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Family Owned & Operated Since 1981

Our Expert Automotive Service & Collision Repair Blog

Jim Addison

Recent Posts

Are Extended Warranties Worth the Investment?

Posted by Jim Addison on Jun 2, 2023 9:27:03 AM

A number of years ago, I bought a new Lexus RX.  The Salesperson kept telling me what a reliable vehicle it was, and I told him I agreed because Lexus is highly rated. As soon as I handed over the check, the F&I person told us about all the things that could break, and therefore I needed the extended warranty.

We see a lot of TV and radio ads for automobile extended warranty products. Car Shield, American Auto Shield, Endurance, and Route 66 are some of them. A question that comes up is, “Are they worth it?” and the answer is, “It depends on a number of factors.”

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Topics: Warranty, Auto Insurance

Spring Break Road Trips in Colorado

Posted by Jim Addison on Mar 1, 2022 6:58:59 PM

 
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Topics: Maintenance, Inspection, Pre-trip check-up

Being Green With Your Gas-Powered or Hybrid Vehicle

Posted by Jim Addison on May 24, 2021 8:45:07 AM

"The future of the auto industry is electric. There's no turning back,"  President Biden said this week, making a case for investing in U.S. production of electric vehicles and the batteries that power them.

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Topics: Hybrid Vehicles, Gas-Powered Vehicles

Catalytic Converter Theft on Dramatic Rise

Posted by Jim Addison on Mar 2, 2021 5:53:59 PM

Along with the many other unanticipated things this last year has brought, we have seen a rise in cars coming into the shop due to catalytic converter theft. In Denver alone, the rate has risen by 1,600% from just 15 reports of theft in 2019 to 257 in 2020, a trend that is likely to continue (The Denver Post, published 2/18/21).
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Topics: Parts, Safety

Proper Tire Care During the Winter Months

Posted by Jim Addison on Jan 19, 2021 12:12:39 PM

 

Many of us have had a tire light come on in our vehicles during the cold winter months. When the air contracts, it causes a drop in the pressure or pounds per square inch (PSI) of your tire, as much as 2 PSI for every -10°F. You may be tempted to fill the tire up on your own (just to get that pesky light off), but you should instead have your tires check out by your local shop to ensure rotations and inflation is done properly. 

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Topics: Safety, Tires and Wheels

What You Need to Know About Colorado's Chain and Traction Laws

Posted by Jim Addison on Dec 3, 2020 9:01:50 AM

This might be repetitive but we just want to make sure everyone is well informed about the Colorado Traction Law.

It's important to be aware of where traction laws are active as you're traveling, as this can vary from road to road. Each year the state's traction law goes into effect on a 126-mile stretch of I-70 from September 1 to May 31st. The nine-month mandatory traction law extends from Dotsero to Morrison, requiring all vehicles to carry proper winter traction throughout the season, regardless of weather. All other roads and highways are subject to traction laws during severe wintry weather.

In Colorado, it remains that the minimum tread requirement for dry roads is 4/32" (1/8"). Interestingly 1/8" doesn't even meet the classic "penny test" (which detects when your tread is less than 2/32").

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Topics: Tires, Winter Driving

Colorado Ranks 7th in Running Red Lights

Posted by Jim Addison on Nov 3, 2020 10:44:21 AM

Colorado is a top 10 state for a lot of things: seventh in life expectancy, eighth in health, number one for least obese, ninth in outdoor lifestyle, and according to The National Coalition for Safer Roads, seventh in running red lights. Data from the Foundation for Traffic Safety for the period 2008-2017 shows Colorado tied for fifth with Florida for fatalities per 1 million people resulting from red light running. 

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Topics: Safety, Traffic Lights

Decreasing Safety: The Effect a Trailer Hitch Has on a Rear-End Collision

Posted by Jim Addison on Aug 24, 2020 10:31:13 AM

Article adapted from The National Safety Commission’s Article titled How Receiver Hitches Affect Rear End Collision Injuries

As you have no doubt noticed in Colorado, more people are towing boats, trailers, and campers as we continue to weather the pandemic and its dramatic effects on our lives. But did you know that the receiver hitch can actually make you less safe in the event you are involved in a rear-end collision?

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Topics: Collision, trailer hitch, receiver hitch, rear end damage

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Automotive Industry

Posted by Jim Addison on Jul 27, 2020 11:53:02 AM

It is likely the role your car plays in your life has changed significantly since the start of the pandemic. If you had asked me in January, I would have said your car is likely used most to get you to and from work. Now, with an entirely different culture and reality, the car has taken on a new place in society. We are using our cars to safely celebrate the things in life we miss, like milestones and travel. 

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Topics: Community, travel, COVID-19

A Great Year for Traveling Within the Denver, Colorado Area

Posted by Jim Addison on Jun 19, 2020 9:36:41 AM

Right now, airline travel isn’t attractive. But, NOT vacationing isn’t attractive either! Last year, I wrote about traveling within Colorado and adjoining states. Who knew car travel would be
even more relevant this year! At least we have the good fortune to live in a part of the country so full of the wonders of nature. When Brenda and I moved to Colorado in 1971, we bought a Renault 16 hatchback (picture below) and drove it all over the state, stopping and camping wherever we wanted. A loose air cleaner bolt allowed the sand to get into the engine while driving through a sandstorm in Arizona. We got through the sand storm only to find our engine blowing a smokescreen. After spending an interesting night in Tuba City, Arizona, we continued to the Grand Canyon, and about a case of oil got us back to Denver. It took me about a week of late nights to rebuild the engine. The moral here is to be sure your vehicle is thoroughly inspected before leaving.

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Topics: Safety, Inspection, Pre-trip check-up, Community

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