Boulder Auto Repair

We all know what driving a new car feels like. The smell of the leather is intoxicating. There isn’t a scratch in the paint, a ding on the door. The rolling along on open pavement with a sense of exhilaration and freedom is so powerful that being stuck in rush hour traffic seems like a stroll on the beach. But as your car ages, all of those feelings start to wear off – the leather has stains, the paint fades and road seems more bumpy. Your car handles differently as well. It just doesn’t drive quite so straight. The good news is that besides getting a thorough detailing to bring it back to its former glory, restoring harmony with the road is as easy as replacing your tires. They are the unsung hero of your car and need regular attention. So how do you know when it is time to replace them? The general rule of thumb was at 40,000 miles, you should invest in a good set of new rubber. However, with deteriorating road conditions and how you actually drive your car (c ... read more

There are all sorts of fun and interesting spots less than a day’s drive from Boulder, CO. Popular New Mexico towns like Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque make great car travel road trip destinations. As part of your pre-trip planning, make sure your vehicle is ready to go by stopping in at John’s Auto Care and asking for a trip check. Taos Taos is about 300 miles from Boulder and it takes roughly five to six hours to drive there. While in Taos, you can visit the Rio Grand Gorge Bridge, the seventh highest bridge in the U.S., and enjoy the magnificent views of the canyon and river. See the ancient Taos Pueblo, home to a Puebloan tribe and one of the oldest Native American communities in the United States that is still inhabited. Walk through the St. Francis of Assisi Mission Church, built in 1772, and admire the beauty that has inspired so many paintings and photographs. Santa Fe Santa Fe lies roughly 400 miles fr ... read more

George and Martha plan to drive to New York on Interstate 80.  A long-awaited cross-country trip inspired a sense of adventure in the senior couple.  Always thoughtful in preparation, and not wanting to get stranded, George began to review a travel checklist for their 2002 Lincoln Continental.  He drove his Lincoln to John’s Auto Care to ensure basic maintenance was up to par.  Things like oil, tires, battery, headlights, tail lights, blinkers, wipers, brakes and the air filter. “Good morning, George,” John said, “how can we help you today?” “Morning, John. Martha and I are leaving for New York the day after tomorrow and we want to make sure the Lincoln is road ready.” “No problem, George, can you leave your car here for a few hours?” “Certainly.  I can go home and help Martha with the rest of the packing.” “George, before you go, do you h ... read more

Part of knowing the fundamentals of what your car needs, is being able to calculate its fuel efficiency as you drive around. It’s important to know how far you can drive on a single tank of gas. Knowing this will let you determine how much farther you can drive if your gauge ever breaks, and more importantly it will let you figure out what your fuel efficiency is. With that information you can out if something is wrong with your vehicle. What better month to learn about this than car care month? So take a few minutes and learn how to get to know your vehicle a little better. Calculating Total Miles Calculating total miles traveled is simple, as long as you’re willing to jot down a few numbers the next time you fill your car with a tank of gas. After you fill up your car, before you drive down the road, write down your odometer reading. This is the initial reading. Now drive your vehicle until it registers at the half tank mark ... read more

As spring rolls into summer, people start to plan vacations, road trips, or just a casual Sunday drive.  In honor of National Car Month, we have compiled important facts you should know about the fundamentals of what your car needs. Read your owner’s manual.  The manual will tell you basic information about your car: the optimal time to change your oil, what type to use, how much air should you put in your tires, etc.  Don’t rely on generic advice about car maintenance.  Your unique car has unique needs.  The more informed your are about those needs, the less likely you will be taken advantage by a so-called expert.Do a visual inspection.  As you are kicking those tires, look at the tire tread.  Are the tires wearing evenly?  Do the treads look worn? Get a cheap tire pressure gauge and check the air.  If the treads are beginning to wear unevenly, schedule a routine tire ... read more