It happens – a part on your vehicle breaks or just wears out.  The replacement part is very important. You want it to last and perform like new.  That’s why your NAPA AutoCare Center uses quality NAPA replacement parts.  The parts we install on your vehicle will meet or exceed the specifications of the original…

A driver who uses his or her ears has a leg up on those who don’t.  In addition to noises helping you be aware of traffic, they can give you clues to potential problems in your vehicle.  One noise to pay attention to is growling. Growling is a universally recognizable noise; you know it when…

There are a lot of misconceptions about fuel grades – and by fuel grades I mean the octane rating. With names like “Standard,” “Super,” “Plus,” and “Premium,” it’s no wonder that people associate the octane rating/grade with quality. Octane ratings are expressed as a number that typically ranges from 87 to 91 at the pump.…

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) help you stop faster. That is not always the case on loose gravel or snowy surfaces. Anti-lock brakes, in fact, are designed to help you maintain control of your vehicle in an emergency braking situation. Imagine you are driving on a snowy Thornton road. You slam on your brakes and your rear…

We all know driving on slippery ice can be dangerous.  What you might not know is that wet leaves can be just as slick. If you live in an area that has trees that drop their leaves, or if you’re traveling in an area where the fall foliage is worth a look, here are a…

A recent report stated that over 80% of the vehicles on the road have one or more service item or repair that’s needed but hasn’t been taken care of. Now that’s a lot of undone service. That translates into something over 160 million vehicles in the US alone. Some of the neglected items are minor.…

Question My friend had a broken timing belt and it was very expensive to repair his engine.  What can I do to avoid a broken timing belt? Answer Well, a broken timing belt can lead to one of the most expensive engine repairs you’ll ever face.  The good news is that replacing your timing belt…

Thornton drivers may wonder where the air in a vehicle’s passenger compartment comes from. Well, as your engine starts to warm up, it also warms the coolant/antifreeze that circulates around the engine and through the radiator. There is also a hose that carries coolant/antifreeze from the engine to the heater core and another that takes…

No doubt about it, winter driving in cold climates presents challenges that warmer weather doesn’t.  So here are a few things to pay attention to when it comes to your vehicle and winter. Coolant levels. We think of coolant as anti-freeze in winter, but what that liquid in the radiator does is cool down your…

High Colorado gas prices have hit most of our budgets here in Thornton. If increased fuel costs are consuming a bigger portion of your budget, you may be tempted to skimp in some other areas – like scheduled maintenance. According to Colorado news reports and industry studies, you’re not alone. Nine out of ten personal…

Help your fuel pump last longer. One pump killer is contamination in the fuel tank. Sometimes this comes from the fuel itself. Buying fuel at a reputable Thornton station will help make sure you are putting clean fuel into the tank. Older vehicles tend to have more sediment in the tank from years of rust…

You know that long belt that snakes around the front of your engine? It’s called the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt is driven by the engine as it turns. It powers your alternator, air conditioning compressor and power steering pump. On some vehicles it also runs the water pump, radiator fan and power brakes. Sounds…