Frisco Auto Repair

We all fear that time of spring when everything turns yellow in color and everyone we know seems to come down with hay fever. The effects of pollen on air quality during spring are obvious in indoor and outdoor settings, but it's really important not to neglect the effects of pollen on your car. When you think about it, our cars are on the front lines of the war on pollen. Imagine if you went out for a jog one spring day, but you magically acquired a new super power that enabled you to run at 50 miles per hour. It'd be a total blast at first, but after the first few blocks you'd be wheezing and sneezing from all the pollen suddenly rushing into your face and lungs. Why are air filters so important? We tend to think of our cars as solid, and totally protected from the elements like rain and wind. But lots of air flows through our vehicles when we drive, both into the interior cabin of the car where we sit, and under the hood into the engine and machinery. Th ... read more

Knowing when to take your vehicle into the auto shop for struts and shocks repair can be kind of tricky. The damping characteristics of shocks and struts diminish slowly over time, making it difficult to detect a problem. Usually when a driver notices that there is a problem, it' well past the time of needing replacement. Shocks and (or) struts are part of your vehicle' suspension system. Not all vehicles have both shocks and struts; some only have one or the other. Each aids in the vehicle' stability and handling. There' no strictly set time for shock and strut replacement as part of it depends on driving conditions such as how you drive and the condition of the roads. Some need replacement at 30,000 miles, and others can go as long as 60,000 miles. There are however some good indications that it' time to get into the auto shop and have them looked at by service technician. Signs that it' Time to Replace or Repair Struts Shocks and struts are responsible f ... read more

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Can Saves Lives Most people ignore their tires, yet tires are undoubtedly a critical safety component on a vehicle. Where the rubber meets the road affects traction, handling, steering, stability and braking. Because of this, a sudden tire failure can have serious consequences, especially if it occurs when operating at high speeds. + Nearly 250,000 accidents occur in the United States per year due to low tire pressure.+ About 75% of roadside flats are preceded by a slow leak or under inflation.+ According to a recent survey, America could reduce its fuel consumption by 10% and save a collective $2 billion a year by keeping tires properly inflated.+ NHTSA estimates that tire pressure monitoring systems could prevent as many as 79 deaths and 10,365 injuries each year in the United States.What is the effect of under inflation? ... read more

So you've found out that your brake pads are wearing out, and it' time for a replacement. But did you know that there are multiple types of brake pads, made from different materials and suited to the different needs of cars and driving styles? Our team at Ski Country Shell and Towing in Frisco, CO can help get the brake pads that best fit your car. Here' a quick guide to help you select the right brake pads for you. Semi Metallic Brake Pads Semi Metallic pads can be made from anywhere from 30% to 65% metal, from copper, wire, steel wool and other metal materials. Semi Metallic pads wear out the least quickly of all brake pads, but they also tend to wear out the brake rotors faster. Low-Metallic These pads are made from a special formula using about 10% to 30% copper or steel. Low-metallic brake pads are optimal for high heat and friction braking, and ideal for high speed braking. These types of pads are less clean than others, though. L ... read more

How to Get Honest Auto Repairs When you take your car in to the auto shop for servicing, you have every reason to expect to be treated with honesty and integrity. However, it' pretty hard to know when you are lied to, over charged, or taken advantage of, when automotive care is not your expertise. So how do you know when you are getting honest auto repairs? It all boils down to the details. What You Should Expect With Routine Maintenance Taking your car into the auto shop for routine maintenance is always a good idea. It prolongs the car' useful life, prevents larger repair bills, and it prevents you from having to deal with unexpected problems and expenses, or wondering whether or not you really need this repair. When you take your vehicle into the auto shop, the technician should tell you what services will be performed, how long it will take, and the cost. Honest auto shops want you to know these details and strive to perform the work as ... read more

Vehicles are extremely complicated machines, and any number of parts can malfunction. In a society that relies so heavily on their vehicles for work and recreation, an unexpected breakdown can spell disaster. However, increasing numbers of car owners are neglecting routine maintenance and ignoring the common signs of a need for engine repair that could leave them stranded and with huge repair bills. Getting the most out of your vehicle means keeping it in the best shape possible, and that requires knowing and acting on important warning signs that your vehicle needs engine repair or maintenance. If you want to avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown, take your vehicle in to your auto repair shop when you notice any of these signs of engine problems. Warning Lights That pesky “check engine” light is hard to miss, but many people do not take it as seriously as they should, especially if the light is not identifying a specific problem. Warning light ... read more

If you own a service fleet of trucks, trailers or vans, you know how difficult it can be to find a reliable repair service that will perform good maintenance and take great care of your fleet vehicles. It' important to find a shop and technicians that know your business and know the unique needs of fleet vehicles. Why is regular maintenance for fleet vehicles so important? You may not think of your fleet vehicles as needing regular maintenance, but fleet vehicles often acquire mileage faster than most person vehicles if they spend the majority of the day driving, instead of just commuting like personal cars. Scheduled, routine maintenance helps your fleet vehicles stay in great shape and in peak performance – which makes for easier driving, better gas mileage and minimal repair costs down the line. In addition to the repair costs of major part failure, when your fleet vehicle is out of commission, you know that you not only incur costs from the repair ... read more

Just like brakes, it' easy for drivers to tell when the clutch is wearing out and needing a replacement. A worn out, or wearing out, clutch can be harder to handle. You might notice that the pedals seem to 'stick' more, and that pushing the clutch in requires more force than normal. A clutch in need of repair can also lose the smoothness of a clutch in good condition; you might notice a 'shakiness' or jerking motion when the clutch moves from gear to gear, or even total loss of control at times, as the clutch slips out of gear entirely. The clutch doesn't usually last the lifespan of the car. Depending on the vehicle' make and model, and how well the clutch is treated, the clutch may or may not last more than 50,000 miles. Even the climate of where you live and drive, and your commute-type can affect the clutch. A driver that sits in city traffic all day, inching along, uses the clutch a lot more than a driver that coasts down the highway. Hot weather also affects the usage of clut ... read more

What to Consider When Hiring Towing Services Towing, or using one vehicle to move a disable second vehicle, is a common and useful service. It' also one that' much more complicated than it seems, requiring lots of vehicle and industry specific knowledge to ensure safe transport. If your car is broken down at the side of the road, chances are good that you do not have time to call around for referrals, but choosing the right auto shop or towing service is important in getting the job done well. That' what makes knowing a few tips before you call so important. When it comes to towing services, what you know and do before the tow can save you a lot of hassle later. It' always important to consider these tips: Know Your Situation Before you call the auto shop or towing service, collect as much information about the situation as possible and provide it to the service. Things like location, type of vehicle, condition of the vehicle, and wheth ... read more

Brakes are your first line of defense against any accidents or collisions on and off the road. So it' important that you get them checked out before they begin to fail or make noises. If you're like most drivers in Frisco, you only get your brakes checked once you notice that something' wrong. It' important to get your brakes checked regularly. Note, an easy way to remember is to get them checked each time you go in for an oil or filter change at Ski Country Auto Repair and Towing. Not maintaining functioning brakes is a danger to both you and other drivers on the road. Most common signs you need a brake check: Grinding or Screeching noises when you brake Cause: This usually indicates that the brake pads are worn down and need to be replaced immediately. Remember, the grinding and screeching is not a “friendly reminder” to change your brake pads, it is a sign of a mechanical problem ... read more