Posted on 3/10/2021
If you want your vehicle to run well and last longer, you need to perform standard preventative maintenance from time to time. It doesn't matter if the car is old or new, foreign or domestic, manual or automatic. It needs to be cared for to keep it safe and performing its best for as long as you own it. Even if you plan to sell it in a couple years, it pays to take care of the vehicle in order to enhance its resale or trade-in value. The Importance of Preventative Maintenance We call it "preventative" maintenance for a reason. It is done to help prevent major problems from happening. These services should be performed proactively rather than waiting for something to go wrong. You will save a lot of money and headaches if you keep up with preventative maintenance. Some common maintenance procedures include: Oil Change— ... read more
Posted on 3/3/2021
Michael depends on his truck every day for his work, which requires him to drive all over Colorado. Unfortunately, he was having some problems with the ignition system and he only had one day off in which to get the truck repaired. This is what led him to contact LightHouse Automotive and schedule an appointment. "I had called LightHouse Automotive because the key to my truck kept getting jammed in the ignition," Michael says. "Rylan [Blair, owner] promptly ordered the part and scheduled an appointment. Even though his technician, Gary, wound up sick shortly after we made the appointment, Rylan came in himself to repair my truck." Like all businesses right now, we have to adapt. If one of our employees is feeling ill, we make sure they stay home and the rest of our team is willing and able to pick up the slack. Our customers' needs still come first and we want to m ... read more
Posted on 2/24/2021
Have you ever considered the fact that the only parts of your car that actually touch the road are your tires? Tire care becomes much more interesting when you think about it from this perspective. Your tires affect the vehicle's handling, braking ability, safety and even the fuel economy. Plus, tires aren't cheap to replace when the treads eventually wear out. Why wouldn't you want to take care of your tires to make them perform better and last longer? Here are a few helpful automotive maintenance tips from LightHouse Automotive to extend the lifespan of your car's tires: 1. Check the Air Pressure Regularly You should try to get in the habit of checking your tires' air pressure regularly. If they are inflated too much or too little, it will cause them to wear out quicker. It can also hinder the vehicle's handling and ... read more
Posted on 2/17/2021
Whether you have a brand-new car or an old model, provided you've driven it for some time, it will need some tune-up. Once in a while, you need to take the car to a mechanic for a checkup and tune-up. The mechanic may replace filers, wires, spark plugs, and deal with any other thing that requires attention. This will ensure the vehicle continues to perform efficiently. Sometimes a tune-up may be necessary if your vehicle shows some signs that indicate the vehicle needs some tune-up. These signs include but not limited to: 1. Frequent Or Occasional Stalling If your vehicle suddenly loses power when you are driving, it may indicate that there's an issue with the spark plugs. Some vehicles stall when the AC is running or when it's too cold or too hot. Knowing when your vehicle is likely to stall will help your mechanic diagnose the problem. 2. It Gets More Difficult To Start The Car When your car is new, it will be quite easy to start it. But as time goes by and with cont ... read more
Posted on 2/17/2021
Spring is officially just around the corner. However, we all know the winter weather tends to stick around a little longer in Colorado Springs. There are still plenty of cold days ahead, which means ice, snow, rain, salt and grease on the roads that will put your vehicle's brake system to the test. If you haven't yet had your brakes serviced this winter, now may be a good time to take care of it. At the very least, you should bring your car, truck or SUV into a local auto repair shop like LightHouse Automotive for a professional brake inspection. Our experienced technicians can look over all your brake components and make sure everything is healthy. Here are some of the things we look at during a brake inspection: Brake Pads Of course, brake pads wear out with time and use, and the winter weather usually takes its toll because of the freezing temperatu ... read more
Posted on 2/10/2021
Jasmine was in a tough situation. She was on her way to a job interview when her car broke down and she was stranded on the side of the road. Jasmine was able to get her vehicle towed to LightHouse Automotive, where the team led by owner, Rylan Blair, performed a thorough inspection and offered some specific repair recommendations. "I am so grateful for this auto repair facility," says Jasmine. "I walked into the repair shop extremely worried. Rylan was really nice and made me feel comfortable leaving my car with them (I've had bad experiences in the past with other places)." After Jasmine's vehicle was properly inspected, we let her know our findings and which repairs we would recommend. We told her which services were most urgent and which repairs may not be necessary right away (yet were still worth noting for her to make informed decisions in the near future ... read more
Posted on 2/3/2021
This past year hasn't been easy for anyone, and there are still some tough days, weeks and months ahead. We just want everyone to know that LightHouse Automotive is here for you whenever you need us. If you live in the Colorado Springs area and are in need of automotive repair or maintenance services, our team is dedicated to making your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. A Family ApproachLightHouse Automotive is a family owned and operated business with strong ties to the Colorado Springs community. Rylan and Tia Blair opened the shop in 2013 with a goal to provide higher standards of automotive care. Between Rylan's experience as a mechanic and the service team's commitment to treating people right, we've been able to build a strong reputation over the years. We're proud of the work we do and we do are best to make ... read more
Posted on 1/27/2021
If you are an experienced automotive repair technician in the Colorado Springs area, we'd love to talk with you. LightHouse Automotive is looking for new technicians to join our excellent team. About UsLightHouse Automotive is a family owned and operated auto repair shop, and we are also a certified NAPA AutoCare Center. We have been in business since 2013 and have built a quality reputation in the Colorado Springs community with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. We offer a happy, fun and caring culture built on strong teamwork, communication and personal relationships. If you are looking for a great place to work, come check us out! About ... read more
Posted on 1/20/2021
Taylor was concerned that the heater wasn't working in her car. This is not a good thing to happen in the middle of a cold Colorado winter. So, she brought her to LightHouse Automotive for a proper inspection of her heating/AC system and professional repairs. "Great service and fairly priced!" Taylor says. "Appreciate that they took the time to explain all my options and what was wrong with the car. They really went above and beyond to help me get heat back in my car, and I would definitely take it here again in the future!" The technicians at LightHouse Automotive were able to determine the source of the heating problem. During the inspection, we also found some other issues that were worth bringing to the customer's attention. We presented Taylo ... read more
Posted on 1/13/2021
Today's vehicles have very sophisticated emissions systems designed to burn off harmful exhaust gases and limit the toxins released into our environment. The emissions system also helps keep the vehicle running better with a healthier engine and better fuel efficiency. Colorado is a very green state, so we have rather strict emissions standards. Modern vehicles will have an advanced emissions control system (also known as the EVAP system) that utilizes different oxygen sensors, computer controls and sensitive exhaust system equipment to let you know when there may be a problem. However, that equipment can also fail sometimes, so you really have to be mindful of potential automotive emissions problems when they develop. If you think you might have an emissions problem or an issue with your exhaust system, it is a good idea to get your vehicle inspected as soon as possible. Here are 4 common ... read more