Colorado Springs Auto Repair

Your vehicle's suspension system does a lot more than give you a smoother ride. It affects the handling of the car and your overall safety while also protecting other components like brakes, drivetrain, wheels and tires. All of these systems need to be in good shape and work together to create the best possible performance. Here are 7 things you can do to help keep your suspension system in good shape: 1. Periodically Inspect the Shocks or Struts A clear sign of suspension problems is when you notice the shocks or struts leaking hydraulic fluid. A leaking shock/strut should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent more significant automotive damage. 2. Get Your Wheels Aligned The suspension system can have an impact on the ... read more

Figuring out what type of engine oil to use in your vehicle is more confusing than ever nowadays. There are many different brands, weights, synthetics and other options that will boggle your mind. However, it is important to make sure you are using the right kind of oil that's best for your particular vehicle—especially if you are doing your own oil changes. Look it Up The first and easiest recommendation is to look in your vehicle owner's manual or search online. It will tell you the recommended weight and type, whether it's a fairly standard 10W-30, synthetic blend or full synthetic. If you are taking your vehicle to a quick lube shop, they will usually ask you what kind of oil you want. If you don't have an answer, they will use their best judgment. In most cases, they are going to make the right decision. For your own peace of mind, however, it helps to know the ... read more

Mariano has been coming to LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs for years. He knows he can count on our service team to treat him right and our automotive repair technicians to take care of his vehicles. He recently paid our shop a visit and was kind enough to share his thoughts in an online review. "I really appreciate the entire staff at LightHouse Automotive and the friendly family-oriented philosophy they practice," Mariano writes. "Especially when they need each other's help to solve a customer's vehicle problem. The technicians willingly share their personal experience and skills to make sure customers are taken care of." Teamwork has always been a very important part of our business at LightHouse Automotive. We aren't the largest auto shop in town, but we make a concert ... read more

Your car needs electricity to power many different systems. If your automotive electric system is acting up or is low on battery power, certain things will not work properly. You may not even be able to get your car started at all.  Here are 5 of the most common signs of auto electric problems, according to our top mechanics here at LightHouse Automotive: 1. Car Won't Start This is a pretty obvious sign that something significant is wrong. There are many reasons why a car won't start, but it is often associated with the electrical system. You might just have a dead battery, but that can be caused by a failing alternator or something else that is draining its power more than usual. There could be loose wiring or something else that is breaking the circuit between the ignition an ... read more

Other than the engine, there is nothing more important in your vehicle than its transmission. The engine provides the power to the car. The transmission is what actually makes it move, as it transfers power from the engine out to the drive wheels. At the first sign of any transmission problem, you will want to get your vehicle looked at by a professional mechanic. You never want to take any potential transmission issue lightly. A small concern can quickly turn into major internal transmission damage. Then, you may be facing major repairs—including a full transmission replacement or a custom rebuild. And let's just say that neither of those services are cheap. Here are 5 of the most common transmission issues that we see at LightHouse Automotive, along with what you need to know if you think one of these problems ma ... read more

Mike Jewell owns Jewell Auto in Fort Worth, TX. He got a call from one of his usual customers who happened to be here in Colorado Springs and was experiencing some problems with his truck. Mike looked up local shops in a professional automotive organization that he belongs to and found LightHouse Automotive on the list. He gave us a call and and ended up having his customer give us a chance to show what we could do. "When I called and spoke to Rylan [Blair, owner] about the issues my customer was concerned with, he immediately scheduled an appointment for the following morning," Mike writes in his online review. "My customer was completely satisfied with the service he received at LightHouse Automotive." Sometimes there's a bit more pressure when our shop is referred to us by another shop owner, especiall ... read more

Happy 4th of July from everyone at LightHouse Automotive! This will not be our typical Independence Day holiday in Colorado Springs. Many of the big fireworks shows have been canceled, but there are still a few happening [check out this link for a current list]. We're all being discouraged to attend big social get-togethers. We have to celebrate safely and find our own creative ways to enjoy this holiday with our friends and loved ones. It should still be plenty of fun for everyone this holiday weekend.  Celebrating the Independent Spirit We love the 4th of July at LightHouse Automotive. It's a time to celebrate our country's independence and that means a lot to each and every o ... read more

We're heading into Colorado's summer season. We'll see more drivers on the road and visitors coming in from out of town. The warmer weather and longer drives usually mean you will depend on your vehicle's air conditioning system more than during the colder seasons. You want to keep yourself cool and your passengers comfortable, so now is the perfect time to get your A/C tuned up at Colorado Springs' own LightHouse Automotive!A/C System Repairs and Maintenance No matter what kind of air conditioning services you need, LightHouse Automotive has you covered. If you need repairs, our team will inspect your A/C system and let you know what parts need to be replaced or refurbished. Thermostats can fail or refrigerant leaks can develop. There may be any number of reasons why your ... read more

When summer starts to roll around, we get a number of customers coming into LightHouse Automotive who are looking for air conditioning tune-ups, repairs and coolant recharges. It makes perfect sense as the weather is beginning to heat up and having an A/C system that works properly becomes more important than ever.  Ryan visited the LightHouse Automotive shop in Colorado Springs recently because he needed to get his A/C coolant recharged. It's a pretty standard and basic automotive service, but it is one service that is best done by trained professionals. Air conditioning coolant (aka Freon) can be dangerous to work with and you don't want to take any chances, especially if you are already dealing with any sort of leak. The "simple" do-it-yourself recharge kits and spray cans ... read more

Clean air is good for your engine because it maintains proper combustion. However, when excess air gets into other vehicle systems—especially fluid lines—it can really cause trouble. The cooling system is one where air bubbles can be a significant concern. They can lead to hot spots in the engine, which can cause it to overheat and lead to all sorts of internal engine damage that will be costly to repair. Cooling System Maintenance First of all, it’s important to get your cooling system inspected at least once a year. Heading into the summer season is a good time to do it as the outside temperatures rise and you want to avoid overheating the engine. A cooling system tune-up will usually entail draining the radiator and putting in fresh radiator coolant—or at least “bleeding” the radiator to remove any air bubbles. This is in ... read more