General

A lot of Thornton drivers wonder about how to prepare their vehicles for a trip. That’s a big deal. You could be driving through Colorado mountains and deserts in some pretty lonely areas so you may be anxious to know that the car is up to the task and won’t leave you stranded. Thornton drivers…

You push a few buttons or turn some knobs, and voila, you have warm air blowing on your feet or cool air chilling your face. How does all that happen? Well, it’s all thanks to the air blend box. This box lives behind your dash and serves up just the right temperature of air right…

When Thornton drivers take a corner in their vehicle, the outside wheels have a slightly longer distance to go than the inside wheels. That means that the outside wheels have to turn a bit faster than the inside. The piece of mechanical wizardry that makes this possible is called the differential. The differential allows the drive…

Question How can I tell when my tires are worn so much that they need to be replaced? Answer That is a very important question. As we discuss the matter, keep in mind that one of the most important jobs of your tire tread is to move water. The channels in the tread act as…

Let’s talk about your suspension – you know, the system that connects your wheels to your vehicle, controls your handling, and delivers a good ride. Your suspension is critical for proper steering, stopping, and stability. Hey, it’s a rough world out there – every time you hit a pothole, a bump, or an object in…

Question: What is a severe service maintenance schedule? Mountain View Automotive Answer: When I was a kid in Thornton, Sunday meant having a bath, getting dressed for church and then hanging up my Sunday clothes soon as we got home. Mom didn’t have to wash those clothes but once a month or so. Now, Saturdays…

Suspension systems should continue to operate effectively for many years and over long distances, holding your tires’ footprint on the road.  Eventually, components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how you drive in Colorado. As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth Thornton, Colorado, highways,…

You don’t have to be an auto expert to know what a fuel pump does: it pumps fuel.  The fuel pump happens to be one of those vital parts of your vehicle that can leave you stranded when it isn’t working the way it should.  Here are a few things to be aware of that…

The thermostat is an important part of your cooling system. Your vehicle’s thermostat performs a similar function to the thermostat in your home. At home, you set your thermostat to maintain a comfortable temperature range. When your home gets too hot, the air conditioning kicks on and when it gets too cool, the heater turns…

Do you know what kind of braking system you have on your vehicle?  It matters.  Do you think you should pump your brakes to get them to stop better on a slippery surface? Or are they the new computerized ones that pump the brakes for you? The most common brakes on today’s vehicles are anti-lock…