Casman's Automotive LLC

Battery Replacement In Wheat Ridge

casmansa539 — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:49:59 +0000

Car batteries wear out just like any other battery and need to be replaced. There are a couple of things Wheat Ridge minivan owners should know when looking for a new car battery: one is cold cranking amps and the other is reserve capacity.

Let’s start with cold cranking amps. This can be thought of as the power output used to start a cold minivan engine. The number of cold cranking amps you need depends on your vehicle and where you live around Wheat Ridge, specifically how cold it is where you live. The two factors are that the colder an engine is, the more power it takes to turn the minivan engine over to get it started. It has all that cold, sluggish oil to contend with. The other factor is that the chemical reaction in the battery that creates electrical energy is less efficient in the cold.

So the colder it gets in Wheat Ridge, more power is needed, but the available power drops.

If you live where it’s cold, you need a battery with more cold cranking amps than you do where it’s moderate or hot. You should always get at least as many cold cranking amps as the manufacturer recommends, but may want to upgrade at Casman’s Automotive LLC if you live where it gets real cold.

An important note: Batteries may also list the Cranking Amps – CA – number. It is the Cold Cranking Amps – or CCA – that is the important number here. CCA is the number to use in your comparisons.

Now with all this talk of cold temperatures in Wheat Ridge, it’s important to note that heat is the real enemy of long battery life. In other words, the damage that’s done over the hot summer months in Wheat Ridge shows up with the increased demands on the minivan battery when the weather turns cold.

Now on to reserve capacity: It’s a measurement of the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has at a given load. The number is more important these days because of parasitic drain. Parasitic drain is the battery energy that’s used when the key is off. So the power drawn by the minivan security system, the remote start system, even the power the minivan computers require to maintain their memory.

Reserves are also needed when you make very short trips around Wheat Ridge. You’re not driving long enough for the battery to recover the energy it used to start the minivan engine.

So go with the minimum recommended by your manufacturer and upgrade if you need more. Talk with your caring Casman’s Automotive LLC service advisor about options. If you need more from your battery, a larger capacity battery may be called for.

Batteries are a big ticket item for most Wheat Ridge motorists, so the warranty gives peace of mind. Be sure to ask about the car battery warranty at Casman’s Automotive LLC so you know what you’re getting. At Casman’s Automotive LLC, we have been providing quality auto service in Wheat Ridge for 20 years.

Give us a call

Casman’s Automotive LLC
5208 West 38th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO 80212

At Casman’s Automotive LLC in Wheat Ridge CO (80212) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 303.420.1850. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Wheel Alignment Service At Casman’s Automotive LLC In Wheat Ridge

casmansa539 — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:26:59 +0000

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

Here are some alignment basics from Casman’s Automotive LLC:
The first angle is called toe: do the wheels point in towards each other or away from each other at the front of the tire.
The next angle is called camber: do the wheels tip in or out at the top.
And finally, there is castor. Castor measures the angle where the front axles attach to the vehicle.

The ideal alignment for your minivan was designed by its engineers. Casman’s Automotive LLC alignment service starts with an inspection of the steering and suspension – so see if anything’s bent, broken or worn out. Then the Casman’s Automotive LLC technician will look at tire condition. From there, the minivan is put on an alignment rack and an initial alignment reading is taken. The wheels are then aligned to manufacturer’s specifications.

Your owner’s manual probably has a recommendation for how often your minivan alignment should be checked – usually every couple of years. If you suspect an alignment problem with your minivan, get it checked at Casman’s Automotive LLC before you suffer expensive tire or suspension damage.

Give us a call

Casman’s Automotive LLC
303.420.1850
5208 West 38th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO 80212

Brake Service At Casman’s Automotive LLC In Wheat Ridge

casmansa539 — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:41:17 +0000

Most Wheat Ridge drivers know that braking means slowing or stopping a vehicle. The mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue. There’s also the power brake system and brake fluid. And then there are the tires, which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.

Let’s step back. A car or truck rolls brand new off the showroom floor at a local Wheat Ridge dealer. It has brand new brakes with brand new brake pads. The brake lines and the power assist are filled with fresh fluid and are completely clean inside. And the minivan tires are brand new, with full tread. Naturally, braking power is at its peak performance.

Now, as your drive from Wheat Ridge to Arvada and back, the miles start to add up. Most Wheat Ridge car owners tend to focus on the brake pads. In the Wheat Ridge automotive service community, the pads, and shoes on drum brakes, are called the friction material. That’s because they provide the friction used to stop the minivan. The pads are designed to be effective throughout their useful life – it’s not until they are worn so thin as to be out of spec that they lose stopping effectiveness.

The mechanical parts of the brakes have pistons and springs that get quite a workout while stopping the minivan. Over many miles, these wear and get gummed up. They start to lose effectiveness gradually and could even fail. That’s why a regular brake inspection is important. At Casman’s Automotive LLC, we can test the operation of the brakes and see if any parts need cleaning or replacing.

That leads us to brake fluid service at Casman’s Automotive LLC. Some of the critical additives in the fluid that lubricate and clean the minivan fluid system are depleted over time. That and moisture building up in the system deteriorate the performance of the brake fluid. Brake fluid replacement at Casman’s Automotive LLC includes flushing the brake system to clean out deposits, water and dirt. Then the system is filled up with fresh fluid.

The tires are what connect the minivan to the road. The stopping force is ultimately dependent on the traction provided by the tires. The better they grip the road, the quicker you’ll stop as you drive around Wheat Ridge.

For questions about brakes, brake pads, brake service, cabin air filter, or tires, talk to Casman’s Automotive LLC manager Melanie Bernhardt.

Give us a call

Casman’s Automotive LLC
303.420.1850
5208 West 38th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO 80212

Cooling System Service At Casman’s Automotive LLC

casmansa539 — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:52:28 +0000

Your minivan cooling system’s job is to keep your engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it’s cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the cooled mix circulates back through the minivan engine to absorb more heat.

Coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine safe in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures in Wheat Ridge.

Without coolant, the minivan’s metal engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running. Expensive parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced at Casman’s Automotive LLC in Wheat Ridge. It could even be so bad that the whole engine is ruined and has to be replaced.

Also, if it’s freezing outside in Wheat Ridge, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the CO cold. This is why you check coolant levels frequently and have your cooling system inspected for leaks. Also your manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your Wheat Ridge owner’s manual or ask your service advisor at Casman’s Automotive LLC in Wheat Ridge.

The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other Wheat Ridge cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced. A simple pH test can measure the coolant’s acidity.

You may have noticed that there are different colors of antifreeze at Casman’s Automotive LLC: it is very important that you use the correct type. The different coolant types are different colors so you don’t mix them up. Manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So check with your caring Casman’s Automotive LLC service advisor or owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your minivan cooling system.

Ask us about emissions testing, cabin air filter and fuel filter.

Give us a call

Casman’s Automotive LLC
303.420.1850
5208 West 38th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO 80212

Viva la Differential At Casman’s Automotive LLC

casmansa539 — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:44:32 +0000

With front-wheel drive being so common in Wheat Ridge these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most Wheat Ridge folks don’t even have to think about it. And most rear-wheel drive minivan differentials don’t need to be serviced for many miles, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind. So it’s not uncommon for CO people to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.

To better understand what a differential does, think about a high school track. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the longer distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That’s to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.

The differential compensates for the difference in speeds on drive wheels between the inside wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they have to travel together through slightly different distances.

Many minivan differentials do a lot of work and require very heavy duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool. The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that break down over time. So manufacturers and Casman’s Automotive LLC technicians recommend intervals for replacing your differential fluid.

Your Casman’s Automotive LLC service technician will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. He’ll then replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.

Wheat Ridge four wheel drive minivans need special attention to their differentials because they have a differential on both the front and rear axles that work at different times and sometimes under heavy loads – so they may need to be serviced at Casman’s Automotive LLC at different intervals.

Your Wheat Ridge service advisor can look up the manufacturer’s recommended service interval or you can check your minivan owner’s manual.

Give us a call

Casman’s Automotive LLC
303.420.1850
5208 West 38th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO 80212

Wheat Ridge Tire Tread Depth – Washington vs. Lincoln

casmansa539 — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:17:01 +0000

Today’s Casman’s Automotive LLC article discusses the effect of tire tread depth on braking. When talking about stopping power, Wheat Ridge drivers tend to focus on brakes. But our tires are where the rubber meets the road. So having good brakes isn’t enough. Wheat Ridge motorists have to have tires with enough traction to translate braking power into stopping power.

Let’s focus on stopping in wet Wheat Ridge conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can’t move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water.

That’s called hydroplaning. At Casman’s Automotive LLC we want our customers to know that if it’s really bad, you can actually spin out of control. At best, you won’t stop as fast.

So how does a tire move water? It has channels for water to flow through. Look at a tire and you’ll see channels: channels that run around the tire and channels that flow across the tire. They’re designed to direct water away from the tire so it can contact the road better.

And the deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop on wet Wheat Ridge roads.

So that’s why it’s so important for Wheat Ridge drivers to replace the tires on their minivans when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of 3/32 of an inch and they have the studies to prove it.

By comparison, you’ve probably seen the wear indicator that’s molded into tires. When tires are worn 3/32 of an inch, the tread wear bar is visible. So the recommended standard has twice the tread depth as a completely worn out tire.

And that little bit of additional tread makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet roads. A safe stop from CO freeway speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires.

There’s an easy way to tell when a tire’s worn to 4/32 of an inch. Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it’s time to replace your tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

You’ve probably heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln’s head. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount.

Of course, tires are a big ticket item for Wheat Ridge car owners. Most of us want to get as many miles out of them as we can. But there’s a real safety trade-off. It’s your choice.

Schedule A Suspension Inspection At Casman’s Automotive LLC

casmansa539 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:15:13 +0000

Today’s Dupont car care article focuses on your suspension system. After many years and tens of thousands of miles, your minivan suspension system components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how you drive. As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth Dupont highways, your shock absorbers will last a lot longer than if you do most of your driving on bumpy roads or hauling heavy loads.

In addition to just wearing out, Casman’s Automotive LLC customers need to know that suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your minivan manufacturer and Casman’s Automotive LLC recommend periodic inspections. During an inspection, your Dupont service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts.

Signs that shocks or struts are wearing out: The tires may have a cupped wear pattern. This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly as you drive around Dupont. You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering. If the front of your minivan dives excessively when stopping, or rocks back and forth after you stopped, your shocks may be worn out. And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come into Casman’s Automotive LLC for a suspension inspection. Same if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your wheels. Worn or broken shocks can cause premature wear or failure on other minivan suspension parts such as ball joints and other steering components as well. If your suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so let us take care of your suspension components at Casman’s Automotive LLC.

When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. That’ll give you more even handling. Talk with your service advisor at Casman’s Automotive LLC because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all may be the safest bet.

Severe Driving In Arvada

casmansa539 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:40:48 +0000

Most Arvada motorists know that their owner’s manuals have schedules for preventive maintenance. Things like oil changes, transmission service and so on. They say you should change your oil every so many miles or after so many months. Arvada people understand this very well. What they may not know is that there are actually two service schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. The mileage and time intervals are lower on the severe service schedule.

Now when you hear “severe service”, you may think it doesn’t apply to you because you don’t feel your driving conditions are severe or extreme – it’s just normal everyday driving around Arvada. At Casman’s Automotive LLC, we discuss the conditions that manufacturers classify as severe so that you can make the judgment on your own driving.

Most trips are less than four miles

Most trips are less than ten miles and outside temperatures are below freezing in Arvada

You drive in very hot CO weather

Driving at low speed most of the time (under 55 mph)

Stop and go driving

Operating your vehicle in dusty, polluted or muddy conditions

You tow a trailer, regularly carry heavy loads or carry a car-top carrier on your minivan

Most Arvada drivers operate under severe driving conditions at least some of the time. How do you know which schedule to follow for your minivan?

Carefully think about your driving conditions and decide if you should do your preventive maintenance closer to the severe service recommendation or the regular recommendation. Of course, your Casman’s Automotive LLC advisor can help you with your decision.

PCV Valve Replacement At Casman’s Automotive LLC

casmansa539 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:20:57 +0000

Today’s Broomfield car care article focuses on PCV valve replacement. The PCV valve is a little, inexpensive part that does a big job for your minivan. PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation.

The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the minivan engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase.

These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel. This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause engine corrosion in your minivan. At high speeds, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak.

Broomfield car owners need to know that over time, the vented gases will gum up the PCV valve and it won’t work well. That can lead to all of the problems I’ve already described, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption and wasted gas.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to test the PCV valve and quick and inexpensive to replace it at Casman’s Automotive LLC. Even so, it’s often overlooked because many Broomfield drivers don’t know about it.

Check your minivan owner’s manual or ask your Casman’s Automotive LLC advisor. If this is the first time you’ve heard of a PCV valve, you might be in line for a PCV valve replacement.

Please ask us about your PCV valve. For the price of a couple of burger combo meals, you can avoid some very expensive deep engine repairs.

Serpentine Belt Replacement At Casman’s Automotive LLC

casmansa539 — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:46:06 +0000

Today’s Casman’s Automotive LLC article focuses on your serpentine belt. Your serpentine belt is a long belt that’s driven by your engine. It winds around several accessories that power important automotive systems. Let’s go over them.

First, the serpentine belt drives your air conditioning system. Next, the belt powers the alternator.

The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. In some minivans, power steering may have an electric drive and power brakes can be vacuum driven.

And, on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump (on some cars, the water pump is powered by the timing belt).

Your Casman’s Automotive LLC service technician can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.

Wheat Ridge drivers should be aware that there’s a special, spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley and sometimes an extra pulley call the idler pulley. Their job is to make sure there’s a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn’t slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. That’s why it’s often recommended that the tensioner, and the idler pulley if so equipped, be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

All in all, the serpentine belt’s an important part for the function of your minivan. And it’s not that expensive to replace at Casman’s Automotive LLC – so it’s good to do so before it fails.