Littleton Auto Repair

    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

Your safety is our top priority. Unfortunately, car accidents are among the leading causes of death in the United States, with alarmingly high statistics. However, many of these accidents are easily preventable with simple tips and tricks.  At South Park Tire & Auto, you and your family’s safety are of utmost importance, which is why we have compiled five ways to help you avoid a car accident:  Don’t forget to drive defensively! Driving defensively means keeping your complete awareness on the road and anticipating any traffic flow changes. Keep a close eye out for any pedestrians too! Stay at or under the speed limit. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that speeding is the third most common contributing factor in car accidents.  Remain alert at all times and eliminate any distractions. As we get older and become more experienced drivers, it is easy to think we are almost invincible and can send that quick text or answer that ph ... read more

Imagine you are driving to work with a busy day ahead of you, and you notice that your check engine light has appeared on the dashboard. You drive for a few minutes, trying to see if anything feels different while driving, but your vehicle seems to be performing perfectly fine. You continue to go about your day, and that day soon turns into a week. Unfortunately, your check engine light has not gone away.  The team at South Park Tire & Auto doesn’t want you to worry about your check engine light, which is why we recommend bringing your vehicle to our shop right away, as soon as your check light has appeared on your dashboard. It could mean something minor or an issue more major. Either way, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to auto repair.  Your check engine light is essentially your vehicle’s way of communicating if something is wrong. At South Park Tire & Auto, we will identify the underlying cause of whatever is afflicting your v ... read more

When it comes to maintenance, we automatically think of oil changes, cabin air filter replacements, and so on. We don’t always think of our vehicle’s tires, but it is essential to take time for your tires. Your tires are your vehicle’s only contact point with the road, which means they are essential when looking to propel and stop your vehicle. Just think of how much we depend on those four patches of rubber!  It is essential to properly maintain your tires with proper tire maintenance, tire rotation, tire inflation, and wheel alignment. Without properly maintained tires, you are susceptible to slipping, sliding, blowouts, and other issues that could lead to dangerous accidents. Properly maintained tires also help you save money at the gas station and prolong your vehicle's longevity.  Even if your tires look correctly inflated and not flat, they could still need a little TLC -- in fact, your tire may look flat, but it could have lost up to 50% of its ... read more

Just like how you have to stay hydrated, your vehicle does too! We acknowledge that it can even be a challenge for us to remember to drink liquids. Fortunately, the team at South Park Tire & Auto is here to help you remember to keep your vehicle hydrated. Certain fluids in your car need to stay performing in tip-top shape, including your engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid.  The South Park Tire & Auto team strives to ensure your vehicle’s longevity, driveability, and performance. Here is why each fluid is important:  Engine oil: we all heard of an oil change, but you would be surprised to learn how many people actually forget about this vital service. Your engine is comprised of various components -- oil provides lubrication to all those moving parts and reduces friction. Without oil in your vehicle or even dirty oil, your engine will wear down much quicker.  Transmission oil: y ... read more