General

The moment someone invented headlights that had a high-beam and a low-beam, they also invented a problem.  That problem was what happens when you meet someone on the road going the other way who forgets to switch off their high-beams? We’ve all had it happen, of course.  All you can do is look to the…

You may have noticed your tires have a pretty long number on them.  Yours might start with a letter, then a 3-digit number, followed by a few more numbers and letters.  That string of letters and numbers is very important for your vehicle because it contains useful information on what tires will give you the…

This fuel saving tip for Thornton residents is so simple you won’t believe it. It has to do with your gas cap. The first thing is to make sure it’s screwed on tight. If it’s loose, gas vapor will be constantly leaking out – reduced fuel economy. This could cause the check engine light to…

Question: My new car has a “GDI” engine. What does that mean to me and other Thornton vehicles with this new type of engine? Answer: GDI stands for Gasoline Direct Injection. It’s a type of fuel injection system that is becoming very popular on modern engines. Let’s talk about the two most common forms of…

A lot of service and repair customers in Thornton are a little tentative when they talk with their automotive advisors. They want to ask questions but don’t want to be embarrassed or to seem pushy. Cars are very complicated and there’s more to know about them than most of us Thornton drivers have the time…

The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some and is totally ignored by just as many.  Just what it means is a mystery to most of us. First, if your check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other…

The oil and fuel in your vehicle give off vapors that are very harmful to the environment. Evaporative emissions control systems – EVAP for short – are mandated in all cars and trucks. The EVAP system is there to capture these vapors and direct them into the engine to be burned – kind of an…

The thermostat is part of your cooling system. Thornton residents’ vehicle thermostats perform a similar function to the thermostats in their homes. 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 on.…

When all a vehicle’s wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment.  Hitting a road hazard or even just the normal bumps and bounces of everyday driving can cause your wheels to be out of alignment.  This can lead to expensive premature tire and suspension wear. Here are some alignment…

In cold weather, you may notice your windows fogging up. Then you can’t see where you’re going, and suddenly you and those around you are in danger. So, what causes your windows to fog up in cold weather, and how can you stop it? Fog is simply moisture condensing on a cold surface. When the…