Littleton Auto Repair

Have you ever gone into your car in the morning and felt a funky smell once you start it? It feels so awkward, and it leaves you wondering why a car you might have washed the evening before should have such an awful smell. You might drive away from the garage for just a few meters just in case the odor is coming from the outside, but if the condition persists and more vinegar smell emanates from your car A/C, there is a cause for alarm. Cause of Foul Odor From Your Car A/C   One of the leading causes of foul smell from your car's vent is mold building up in the ventilation system. Every other time you drive in the rain or have a car cleaner wash your vehicle, it is definite that water residue will remain in the system. Moisture is a prerequisite for bacteria to grow and thus form molds in your car's ventilation system, especially the evaporator. When you switch on your vehicle, the smell will travel through the ventilation system directly into your face causing discomfor ... read more

The condition of your tires is something that all drivers should stay on top of. Tire wear affects the handling, comfortability, and safety of your ride. Without proper tire maintenance, your tires may wear unevenly. When your tires wear in an unusual pattern, it can present multiple problems down the line. Below are some popular types of tire wear: Center Wear Center wear is precisely what it sounds like. It typically occurs when you over-inflate your tires. Since they protrude more than they're supposed to, the center will make full contact with the road. Please make sure you match your tire inflation to the psi recommended by your automaker. Side Wear Side wear is the opposite, and it occurs when the shoulders of tires have more wear than the center. It is a result of driving with under-inflated tires. To prevent wear and tear on your tires, please make sure you properly inflate your tires. Cupping Wear Cupping wear is caused by aging shocks and struts, and it is used to d ... read more

At South Park Tire & Auto Center, we are always looking out for your safety, which is why we advocate for defensive driving. By carrying out safe driving practices on the road, you can save yourself from car troubles and dangerous accidents. Here are five essential defensive driving tips for incorporating in your commute: Keep a safe distance between you and other cars. Way too many collisions happen this way. Keeping 3-seconds worth of space between you and the vehicle in front can increase your reaction time and mitigate your risk of hitting your back bumper. Put your cell phone away. There are strict cell phone traffic laws in the US for a reason: it is super distracting and dangerous. Calling and texting require taking at least one hand off the wheels and your attention off the road. You should put your phone on silent before driving to avoid the temptation. Don't drive when you're tired. Driving while asleep can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence, s ... read more

Drivers in Littleton, CO, and surrounding areas should seriously consider installing winter tires. Snow and ice are a norm for many of us this time of year. In fact, this region expects an average of 70 inches of snow every year, which is 40 inches more than the national average. Now is the time to start thinking about winter driving safety, which usually includes changing winter tires. What Are Winter Tires? There are some remarkable differences between all-weather and winter tires. Today, high-quality winter tires are not like the old snow tires from many years ago. Winter tires have advanced to trek through deep snow. Its tread patterns are deeper and more pronounced; they are specifically designed to cope with snow and ice. The rubber material is softer than your average tires, so they don't stiffen in the coldest temperatures. Before newer innovations, the soft winter tires would get worn down very quickly if driven on dry roads.  Who Are They Suitable For? If you ow ... read more

    Most car owners have experienced needing new brakes at least once. It's regular maintenance to every vehicle. Brake pads are the most replaced part when it comes to the braking system. A common question asked is 'why are my brake pads wearing more on one side than the other? One answer is because of a thing called caliper failure. The caliper has a piston inside of it, when you press in the brakes, the piston pushes into the brake pad. When you release, a seal inside of the caliper let's go and this triggers the piston to pull away from the pad. There are a few ways to tell if this is the issue. If you notice your vehicle pulling more to one side than the other or if you hear a loud high-pitched squealing. Also if you hear metal scraping when you stop or if you see brake fluid leaking by your tires. Another reason why your brake pads would wear unevenly is because of something called DTV or Disc Thickness Variation. In some cases, your brake pads wearing i ... read more

There's no fun in driving a car if you struggle to steer it! Over the years of wear, your car's steering wheel may get rigid and exhibit signs of wear and tear. You should have a hard-to-turn steering wheel diagnosed and repaired by an automotive professional as soon as you encounter the symptom. You may be wondering what causes a stiff steering wheel. Here are some of the potential issues that can be causing your problem: Degraded Steering Rack - If your steering wheel feels heavy on top of the rigidness, your steering rack is likely the culprit. The scorching summer weather or extreme road rubble can wear down this vital component. Worn Serpentine Belt - Another potential cause of a stern steering wheel is an old or damaged serpentine belt. Wear and tear on this long snake-like belt is expected over the years. A replacement of the serpentine belt can usually fix the problem. Damaged Power Steering Pump - The power steering pump creates adequate pressure, so you can twist a ... read more

It's officially Fall here in Littleton, CO, which means you might see the leaves change colors, the temperature lowering, and the sun setting sooner. You may not realize it, but these changes may have an adverse effect on your drive. To ensure you can enjoy the season while safely driving around, you should consider taking your car to South Park Tire & Auto Center for a fall inspection. There are five specific items that you should thoroughly inspect in the autumn: Battery - If you have a weak or drained battery, you won't be able to get to where you need to go. Your battery connections need to be secured, clean, and corrosion-free to ensure you have strong car starts. Our techs can test your battery at our shop and let you know if it can still hold an adequate charge. If not, you may need to get a battery replacement. Air Filters - Most people forget about replacing their air filters all the time. And we're not referring to the engine filter. Many automobiles have a ... read more

Nearly every vehicle you see on the road has an internal computer system that maintains communication with all of your vehicle's sensors and electronic devices. When your check engine light comes on, it has to be signaled through the computer first. The technical term for the entire system is generally known as on-board diagnostics. At South Park Tire & Auto, we run a "diagnostic" test by plugging a scanner into your car's computer. Let's go over some fundamentals on diagnostic codes and translations, plus the information can do for you.   When we run a diagnostic, we connect the scanner into a port called the OBD-II port that's standard in all vehicles sold in the United States. We will then receive codes that have different letter and number combinations. These codes are universal across all car manufacturers for the most part, except for a few manufacturer-specific messages. Codes that begin with "P" are powertrain-related, codes that ... read more

Oil changes are simple; when performed at regular intervals, they can improve performance and extend your car's lifespan. While most drivers rely on mileage intervals or warning lights to figure out when to change the oil, it's always best to examine it firsthand. However, your motor oil can be low or deteriorated before the scheduled mileage change comes up. If your engine oil is overdue for service, your engine can struggle to perform and eventually overheat. Below are five indicators to determine whether your vehicle will need an oil change sooner than later.    1 - DIRTY OIL  Fresh and good oil is an amber color and free of any contaminants. The more you drive, the engine oil will get darker and collect debris. The only way to examine the oil's quality is to pop the hood open and use the dipstick.    2 - LOUD ENGINE NOISES Your motor oil is essential because it lubricates the engine by providing a barrier between its complex parts. If you ... read more

It is perfectly fine to use your car as storage - we all do it! But, there are certain everyday items that you should avoid leaving in your car. With temperatures hiking up, there are several things to be mindful of leaving behind that do not respond well to heat. If you aren't careful, you could compromise your belongings and your car. Here are a list of things you should never leave inside your car on a hot summer day: Pets - Leaving a pet alone in a parked car while you run errands can endanger your animal's health. According to PETA, animals can have brain damage from heat exposure or even die from heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes. Plastic Bottles - Your plastic bottles can be at risk of warping and melting in a hot car. Next time you notice an abandoned bottle in your car, it's best to throw it in the recycling bin. Aerosol Cans - Whether spray paint, deodorant, hairspray, or cleaning products, these items are packaged in a way that makes it very sensitive to h ... read more