Boulder Auto Repair

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

Road trips are an excellent idea for anyone who is looking to have a good time. Not only do you have the opportunity to take in some excellent views from the trip, but you can also have some pretty amazing adventures at the same time. Unfortunately, road trips are also a time when car issues develop. This is something that can quickly put a damper on any road trip and cause a great amount of expense. One of the best ways to make sure you are prepared to travel the roads is by creating an emergency kit for these types of situations. Along with flares and other safety devices, you will also want to include a way to jump your car in your emergency kit. Many drivers choose to add jumper cables to their vehicle as part of this process. However, there is actually something that is much more beneficial; a jump box. A jump box is a device that will jump your car without the need for a second vehicle. This is especially beneficial when you are on a road trip becaus ... read more

Prepping your car for warmer months is one of the most important maintenance cycles you can keep.  The changing of seasons can be hard on a vehicle and require preparation with an eye toward reliability and safety.  Perhaps the most often overlooked items on your seasonal checklist are your wiper blades. They are right in front of your face, but unless you are using them, they are out of sight, out of mind.  At least, until they start to streak, leaving dirty arcs across your windshield until your next fuel stop.  Then you scrub the window and forget until the next time it rains. Maybe you find yourself looking at a new set in the store, but it may not be time to spend that money just yet. The problem is most likely not the wipers themselves, but build up of road gunk on the blades.  Especially after winters that have seen salted or sanded roads, residue can build up on the edge of your blade.  This impedes its ability to maint ... read more

As we hit the warmer months, the perfect time approaches to pack the car and venture out, whether just for the day, or for that long-anticipated road trip. You look forward to carefree days: packed full of your favorite things to do, an escape from the grind at work, and the smell of sunscreen in the morning. When prepping your car, you want to assure it does not become an interruption to your plans. The warmer months are hard on cars. Winter has passed; temperature changes alone have placed stress on moving parts. Over winter, cold temperatures have temporarily thickened your fluids, placing more stress on your engine. Going into spring and summer, your car will meet heat, dust, increased driving, and crawling in heavier traffic to your destinations. Here are a few tips: 1) Have your A/C inspected. Ensure it will work continuously through the hot months. 2) Make sure your tires are properly inflated, rotated, and aligned. You will want to ensure ... read more