Fort Collins Auto Repair

An alternator is a generator that's responsible for charging a vehicle's battery and activating power to the engine. A series of components are involved in the process which includes the stator and rotator, diodes, voltage regulator, and cooling fan. Here are some tips on how you can tell when your alternator is faulty.   Electrical Failures - Dimming headlights and lights switching on randomly on the dashboard. Electronically powered processes such as turning on window wipers, moving windows up and down, and changing seat position, might become affected.   Battery Light On - When the alternator is losing power, the battery light might switch on, showing on your On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) and appearing on your dashboard.   Weak Battery - Batteries don't have a long life. If it's starting to fail, the alternator won't be able to charge it. By jump-starting your vehicle and removing the jump leads quickly, you'll be able to test if the alterna ... read more

The cold temperatures in Fort Collins, CO, and surrounding areas can cause many drivers to experience a loss in tire pressure. The shift in temperature can cause the air in your tire to contract when it is cold and expand when it is warm. In some cases, it may even trigger a "Check Tire Pressure" message or TPMS light to come on your dashboard. This warning can be a shock or a concern for many of us. However, there is no need to worry. The light does not mean anything but a substantial tire pressure loss.   Keeping your tire pressure constant can be challenging this time of year, which is why all drivers are encouraged to check their tire's air pressure at least once a month.    The air pressure in your tires is usually their lowest at night or early morning, so you may see the TPMS light come on then. Once you start driving and the tires warm-up, the pressure may increase, causing a TPMS light to turn off. If you still notice the light on your dashboar ... read more

Leaving your home early morning this time of year can be a hassle, especially if your windshield has completely been frozen over. Plus, who has all that extra time to wait for their defrosters to kick in? Below are two reliable methods on how to speed up the defrosting process.  Rubbing Alcohol Make a solution with two parts alcohol and one part water. Room temperature or cold water will work best. Before applying the mixture on your windshield, make sure you're wearing gloves. Add the alcohol and water solution into a spray bottle.  Spray the mixture onto your windshield until it is completely defrosted. We advise storing the spray bottle and a pair of gloves in your car throughout the winter, so you have easy access whenever you need them. Warm Water Pour lukewarm water over your windows. Make sure it is not boiling, as that could crack and damage your windshield.  After you've covered the windshield, wipe away the slush/slushy mixture with a scraper. An ... read more

​ If you have travel plans in the upcoming weeks, you're probably dreading the long car ride. Instead of sitting for miles and miles doing nothing, why not try to pass the time by having a holiday karaoke sesh in your car? It'll be even better if you have friends or family to chime in. Before you venture out on your holiday road trip, be sure to compile a playlist, so you can just hit play and ride hands-free. Here are some of our favorite timeless classics! All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey White Christmas by Bing Cosby Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas by Michael Buble Santa Claus is Comin' to Town by Bruce Springsteen Rockin Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee Blue Christmas by Elvis Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt Believe by Josh Groban (for all the Polar Express fans) You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch by Thurl Ravenscroft Jingle Bells by Fr ... read more

The oil light is one of the most crucial dashboard warning lights you need to be on the lookout for. Engine oil in your car's engine is just like the blood in the human body. Your car needs it! Not only that, but the oil has to have at the right amount and at the proper pressure. It's simple if you think of your oil warning light as a blood pressure warning. So once you have been alerted by the light, you need to stop driving and get immediate professional assistance.   If your engine loses oil pressure, it will trigger the oil warning light to come on. If it is red, it means you need to stop the car and get it in a safe spot. A red oil pressure light means there is a severe threat to your engine. Running your engine with low oil pressure is just as detrimental as running your engine without any oil at all. So if you keep driving, the damage can spread quickly!   You should keep in mind that the oil light does not indicate the amount of oil in the engine; it's ... read more

The fuel filter inside your car plays a vital role - it ensures that the fuel flowing to your vehicle's engine is clean. Natural gasoline can contain and pick up particles and other contaminants along its path, including rust. The fuel filter separates it, and over time it will get clogged. When the filter is no longer effective, it can restrict fuel flow. As a result, your engine won't get the sufficient amount of gas it needs. Thus, you will face very dramatic consequences. This is why it's so important for vehicle owners to change out their fuel filters when necessary.   To answer the big question (the title): Approximately every two years or 30,000 miles. However, the numbers will be dependent on the make, model, and age of your car. It will also depend on your external environment and your personal driving habits. One way to determine if the fuel filter needs to be replaced is by having a mechanic run a fuel system pressure test. This method can inform us if the ... read more

Wheel alignment is a highly involved subject covering many different aspects of your car, SUV, or truck. Misaligned wheels are when your tires point in the wrong direction and can be corrected by a proper wheel alignment. As you can guess, misaligned wheels are a significant safety hazard as it will affect your steering and suspension. Additionally, they could influence your safety and the stability of your tires.   There are various ways for your vehicle to lose its alignment.  Wheel misalignment can be induced by: Ramming into potholes Hitting the curb  Flying through speed bumps Crashing into concrete parking stalls General wear and tear—as cars age, their rubber parts will start cracking or losing their elasticity. Ball and socket joints will also become loose.   What Happens If You Skip Over a Wheel Alignment? If you overlook misaligned wheels, you might as well be throwing all your money out the window. Without the proper adjustments, your trea ... read more

Antifreeze, also known as coolant, is a mixture of ethylene glycol, lubricant, and inhibitors to be put into your vehicle's radiator. A 50/50 dilution with water turns the antifreeze into a coolant, which maintains a stable temperature within the engine. Coolant is usually seen as a colorful solution that enables your car to function optimally in hot and cold climates. Here's an analysis of what antifreeze does for your vehicle.   PREVENTS FREEZING As the name implies, the antifreeze will stop the h2O in your car's engine and radiator from freezing in cold weather conditions. If the water in your radiator or engine freezes up, it may cause significant engine damage that will be expensive to repair.   PREVENTS OVERHEATING Some people argue that the heat has a more damaging effect on your engine than the cold. In hot climates, antifreeze blocks the water in the radiator and engine from boiling. Again, bubbling water within the radiator will permanently damage ... read more

Spark plugs have a super important job when it comes to your automobile. They are the parts that enable the spark to start up the combustion process, which is necessary to start your car. Spark plugs put your engine's pistons in motion, essential for a precise air-fuel mixture.   If you get into your vehicle and find that your engine won't start, you may instinctively assume that the problem is with the battery. However, it could very well be failing spark plugs. How do you know if your spark plugs are faulty, and do they cause your vehicle's check engine light to turn on? The answer is - YES! Old spark plugs can cause your vehicle's check engine light to come on. When these things grow old, they can cause your engine to misfire, which will trigger the check engine light to illuminate. The other symptoms of failing spark plugs include the following:  Rough idling Problems accelerating Trouble starting your vehicle Increased exhaust emissions Poor fuel e ... read more

The heat can pose many hazards for your vehicle, and we aren't just talking about your battery or your tires. Instead, we're here to talk about the everyday items you tend to leave inside your car. With summer temperatures on the rise, there are several things to be mindful of leaving in your vehicle. Depending on what is left behind, you could compromise your belongings, car, or even a loved one. With that being said, here are several things you should never leave inside your car on a hot summer day:   1. Plastic Bottles Not only is your plastic bottle at risk of warping and melting, but the heat can potentially release toxic chemicals into the water. So next time you notice an abandoned water bottle in your car, it's best to throw it out.   2. Pets None of us would want to be stuck in a car with no AC. So why would you let it happen to your dog, cat, gerbil—or any other pet for that matter. Doing so could kill your furry friend.   3. Electroni ... read more