Why Fixing Your Car Yourself Costs You Money

We all know how auto repair is not cheap. That's why it's very tempting to fix your car yourself. There are YouTube videos and forums all over the Internet claiming to give you "correct" information on how to fix your car all by yourself. Even if you have the correct information, you probably don't have the expensive, special tools that a lot of cars require to fix it correctly.

Fixing your car yourself is a lot like playing a slot machine. If you're lucky you'll get three cherries and save a ton of money. But, usually what happens is you get three lemons and that slot machine reaches out and grabs your wallet for much more than you would've paid a qualified mechanic to fix your car in the first place. It's a lot easier knowing what to do, then what not to do. That's why we won't always be able to help you if you've completed a job and still have problems. We don't know what you've done and what you forgot to do. We also don't know what parts you forgot to include or bolts you forgot to tighten.

Fixing your car yourself is like playing a slot machine.

We had a potential customer call this week with a 2006 Mazda 3 who had changed his own timing chain. He was now getting multiple engine codes coming from his ECM. Because of the complex nature of this engine AND the special tools required AND one time use parts that must be replaced when doing this repair, we told this customer we could not help him. Unfortunately, now this person is in quite a pickle because (as he admitted to us) not even the dealer will work on this vehicle.

2006 Mazda 3

If you do decide to fix your own vehicle, please make sure you are able to successfully complete it. Changing your own battery or a fan belt is one thing, but attempting a major repair without the special tools or more importantly the knowledge to do it can costs you way more than you could be saving.

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 19:20

Happy Friday!

Why Quality Matters in Life

We all learn quality lessons in life. You can always find a product or service cheaper in life. But why? Sometimes you can save money and do good, but most of the time you're sacrificing quality for the great price.

Saving money is not always the best idea in life. We recently learned this lesson again when we bought what we thought was a quality camera system with a great warranty at a great price. We bought it at a reputable store and the cameras even came with an extended warranty. Within a year, we started experiencing major problems like failing cameras and horrible picture quality. We called the company to use the warranty and they asked us a million impossible questions. The warranty meant nothing to us as a consumer except a good feeling when we first opened the camera system. We purchased this system because of the great price tag that saved us $200. By "saving" $200, we cost ourselves $800 and a lot more work to install the new camera system when we had to replace it!! That's 4 times what we thought we had saved and more time to install another system. We would have been much better off if we just purchased the quality camera system because we really would have saved $800 and time, too.

At our auto repair shop in Denver, we don't make crazy promises or sell our services dirt cheap to make you feel good. We give you quality and lasting value with a real warranty to protect you if something goes wrong like a part failure. We're not the cheapest shop in town AND we're not the most expensive. We give you quality and honest auto repair service at a good price that lasts. We stand behind our work, so you can have peace of mind. We take care of our customers like family. We want to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. We want you to worry about what song on the radio you are listening to, not the quality of your auto repairs.

Remember - Cheap work isn't good and good work isn't cheap!

Why Should I Replace My Timing Belt?

Do I really need to have the timing belt replaced on my car because it's running good? A broken timing belt will stop the engine from running and may cause severe internal engine damage and costly repairs (even engine replacement), so it's important to have your timing belt serviced at the recommended intervals. 

Do you like walking, getting rides, or being stranded at an inconvenient time? Timing belts usually don't give you a warning they are about to break. Your car can seem to be running good with no problem, then your car just quits running. That's why Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver recommends replacing your timing belt at or before the manufacturer's recommended schedule. If you wait, you could be facing a much higher repair bill than if you had replaced your timing belt on time.

Are you looking for a well-respected, honest, Master ASE Certified auto repair shop in Denver to replace your car's timing belt at a good price? This is what we do at Mastermind Enterprises!

We can't stand to see people destroy their engines because of a timing belt replacement, so we're offering 20% off Parts AND Labor on all timing belt replacements in our shop through July 2015!  We will be happy to discuss all of your auto repair service needs with you, including helping you find a convenient time to have your car’s timing belt replaced (most services are completed in just 1 day!). We want to help you keep your car running dependably for years to come.

Call us today at 303-297-2886

Save yourself costly engine repairs or even engine replacement!

Don't take a chance on costly engine damage! If you are over your vehicle's recommended timing belt change intervals, do not even start your car! It is very common for timing belts to skip a tooth or break when you turn off your engine. Then, when you go to start your car again, you can actually cause more damage. You can avoid major engine damage like this by replacing your timing belt at or BEFORE your manufacturer's recommended mileage. If there is any doubt about the condition of your timing belt, we recommend you have your vehicle towed down immediately. Watch this video and learn more about timing belt replacement.

We specialize in timing belts at Mastermind Enterprises. Our lead ASE Master Certified Technician has been replacing them for over 25 years! We replace timing belts on most asian and domestic vehicles from Acura to Toyota AND we guarantee all of our work with a warranty!

What can happen if your timing belt 
is serviced improperly by an unqualified mechanic
(or not serviced at all)

Unsure of when your timing belt is due?

Don't take a chance, call us today!

Trust the PROS!

If you are in Denver, 

try us and see how easy auto repair can be!

Honest-1 in The Leaf-Chronicle

According to a recent report from the Department of Labor, there is a shortage of auto technicians because most of the current crop of baby boomers are retiring. The challenge is getting the younger generation and Millennials interested because auto care has a “grease monkey” stigma.

In an article in The Leaf-Chronicle, Kristi and Tucker Seiber, as well as Rissy Sutherland, counteracted this claim, making sure viewers knew that the blue-collar image is gone and today being a mechanic is a "technical career path and applies engineering principles." Kristi and Tucker are actively recruiting mechanics, and are working with local vocational-technical education institutions to attract the best and the brightest. Tucker also talked more about the brand, what it will offer, and about the new Honest-1 opening in Clarkesville.

View the full story here. 

Honest-1 Auto Care on WBNS-10TV

Honest-1 Auto Care on WBNS-10TV

Danni Diol of Honest-1 Auto Care was recently featured on WBNS-10TV. For the 3 minute segment, Danni was interviewed giving great tips to viewers about fall car care and what they should do to make sure their car is running in top shape over the season. 

View the full segment here. 

New Year, New Look

It's a new year and we have a brand-new look to start 2014. Life is busy for everyone, so Mastermind Enterprises updated our website with a mobile-friendly new look just for you.

Now you can schedule appointments, read reviews, request estimates, get a map to our auto repair shop, watch automotive videos, find us on social sites, and get shop coupons anywhere easily with Mastermind’s new mobile site.

We value our customers and we wanted to make it even easier to take care of your auto repair needs at Mastermind Enterprises. Find friendly auto service, a family auto repair shop in Denver you can trust all at great prices - wherever you are, whatever device you are on.

Just go to www.mastermindofdenver.com 

and we will be there anytime, anywhere!

Check out our new look on your laptop or desktop, too. 

Happy 2014!!

Does Your Car Make the Grade?

As the end of summer nears, students are getting ready to head back to school. Whether it’s driving to college or carpooling with other neighborhood families, a properly maintained car is the safest, most dependable way to go.

“When your passengers are your children and their classmates, making sure your car gets more than a passing grade is extra important,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A preventive maintenance check-up and having any repairs performed will give parents peace of mind as their children travel to and from school.”

To make sure your car gets high marks for safety and dependability, the Car Care Council recommends a 21st century tune-up be performed to make sure the following systems are in proper working order: battery, charging and starting; engine mechanical; power train control; fuel; ignition; and emissions.

In addition, the following items should be in peak condition for car pool season: tires and tire pressure; brakes; hoses and belts; air filters; wipers; exterior and interior lighting; and fluid levels, including engine oil, power steering, transmission, brake, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

The Car Care Council also suggests that all vehicles have a roadside emergency kit on-hand that includes items such as flares, a first aid kit, a tire-changing jack, a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables and a blanket. In addition, important telephone numbers should be stored in the glove box or cell phone in case of a breakdown or emergency.

Source: Car Care Council

Factory Scheduled Maintenance & Preventive Maintenance

At Mastermind Enterprises we believe the best way to avoid expensive auto repairs is -
to keep up with regular scheduled maintenance.

Most auto owners change their car's oil every 3,000 miles or so, but overlook or are unaware of some important areas of their car's auto service needs. In fact, the most expensive maintenance task is an oil change. At around $35 every 3,000 miles you would spend $350 in oil changes for every 30,000 miles. On the other hand, a transmission service is around $175 and should be done every 30,000 miles. That is only half of what your costs are for oil changes in the same time frame.

Most maintenance items are under $150, that's a lot cheaper than the average auto repair. Let the professionals at Mastermind Enterprises go over or recommend what maintenance items your car needs most.

Mastermind Enterprises features BG Products & Services.
We insist on the best for your vehicle! 

To learn more about the benefits of BG Products and 
auto maintenance services by Mastermind Enterprises, 
click here to visit our website or watch the video below. 

Summer Car Care Tips

It's summer and your car is booked for family vacations and road trips. Road trips are a great time for bonding with family and friends. We thought you would like some basic car care tips to keep your car running its best for lots of family fun this summer. With proper car care, the only thing you have to worry about is how to get there!

Cracked hoses and belts, leaky radiators and water pump, under inflated tires and dirty filters can considerably lower your fuel mileage or worse, cause a complete breakdown of your car. When you arrive at your destination, the last thing you want to have to do is look for a mechanic because something has gone wrong with your car. Before you leave for your trip, you can take a few precautionary steps to make sure your car is running its best, save money at the pump and keep your family safe on the road.


Check your tires. Tire pressure changes with the rising temperatures - approximately 1 to 2 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10-degree increase in outside temperature. Consult your owner's manual or the sidewall of your tire to see what the ideal tire pressure should be. Check the tire pressure with a hand pressure gauge or just let the guys at Mastermind Enterprises Auto Care Center do it for you. Besides being a safety concern, improperly inflated tires and misaligned tires can lower your car's fuel economy. If your tires are a total of 8 pounds under-inflated - not uncommon at all - you will waste up to a gallon of gas per month!

Change your oil and oil filter. Oil is the lifeblood of your car. It keeps your hardworking engine parts running clean, smooth and cool. Most owner's manuals suggest you change your oil and oil filter every 7,500 miles (12,070 km). We suggest you change your oil every 3,000 miles (4,828 km). We offer an oil change at our auto repair shop that extends the life of your engine oil up to 5,000 miles (8,046 km). An engine is more likely to overheat during the summer, so be sure to check your oil before you head out on that road trip with the family. 

Change your air filter. During the winter, your car's air filter gets plugged with salt, dirt and other debris. A blocked air filter really lowers your fuel economy. Replacing a dirty or plugged air filter can raiser your gas mileage up to 10%. We recommend replacing your air filter every 12,000 miles (19,312 km) or 12 months. If you drive in severe conditions, replacement is recommended more often. Driving on dirt or gravel roads will plug your air filter much faster than highway driving. The only way to know if your air filter needs changing is to inspect it. 

Replace your windshield wipers. Summertime is famous for unexpected, strong thunderstorms. When gallons of water are hitting your windshield, you need your wipers to work properly. This is most important at night because rain can decrease your visibility by 15-20 feet in front of your car. 

Check your brakes. Your brakes are the single most important safety component of your car. Brakes need to be replaced when the lining on your brake pads or shoes is worn past the minimum thickness set by the manufacturer or state law. Make sure your family is safe by replacing worn or faulty brakes before you set out on your road trip. You can have your brake linings checked at Mastermind Enterprises Auto Care Center. 

Check hoses and belts. The key to successful summer road trips is keeping the engine cool. Check the hoses connected to the radiator which help pump coolant to and from your car's engine block. The belts run the fan(s) that help to cool the engine further. If the hoses crack or belts break, the radiator will soon overheat, leaving you stranded on the side of the road. 

Check the coolant (anti-freeze) and radiator. Cars are designed to run in hot weather, but there is a maximum to how how they should run. A combustion engine runs its best at approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). If your engine is allowed to get too hot, moving metal parts will start to melt and join together causing a variety of internal engine problems and a large repair bill, too. 

Clean your battery. Did you know hot weather is even tougher on your battery than colder weather? Chemical reactions inside the battery can be accelerated by summer heat causing an overcharged battery. This can dramatically shorten your battery life. Battery damage is also caused from evaporating internal battery fluid in the summer heat. For optimum battery performance, the most important thing to do is to keep your battery clean and secure in your engine compartment. 

Last, but definitely not least - service your air conditioning system! The best way to tell if you have a problem with your a/c is if it is not cooling and maintaining air temperatures to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) below the outside temperature. The most common issue is low refrigerant. This could be caused by a leak, so it's best to have it inspected by an automotive professional to look into the problem. 

These maintenance tips can be time consuming, that's why Mastermind Enterprises Auto Care Center is here to help you! Give us a call and schedule a quick trip check for your vehicle before you hit the road. You will have peace of mind knowing your vehicle will be reliable and the only question you have left to answer is, "Are we there yet?" 

We look forward to seeing you and serving your vehicle needs!

Happy Summer Travels!