather gets hot, some of the components of your vehicle are pushed to the limit.  Here are a few things to watch out for as the mercury climbs higher: Your vehicle’s air conditioning (A/C) system.  You might notice it’s blowing only hot air, even though when you last had it on in the…