Our Expert Automotive Service & Collision Repair Blog

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.

Since many vehicle values drop by 40% or more in 3 years, buying used can be a significant money saver and there’s a lot to choose from because of the number of vehicles coming off lease is increasing. Finding a good used vehicle isn’t a matter of luck, but rather the result of good research and inspection.

How do you know you have faulty brakes on your vehicle? Symptoms include; less responsiveness or pedal sinking toward the floor, pulling to one side while braking, grinding or growling and vibration or pulsating brake pedal.