Question How can I tell when my tires are worn so much that they need to be replaced? Answer That is a very important question. As we discuss the matter, keep in mind that one of the most important jobs of your tire tread is to move water. The channels in the tread act as…

Let’s talk about your suspension – you know, the system that connects your wheels to your vehicle, controls your handling, and delivers a good ride. Your suspension is critical for proper steering, stopping, and stability. Hey, it’s a rough world out there – every time you hit a pothole, a bump, or an object in…

Question: What is a severe service maintenance schedule? Mountain View Automotive Answer: When I was a kid in Thornton, Sunday meant having a bath, getting dressed for church and then hanging up my Sunday clothes soon as we got home. Mom didn’t have to wash those clothes but once a month or so. Now, Saturdays…

Suspension systems should continue to operate effectively for many years and over long distances, holding your tires’ footprint on the road.  Eventually, components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how you drive in Colorado. As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth Thornton, Colorado, highways,…

You don’t have to be an auto expert to know what a fuel pump does: it pumps fuel.  The fuel pump happens to be one of those vital parts of your vehicle that can leave you stranded when it isn’t working the way it should.  Here are a few things to be aware of that…

The thermostat is an important part of your cooling system. Your vehicle’s thermostat performs a similar function to the thermostat in your home. At home, you set your thermostat to maintain a comfortable temperature range. When your home gets too hot, the air conditioning kicks on and when it gets too cool, the heater turns…

Do you know what kind of braking system you have on your vehicle?  It matters.  Do you think you should pump your brakes to get them to stop better on a slippery surface? Or are they the new computerized ones that pump the brakes for you? The most common brakes on today’s vehicles are anti-lock…

Question My friend just had a very expensive transmission repair.  How can I avoid transmission trouble? Answer Next to your engine, your transmission is the most expensive component in your vehicle – so you want to do all you can to avoid transmission repairs. You may have noticed a trend of engines becoming more and…

When we drive, it’s important for us to be able to see well. That means, of course, keeping the glass in our vehicles as crystal clear as we can. If you’ve ever driven your car directly into bright sunlight, you know dirty, scratched, or fogged windows can render you almost completely blind. Not a good…

Let’s talk about air conditioning service and repair issues for the Thornton, Colorado area. Most of us in Thornton don’t give our air conditioning a second thought as long as it’s making cold air. But it’s a complex and expensive system that we should think about before it starts blowing hot air. The refrigerant in…

Under-inflated tires waste gas.  Think how hard it is to walk in sand – you must work harder because of the resistance.  When your tires don’t have enough air in them, their rolling resistance is dramatically increased, and it simply takes more gas to get where you’re going. Always check your tire pressure when you…