Colorado Springs Auto Repair

If you drive a manual transmission vehicle, you have a little extra maintenance to worry about. You want to keep your clutch system healthy. This will allow you to shift between gears smoothly while also protecting your transmission and gear box from unnecessary wear and tear.  Modern vehicles with manual transmissions will have a clutch system with four primary components: pressure plate, driven plate, cover plate (which incorporates a diaphragm spring) and release bearing. Some older vehicles may have a hydraulic clutch, which will feature a master cylinder and slave cylinder to control the system. All clutches will have the pedal that the driver uses to control the engagement and disengagement actions used during shifting. Here are a few tips that will help you keep your clutch system healthier: 1. Watch Your Driving Habits The best maintenance tip really isn't a mechanic ... read more

Many vehicle owners are mentally tricked into spending more money at the gas pump. They think the “premium” fuels with higher octanes will offer better performance. The truth is, that’s not necessarily the case. Higher-octane gasoline generally won’t make your car go faster, achieve better fuel economy or run cleaner. Check the Owner's Manual The first thing you should do before taking any new car to the gas station is read the owner’s manual. Most vehicles only recommend and require the standard octane rating. Paying more money for premium fuels won’t necessarily add any benefits at all. It probably won’t hurt the vehicle. It just won’t give you a significant enough boost in performance to warrant the extra price per gallon. Engine Knocking The ... read more

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

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

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

An oil change is the most common maintenance service needed in a car. During this procedure, the old engine oil is drained from the pan. The oil filter is removed and replaced. Then, fresh oil is put into the pan. Motor oil provides important lubricating properties throughout the engine's fast-moving components. Without healthy oil, significant issues can develop. Here are 5 key benefits of getting regular oil changes, according to the Colorado Springs auto repair experts at LightHouse Automotive: 1. Preventative Maintenance There is a reason we call it "preventative" maintenance." Oil changes are done to prevent major engine problems from happening. If you keep your oil clean and fr ... read more

A dead car battery is a common problem in the winter season. Sometimes, it's due directly to the freezing temperatures, but that's not always the issue at hand. There could be many different reasons why your battery is weak and/or dying. Here are some of the warning signs you can look for, according to the Colorado Springs auto repair specialists at LightHouse Automotive: 1. Car Won't Start This is a pretty obvious sign that the battery is dead. If you turn the key or hit the start button and it makes no noise (or maybe just a few light clicks), then it's probably the battery that needs to be recharged or replaced. It could be a failing starter, alternator or spark plug, as well, so make sure to look at more than just the battery. ... read more

It's no secret that winter weather wreaks havoc on the roads in and around Colorado Springs during the winter season. We have rain, snow, ice and sleet that can cover the streets and create slick driving surfaces. Freezing temperatures and excess moisture can also lead to a lot of cracks and potholes. Water, grease, mud and road salt can also kick up underneath your vehicle while you drive and cause significant issues. Suspension System Maintenance All of these factors make Colorado winters pretty rough on your vehicle's suspension system. When it comes to safety and handling during difficult driving conditions, maintaining your suspension is extra important. You want your shocks/struts to be healthy to absorb all the bumps, cracks and potholes. You want your wheels in perfect alignment to avoid drifting and slipping on ti ... 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

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