Showing posts with label auto maintenance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label auto maintenance. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Expensive Car Repair Mistake #3 - Ignoring Vehicle Symptoms

We pay attention to symptoms that our bodies give us when something is wrong. If we ignore these
symptoms, we can end up paying thousands in medical bills. Your vehicle works the same way. Your vehicle has many different ways to tell you if something is not operating as it should in one of its many systems.

When something doesn't sound, smell, or look right, check under your hood first. Your mechanic will thank you for knowing more about your vehicle and you can potentially save a lot of money, too.

Never ignore a constant symptom with your vehicle!

The most important things your vehicle needs are regular oil changes, automatic transmission flushes and brakes. By having these services performed at regular intervals by a qualified technician, your vehicle can also be checked for any symptoms you may have missed or other services needed before they turn into large repairs needed.


In between these services, it is important to listen to what your vehicle is telling you, so you can identify a simple problem before it turns into a major problem! For example, if your is pulling to the left while you are driving, you could have low tire pressure in one of your tires. An easy fix of removing a nail in your tire and having it patched could prevent a flat tire and even an accident.

Is your check engine light on? It could be a simple problem such as a bad oxygen sensor or just a loose gas cap.

You should be checking the following regularly without any abnormal symptoms from your vehicle:
  • air filter
  • wiper blades
  • fluid levels (brake, power steering, coolant, oil, transmission)
  • Battery terminals (Are they corroded?)   
  • Belts (Are there any visible cracks?)


If one of the above items are mentioned when you bring your vehicle in for service, ask the mechanic to show it to you or to keep the old parts if you approve the repairs when given an estimate. If you want to wait to have the repairs or service completed, ask the shop these questions: 
  • What are the downsides of waiting for the repairs? 
  • Does it need to be completed right away? 
  • Is it a safety issue? 
  • Will the part fail and leave me stranded if I wait?

Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair in Denver will offer you suggestions of what the most important service your vehicle will need in the next 10,000-20,000 miles. We want to give you time to decide how and when you want to service you vehicle. By offering you recommendations, you can make the best plan for repairing your vehicle. We realize every vehicle has different needs based on driving conditions and the driver, that's why we customize a plan that works for you and your specific vehicle needs.

It's true that noises are part of operating a vehicle, 
but not all noises are normal.

If you have a question about your vehicle, we are happy to help. Sometimes the answer will be, "We will need you to bring your vehicle in for a diagnosis before we can give you an accurate estimate." If you already know what is wrong with your vehicle, we are happy to provide you with a free estimate on repairs.

Abnormal Vehicle Symptoms to Pay Attention To Right Away
  • Check Engine Light On
  • Vehicle Dash Warning Lights On
  • Abnormal Sounds (See List Below)
  • Unusual Smells (including a maple syrup smell)
  • Unusual Visible Symptoms (Leaks, Smoking)
  • Lack of Power
  • Intermittently Starting Vehicle
  • Incorrectly Marking Gauges (Temperature, Gas, Speedometer, etc.)

Abnormal Vehicle Sounds to Pay Attention To Right Away
  • Loud bang or Thumping 
  • Flapping or Whining
  • Any sound when turning a corner
  • Clunking when braking 
  • Scraping, Grinding or Squealing wheels when applying brakes
  • Grinding manual transmission when shifting
  • Hissing or sizzling under the hood
  • Knocking, Popping, Tapping, or Clicking from the engine compartment
  • Low-pitch humming or Rattles from under the car
  • Squealing, Chirping or Roaring that increases with acceleration

Ignoring your vehicle's abnormal symptoms will not make them magically go away. Fixing the problem as soon as you notice something is wrong can save you from bigger, more expensive repairs down the road.

Call Mastermind Enterprises Today at 303-297-2886 with questions you have about your vehicle or bring your vehicle in anytime using our 24 Hour Key Drop
Thank you for your business!


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

New Shop Location in Denver

For over 10 years, Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop has been a staple of the Denver community. Things have been really, really, really busy at Mastermind Enterprises. Thank you so very much for making our family auto repair shop a HUGE success in Denver! We have a BIG announcement to make. Drumroll, please!!

We are moving to a new, larger shop with secured parking 
to better serve our valued customers!


We really love the new space we have picked out for our family auto repair shop in Denver and we will be servicing cars during the move. This has been a huge effort so far, but it will be worth it to better serve our customers. We look forward to moving into our new location to give you the best automotive service possible in Denver. We are doubling our space and adding secure parking, too.


Here's the best part for our customers - we are keeping our prices the same, including our low tax rate!

We have needed more space for awhile, but we were looking for just the right spot for our company with the easiest access for our customers all over the Denver Metro Area. There is no room to grow anymore here in our current location at 5770 Clarkson St Unit F Denver, CO 80216. The new Denver location is on 74th Avenue just off York St near Highway 224, Highway 36, I-76, I-25, I-70. The moving process has already begun. Please have patience with us as we are moving to the new shop location over the next few weeks. We look forward to seeing old and new customers in our new location! 


Our new shop address is: 
Mastermind Enterprises 
2091 E 74th Ave Unit C 
Denver, CO 80229


The new shop is scheduled to open in November 2012.  
Stay tuned for more great things to come!





Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Does Your Car Make the Grade?

As the end of summer nears, students are getting ready to head back to school. Whether it’s driving to college or carpooling with other neighborhood families, a properly maintained car is the safest, most dependable way to go.

“When your passengers are your children and their classmates, making sure your car gets more than a passing grade is extra important,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A preventive maintenance check-up and having any repairs performed will give parents peace of mind as their children travel to and from school.”

To make sure your car gets high marks for safety and dependability, the Car Care Council recommends a 21st century tune-up be performed to make sure the following systems are in proper working order: battery, charging and starting; engine mechanical; power train control; fuel; ignition; and emissions.

In addition, the following items should be in peak condition for car pool season: tires and tire pressure; brakes; hoses and belts; air filters; wipers; exterior and interior lighting; and fluid levels, including engine oil, power steering, transmission, brake, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

The Car Care Council also suggests that all vehicles have a roadside emergency kit on-hand that includes items such as flares, a first aid kit, a tire-changing jack, a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables and a blanket. In addition, important telephone numbers should be stored in the glove box or cell phone in case of a breakdown or emergency.

Source: Car Care Council