Colorado Springs Auto Repair

There is a clear and vocal demand in Colorado Springs and nationally for a reduction in air pollution and our dependence on fossil fuels. This is what is driving the Colorado market for alternative fuel vehicles. There are a number of these vehicles on Colorado Springs area roads today, and many more being developed. Yet each of these vehicles has its own advantages and disadvantages. Colorado Springs auto owners should learn what these advantages and disadvantages are before running out and purchasing one of these alternative fuel vehicles at your nearest Colorado Springs dealership.Colorado Springs drivers should carefully research the vehicle care before buying an alternative fuel vehicle, as it may or may not coincide with the standards for gasoline vehicles. You should look at costs as well; these vehicles may help save our environment here in Colorado Springs, but that might not represent a savings to your wallet. You'll need ... read more

Have you noticed an increase in price when you get a flat tire fixed in Colorado Springs, or have your tires rotated? It might be the result of your TPMS, or Tire Pressure Monitoring System.The federal government began requiring a TPMS system on 2008 model year passenger vehicles and light trucks. Some 2006 and 2007 models may have them as well. The system has a warning light that is mounted on the dashboard that will go on if one of the tires becomes severely underinflated.Why the new requirement? Because underinflated tires are the number one cause of tire failure. Tire blowouts cause crashes and sometimes fatal accidents. Underinflated tires also need longer stopping distance and can skid, both of which also present dangers on Colorado roads. Many flat tires can also be prevented by proper tire inflation, and though this may seem an economic consideration, Colorado Springs drivers who have changed a flat on the side of the road recognize that this has serious safet ... read more

If you're interested in customizing the wheels and tires on your vehicle, there are a few things you should know first.Most importantly, the wheels you buy need to fit your vehicle. Not all wheels are created equal. Too many Colorado Springs drivers have bought a set of wheels that caught their eye, then, after going to the work of mounting them, have found that the wheels don't fit right and the tires rub against the vehicle when they turn or go over a bump.To ensure a proper fit, you can consult with your Lighthouse Automotive tire professional. He/she can also help you find tires that are suited to your driving habits as well as your vehicle. You may find their auto advice invaluable, and you'll probably be happier with your new wheels once you purchase them.But if you just have to have that set of wheels, and you're willing to pay for them, you can modify your vehicle to fit the wheels. Again, yo ... read more

Sometimes busy Colorado Springs residents dream about going back to the “simpler” days of our grandparents. But if you could travel back in time and take a road trip around Colorado in a Model T, you might change your mind. The improved designs and quality of today's automobiles have significantly reduced the amount of time Colorado Springs residents spend at the side of the road during breakdowns. With proper maintenance, today's vehicles can stay on the road longer than ever before.Some of those improvements, however, have led to higher repair costs. For example, older cars often broke down from vapor lock. Gas vaporized while traveling from the gas tank to the fuel pump. No gas, no power. The car quits going. The solution was simple — you just sat by the road until the car would start up again. Today's Colorado Springs drivers would hardly tolerate that kind of inconvenience, and it's likely that yesterday's Colorado Springs drivers didn't care much for it, ei ... read more

Colorado Springs residents' vehicles have to operate in a wide range of Colorado temperatures which requires the engine coolant to be able to perform 'no matter what.' Think for a moment about the environment where the coolant does its thing. Very hot, high pressure, corrosive...And all the while, it has to protect the components of the cooling system from corrosion. These components are made from steel and aluminum, plastics and rubber. The coolant has to be formulated to protect against corrosion for all of these different materials. That's why vehicle manufacturer’s recommend different types of anti-freeze for our Colorado Springs, Colorado, vehicles.There are several different 'families' of anti-freeze available to us here in Colorado Springs. Your owner's manual will tell you what kind you should use. Of course, the automotive professionals at Lighthouse Automotive will know the right kind for your vehicle.It's important to stay on top of this because coolant ... read more