Ft. Collins Auto Repair

December 2025  All Tech Automotive, Fort Collins, CO Winter in Fort Collins brings freezing temperatures, snow-packed roads, and rapid weather changes, all of which can put extra strain on your car or truck. One of the most common warning signs drivers notice during colder months is that the check engine light will appear on the dashboard. While it can be unsettling, this warning doesn’t always mean a major repair is needed. Understanding why the light comes on, and what steps to take next, can help you avoid breakdowns and costly damage this winter. Why Winter Triggers Check Engine Lights in Colorado Cold weather affects vehicles differently than the summer heat. In Fort Collins, winter-related check engine light causes often include: Battery voltage drops from cold starts Sensor issues caused by temperature changes Emissions system faults Fuel system pressure changes Engine misfires due to cold co ... read more

All Tech Automotive, Fort Collins, CO As November rolls in, so does one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. Whether you’re heading across town to visit family for Thanksgiving or driving across Colorado for a long weekend getaway, road conditions, cold weather, and heavy holiday traffic make vehicle preparedness more important than ever. At All Tech Automotive, your trusted Fort Collins auto repair shop since 1991, we’re here to help keep your car safe, reliable, and road-trip-ready. Why November Travel Requires Extra Preparation Colorado’s early winter weather can change fast. One minute the roads are dry, the next—snow flurries, black ice, and freezing temperatures. Add holiday traffic, long distances, and colder nights, and small maintenance issues can quickly become costly breakdowns. That’s why now is the perfect time to schedule a pre-trip inspection at one of our two convenient Fort Colli ... read more

Engine air filters may not seem like a big deal, but when they’re clogged up with dirt, dust, and insects, your engine could wind up choking for air and not delivering you the power and performance it was designed to give. There are a couple of air filters in your vehicle.  One filters the air going into the cabin (the cabin air filter), and the other filters air going into the engine.  That engine filter is the one we’re talking about. After several months and long distances traveled, your engine air filter accumulates the junk it’s preventing from getting into your engine. You may notice your engine misfiring, your acceleration may not be what it used to be, it may make strange noises, and the Check Engine light may come on. When you notice any of those signs, it’s time to bring in your vehicle to have us figure out what’s going on. We’ll visually inspect your air filter.  Keep in mind that your vehicle’s manufacturer recomme ... 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

“Why Change Your Oil?” If you drive a car, there is no doubt you have heard that you need to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. But do you know why? Cars today are absolute engineering marvels. In recent years we have learned to squeeze more and more performance from engines by utilizing technologies such as variable valve timing and lift, cylinder deactivation, direct fuel injection and turbochargers. As consumers we have demanded more performance and more fuel economy for our dollar. Parts inside the engine move incredibly fast, generating friction and heat. Engine oil provides lubrication and cooling, allowing the parts to work together smoothly without overheating or seizing. Additionally, advanced engine technologies such as variable valve timing, employ oil pressure to activate, providing fuel economy when you want it and engine power when you need it! Driving too long between oil changes can be risky business. Fast-moving parts break dow ... read more