Urbandale Auto Repair

Driving on icy roads can't always be avoided. If we are experiencing heavy winter weather and you still need to get to work in the morning, you may find yourself stressing about the drive. We know that driving during severe winter weather can be concerning, which is why always trying to be prepared before you hit the road can help you tackle the challenge and get to your destination safely.  If you haven't already, you may want to consider looking into winter tires. Winter tires can be stored in your garage or other facility nearby your home and can be put on when needed. Winter tires can allow you to get much more traction on the road and will be dependable even during severe weather conditions. Also, if you are planning on traveling, be sure to check road conditions beforehand. Some areas may require tire chains by law for certain vehicle types.  Another important way to prepare for driving in winter weather is by always making sure that your vehicle is well ... read more

We never want to find ourselves in a bad situation on the road - however, it can happen. The most important thing to do is handle the situation as safely and as calmly as possible to avoid further problems. You never know when you might end up with a flat tire or experience a car breakdown on the road.  Here are some tips on how to properly handle a driving emergency:  Try not to panic. The worst thing you can do in an emergency situation is to panic and not act calmly. Stay calm and breathe, and try to figure out what the next best steps are.    Make sure that everyone with you is ok, as well as yourself! If you’ve been in an accident and a passenger or yourself is hurt, call for medical help right away.    Be sure to pull over to a safe place. Try to get your vehicle out of traffic’s way and to a safe place on the road. If you can’t move your car, call the police immediately to help make the situation safe. Never get out of your v ... read more

During the summer months, many people will be planning road trips with their families and friends while school is out and the weather is warm. Because summer means more traveling, there will be more cars out there on the road and traffic always brings the possibility of an accident.  Although you may not even want to think about a car accident occurring, it is always a good idea to be prepared for anything - just in case. A minor accident may not ruin your entire trip, but not having the things you need can put a damper on your journey.  We recommend packing a safety kit with you, just in case you find yourself in some sort of vehicle accident or emergency. The safety kit should have the essentials, such as your Driver’s License, car registration, and your insurance card and medical information.  Some other items you should always have on hand include a phone and phone charger, water, snacks, jumper cables, emergency phone numbers, spare tire and tire changing k ... read more

Happy Holidays from all of us here at Premier Automotive Service! The holiday season is a joyful time usually filled with visiting friends and family through the upcoming months. If you are planning on driving local or visiting folks far away, making sure that your vehicle is well maintained for the winter season is key. Here are some of our top winter season maintenance items to have completed before you hit the road:  Have your tires inspected for proper tread, condition, and tire pressure Ensure that all fluids are fresh, clean, and topped off Check the battery for charge Make sure that your wheels are properly aligned and have tires balanced and rotated if needed Check all lights, exterior and interior, to make sure that they are working properly Test defroster and heat Replace windshield wipers if needed Have the brake system inspected include brake pads, rotors, lines and more Before you hit the road, all of the maintenance items above will help give you pe ... read more

With every season comes changes in the weather, and ultimately driving in these different weather conditions can ultimately take a toll on our vehicles in different ways. This is why it is so important to understand your seasonal car maintenance needs. Since we are currently coming out of summer and going into fall, it's important to understand what is needed before the fall season.  Here are some pre-fall season maintenance items to keep in mind for your vehicle:  Windshield wipers may need to be changed before the rain starts A bumper to bumper vehicle inspection is recommended to catch any issues that summer may have caused on our vehicles Inspect your tires for treat, overall condition, and air pressure Check all fluids and filters Take care of any services that you may have been putting off If you need any of the services listed above, don't hesitate to stop by Premier Automotive Service or give us a call today. We will address any of your vehicle's nee ... read more

Regularly checking the oil levels in your car is important when it comes to maintaining a healthy and safe car. It's a simple maintenance item that can help you identify any issues early on, such as leaks, which can cause major damage to your engine. We recommend that you check your motor oil level at least once a month and especially before you embark on any long drives.  Here is how to check your motor oil level: We recommend checking your oil levels before driving your vehicle, as they will appear lower right after your engine is running.  Make sure your car is parked on an even and flat surface.  Find the oil dipstick in your vehicle under the hood. The best way to find this is by refering to your vehicle's owner's manual.  Pop the hood to do the step above.  Most dipsticks will have a colored cap, such as yellow or orange, which will help you better locate the dipstick.  Grab a paper towel or an old rag. Slowly pull out the dipstic ... read more

Having the proper tire pressure is vital when it comes to protecting the overall integrity of your tires. It will also ensure that you stay safe on the road, as low tire pressure can lead to tire blowouts and trouble steering or turning properly. Your vehicle is properly equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system which will alert you if your tire pressure has fallen below manufacturer recommendations.  During the summer, air expands due to the heat and then will contract during the winter with the colder temperatures. This is why many people will notice that their tire pressure will reduce when the air gets cold. If this happens to you, just make sure to inspect your vehicle's tire pressure and fill it accordingly.  Here's how to check your vehicle's tire pressure: First, you'll need a tire pressure gauge, which can be purchased at your local auto parts store.  Remove the valve cap from your tire, located on the front next to the hub cap.  N ... read more

Most vehicle owner's are aware of the cardinal rule of car ownership - to have your vehicle's oil changed every 3 months or 3,000 miles. Although we know that it is important, most may not understand why, and why it is needed so often.    When you visit Premier Automotive Service for your regular oil change, your engine oil is replaced, the system is flushed out, and a new oil filter is installed. This engine oil has a very important job - it keeps your vehicle's engine lubricated. This lubrication keeps the engine from overheating and helps to avoid metal to metal contact between vital components. The engine oil also helps pick up debris and dirt as it circulates which helps to keep the engine clean.    When the oil picks up dirt throughout the engine, it brings it back through the oil filter, which catches all of the grime. The oil filter will eventually become clogged up after filtering the oil, and this is why the oil filter ... read more

Spring and Summer seasons are the best time of year to hop in the car and take a trip nearby, whether you’re hitting the beach, heading to amusement parks, or going camping! The last thing you want to do is get stuck on the road with a broken down vehicle. Before you embark on your road trip, be sure to go over our pre-road trip vehicle checklist to ensure that you’re vehicle stays reliable and dependable on your vacation.    Check Tires - Tires should have the correct pressure and should have good tread.  Check Belts & Hoses - Your local mechanic may have to complete this step. Belts and hose problems can go undetected until they fail completely.  Check Filters & Fluids - All fluids should be clean and full and filters should be clean as well to ensure all systems work properly and to prevent overheating.  Check Windshield Wipers and Lights - You never know when you might hit rain and need windshield wipers. All exterior lights need to ... read more

Spring is here, and it is the season to start taking control of your vehicle's health. Over the winter months, our cars can decrease in performance due to the heavy weather that can take a toll on our cars. When spring comes around, it's the perfect time to address any issues that may have occurred due to the colder weather and make sure that your vehicle is in top shape for the warmer months ahead.   Here are the top services and maintenance items to revive your vehicle and be prepared for spring and summer driving:    Read your vehicle’s owner’s manual and see if any recommended services are due Stay on top of oil and filter changes Test cooling system and top off coolant Have belts & hoses inspected Make sure A/C works properly Check tire pressure, treat, alignment, and overall tire condition Test your lights, including both exterior and interior, to make sure they are working properly Get new windshield wipers and top of windshi ... read more