Posted on 8/28/2019
Shanna was enjoying her family vacation until their car's air conditioner went out while they were visiting Colorado Springs. It's been a warm summer around here and a healthy A/C system makes all the difference when it's so hot outside. Shanna called around to a number of local auto repair shops, but none of them had any appointments available until the following week. That's not how we do things at LightHouse Automotive. We always try to make time for customers in need. "Very grateful we found this repair shop," says Shanna, "Temperatures were triple-digit and needless to say we were miserable. Finally we found LightHouse Automotive. I was totally prepared to be given a ridiculous price to fix our A/C since we were traveling and needed help fast. That was not the case at all. They got us in that same morning we called and gav ... read more
Posted on 8/21/2019
Do you own a classic car? Whether it's an old cruiser, a rare import or a brawny muscle car, we all dream of having a cool older vehicle to drive around in and tinker on in the garage. Classic Car Care It takes a lot of love and effort to care for a classic car like this, and it's really easy to get in over your head. Replacement parts can be hard to track down and working on the old school mechanical components can bring unique challenges. You'd think the simpler the mechanics, the easier things would be to troubleshoot and fix. However, it's not always that way. The LightHouse Automotive Difference That's why a lot of classic car owners throughout the Colorado Springs area count on Rylan Blair and his team at LightHouse Automotive. From preventative maintenance services to major repairs, we deal with a number of older vehicles and we know what it ta ... read more
Posted on 8/14/2019
The brakes in our car are often something we take for granted as drivers. We know that when we need to slow down or come to a stop, we can press on that little brake pedal and the vehicle will do what it's designed to do. Unfortunately, a lot of car owners ignore their brakes and let them get really worn out before finally doing something about it. What Happens if Your Brakes Are Bad If your brakes aren't working properly or the brake pads/rotors are getting too worn out, it can be cause for concern. Your vehicle won't handle right and you might find it difficult coming to a quick stop when you need to. That puts your safety at risk. You may also hear unpleasant sounds like screeches and squeals. Last but not least, you could be doing damage to other a ... read more
Posted on 8/7/2019
Teresa wanted to help her son get his first car once he earned his driver's license. Fortunately, they already had an old Mitsubishi Montero that would fit the bill. Unfortunately, it was a bit neglected in recent years and it was due for a lot of repairs. Teresa wasn't worried, though. She knew she could count on the team at LightHouse Automotive to get it running great once again for her son. "I would like to give a HUGE shout-out to LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs!" Teresa says. "They did a superb job of getting our ol' Montero up and running and safe for my sone to have as his first vehicle." When Teresa brought the Montero in, it clearly needed a lot of work. Some of it was just standard maintenance like changing the oil ... read more
Posted on 7/31/2019
Your car has various belts under the hood that perform different functions, such as running the cooling system and air conditioning fans. The most important belt in any vehicle is typically the timing belt. This keep's the engine's camshaft and crankshaft turning at the correct rate. In turn, the camshaft opens and closes valves for the intake and the exhaust. This is all done with precise timing to allow the engine to run efficiently. That's why it's called the "timing belt." What Happens When the Timing Belt Wears Out or Breaks? Since the timing belt is composed of lightweight rubber materials, it is prone to get worn out over time. It can begin to slip on the gears its controlling or the material itself can begin to crack or fray. It could even snap completely without warning. This is especially careful to monitor here in Colorado ... read more
Posted on 7/24/2019
Whether you live in Colorado or are just visiting, there are few things more enjoyable than exploring the vast countryside and splendor of the Rocky Mountains. This is truly God's country, with beautiful mountain views and scenic vista points around every corner. However, it's important to be smart when venturing off into the mountains or other rural parts outside of Colorado. That's why LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs offers these helpful driving and auto care tips to keep you safe on the back roads. 1. Keep the Gas Tank Full Gas stations can be sparse the further you stray from the towns and uphill driving will burn a lot more fuel than flat or downhill stretches. Keep your tank filled up to prevent running out of gas in the mid ... read more
Posted on 7/17/2019
Jon drives a Chevy truck and has recently been dealing with some exhaust system issues. He was traveling through Dallas, where he had to get some emergency repairs made. However, he experienced several complications during his drive home to Colorado Springs. Thankfully, Jon knew he could trust the team at LightHouse Automotive to make it right. "This shop is 100% all legit," Jon says. "I took my truck to a shop in Dallas and got the catalytic converter replaced. I got about two hours outside of Dallas and my check engine light came on. I pulled into the nearest Chevrolet dealer and they made some adjustments. 10 minutes later back on the road all I could hear was an exhaust leak. I made it back to Colorado Springs and brought my truck to LightHouse." ... read more
Posted on 7/10/2019
Other than a weak battery, bad wiring is the most common cause of electrical problems in today's cars. In some cases, a frayed wire or corroded/loose connection is just a minor nuisance. It can cause your electrical components to malfunction and act strange. In other cases, bad wiring can be quite dangerous. Just as you don't want faulty wiring in your home, you won't want it in your vehicle. It can spark electrical fires and do a lot of damage. Signs of Auto Electric Problems The first sign of auto electric issues is when you notice that your electronics are acting up. Perhaps your power windows or door locks aren't working consistently. Maybe your car stereo, GPS system, onboard computer or phone charger plug-ins are causing proble ... read more
Posted on 7/3/2019
The muffler is just one part of a vehicle's exhaust system and it plays an important role as harmful gasses are expelled from the engine, burned off and then ultimately sent out through the muffler and tailpipe. The primary purpose of the muffler is to muffle the sounds being produced by the engine, just as the name would suggest. It's also kind of the final gatekeeper to keep the most harmful exhaust fumes from leaking out. If your muffler is going bad, you will want to get it repaired or replaced before it develops leaks that can cause health or safety risks. Any damage within the exhaust system can also affect the engine itself, so look out for any signs that there is an exhaust problem. When it comes to a failing muffler specifically, though, here are some of the warning signs you m ... read more
Posted on 6/26/2019
Seth drives a Nissan Pathfinder and he depends on his vehicle every day. Twice a week, he has to drive over 100 miles from Colorado Springs to La Junta for work, so it's important his vehicle is always running right. Recently, Seth visited LightHouse Automotive on two different occasions to deal with two different emergency repairs. "LightHouse Automotive is a top notch establishment!" Seth says in his Google review. "Rylan [Blair, owner] has helped me out of a jam twice now. First time, after a wheel bearing went out on my Pathfinder on my way home from La Junta. I called Rylan at LightHouse on recommendation from my cousin, Craig. They got me in and fixed up by the next day." On his first visit, Seth had a damaged ... read more