Colorado Springs Auto Repair

Robert drives a 2007 Dodge Nitro compact SUV. Over Labor Day weekend, he was experiencing troubles with his vehicle and new he needed to have it repaired as soon as possible. He depends on the vehicle for his job and was worried about the costs of getting it fixed. Robert knew that LightHouse Automotive has a great reputation throughout the Colorado Springs area, so he brought his Nitro to us. "I had an emergency with my 2007 Dodge Nitro," Robert says. "Though they were closed that day, they did look at it the next day. I was afraid to even drive it there, but they have a super reputation. James met me at the counter and listened (actually listened to how much I needed the car, as I am single income and it affected my job." At LightHouse Automotive, we understand that every ... read more

Along with engine oil and some other fluids like radiator coolant, transmission fluid is absolutely vital to the health and performance of your vehicle. If you are low on transmission fluid (also known as transmission oil or automatic transmission fluid—ATF) or the fluid itself is not fresh and clean, you will experience problems. It can lead to serious internal transmission fluid or do damage to sensitive equipment such as the the clutch system in manual transmission vehicles or the torque converter in automatic transmission cars, trucks and SUVs. Here are a few things you need to know about transmission fluid, according to the Colorado Springs auto repair specialists at LightHouse Automotive: 1. Transmission Fluid Quality In order for your transmission to be healthy, it needs clean transmission f ... read more

You can usually tell right away when your engine is sputtering. It might be backfiring or it just sounds and feels like it is not working at normal power. A sputtering engine means that it is not achieving full combustion. It could be the sign of a very simple problem or it could be a symptom of a much more concerning engine, fuel system or exhaust system issue. Here are 10 of the most common causes for a sputtering engine, according to the Colorado Springs auto repair specialists at LightHouse Automotive: 1. Out of Gas The most common reason why an engine sputters is when you are about to run out of gas. The engine will struggle as it doesn't get enough fuel and eventually the car will stop running altogether. If your engine is sputtering, the first thing you should do is look a ... read more

Jerry recently visited LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs to have some auto repair work done. He wasn't sure exactly what was wrong, so he brought his car in for a professional inspection and diagnosis. Along the way, he had plenty of questions and our team was happy to give him all the information he needed before authorizing any repairs. "Great mechanics and great customer service," Jerry writes in his Google review. "They take their time to talk to you and help you if you have any questions whatsoever." At LightHouse Automotive, we understand that most people are not automotive experts. We love working with different customers every day, because we get to meet and interact with such a wide range of people and personalities. Some people know a lot about their vehicl ... read more

Summer is just about over in Colorado, but that doesn't mean overheating still isn't a concern for many drivers. In fact, the engine overheating is something that can happen any time of year and in any type of weather, especially when dealing with mountain driving. It is definitely more of a threat in the warm summer months. However, if you are not taking care of your vehicle's cooling system, it can be a recurring problem. Here are a few tips from Colorado Springs' own LightHouse Automotive to help keep your car from overheating: 1. Check the Coolant Level You can check the engine coolant (radiator fluid) in your radiator. Just make sure and do it when the car is turned off and the engine is completely cooled down. If the radiator cap is under heat and pressure ... read more

All modern vehicles will have at least one oxygen sensor (O2 sensor) in the exhaust system, with most of today's cars having as many as four different sensors located at key points between the engine, exhaust manifold and catalytic converter. These are highly sensitive pieces of equipment designed to detect any dangerous fluctuations in your exhaust gases. Because these sensors are so sensitive, they will fail from time to time. They could start giving off false readings and warnings, or they may not work at all. You could have a harmful exhaust leak or other exhaust system problem and not even know it if the oxygen sensors aren't doing what they are designed to do.  The good news is there are several ways to tell if you have a failing O2 sensor in your car: 1. Check Engine Light One of the most common sources for your ... read more

Keith was experiencing automotive problems with his truck, but he wasn't sure exactly what was wrong. He decided to bring his vehicle into LightHouse Automotive for a professional inspection and repair recommendations. Owner, Rylan Blair, and his team of automotive technicians looked over Keith's truck and were able to give him the information he needed to make the right repair decisions. "LightHouse went way beyond expectations from start to finish," Keith says. "They made sure I understood exactly what was wrong with my truck and what my options were. Rylan and his guys provide excellent customer service and quality work for a fair price." Providing helpful information and insight is important to us at LightHouse Automotive. We understand that some of our customers know more about cars ... read more

Your vehicle's suspension system does a lot more than give you a smoother ride. It affects the handling of the car and your overall safety while also protecting other components like brakes, drivetrain, wheels and tires. All of these systems need to be in good shape and work together to create the best possible performance. Here are 7 things you can do to help keep your suspension system in good shape: 1. Periodically Inspect the Shocks or Struts A clear sign of suspension problems is when you notice the shocks or struts leaking hydraulic fluid. A leaking shock/strut should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent more significant automotive damage. 2. Get Your Wheels Aligned The suspension system can have an impact on the ... read more

Figuring out what type of engine oil to use in your vehicle is more confusing than ever nowadays. There are many different brands, weights, synthetics and other options that will boggle your mind. However, it is important to make sure you are using the right kind of oil that's best for your particular vehicle—especially if you are doing your own oil changes. Look it Up The first and easiest recommendation is to look in your vehicle owner's manual or search online. It will tell you the recommended weight and type, whether it's a fairly standard 10W-30, synthetic blend or full synthetic. If you are taking your vehicle to a quick lube shop, they will usually ask you what kind of oil you want. If you don't have an answer, they will use their best judgment. In most cases, they are going to make the right decision. For your own peace of mind, however, it helps to know the ... read more

Mariano has been coming to LightHouse Automotive in Colorado Springs for years. He knows he can count on our service team to treat him right and our automotive repair technicians to take care of his vehicles. He recently paid our shop a visit and was kind enough to share his thoughts in an online review. "I really appreciate the entire staff at LightHouse Automotive and the friendly family-oriented philosophy they practice," Mariano writes. "Especially when they need each other's help to solve a customer's vehicle problem. The technicians willingly share their personal experience and skills to make sure customers are taken care of." Teamwork has always been a very important part of our business at LightHouse Automotive. We aren't the largest auto shop in town, but we make a concerted ... read more