Colorado Springs Auto Repair

People often take engine oil leaks pretty lightly. They look past that stain on their driveway, they put down some kitty litter to absorb the leak, or they just keep topping off the oil tank. Dealing with Any Fluid Leaks The truth is that any fluid leak in your vehicle shouldn't be ignored. The most concerning leaks will be transmission fluid, radiator coolant (antifreeze) or brake fluid. If you notice any of those fluids leaking from under your vehicle, you will not want to wait to bring it to a knowledgeable mechanic for a proper inspection. Even the smallest leak can be a sign of bigger problems. Or, it may be something minor that can be fixed immediately before it develops into something much more costly. Engine Oil Leaks The same is true with motor oil. It is the lifeblood of your car's ... read more

Each wheel hub in your vehicle contains a bearing assembly that allows the wheel to rotate freely as you drive. If one of these wheel hub bearings fails or becomes damaged in any way, it will definitely impact the performance and safety of your car. Depending on the severity of the damage, it may just be a minor noise nuisance at first. If the bearing is not repaired/replaced, however, it can lead to much bigger problems in the wheel. As with any automotive issue, it’s better to get it repaired now before it leads to a much more expensive auto repair. Here are some of the common signs associated with worn wheel hub bearings: 1. Grinding Noise If you hear (or sometimes even feel) a grinding noise coming from the car, it is often a sign of a damaged wheel bearing. 2. Humming Noise Sometimes, you might just hear an unusual humming noise or high-pitched sound coming ... read more

Motor mounts (also known as engine mounts) serve a very simple, yet extremely important function in your vehicle. They represent the connection point between the engine and the chassis. They are typically a combination of metal and rubber. The metal is there for support and security while the rubber component helps absorb and minimize the vibrations. As you can imagine, the engine is generating a lot of power and torque with many fast-moving parts inside. This causes an incredible about of vibration, making the role of the motor mounts so vital. Yet, as with most vehicle parts, the motor mounts (and especially the rubber seals) will often deteriorate over time with regular wear and tear. If you are having a motor mount issue, it is very important to get it looked at by a professional mechanic and re ... read more

Today's vehicles are more advanced than ever, and the automotive technology is continuing to evolve at a very rapid pace. Obviously, the more modern the car, the more complex the electrical system is going to be. From the onboard computer and a multitude of different sensors to complicated wiring systems that power various components, today's automobiles are extremely high-tech. And, we haven't even mentioned the innovations behind hybrid and electric vehicles! You can usually tell if you have an auto electric problem. Some of the common symptoms include: • Check engine light or battery warning light • Engine not starting or having trouble starting • Dimming interior or exterior lights • Electrical malfunctions (stereo system, power windows/doors, etc.) • Smoke (not steam) coming from under the hood All of these are signs that you probably have an ... read more

If your car has an exhaust leak, it is not something you want to take lightly. The performance of your vehicle will be hindered. More importantly, it can potentially be deadly for you and your passengers if carbon monoxide and other harmful fumes are leaking inside the vehicle. If you have an exhaust leak, here are a few key things you need to know. Source of the Leak The exhaust system has many different components that remove the exhaust fumes from the engine, burn them off and then expel the reduced emissions out of the tail pipe. A leak can occur anywhere throughout the system. It could come from a manifold gasket, the catalytic converter, the muffler or somewhere within the pipes themselves. You will want a professional mechanic to inspect your vehicle and identify the source of the leak. Then, you will know what kind of repairs need to be made in order to resolve the leak ... read more

If your tire treads are uneven or they are wearing out more quickly than they should, it’s usually a sign of something else wrong with the car. Of course, you should get the tires rotated every 5,000-10,000 miles depending on your recommended service schedule, but that can only do so much to help evenly distribute the regular wear and tear over time. When tire wear is really significant or the uneven wear is really noticeable, then you will want to get your vehicle inspected by an expert mechanic. There are certain things they will know to look for. To help narrow things down, LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs has put together this list of common sources of uneven tire wear: 1. Wheels/Wheel Bearings The wheels themselves are often responsible for significant tire wear. Perhaps the lug nuts are a tad loose or the wheel bearings inside are getting worn out in one of the wheel ... read more

Your vehicle's alternator is an ingenious piece of equipment, and it performs a very vital function to keep your car and all of its electronic components working properly. It essentially recycles power from the engine back to the battery. Without it, your battery will die quickly and nothing will run right. There are some common signs you can look for if your alternator is failing. LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs, CO has compiled this list of symptoms for you. 1. Warning Light Most cars will have warning lights specifically for alternator problems. It may be the one that looks like a battery, or it could have more specific text like GEN or ALT. If this light is illuminated, then the sensors in your vehicle are letting you know that you might have an alternator issue. 2. Dead/Weak Battery If the alternator isn't doing its job, then power is not bei ... read more

Fall is already here in Colorado Springs and another cold winter is just around the corner. It's a good time to make sure your car is in the best possible shape for safety and performance throughout the colder and wetter months.  Cooling System Maintenance One system that is very important in the winter is your vehicle's cooling system. "Cooling system" is sometimes a misleading term. Yes, this is the system that keeps your engine from overheating. However, it is also vital in helping keep the engine and other components from seizing up when the temperatures outside are cold. You might even think of it as a temperature regulation system for the engine. Ultimately, it performs very important functions in all seasons.  Here are a few tips from Colorado Springs' own ... read more

Driver visibility is often, ironically, overlooked when it comes to standard vehicle maintenance. Most people are pretty good about getting their oil changed and their tires rotated when service is due. As we head into the cold, rainy and snowy months here in Colorado Springs, however, visibility should be a major priority for all vehicle owners.  If your vision is compromised at all while driving, it's not safe for you, the other drivers around you or even pedestrians. You want to be able to see well so that you can drive safely. With this in mind, LightHouse Automotive has put together these visibility maintenance tips. 1. Get a Defroster Check-Up In addition to keeping you warm in the vehicle, your heater/air conditioner runs your front defroster fans. Most rear defrosters are actually more o ... read more

You know the feeling when you are driving. It seems like you feel every single little bump on the road. Your car vibrates on the highways or pulls a little as you make turns. Every time you come to a quick stop, your front end buckles. These are all common signs of suspension problems, and they shouldn't be ignored. A Matter of Safety When your suspension is weak, it may just seem like an inconvenience to have your ride feel more uncomfortable. However, a failing suspension can lead to bad things. For starters, it's not safe. If your car is bucking around like a wild bronco or not cornering well, it can be really dangerous to drive. This is especially true here in Colorado with a lot of driving on mountains, hills, rough roads and wet/icy surfaces in the fall and winter months. A Sign of Bigger Problems to Come In addition, an ... read more