Fort Collins Auto Repair

Are you noticing any signs of a leak in your vehicle? If so, it's important to take action quickly to prevent further damage. Signs of a leak can include an odd smell, drops of fluid under the vehicle, or a puddle under the car. If you notice any of these signs, it's important to determine the cause of the leak and take steps to fix it. Common sources of leaks include the oil pan, transmission, radiator, fuel tank, and air conditioning system. Another way to check for signs of a leak is to visually inspect the underbody of your vehicle. Look for any wet spots, as well as any spots that look like they have been recently cleaned up. Another sign of a leak is pooling oil or coolant. If you see either of these liquids pooled underneath the car, it's likely that there is a leak somewhere. Another tell-tale sign of a leak is a burning smell coming from the engine. This is often caused by oil or coolant leaking onto the hot engine and burning off. It's important to look out ... read more

If you and your family are hitting the roads for the holidays, know that you will be one of many. In a perfect world, holiday road trips are full of spirit and fun. While few families use this opportunity to jam out to Christmas carols, many sit in stress or frustration. To prevent a disaster on the road, we’d like to share these tips to ensure your road trip is safe and as stress-free as possible: Stay buckled up - Safety always comes first. That said, make sure everyone in the car is buckled in. Store valuables - For longer trips that span for several hours, stops for gas, restrooms, and even meals are inevitable. When you make stops, ensure valuables (including christmas gifts) are stored out of sight.  Prepare for icy conditions - Depending on where you’re traveling, you might hit some icy or snowy conditions. Make sure you take it slow while on the road. Additionally, make sure your vehicle is equipped to handle such conditions. Some areas to check include tir ... read more

Have you heard that annoying sound coming from your car when you brake? That is probably not because your car is haunted. It is more likely that something in the braking system has gone awry—and it is time to bring your car in for inspection and repairs. What Causes The Vibration And Shuddering Sound When Breaking? The most common cause of a shuddering sound when braking is warped brake rotors. Brake rotors are the large metal discs that sit at either end of your car's wheels and help slow it down as you press on the pedal. They are also massive heat sinks, meaning they absorb a lot of energy from friction between them and the pads that press against them to create friction and slow down your vehicle. When this friction heats up the rotors too much, they warp just like any other piece of metal would when heated too much—and when they warp, they begin vibrating under pressure from your brakes. This vibrating creates an audible noise as well as a sensation that feels l ... read more

One of the worst feelings you can have as a car owner is getting in your vehicle, cranking the ignition, and: nothing. No noise, no sounds, just a blinking red light and no ability to get where you need to go. But when this happens, what are you to do? Is it a battery issue, a faulty electrical system, time for a new alternator, or do you just need a jump? Let's talk about different kinds of startup problems and which ones mean what repairs. Dead Battery When your car doesn't start, this is the problem you want it to be. A dead battery can be caused by leaving your lights on or your key in the ignition for extended periods of time. If this happens, then all you need is a jump start from a family member, friend, or Good Samaritan. Faulty Starter If a jump start isn't doing anything and you really need to get going, then the starter might be the problem. You'll need to have this problem handled professionally, as there could be a few things to look at. Your battery mi ... read more

Most cars on the road nowadays have various filters on board to keep everything running through the car clean. When our vehicles don’t run well, car filters don’t usually come to mind. However, clean filters play a significant role in keeping your car in tip-top shape. Read on to learn about the three important filters in the modern vehicle. Cabin Air Filter Cabin air filters can be made out of  paper, foam, and cotton. They are responsible for catching debris and contaminants so that you can breathe clean, harmless air in the cabin. They can even help in absorbing unnatural odors to make your car smell better. As your filter collects all the dust and pollutants over time, the filter will eventually get clogged. As a result, you may find an off-smell in your car, less air going through your vents, or even a noisier fan. Fortunately, these filters are affordable and worthwhile to replace.  Engine Air Filter Speaking of engines, the motor has its own air filter ... read more

Your car's engine is typically its heart. In the case that it comes on, then you need to do something about it. The behavior of the light depends on the problem. The lights can either stay illuminated or keep blinking, in the latter case then it means the car needs immediate attention. How it Works The check engine light is turned on by your car's diagnostic computer system when it detects a problem that is or will affect the car's functionality. Together with other warning lights like the seatbelt symbol and fuel symbol light, the check engine light comes on every time the car starts. Don't be bothered by this, it is normal however, if the light stays on then there may be a serious issue. The 5 common reasons why your Check Engine Light came on Gas Cap Issue: This is one of the easiest and cheapest ones to fix. Check if the gas cap is loose and also check if it is missing or damaged. If not fixed, you will lose a lot of fuel to the atmosphere. Malfunction of the ... read more

Without healthy tires, you wouldn't be going anywhere with your car. To keep your tires running in tip-top shape, you’re going to need frequent tire rotations. Tire rotation is exactly what you think it is. It involves changing the position of your tires from back to front and/or left to right. This minor maintenance item can go a long way in extending the life of your tires and make your drives safer and more pleasant.   In some cases, tire rotations are required services if you want your warranty to be valid. Automakers typically recommend the service every 5,000 miles, give or take. You can do every oil change or tune-up to make things easier for you.   Most car makers don’t do this to get money out of you, since you can have them done anywhere. They do it knowing that rotating your tires will extend the life of your tires. A careful and precise tire rotation gives our technicians a chance to take a deeper look at the health and condition of your tires ... read more

Between rising gas prices and the environmental impact of gas-powered cars, it's important to start thinking about ways to conserve fuel wherever possible. Although there are many things that you can do to improve your car's fuel efficiency, these tips will help you get started. Read on to learn how to improve your car's fuel efficiency today! 1) Check Tire Pressure Underinflated tires can reduce fuel efficiency by 1% for every pound per square inch (PSI) below optimal PSI. Before you travel, make sure your tires are at their proper pressure and check them regularly thereafter. This quick action will not only save you money but help our environment, too! 2) Keep Your Car in Good Condition When your car is well-maintained, it runs more efficiently and lasts longer. By keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape, you can save money on gas and be safer on the road. Consider taking your car into a mechanic for regular checkups and tune-ups. You should also change your oil every ... read more

The power steering system is responsible for providing steering assistance to the driver of a vehicle. When this system fails, it can result in a loss of steering control. A power steering system warning light is one way that a vehicle's onboard computer can warn the driver of a problem with this system. What Does the Power Steering System Warning Light Mean? The power steering system warning light is an indicator that there is a problem with the power steering system. This light may come on due to a variety of different issues, such as low fluid levels or a malfunctioning sensor. If this light comes on, it is important to have the power steering system checked by a qualified technician as soon as possible. How to Respond When the Power Steering System Warning Light Comes On If the power steering system warning light comes on, it is important to take action right away. First, check the power steering fluid levels and add fluid if needed. If this does not fix the problem, then t ... read more

If your company has a fleet of Sprinter vans that need maintenance regularly to keep your business running smoothly, we can help. Our Sprinter van specialists will take care of your Sprinters and make sure that all of the necessary maintenance and repairs are performed so that you'll never lose out on business because of a broken down van. Our priority is to keep your van running smoothly and safely on the road, whether you own just one or a fleet for your business. If you own a Sprinter Van and are due for scheduled maintenance or need a major or minor repair, you can trust the professionals here at our auto repair shop. We have the latest tools and technology to properly repair and service your van. Our experienced technicians are specially trained to work on all models of Sprinter vehicles and can assist with any service or repair that you may need. Our Sprinter van services include: Alternator replacement Brake repairs/services Drive belt replacement Driv ... read more