Colorado Springs Auto Repair

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

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

Hannah is a longtime customer at LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs, CO. She knows she can always trust this local, family-owned auto repair shop for friendly service and expert automotive services. Whether she needs routine maintenance or major repairs, this is the shop she trusts to get the job done right. Hannah recently took the time to share her feedback in a Google review: "I recommend this shop to all of my friends and relatives," Hannah writes. "They are very friendly and kind, I am warmly greeted every time I walked in." On her most recent visit, Hannah's car required some more extensive repairs that she couldn't quite afford to pay all at once. At LightHouse Automotive, we realize that not everyone has extra money lying around to handle sudden and major a ... read more

Whether you drive a manual or automatic transmission, there may be a time when you feel it start to "slip." This is especially true if you have an older vehicle or it's been awhile since your last transmission service. A slipping transmission means that it is struggling to shift between gears and/or stay in gear. It could be the sign of a major transmission problem or you may just need minor transmission maintenance. What Causes a Transmission to Slip? In many cases, a slipping transmission is a result of a transmission fluid (or transmission oil, if you prefer) issue. Too little or too much fluid may be running through the system and that can cause the transmission to have a hard time staying in a particular gear. You might notice the slips only happen in certain gears, as well. What causes a transmission fluid problem is that the filter or one of the lines could be clog ... read more

You need the battery to be able to start your car. That is it’s primary purpose along with providing power to the electronic components throughout the vehicle (stereo, lights, power windows/doors, electric power steering, etc.). If the battery dies or is growing weaker, you will likely notice some telltale signs. The average 12-volt car battery will last 5 to 7 years before it needs to be replaced. Depending on your automotive care and other factors, it may last longer or it may die sooner. If you leave the car sitting unused for long periods of time or drive a lot in cold weather, it will drain the battery. Sometimes, you may just need a jump start to get it going and then the alternator will keep it recharging as you drive. However, all batteries ultimately begin to start loosing their charging capacity and eventually it will need to be replaced. Here are a few signs of a dying car batt ... read more

At LightHouse Automotive, we work on all types of cars, trucks, SUVs and other vehicles. Foreign or domestic, old or new—we simply love helping people in Colorado Springs with all their auto repair and preventative maintenance needs. Every once in awhile, we are lucky enough to have a customer bring in a classic car for us to work on. Not all auto shops want to deal with older vehicles, but we love these timeless rides and our technicians are always up for a good challenge. Recently, Tom visited LightHouse Automotive with his beautiful 1961 Ford Thunderbird convertible. He needed some minor repairs and general maintenance done, and our team was up to the task. "I took my 1961 T-Bird convertible in for some baseline work and they did everything I asked them to do in a professional manner,&q ... read more

There are times when it seems like you can feel every single tiny bump on the road. Maybe your car lurches forward every time you come to a stop. Or, the handling just seems off, especially when you are turning sharp corners. These could signs of wheel alignment or tire issues, but there's a good chance that your suspension system is to blame. Suspension System Damage Especially after a long cold winter, your vehicle's suspension can take a lot of abuse. Ice, wet roads and road salt can kick up with grease and other contaminants as you drive. They get under the vehicle and cause damage to brake and suspension components. If you also drive a lot on the mountain roads around Colorado Springs, you will also put some extra strain on your suspension with a lot of hilly driving, tight corners and rough ... read more

Springtime is here and summer is just around the corner. It’s time to start the transition from a cold and icy winter to warmer weather, and that means making sure your car is taken care of with some spring maintenance. You may even want to consider spending at least part of your tax refund on some much-needed automotive repairs and preventative maintenance from LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs, CO. The cold weather and wet roads can really put a lot of extra strain on various vehicle components—especially the tires, brakes, wheels, suspension, battery, cooling system, transmission, engine and exhaust system. According to the automotive experts at LightHouse Automotive, here are a few of the common springtime auto maintenance tips you should consider: 1. Get an Oil Change ... read more

Edmond has having problems with his car, so he brought it into a local auto shop for repair recommendations. He wasn't entirely convinced by their assessment, so he wanted to get a second opinion. Edmond asked around and one of his friends told him to take his car to LightHouse Automotive for a proper inspection and honest advice. "Great service and done in a timely manner!" Edmond writes in his recent online review of LightHouse Automotive. "Heard about this place through a friend and took my car in to get a second opinion." After performing a thorough inspection of the vehicle and running some diagnostic tests, the automotive technicians at LightHouse Automotive determined a different problem than what the other shop had told the customer. In fact, the repairs that were actually nee ... read more

Sitting at an elevation of over 6,000 feet above sea level, Colorado Springs is a high-altitude town—just like most cities throughout our great state of Colorado. Being this high up offers a lot of natural beauty, but the altitude can also put a little more wear and tear on your car than an average low-altitude environment in other parts of the country. It’s important to understand the effects of high altitudes and mountain driving on different systems in your car. Colorado Springs’ own LightHouse Automotive takes a look at some of things you need to know. Fuel Efficiency Most vehicles these days are tested specifically to handle a wider variety of altitudes and geographic environments. Still, higher altitudes mean lower air density and less oxygen, argon and nitrogen being pulled into the ... read more