Posted on 1/1/2020
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
Posted on 11/30/2019
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
Posted on 10/31/2019
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
Posted on 10/1/2019
With Halloween just around the corner, while many of you are thinking about how to get your child’s costume ready in time, we are thinking about cars. Specifically about what cars are the most kid-friendly that will make easy for you to take your kiddo trick-or-treating around the neighborhood as well as to and from school, play dates, and the soccer field. SUVs and Minivans take the top places simply because they make it easier for you to load up on small humans (or the larger, teenage versions) and all of the stuff they need to take with them every day. Take a look at our top recommendations: The 2019 Honda CRV: The most important factor is safety and the 2019 Honda CRV is all about that and it shows. From there, it’s also reliable, practical, and has outstanding resale value. There’s plenty of room for your entire family and all the things they hold dear. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are already included in most models and it starts at a very reasonable ... read more
Posted on 9/1/2019
Do you have a smell in your car that won’t go away? With the hot weather still around, funky smells can become a problem. Nobody wants to be driving around in a car that has an odd smell, here are some of Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center’s tips for a fresh smelling vehicle: Change your interior cabin air filter. Especially if it’s been awhile, it may not be doing its job. Not only can it help eliminate smells, but it can keep impurities out of the cabin that may be affecting your allergies. Dryer sheets under the seats are one more way to pull the odor out. Change them periodically to get the most value out of that tactic. Baking soda works in your car just like it does in your fridge. It absorbs many odors. Sprinkle in throughout your car, leave it for a few hours, then vacuum it up. You can also leave an open box in your car overnight to help pull out some of the more stubborn smells. Clean your mats. You can start with baking soda to pull ... read more
Posted on 8/1/2019
Summer is definitely here and the last thing Mancinelli’s wants is for your vehicle to overheat and leave you stranded on the side of the road. It’s easy to put regular maintenance aside when you’re busy with all that summer has to offer, but it’s called preventive maintenance for a reason. When you stay on top of it, it significantly decreases the likelihood of your car overheating or breaking down for other reasons. Okay… while it’s not likely that your car will catch on fire when it overheats, you get the idea. Let’s keep it cool so that you don’t have to experience what it feels like to sit on the side of the road due to your vehicle overheating. Here are a few suggestions on how to keep your car cool this summer: If you haven’t done so already, have a qualified auto mechanic inspect your radiator and hoses for leaks and cracks. The Mancinelli’s team of trained technicians will carefully check for gene ... read more
Posted on 7/1/2019
Extra-ordinary, the word itself tells how extra something is and these strange cars from all over the world are the definition of the word. The cars that you are about to see have made the list of the strangest cars in the world. They were never mass produced and were many years before you got your license. Starting off with the car you see in the photo, the 1932 Ford Speedster! The Speedster has a roaring V-8 engine that you push to start which was far ahead of its time. This low riding long car was created between infamous designer Eugene Gregorie and the son of Henry Ford himself, Edsel Ford. The second strange car came from a previous aircraft engineer that turned automobile, William Stout. Stout was the pioneer of luxury and leisure transportation features like in-flight meals. Stout created the 1936 Stout Scarab that was founded on the idea of a diner car with a Ford V-8 under the hood. The Stout Scarab was far too expensive for any consumer of the day, even the ric ... read more
Posted on 6/1/2019
The best part of driving is turning up the radio, blasting your favorite song, and singing at the top of your lungs. Everyone’s taste in music is different, but these songs are sure to get your Rocky Mountain High. Every true Coloradoan loves a good song about the beautiful state they live in and knows every word to John Denver's “Rocky Mountain High”. In 2007 it was voted in as Colorado's second official state song. Another John Denver classic is “Country Roads” that has recently made a comeback and is very popular again. Colorado, we are a mountain state, so mountain music is at the heart of everyone. Jimmy Buffett’s “A Mile High in Denver” took a little ski town called Aspen in the ’70s and shook it up into what it is now. Joe Walsh created a guide called “Rocky Mountain Way” to show people how to live it up in Colorado. If you’re driving in a car with your friends then these next fe ... read more
Posted on 5/1/2019
Do you ever feel in the dark about what’s going on behind the scenes of fluctuating gas prices? We’re here to let you in on a few secrets, so you are in the know. Four core factors contribute to gas prices; the price of crude oil, taxes, marketing and distribution, and refining cost. What is your role in all of this? The Price of Crude Oil According to the EIA, about two-thirds or 70 percent of gas prices are determined by the cost of crude oil. Crude oil prices are largely determined by supply and demand, but other factors such as seasonality, inventory and the current financial market contribute. Supply focuses on the availability of crude oil, specifically the light/sweet crude which is harder to obtain and is in high demand. The price for this will naturally rise as it takes less time for refineries to process the light crude oil into gasoline. In general, if supply is limited, the price will increase. Demand - this is where you come in! Changes in demand resul ... read more
Posted on 4/1/2019
It is simple! Denver is hands down one of the greatest cities in the West with plenty to do, see, and eat. Spring is starting to show and we are feeling a little restless. Let’s get out on the thawing streets and enjoy what this beautiful area has to offer. This list has the potential to be very long, so we will focus on some of the (mostly) local favorites with just enough close-by wonders to make it a very full road-trip weekend. Start your day off at Jelly U Cafe, it is simple! The menu features modern healthy eats and is the perfect spot for that morning coffee! After that, head on over to Larimer Square. Not only is it the oldest and most historic block, but it is also the most beautiful. You are guaranteed to find everything from one-of-a-kind fashion boutiques to vibrant nightlife—all under their signature canopy of lights above. It is the one-stop-shop for ev ... read more