Fort Collins and Longmont Auto Repair

The power steering system warning light is one of the many dashboard lights that can come on in your car. It's usually accompanied by a message on the dashboard display, telling you to check or service the power steering system. But what does this warning light mean, and what should you do if it comes on? The power steering system warning light comes on when there's a problem with the power steering system. This could be caused by a leak in the system, low fluid levels, or a failing pump. If you see this light, it's important to have the system checked by a mechanic as soon as possible. If the power steering system warning light comes on while you're driving, it's important to keep a few things in mind. First, don't panic. The power steering system is still working, but you may notice that it feels harder to turn the wheel. Second, avoid sudden movements or turns, and take extra care when driving in tight spaces. Finally, if possible, pull over and turn off th ... read more

Although your vehicle battery requires less maintenance than your engine or brakes, doesn’t mean you should neglect it completely. Most drivers forget to clean their battery terminals. It is not until they have starting problems and come to open their hood, that they find that the battery is completely corroded.   Over time, your car battery can have corrosion around its terminals. By cleaning the connection area, you can better the performance of your battery and extend its lifespan. Cleaning your battery is simple, and it can be done with items you have lying around the house! What to Grab Gloves Baking Soda Water Rag Toothbrush Petroleum Jelly Steps Step 1 - Combine 1 tbsp of baking soda with a cup of water, and stir until they are mixed. Step 2 - Open the trunk, locate the battery, and undo the cables. Inspect the battery to assess what areas need to be cleaned. Plus, check for signs of leaks or swelling. If so, you should skip cleaning and he ... read more

If you often drive in the evenings or night, you’re going to need dependable lighting to see where you’re going. Whenever our car lights start to look dim or even flicker, it could negatively impact your safety. There are many different problems that can cause your lights to appear darker. The most common problems can usually be traced to your battery, alternator, bulbs, or ground wires. Battery  The first electrical part that you should check is your car battery. An old battery can cause your lights, as well as other electrically powered accessories, to go bad. Feel free to come by our auto repair shop for a battery test. Alternator If your battery doesn’t seem to be the problem, consider checking your alternator. Faint lights are often a symptom of a bad alternator. A broken alternator will typically only cause the lights to do this when the car is on. The team at BG Automotive can assess your alternator’s condition too. Bulb If an electrical compon ... read more

Weekends are good and convenient for tailgating. Whether you are planning to spend time with family and friends or attending a sporting even or a football match, safety is key. However fun such events would be over a grill, some dangers may arise. Here are some safe tips for a successful tailgating experience. Timely planning and sourcing for meals saves time to find foodstuffs. It is often stressful to find everything you might need within a tight schedule. Planning will accord you an ample time to organize a great tailgating experience and also save your pockets from impulse buying. While having much fun, danger always sticks around for a bone or two. It is important to keep the grill a safe distance away from the gathering as people risk dangerous falls as it cooks your meals. In addition, fire extinguishers would also come in handy in case of fire emergencies while a first aid kit would be used to nurse minor injuries. It is important to note that nowadays, so much affects our h ... read more

As we transition from winter to spring, your car will need some maintenance items to cater to the changes. Plus, most drivers tend to use their vehicles more often during the warmer months. Please follow these tips to ensure you're driving safe on the road this season!   Get an Inspection When you bring your car, SUV, or truck to our auto repair shop, one of our qualified technicians will closely examine all your hoses and belts for leaks and other signs of wear. Everything should be tucked away nicely. Check Your Coolant Coolant or antifreeze is necessary to keep your engine temperatures at bay. Warmer temperatures outside increase your chances of engine overheating, so you need to be fully stocked on this superfluid. Check Your Tires There is nothing more nerve-wracking than having a flat tire or tire blowout. This is why it is crucial for all drivers to regularly check their tire pressure and tread depth. Ensure they're more than 2/32" deep and filled to the ... read more

Knock-knock, who's there? Hopefully, not engine problems. If your engine has been knocking recently, it can be a significant sign of engine trouble. As such, it is best to take your car to a professional mechanic to diagnose your engine problem properly. Below are some of the common problems behind engine knocking: Carbon Deposits in the Combustion Chamber Though most fuels today have additives to prevent carbon deposits, it's not impossible. Carbon deposits can jam up your cylinders and your fuel injectors, causing your vehicle not to ignite the air and fuel properly. The knocking that you may hear is probably from numerous detonations in each cylinder. You will need to get rid of these carbon deposits to fix the problem. Adding a Lower Octane Fuel Than Needed Modern, high-performing vehicles usually require fuel exceeding regular grade. If you accidentally put the wrong octane level of fuel in your tank, your engine will start knocking. Your car will still burn through th ... read more

Do you work from home or take public transportation? If you are an individual who has a car but doesn't use it daily, you may ask yourself whether you need to change your oil at its recommended intervals. Most of the time, oil changes are tracked through mileage and time. Depending on your vehicle make and model and the type of oil your engine receives, the intervals could be lengthier than 3 months or 3,000 miles, 6 months or 6,000 miles, or even higher.    So what if it takes you a lot longer to reach 3Kor 6K miles? Can you skip out on it and wait until you've hit the mileage interval?   Most experts do not recommend doing so. Because the mileage and time intervals are both critical, you should wait until you reach one or the other (mileage or time). If you don't use your car often, oil changes are still important and shouldn't be excused.   Engine oil breaks down and gets dirty over a certain period of time. Therefore, regardless of whether ... read more

The transmission is an indispensable system within all our vehicles because of its important job; it is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels. Without it, your vehicle could not possibly go anywhere! When you shift your car into drive, you are putting the transmission to work. Since it is paramount in terms of the operation of your vehicle, it's no secret that it requires maintenance to work smoothly. Without proper care, your transmission will fail; and the symptoms of a failing transmission are very pronounced. Understanding these symptoms will help you identify them and help you address the problems sooner than later.    Here are some of the symptoms of a failing transmission:  Buzzing sounds coming from under the hood Transmission gears slipping Burnt odor when your vehicle is running Check engine light lit up on your dashboard Rough or difficult gear shifting Car revs when you press on the gas pedal but accelerate or move your ... read more

It's officially Autumn. A new season means new driving challenges to face. The weather is shifting, the leaves are falling, and the days are getting shorter. As a result, it's crucial to prepare for autumn conditions by performing basic maintenance tasks. Please take your vehicle to BG Automotive, where our expert team can give you a full-point inspection and help you identify any hidden issues before they become dangerous ones. Here are five key points to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape during the Colorado Fall. Tip #1: Check your brake system.  It's no news that your brakes are a key factor to your safety; without functional brake components, your vehicle will not be able to stop or slow down at all. This is why your brakes should be a number one priority when it comes to seasonal check-ups. If the brake pads have less than 4 mm left on them, it's time to make a trip to the shop. Tip #2: Confirm that all your lights work. As the days grow shorter, it means ... read more

Your vehicle's MPG, or miles per gallon, is a key measure of your vehicle's fuel efficiency and how much distance a car can go before it needs to be gassed up again. If you don't maximize this number, then you may feel some pain in your wallet. Let's be real, gas prices are not getting any cheaper! We've put together a list of 5 things you can do to increase your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Here's what they are: Tip #1 - Limit the usage of air conditioning and/or heating. The HVAC system plays a significant factor in influencing your miles per gallon number. If you like to blast your A/C in hot weather or heat in the cold winters, then you shouldn't be surprised to see a decrease in your fuel economy. To save money on fuel, try to limit the use of AC or heat whenever possible.  Tip #2 - Minimize what you store in your vehicle. Items that weigh a ton are not fitted for long-time storage. If you want to be more cautious on how much gas money you ... read more