Fort Collins Auto Repair

Storing a vehicle might seem like a simple job. Just park it somewhere and forget about it, right? Well, not exactly, especially if it will be in storage for a long time. There are a few easy steps you can follow, so you won't be surprised by problems once you take the car out of storage. Below, you will find exactly that - five easy steps you can follow for preparing your car for storage. 1. Take The Car To A Shop The first thing you should do is check all important parts at a repair shop. This will ensure that the underlying problem won't escalate over time. Also, fluids can be changed, ensuring there won't be any leaks or clogging. For example, if the suspension is left untouched while it has problems, it can lead to broken springs, hydraulic leaks, and a lot more. 2. Empty The Gas Tank Fuel has the tendency to eat plastic over a long period of time, despite it being resistant. This is especially true if you store a car with a full g ... read more

After a cold winter season, your car has been through quite a lot. To add on top of that, spring is coming soon as well. Keeping this in mind, you might want to do something for your vehicle. Maybe some repair work that got forgotten during the winter or some newfound problems. Whichever the case may be, don't worry; below you will find out seven tips and tricks on how to prepare your car for the new spring season. 1. Computer Diagnostics Computer diagnostics are a great way to have an idea of everything that's going on in your vehicle. Instead of guessing or having unnecessary inspections performed, this can save you time and money. 2. Go In For A Tune-Up Tune-ups are a package of procedures, including everything from tire checks to spark plug changes. They are a great way of gaining a few lost horsepower and keeping the car's vital components fresh. 3. UV Protection And Ceramic Coating If you want to prepare your ca ... read more

Looking for a quicker and easier way to sell your vehicle? Maybe something to do with the price, description, or pictures. We can give you a couple of tips to assist you during the preparation that goes on before selling. Cleaning The Vehicle The first thing you have to do before selling your vehicle is to have it detailed or at least cleaned. A good detailing job can make the interior and exterior of the car look presentable and appealing to the potential buyer. Furthermore, during inspections from buyers, the car feels new and fresh. Get It Serviced Taking your car to a repair shop for a regular service procedure can benefit you greatly. Adding a part to the vehicle's description where you mention that it is serviced and ready to drive can attract people - especially those who don't have time for service appointments. Also, a freshly serviced and oiled-up vehicle can make a good impression during a test drive. Good Description ... read more

Having your vehicle’s heater go out on you in the middle of the winter is the worst situation to be in. While you may try to shrug it off at first, it can make you (and your passengers) super uncomfortable. If you don’t want to freeze in your vehicle, please bring your car to ASR Automotive for heating repairs. Below are the five most common explanations for heater malfunction. Not Enough Coolant The first place you should check is your coolant levels since the heater is directly connected to the cooling system. When your vehicle is low on coolant, it won’t bring the engine's heat through your heater core.   Bad Heater Core The heater core is a part of the cooling system and HVAC systems. Similar to the radiator, the heater core can get clogged. When coolant can’t get through, you will get cool air instead of warm air.  Stuck Heater Controls The switches and knobs can go bad over time. So, if they are stuck or unresponsive, you will nee ... read more

When it comes to car maintenance, one of the most important things you can do is pay attention to the noises your car makes. While some noises are normal for certain parts of a vehicle, other noises should cause your immediate concern and often indicate that something needs repair or replacement. Common Car Noises 1. Grinding or scraping noises when braking. This could be a sign that you need new brake pads, and the longer you wait to get it fixed, the worse damage could result. 2. Squealing noise coming from under the hood. This might indicate a problem with your alternator belt, which is responsible for powering the electrical components of your car. 3. Rattling noise when you accelerate. If the rattling persists and gets louder as you speed up, it could be a sign that something is wrong with your exhaust system. 4. Whining noise from the engine. This could signify low oil levels or a faulty fuel pump, both of which are serious issues that need to be dealt with quickly. 5. Pop ... read more

The electrical system within your vehicle is one of the many parts that have advanced significantly over the years. Your car consists of labyrinths of wires, relays, circuits, and fuse boxes. If any of them malfunctions, it can impact the overall performance of your car. Therefore, it is vital to keep an eye out for weak electrical signs to avoid major inconveniences. Below are 4 of the most common electrical system problems in cars. Dead Battery A battery that can't hold a charge is one of the most widespread problems across all vehicles. Dealing with a car that won't start can be very frustrating. Such a problem may result from a leak in the battery, end of battery life, or any other damage to the battery. Malfunctioning Alternator Like the battery, an alternator plays an integral role in the electrical system. It is responsible that your battery gets charged as you drive. If it is malfunctioning, you may notice a slow loss in power output. You might lose speed or see fl ... read more

Every car owner hopes to have their brand new car tires last for about four to five years. And, considering the fact that they cost a fortune, this is a perfectly reasonable expectation. However, there are numerous occasions where tires can wear down prematurely. This article offers a detailed overview of the causes of untimely tire wear down. Unbalanced Inflation The more frequent the driving, the more pressure is exerted on your car tires. This continuous action results in reduced pressure which is the top cause of premature wearing and tearing of car tires. The reverse is also true; over-inflation also speeds up the wear and tear of car tires during driving. Mismatch  A car tire mismatch can be as a result of difference in size and type of your car tires or a variation in tires internal pressure – one tire having more air pressure than another. These variations speed up the wear and tear if the tires. Mechanical Issues  If a section of your car-parts is in bad ... read more

When getting an oil change, it is imperative that you or your technician is using the right type of oil for your vehicle’s specific make and model. Most of the time, you can find this information on the owner’s manual. There are three main types of motor oil: Synthetic, Semi-sythetic, and Conventional. They all have their pros and cons – read on to learn about how they differ. Synthetic Oil Synthetic oils are the new, chemically-engineered lubricant that offer excellent performance and consistency. They are popular in modern engine designs, and their consistency minimizes friction. Furthermore, they are highly resistant to heat. They are durable an able to go the longest in between service. Synthetic oil can last up to 7,500 miles or more, which is why they are preferred by a lot of drivers. Synthetic oil also costs more money than the other two types. However, less frequent oil change services may result in financial savings over time. Conventional Oil Convention ... read more

A vehicle is a sophisticated system that comprises thousands of parts. Each of these parts requires a specific type of fluid to operate effectively. Car owners commonly panic whenever they encounter a fluid leak, and in most cases, such a reaction is warranted. But not every fluid that leaks out of your car spells trouble for you. Others might be normal and perfectly harmless. However, we advise against making the general assumption that any fluid that comes from your vehicle is normal and should not be given immediate attention. That is why we have combined a list of typical types of car fluid leaks that you are likely to encounter while using your car. Oil Leak: This is the most common type of fluid leak. It is usually represented by a black stain or puddle. Oil leaks typically occur in the gaskets and at the oil plan situated in the engine. If the oil leak occurs from under your vehicle, it indicates that your gasket is faulty and needs immediate attention ... read more

When it comes to preventing crashes on the road, your brakes are your first line of protection. In actuality, brake failure causes 300,000 automobile accidents annually in the United States. Keep yourself and others safe by keeping up with brake maintenance and having them replaced when the manufacturer recommends. How often should you get your brake pads replaced? The majority of manufacturers suggest replacing brake pads every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. However, if you see any of the indicators discussed below, you should immediately replace the brake pads. Allowing brake pads to grow too thin can lead to more expensive problems, such as replacing the brake rotor. In addition, your driving style and the type of brakes you purchase will determine how frequently you must change them. For instance, if you spend a great deal of time in stop-and-go traffic, you will likely need to change your brake pads more frequently than a highway commuter. In addition, the two-footed driver tends to ... read more