Fort Collins Auto Repair

With spring and summer comes beautiful warm weather and long beautiful days making it the best season. However, you can do without the harmful and allergy-inducing particles and pollutants, including the pollen and dust invading the air. A cabin air filter plays the integral role of eliminating the contaminants and pollutants present in the air keeping it fresh and healthy for you and your passengers. It is mostly located behind the glove box in most vehicles and cleans out the air entering the cabin through the AC and heating system. Why You Should Change Your Cabin Air Filters Reduce Pollution in The Cabin Your car's cabin air filter eliminates the smoke, smoke, and other pollutants from other cars' exhaust systems. Regularly changing these filters ensures that no undesirable toxins make it to your cabin. Allergens Pollen grains are quite common, especially in spring. If you are allergic, cabin air filters can significantly reduce the amount of pollen finding its way to ... read more

A timing belt rotates the engine's camshaft and crankshaft in sync to ensure all cylinders fire when necessary. It is a vital component of your engine because it is what enables the engine to function. When it breaks or fails to work, your car will stall, and other parts of the engine can get damaged. To help save the situation, you need to know the signs of a failing timing belt. Some of these signs include: 1. Ticking noise from the engine The timing belt is normally attached to some pulleys leading to the engine's crankshaft, which powers the connecting rods. The camshaft's function is to manage the cylinders. If these components don't work in tandem, your engine will produce a ticking noise. The noise may also mean your engine is not well lubricated. The best person to detect where the problem lies is your qualified technician. So when you hear that ticking noise from your car's engine, take it to a qualified mechanic. 2. The engine fails to turn on If your ... read more

The brake system in vehicles is a composition of different components that function collaboratively. Each part ensures that the vehicle slows down when needed and also comes to a standing point when required. Common brake failures have caused catastrophic accidents that have led to the loss of lives and extreme car damages. It is essential to ensure that all brake components are functional and any trouble is fixed immediately to guarantee safety when driving. One of the essential parts of an automobile brake system is the brake lines. Brake lines house and ensures smooth circulation of the brake fluid. Most cars have a hydraulic braking system and rely on the pressure from the brake fluid to operate the pads. Although brake systems in modern vehicles are airtight, there are times when air enters the brake lines. It happens from the constant need for brake pads to move further as they wear down. The calipers respond by expanding to maintain uniform distance. As the hydraulic system ex ... read more

There are many parts to your vehicle, some of which you may have never heard about before. But that doesn't make them less important. The CV axles are like a drivetrain that is found on most vehicles today. They transfer power from the transmission to the different wheels and drive them forward. They have a greased joint that allows your vehicle to move without as much effort. Since the axles have a direct impact on the motion of your vehicle, they have a high level of stress over time, which can subject them to failure at some point. Here are some signs that yours might be on the way out. Clicking Noises When Turning If you hear your vehicle making a clicking noise when you turn, or perhaps when you accelerate, the CV axle could be worn. That joint will click when it is loose and when it is loose, it could be close to the point of no return. The clicks will get louder when you drive faster or turn harder. Grease On The Tire's Edge If ... read more

You have already surpassed the 7000 miles in your driving, but you continue to ignore recommended oil changes for your vehicle. After all, the car is still running effectively without signs indicating the need for an oil change. Do you continue driving in the same oil? Well, oil changes are services that we mostly ignore in vehicle maintenance. However, it is important to understand that even though you may fail to notice, recommended oil changes make the vehicle function effectively and run properly. Oil changing is a vehicle service that should be completed without fail. Importance of Oil Changes As important as blood is in your body, so is oil in the car. Heating is among the common trouble to car parts mostly heat from the engine. The oil prevents the overheating in the engine and ensures that the heat is spread away from the combustion chamber. The oil further prevents carbon and vanish from settling in the engine and thus protects the engine and ensure it remains functional th ... read more

We rely on our tires to get us from point A to point B. Consistent tire rotations are essential to extend their life. Without them, your tire performance can experience costly setbacks. For most drivers, a tire rotation should be done every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. However, this is depending on driving habits. For drivers who frequently commute or are using their vehicle for rideshare or deliveries, you may need a rotation sooner than later. Tire rotations are essential because they have several advantages to tire performance and the safety of the drive. We’ve outlined below a few significant benefits to tire rotations.   Tire rotations extend the life of the tire tread. Several aspects can cause different effects on the tread of your tires. Driving on commutes, city driving, and various terrain wear the tread differently. If the tire tread wears inconsistently, you increase the risk of flats and tire blowouts. A tire rotation service ensures t ... read more

If you're on a road trip and the check engine light comes on, it grabs your attention immediately. Dashboard lights have been implemented for a while. Today, modern vehicles have a sophisticated system that can give plenty of information about your vehicle's health. The indicator lights on your dashboard can tell you if your tire pressure is low or your engine runs too hot. However, the check engine light can be more of a mystery. Is it a significant problem that needs professional attention or a minor issue that can be corrected right away? If you know the possible meanings, you'll be less likely to feel a sense of panic. Below are seven of the most common reasons your check engine may come on.  The gas cap is loose.  Have you just recently left the gas station? If you just filled your tank, make sure your gas cap is completely secured. A gas cap that is loose or damaged may be the reason the check engine light is on. The gas cap prevents the fuel from evapora ... read more

If you're driving along the road and were startled by a loud pop sound, your engine may have backfired. An engine that has backfired is not an issue to take lightly. It usually indicates that the engine has a significant problem and, if ignored, can jeopardize your vehicle's health. Several reasons can push the engine to backfire; that's why it's essential to have your car inspected the moment you notice any issues. Below are three major reasons the engine may be backfiring and how you may prevent it in the future.        Air/Fuel Ratio is Too Lean  If the air/fuel ratio is too lean, there's too much air and not enough fuel in the engine. Excessive vapor can develop and combust in the exhaust. However, this isn't the only cause for the air/fuel ratio to become too lean. A bad fuel pump or clogged fuel injectors can also cause the air-fuel balance to become too lean.   Air/Fuel Ratio is Too Rich  In healthy ... read more

Once inside their vehicle, most people don’t give their headrest a second thought before starting their drive. Despite the headrest being standard in most cars, they are a forgotten gem for most drivers. The headrest isn’t just a comfortable place to lay your head; they are a safety feature that protects your head and neck during an accident. New vehicle models have evolved with more comfortable seats that are ergonomically shaped to fit your body; however, the headrest has always stayed awkward and primitive to protect your spin.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), whiplash and neck injuries are among the most frequently reported injuries in automotive insurance claims. Most often, cases of whiplash occur during rear-end vehicle collisions. When a car is hit from the rear, the driver’s torso moves forward so quickly that their head lags behind. The headrest helps prevent whiplash by preventing your head from yanking back an ... read more

There’s nothing more frustrating than approaching your car and noticing a cracked windshield. It wasn’t there earlier, what happened? A cracked windshield seemingly occurs unexpectedly, and the size of the damage is correlated with the amount of the cost. Your vehicle’s windshield is one of the most crucial safety devices in your car. Its primary function is to protect you and your passengers from the elements and dangerous rocks and debris. Your windshield also provides up to 60% of structural support to your vehicle. One small chip on your windshield can spread into a long crack across the entire length of the surface. Small chips can be fixed pretty quickly, but long cracks always require a complete windshield replacement.  A cracked windshield can leave you walking away with a fix-it ticket on top of a costly bill in most states. A damaged windshield is hazardous because it can obstruct your view, leading to a significant accident. A broken windshield should ... read more