Colorado Springs Auto Repair

When people do their own vehicle maintenance at home, the engine air filter is often one of the most overlooked items. It's easy to remember changing the oil and oil filter or rotating the tires based on specific mileage driven, but the air filter isn't quite as memorable because its need for maintenance will fluctuate. However, it serves a very important function and it needs to be replaced periodically. When to Change Your Air Filter How often you should change your air filter can vary depending on a number of things. The general rule of thumb is somewhere between every 15,000 and 30,000 miles. How you drive the vehicle, the air quality where you drive, the age of your vehicle and several other factors can play into how much work your air filter has to do. It's a good idea to check it any time you are changing the oil or getting other maintenance done. Once it gets too dirty ... read more

Rotating the tires on your car may seem like a silly maintenance task that you have to do every once in awhile. However, it actually makes a big difference in how long your tires will last and how well they will perform. Without rotating your tires periodically, you will find that one or more of them will wear out more quickly than the others. It ends being a lot more costly when it comes time to replace them because changing out one tire a time is definitely more expensive than buying a whole set and having them installed at the same time. How Often Should I Rotate My Tires? Most mechanics will tell you that tire rotation should be done every 5,000-6,000 miles. Some may even push that number to 10,000. At LightHouse Automotive, our general rule of thumb is to coordinate tire ... read more

Jasper recently visited LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs to get some work done on his car. This was the first time he had been to our shop, and he walked away very happy according to his Google review. "I'd give this repair shop a big fat 10 stars!!!!" Jasper wrote. "They worked with me in every way they could, which was very, very helpful. Got my car fixed as fast as they could and it's been running great." One issue that Jasper did run into was coordinating his personal schedule with our business hours. At LightHouse Automotive, we understand that our customers live busy lives. They don't always have time to deal with auto repairs because of work, family a ... read more

Sometimes you might hear the terms “powertrain,” “drivetrain” and “driveline” used interchangeably. They are all very much related, but there are important differences between these automotive terms. Everyone knows about the engine and the transmission, and most people have at least a basic understanding of how those work. The engine supplies power and the transmission controls the power as it is sent out to the wheels. The driveline is often the most misunderstood part of this equation. It is ultimately what transfers that torque from the transmission to the drive wheels when the vehicle is in motion. The first thing we want to look at is the differences between the terms powertrain, drivetrain and driveline. One way to think about is like a Russian nesting doll. Each term describes components that are part of the previous t ... read more

It can be really disheartening when you try to turn on your car in the morning and it is struggling to start. You never want to have that feeling that you are going to be stranded somewhere because of a dead battery.  Winter Battery Concerns Though there are numerous reasons why your car may be struggling to start (spark plugs, alternator, engine problems, cooling system problems, starter, etc.), a weak battery is one of the most common issues. Especially during cold winter months, the battery is put through a lot of extra strain. It gets really cold when the vehicle isn't running for awhile, and that causes it to lose its charge faster.  Keeping Your Car Battery Healthy You need a healthy battery to make the car run and to control all your electronic components. You may notice that your headlights or interior lights are startin ... read more

Kari needed new brake pads and rotors on her car and she was in a pinch. She needed the work done as soon as possible. After calling around, LightHouse Automotive was the only shop in Colorado Springs willing to get her in the shop that day for her brake repairs. “I had called several places and he was able to work me into the schedule,” Kari says. “None of the other shops I called were willing to work with me and they said I’d have to leave it. Rylan [Blair, owner] took the time to inspect our car and get it done!” At LightHouse Automotive, we do our best to work around our customers' busy schedules. Emergency repairs can be tough, especially because we never know what issues we’ll find when we inspect the vehicle. Kari’s ... read more

The holiday season is here. The snow is falling and the Christmas decorations are up at home and at the LightHouse Automotive shop. We love this time of year. It's a special time to celebrate with friends and family. It's a time to reflect on the year that's past and look forward to the New Year ahead.  We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and wonderful holiday season! A Memorable 2019 2019 has been another memorable year for LightHouse Automotive. We've been blessed to serve so many great people and help them with their automotive repair and maintenance needs. We can't do what we do without our amazing team. They are what make our shop tick. Thank you to our excellent auto technicians and our customer service team! Thank You Everyone! O ... read more

When the roads in Colorado Springs have ice, snow, rain, slush and road salt on them in the winter, it's important to take care of your tires. After all, they are your vehicle's only direct point of contact with the road surface. The handling of your car and your safety depend greatly on the health of your tires. LightHouse Automotive would like to share these winter tire care tips: 1. Check the Air Pressure Often Cold temperature can decrease the air pressure in your tires. On the other side of the coin, overinflated tires will provide much less traction. It's worthwhile to check the air pressure at least every couple of weeks during the winter to make sure they are inflated properly. 2. Check the Tire Treads Your tire treads are very important during the winter to help with stability and traction. Look at the ... read more

Mariano was experiencing suspension issues in his Dodge Caravan, so he took his vehicle into LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs for a proper diagnosis and professional repairs. He had been to our shop previously for some transmission repairs, so he knew he could count on our team to provide quality service. “The replacement of the rear suspension bushings for my Dodge Caravan turned out to be more difficult and time consuming than expected, but the crew at LightHouse stayed with it until the job got done at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE!”Suspension problems can often be more complex than simply replacing some worn parts. Ultimately, the bushings themselves are pretty simple to install. They are there to provide cushioni ... read more

It's easy to check the oil in your car using the dipstick under the hood. Most cars will have several dipsticks for different fluid reservoirs, so consult your owner's manual to locate the engine oil reservoir and corresponding dipstick.  If you've never done it before, it's really simple. First, pull out the dipstick and use a cloth or paper towel to wipe off any old oil that may be on it. Dip it all the way back in and pull it out to get a fresh sample. It's a good idea to check your oil every so often because you want to make sure you have enough healthy oil in the pan to help keep your engine running smoothly. If not, it's time for an oil change! When you do take the time to check your own oil, here are 4 things you should look for according to the Colorado Springs auto repair experts at LightHo ... read more