Colorado Springs Auto Repair

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 batte ... 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,&quo ... 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 ro ... 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 T ... 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 neede ... 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

It never feels good when the check engine light comes on in your vehicle. If it's flashing or color-coded red, then that means it's an urgent problem. Pull off the road immediately and call for roadside assistance if this happens. Otherwise, the check engine light can illuminate for any number of reasons. It could be a big problem or a minor issue. Sometimes, it can even be tripped by mistake and just needs to be reset.  Let's look at some of the most common reasons why your check engine light might be on according to the Colorado Springs auto repair professionals at LightHouse Automotive. 1. Oxygen Sensor The oxygen (02) sensor is one of the most common culprits. The sensor could be tripped when the exhaust system isn't work ... read more

Tracy recently bought a used car and was experiencing some brake issues. She had been to LightHouse Automotive once before in the past and knew she could trust owner Rylan Blair and his team to provide honest, quality Colorado Springs auto repair services.  "I have been to the LightHouse Automotive shop twice now," Tracy says. "The main reason I returned is because the first time I brought my car in, I wasn't treated or talked to like a clueless woman. Everything was explained to me, and solutions and suggestions were talked about." This time around, Tracy didn't hesitate about bringing her new car into the LightHouse Automotive shop for a proper inspection and assessment of the brake issues. Once Rylan and the technicians took some time to inspect th ... read more

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 f ... read more