Fort Collins Auto Repair

🎃 Car Trouble or Halloween Trick? A Spooky Road Riddle It’s Halloween in Colorado. The air is crisp, the leaves crunch, and… your car is making a noise that sends chills down your spine. 👻 But here’s the question: is it just a spooky sound, or a serious problem creeping up on you? Let’s play a game—see if you can solve these haunted car riddles. 🕸 Riddle 1: The Screech in the Night You hear a high-pitched squeal every time you slow down, like a banshee screaming in the dark. Is it a trick or trouble?   🕸 Riddle 2: The Rattling Chains Your car rattles like a skeleton dancing in the trunk, especially over bumps. Is it a trick or trouble?   🕸 Riddle 3: The Ghostly Glow A strange orange light haunts your dashboard, but the car still drives fine. Is it a trick or trouble?   🕸 Riddle ... read more

How to Tell if That Rattle Is Serious—or Just Annoying You’re driving down I-25, the music’s on, and then it happens: a strange rattle. At first you hope it’s just a loose coffee cup, but after a few miles, you realize it’s coming from the car itself. So—should you panic, or just turn up the radio? The truth is, not every rattle means your car is in danger, but some are warning signs you can’t afford to ignore. Here’s how to tell the difference.  When It’s Probably Just Annoying Some rattles are more about noise than danger. Common harmless culprits include: Loose interior panels or trim → That buzzing by the glove box may just be a clip. Items in the trunk → A toolbox or water bottle can make more noise than you’d think. Heat shields → Thin metal covers ... read more

3 Things to Do Before the First Freeze Hits Colorado Colorado weather is famous for catching drivers off guard. One minute it’s sunny and 70, the next morning your windshield is frosted solid and the temperature’s below freezing. When that first freeze hits, the last thing you want is to find out your car wasn’t ready. At Ken’s Muffler & Automotive, we’ve seen it all—and trust me, a little prep now can save you from costly repairs (and cold mornings stuck in the driveway). Here are the top 3 things you should do before the temperature drops. 1. Check Your Battery Cold weather is brutal on weak batteries. What might have worked fine in summer can fail overnight in freezing temps. Get your battery tested (we’ll do it quick and free). Replace if it’s 3+ years old or struggling to hold charge. Inspect cables and connections for corrosion. 👉 Nothing’s worse than a dead car when ... read more

The Top 5 Car Issues We See in Larimer County Living in Larimer County means your car takes a beating from more than just the daily commute. Between mountain drives, gravel roads, and Colorado’s unpredictable weather, vehicles around here face challenges you won’t see everywhere else. At Ken’s Muffler & Automotive, we’ve been keeping local drivers on the road for over 50 years. And while every car has its quirks, these are the top five issues we see most often in our shop. 1. Brake Wear and Tear From stop-and-go city driving in Fort Collins to steep descents in the mountains, brakes work overtime around here. We see a lot of: Worn brake pads Grooved or warped rotors Low brake fluid 👉 Translation: if your brakes squeal, grind, or feel soft, it’s time to get them checked. 2. Suspension & Alignment Problems Colorado roads aren’t always kind—between potholes, construction zones, and w ... read more

Back-to-School: Why Your Teen’s Car Needs a Safety Check School’s starting back up, and while your teen might be thinking about new classes, friends, and late-night study sessions, you’re probably thinking about something far more practical—are they safe on the road? For many families, back-to-school season also means early morning commutes, after-school practices, and weekend jobs. That adds up to a lot of miles in your teen’s car. And when it comes to your child’s safety, “hoping the car holds up” isn’t good enough. Here’s why scheduling a back-to-school safety check at Ken’s Muffler & Automotive is one of the smartest moves you can make this fall. 1. Brakes: Stopping Power Can’t Wait Teens are still learning good driving habits—and sudden stops happen. Worn brake pads, low fluid, or uneven rotors can make all the difference between a safe stop and a ... read more