Lakewood and Arvada / Westminster Auto Repair

Transmission rebuild is a process of overhauling a faulty or damaged transmission system to restore it to its original working condition. The transmission is an essential component of a vehicle that transfers power from the engine to the wheels. When it fails, the vehicle may not run, or the gears may slip, leading to various mechanical issues. Therefore, a transmission rebuild is a crucial service that can save you the cost of purchasing a new transmission system. In this article, we'll discuss what a transmission rebuild is, the signs that indicate a transmission rebuild is necessary, and what the process involves. What is a Transmission Rebuild? A transmission rebuild is a process that involves disassembling, inspecting, cleaning, repairing, and replacing faulty parts of a damaged or failing transmission. During the process, the mechanic will replace damaged or worn-out parts such as bearings, seals, gears, and clutch packs. The process is aimed at restoring the transmission ... read more

There are many ways that you can begin to figure out what’s going wrong with a vehicle before you make that call for an appointment with your trusted mechanic.  You will often see things like smoke coming from the engine compartment or exhaust.  You can smell problems like burning electrical.  You’ll feel when your vehicle isn’t stopping or steering properly. And your car may also give you a hint that you can hear. Rattles and knocking that you detect coming from under your car may be a sign that you have loose mounts or parts. Brakes will grind or squeal indicating that there may be anything from dirt or rust on the rotors to worn out brake pads. Exhaust system problems can often be heard and these noises can be caused by anything from a faulty or failing catalytic converter, to corroded pipes or muffler issues. Clicks and hums can ... read more

When you're on the road, you probably never give much thought to the way you hold your steering wheel. However, the way you hold your steering wheel can have a significant impact on your driving experience, as well as your safety on the road. So is there a correct way to hold your steering wheel? And does it matter? First and foremost, it's important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The way you hold your steering wheel may vary depending on the situation and the type of vehicle you're driving. However, there are some general guidelines that you should follow to safely maneuver your car: Keep both hands on the wheel: It's essential to keep both hands on the wheel at all times, especially when driving at high speeds or in challenging road conditions. By keeping both hands on the wheel, you can react quickly to any unexpected situations that may arise on the road. Position your hands at the 9 and 3 position: The proper hand position o ... read more

Your tires are one of the most critical components of your vehicle, and they require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. One important aspect of tire maintenance is tire rotations. If you want to understand the significance of tire rotations and why they should be a part of your regular vehicle maintenance routine, keep reading. What Is a Tire Rotation? A tire rotation involves moving your vehicle's tires from one position to another to ensure uniform tire wear. Typically, tires are moved from front to back or diagonally across the car. By doing so, the tires wear evenly and last longer, improving the overall performance of your vehicle. Why Is It Important to Rotate Your Tires? Even Tire Wear Your vehicle's weight is not distributed evenly across all four tires. This means that certain tires may wear out faster than others. Also, depending on if the vehicle is 2 wheel drive, all wheel drive, front wheel d ... read more

      With the rise in cost on just about everything, many of us are looking for places to cut just to make ends meet.  Most of 2022 saw rampant inflation and things aren’t looking much better for 2023, as a result in a recent survey done by Primerica, 47% of us have admitted to putting off car maintenance. But this could be a BIG mistake! While it’s wise to try and save a buck at the grocery store by using coupons and shopping weekly deals, cutting out routine auto maintenance may cost you more in the long run or put your safety at risk. Trent Pickering of Pickering’s Auto Service with independent auto repair facilities in Lakewood and Arvada - Westminster, Colorado tells us, “Failing to maintain certain auto parts and systems could result in a higher repair bill.  Take, for example, a simple tire rotation. Ignore this routine procedure and you risk uneven wear betwee ... read more

Tuning your vehicle is a procedure in which a mechanic makes sure that all systems that are involved in your engine's combustion process work as intended. Regularly scheduled tune-ups are required to avoid breakdowns and keep everything running smoothly. Now days however we call a Tune Up, Factory Scheduled Maintenance. Depending on your car, different intervals and types can be applied. If you have questions about this topic, you are in the right place.  Differences Between Newer and Older Vehicles Depending on when your car was produced, it has one of two injection systems. Older ones have non-electric ignition systems which prones them to having more issues. Every part has to be checked, and normally it is advised that you go for a tune-up every 10,000-12,000 miles. But if you drive a newer model, everything happens with the use of fuel injection systems, electronic ignitions, and onboard computers. The ... read more

  Unless you are a mechanic or someone who works on your vehicle often, you probably don't know what is an oil gasket. The oil pan gasket is a small but important component in the functioning of your vehicle's engine. Located between the oil pan and the engine block, this seal prevents oil from leaking out of the pan and keeps dirt and debris from entering the pan. Read on below to see the different types of oil gaskets and some of the symptoms you should watch out for. Types of oil gaskets Oil pan gasket As mentioned above, this gasket is located between the oil pan and the engine block and is responsible for preventing oil from leaking out of the pan and keeping dirt and debris from entering the pan. Oil filter adapter gasket This gasket is located between the oil filter adapter and the engine block, and it seals the connection between the two to prevent oil from leaking out ... read more

A Winter Affair…Your Car’s Opinion on Loving or Leaving Rust and Corrosion     If you live in Colorado, or any other mag chloride-loving state, you probably already know that this chemical improves traction and can replace sand and gravel on icy and snowy roadways.  Magnesium chloride helps to bind the fine dirt particles that are present on all streets and highways, to create a hard, stable surface. This, in turn, helps your vehicle’s traction. Mag chloride is not only a road de-icer, it can also be used to control dust and lessen erosion.  This can contribute to less potholes and expensive road maintenance…and that’s another plus for auto owners! Sounds good, so far…but what does it do TO your car? First, you need to know that rust and corrosion are not the same.  Rust is a type of corrosion. Rust is the oxidation of the iron found in metals.  Corrosion can occur on both metal ... read more

Windshield wiper blades are a no-fuss part of our vehicles. To a certain extent, they don’t require constant maintenance. It’s simple – you just replace them when they are no longer able to clear off your windshield. On average, you should replace them every 6-12 months. To extend their life, you should follow these best practices when it comes to windshield wipers: Clean them - You can easily clean the wipers with a wet cloth and rubbing alcohol. Go along the edges as dirt and grime can build up there over time. To keep your wipers in great condition, you should do this once a month or whenever you wash your car. Keep the windshield clean - When you are wiping the wipers down, don’t forget about the windshield too. A filthy surface can cause larger particles to cling onto the wipers. Run the defrosters first - During the winter, wipers tend to freeze. To avoid breakage, you should defrost your windscreen first before clearing it off with the wipers. Park o ... read more

It’s that time of year when we start adding up our blessings and pay more attention to what is really important. Our Health. Our Family. Our Friends. But how many of us, when we sit around the table this year, will voice our appreciation of our cars?  When you consider all that you demand and expect out of your vehicle on a day in and day out basis, you just might want to add them to the list. When you are truly grateful for something, you take care of it (as an independent auto service facility you can see where we are going with this!)  And, when you take care of something, it becomes more valuable to you…and others, too. Over the last couple of years, a lot of us have really worked hard to keep our cars maintained because the chance of getting a new car – or even a good used car – was not an option with the high demand, the uncertain financial picture and the those dismal supply ... read more