Fort Collins Auto Repair

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

The majority of the interior of your car is designed to be odor-free. The fragrance of a new car isn't the only thing you should be concerned about. A small detail like the smell of burnt rubber could point to a mechanical or electrical issue that has to be addressed right away to avoid more costly issues in the future. Automobiles contain a variety of fluids designed to work at high temperatures and pressures in fast-moving components that may be causing the strange odor. Most Common Smells That You Should Not IgnoreMaple Syrup Even though it has a mildly sweet scent, the presence of this odor indicates the presence of a leak. Leaks in the radiator, cylinder head, manifold, and intake manifold gaskets, as well as loose hose pipes, could be to blame. If you notice a strong maple syrup odor coming from your car's heater core, it's best to get it checked out by a repair as soon as possible. Burnt Oil The first thing you ... read more

Cleaning your car's headlights is a simple thing. However, it is not something that most people think about doing. After all, it is not something that they notice. However, it can make a huge difference in the appearance of your car's headlights. So, if you are willing to give this a try, read on for some tips on how to clean your car's headlights. Step 1: Make sure that you use a mild soap. Make sure that you use a mild soap. Soaps can often strip the wax from your headlights. The oil that is in the lights is essential for keeping them clean. So, it is important to use a mild soap to remove the wax from your lights. This can often be found in automotive stores. Step 2: Use a soft brush Use a soft brush with your windshield wiper fluid. This is what you need to clean your lights. The windshield wiper fluid has a compound that helps clean the lights. It also has a wetting agent that helps get rid of the wax build-up on your lights. So, you will want to use a soft brush w ... read more

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