Posted on 7/24/2019
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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
Posted on 6/19/2019

Many drivers don't realize the full importance of wheel alignment. They think it's just a minor inconvenience when the car pulls left or right on a straightaway or drifts some when making a corner. It's true that the wheels being slightly out of alignment is not a big deal at first, but the problems can compound and lead to other significant issues with your car. LightHouse Automotive wants you to understand some of the things that can happen to your vehicle if you don't address the wheel alignment regularly. Tire Damage When the wheels are not aligned properly, it will really put extra stress on the tires and they will wear out very unevenly. Even if you get your tires rotated regularly, they simply won't last as long without the wheel alignment getting ... read more
Posted on 6/12/2019
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You never want to see fluid leaking from your car. However, some leaks may be more concerning than others according to the Colorado Springs auto repair experts at LightHouse Automotive. Here are some helpful tips for identifying a fluid leak and how to deal with it. 1. Look at the Color Different automotive fluids have different colors. For example, transmission fluid is usually red while engine oil is typically gold/brown. Check out our past article on different types of vehicle fluids to help you identify where the leak might be coming from. 2. Look at Where the Leak is Coming from Another way to identify the source of a fluid leak is to see where the leak is coming out under the vehicle. The engine and cooling system are in the front while the ... read more
Posted on 6/5/2019

Markiss knew he needed to get new brakes on his car, so he began shopping around at auto repair shops throughout Colorado Springs. He first looked at some of the bigger chain stores, but he wasn't too excited when they quoted him pretty high prices to replace the brake pads and also to completely replace the brake rotors. Then, Markiss found LightHouse Automotive. "I had to get my brakes and rotors done and everyone is just trying to make a buck," Markiss says in his recent online review. "Found this place and had them just look at it and come to find out that my rotors were still able to get resurfaced." Brake rotors can be tricky. At a certain point, they may be so worn out that they need to be replaced. However, a really good brake repair shop will have the ability to resurfac ... read more
Posted on 5/29/2019

From a safety standpoint, few things in a vehicle are as important as the brake system. Whether you just need to slow down or come to a fast emergency stop, you need your brakes to work properly when you press on that brake pedal. The good news is that the brakes will usually let you know when there is a problem by making noise. However, there are different sounds that your brakes can make and some are more significant than others, which is why it helps to understand the differences. Here are the most common brake noises that lead people to bring their cars into LightHouse Automotive: Squeaking/Squealing The most common brake noise you will hear is a squeaking sound when you press the brake pedal, when you accelerate or sometimes when you turn a sharp corner. In some cases, it may be more of a prolonged sq ... read more
Posted on 5/22/2019

Gas is not getting any cheaper, so it helps to get the best possible fuel economy out of any vehicle you drive. Whether it’s a very fuel-efficient hybrid or big old gas-guzzler, the more you can save at the pump, the better. If you notice that your gas mileage seems to be less than normal or you just aren’t getting the fuel economy you are expecting, it may be the result of a mechanical problem or it could even be your own personal driving habits causing the lack of MPG. Here are 10 of the most common causes of poor fuel economy, according to the Colorado Springs auto repair professionals at LightHouse Automotive: 1. Dirty Air Filter If your engine isn’t getting the oxygen it needs to efficiently burn fuel, you will lose gas mileage. Replace your dirty engine air filter as needed and it will make a difference. 2. Failing Oxygen Sensors Most vehicles co ... read more