Repair Tips

JM Auto Repair

At JM Auto Repair, we love helping you. However, we know that real help is the kind that keeps you out of our shop. While we'll always be here for fast repairs and proactive maintenance, we believe there are actions you can take as a car owner.

If you're interested in learning how to best take care of your car, keep reading these helpful repair and maintenance tips. If you have questions or want to get your car looked at by a professional, call us now!

Most people know how to operate a car, but they may not really know how a car operates. This can make it hard to figure out when something is wrong. You can always bring your car into JM Auto Repair for diagnostics and repairs, but we believe that education is powerful. To learn more about how your car works, we've worked up some tips. You can use your senses to figure out if something is amiss with your vehicle.

• Touch: Shimmies, steering wheel shaking, and unusual vibrations
• Sound: Clunks, clacking, clicking, squeaking, and rushes of air
• Sight: Unusual lights, leaking, and flickering
• Smell: Gas, oil, and burning

If your senses pick up on anything unusual, call JM Auto Repair. We have over 50 years of combined experience, and all our service is backed by a warranty that protects you for 12 months or 12,000 miles. Call us now!

Car technology has evolved a lot over the years. However, the need for maintenance has never changed. Although modern cars rely on electronics instead of ignition points and carburetors, your car still needs its parts tuned up. According to the Car Care Council, the 21st Century Tune-Up is vital to keep you and your car safe. A modern tune-up will inspect the following parts:

• Battery
• Engine
• Powertrain control
• Fuel
• Ignition
• Emissions

Overall, a tune-up can improve your performance, maintain a reliable drive, and extend the lifespan of your vehicle. Be sure to know the recommendations for your vehicle. You can trust the team at JM Auto Repair to be your auto car partner in Colorado Springs, CO.

With the cold and snow, most people have to mentally prepare for winter. Your car also needs to be prepped for the season. Here are our winterization tips:

• Fix engine problems such as idling and stalling because these issues can get worse in the cold
• Use fuel de-icer once a month to keep moisture from freezing on your fuel line
• Invest in regular oil changes as required by the manufacturer
• Use a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water and be mindful to never remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled thoroughly
• Replace old windshield wiper blades and consider rubber-clad winter blades to fight ice buildup
• Invest in windshield wiper solvent and carry an ice scraper
• Make sure the heater and defroster work well
• Check your battery for corrosion, clean the surface, tighten connections, and check fluid levels if possible
• Inspect and clean lights and bulbs
• Check the exhaust system for leaks
• Inspect your tires for tread life, uneven wear, cupping, cuts, nicks, and pressure when it gets cold
• Rotate tires as recommended
• Check your spare tire and jack
• Carry emergency equipment like gloves, boots, flares, blankets, shovels, sand, tire chains, flashlight, food, and more

Winter driving can be perilous. These tips can't prevent all problems, but they can help keep you safe on the road this winter.

Your car also needs to be prepped for summer. Summer is hot, and there is dust and traffic that can impact your vehicle. Here are some tips to minimize your risk of a breakdown while on the road in Colorado Springs, CO:

• Check your car's air conditioner to stay safe and comfortable
• Monitor and flush the cooling system to prevent overheating
• Get your oil changed, especially before extended trips and frequent short trips
• Replace filters more often for dusty conditions
• Address engine drivability problems for hard starts, rough idling, stalling, and diminished power
• Stay safe and reduce eye strain by replacing worn windshield wiper blades
• Inspect your lights and bulbs and clean them with a wet rag
• Rotate your tires every 5,000 miles
• Check tire pressure monthly and watch for your tread depth
• Be ready with a reliable spare and jack
• Address brake problems per the manufacturer's recommendations
• Maintain your battery by scraping away corrosion, cleaning surfaces, and tightening connections
• Invest in an emergency kit with tools, first aid supplies, flares, and a flashlight

These steps are designed to help keep you safe this summer. If you have questions, call JM Auto Repair today!

Car care is best for you, your car, and the environment. If you're not convinced, just consider the following points:

• Tune your engine: A misfiring spark plug can affect your fuel efficiency by 30%, and you should replace filters and fluids per your manufacturer's recommendations
• Check tire inflation: Low tire pressure makes your vehicle work harder
• Tire maintenance: Wheels out of line make your engine work hard, and proper maintenance extends the lifespan of your tires
• Maintain your air conditioner: Your auto cooling system uses CFC gases, which can impact the ozone layer, and proper maintenance can lower your outputs
• Speed limits: Your mileage decreases sharply over 50 miles per hour
• Drive carefully: Keep your acceleration to a minimum and avoid sudden starts and stops
• Avoid idling: Save gas and engine power by shutting down when you're waiting for others and don't bother letting it warm up on cold days
• Remove excess cargo: More weight increases your mileage, and the best cargo storage is in your trunk
• Consolidate your trips: Planning ahead can minimize unnecessary trips to minimize wear and tear on your car, mileage costs, and environmental outputs
• Proper disposal: Make sure that motor oil, antifreeze, old batteries, and other parts are disposed of safely and properly

Overall, you have a lot of control over your car's performance and its impact on the environment. What's best for your car is often best for the environment. Call the team at JM Auto Repair to learn more about proper car care and its impact on the world around us.

With the cost of fuel, some people are looking for ways to cut back on their driving expenditures. At JM Auto Repair, we understand the pressure. Fortunately, we know that there are ways to cut your fuel costs without cutting back on your time behind the wheel.

Here are some tips from the Car Care Council:

• Gas caps: 147 million gallons of gas are vaporized each year because of damaged, loose, or missing gas caps
• Underinflated tires: Poorly inflated tires can cost you a mile or two per gallon
• Worn spark plugs: Dirty spark plugs can misfire, which wastes fuel and results in a loss of heat and electrical or chemical erosion
• Dirty air filters: Clogged air filters cause too much gas to be burned, which wastes gas and uses engine power

In general, it's best to invest in regular maintenance for all working parts of your vehicle. On top of that, don't be an aggressive driver and avoid excessive idling. You should also mind the speed limit. Every mile per hour over 60 will cost you 10 cents per gallon. Cruise control on the highway can help you keep your fuel consumption in check.

Driving around town is one thing. If you're prepping for a trip, your car deserves extra consideration. In fact, the Car Care Council suggests that a simple 10-minute pre-trip check can help you and your car stay safe. At JM Auto Repair, we agree!

• Check fluids including antifreeze, engine oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield washing solvent
• Check hoses and belts to protect your electrical, power steering, and cooling systems
• Check tires including inflation, tread, bulges, and bald spots

These quick checks can make sure your car is safe, and they can identify signs of a problem early. Small fixes now can prevent big repairs later. An inspection can't guarantee that nothing will go wrong, but it's the best way to protect yourself and your car.

It is estimated that 13,000 Americans are killed every summer due to a lack of vehicle maintenance. Most of the time, mechanical failures on the road are traced back to neglected maintenance. Most accidents are caused by overheating, which can usually be avoided with proper care. On average, 21% of cars have underinflated tires, which can leave you at risk for a blowout.

Don't become a statistic. Take 10 minutes to check your car and call JM Auto Repair for your preventative maintenance.