Ft. Collins Auto Repair

It's safe to say that most drivers take their brakes for granted.  You press on the brake pedal and the vehicle slows down or stops.  It's easy to see why it is so important for your vehicle's brakes to be working correctly.  Brakes are an important safety feature of any vehicle. When it comes to your brakes working correctly, maintaining them regularly will ensure that you will always be able to slow or stop your vehicle in any situation, whether on a sunny day on dry pavement or a bad weather day on slippery surfaces.  And that is why regular brake service is such a sound investment for all drivers. The combo of brakes" and "surprises" doesn't usually end well. You might already know about some of the parts of your braking system.  Terms familiar to you might be pads, rotors, and calipers. In short, the calipers press the pads, which in turn contact the rotors.  The resulting friction slows your vehicle.  Another typ ... read more

If someone tells you to put the brakes on something, you know it means stop.  And stopping is one of the most important safety maneuvers you can do in any vehicle.  That means your brakes have to work properly.   Let's face it.  You stop dozens of times every time you drive.  And over time, that takes its toll on your brakes.  Friction is what stops your vehicle.  Most newer vehicles have disc brakes, and the parts that wear out the fastest are those that rub against each other every time you stop, the rotors and the pads. The rotors are discs that rotate with the wheels, and the pads are removable surfaces that make contact with the rotors to slow or stop your vehicle.  Bits of both wear off each time you stop, and when enough of either (or both) lose too much material, your brakes become unable to safely slow or stop your vehicle.   The pads usually are the parts that wear out first.  Signs that your brakes might be getting wor ... read more

When you are pointing your vehicle straight down the street, it should go straight.  That’s pretty straightforward, right? Sometimes, though, you may notice you have to keep adjusting the steering wheel to keep going straight.  While that could be caused by many different issues, one possibility is that you have a failing or bent control arm. Another sign is that when you brake, your vehicle pulls to one side or the other.  Sometimes your suspension may sound noisy, especially when you’re traveling on rough surfaces.  A damaged control arm may also make it almost impossible for you to get a good wheel alignment.  The control arms are part of your suspension, and some vehicles have upper control arms and lower control arms.  Not all have the same number of control arms, but one thing is important: If you have worn bushings on your control arms or a worn-out ball joint, the control arm on the other side should also be replaced.  The rubber ... read more

These days in the automotive industry there is a lot of private equity money. Groups of investors buying up independent shops. It's happening in the auto body and paint side, and it's happening in the mechanical repair side, too.  It is likely happening in other industries as well. A by-product, I suppose, of our country's demographics. The baby-boom generation is largely retired, many of them successfully and financially able to invest. And so, small independent shops of many types are becoming corporatized (new word, there).  Is this a good thing, or a bad thing? Maybe both? Maybe neither? What I feel is that when private equity happens and independent operators sell, local culture is at risk. The focus often shifts from community service and involvement, to making sure the numbers pencil out, every time. Does this make for bad business people? Not necessarily. But it might remove some of the warmth, compassion, and understanding that you used to have when doi ... read more

Exciting Update: Both Performance Tune Auto Repair and All Tech Automotive are Now All Tech Automotive! We’re thrilled to announce that Performance Tune Auto Repair and All Tech Automotive have officially completed the uniting process under the All Tech Automotive name! This change reflects our dedication to offering you enhanced service and a seamless auto repair experience. What's New? Same Great Service, New Name Same Exceptional Service, New Name: You can continue to expect the high-quality repairs and outstanding service you’ve come to trust, now under the All Tech Automotive banner. Two Convenient Locations: We’re now operating at both our West and East locations, ready to serve you with top-notch auto repair and maintenance: All Tech Automotive West Address: 1007 Centre Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80526 Phone: (970) 372-1012 Hours: Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM All Tech Automotive East Address: 450 Industrial Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80524 Phone: ( ... read more