Posted on 5/3/2017
There are a handful of different lights on your dashboard that can turn on at any time—but none makes a driver as nervous as the check engine light. Even if you don’t have any car knowledge, you most likely know that the engine is an important part of the car, so any light that signifies an issue with the engine is troublesome. So, what does this light actually mean? According to the Denver auto repair experts at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair, these are some of the reasons why this light may turn on: Gas Cap Have you recently stopped for gas? If your check engine light is on, it could simply mean that your gas cap needs to be tightened. This is the first thing you should check once the light goes on, so try to pull over and tighten the gas cap before taking any further action. It’s also possible that your gas cap is cracked or completely missing. Don’t worry—a loose gas cap wo ... read more
Posted on 4/26/2017
There are certain parts of your car that must be working properly in order to keep you safe behind the wheel, and one of the most important parts is your brakes. How do you know when it is time to have your brakes checked and possibly replaced? According to the Denver German car repair experts at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center, here are some of the signs you have bad brakes: Noise Turn your radio down and listen closely to see if you hear any noise when you apply pressure to your brakes. If there are no issues, you shouldn’t hear a peep from your brakes. However, if you need to have your brake pads replaced or if you need more brake fluid, you could hear a grinding, ticking, or squealing noise when you hit the brakes. Any noise should be investigated immediately, but a grinding noise is typically the most serious. Grinding noises usually mean that the brake pads have worn down and need to be replac ... read more
Posted on 4/19/2017
Have you ever popped the hood of your vehicle to see what’s underneath? If you don’t know much about cars, you probably won’t be able to identify much of what you see under the hood. Every time a mechanic at a Denver car repair shop services your vehicle, he checks on a number of things, including the levels of certain fluids. Here are some of the fluids that keep your car running smoothly: Oil Oil is one of the most important fluids that you will find underneath your car’s hood. What does it do? It acts as a lubricant in the engine and prevents overheating caused by the friction of two moving parts rubbing against each other. Most mechanics recommend that you get your oil changed every 3,000 miles, but you may be able to extend this to 5,000 miles if you don’t do much driving. Check the owner’s manual in your vehicle to see what your car’s manufacturer suggests. Coolant Af ... read more
Posted on 4/12/2017
On average each Denver family now owns approximately two vehicles that at some time will either require service or an auto repair. Having a knowledgeable, trained and tested individual to complete the work should be a priority for any vehicle owner. ASE, the a href="https://www.ase.com/" target="_blank">National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence has been providing repair workers quality testing and certification since 1972 in an effort to assist consumers in search of reliable automotive service. Consumers too often find themselves at the mercy of a mechanic’s advice without proper justification that the individual is trained and or licensed. By offering a tangible certification process ASE can verify that the services being provided are completed by tested and trained professionals. Instead of relying on reputations for any service experience or trusting your vehicle to a complete ... read more
Posted on 4/5/2017
Every day you’re in and out of your automobile numerous times, starting, stopping, cranking the engine and turning it off when you’ve reached your destination. Rarely does one stop to consider the wear and tear taking place under the hood as a result of running around for everyday travel while getting everyone in the right place and errands accomplished. Drop of Billy at school, go to work, leave for lunch, run by the bank, pick up Billy and take him to soccer practice, get to the grocery store, get gas, pick up Billy, get home. Just another day without any issue until one day the check engine light illuminates on your dashboard, or your car fails to crank and panic ensues. No time for an auto appointment leads to increased wear on the vehicle driving under duress until eventually a repair shop visit is mandatory. Routine maintenance can help alleviate the need for a hefty price tag on a ... read more
Posted on 3/22/2017
Part of being a car owner is knowing when it’s time to bring your car into an auto shop in Denver. One issue you need to keep an eye on is your car’s alignment. But, if you don’t know much about cars, you may not know how to tell if the alignment needs to be checked. Next time you get behind the wheel, look for these signs that may indicate an alignment issue: Unusual Tire Wear Take a look at your tires to determine if you see any unusual patterns of wear. If you spot signs of wear only on the inside or outside edges of your tires, this could indicate you have a problem with the camber adjustment. Feathered wear patterns, which means the tread is lower on one side than it is on the other, could signal a toe adjustment problem. It can be difficult for you to spot these problems without the help of a mechanic, so be sure to bring your vehicle in for regular tire rotations and inspections so a mechanic ... read more
Posted on 3/15/2017
When was the last time you thought about your car’s tires? Drivers often put a lot of thought into making sure their cars are cleaned and their fluids are changed, but many people often forget about their tires until they’re stranded on the side of the road with a flat. Be proactive and look for signs that your tires are wearing down and need to be replaced so you don’t find yourself in this situation. According to the Denver car repair experts at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center, here’s how you know it’s time for a new set of tires: Air Pressure Issues If the pressure in your tires drops too low, you should see a small light glaring on your dashboard. Losing pressure in your tires once in awhile is completely normal, but if you constantly have to add air to your tires, it could be a sign that you need to have them replaced. Learn ... read more
Posted on 3/8/2017
Have you ever heard your car make a strange noise while you’re behind the wheel? Has a light on your dashboard ever blinked on and off? If you don’t know much about cars, it can be hard to tell when the problem you’re experiencing is serious enough to bring your vehicle into a Denver auto repair shop. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s best to bring it in for an inspection. But in general, here are some of the signs your vehicle is in need of service: Smoke Smoke billowing out from under your car’s hood is never a good sign—in fact, it means your car could be overheating and continuing to drive it will cause serious damage. Pull over right away and take a closer look at the temperature gauge in your dashboard. It’s best to seek roadside assistance if there is smoke coming from your hood so you don’t have to risk driving the vehicle any further. Squeaky Brakes Do you hear grinding or a squeaky no ... read more
Posted on 3/1/2017
Many car owners fail to take their cars in for maintenance in a timely manner. Why? It’s not because they purposely choose to do so, it’s because they don’t know when they should! According to the Denver car repair experts at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair, there are basic rules you should follow. Here are a few of them: Don’t follow the 3,000 mile rule. You’ve probably been told that you need to get your oil changed every 3,000 miles, but that’s not necessarily true. Newer types of synthetic oil have a longer lifespan than other kinds of oil, so it’s not necessary to bring your car in for an oil change right when you hit that 3,000 mark. Today, manufacturers recommend coming in every 5,000 to 7,500 miles instead. However, if you do a lot of stopping and starting while you drive, you may want to bring your car in sooner rather than later. Constantly having to stop your vehicle uses a lot of oil, so you sho ... read more
Posted on 2/22/2017
Are you considering buying a used car? If so, don’t forget to take it into Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center for a pre-purchase inspection. Even if a used car looks brand new on the outside, you never know what’s going on underneath the hood unless you take it to an auto shop in Denver for an inspection. Here’s what you need to know about pre-purchase inspections before you buy a used car: Inspectors can uncover hidden damage. You may think that you will be able to tell if a car is damaged by taking it on a test drive, but that’s not always the case. There are many issues that won’t be apparent in a test drive that you should know about before buying a vehicle. For example, an inspector will be able to tell if the vehicle has any frame damage, which usually indicates that the car has been involved in a serious accident. Even if this isn’t impacting the way the car drives right now, it could down the ... read more