Fort Collins Auto Repair

What’s a timing belt? It’s nothing more than the heart of your engine. When it stops, your whole engine stops. And fixing it? Well, that’s open-heart surgery. You can’t “take a look” at your timing belt. You can’t just open the hood, pull out your flashlight and check the condition (like you can other belts). You need to break the chest plate. We’d start with an MRI, but unfortunately we don’t have those for cars yet. So we have to go in, remove bolts, covers and parts—perform surgery—just to even see it. A timing belt replacement is the greatest preventive maintenance procedure we perform. It’s removing that cystic growth from your thyroid. It’s not cancerous—yet. And better safe than sorry. Manufacturers and mechanics recommend a timing belt replacement at around 60,000-100,000 miles (unless yo ... read more

SHOCKing!! Your mechanic says your vehicle needs new shocks or struts. You’ve heard it before. What the heck are these things, anyway? And do you really need them? What are they? Vehicles come equipped with shocks, struts or both. Shocks, or a shock absorber, do just that: they absorb unevenness or bumps in the road, allowing the vehicle to travel steadily along. Struts serve a similar purpose and are designed differently. Both are mounted to your vehicle’s suspension system and are an integral part of steering, handling & control, comfort and safety. Learn more about the differences here. Shocks                                                                            Strut ... read more

It’s true—a tire alignment is necessary when you get new tires installed on your vehicle. You may also need a wheel alignment after colliding with a curb or pothole. And there are other situations, such as getting new struts or ball joints, which require a tire alignment as well. While you can imagine the importance of having a vehicle’s wheels set in a straight position, tire alignments are actually quite a complex procedure requiring specialized machines, knowledge and training. Knowing all that is involved, and how ultimately, a wheel alignment will save you time, money and a lot of headache down the road, you're better off understanding all that makes up tire alignment cost, which typically ranges from $70-$100. One of the greatest benefits a wheel alignment service has to offer is maximizing tire life. Tires are frequent and necessary vehicle maintenance items for drivers ... read more

In Colorado we experience true seasons, and so do our cars. Like buying a coat for winter, seasonal maintenance helps prepare your vehicle for the ever-changing elements, thereby extending its life. “It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs properly throughout the year and although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive steps,” Rich White, director of Car Care Council. Our Seasonal Car Care Specials are designed for car service in Fort Collins and are ready to handle all of your car maintenance needs for each season of the year. They are a worry-free way to keep you on the road longer. Spring Dust, pollen, allergies, and rain are common themes that affect both you and your vehicle in the spring. This season is also a great time to prepare your vehicle for summer’s heat. What to be aware of come ... read more

When it comes to brake repairs in Fort Collins, you have a lot of options. Brakes Plus, Just Brakes, Midas, the dealership, or your favorite independent repair shop are probably what you consider. You’re also wondering how long it will take, what’s the price going to be and who’s going to do a good job. These are all reasonable and valid considerations and I’m going to speak from the side of what the independent repair shop in Fort Collins brings to the table, as with brakes and most other auto repairs, it’s a philosophy that separates independents from the other options you have for where to get your brakes repaired. Brakes are responsible for one of the two basic necessary functions of a vehicle–to go and stop. They are directly related to your safety and the safety of others, can be very costly and cause further damage if repaired incorrectly, and are therefore not a repair we recommend you try to “get done ... read more