Boulder Auto Repair

Diesel engines have been used extensively in Europe and Asia for many years. They haven’t been as common in Eldorado Springs because of the high sulfur content in our diesel fuel. But the government is now mandating lower sulfur content and, as a result, we are going to see more Boulder car owners driving diesel-fueled vehicles on the road, especially in passenger cars and SUV’s. Diesels are popular in Boulder because they get better fuel efficiency than gas-powered engines. They also last longer. Modern diesel engines are quiet and powerful. And if you associate diesel engines with black smoke, then you’re not up with the times. That smoke is a thing of the past. Diesels don’t produce any more pollutants than gasoline engines. The pollution standards for diesel-powered vehicles are as strict in CO as for other vehicles. Also, diesel engines can run on bio-diesel fuels as well as fossil fuels ... read more

Today at John’s Auto Care we want to talk with you about a very important safety issue. This automotive safety warning is coming from a very unusual source: fire fighting experts. You’ve probably heard of E-85 gasoline being offered in the Eldorado Springs area. Some newer vehicle models are specifically built to run on E-85 – the rest are not.E-85 gasoline has been developed to fight air pollution and reduce oil consumption. E-85 fuel is a mix of 85% ethanol, a grain-base alcohol, and 15% gasoline. So-called Flex-Fuel vehicles are designed to use either normal gasoline or E-85 gas. The result is lower harmful exhaust emissions to our local Eldorado Springs community. All gas engines can run with up to 10% ethanol and in fact a lot of gasoline sold in the Boulder, CO area does contain some ethanol. The problem comes when well meaning car owners without Flex Fuel cer ... read more

When it comes to preventive maintenance and car care, most Boulder motorists know how critical it is to check their brakes. But brakes are more than just brake pads and shoes. There are a lot of components in the brake system, and they all need to be in good working order. The pads and shoes are known as the friction materials in the brake system. They push together, providing friction, which stops the vehicle. It’s no wonder they have to be checked regularly for wear, and that brake pads and shoes need to be replaced periodically. Brake pads/shoes gradually wear out, but that doesn’t mean your braking gradually becomes less effective. The pads are engineered so that they maintain good braking until they wear too thin to provide adequate friction. At this point, they need to be replaced. But your braking system also has mechanical parts. These pistons and springs can also gradually wear out or get gummed up by oil, dirt and other road spatt ... read more

Boulder car owners may know that all 2008 model year and newer cars, mini-vans and light trucks in Boulder come with a tire pressure monitoring system. Many slightly older vehicles around Eldorado Springs have these systems as well. A tire pressure monitoring system – called TPMS – consists of sensors on each wheel that measure tire pressure. If tire pressure drops 25 percent below the auto manufacturer’s recommended pressure, the sensor sends a signal to a monitoring unit that causes a warning to light up on the dashboard. When Eldorado Springs motorists see the warning light, they know it’s time to put some air in the tires. There are many benefits to Boulder motorists who drive with properly inflated tires around Boulder. First is cost savings. Running at the correct air pressure improves fuel economy. Driving on under-inflated tires is like driving through sand – it drags down your gas mileage. Boulder ... read more