A lot of Timnath drivers get custom wheels. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you’re not careful. Sometimes, once they’re mounted, they just didn’t fit right. The tires rub in turns or on bumps. You don’t want that.

Consulting a tire professional at Performance Tune can ensure you get the right fit. First he’ll ask you a series of questions about your driving needs in Timnath and what you want in your new wheels.

At Performance Tune, we advise Timnath tire buyers that not every wheel can go on every car. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside so the tires rub.

If you don’t want to make any modifications to your family car, you need to focus on the wheels that fit. With trucks, some Timnath people like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.

Also, most Timnath people don’t realize that you need to keep the rolling diameter of your new tires – that’s, like the overall height of the tire – very close to what came from the factory in order for your anti-lock brakes and stability control systems to work properly.

The family car’s computers that control these systems are calibrated to a certain size tire. When you go bigger or smaller, the computer doesn’t know what changes you made so it can’t tell how fast you’re going. This, of course, means it sends commands to the brakes and traction control that are based on the wrong speed. If you go with a different rolling diameter, your family car’s engine control computer can be reprogrammed for the new tire size. For information on reprogramming the engine computer, call us at 970.482.3971.

Either way, there are hundreds of wheel and tire choices to choose from in Timnath. You can pick the style of wheel you want and then talk with your Performance Tune tire professional about how big the wheel should be – and select the right tire to meet your style, performance, ride and handling needs.

At Performance Tune in Fort Collins CO (80526) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 970.482.3971. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Most Fort Collins drivers know that braking means slowing or stopping a vehicle. The mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue. There’s also the power brake system and brake fluid. And then there are the tires, which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.

Let’s step back. A car or truck rolls brand new off the showroom floor at a local Fort Collins dealer. It has brand new brakes with brand new brake pads. The brake lines and the power assist are filled with fresh fluid and are completely clean inside. And the family car tires are brand new, with full tread. Naturally, braking power is at its peak performance.
 
Now, as your drive from Fort Collins to Fort Collins and back, the miles start to add up. Most Fort Collins car owners tend to focus on the brake pads. In the Fort Collins automotive service community, the pads, and shoes on drum brakes, are called the friction material. That’s because they provide the friction used to stop the family car. The pads are designed to be effective throughout their useful life – it’s not until they are worn so thin as to be out of spec that they lose stopping effectiveness.

The mechanical parts of the brakes have pistons and springs that get quite a workout while stopping the family car. Over many miles, these wear and get gummed up. They start to lose effectiveness gradually and could even fail. That’s why a regular brake inspection is important. At Performance Tune, we can test the operation of the brakes and see if any parts need cleaning or replacing.

That leads us to brake fluid service at Performance Tune. Some of the critical additives in the fluid that lubricate and clean the family car fluid system are depleted over time. That and moisture building up in the system deteriorate the performance of the brake fluid. Brake fluid replacement at Performance Tune includes flushing the brake system to clean out deposits, water and dirt. Then the system is filled up with fresh fluid.

The tires are what connect the family car to the road. The stopping force is ultimately dependent on the traction provided by the tires. The better they grip the road, the quicker you’ll stop as you drive around Fort Collins.

For questions about brakes, brake pads, battery service, CV joint repair, or tires, talk to Performance Tune  manager Rob Cagen.

Give us a call

Performance Tune
970.482.3971
1007 Centre Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80526

At Performance Tune in Fort Collins CO (80526) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 970.482.3971. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

You may not be familiar with all of the items on Performance Tune’s menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. Remember, the board is there for reference; speak to your Performance Tune Service Adviser about other possible needs or services.

Performance Tune Fuel System Cleaning: Over time, the fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning at Performance Tune gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas as you drive around Fort Collins and on Fort Collins freeways, by the way.

Performance Tune Headlamp Replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. When one burns out, replace both so they’ll have the same brightness. Also, if your headlamp lenses are yellowed or cloudy, you can have them professionally restored to like new-condition. As your thoughtful Performance Tune advisor for information.

Performance Tune Inspections: Fort Collins drivers get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they’re going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle’s ready for summer or winter in Fort Collins. Maybe they just bought a used car and want to give it the once over. An inspection at Performance Tune may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

Performance Tune Oil Change Service – there are several options: Some Fort Collins auto service centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

Performance Tune PCV Valve Service: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It’s a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. Just needs to be changed now and then.

Performance Tune Power Steering Service: Often overlooked. Your Performance Tune technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the system running well for a long time.

Performance Tune Serpentine Belt Replacement: That’s the belt that powers the engine’s accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You’ll want to replace the serpentine belt at Performance Tune before it breaks or wears down too much, because that’ll lead to other problems.

Performance Tune Shocks and Struts Replacement: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many Fort Collins motorists don’t notice when it’s time to change them. If they’re worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

Performance Tune Transmission Service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It’s like an oil change for your transmission.

Performance Tune Tire Rotation and Wheel Balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear as you drive around Fort Collins.

Give us a call

Performance Tune
970.482.3971
1007 Centre Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80526

At Performance Tune in Fort Collins CO (80526) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 970.482.3971. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

A lot of people in the Fort Collins area want custom wheels. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you’re not careful. Sometimes they just don’t fit right: The tires rub in turns or over bumps. Consulting a tire professional at Performance Tune in Fort Collins can ensure you get the right fit for your family car. First he’ll ask you a series of questions about your driving needs and what you want in your new wheels.

Now, not every wheel can go on every vehicle. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside. If you don’t want to make any modifications to your family car, you would need to focus on a wheel and tire combination that would fit. With trucks, some Fort Collins people like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.

Also, most Fort Collins people don’t realize that you need to keep the rolling diameter of your new tires – that’s the overall height of the tire – very close to what came from the factory in order for your anti-lock brakes and stability control systems to work properly.

The family car computers that control these systems are calibrated to a certain size tire. When you go bigger or smaller, the computer doesn’t know what changes you made so it can’t tell how fast you’re going. This, of course, means it sends commands to the brakes and traction control that are based on the wrong sensor information. If you go with a different rolling diameter, your family car vehicle control computer can be reprogrammed for the new tire size. At Performance Tune, we can give you information about control computer reprogramming.

Either way, there are hundreds of wheel and tire choices to choose from in Fort Collins. You can pick the style of wheel you want and then talk with your Fort Collins tire professional about how big the wheel should be – and select the right tire to meet your style, performance, ride and handling needs – and the best way to do all this is to have your thoughtful Performance Tune tire specialist see your family car in person so mistakes are not made.

At Performance Tune, we also offer battery service and CV joint repair.

Give us a call

Performance Tune
970.482.3971
1007 Centre Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80526

At Performance Tune in Fort Collins CO (80526) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 970.482.3971. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Your family car cooling system’s job is to keep your engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it’s cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the cooled mix circulates back through the family car engine to absorb more heat.

Coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine safe in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures in Fort Collins.

Without coolant, the family car’s metal engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running.  Expensive parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced at Performance Tune in Fort Collins. It could even be so bad that the whole engine is ruined and has to be replaced.

Also, if it’s freezing outside in Fort Collins, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the CO cold. This is why you check coolant levels frequently and have your cooling system inspected for leaks. Also your manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your Fort Collins owner’s manual or ask your service advisor at Performance Tune in Fort Collins.

The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other Fort Collins cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced. A simple pH test can measure the coolant’s acidity.

You may have noticed that there are different colors of antifreeze at Performance Tune: it is very important that you use the correct type.  The different coolant types are different colors so you don’t mix them up.  Manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So check with your thoughtful Performance Tune service advisor or owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your family car cooling system.

Ask us about check engine light diagnostic, CV joint repair and electrical system test.

Give us a call

Performance Tune
970.482.3971
1007 Centre Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80526

At Performance Tune in Fort Collins CO (80526) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 970.482.3971. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Now when you hear “severe service”, you may think it doesn’t apply to you because you don’t feel your driving conditions are severe or extreme – it’s just normal everyday driving around Fort Collins. At Performance Tune, we discuss the conditions that manufacturers classify as severe so that you can make the judgment on your own driving.

• Most trips are less than four miles
• Most trips are less than ten miles and outside temperatures are below freezing in Fort Collins
• You drive in very hot CO weather
• Driving at low speed most of the time (under 55 mph)
• Stop and go driving
• Operating your vehicle in dusty, polluted or muddy conditions
• You tow a trailer, regularly carry heavy loads or carry a car-top carrier on your family car

Most Fort Collins drivers operate under severe driving conditions at least some of the time. How do you know which schedule to follow for your family car?

Carefully think about your driving conditions and decide if you should do your preventive maintenance closer to the severe service recommendation or the regular recommendation. Of course, your Performance Tune advisor can help you with your decision.

At Performance Tune in Fort Collins CO (80526) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 970.482.3971. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

First, the serpentine belt drives your air conditioning system. Next, the belt powers the alternator.

The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. In some family cars, power steering may have an electric drive and power brakes can be vacuum driven.

And, on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump (on some cars, the water pump is powered by the timing belt).

Your Performance Tune service technician can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.

Fort Collins drivers should be aware that there’s a special, spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley and sometimes an extra pulley call the idler pulley. Their job is to make sure there’s a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn’t slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. That’s why it’s often recommended that the tensioner, and the idler pulley if so equipped, be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

All in all, the serpentine belt’s an important part for the function of your family car. And it’s not that expensive to replace at Performance Tune – so it’s good to do so before it fails.

At Performance Tune in Fort Collins CO (80526) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 970.482.3971. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

In addition to just wearing out, Performance Tune customers need to know that suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your family car manufacturer and Performance Tune recommend periodic inspections. During an inspection, your Timnath service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts.

Signs that shocks or struts are wearing out: The tires may have a cupped wear pattern. This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly as you drive around Timnath. You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering. If the front of your family car dives excessively when stopping, or rocks back and forth after you stopped, your shocks may be worn out. And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come into Performance Tune for a suspension inspection. Same if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your wheels. Worn or broken shocks can cause premature wear or failure on other family car suspension parts such as ball joints and other steering components as well. If your suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so let us take care of your suspension components at Performance Tune.

When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. That’ll give you more even handling. Talk with your service advisor at Performance Tune because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all may be the safest bet.

At Performance Tune in Fort Collins CO (80526) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 970.482.3971. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Let’s focus on stopping in wet Fort Collins conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can’t move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water.

That’s called hydroplaning. At Performance Tune we want our customers to know that if it’s really bad, you can actually spin out of control. At best, you won’t stop as fast.

So how does a tire move water? It has channels for water to flow through. Look at a tire and you’ll see channels: channels that run around the tire and channels that flow across the tire. They’re designed to direct water away from the tire so it can contact the road better.

And the deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop on wet Fort Collins roads.

So that’s why it’s so important for Fort Collins drivers to replace the tires on their family cars when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of 3/32 of an inch and they have the studies to prove it.

By comparison, you’ve probably seen the wear indicator that’s molded into tires. When tires are worn 3/32 of an inch, the tread wear bar is visible. So the recommended standard has twice the tread depth as a completely worn out tire.

And that little bit of additional tread makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet roads. A safe stop from CO freeway speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires.

There’s an easy way to tell when a tire’s worn to 4/32 of an inch. Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it’s time to replace your tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

You’ve probably heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln’s head. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount.

Of course, tires are a big ticket item for Fort Collins car owners. Most of us want to get as many miles out of them as we can. But there’s a real safety trade-off. It’s your choice.

At Performance Tune in Fort Collins CO (80526) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 970.482.3971. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the family car engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase.

These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel. This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause engine corrosion in your family car. At high speeds, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak.

Laporte car owners need to know that over time, the vented gases will gum up the PCV valve and it won’t work well. That can lead to all of the problems I’ve already described, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption and wasted gas.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to test the PCV valve and quick and inexpensive to replace it at Performance Tune. Even so, it’s often overlooked because many Laporte drivers don’t know about it.

Check your family car owner’s manual or ask your Performance Tune advisor. If this is the first time you’ve heard of a PCV valve, you might be in line for a PCV valve replacement.

Please ask us about your PCV valve. For the price of a couple of burger combo meals, you can avoid some very expensive deep engine repairs.

At Performance Tune in Fort Collins CO (80526) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 970.482.3971. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.