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
Posted on 3/1/2019
Absolutely. Flying vehicles are starting to pop up around the world. This is no longer a futuristic idea. It may not look like the photo above, but no one really knows what the future holds. What we DO know is that from do-it-yourselfers to big companies like Boeing to governments like Japan, there are new prototypes being developed every day. Some of the technology is reminiscent of the George Jetson era, and some of it is more drone-driven. Companies like Amazon are striving for drone-delivered packages. Japan is wanting to clear the streets of congestion and smog. Boeing is wanting to lead the pack with automated multi-passenger cars and product delivery options. What will it look like when we start flying into town to drop our kiddos off to soccer practice and ballet? From where I’m sitting, a little scary and a lot of fun! This technology hasn’t evolved as many predicted back in the ’80s, but it is still on its way, and nothing can stop it. Even though we ... read more
Posted on 1/1/2019
If you’re like a lot of us, you have probably made a few resolutions for the New Year. Some of us want to lose weight in 2019. While others want better health, more prosperity, new adventures, more time with loved ones, and dream vacations, but to obtain a lot of your New Year resolutions, you need the help of your vehicle. Think about it. You probably need your car to get you to the gym, right? Even if you want to exercise more in the great outdoors, your truck or SUV is required to transport you to your favorite winter wonderland destinations. If you're going to spend more quality time with family or friends, you probably need your vehicle to cart everyone around or take Grandma to her medical appointments. Or, if you want to boost your bottom line in your business, you may need to drive to meet your clients. Yes, your vehicle is an integral part of keeping your New Year resolutions, and Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center in downtown Denver is here to help you meet your ... read more
Posted on 11/1/2018
Driving at night with headlights that are clean and clear could keep you safe, your passengers safe, and other drivers on the road out of harm's way. As a responsible car owner, it's smart to stay on top of the condition of your headlights so you can see and be seen. Rain, sun, snow, and other elements can be incredibly challenging on your headlights and can lessen the visibility and performance of them over the years. The haze on the headlight lens greatly affects the amount of light that is permitted through the lens, which in turn makes your ability to see your surroundings and oncoming cars when operating your vehicle more difficult. If you are seeing that your headlights are dim, have a yellowish hue, or have a dull haze, it's time to clean and restore those lenses. The good news is there are some effective and affordable lens polishes on the market that you can use yourself to keep those headlights in first-rate condition. 3M Headlight Lens Rest ... read more
Posted on 10/1/2018
With the fall and winter weather approaching, it's wise to prepare your vehicle for the changing weather. Responsible car owners should take particular measures to make sure that the battery is functioning correctly. If it's struggling now during the warmer weather, the chances are high that some problems could arise in the autumn and winter. If your battery is old, you're at a much higher risk of having some issues arise as the temperatures chill. It would be smart to replace the battery now to avoid hassles over the next few months. Since cold weather is hard on a battery, it's best to have the charging system and the battery inspected in advance. Your car's engine needs more battery power to start when the weather is colder, and those temperatures make it more difficult for your battery to operate optimally. Always be mindful of keeping the battery connections clean, corrosion-free, and tight. Unfortunately, batteries don't usually give warning signals when ... read more
Posted on 9/1/2018
As a general rule of thumb, if you reside in an area where temperatures go below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or 7 degrees Centigrade, you should seriously consider getting winter tires for your vehicle. The grip that your tires provide makes all the difference in keeping you safe, your passengers safe, and other drivers on the road safe. From braking to acceleration, the grip on your car is responsible for quite a lot when it comes to feeling secure in your automobile. The compound made to create winter tires are made with a different rubber that grips the road better in cold weather. It allows for extra grip which deters the car from slipping on icy and snowy roads. It's important to note that even vehicles that have four-wheel drive require winter tires if you reside in parts of the country that gets wintry mixes. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are driving on the roads this winter to avoid accidents in the ice and snow: Always drive with both hands on the whee ... read more
Posted on 8/1/2018
Doctor, Doctor, Gimme the News … History provides many insights. For instance, consider this prophetic quote from over 50 years ago: “In 1965 [more than 50 years ago], a car mechanic needed to understand 5,000 pages of service manuals to fix any automobile on the road. Today, with the advent of high-tech electronics, that same mechanic must be able to decipher 465,000 pages of technical text--the equivalent of 250 big-city phone books.” — Elizabeth Dole, U.S. Secretary of Labor, October 26, 1989 Finding State-of-the-Art Vehicle Care is a Challenge for Car Owners It’s now 2018, nearly thirty years later. Most of the automotive service and repair data that was once an old hard copy manual has been supplanted by bits and bytes and is now available electronically. But make no mistake: the volume of repair and service information that an auto mechanic needs to be able to access, navigate, understand, and apply today is astronomical. We call that Prog ... read more
Posted on 7/1/2018
We often take our vehicle’s air conditioning (henceforth, A/C) for granted — until it isn’t working properly or worse, isn’t working at all. Whether Downtown Denver, the greater City of Denver area, or outside the city on a road trip driving vacation — Sometimes that happens because we don’t practice good preventive maintenance or we create our own problems doing things ourselves. Modern vehicle A/C systems have changed, not only on Domestic and Asian brands, but especially the European vehicle brands we specialize in at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center. They’re much more complex, compact and precise in their specifications for type and amount of refrigerant, lubricating oil, and A/C system maintenance procedures. Moreover, if you own a hybrid vehicle, it’s even more complicated because they feature high-voltage electronics, alternating current electricity, and large liquid-cooled battery packs. Your vehicle’s A/C syst ... read more