Boulder Auto Repair

Sometimes when we talk about exhaust service in Boulder, we think about exhaust pipes and mufflers. And if you can see smoke, or if it’s too loud. But, exhaust service at a place like John’s Auto Care is really a lot more comprehensive these days. For example, in the U.S., the federal government mandated catalytic converters for all cars in Boulder in 1976 and on-board emission control computers in 1990. CO and federal emissions requirements have forced manufacturers to come up with much more sophisticated ways to comply with environmental regulations. Cars sold in Canada follow the same guidelines. So, exhaust service has really become exhaust and emissions service. High-tech computer-controlled emissions devices are now a big part of that. And because it’s so sophisticated, your vehicle manufacturer recommends having your emission system checked out by a qualified technicia ... read more

So, everyone in the Boulder CO area knows how great helium is – you know, party balloons, squeaky voices. But a lot of people around Boulder still haven’t heard about the benefits of nitrogen in your tires, and how it can help your tires. Here’s some great advice from AutoNetTV, brought to you by John’s Auto Care. Nitrogen has actually been around for a long time in the Boulder CO commercial sector, but it’s just starting to catch on for private vehicles in the 80301 zip code area. Why nitrogen in your tires? Air is air, right? Actually, it turns out there is a difference.The heart of the matter is maintaining proper tire inflation. When your tires are properly inflated, they last longer, handle better and more safely, and save you money at the gas pump. The problem is that tires filled in Boulder with regular air can lose a pound and a half of air pressure every month. This just happens as the oxygen in t ... read more

We’re living in a disposable society. Everything from elaborate packaging to our clothing. Even cell phones are disposable. When replacement is cheaper than repair, the term “built to last” goes by the wayside. An exception is our vehicles. They’re still a very big investment and we want to make them last as long as possible – and we want to make keeping them as cheap as possible. When talking cars, it’s all about preventive maintenance. There is an old saying that says, “a stitch in time saves nine” and that is really true when it comes to taking care of your car. A great example is coolant service. Your coolant not only protects your engine from overheating and freezing – it must also protect cooling system components from corrosion. Over time, coolant becomes corrosive and actually starts to damage your radiator and other parts. That’s why you need to have your cooling system serviced on a regular schedule. The same is tr ... read more

You know, at John’s Auto Care we get a lot of people asking about how to prepare their car for a trip. That’s a big deal. You could be driving through mountains and deserts in some pretty lonely areas outside of Boulder so you may be anxious to know that the car is up to the task and won’t leave you stranded. You really do need to plan ahead for a major road trip – there are a lot of things to get ready. Where should you start? You could start with the tires. Look them over for tread wear and check to see that they are properly inflated. Take a quick test drive around Boulder to see if you can feel any vibrations: are the wheels are in balance? Is the car tracking straight? Is the alignment ok? The next thing is a full service oil change to make sure all of your fluids are topped off and you have fresh oil for the trip. And if your car has over 75,000 miles, you may consider putting in the high-mileage formulation to ... read more

Our cars have to operate in a wide range of Boulder, CO temperatures and our engine coolant must be able to perform ‘no matter what’. Think for a moment about the environment where the coolant works. Very hot, high pressure, corrosive… And all the while, it has to protect the components of the cooling system from corrosion. These components are made from steel and aluminum, plastics and rubber. The coolant has to be formulated to protect against corrosion for all of these different materials. That’s why different manufacturers recommend different types of anti-freeze for our Boulder, CO vehicles. There are several different ‘families’ of anti-freeze available to us here in Boulder, CO. Your owners’ manual will tell you what kind you should use. Of course, John’s Auto Care will know what to put in your car. It’s important to stay on top of this because coolant system failure is the most ... read more