Lakewood and Arvada / Westminster Auto Repair

Fuel injectors play a critical role in a vehicle. They control the amount and time that fuel goes into the combustion chamber during the power stroke, thus ensuring optimum combustion and efficiency. However, without proper maintenance, the fuel injectors may develop some problems such as; Developing Mechanical Issues Developing Electrical Issues (malfunctions when receiving commands from ECU - Electronic Control Unit or Computer), Clogging or Blockage Issues — due to accumulation of dirt and/or debris (*usually the most common injector problem) It's critical to be alert at the signs of bad injectors so that you act immediately if and when they occur. Below are the most common symptoms of bad fuel injectors. Check Engine Light Illuminates Solid or Flashes One of the engine issues that can cause the check engine light to come on or flash is a dirty or malfunctioning fuel injector. This lig ... read more

How many times have you heard this lately?  Those unsolicited phone calls attempting to talk to you about your car’s manufacturer’s warranty. Most of us have just hung up when we heard the recorded message…but then you experience a problem with your vehicle and might think to yourself, “Maybe I should have found out more!” Trent Pickering of Pickering’s Auto Service Centers of Lakewood, Colorado, Arvada, Colorado and Westminster, Colorado tells us, “These types of coverage policies kick in after your typical manufacturer’s warranty has expired.  But before you even consider it, you need to make sure that you need it!  We see customers who ask us about these calls, and come to find out that they are already covered.” When you purchased your car from a dealership, chances are when you went into the little room to talk about financing, you were probably asked if you wanted a vehicle service contract – AKA an ex ... read more

You wake up, get ready for work, grab your coffee and out the door. When you start your car there is a very loud exhaust noise! What the heck? You are likely one of the thousands of victims with a stolen catalytic converter. Now what? First, let’s explain what a catalytic converter is and what it does. The catalytic converter is a piece of equipment in the exhaust system responsible for cleaning harmful emissions from your engine before the air is vented into the atmosphere. It does not look fancy, just a large pipe in various shapes and sizes but it is what is inside that makes it valuable. Most catalytic converters are made up of a honeycomb brick of precious metals such as Palladium, Platinum and Rhodium. These metals are considered part of the platinum group metals and are rare therefore expensive. These metals are particularly good at cleaning carbon and other harmful emissions from the air as it passes through the catalyst brick. This cleans the air and helps keep our atmo ... read more