Colorado Springs Auto Repair

Sometimes it takes a crisis to bring a community together, but Colorado Springs has always had a strong spirit that can never quite be broken. As a family-owned, independent auto repair shop, we are so proud to be a part of this community. Our entire team at LightHouse Automotive is grateful for your support and loyalty during these uncertain times. Support Local Businesses Not only are we speaking for LightHouse Automotive, but for all the small businesses that drive this beautiful part of Colorado. We have been very fortunate that auto repair was deemed an "essential service" and we've been able to operate with strict COVID-19 safety precautions in place to protect our customers and staff. However, other local businesses haven ... read more

It's an interesting time right now. There are less drivers on the road as people are staying at home as much as possible. However, many essential workers are still commuting to and from their jobs every day. They need their cars running well. Others may not be driving much, but that doesn't mean they should be ignoring standard vehicle maintenance tasks. Eventually, we will all be back to work and other daily activities! Taking Care of Automotive Needs In fact, now is a good time to get preventative maintenance procedures taken care of or having more significant auto repairs completed. Perhaps you have been putting off certain repairs and maintenance because of your busy schedule. It can be easy to let things slip when life is in the way. If you are staying home, there may be some automotive tasks you can do yourself. You can check the oil, wash the car, clean the interior, repl ... read more

Gayle owns an older Toyota RAV4. It's needed plenty of work over the years, but it has been a very dependable compact SUV for her. Recently, Gayle noticed the vehicle was having some electrical problems. That's what brought her to LightHouse Automotive for a professional diagnosis and repairs. "We took our 20-year-old Toyota RAV4 in for an electrical problem," Gayle writes in her 5-star Yelp review. "While fixing this, the mechanics found that there was a problem in the steering box. They took the time to break the bolts loose without breaking anything." This is a common situation at any good automotive repair shop that is thorough in everything they do. When we get the vehicle in, we will inspect the main problem, run diagnostic tests a ... read more

There are some really obvious signs that you are having automotive issues, such as the check engine light or another dashboard warning light coming on. Maybe the car won't start or move at all. Clearly, something significant is wrong in these situations, and you will want to get your vehicle inspected and repaired by a professional mechanic. Then, there are other times when you just aren't sure. Something just doesn't seem right or there is something that is noticeably out of the ordinary. This is when you can use your five senses (well, four of the five anyway) to pick up on issues that might be cause for concern. Something Feels Unusual There are many automotive problems where you can literally feel that things are off. Wheel alignment and suspension damage can cause the car to pull to one side or the other or lurch forward at hard stops ... read more

We are in unusual times right now with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic disrupting the daily lives of everyone in the world. As local business owners, we are committed to doing our part to help our Colorado Springs friends and neighbors however we can during this difficult period. Latest Updates As of this post (April 1, 2020), LightHouse Automotive remains open for business. Automotive repair shops and parts retailers are deemed "essential service businesses" under Colorado's shelter at home order. If anything changes, we will do our best to keep our customers up to date. Keeping Vehicles Running Right We understand that there are many other workers who depend on their vehicles every day. We can't thank our first responders, our medical workers and our local military personnel enough for all they are doing to selflessly serve others and save lives during thi ... read more

Donald drives a MINI Cooper, but recently he was having trouble starting his car. The engine was cranking, but wouldn't fire up. Donald does most of his own auto repairs and maintenance at home. However, this time he wasn't able to determine the problem and he decided to turn to LightHouse Automotive for professional help with his vehicle. "Brought in my MINI Cooper," Donald writes in his online review. "It would crank, but wouldn't turn over. Had tried fixing it myself, but couldn't track down the issue." There are any number of reasons why a vehicle may be struggling to start. There could be an issue with the ignition/starter system, the battery, spark plugs, fuel ... read more

The exhaust system is one of your vehicle's most important systems. It expels harmful gases from the engine, allowing it to "breathe" and run better. The most important component within your exhaust system is the catalytic converter. It burns off these gases and pollutants for safer emissions. If your catalytic converter is damaged or clogged, you can usually still drive the vehicle. However, it will potentially lead to some more significant issues. You will generally lose fuel economy. Exhaust leaks can develop. Worst of all, engine damage can occur and it probably won't be cheap to repair. At the first sign of catalytic converter failure or any other exhaust system issues, you will want to bring your vehicle to a professional auto repair shop. Colorado Springs' own LightHouse Aut ... read more

Imagine this scenario. You are driving along in your car like you do every day. A car stops suddenly in front of you at a traffic light, so you step on the brake pedal as firmly as you can. However, your car isn't coming to a quick and complete stop. It slows down just barely enough to avoid disaster, but it sure was a close call.  This kind of scenario is not out of the ordinary, but what amazes us is that someone will still wait to get their brakes checked even after a near-disaster like this. When it comes to your safety as a driver, the safety of your passengers and the safety of drivers and pedestrians on the road in front of you (not to mention insurance premiums and repair costs if you are actually in an accident), it's important to get your brakes checked and serviced at the first sign of trouble. In most cases, it's just the brake pads that need to be replaced. They get worn ... read more

Brian was in the market to buy a used car, and he had his eyes on a Subaru Outback for sale here in the Colorado Springs area. However, he is a smart consumer who knows his rights as a pre-owned vehicle buyer. Brian wanted to get the Subaru properly inspected by a professional automotive shop—a neutral third-party expert—before he committed to purchasing the vehicle. He wanted it done while he was in town looking at the SUV, so he called LightHouse Automotive. "I was looking for a place that could give my potentially future Subaru Outback a pre-purchase inspection on short notice," Brian says. "I was thankful LightHouse was able to squeeze me in SAME DAY!!" If you are thinking about buying a used car, it's always a good idea to have a pre-purchase ... read more

There are some people who like to get a new vehicle every few years, whether they are on dealer lease programs or they trade-in and purchase a new or used car. Then, there are those of us who buy a vehicle and want to drive as long as it will keep running. We are proud when that odometer rolls over past 100,000 miles and maybe even 200,000 or 300,000 after many years of dependable driving.  Sometimes, you can get really lucky with a vehicle that lasts a long time. However, the best way to ensure that a car lives a long and healthy life is by performing proper preventative maintenance and taking care of minor problems before they turn into major repair jobs.  Here are 10 tips to extend the lifespan of your car, according to the Colorado Springs auto repair team at LightHouse Automotive: 1. Change the Oil This is the most common and most important preventative maintenance procedu ... read more