Lugsnplugs Automotive

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Lugsnplugs Automotive Honest auto repair built on accurate diagnostics, honest recommendations, and quality workmanship. Because every repair starts with finding the right answer.

Sometimes fixing a car means fighting for the customer before the repairs even begin.This Kia needs an engine replacemen...
10/11/2026

Sometimes fixing a car means fighting for the customer before the repairs even begin.

This Kia needs an engine replacement, but getting there hasn't been quite that simple.

The warranty company raised concerns about the vehicle's maintenance history, specifically two missed oil changes, and questioned coverage for the engine replacement.

Rather than letting that be the end of the conversation, we kept working to document the engine's actual condition.

One of the things the warranty company requested was removal of the lower oil pan to check for sludge buildup.

So we pulled the pan, inspected the lower end, and documented what we found.

Because when a customer is facing an engine replacement, we believe the decision should be based on the evidence, not just assumptions about what might have happened.

We can't guarantee what a warranty company will approve, but we can make sure our customers have someone in their corner who is willing to do the work, gather the evidence, and advocate for a fair review.

Sometimes being a mechanic means doing a whole lot more than turning wrenches.

Every Job Is Personal.

10/10/2026

Not every no-start is a fuel pump problem. And sometimes there's a squirrel involved.

This Jeep Grand Cherokee came in with an intermittent starting problem. Sometimes it would crank longer than normal, and other times it wouldn't start at all.

The customer suspected the fuel pump, but she also had another concern. Apparently, there's a neighborhood squirrel with a taste for automotive wiring!

And yes, we're serious about the squirrel.

During testing, we found that the Jeep started right up when cold, but the starting trouble was more noticeable once the engine was warm.

Even though the customer said the spark plugs had been replaced fairly recently, we weren't about to rule anything out based on that alone.

After checking the electrical side and working through the starting issue, the problem ultimately came back to the ignition components.

The culprit? Spark plugs and ignition wires.

Sometimes the problem isn't what you expect, and sometimes the squirrel is innocent.

Accurate Diagnostics. Honest Repairs.

Talk about good timing.We had recommended a harmonic balancer on this '95 Jeep Cherokee during a previous visit. The cus...
10/10/2026

Talk about good timing.
We had recommended a harmonic balancer on this '95 Jeep Cherokee during a previous visit. The customer decided to wait and come back for it later.
When it came back, this is what we found.
The balancer had separated and was getting VERY close to eating through the timing cover.
Thankfully, we got to this one before it did any more damage.

Saturday's Guess the Part may have been our easiest one yet, but let's be fair - your car isn't getting very far without...
09/30/2026

Saturday's Guess the Part may have been our easiest one yet, but let's be fair - your car isn't getting very far without a few of these.

And your tires have a lot more to tell you than you might think.

Take the tire from this week's post:

245/65R17 107T

Here's what that means:

245 - Tire Width
The tire is approximately 245 millimeters wide from sidewall to sidewall.

65 - Aspect Ratio
This tells us the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the tire's width. In this case, the sidewall height is 65% of 245 mm.

R - Radial Construction
The "R" tells us this is a radial tire, which is the construction used by the vast majority of modern passenger vehicles.

17 - Wheel Diameter
This tire is designed to fit a 17-inch wheel.

107 - Load Index
This number represents how much weight the tire is rated to carry. It's an index—not 107 pounds—so it has to be referenced against a load-index chart.

T - Speed Rating
The final letter represents the tire's speed rating. Again, it's a standardized rating, not simply the letter "T" meaning a particular type of tire.

And that's not everything written on the sidewall.

Your tire also contains information about its construction, maximum load and pressure, and a DOT identification code that can tell us when the tire was manufactured.

Why should you care?

Because tire size and specifications matter. Installing the wrong tire can affect fitment, handling, load capacity, speedometer accuracy, and how the vehicle was designed to operate.

So the next time you're standing beside your car, take a look at the sidewall.

That jumble of numbers and letters isn't random at all.

And yes...after making everyone guess what a tire was all weekend, we figured we owed you something useful.

Accurate Diagnostics. Honest Repairs.

Every Job Is Personal.

09/27/2026

We know this one kept everyone up last night.

The answer is...

A tire.

Yep. We went easy on you this week.

But there's actually quite a bit of information written right on the side of a tire, and most people have never been taught what any of it means.

So Tuesday, we're going to use this week's tire to show you how to read it.

Every Job Is Personal.

We're really testing your automotive knowledge this week.Take your time.Study the picture carefully.Consult an expert if...
09/26/2026

We're really testing your automotive knowledge this week.

Take your time.

Study the picture carefully.

Consult an expert if necessary.

What part are you looking at?

We'll reveal the answer tomorrow.

Every Job Is Personal.

A lot of important engine work happens where you can't normally see it.This 2020 Hyundai came to us with a significant e...
09/26/2026

A lot of important engine work happens where you can't normally see it.

This 2020 Hyundai came to us with a significant engine noise. Diagnosis led to timing-related repairs, and removing the valve cover revealed substantial sludge buildup.

These clips show part of the repair process, followed by a look at the new timing components after installation and cleanup.

The vehicle's maintenance history before its current owner is unknown, so we're not assigning blame or claiming to know exactly what caused the buildup.

This is why we investigate the problem before deciding what needs to be replaced.

Accurate Diagnostics. Honest Repairs.

Every Job Is Personal.

LugsNPlugs Automotive

TUESDAY TECH TALK: What does a PCV valve actually do?Saturday's mystery part was a PCV valve from a 1995 Jeep Grand Cher...
09/23/2026

TUESDAY TECH TALK: What does a PCV valve actually do?

Saturday's mystery part was a PCV valve from a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Today, we're explaining why this little component matters.

PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation.

As an engine runs, a small amount of combustion gas slips past the piston rings and enters the crankcase. This is called *blow-by*.

The PCV system helps manage those gases by routing them back into the engine's intake to be burned rather than allowing them to build up inside the crankcase.

Why does that matter?

A properly functioning PCV system helps control crankcase pressure, remove moisture and fuel vapors, and reduce emissions.

When a PCV valve becomes restricted or stops functioning properly, it can contribute to problems such as oil leaks, sludge buildup, rough idle, or increased oil consumption. The symptoms depend on how the system fails.

So why did we replace this one?

The Jeep's owner specifically requested the replacement as part of their maintenance plans.

We weren't diagnosing a confirmed PCV valve failure. This was customer-requested preventive maintenance, and there's an important distinction between the two.

Not every replacement means a component was broken. Sometimes maintenance is about addressing an inexpensive, serviceable part before it causes trouble.

The appropriate replacement interval depends on the vehicle and manufacturer's recommendations.

Small part. Important job.

Accurate Diagnostics. Honest Repairs.

Every Job Is Personal.

LugsNPlugs Automotive

09/20/2026

Yesterday's mystery part was a PCV valve!

This little component came from a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee and was replaced as part of maintenance requested by the customer.

PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation.

It's a small part with an important job, but we're saving the details for Tuesday!

Join us then as Edward explains what it does, where it goes, and why it matters.

Every Job Is Personal.

LugsNPlugs Automotive

This little component came out of a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee during a recent visit to our shop.It might not look like mu...
09/19/2026

This little component came out of a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee during a recent visit to our shop.

It might not look like much, but it has an important job.

Think you know what it is?

Drop your guess in the comments!

We'll reveal the answer tomorrow and explain what it does in Tuesday's educational post.

Every Job Is Personal.
LugsNPlugs Automotive

Address

3445 Chelton Loop N D
Colorado Springs, CO
80909

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17194136227

Website

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