Fort Collins and Longmont Auto Repair

There are many things that can lead to driving dangerously. When you're driving you to want to do everything in your power to ensure that you're driving as safe as you possibly can. One thing that many don't consider when it comes to safe driving is tire pressure, especially during cold weather. You want to guarantee that your tire pressure is always right for cold weather. Here are some details on how cold weather can affect your tires and what you need to do! When you're experiencing cold weather, it's good to know what will happen to your tires. When the temperature has dropped the pressure in your tires is affected. This is due to the molecules in the air moving slower and coming closer together. Your tires may lose 1-2 pounds per square inch (PSI) for every ten degrees of change in weather when the temperature drops. When you notice this happening, you don't want to ignore it. A slight decrease in your tire pressure may be difficult to notice, but it can ... read more

If you think that your vehicle is burning through oil, it could be a few different issues. All vehicles burn through oil at least a little bit. But if you feel like you need to replace the oil ever other day, this can be a big problem and you need a good mechanic right away. There are a number of reasons why your vehicle is burning through oil. And all of them are signs that your vehicle is not working the proper way. It is also possible for the vehicle to burn oil both internally and externally. If you notice that the vehicle is burning oil, especially if you think that the oil is being burned internally, then you need to visit your mechanic right away. While you can refill the oil on your own, when the vehicle runs through it too quickly, this is a bad sign. The more that this oil is burnt up in the combustion chambers, the more damage the engine will encounter. Before visiting a mechanic, it is important to know how much oil the engine is burning through. You need to be on the ba ... read more

Maintenance tips for diesel engines A diesel engine is an internal-combustion engine in which air is compressed by pistons causing ignition of fuel towards the end of the compression stroke. You probably have plenty of reasons as to why you cherish your diesel-powered engine. Some of these reasons are friendly fuel economy, rare frequent maintenance checks as gas-powered vehicles, and lower emissions. In as much as your diesel-powered engine doesn't require much attention to serve you to your satisfaction, you should check out some of these tips to ensure you get the best out of it. Maintenance tipsKeep your engine clean With a longer lifespan compared to that of their gas counterparts, diesel engines are likely to have dirt and dust accumulate on its engine after navigating very long distances. This will in turn shorten your engine's lifespan. Proper cleaning is therefore very important to avoid dirty engine components ... read more

Gas prices can put a dent in your wallet, so tips for better fuel efficiency are always welcomed for most drivers. Better gas mileage can help save money in the long run, especially if you own a gas guzzler. A few essential maintenance tasks that can prevent frequent trips to the gas station while also boosting vehicle performance. While it's great to save money on gas, some tips improve your engine's efficiency, increasing its lifespan. Below are five helpful techniques that improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.  Keep the tires properly inflated.  At your next gas station trip, take a few moments to check your tire pressure. The recommended tire pressure for your vehicle is printed inside the driver's door jam. If you can't find it there, your vehicle's owner's manual will have the manufacturer's recommendation listed. Underinflated and overinflated tires can cause your engine to use more gas. Keeping them at the manufact ... read more

Most drivers are familiar with essential fluids such as engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid. However, the radiator fluid is just as important as the others for optimal vehicle performance. The radiator fluid is a combination of coolant and water. It works to keep the water pump lubricated and the engine cool. Over time, the radiator fluid can lose its lubrication properties. Extended use without maintenance can prevent the fluid from freezing at sub-zero temperatures, leading to significant damage. It’s best to schedule a routine radiator maintenance service before this happens. There are two types of radiator service: a radiator drain and a radiator flush.  The radiator drain removes half of the coolant within the system. The downside of this service is that it leaves most of the contaminants inside. Any new coolant added to the system will be mixed with old, polluted coolant. While this service is less expensive, it’s also considerably less effective at maintainin ... read more

When driving on rough roads at high speeds, tires will naturally succumb to wear and tear with time. Any imperfections, even small tire imperfections, can cause a decrease in performance. This is one of the reasons tire balancing is an essential part of vehicle maintenance. A vehicle is safest when the weight of all wheels are evenly distributed. BG Automotive in Ft. Collins, CO, has a top of the line balancing machine. Below are a few common signs that indicate your wheels are due for a wheel balance.  Uneven Tire Wear Tire tread can provide a lot of information about the health of your wheels. Tires can wear unevenly if the wheels are unbalanced. This is dangerous because if tire tread becomes too thin, it can lead to a rupture or tire blow out. Decreased Fuel Economy Unbalanced wheels out more stress on the engine and make it harder to power a vehicle. The resistance from the imbalance forces the engine to work harder, leading to a significant decrease i ... read more

We understand that these unprecedented times may have many staying home and not using their vehicles as often. While some believe that not using your vehicle doesn't do it any harm, idle vehicles actually do require a certain amount of maintenance in order to protect their integrity.  The reason why idle vehicles still need to be maintained is that certain fluids and components benefit from being circulated and powered on. For instance, you can't skip an engine oil change just because you aren't driving your vehicle. Idle engine fluid can actually get dirty and contaminated with moisture, which can cause engine parts to corrode when you begin driving your vehicle again.  Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to vehicle maintenance for idle cars:  Make sure that you are starting up your vehicle at least once a week, and letting the engine run for a good 15-20 minutes.    Get your oil changed on time.    Always leave ... read more

Hitting the pavement for a drive and finding that your vehicle is rattling excessively and making clunking sounds is not only annoying but also quite alarming. This symptom typically happens when you have a suspension issue, and occurs when driving over bumps, uneven surfaces, debris, potholes, and more. It could be that some suspension part is loose or broken.  The suspension system is fairly complex, so finding the exact source of the noise can be tricky to do by yourself. An expert mechanic at BG Automotive, however, will be able to properly identify any suspension issue and ensure that you get back on the road with a comfortable vehicle.  Here are some of the potential causes for a clunking noise when going over bumps: Bad control arm bushings Damaged ball joints Worn out struts Damaged or worn-out shock absorbers Damaged leaf spring shackles Loose body mounts These are just some of the potential causes of why you're hearing strange noises when driving or ... read more

We know that July 4th may look different this year with the current pandemic. Although you may not be able to celebrate how you used to, there are still ways in which you can spend time with loved ones and celebrate. July 4th is a day where we celebrate our freedom here in the United States and typically gather to watch fireworks and eat some of our favorite foods. Although you may not be able to gather, you can still fire up the BBQ and enjoy some legal fireworks with close family members or friends.  With the increase in cars on the road, fireworks, and grills going, the 4th should be approached safely in order to have a fun and stress-free weekend. Here are some of our tips for how to celebrate safely this year: If you're traveling anywhere by car, be sure to remember to drive carefully. There is typically an increase in vehicles on the road, and alcohol consumption makes the 4th one of the most dangerous days to drive the entire year. Be aware of your surr ... read more

To maintain comfort while driving, you expect to be able to easily control the internal temperature of your vehicle. The A/C in your vehicle allows you to initiate cool air when you need it. If you ever notice a problem with your vehicle’s air conditioning system, don’t hesitate to bring your vehicle into the experts here at BG Automotive. Our ASE certified experts are experienced working with all makes and models of vehicles and can help with any A/C system problem that you may be experiencing. We will perform diagnostics to determine the exact cause of the issue and repair your A/C system back to top working condition.  The A/C system in your vehicle is very complex. Its job is to take air from outside of your vehicle, filter that air, and then cool it to your temperature setting, and then transfers that air to the inside of your vehicle. If a problem with the A/C occurs, you will notice right away that something is wrong.  If you experience any ... read more