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Make Your Battery Last

Today's report from Lighthouse Automotive is on vehicle batteries, why they die and what we can do to lengthen their life. Most of us have had a dead battery at one time or another. In fact, it would be very unusual if you hadn't. You may be surprised to learn that only 30 percent of Colorado Springs vehicle batteries last for 48 months.Now that's an average. How long a battery lasts depends on many factors. You may not know that one of the biggest factors is the temperature where you live and drive around in Colorado. You might suppose that cold weather was harder on batteries because it takes more power to crank a cold engine, but the opposite is actually true. For more information on your battery, please visit us:Lighthouse Automotive2499 East Platte AveColorado Springs, Colorado 80909719.634.0005 Batteries in very cold climates have a life expectancy of 51 months as opposed to 30 months in very warm climates. The reason is sim ... read more

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Battery

Why Is My Check Engine Light On?

Why Is My Check Engine Light On?

The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some Colorado Springs drivers, and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most people. Let's get the urgency issues out of the way first. If your Check Engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause engine damage. Naturally, you need to get that taken care of right away. If your check engine light is flashing, you shouldn't drive at high speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to your Colorado Springs service center. If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn't go off, schedule an appointment with your friendly and knowledgeable pros at Lighthouse Automotive to get it checked out.Some more information on how the Check Engine light works may be helpful for Colorado Springs drivers. Most of your engine functions are controlled by a compute ... read more

Colorado Springs Drivers Severe Service Maintenance Schedules

Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Colorado Springs drivers, your vehicle manufacturer publishes two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Colorado Springs drivers follow? Here are some questions to ask yourself:Are most of your trips less than four miles/six kilometers around Colorado Springs?Are most of your trips less than 10 miles/16 kilometers in below-zero Colorado temps?Are most of your trips off-highway in Colorado?Do you drive often in dusty Colorado Springs areas?Do you regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads around Colorado Springs?Do you drive in very hot or very cold Colorado weather?Think about your typical week. Do you live by your nearest Colorado Springs on-ramp and enjoy a non-stop commute? Or, do you drive the neighborhood car pool in stop-and-go traffic on Colorado Springs surface streets? Let's suppose your owner's manual says the severe service oil ... read more

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Maintenance

Timing Belt

Ever heard the sad tale of a staggeringly steep repair bill from a broken timing belt? Bad news. Let's take a lesson from their woes and remember to think about our timing belt.First, let's review what a timing belt does. The top part of the engine over the cylinders is called the cylinder head. The head contains the valves. There's at least one valve that lets the fresh air into the cylinder. This air, mixed with fuel, burns to create power. Then another valve or two will open to allow the exhaust out of the engine. Each cylinder has 2 to 4 valves - that's 12 to 24 valves for a V-6, up to 32 values on a V-8. The opening and closing of the valves is done by a camshaft. The timing belt uses the rotation of the engine to drive the camshaft which opens and close the valves. It's called a timing belt because it has to be adjusted to rotate the camshaft to keep proper time with the engine so that everything's in sync.The timing belt is a toothed rubber belt. But some vehicles use ... read more

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Parts

Lighthouse Automotive Engine Air Filter Replacement

When your experienced Lighthouse Automotive technician changes your oil, he will also inspect your air filter. You shouldn't need a new air filter at every oil change, but you will need to change it regularly. Heed your technician's auto advice if they tell you to change your air filter.An air filter does what its name implies: it filters stuff out of the air. Air is drawn into your engine through the filter because your engine needs air to burn fuel. If the filter weren't there, a lot of dust and debris would come into the vehicle engine with the air when you are driving around Colorado Springs. That dust and debris would get hot, burn and produce all kinds of ash and gumminess that would eventually clog up your engine. Drop in an air filter and voilá! Problem solved. But air filters themselves get clogged up with all the junk they clean out of the Colorado Springs air. This doesn't allow the junk into the vehicle en ... read more

A Cool and Smooth Transmission in Colorado Springs

When it comes to preventive maintenance on our vehicles, most of us Colorado Springs drivers remember to get our oil changed. But services that occur at longer intervals — like transmission service — sometimes get overlooked. Yet transmission service is part of car care. A poorly maintained transmission will fail and lead to repairs.The transmission transfers power from the engine to the drive wheels. When it's clean and well-lubricated, it gives maximum fuel efficiency. But when it gets dirty or worn down, your transmission will suffer. Your transmission relies on transmission fluid to keep everything running well.This is why the transmission fluid must be changed periodically. Your owner's manual will give you a recommended time schedule for this service. Or, you can ask your friendly and knowledgeable Lighthouse Automotive service advisor. Generally, the interval is around 35,000 miles (55,000 km) or every two years. But the interval for your ... read more

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Transmission

Why People in Colorado Springs Hesitate to Get Their Vehicle Serviced

A recent report stated that over 80 percent of the vehicles on our Colorado Springs, Colorado, roads have one or more service or repair that's needed but hasn't been taken care of. Now that's a lot of undone service. That translates into something over 160 million vehicles in North America alone. Some of the neglected items are minor. Others are serious safety concerns.There are several reasons we hesitate to take care of recommended services, especially services that our Colorado Springs automotive advisor recommends when we're in for something else, like an oil change.The first issue boils down to comfort with car care. We don't always feel we know enough to make good decisions. Some of that can be attributed to the fact that vehicles are so reliable these days. They almost become an appliance. Of course you love your vehicle, but if you don't have to worry about it breaking down all the time, you're not forced to think as much about pre ... read more

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Inspection

Line Them Up: Wheel Alignment Service at Lighthouse Automotive

Hello Colorado Springs! Let's talk about alignment. One of the most important parts of preventive maintenance for your vehicle is keeping the wheels in alignment. Poor alignment causes your tires to wear unevenly, which can significantly reduce their lifespan. This means you will have to replace them more often, which can be costly for drivers in Colorado Springs.It can even damage your suspension system, which is costly to repair. But even more importantly, uneven tread wear can lead to blowouts on the road, a dangerous and potentially deadly safety risk for Colorado Springs drivers and their passengers.It may not take an accident or bad driving habits to “knock” your tires out of alignment. Tires can go out of alignment with just everyday Colorado driving. Colorado Springs road hazards, pot holes, uneven or gravel roads, and even the bumps and bounces of normal Colorado Springs roads and surface streets can gradually put your vehicle tir ... read more

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Alignment

Your Vehicle Is NOT Maintenance Free, Colorado Springs Car Owners

A generation ago, Colorado Springs drivers seemed to be more inclined to keep their vehicle's preventive maintenance on schedule. One reason for this may be that vehicles back then were a lot less reliable than they are today. Taking your vehicle in to your Colorado Springs shop every year or two for repairs seemed to be a good reminder to keep the oil changed.For example, almost everyone in Colorado Springs used to take their vehicles in for regular tune-ups. Vehicles had mechanical ignition systems, which meant ignition points, spark plugs and coils had to be replaced and the timing adjusted every few years. As long as the vehicle was in for a tune-up at Lighthouse Automotive, the vehicle was inspected and you took care of any needed repairs at the same time.Today's engines have electronic ignition systems and engine control computers. Spark plugs can last for up to 100,000 miles/160,000 km. Vehicle reliability has vastly improved in the last few decades ... read more

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Maintenance

Brake Service at Lighthouse Automotive in Colorado Springs

Brakes really aren't optional equipment for Colorado Springs drivers' vehicles. And taking care of them isn't optional either.A regular brake inspection is on every Colorado driver's vehicle maintenance schedule. At Lighthouse Automotive, our team will check your brake system and let you know if there are any problems. Of course, if you're having trouble with your brakes, get your car into your Colorado Springs service center right away. And watch out for these problems: Low or spongy brake pedal Hard brake pedal A brake warning light that stays on Constantly squealing or grinding brakes Vibrations or clunking sounds when you apply your brakes There are two types of brakes: disc and drum. Disc brakes have a rotor that's attached to the axle. Calipers straddle the rotor, kind of like the brakes on a bicycle. Drum brakes are more common on back wheels. Pads, called shoes, push against the inside of the drum to slow the vehicle.There are several things that nee ... read more

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Brakes
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