Fort Collins Auto Repair

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

The experience of driving during winter is different from all other seasons. It's tough, to say the least. The fog, icy roads, heavy snow, freezing temperatures, to mention but a few, make driving such a daunting task. However, all is not lost. You can still do something about it. This article is to help you prepare better. Driving Tips During WinterClean Your Windshield Your windshield will frequently get iced during winter. If you do not clean it, you will have a hard time driving. You will also be putting your life at risk and that of the other road users because your visibility is poor. Use an ice scrapper to clean your windshield. If you don't have it, use a credit card or something similar. You can also pour tap water on the windshield using a hosepipe to melt the ice away. Turn Your Headlights On Visibility is a big deal during winter because of the rain and fog. For a better visibility, turn on your headlight ... read more

Getting your vehicle prepared for the winter months is necessary when it comes to keeping it reliable in the cold weather. From icy roads to falling snow, making sure that certain safety features are in top working condition will help keep you safe on the road. Getting stuck in the snow is never a fun time, and driving in certain weather conditions with a poorly maintained vehicle can put you at risk for an accident.  There are several steps that you can follow that will help keep you prepared for the winter months ahead. Let’s look at some of our top recommendations to follow starting this month before the Holidays:  One thing to check is your car’s battery. A battery that hasn’t been replaced in a few years can be at risk of losing enough power in low temperatures to cause your vehicle not to start. A test at our shop can tell you if your car battery can still hold its charge ... read more

Tires are a very important safety feature of your vehicle. They are the only thing sitting between your vehicle and the road, and a good set of tires is essential to proper control and road traction. We know that tires can be expensive, so extending the life of your tires as much as possible should be a priority. Plus, it's always a good idea to replace all four tires simultaneously. Uneven tire wear can happen over time, which is why rotating your vehicle's tire is so important.  What is a tire rotation? A tire rotation is service performed which rotates your tires to different positions. For example, your front tires are moved to the back, and the back tires are moved to the front. They are also rotated from left to right.  Depending on your vehicle, whether it is a front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive, certain tires may wear down faster than others. When you have your tires rotated, your tires will be able to wear down more evenly in comparison ... read more

Summer is supposed to be a time where you are free to take a road trip or drive to your favorite place to spend time with friends or family, or hey, yourself (we don't judge)! However, summer plans can quickly be thwarted when you find yourself dealing with a car breakdown. Not only are they stressful, but they can put your safety at risk on the road. It can also be costly having to deal with towing and repairing your vehicle. So, let's take a look at some of the causes of car breakdowns and what you can do to try to prevent them from happening this summer.  The summer heat can actually take a toll on our vehicles, especially when your vehicle is constantly parked in direct sunlight. It also just so happens that during the summer months, many drivers are using their vehicles much more often, which can also contribute to excessive wear and tear. Here are some of the main causes of why vehicles tend to breakdown during the summer months:  Batteries B ... read more

It's first thing in the morning and you’re already late for work. You hop in your car, turn the key to start it and...nothing.  The worst! You panic as you try to figure out what to do first: call someone--your boss, AAA, the Quick Lube who changed your oil two months ago...    We’re instead going to turn this panic into power and armor you with knowledge that will 1. keep you calm and 2. get you back on the road as soon as possible.    Your first step is to troubleshoot. And the best part is you can do this yourself. It is easier than you may think!    Start here:   When you turn the key in the ignition, does the engine crank (try to start)? Do the lights and radio come on? Do you hear a “clicking” noise? Or, does nothing happen at all (you might as well not even be trying here)?    Can you remember the last time the battery was replaced? You may simply need a new battery.   Or maybe you le ... read more

We love our cars. When they’re running great, we depend on them to get us to where we need to go. If you’ve ever been without a car, you know the freedom they represent.  But with great freedom comes great responsibility. Vehicles emit a host of toxic gases from combustion in the engine, which come right out the tailpipe and into the atmosphere.  Emissions tests are designed to ensure these gases are released at a safe limit, improving air quality and the environment. Therefore, these tests are government regulated.  You won’t legally be allowed to drive your vehicle if it fails its emissions test.  Whether you’re a “fix it when it breaks,” or “prevent a breakdown in the first place” kind of driver, the required emissions test will be the legal determiner if you can get your vehicle registered and drive it on public roads.  How do I get an emissions test? In Colorado, there are two options for getting a gas ... read more

Isn’t it frustrating to spend your time and money taking your vehicle to an auto shop only to learn the problem is something you could have easily fixed yourself?  Knowledge is power. Therefore, we believe part of our job to educate drivers on how their vehicles work. Be sure to pick our brains whenever you come into the shop.     But for now:     We have five secrets to keep you from needing to make that appointment call.   1. Save yourself a trip to the auto repair shop by taking care of your car battery   If you go to start your car and the engine won’t crank and the electronics (lights, radio, door locks, etc.) won’t work, your car battery might be dead.      Now, instead of having your vehicle towed to the shop, you can try a few things on your own.   First, check for corrosion on the battery terminals.   When corrosion builds up on the terminals, it can make for poor connection to ... read more

A recent study found that younger drivers are “1.5x more likely to identify popular emojis correctly” than the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) dash warning light. Who cares?   Well, while funny, the finding is also concerning. Dash warning lights are important indicators for things gone wrong with your car. Not understanding them can lead to unexpected and costly auto repairs.     Know about these dash warning lights and you’ll save time and money down the road   Do you know what the check engine light means? What about all the other lights that ocassionally pop up? Here's the download:   Most warning lights require professional diagnosis and repair. You can learn ... read more

Keep up on your vehicle maintenance and you’ll most likely avoid ever needing the help of an engine shop. But even proper diligence doesn't always stop a breakdown. Here are 6 signs that could indicate an engine needs repair. Check Engine Light There are many dash warning lights that can pop up. But here, we’re specifically talking about the check engine (or service engine soon) light. The presence of the check engine light is especially concerning if it is flashing. This indicates you need to get your vehicle to a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. Consider parking your vehicle and having it towed to the shop, especially if there are other symptoms such as the engine stuttering. When the check engine light is flashing it means the engine is in need of repair, and that further driving could cause permanent and irreparable engine damage. Smoke from Exhaust Some smok ... read more