Fort Collins and Longmont Auto Repair

Tires are a vital part of your vehicle, especially when it comes to safety. When you have good quality tires, you don't have to worry about the safety risks that poor quality tires bring. Because tires are the only thing between the body of your car and the road, ensuring that they are always performing correctly is vital.  Did you know? Under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure Every year, an estimated 3,200 people are injured in accidents related to tires 1 in 4 cars have at least 1 tire that is significantly under-inflated Only 19% of car owners regularly check and inflate their tires One important aspect of your tires is the tread. The tread is what allows your tires to get proper traction with the road under many different weather conditions. Checking your tread periodically is important to ensure that your vehicle will have the proper traction on the road. You can use a traction tester or use a penny to perform a penny test.  If you notice that one ... read more

It’s time to ring in the New Year, celebrating that another year has passed and hoping that the New Year will bring us all good health and fortune. Many people will be out celebrating the holiday with their loved ones, which is why it is so important to remember to stay safe tonight wherever you plan to be.  If you are planning on driving to a destination tonight to celebrate, be sure to remember the following safety tips which will protect your safety and the safety of others on the road:  NEVER drink and drive. If you are planning on partaking, we suggest not driving at all and getting a ride share or taxi sorted to get you where you need to be. If you do drive to a friends house and partake in drinking, ask to spend the night until morning when you will be safe to drive home. When you drink and drive, you risk taking your own life and the lives of others.  You may want to leave early to get to your destination to avoid heavy traffic in populated areas.  ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at BG Automotive! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. With all the holidays comes lots of travel, so if you are planning a road trip in the near future, we recommend that you check off some important travel measures before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by the experts here at BG Automotive before you hit the road. You never want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck without a working vehicle, so guaranteeing that your vehicle is ready for any road trip will keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind on the road.    Pack ample blankets and coats for the road to keep warm if you’re traveling in the cold this winter.    Have an emergency kit on hand in your trunk to help out in cases of emergencies. Some things to make sure you have with you include a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, flares, cell phone charger, and first aid ki ... read more

Your brakes are extremely important to the safety of your car, so a problem or symptoms should be considered urgent and inspected by the experts here at BG Automotive as soon as possible. Whether you notice a strange noise or a lack in performance, we recommend bringing your vehicle into our shop for service to check out the issue and ensure that your vehicle is safe for the road.  Your vehicle’s brake pads are an essential component of the brake system and help produce the friction that allows your vehicle to stop or slow down. However, brake pads do not last forever and will need to be replaced periodically. Over time, they begin to wear down and will need to be replaced. Here are 5 telling signs that your brake pads are due for a replacement:  If your brake pedal vibrates when you press down on it, this is a sign that the binding resin holding your brake pads together has worn down.    If you hear a clicking noise, this is a sign that your brake pads ma ... read more

The cooling system in your vehicle has a very important job - it's the system that keeps your engine cool and prevents it from overheating and corroding under high heat. So the question remains, does coolant need to be replaced, and if so, how often?  The answer is yes - coolant does need to be changed, especially when it starts to get low or very dirty. The recommended time frame for changing the coolant will depend on the make and models of your vehicle, but the usual time frame varies around every 30,000 miles.  A coolant fluid service is more than just adding or changing the fluid. This service will actually remove old oil and flush out the entire system of dirt and debris so that it is clean. Then, fresh coolant is added back in.  Just like any other system in your vehicle, regular maintenance and service is the key to avoiding major problems and keeping your vehicle healthy. Cooling system problems can lead to engine damage and major repairs, so the bet ... read more

Did you know that poor tire condition is a leading cause of accidents on the road? This is because poor tire care causes tire blowouts, flat tires, and problems with steering and controlling your vehicle. If you want to save yourself time, money, and hassle out there on the road - then never ignore your vehicle's tire maintenance.  We know that maintenance can be tricky, which is why we break down 5 simple tire checks that you can do every few months to ensure that your tires are always in good condition.  Tire tread - a tire depth gauge is a good investment. It can be purchased as cheap as $5 and is perfect for checking tire depth and tread. A new tire will have 10/32" tread, and the point when the tire tread is so low it needs to be replaced immediately is 2/32".  Wear patterns - a quick look at how your tire is wearing is a good indication of how the systems working around your tires are doing. If you notice uneven wear, such as the inside of the ... read more

Driving your vehicle can always be risky, especially when it comes to unexpected occurrences on the road. In order to be prepared for everything, we recommend always keeping the following top 10 safety items in your vehicle that will come in handy during any emergency situation.  Here are 10 emergency items to keep in your vehicle:  Spare Tire, Jack, and Lug Wrench Flashlight  Tool Kit First Aid Kit Non-perishable Foods Water Cell Phone Charger Jumper Cables Flares Reflective Vest The 10 items listed above with help with any emergency situation, including breakdowns on the side of the road, accidents, flat tires, and more. 

Driving our vehicles in the warmer weather can take a toll on their health, especially when going on long drives and road trips. In order to keep your vehicle reliable this summer, be sure to have your vehicle inspected and prepared for the heat.  Make sure your A/C is working properly. If it has been a while since your A/C has been checked, be sure to have it looked at by one of our expert mechanics. Getting stuck driving in the summer without a working air conditioning system can be unbearable.  Have the cooling system inspected by a trusted mechanic. The cooling system is what prevents your engine from overheating, and this system needs to be in top working condition with fluids in good shape to avoid unwanted breakdowns.  Be sure that your engine oil has been replaced on time and that you aren’t due for an oil change during your trip or long drive. If so, have it completed before you embark.  Double check that your windshield wipers are in working cond ... read more

Nobody wants to get stuck during the spring or summer warmth without working air conditioning. If you try to turn on your A/C and no air blows out, or maybe only hot air blows out and it never gets colder, there’s something wrong with an A/C component. The A/C system is actually very complex, and therefore there are a number of different reasons why the system can fail. Here are some of the top causes of A/C system failure:  Refrigerant leak Failed compressor Deteriorated refrigerant hoses Mold or mildew buildup Faulty cooling fan Broken seal or hose The best way to ensure that your vehicle’s air conditioning will work properly throughout the spring and summer is to have your system inspected by one of our experts regularly. Routine A/C inspections will allow us to catch small problems early on before they turn into more expensive issues.  If there is a problem with your vehicle’s air conditioning system, you may notice one or more of the following sy ... read more

If you own a vehicle, you’ve probably seen a warning light pop-up on your dashboard a couple of times, whether it be a check engine light or other system warning light. Most are familiar with the check engine light and understand that once it appears, it’s time to have your vehicle inspected. However, there are many other warning lights that can appear that represent issues with other systems in your vehicle. Here are some of the most important warning lights and what they represent:  Engine Temperature Warning Light - This symbol looks like a thermometer in an ocean. This indicates that your engine is overheating, and needs to be inspected immediately.  Check Engine Light - The most common warning light, indicating an issue with the engine.  ABS Warning Light - This symbol will usually say “ABS”. It indicates a problem with the Antilock Brake System, and will require a professional to take a look.  Tire Pressure Warning Light - This ligh ... read more