Broomfield Auto Repair

A tire pressure monitoring system, or TPMS, monitors the air in your tires. It consists of sensors on each tire to calculate and send real-time information to the car's computer. Once one or more of your tires have lost over 1/4 of its recommended psi, it will trigger a TPMS warning light to come on your dashboard. On the other hand, if the TPMS light is blinking, it means that the sensors are malfunctioning. Today, we will be going over some commonly asked questions regarding the TPMS. What Can Cause the TPMS Sensor to Fail? Collisions Potholes and Curbs Sensor Battery Failure - not common as sensors are expected to last 7 to 10 years Does a TPMS Replace Manual Tire Pressure Checks? Absolutely not! Tire pressure checks are still a driver's responsibility, and they should be done manually with proper tools. It is not a replacement for regular tire pressure monitoring because the light does not come on until the tires meet the 25% threshold. Furthermore, the sensors may ina ... read more

Spark plugs play a vital role in the internal combustion process, which produces power for your engine. Spark plugs ignite the combustion chamber where the fuel-air mix. Spark plugs require routine service and replacement just as the fuel filters and air filters. To achieve optimum performance, your spark plugs should be clean and there should not be any damage to the electrodes. What is a Bad or Fouled Spark Plug? Dirty or fouled spark plugs can affect the running of the engine. A bad or fouled spark plug is one that is covered with fuel, oil, and carbon. It could also be blistered because of running too hot. Driving with bad or fouled spark plugs may cause multiple problems to your engine. Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Spark Plugs Below are some of the common signs and symptoms of bad or failing spark plugs: Engine Misfire Faulty spark plugs result in an engine misfire due to incomplete burning fuel. An interrupted combustion process can significantly affect the engine perform ... read more

Your car's fuel system requires regular maintenance like all the other systems. Most problems linked to faulty components or sensors are caused by the buildup on various parts. Fuel system contamination may also degrade various components prematurely. Regular maintenance will help you save a lot of money as it will prevent severe complications. You can tell your fuel system is having issues or struggling when you experience the following signs: Acceleration Lag If the engine does not get enough fuel, you will notice acceleration lag—when you step on the gas to move your vehicle from stop or to speed up, your car will sputter and resist to pick up speed. You will definitely run into problems if the fuel injectors or filters are clogged or if the fuel pump does not send adequate fuel to the engine. Stress Power Decrease Overloading, towing, and driving up a steep hill apply stress on your engine. If your car loses power under these conditi ... read more

There's so much to love about the winter, such as the holidays and snow. Unfortunately, this new season can also bring a whole new set of obstacles for drivers: snow, ice, freezing rain, and sleet. All these icy and slippery conditions can quickly make your drive more dangerous and scary. For instance, some of you have probably experienced your car skidding on ice or snow. If you want to take on these challenges safely this winter in Broomfield, CO, please follow these tips:   Tip #1: Drive Smoothly When we say "driving smoothly", it means that you shouldn't make abrupt movements, hard turns, or jerk the steering wheel. These sudden actions can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Tip #2: Be Extra Attentive of Others During this time of year, you may see an increase in traffic on the road. Regardless, you should be checking your mirrors and watching your surroundings. While you may be a great driver yourself, there are likely a few bad drivers that you ... read more

If you've ever looked at your dashboard in confusion, you're not alone. Many different symbols and lights can pop up, and it can be a lot to take in. One notably confusing symbol is the coolant temperature light, and its function is to show the temperature of your engine. When it's blue, it means your motor isn't quite at the operational driving temperature yet. In other words, the engine needs to heat up. For this particular reason, it's advised that you wait until this blue light turns off before you drive anywhere. This engine coolant light can turn another: Red. And as you may guess, it means your engine is way too hot! If this light comes on, it's recommended that you turn your car off. This light typically only appears on very hot days, but it can also illuminate if you've been driving a lot of lugging heavy equipment at high speeds. It's not a big concern as long as it turns off after a little while. Potential Issues As mentioned before, if the ... read more