When it's time for a new truck

Even our own vehicles reach the point where they are no longer economically repairable. We often recommend to our customers that they get a newer vehicle instead of repairing their current one. Most people appreciate the advice, some people are insulted. The fact of the matter is that no matter how well taken care of your vehicle is, eventually it will reach the point where it needs more money invested into it than it would cost to replace it. Norm's been driving the same truck, a 1995 F150, for 10 years! It has almost a quarter of a million miles and has been very faithful to our family. Norm's new truck is beautiful with a recent new motor.

We looked high and low for the perfect truck for him. Most Ford trucks are diesels with as many miles as his old truck, while others are taken off-road or used as work trucks. Good thing, Heidi is good at searching the internet. She found this babied gem weeks ago, but Norm wasn't sure about the color blue. Luckily, the truck was waiting for him.

Norm said he didn't want a new truck and would keep driving his F150 until it died. This week the exhaust broke in his old truck. The exhaust fell down and was dragging the ground while he was driving. Norm had to pull over and tie up his exhaust on the way to the shop. This was the final straw for him. He told Heidi to start looking for a truck and she kept coming across this F250. The rest is history.

This truck will be getting a 4" lift, new tires and wheels, performance tuner, high performance cams, intake, ignition, and exhaust. Stay tuned!

‪Happy‬ ‪Friday‬!

P.S. If you're in the market for a newer vehicle, we offer pre-purchase inspections for only $95 in Denver.

Historic Vehicle Recall

Takata has agreed to double the number of vehicles recalled in the United States to almost 34 million due to defective airbags! This makes it the largest recall in NHTSA’s history!

Takata, a Japanese company, is one of the largest suppliers of airbags for car manufacturers. Takata refused to admit for over a decade that its products were defective! They did this in spite of their airbags being linked to 100+ injuries and six deaths. The airbags "blow up like a grenade" when deployed, sending shrapnel pieces into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

HISTORIC RECALL: Japanese air bag manufacturer Takata Corporation agrees to declare nearly 34 million inflator mechanisms that can “blow up like a grenade” as defective. Find out if your car or truck is part of the largest auto recall in US history.

Posted by Shepard Smith on Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Get your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) located in the driver door jam, in your dash, on your insurance card, or your vehicle's registration and go to the www.safercar.gov website and find out if your car is being recalled, then CALL YOUR DEALER! 

Vehicles included in this recall currently include:

BMW – 627,615 vehicles affected

• 2000 – 2005 3 Series Sedan
• 2000 – 2006 3 Series Coupe
• 2000 – 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
• 2000 – 2006 3 Series Convertible
• 2001 – 2006 M3 Coupe
• 2001 – 2006 M3 Convertible

Chrysler/Dodge – 3.3 million vehicles affected

• 2005-2008 Chrysler 300
• 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspin
• 2006-2007 Dodge Charger
• 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 1500
• 2005-2008 Dodge Ram 2500
• 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota
• 2005-2008 Dodge Durango
• 2006-2008 Dodge Ram 3500
• 2006-2008 Dodge Ram 4500
• 2008 Dodge Ram 5500

Ford – 502,489 vehicles affected

• 2004 Ford Ranger
• 2005-2006 Ford GT
• 2005-2007 Ford Mustang

General Motors – 133,211 vehicles affected

• 2002 – 2003 Buick LeSabre
• 2002 – 2003 Buick Rendezvous
• 2002 – 2003 Cadillac DeVille
• 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer
• 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Impala
• 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
• 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Venture
• 2002 – 2003 GMC Envoy
• 2002 – 2003 GMC Envoy XL
• 2002 – 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
• 2002 – 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
• 2002 – 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
• 2002 – 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
• 2002 – 2003 Pontiac Montana
• 2003 – 2005 Pontiac Vibe
• 2005 Saab 9-2x

Honda – 5.4 million vehicles affected

• 2002-2003 Acura CL and TL
• 2003-2006 Acura MDX
• 2005 Acura RL
• 2001-2007 Honda Accord
• 2001-2005 Honda Civic
• 2002-2006 Honda CR-V
• 2002-2004 Honda Odyssey
• 2003-2011 Honda Element
• 2003-2007 Honda Pilot
• 2006 Honda Ridgeline

Mazda – Approximately 330,000 vehicles affected

• 2003-2007 Mazda6
• 2004-2008 RX-8
• 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6
• 2004-2005 MPV
• 2004 B-Series

Mitsubishi – 11,985 vehicles affected

• 2004-2005 Lancer
• 2006-2007 Raider

Nissan – 717,364 vehicles affected

• 2001-2004 Infinity I30/I35
• 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4
• 2003-2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45
• 2006 Infiniti M35/M45
• 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima
• 2001-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
• 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra

Subaru – 17,516 vehicles affected

• 2003-2005 Baja
• 2003-2005 Legacy
• 2003-2005 Outback
• 2004-2005 Impreza/WRX/WRX STI

Toyota – 877,000 vehicles affected

• 2002 – 2004 Lexus SC
• 2003 – 2004 Toyota Corolla
• 2003 – 2004 Toyota Matrix
• 2002 – 2004 Toyota Sequoia
• 2003 – 2004 Toyota Tundra

Go to www.safercar.gov to find out if your car is being recalled. Blessings to all who are traveling in cars equipped with these airbags. Drive Safely!

Be Car Care Aware

April is National Car Care Month and we are celebrating at 

Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver. 

If you own a car, it most likely needs some work, even it is minor. All cars need regular oil changes, brake checks, and belts just for starters. At Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver, you get a free multi-point vehicle inspection every time your car gets an oil change. We make personalized recommendations based on your car's needs and driving conditions. To keep your vehicle running well during Car Care Month and throughout the year, the Car Care Council has identified the 10 most important car maintenance priorities.

There are important benefits for regular car maintenance and repair. Simple car maintenance can have a long-lasting effect on your car's life and your wallet. Not to mention improving the safety and having a car you can count on when you need it most. Check out our monthly auto repair and auto service specials to save on your auto expenses this month. This is the time of year to give your car the extra attention it has been asking for.

Make sure your car is ready for the spring and summer by 

bringing it in for a checkup this month 

at Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver. 

Call us today - 303-297-2886! 

We look forward to serving you soon!

Factory Scheduled Maintenance & Preventive Maintenance

At Mastermind Enterprises we believe the best way to avoid expensive auto repairs is -
to keep up with regular scheduled maintenance.

Most auto owners change their car's oil every 3,000 miles or so, but overlook or are unaware of some important areas of their car's auto service needs. In fact, the most expensive maintenance task is an oil change. At around $35 every 3,000 miles you would spend $350 in oil changes for every 30,000 miles. On the other hand, a transmission service is around $175 and should be done every 30,000 miles. That is only half of what your costs are for oil changes in the same time frame.

Most maintenance items are under $150, that's a lot cheaper than the average auto repair. Let the professionals at Mastermind Enterprises go over or recommend what maintenance items your car needs most.

Mastermind Enterprises features BG Products & Services.
We insist on the best for your vehicle! 

To learn more about the benefits of BG Products and 
auto maintenance services by Mastermind Enterprises, 
click here to visit our website or watch the video below. 

April is National Car Care Month

National Car Care Month in April is the time of year to give your car some extra attention. Basic maintenance can go a long way toward improving the safety and dependability of your vehicle, plus it helps avoid costly repairs down the road. 

“Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Chances are if you own a car, it needs some work. National Car Care Month in April is the perfect time to focus on your vehicle’s maintenance needs.”

Results of community car care events held throughout the country in 2010 show that most consumers are neglecting their cars, with seven out of 10 vehicles failing at least one component of the vehicle inspection process. (For a complete list of results, visit - www.carcare.org/NCCM.)

“These results show that the majority of vehicle owners could save money by being more proactive when it comes to their vehicle," White said. “Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, make sure your car is ready for the spring and summer travel season."

The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best:

• Check the oil, filters and fluids. Oil should be checked at every fill-up and changed per the owner’s manual recommended intervals. Brake, transmission, power steering, coolant and windshield washer fluids should also be checked regularly. Your car’s filters, including those for the transmission, fuel system and interior ventilation, need regular inspection and replacement.

• Inspect hoses at each oil change and have them replaced when leaking, brittle, cracked, rusted, swollen or restricted. Check V-belts and serpentine belts for looseness and condition, and have them replaced when cracked, frayed, glazed or showing signs of excessive wear. Typically replace the timing belt between 60,000 and 90,000 miles or the interval specified in the owner’s manual to avoid a breakdown or serious engine damage.

• Check the engine brake system every year and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

• Check that the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free. The battery should be securely mounted. If it is three years old or more, the battery should be tested and replaced if necessary.

• Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

• Schedule a tune-up that will help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

• Check the car’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting.

• Inspect the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers and struts, and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

• Check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, at least once a month. Check the tread for uneven or irregular wear and cuts and bruises along the sidewalls. Have your car’s alignment checked at least annually to reduce tire wear and improve fuel economy and handling.

• Test exterior and interior lights and have bulbs that are not working checked immediately. Replace windshield wiper blades every six month or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering for optimum wiping performance and safety.

Thank you to our friends at Car Care Council for the great information! Check them out on facebook.

Happy Thursday! :)