Fort Collins Auto Repair

Is buying a new car a waste of money? I get it–they’re pretty, and sparkly and new. They have all these features and leather seats that cool your back in the summer and an automated navigation system that talks to you even when you don’t want it to. Who wouldn’t want that? But if you can negate the idea that social status is tied to the car you drive (which is a myth, really), you’ll save yourself a lot of money that you can instead put towards things that will truly increase your happiness and well-being. A new vehicle is an expense, not an investment. Just by driving it off the lot, a vehicle depreciates by 11%. Wow! After one year of driving that new vehicle it will have depreciated by 25%, after three years 46% and after five years that vehicle will be worth 63% less ... read more

I can’t imagine what it’s like to move to Colorado and experience driving in snow for the first time. It’s scary and is much different than driving in normal conditions. Driving on snow and ice is a skill. Use these winter driving tips to keep you and those around you safe during Colorado’s winter. Make sure your vehicle is Winter Worthy First, it’s very important to make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving. This means up-to-date maintenance, good tires and wiper blades, fluids full, coolant and exhaust system in good shape, gas tank full, and a fully charged battery. Refer here for winter car care to ensure your vehicle is worthy of winter driving. Driving on Snow and Ice Go Slow This is the most basic and fundamental tip for driving in winter. The surest way to avoid an accident or curb check is to go slow–the slower, the better. Seems simple, but this is the ... read more

Just because your serpentine belt doesn’t appear to be cracked, don’t think your auto mechanic is wrong when he says it needs to be replaced. Drive belt technology has improved in newer vehicles, meaning there is new criteria for determining if a belt is worn. If you have a late-model vehicle, listen up. Let’s start with a quick lesson on drive belts, so we’re all on the same page. Drive belts come in two forms, or types: v-belts and serpentine belts. Timing belts, however, are different. A timing belt makes the engine work. Vehicles have 1 timing belt and anywhere from 1 to 4 drive-belts. Drive belts transfer power from the engine to your vehicle’s A/C, power steering, and alternator. Without drive belts, these systems don’t operate. Common knowledge tells us that drive belts need to be replaced when they show signs of cracking. This is true. However, in newer vehicles, a drive belt that has natur ... read more

This season brings us back to earth, back to school, and allow us to reflect on what’s most important to us. It is also a great time to begin preparing your vehicle for winter. Read on to learn more about the areas of your vehicle to focus on for fall maintenance and auto repair. In Colorado we experience true seasons, and so do our cars. Auto repair services tailored for the weather are more effective. 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 to handle all of your car maintenance and auto repair needs for each season of the year and are ... read more

It’s fact: an oil additive is great for an engine. This review is of BG MOA, specifically, is because the product is… amazing! And is really not given enough credit. Considering the benefits to an engine and the cost of a can, the worth of this product is phenomenal. This seemingly simple yet incredible product truly does help extend engine life ten-fold. So much so that we, as a shop, swear by it and use it religiously. I personally add it to my oil every oil change. Eric (Owner of Community Auto) even uses it in his lawn mowers! I hope to shine some light on this little gem as it seems many customers aren’t aware of its greatness and may be missing out on a simple way to make their vehicles last longer. BG MOA (Motor Oil Additive) is, as the name suggests, added to oil and makes the oil more effective. Oil is the blood of an engine, and its condition and contents are extremely important for engine function and performance; just as the shape and functioning of red b ... read more