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

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

Let's face it: living as we do among the majestic Rocky Mountains, it can be hard to resist the urge to traverse that high-altitude terrain. Our vehicles bring us from the foothills to the peaks, and just everywhere in between. Our Boulder auto shop has seen it all when it comes to providing repairs and service on those vehicles that help us explore the high altitude and mountains of Colorado. Which makes us somewhat of an expert on the subject of auto maintenance for those mountain-friendly vehicles. In this blog, we're going to explore a few of these maintenance tips to help you get the most out of your explorations and avoid problems. However, should a problem occur, don't hesitate to visit The Shop Automotive — the premier Boulder auto shop which specializes in all makes and models, foreign and domestic. We'll get you back on those mountain paths in no time! Without further ado, here are some mountain vehicle maintenance tips ... read more

If the engine is the heartbeat of your vehicle, then what are the brakes? One could argue that they're more than the feet, or the shoes — they're almost like the brain, telling your car when it should stop and when it's ok to proceed. No matter what type of analogy you find to describe your vehicle's brakes, one thing remains clear: healthy brakes are critical when it comes to your vehicle as well as your safety. Our Boulder auto shop specializes in brake repairs, inspections, and replacements for a number of vehicles, makes, and models. The number one goal at The Shop Automotive is customer satisfaction and safety, which is why our highly skilled technicians spend time throughout the year in certification and continued education on both foreign and domestic vehicles. When it comes to brake repair in Boulder, The Shop Automotive is your Top Rated Local® partner. Learn more about your brakes in this blog and schedule a brake repair appointment with our Bo ... read more