Colorado Springs Auto Repair

You might not think that fall is a good time to get your car's air conditioning system serviced, but it is. Remember, the A/C system also controls the heater and front window defrosters. Those are obviously important features in Colorado, where the winter temperatures dip below freezing. We get snow, ice, fog and rain through fall and well into spring, as well. Now is a great time to get your A/C system inspected, tested and serviced as we head into the coldest months of the year. Stay Safe and Comfortable Most Colorado Springs drivers will get plenty of use out of their heaters and defrosters this time of year. Of course, you want to stay comfortable while inside the vehicle. Few things feel better than cranking up the heat after spending a few minutes outside. Make sure your heater is providing ample heat, your vents are clean and your cabin air filter is replaced when ... read more

As we end October and get ready to begin November, we can already feel the special chill in the air throughout Colorado Springs. It's a sign that winter is coming soon and we want to keep our vehicles running their best despite the freezing temperatures, ice, rain and snow.  There is no doubt that many of your car's important systems and parts need to work a little harder in the winter months. LightHouse Automotive has identified these 8 things in your vehicle that need extra attention heading into the coldest season of the year in Colorado: 1. Car Battery With cold temperatures, it's hard to get your battery warm and keep it charged in between starts. Make sure your alternator is in working properly and your battery is holding a full ... read more

We truly value our customers at LightHouse Automotive, and we especially appreciate when they take the extra time to post a review of our Colorado Springs auto shop online. Whether someone posts on Google, Facebook, Yelp or directly on our website's Reviews page, the feedback we get is so helpful. We are always looking to build our reputation in this community. Reading reviews from our customers—whether positive or constructively critical—helps keep us us focused on making our customer service the best it can be every single day. With this in mind, we wanted to share a few recent customer reviews of ... read more

Though the engine gets all the credit, your car simply won't run without its transmission. The engine provides power, but the transmission is what takes that power and sends it out to the wheels in order to actually make the vehicle move down the street. Unfortunately, a lot of people tend to ignore their transmission until it becomes a problem. They don't prioritize standard transmission services like they do oil changes or tire rotations. Transmission services don't need to be performed nearly as often as these other preventative maintenance services. The intervals may range anywhere from 30,000 miles up to 100,000 miles depending on the age of the vehicle, it's transmission system design, the use of the vehicle, its mileage, your driving habits and ... read more

A lot of us don't worry about our cars' brakes until they become a serious problem. We wait until they start to screech and squeal, and even then we sometimes continue to drive until they eventually fail completely. Then, we're faced with dangerous driving conditions and expensive brake repairs.  Like oil changes, tire rotations, transmission services and other preventative maintenance procedures you do to keep your vehicle running right, you definitely want to take care of your brake system. It's a good idea to get your brakes inspected regularly and serviced as needed. A qualified mechanic will be able to look over all the brake components and make sure that everything is functioning properly. Brake pads need to be replaced when they are getting low. Brake rotors should be resurfaced periodically. Brake fluid needs to be checked and replaced every so often. Here are 4 benefits of g ... read more

Robert drives a 2007 Dodge Nitro compact SUV. Over Labor Day weekend, he was experiencing troubles with his vehicle and new he needed to have it repaired as soon as possible. He depends on the vehicle for his job and was worried about the costs of getting it fixed. Robert knew that LightHouse Automotive has a great reputation throughout the Colorado Springs area, so he brought his Nitro to us. "I had an emergency with my 2007 Dodge Nitro," Robert says. "Though they were closed that day, they did look at it the next day. I was afraid to even drive it there, but they have a super reputation. James met me at the counter and listened (actually listened to how much I needed the car, as I am single income and it affected my job." At LightHouse Automotive, we understand that eve ... read more

Along with engine oil and some other fluids like radiator coolant, transmission fluid is absolutely vital to the health and performance of your vehicle. If you are low on transmission fluid (also known as transmission oil or automatic transmission fluid—ATF) or the fluid itself is not fresh and clean, you will experience problems. It can lead to serious internal transmission fluid or do damage to sensitive equipment such as the the clutch system in manual transmission vehicles or the torque converter in automatic transmission cars, trucks and SUVs. Here are a few things you need to know about transmission fluid, according to the Colorado Springs auto repair specialists at LightHouse Automotive: 1. Transmission Fluid Quality In order for your transmission to be healthy, it needs clean transmission ... read more

You can usually tell right away when your engine is sputtering. It might be backfiring or it just sounds and feels like it is not working at normal power. A sputtering engine means that it is not achieving full combustion. It could be the sign of a very simple problem or it could be a symptom of a much more concerning engine, fuel system or exhaust system issue. Here are 10 of the most common causes for a sputtering engine, according to the Colorado Springs auto repair specialists at LightHouse Automotive: 1. Out of Gas The most common reason why an engine sputters is when you are about to run out of gas. The engine will struggle as it doesn't get enough fuel and eventually the car will stop running altogether. If your engine is sputtering, the first thing you should do is look ... read more

Jerry recently visited LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs to have some auto repair work done. He wasn't sure exactly what was wrong, so he brought his car in for a professional inspection and diagnosis. Along the way, he had plenty of questions and our team was happy to give him all the information he needed before authorizing any repairs. "Great mechanics and great customer service," Jerry writes in his Google review. "They take their time to talk to you and help you if you have any questions whatsoever." At LightHouse Automotive, we understand that most people are not automotive experts. We love working with different customers every day, because we get to meet and interact with such a wide range of people and personalities. Some people know a lot about their vehi ... read more

Summer is just about over in Colorado, but that doesn't mean overheating still isn't a concern for many drivers. In fact, the engine overheating is something that can happen any time of year and in any type of weather, especially when dealing with mountain driving. It is definitely more of a threat in the warm summer months. However, if you are not taking care of your vehicle's cooling system, it can be a recurring problem. Here are a few tips from Colorado Springs' own LightHouse Automotive to help keep your car from overheating: 1. Check the Coolant Level You can check the engine coolant (radiator fluid) in your radiator. Just make sure and do it when the car is turned off and the engine is completely cooled down. If the radiator cap is under heat and pressur ... read more