Denver Auto Repair

Summer road trip travel is expected to increase this year. Expedia recently conducted a study that showed over 70% of their research respondents feel safer road-tripping rather than traveling by air this summer. Every place seems like an exotic location when you’ve been restricted to your home for months. While national parks and major tourist attractions are still popular locations, most drivers plan to stay somewhat close to home. Below are some popular tips to consider before making your summer journey:   Make sure to make time to have your car inspected and serviced before you head out. Don’t be afraid to mention that you’re planning a road trip. We can provide an inspection specific to your road trip needs. Our team can make sure your wheels are balanced and aligned, your fluids are topped off, and your tires are ready to take on the journey.    Thoroughly clean the outside and inside of your vehicle. Make sure you take a moment to sanitize ... read more

Covid-19 took the world by storm. After 128 months of record economic expansion, it has been announced that the U.S. is officially in a recession. In its simplest explanation, a recession is a stall in economic growth for two or more consecutive quarters. With the country in a dreaded doom and gloom, it’s hard to remain calm in such volatile times. It’s easy to focus on the day to day calamities that are surrounding the news, but your strategic approach today is one step closer to lightening the burdens of tomorrow. When not sheltering in place, some people are on the road to minimize any current health risks associated with air travel. While other people are home, adjusting to the new world of communication through Zoom and Skype. So many balls are in the air and two more to still juggle, where does your vehicle fall on the list of major priorities? Below are few tips to recession-proof your life and your car during a time of uncertainty. Stay calm. The ... read more

Why do head gaskets fail? Many vehicle owners who have had their vehicles for years may wonder why they are suddenly experiencing head gasket failure. Head gasket failure can be worrisome because it means that coolant is more than likely leaking into the crankcase. If the coolant is leaking, it means that your vehicle's engine isn't being properly cooled and lubricated, which can quickly lead to engine overheating - something you definitely want to avoid!  Engine overheating can significantly hurt your engine. It can corrode engine components, cause metal to metal contact of components, and lead to damaged parts. This is why it is so important to have your head gasket repaired as soon as it is discovered as failing. Symptoms that can indicate that your head gasket may be failing include the following:  Engine overheating Leaking underneath vehicle Engine misfiring Decreased fuel efficiency  Loss of power As soon as you notice any of these engine issues ... read more

Cars are a huge investment, and one of the most important things we can do as vehicle owners to protect that investment is to take care of our cars. Whether you own an older vehicle or a newer car, there are certain steps that you can take in order to increase the lifespan of your car and keep it running at its best throughout the years.  Make sure to always be on time for maintenance, especially oil and filter changes. This will ensure that your car is always taken care of and will help you avoid major repairs along the way.    Be sure that your fluids are always in good condition. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the correct intervals regarding how often your different fluids need to be flushed out and replaced.    Drive safely and follow the speed limit. Try to avoid pressing down hard on the brakes and gas when driving. Driving safe will also help you avoid car collisions.    Keep your car clean and washed. Having a clean ... read more

Your health and safety is important to us, which is why we would like to share with you what preventive measures we are taking to keep us all safe and healthy. Did you know we offer concierge service? If you are homebound, give us a call and we will arrange to pick up and deliver your car. April is a prime time for adventures and car care. When you are thinking of spring car maintenance, you most likely remember to have your tires and brakes checked, but what about your pesky check engine light that is on? Is that amber light shining at you, making you feel nervous? Maybe it is time to get it checked out. If you are ready to know what is going on with your car, there are a few ways to go about it, since a piece of tape covering the light won't solve the problem. If you have a dash light on in your car, it may not be a check engine light. You will want to consult your owners manual to become familiar with your dash lights. Some lights indicate that maintenance is needed, lights ar ... read more

As much as we all love our cars and enjoy hearing the engine, brakes are a less glamorous necessity that no one wants to think about. Truthfully, brakes are one of the most important parts of your car for safety. It is commonly believed that brakes stop your car. However, it is the friction and pressure of the brake pad material to the brake disc that slow down your vehicle; that is how your wheels stop spinning.  Modern cars all have disc brakes, so this is what we will talk about here, let’s set aside anti-lock features for another time. Disc brakes have five major components: Brake discs (or rotors) Calipers Brake pads Brake lines Master cylinder Rotors are attached to the wheel. This plate type of disc is what your brake pads rub up against to slow your car. Brake pads have a couple of layers. The pad itself is much like an incredibly tough, well-engineered eraser; the second part is a metal backplate that holds the "eraser" in place. The metal backplate ... read more

When it comes to your BMW, we already know just how much you love your car. A BMW is special; not like other vehicles. It moves in ways that make running errands fun. You no longer want to send your spouse to the market for that unforgotten item off of the grocery list. You now seek out roads with twists and turns galore. A vacation no longer has to include a plane ride and in fact. This time of year gives you an opportunity to show your love to your special person, but it’s also a time to show your love for your BMW.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make your BMW feel loved. Start with a good vacuuming. Throw away all the built up trash such as receipts or empty snack bags. Wipe down the dash and steering wheel. Use a window cleaner on the inside windows. Install a trash bin or bag to help you keep down the clutter. Buy an organizational item or two to help keep things nice and tidy.  If you do want to spend a little bit of money to show your love, pr ... read more

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean it’s not a good time for a road trip. In fact, as long as you are well-prepared, it can be the best time of year for a road trip! The snow makes everything seem new and beautiful. Even if you travel to the same place or places you did last summer, it’s an entirely different trip. The first order of business in making sure your car is in great condition. You should have it inspected before hitting the road:  Check your tires for tread depth, general wear and tear, and make certain the tires have the right amount of air. Either too much or too little can negatively affect how you stop. Make sure you have adequate snow tires or chains. Check all of your lights on the inside and outside. You definitely want to be seen and be able to see! Make sure all your fluids are clean and at proper levels. Don’t use water as a windshield-wiping fluid and make sure you have the best anti-freeze.  Check all the belts to e ... read more

Denver is already one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Then you throw in holiday cheer and lights and it transforms into a magical wonderland. There are so many things to do in this city at this time of year that it can become a little overwhelming. Here are some links to the many wonders of the holidays that the Denver area affords. The entire team at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center hopes this encourages you to slow down and enjoy the season. If you find something we’ve missed, do let us know!  https://www.denver.org/milehighholidays/explore-the-holidays/lights-extravaganzas/ https://www.denver.org/milehighholidays/holiday-events/ https://www.westword.com/arts/things-to-do-in-denver-2019-holiday-season-11454375 https://www.outtherecolorado.com/1-5-million-lights-to-dazzle-at-denver-drive-thru-light-show/ https://extras.denverpost.com/holiday-lights/index.html https://www.denvervacationtips.com/christmas-lights-in-denver.html https://www.colorado.com ... read more

It happens far too often where tire rotation is overlooked or taken for granted. In order to really understand its importance, let’s talk about what a tire rotation is exactly and why it’s important. Tire rotation is swapping the position of your tires on your car. Your car manufacturer has recommendations for how often you should be rotating, but generally, it should be done every 5,000 miles. Another benefit of rotation is that you or your mechanic will be able to check your tires for damage, check the air pressure, rebalance them if necessary, and inspect the tread depth. Why else is it important? Routine rotation of your tires will help evenly distribute wear and tear, lengthening the life of your tires. This is especially true with front or rear-wheel drive vehicles since two of your wheels do very specific jobs and will likely wear much differently than the other two. Having even wear and tear on your tire and its treads provide more even control, especially in more h ... read more