6 Auto Repair Tasks You Should Leave to a Professional | Scott's Fort Collins Auto

6 Auto Repair Tasks You Should Leave to a Professional

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Auto Repair

Your car is a complex machine. All the parts must work together seamlessly for safe, reliable performance. If you drive at high speeds while something is wrong with your car, you could put your life in danger! That’s why you shouldn’t postpone these six important auto repair tasks—and you should leave them to a professional mechanic to ensure the best possible outcome.

Clutch Replacement

The clutch is a component that controls the slippage between a spinning engine and non-spinning transmission. Over time, the friction material on the clutch wears down, just like brake pads, so it needs to be replaced. Other common problems include a stretched or broken clutch cable, air in the hydraulic line, misadjusted linkage, or mismatched clutch components.

Changing a clutch isn’t a complicated or delicate task, but it might require lifting the engine out of the car. If you don’t have a car jack and engine jack, it’s best to leave this auto repair to the pros.

Windshield Replacement

The most common reason to replace the windshield is because it has a crack. Small rock chips can be repaired, but once the damage spreads into a full-blown crack, the only fix is to replace the entire windshield. Act quickly because driving with a windshield that has intersecting cracks is illegal in Colorado.

Special training is required to handle a large piece of glass and windshield adhesive. Plus, with defrosters and other windshield technology to contend with, you’re liable to damage your car if you attempt the job yourself.

Engine Work

The engine is the heart of your vehicle. If it starts acting up, you might need an engine overhaul. This is no job for a novice. Bring your car to an auto repair expert to create a plan that will help it last many more years and make it well past 200,000 miles.

Airbag Service

This integral part of your vehicle’s crash safety system is dangerous for DIYers to work on for two reasons. First, airbags rely on explosive charges to inflate quickly and effectively in an accident. Inexpertly fiddling with them could be exceptionally dangerous. Second, if you don’t perform the repair properly, the airbags might fail to deploy in a collision, leaving you and your passengers vulnerable to more serious injuries.

If your airbag light comes on, take your car to a trusted mechanic. With the right diagnostic tools, training, and experience, a professional can fix the problem without endangering anyone involved.

Bodywork

Repairing your car after an accident or hail storm requires skill and training in sheet metal work. The job is typically demanding, physically tasking, and unforgiving of even minor mistakes. For satisfactory results, we suggest taking your car to an auto body shop.

Wheel Alignment

Accurate alignment encourages more even tire wear and helps the car drive straight and true. If you ever feel the vehicle pulling to one side, or the steering wheel starting to vibrate, you might need a wheel alignment. Because special equipment is required to perform this task, it’s necessary to take your vehicle to a trained professional.

Tips for Finding a Good Auto Repair Mechanic in Fort Collins

Once you know what car repairs you can’t do on your own, the final step is to choose an auto shop to fix your car. Here are the top tips for finding a good auto mechanic in Northern Colorado:

  • Look for different mechanics in town with a quick internet search.
  • Check for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification and AAA-approved auto repair work to ensure the company is legitimate and trustworthy.
  • Ask friends and neighbors what companies they trust to fix their car.
  • Read online reviews on sites such as Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List.
  • Check for Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation.
  • Visit the shop in person. Look for a tidy lobby, polite front desk staff, and a professional atmosphere.
  • Look into warranty offerings to give you peace of mind that the mechanic stands behind their work.
  • Ask about added conveniences, such as free loaner cars for qualifying auto repairs.

Bring Your Car to Scott’s for Auto Repair in Fort Collins

Sure, there are some car repairs you can do in your garage, but for the above six tasks—and anything else you don’t feel comfortable tackling on your own—bring your vehicle to Scott’s Fort Collins Auto for the repairs you need. Our team is knowledgeable, experienced, and ASE-certified to work on your car, truck, or SUV, no matter the make or model.

With services ranging from basic tune-ups and oil changes to transmission repair and bodywork, we can satisfy all your auto repair needs. Our Fort Collins and Loveland locations are open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and 8 am to 1 pm on Saturday. Stop by when it’s convenient for you, or call ahead at (970) 682-4202 to schedule an appointment.

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