Fort Collins Auto Repair

If you and your family are hitting the roads for the holidays, know that you will be one of many. In a perfect world, holiday road trips are full of spirit and fun. While few families use this opportunity to jam out to Christmas carols, many sit in stress or frustration. To prevent a disaster on the road, we’d like to share these tips to ensure your road trip is safe and as stress-free as possible: Stay buckled up - Safety always comes first. That said, make sure everyone in the car is buckled in. Store valuables - For longer trips that span for several hours, stops for gas, restrooms, and even meals are inevitable. When you make stops, ensure valuables (including christmas gifts) are stored out of sight.  Prepare for icy conditions - Depending on where you’re traveling, you might hit some icy or snowy conditions. Make sure you take it slow while on the road. Additionally, make sure your vehicle is equipped to handle such conditions. Some areas to check include tir ... read more

The experience of driving during winter is different from all other seasons. It's tough, to say the least. The fog, icy roads, heavy snow, freezing temperatures, to mention but a few, make driving such a daunting task. However, all is not lost. You can still do something about it. This article is to help you prepare better. Driving Tips During WinterClean Your Windshield Your windshield will frequently get iced during winter. If you do not clean it, you will have a hard time driving. You will also be putting your life at risk and that of the other road users because your visibility is poor. Use an ice scrapper to clean your windshield. If you don't have it, use a credit card or something similar. You can also pour tap water on the windshield using a hosepipe to melt the ice away. Turn Your Headlights On Visibility is a big deal during winter because of the rain and fog. For a better visibility, turn on your headlight ... read more

Getting your vehicle prepared for the winter months is necessary when it comes to keeping it reliable in the cold weather. From icy roads to falling snow, making sure that certain safety features are in top working condition will help keep you safe on the road. Getting stuck in the snow is never a fun time, and driving in certain weather conditions with a poorly maintained vehicle can put you at risk for an accident.  There are several steps that you can follow that will help keep you prepared for the winter months ahead. Let’s look at some of our top recommendations to follow starting this month before the Holidays:  One thing to check is your car’s battery. A battery that hasn’t been replaced in a few years can be at risk of losing enough power in low temperatures to cause your vehicle not to start. A test at our shop can tell you if your car battery can still hold its charge ... read more

Tires are a very important safety feature of your vehicle. They are the only thing sitting between your vehicle and the road, and a good set of tires is essential to proper control and road traction. We know that tires can be expensive, so extending the life of your tires as much as possible should be a priority. Plus, it's always a good idea to replace all four tires simultaneously. Uneven tire wear can happen over time, which is why rotating your vehicle's tire is so important.  What is a tire rotation? A tire rotation is service performed which rotates your tires to different positions. For example, your front tires are moved to the back, and the back tires are moved to the front. They are also rotated from left to right.  Depending on your vehicle, whether it is a front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive, certain tires may wear down faster than others. When you have your tires rotated, your tires will be able to wear down more evenly in comparison ... read more

Summer is supposed to be a time where you are free to take a road trip or drive to your favorite place to spend time with friends or family, or hey, yourself (we don't judge)! However, summer plans can quickly be thwarted when you find yourself dealing with a car breakdown. Not only are they stressful, but they can put your safety at risk on the road. It can also be costly having to deal with towing and repairing your vehicle. So, let's take a look at some of the causes of car breakdowns and what you can do to try to prevent them from happening this summer.  The summer heat can actually take a toll on our vehicles, especially when your vehicle is constantly parked in direct sunlight. It also just so happens that during the summer months, many drivers are using their vehicles much more often, which can also contribute to excessive wear and tear. Here are some of the main causes of why vehicles tend to breakdown during the summer months:  Batteries B ... read more