Boulder Auto Repair

You're driving along, jamming to one of your favorite songs. Then you notice it appear on your dash — the dreaded check engine light. Should you pull over right away and contact a mechanic or take a chance and hope you reach your destination? Frankly, you should probably do something in between those extremes. While you probably don't need to pull over the second you notice the indicator, you should get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. Let's take a closer look at what to do when the check engine light comes on. Look for a serious problem that warrants immediate attention First and foremost, you want to rule out potential disaster. Look closely at your dash gauges and lights for any signs of low oil pressure or overheating. Should your vehicle exhibit these conditions, pull over and shut off the engine before calling for help. Try tightening the gas cap Believe it or not, this happens from time to time. A driver stops for gas but fail ... read more

It seems like everyone is pinching pennies these days. When it comes to auto maintenance, drivers usually opt for what's cheapest. But what if there was a way to skip a potentially costly trip to the local automotive service center and still keep your vehicle in check? Here are five car maintenance tasks you can do yourself, as referenced from US News: Change the air filter This is far and away the easiest task to complete on the list. First, open your hood and locate the air filter. It's probably in a black case with metal clips on either side. Next, open the case and see how the old filter sits inside of it. Then remove the old filter while being careful that nothing falls into the bottom of the box. The job is done after you put the new filter in, close the case, and secure with the nuts. Change the oil Once you locate ... read more

It takes more than a reliable vehicle to be safe on the road. Smart driving practices also play a major role. With that in mind, here are five tips for becoming a responsible car owner: Drive carefully You can admit it. There are times as a driver when you fail to abide by traffic laws. Whether it's going over the speed limit or failing to use a turn signal, nobody can claim they're the model driver all the time. Consider this your reminder to drive with caution. Accelerate and brake slowly, especially with winter storms just around the corner. By consistently driving carefully, you put less stress on your vehicle's mechanical components and, of course, reduce the risk of accidents. Avoid emotional driving Getting behind the wheel of a car when upset or tired is a recipe for disaster. Keep in mind that tired drivers usually have slower response times while emotional drivers are prone to road rage. It's okay to pull over or stay put until you feel 100 p ... read more

The kids are back in school and the long summer days we've enjoyed are starting to get shorter. Yet, as I write this blog post, it's a perfect 80 degrees in Boulder. For us here at The Shop Automotive, that's road trip weather. Whether you're planning a quick, three-day trip or more of a cross-country trek, you want to be able to count on your vehicle. Here are some tips to ensure your car or truck gets the family from point A to point B safely and efficiently: Top off necessary fluids The last thing you want is for your vehicle to overheat and stall in the middle of nowhere. This is where radiator fluid comes into play. Also known as coolant or antifreeze, radiator fluid extracts heat from the engine and dissipates it through the radiator. Don't just stop there, though. Next comes the brake fluid, which our local auto repair team recommends be flushed every 36,000 miles or so. If you allow your vehicle's brake fluid to be contaminated, then ... read more

You're zipping around Boulder without a care in the world. Then, out of the blue, a car pulls out right in front of you. You slam on the brakes and avoid a potentially bad accident by inches. We don't really think about our brakes until we experience something like this. That's why it's so important to always have brakes in top-working condition. Here are some signs that it's time for a brake replacement: You hear a high-pitched screeching sound when you apply your brakes The small metal shim, called an indicator, is responsible for this sound. If you hear it, then you know it's time to replace your vehicle's brakes pads. Pro tip: Avoid putting off this appointment. The longer you wait, the more unsafe your vehicle becomes. Your brakes are not as responsive As aforementioned, there are times when your vehicle's brakes prevent accidents. It's never good when your brakes become less responsive or if the pedal sinks toward the ... read more