Boulder Auto Repair

Did you know that most of the cars driving around Boulder, CO carry more computer power than the Apollo 121 Lunar Module that landed on the moon in 1969? New cars sold in the Eldorado Springs area have as many as twelve networked computers and over five miles (eight kilometers) of wiring. In fact, for the last decade or so, auto computers have been controlling about 85 percent of your vehicle’s functions. Cars have sensors for manifold air temperature, coolant temperature, manifold air pressure, airflow, throttle position, vehicle speed and oxygen content. All of this electronic wizardry is pretty complicated. So how do Boulder drivers know when there is a problem? It’s simple; the Check Engine light comes on. The computer monitors all the sensors and uses that information to decide what to adjust such as the fuel mix, spark timing and idle speed. In addition, the computer monitors its own circuits. When it finds a fault, it turns on the Che ... read more

Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Boulder motorists, family car auto makers publish two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Boulder motorists follow? Here are some questions to ask yourself:Are most of your trips less than four miles around Boulder? Are most of your trips less than 10 miles in below-zero CO temps? Are most of your trips off-highway in CO? Do you drive often in dusty Eldorado Springs areas? Do you regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads around Boulder? Do you drive in very hot or very cold CO weather? Think about your typical week. Do you live by your nearest Boulder freeway on-ramp and enjoy a non-stop commute to Eldorado Springs or Lafayette? Or, do you drive the neighborhood car pool in stop-and-go traffic on Boulder surface streets?Let’s suppose your owner’s manual says the ... read more

Most Eldorado Springs car owners know that tires wear out and that the wear has to do with tread depth. Most of us have heard that “bald” tires are dangerous, but most of us picture a tire with no tread at all when we think of a bald tire. And when we take our vehicles in for preventive maintenance, the technician tells us they’re need to be replaced long before all the tread is worn off. Just how much tire tread wear is too much? And how can you tell? Tires are expensive and their condition is important to the safe handling of a vehicle, so it’s essential for Eldorado Springs motorists to know the answers to these questions. First of all, it’s essential to understand that there may be a legal limit to tread wear. If your tires are worn past this limit, you have to replace them to be in compliance with CO auto safety laws. That’s why measuring your tread wear is part of a vehicle safety inspection. In some jurisdiction ... read more

There are a surprising number of small, inexpensive parts that can lead to expensive engine damage when they fail. It doesn’t seem right. Fortunately a lot of those things can be taken care of in routine maintenance. They may not be easy to remember, because it is a long list, but your service center at John’s Auto Care can help you know what’s scheduled to be taken care of. Some of us in Boulder CO really don’t look forward to going in for an oil change and then getting a list of the other things the manufacturer recommends. But automotive maintenance is all about prevention, and addressing small problems before they get big. Let’s take the fuel filter for example. You may not know this but the median age for private vehicles on our Boulder CO roads is over nine years. When cars get older, five years or so, they ... read more

Today we want to talk about a critical system in our cars – the cooling system. It’s one of those things that Boulder drivers don’t give much thought to until it fails and then they’re stranded by the side of a road in Boulder. Cooling systems fail more often than any other mechanical system – usually because of neglect. Don’t you hate it when something breaks, and you could have done something to prevent it? The good news is that if Boulder auto owners take care of their cooling systems they can keep working for the life of their car. Here at AutoNetTV and John’s Auto Care in Boulder, we emphasize critical preventive maintenance services like replacing your coolant according to the factory schedule. But the various parts that make up the cooling system need attention too. The major components of the cooling system are the water pump, freeze plugs, the thermostat, the radiator, cooling fans, t ... read more