Aurora Auto Repair

Your car is one of your biggest investments and something you depend on daily. In Aurora's challenging climate—with temperature swings from -10°F to 100°F and our mile-high altitude—proper maintenance is more critical than ever. Many drivers are keeping their vehicles longer before upgrading, making it essential to maximize your car's lifespan while minimizing costly repairs.

At Tune Tech Automotive, we've been helping Aurora residents keep their cars running smoothly since 1978. Our ASE-certified technicians have seen firsthand how proper maintenance can extend a vehicle's life by 5-10 years and add 50,000-100,000 miles. Here are 10 proven tips to help your car last longer.

Cost Comparison: Maintenance vs. Repairs

1. Keep Up with Scheduled Car Maintenance Services

Read your vehicle's owner manual to understand your car's recommended maintenance schedule. Staying on track with scheduled services prevents a cascade of problems down the road.

Regular oil changes increase engine longevity. Timely brake pad replacements prevent damage to rotors and calipers. Professional tune-ups keep your electrical system functioning perfectly.

Preventative maintenance saves money, improves safety, and prevents inconveniences like a dead battery after parking too long, AC cutting out in 100°F heat, power windows locking up, or your engine overheating on I-70 during a mountain trip.

2. Don't Skip Oil Changes

Oil changes are absolutely essential for safe engine operation. When oil becomes grimy or old, it creates friction between moving parts, causing unnecessary wear and tear that compounds over time. Using old or dirty oil is one of the most common causes of catastrophic engine damage.

Change your oil regularly according to your owner's manual schedule—typically every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. At Tune Tech Automotive, we use high-quality oil and filters to keep your engine running smoothly for years to come.

3. Keep It Clean

Dust, road salt, and debris accumulation causes undue wear to your car's surfaces—both inside and out. Colorado's winter road treatments are particularly harsh on vehicle exteriors.

Regularly wash and wax your car to protect your paint job from Aurora's intense UV exposure and winter road salt. Use products designed for auto interiors to prevent cracked leather and scratched dashboards, especially important in our dry climate with 300+ days of sunshine.

4. Check Your Tire Pressure

Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for tire longevity and overall vehicle safety. In Colorado, tire pressure fluctuates significantly with temperature changes—dropping about 1-2 PSI for every 10°F decrease.

Underinflated tires provide less responsive steering and affect braking distances—dangerous when emergency maneuvers are necessary. Low pressure allows sidewalls to flex excessively, generating heat that accelerates tread wear or can even cause blowouts.

How to maintain safe tire pressure:

• Check weekly (best practice) or at minimum monthly and before long trips
• Check when tires are cold (before driving)
• Use a quality pressure gauge
• Follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressures (on door jamb sticker), not the maximum pressure on the tire sidewall
• During Aurora's winter months (November-March), check more frequently due to temperature swings

5. Get Your Car's Fluids Checked

Six essential fluids should be checked at least monthly. Keeping fluids at proper levels reduces long-term maintenance costs and keeps your car running optimally. If you're topping off fluids more often than your owner's manual recommends, have your vehicle inspected for leaks.

• Engine Oil – The most critical fluid! Lubricates moving engine parts. Without proper oil levels, your engine will eventually fail. Check between oil changes (at least monthly). Adding a quart or two yearly between changes is normal for higher-mileage vehicles, but more than that indicates a problem.
• Automatic Transmission Fluid – Some cars have "lifetime" fluid good for 100,000+ miles, but annual checks ensure levels are correct. If your car lacks a dipstick, ask our ASE-certified technicians to check it during service.
• Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) – Essential in Colorado's climate, protecting your engine from -10°F winters to 100°F summers. Check twice yearly before temperature extremes. Many modern cars have clear plastic reservoirs making inspection easy.
• Brake Fluid – Check at every oil change or at least annually. Usually found in a clear container on the master cylinder mounted to the firewall.
• Power Steering Fluid – Typically near the brake fluid reservoir. Check annually, wiping the reservoir cap clean before opening to prevent dirt contamination.
• Windshield Washer Fluid – Check monthly, especially during Aurora's rainy spring season and snowy winter months. Top off as needed before long drives.

6. Replace Your Wiper Blades

Windshield wiper maintenance is critical for safe driving visibility. While Aurora doesn't see constant snow, we experience sudden weather changes—from intense summer thunderstorms to winter snowfall—requiring wipers that work perfectly.

As wipers deteriorate, they can lose rubber and scratch your windshield. Colorado's intense UV exposure accelerates rubber degradation even faster than in other climates.

Inspection tip: Every few months, lift the wipers from the windshield and run your finger along the edge. If you feel bumps or tears in the rubber, it's time for replacement. Don't wait until you're driving in a rainstorm to discover your wipers are ineffective.

7. Replace Engine Air Filters

Air filters might not seem critical, but they're essential for maintaining engine performance. Filters prevent tiny particles—some as small as grains of sand—from entering your engine and damaging cylinders and pistons.

Clean air filters also improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. A dirty or damaged filter limits airflow to your engine, forcing it to work harder and consume more fuel. Reduced airflow can foul spark plugs, increase engine deposits, trigger the "Service Engine" light, and contribute to environmental pollution.

8. Perform a Weekly Inspection

Every time we start our cars, we unconsciously perform basic checks—fuel level, seatbelt, mirror alignment. Adding a few more items to this routine significantly improves vehicle safety and longevity.

Weekly inspection checklist (or before long trips):

• Brakes – Inspect and replace brake pads regularly. Periodically check rotors and calipers.
• Engine – Listen for unusual noises. Look for corrosion signs.
• Fluids and Filters – Check oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other key fluids. Inspect air filters for damage.
• Tires – Check pressure and tread depth. Always check when tires are cold.
• Horn – Test to ensure it works for safely alerting others.
• Lights – Verify all exterior and interior lights function. Essential for visibility and being seen in low-light conditions.
• Windshield Wipers – Confirm blades are in good condition to clear your windshield effectively.

9. Tend to Minor Repairs Promptly

Whether you've noticed a slight hum when activating the AC or your car pulls to one side, small issues become major problems when ignored. Address minor problems at your earliest convenience to prevent further damage and costly repairs.

Your weekly inspection should alert you to needed repairs. At Tune Tech Automotive, we offer comprehensive diagnostic services to identify issues before they become expensive emergencies.

10. Drive Responsibly

While racing fantasies are fun, avoid driving like you're on a track. Sudden starts and stops, excessive speeds, and sharp corners put unnecessary stress on your car's components.

Excessive speed forces your engine to work harder, pushing pistons and moving parts beyond optimal speeds. Maintaining reasonable velocity while driving safely is an easy way to reduce engine wear and tear.