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!

Honest Mechanic vs Cheap Mechanic

Let's face it, we are ALL trying to save money anywhere we can. We want to save our money for the fun things in life! At Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver, you get an honest mechanic who will tell you the truth about your vehicle's service and repair needs, even if it hurts.

We help you save money on your automotive needs in the long run and determine if it is worth it to invest money to repair your vehicle or time to get a new one. Sometimes a car is not economically repairable, and we will tell you that, too. We can help you from picking a good vehicle with pre-purchase inspections to maintaining your dream vehicle. We are well aware that there is always someone who will do it cheaper than we can provide at times.

Cheaper auto repair is not better auto repair.

The importance of a good mechanic is not something that can be measured only by saving money on your auto repair in Denver. It is important that you are receiving a good value as well as a good price tag. At Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver, you get an honest mechanic at a good price.

We aren't the cheapest auto repair shop in Denver and we aren't the most expensive auto repair shop in Denver, either. We are right in the middle for our prices, but our service can't be beat. You get a friendly face, all of your automotive questions answered honestly, a continous growing list of testimonials from other customers (so you can feel comfortable before you even give us a call), a great value on your auto repair, accurate estimates, a family-friendly auto repair shop and much more.

Call Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver
 at 303-297-2886 now!

Ask us how we can help you with 
your auto repair service needs in Denver!

Common Repairs We Take Care Of Include - 

FREE Basic Diagnosis with Repairs, Full Computer Diagnostic, Scheduled Car Maintenance, Alternator, Battery, Brake Pads, Brake Rotors, Belts, Timing Belts, Timing Chains, Water Pump, Spark Plugs, Tune Ups, Oil Change, Check Engine Light, Service Engine Soon Light, O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor), Gaskets, Ignition Coils, No Start, Won't Start, Coolant, Radiator Leak, Radiator Replacement, Exhaust Leak, Mass Air Flow Sensor, Catalytic Converter, Muffler, Fuel Pump, Suspension, Ball Joints, Control Arms, Strut Assembly, Shock Absorber, Heater Core, Engine Mount, Fuel Pump, Axles, Universal Joint, Wipers, A/C (Air Conditioning) & Heating Systems, Bulbs, Fluid Flush, Engine Repair, Engine Replacement, Transmission Service, Transmission Replacement, Clutch Replacement, Pre-Purchase Inspections, Differential, Transfer Case Service & MORE!

Call Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver

 at 303-297-2886 now! 
Happy Travels!

Expensive Car Repair Mistake #3 - Ignoring Vehicle Symptoms

We pay attention to symptoms that our bodies give us when something is wrong. If we ignore these
symptoms, we can end up paying thousands in medical bills. Your vehicle works the same way. Your vehicle has many different ways to tell you if something is not operating as it should in one of its many systems.

When something doesn't sound, smell, or look right, check under your hood first. Your mechanic will thank you for knowing more about your vehicle and you can potentially save a lot of money, too.

Never ignore a constant symptom with your vehicle!

The most important things your vehicle needs are regular oil changes, automatic transmission flushes and brakes. By having these services performed at regular intervals by a qualified technician, your vehicle can also be checked for any symptoms you may have missed or other services needed before they turn into large repairs needed.

In between these services, it is important to listen to what your vehicle is telling you, so you can identify a simple problem before it turns into a major problem! For example, if your is pulling to the left while you are driving, you could have low tire pressure in one of your tires. An easy fix of removing a nail in your tire and having it patched could prevent a flat tire and even an accident.

Is your check engine light on? It could be a simple problem such as a bad oxygen sensor or just a loose gas cap.

You should be checking the following regularly without any abnormal symptoms from your vehicle:

• air filter
• wiper blades
• fluid levels (brake, power steering, coolant, oil, transmission)
• Battery terminals (Are they corroded?)   
• Belts (Are there any visible cracks?)

If one of the above items are mentioned when you bring your vehicle in for service, ask the mechanic to show it to you or to keep the old parts if you approve the repairs when given an estimate. If you want to wait to have the repairs or service completed, ask the shop these questions: 

• What are the downsides of waiting for the repairs? 
• Does it need to be completed right away? 
• Is it a safety issue? 
• Will the part fail and leave me stranded if I wait?

Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair in Denver will offer you suggestions of what the most important service your vehicle will need in the next 10,000-20,000 miles. We want to give you time to decide how and when you want to service you vehicle. By offering you recommendations, you can make the best plan for repairing your vehicle. We realize every vehicle has different needs based on driving conditions and the driver, that's why we customize a plan that works for you and your specific vehicle needs.

It's true that noises are part of operating a vehicle, 
but not all noises are normal.

If you have a question about your vehicle, we are happy to help. Sometimes the answer will be, "We will need you to bring your vehicle in for a diagnosis before we can give you an accurate estimate." If you already know what is wrong with your vehicle, we are happy to provide you with a free estimate on repairs.

Abnormal Vehicle Symptoms to Pay Attention To Right Away

• Check Engine Light On
• Vehicle Dash Warning Lights On
• Abnormal Sounds (See List Below)
• Unusual Smells (including a maple syrup smell)
• Unusual Visible Symptoms (Leaks, Smoking)
• Lack of Power
• Intermittently Starting Vehicle
• Incorrectly Marking Gauges (Temperature, Gas, Speedometer, etc.)

Abnormal Vehicle Sounds to Pay Attention To Right Away

• Loud bang or Thumping 
• Flapping or Whining
• Any sound when turning a corner
• Clunking when braking 
• Scraping, Grinding or Squealing wheels when applying brakes
• Grinding manual transmission when shifting
• Hissing or sizzling under the hood
• Knocking, Popping, Tapping, or Clicking from the engine compartment
• Low-pitch humming or Rattles from under the car
• Squealing, Chirping or Roaring that increases with acceleration

Ignoring your vehicle's abnormal symptoms will not make them magically go away. Fixing the problem as soon as you notice something is wrong can save you from bigger, more expensive repairs down the road.

Call Mastermind Enterprises Today at 303-297-2886 with questions you have about your vehicle or bring your vehicle in anytime using our 24 Hour Key Drop! 

Thank you for your business!

Expensive Car Repair Mistake #2 - Ignoring a Check Engine Light

Ignoring your check engine light or service engine soon light can mean major repairs for your vehicle, possibly even an engine replacement. 

One of the most critical warnings that your vehicle can give you when it is not functioning properly is to illuminate your check engine light or service engine soon light. The main function of a check engine light is to alert the driver to a variety of existing potential problems, even if the vehicle appears to be running normally. At Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver, we offer you a FREE computer scan and diagnosis* in our shop.

Don't Just Turn Off Your Check Engine Light - 

Fix the Problem!

The check engine light means that you need to get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. You don't necessarily have to pull over to the side of the road immediately and call a tow truck. There could be a problem from something as simple as a loose gas cap to a seriously misfiring engine to a faulty catalytic converter.

WARNING!!

Your Check Engine Light May Signal a SERIOUS PROBLEM!

• Failures that can leave you stranded
• System malfunction(s) that can damage other systems
• Up to 40% decrease in gas mileage
• Catastrophic damage that can cost you more later
• Emissions test failure

There are numerous systems that turn on the check engine light including the ignition system, fuel injection system or the emission control system. The light will also let you know if there is a simple problem with your engine that is affecting your gas mileage.

Let Mastermind Enterprises diagnose your Check Engine Light!

Call us today at 303-297-2886 or send us an email. 

Check Engine Lights come in different colors including orange, yellow or amber (depending on the vehicle manufacturer). If your check engine light or service engine soon light is flashing, it is telling you there is a more serious problem like a misfire. A misfire can overheat the catalytic converter that could create a fire hazard if it is malfunctioning.

Common malfunctions that illuminate the Check Engine Light are:

• a loose gas cap
• faulty oxygen sensors
• faulty mass air sensor
• faulty spark plugs or wires
• faulty catalytic converter(s)
• poor gas mileage

When you take your vehicle to a shop for a check engine light diagnosis, make sure they have professional ASE Certified technicians who are trained in OBDII diagnosis and repair. The technician needs to understand and examine the data streams including the idle speed, throttle response, engine temperature, fuel system pressure, manifold vacuum, exhaust emission levels and many other symptoms that point to what is causing the problem when plugging in a diagnostic tool to your vehicle's computer.

Your vehicle's computer can also be scanned by an inexpensive code reader or at a local auto parts store for free, but this will not necessarily tell you the problem your vehicle is having. It is a common misconception that the code given by the vehicle's computer instantly "diagnoses" the vehicle. The code simply gives the technician looking at your vehicle a starting point of where to start looking for problems. If you know the codes your vehicle's computer is producing, it is always helpful to the technician servicing your vehicle.

Turning off your Check Engine Light does not repair the underlying problem and the light will come back on later, possibly leading to larger, more costly repairs later. 

If your "Service Required" light comes on, this is different then the Check Engine Light or Service Engine Soon Light. This simply means your vehicle is due for an oil change or other scheduled maintenance. This light is a friendly reminder that it is time bring your vehicle in before you have bigger problems to worry about. It does not tell you that there is a problem with your vehicle.

For any questions you have regarding your vehicle's Check Engine Light or Service Engine Soon Light, call Mastermind Enterprises today at 303-297-2886. We are happy to help you with your vehicle's needs every mile of the way!

FREE Check Engine Light Diagnosis* at 

Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver

* Diagnosis up to 1 hour. Excludes Electrical Diagnosis. With approved repairs in our shop.

Expensive Car Repair Mistake #1 - Neglecting Oil and Filter Changes

Not paying attention to simple maintenance could mean thousands of dollars in auto repair bills down the road. This includes changing your oil and filters, changing fluids, or having small car repairs, such as a timing belt replacement, completed now instead of later. Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair in Denver offers a free visual inspection with all oil changes in our shop. We offer a 5,000 mile oil change with BG MOA to give you peace of mind and more time between oil changes.

At Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop in Denver, our goal is to save you money for the life of your vehicle. We provide you with recommendations and an estimate for your vehicle's specific needs when we inspect it in our shop.

Always check your owner's manual for the manufacturer recommendations for your specific car and follow them. It is VERY important to change your oil regularly. Oil keeps your engine lubricated, clean and reduces friction that can wear down your engine parts. It also decreases contaminants in the oil that will shorten the engine life.

If oil changes are not performed regularly, you could be looking at an engine replacement for your car, too. Changing your oil on your own can cost you approximately $25 or cost you approximately $56 at the shop, but an engine replacement can cost more than $3,000! For example, on a 2005 Expedition with a 5.4L V8 Engine, if the oil is not changed regularly or run low (even one time), you will be replacing an engine very soon at a cost of over $6,000!

Save yourself money, time and problems by having your oil changes and services performed at our friendly, family auto repair shop in Denver. Back by popular demand is our $29.99 Oil Change Special. Ask for the special or use the coupon below through October!

Call Mastermind Enterprises at 303-297-2886 

to schedule your next oil change! 

We look forward to serving you soon!

Thank you for your business!

Estimate & Appointment Requests

We are celebrating America's birthday weekend with family, but you can still submit an estimate or appointment request for auto repair or service on our website anytime. Of course, you can always call us at 303-297-2886 and leave a voicemail for us, too! Use our 24 Hour Key Drop to drop your vehicle off this weekend. We will respond on Monday when we are back in the shop. Have a great weekend!

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. 

Avoid Costly Breakdowns with Timing System Repairs

Don’t take chances.  
Replace timing belts, tensioners and idlers BEFORE they fail.

The right time to replace timing belts. Timing belts are considered wear items and should be checked according to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. Most manufacturers suggest replacing the belt between 60,000 to 105,000 miles. Check the manufacturer’s recommendation on mileage in your vehicle's owner's manual.

A broken timing belt will stop a vehicle in an instant. 

It can also result in costly engine damage and inconvenience. 

Free-Running or Interference Engine? An engine is either “interference” or “free-running” depending on its design. If the timing belt breaks in an interference engine, an open valve may be struck by a moving piston. This can result in serious damage and expensive repairs, and in some cases even a new engine. A “free-running” engine design will not result in extensive engine damages should the timing belt fail. You will still have to deal with the inconvenience of being stranded, towing expense, and the cost of timing belt replacement and necessary timing system components.


Tensioners and idlers are critical components that work hand-in-hand with the timing belt. Tensioners and idlers work together to keep the timing belt properly tensioned. The timing belt system uses idlers and/or pulleys to either change the direction of the belt or transmit power to a component such as a water pump or oil pump.


Why replace tensioners and idlers? Worn tensioners or idler pulley bearings are the leading causes of timing belt failures. Like timing belts, tensioners and idlers wear out. They need to be replaced BEFORE they fail. Tensioner and idler wear is difficult to detect. Many tensioners that look okay may be at or near the end of their service life. In some cases, the newly installed timing belt may fail after a few thousand miles if the tensioner or idler is worn or loose.


Should timing belt driven water pumps be replaced? You can save yourself considerable expense by replacing an already high mileage water pump at the same time as replacing the timing belt. In both cases the labor cost is a large part of the expense and the labor procedures are basically the same. Doing everything at the same time will result in big long-term cost savings. Save money by asking for a water pump when having a timing system replacement on your vehicle. When replacing a timing belt, have the tensioner, idler and water pump replaced at the same time. The additional cost is insignificant compared to the cost of accessing the timing belt. The new timing belt will be protected from damage caused by failure of these parts.

Don’t take chances. Replace timing belts, tensioners and idlers before they fail! Don’t take chances with costly engine damage – replace timing belts and all related system components at the same time. Change Timing Belts, Tensioners, Idlers, and Water Pumps at the Manufacturer's recommended interval.

Mastermind Enterprises gives FREE Timing Belt Estimates 

and a 12 Month/12,000 Mile Nationwide Warranty. 
Most timing belt replacements can be done in one day or less.

Call us at 303-297-AUTO (2886) or send us an email today!

Save Money on Car Repair Bills in Denver

With labor rates at other auto repair shops in Denver climbing as high as $120+/hour, you can get an ASE Master Certified Technician every time in Denver for only $80/hour at Mastermind Enterprises. Get quality and value with a 12 month/12,000 mile nationwide warranty! You always have an automotive professional working on your vehicle and you always get a low labor rate.

When the ‘check engine’ light comes on, it always manages to ruin one’s day because you know what is forthcoming: an expensive repair bill. Yet some owners may not have it as bad as others, based simply upon the state they live in.

CarMD analyzed roughly 80,000 repairs made on vehicles between January 1 and December 31, 2010. The average cost of repairs does not include tires, brakes, or mechanical parts (including belts and hoses), but does include repairs associated with the vehicle’s on-board diagnostic computer.

According to the report, drivers in Arizona paid the most for car repairs, with an average bill of $421.49. Conversely, those in the District of Columbia paid the least, with an average of $265.29. What’s the deal? CarMD suggests it’s partly because Arizona’s dry and extremely warm weather — while somewhat immune to the rust bug — places a considerable strain on a vehicle’s subsystems. On average, car owners in the state pay 23 percent more than the national average of $365.04, but it’s not alone.

States in located in the western corner of our country round out the top five most expensive markets; averages for New Mexico, Colorado, California, and Nevada reportedly amount $406.81, $397.83, $394.49, and $393.96, respectively.

On the other end of the spectrum? Missouri follows D.C. with a state average of $297.27, while Ohio trails in third place by a dollar, with an average of $298.49. Interestingly, CarMD claims states with lower repair costs had more gas cap-related problems, and more repairs (12 percent in D.C. alone) were made at no cost, likely because the repairs were made under manufacturer’s warranty on newer cars.

So, where do you think your state ranks? We’ve included the top 10 most expensive and the top 10 least expensive.

Most Expensive: 
1. Arizona $421.49
2. New Mexico $406.81
3. Colorado $397.83
4. California $394.49
5. Nevada $393.96
6. Washington $386.62
7. Hawaii $385.54
8. North Dakota $384.67
9. Rhode Island $384.24
10. South Dakota $374.61

Least Expensive: 
1. D.C. $265.29
2. Missouri $297.27
3. Ohio $298.49
4. Wisconsin $298.76
5. Nebraska $301.79
6. Mississippi $315.43
7. Tennessee $316.64
8. Indiana $317.33
9. New Hampshire $318.14
10. Minnesota $318.54

Source: CarMD