Denver Auto Repair

A water pump is an essential part of a car's cooling system. If it fails, the engine can overheat and be seriously damaged. In this blog post, we will discuss the symptoms of a failing water pump so that you can get your car fixed before it's too late! What Is A Water Pump & What Does It Do? A water pump is a mechanical device that pumps water from the radiator to the engine and back. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine to keep it from overheating. With a well-working water pump, your car can run smoothly. However, if it starts to fail, you will notice some of the following symptoms: Symptoms of a Failing Water Pump Coolant Leaks One of the first signs of a failing water pump is the existence of a puddle of green or orange liquid under your car. This is coolant that has leaked out of the pump or elsewhere in the cooling system. If you see this, it's essential to take your car to a mechanic immediately, as a leaky water pump can cause this next s ... read more

As the temperature creeps up for the summer, you may consider getting your car some maintenance. Not only can the heat spell trouble for your vehicle, you definitely don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road on a scorching hot day.   At Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center, we can help your car stay in great shape for the summer. Follow these 5 simple steps below: Oil Change - It is always a good idea to stay on top of your oil changes. When your oil is clean and the oil filter is changed, the fluid can flow freely to lubricate your engine. Monitor Fluid Levels - Besides your engine oil, you should keep an eye on your other essential fluids too, including power steering fluid, windshield wiper fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant. Test Your Battery - The heat can especially be harsh on your car battery. The high temperatures can cause acid leaks and corrosion, which will reduce your battery lifespan. To avoid a breakdown, you should definitely test your battery ... read more

When it comes to automotive service, many people put it off. They either don;t want to spend the money, don’t have the time to get it done, or they just don’t feel like it is necessary. Even though you may believe it is harmless ctoan skip a service here and there, you may have to face some consequences later on. Here are the 3 maintenance items you shouldn’t put off, no matter what.   Oil Change - Oil is one of those things that you hear in and out of the auto repair shop all the time. You might not see it working firsthand, but it is necessary for your engine to run. It keeps all your engine components properly lubricated so that your engine can stay reliable over time.  If you want to avoid engine repairs down the road, please do not forget to change it. Your owner’s manual will have everything you need to know about oil changes, including the recommended intervals, oil type, and more.    Tire Pressure -  It’s just as easy t ... read more

People are under the impression that the only way to be environmentally conscious is by switching to an electric vehicle. However, there are many ways you can go green without doing so. There are renewable fuels available. Furthermore, healthy practices can play a role in reducing emissions.   For instance, you can be more mindful of your tires and their pressure. Besides changing your tires on time, you can be proactive by checking its psi regularly. Running on underinflated tires can waste a lot of fuel and therefore reduce gas mileage. Getting into a habit of tire pressure checks will ensure you catch a deflated tire early on.  Another way to limit your emissions is to declutter your vehicle and offload heavy and unnecessary items from your car. The extra weight will eat up your gas and increase emissions.   You can go green by driving more efficiently. First, make a habit of shifting gears smoothly. Secondly, learn how to operate at a slower pace on the road. Dr ... read more

Hybrid vehicles are so loved by their owners for their extensive list of benefits. They are different from your average vehicle because it has two different engine types: an electric one and a gas-powered one.   Below are some of the advantages of owning a hybrid car: Lower Fuel Costs/Great MPG  Hybrids aren't completely electric, so they still require gasoline. One of the most impactful benefits of owning a hybrid is the money you save on gas over time. Many hybrid owners can get up to 50 MPG! So if your lifestyle consists of driving long commutes, you may want to consider investing in a hybrid. Lower Emissions Hybrid automobiles are an excellent option because they are eco-friendly or produce less emissions. If you care about the environment and want to keep the air clean, hybrid vehicles may be a suitable option for you. Less Idling Similar to the last two pros, hybrids don't idle using the gas motor. When a hybrid is stopped in traffic, th ... read more

One of the most important safety features of your car is your primary brakes. Every driver has a full responsibility to check their brakes and stay on top of their brake maintenance. Besides brake fluid, brake pads endure the most wear and tear, requiring regular replacements. Your brake pads create friction that helps stop your car. A good industry rule of thumb to follow is to change them every 50,000 miles. Driving with worn brake pads is a huge risk, as they are needed to slow down and stop your vehicle. Beyond the safety concerns, faulty brakes can also spread damage to nearby areas, including the suspension system and tires. Signs It's Time to Replace Your Brake Pads Squeaking or Squealing Noises: It is undoubtedly time for brake service if you hear persistent high-pitched noises when braking. When the brake pads are used to a particular point, or you are low on brake fluid, you may catch this as a reminder to have your brakes serviced. Indicator Light Turns On: In some n ... read more

If you're going to drive around Denver, you have to be able to see where you're going! We've all experienced the frustration and fear of not being able to see through the rain, snow, or dirty windshield. That is why having a good, functioning pair of windshield wipers is so important, especially this time of year.   It always seems like your wiper blades go dull only when you need them most. Similar to any other vehicle system, your windshield wiper blades need regular attention to stay in good shape.   Experts typically suggest replacing your windscreen wiper blade every six months; preferably in the spring and fall. If you're no fan of Denver's harsh winters, you may also consider getting winter weather-specific blades with freeze resisting properties.   When it comes to the winter, you have to be careful about leaving your windshield wipers down. If your car sits for a long time and the temperatures drop significantly overnight, you may run t ... read more

What Does A Catalytic Converter Do?   A catalytic converter is something many car owners are familiar with when it comes to their vehicles. It is often that part that is causing a car not to pass an emissions test or is the reason behind an illuminated check engine light. Its job is extremely important and ensures the proper operation of your vehicle overall.    It's important to know about a catalytic converter, and what it means for your car. The catalytic converter is a part found on any modern-day car that helps to deal with the pollutants and noxious gasses released by a car's engine.   Simply put, this is a chemical process that converts those pollutants and noxious gasses into a less-harmful form. Harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide and nitric oxide are converted into their less harmful forms such as water vapor and carbon dioxide.   The inside of the catalytic converter will often have precious metals such as palladium, rhodium, an ... read more

There's truly nothing more breathtaking than seeing the autumn leaves contrasting with the Denver, CO, mountains. However, when these leaves start to fall, they can be a real burden for you and your vehicle. You might not think about it, but fall leaves can damage your car. First of all, they present many dangers on the roadways, making it more difficult for your wheels to grasp the road. As a result, you may slip, slide, and have a hard time braking.  Furthermore, the leaves can damage the paint on your vehicle. If these leaves sit on your car for an extended amount of time, they can damage your paint. The damage is due to the substances found on leaves, like pollen, sap, and acid.  Leaves can do more than just external damage  – they can also do a number on your internal parts. To begin with, they can clog up your air filter, leading to dirty and inefficient airflow. The autumn petals can also clog the drains in your vehicle. Therefore, to prevent any sort ... read more

With fall and winter coming, you're going to depend more and more on your heater. The heater core is an integral part of your car's cooling system. Hot engine coolant enters the heater core. After, the blower motor then pushes air through the heater core, transferring the heat from the hot coolant to your cabin. The heater core is intended to last as long as the vehicle; however, accidents can happen, and things don't always go as planned. Over time, the equipment can become clogged or form leaks. Whenever there is a problem with your heater core, you'll likely notice at least one of the following symptoms: No Heat As this may be obvious, a damaged heater core can cause your vehicle's heater to perform poorly. In other words, your cabin won't be as toasty as you'd like on those chilly fall days. Film or Fog on the Windshield A malfunctioning heater core can also let the windshield fog up as coolant gas travels through the defrost vents. If you catch a s ... read more