Car care tips for every Colorado season

1. Check your cooling system

According to Bryan, neglecting the cooling system is one of the biggest mistakes drivers make. Before the heat sets in:

• Check the antifreeze (coolant) level.
• Inspect the hoses.
• Inspect the belts.
• Make sure the radiator is topped off.

2. Know how old your battery is

“Batteries can be working one minute, and the next they’re out.”

Heat is hard on batteries. Bryan suggests thinking about a new battery if yours is older than 5 years, or 3 to 4 years if it’s a cheaper brand.

3. Get ready for winter

Gary doesn’t work from a checklist, since every car and every commute is different. His suggestions for heading into a Colorado winter:

• Fill up with a quality antifreeze, and check the other fluid levels while the hood is up.
• Check the tire tread. Tires generally last three to five years, depending on how you drive.
• Test the heater and the defroster before the weather turns cold.
• Keep an emergency kit in the car: a portable phone charger, non-perishable food, a first aid kit and blankets.
• In a rear-wheel-drive car, sandbags in the back add weight and help against fishtailing. The sand can also go on an icy patch for traction.
• Cold is hard on batteries too. Worn battery cables may need replacing as well.

4. Buying a used car? Ask about the timing belt

Many customers ask Gary for advice before buying a used car. A timing belt past its replacement point can break with no warning and cause major damage:

“If it’s going to break, it’s just going to break, no warning.”

• Follow the manufacturer’s schedule. Some cars need a new timing belt at 60,000 miles, some at over 100,000, and time matters as well as mileage. Some cars have no timing belt at all.
• Research which makes and models hold up before you start shopping. Gary’s own picks are Toyota, with Honda a close second.
• Be wary of salvage titles, flood cars and cars from the Northeast and upper Midwest, which often have rusted parts.
• Vehicle history reports are useful, but they don’t tell you everything.

“It’s not where you buy a good car, it’s what car you buy.”

5. Not sure? Ask before it breaks

If something sounds, smells or feels off, call the shop at (303) 421-2447 and describe it. You’ll get a straight answer about whether it needs attention now.