Urbandale Auto Repair

Are you traveling a long distance this holiday? The persistent snowfall can be a problem for you and your loved ones if you are well prepared. Here is what you need to know incase of an emergency. Winter Emergency Car Kit Emergencies can happen at any moment. Be sure to be fully prepared when that happens with the following essential to ensure that you make it out safely. Snow shovel Once snow begins to accumulate around your automobile on the roadside, you'll need to have a shovel to create a route or uncover your vehicle. Make your automobile noticeable to rescue crews by reducing the quantity of snow surrounding it or hiding your rear lights. Car Charger for Cell Phones Cellular phones are literal lifesavers when winter traveling turns out badly, but they're only functional when they're charged. To keep your phone charged, carry an extra mobile phone charger in your survival pack. A basic USB vehicle charger allows you to charge any cellphone as long as you have t ... read more

If you know about automobiles, you probably know that transmission rebuilds and replacements are not cheap. That is why you should never overlook the importance of transmission service/maintenance. This system is in charge of transferring engine power to move your wheels, and it relies on a lubricating fluid to keep it clean and cool. Follow these tips to keep your transmission running for many years to come: 1. Get Regular Transmission Fluid Exchanges Your automaker sometimes has the interval for this service listed in the owner’s manual. On average, this service should be done every 30,000 miles or every two years, whichever comes first. This service allows us to eliminate the lingering debris and impurities in the system, making the fluid move more fluidly.  2. Check Fluid Levels and Catch Leaks  The transmission fluid is responsible for lubricating gearboxes on top of powering the transmission. That is why you should check on the fluid conditi ... read more

Vibrations in your car can be jarring, mainly when performing something critical like braking. You should consider a brake service if you feel vibrations/ shaking when using your brakes. Why Is My Car Vibrating When I Brake? "Brake shudder" refers to the shaking or vibration you feel through the brake pedal and the steering wheel when you brake in your vehicle. Brake shudder often occurs due to problems with the brake rotors (or brake discs). When your car's brake rotors are unevenly worn, its brake pads tend to get in contact with the flat spots available on the disc's surface. In turn, this causes the shaking that you feel. This form of uneven wear of your brake discs could result from several things. For example, it might be the poor installation of the rotors or the brake calipers not functioning correctly. It could also be the appropriate bedding-in procedure not having been used if there has been a recent installation of new brake pads. Although this is the m ... read more

If you're like most car owners, you want to do whatever you can to keep your vehicle in good condition. That's why it's important to consider preventive maintenance services. By having these services performed on a regular basis, you can help protect your car from major problems down the road. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the top preventive maintenance services that you should consider. One of the most important preventive maintenance services that you can have performed on your car is an oil change. Over time, the oil in your engine will begin to break down and become less effective. This can lead to a number of problems, including engine damage. To avoid this, it's important to have your oil changed on a regular basis. Depending on your car's make and model, you may need to have your oil changed every 3000 miles or so. Another important preventive maintenance service is a tire rotation. Over time, the weight of your car can cause the tires to wear ... read more

Without an alternator, the battery and the rest of the vehicle’s electrical system would not be able to function. In fact, it could leave you stranded until you’re able to get it fixed. To avoid the major inconvenience of being stuck with a dead battery, please have your alternator checked and repaired when necessary. The team at Premier Automotive Service is always ready to help!   What Does the Alternator Do? The alternator is an electrical system component that supplies electricity to the car battery. Since the battery is the part of a vehicle that is necessary to start your car and continue to run it, the alternator must do its part. Plus, the alternator powers your headlights, radio, GPS system, power seating, seat warmers, and more.   What Are Some Common Alternator Problems? Most alternators require little to no maintenance, and they eventually wear out. However, their lifespan can shorten due to poor habits. Overloading your battery and the rest of t ... read more

Your car uses different fluids that help to run it. And over time, these car fluids collect contaminants or get depleted. These pollutants slow the performance, so regular fluid servicing is vital for a safe and seamless driving experience. During fluid servicing, the mechanic recommends flushing out the fluids and replacing them with new ones. The entire car system is then cleansed with specialized cleaning fluid or water to eliminate any grime or grit that builds up over time. These are some of the fluids in your car and the importance of having them flushed and replaced. Transmission Fluid Depending on your car model, some mechanics recommend that you change the transmission fluid every 60,000-100,000 miles. Manufacturer recommendations also determine the frequency of changing this fluid. Brake Fluid Although brake fluid exchanges are rare, they are critical if there is moisture in your braking system that causes it to rust. If the brake fluid o ... read more

After many years of being on the road, your car has probably seen a lot of grit and grime. As a result, your headlights may look fuzzy, yellow, and/or dim. When your headlights can’t properly illuminate the road ahead of you, it is time for headlight restoration.    Most vehicle headlights are not made of glass, since they’d be prone to break way too easily. Headlight covers are made of polycarbonate. This material is heavy-duty plastic, making it susceptible to dull over time. Poorly lit headlights which are a major safety hazard. Not only will it be hard for you to detect your surroundings, but it will be hard for others to see you too. Fortunately, you don’t have to replace the entire headlight. A restoration service can do the trick of making them look brand new again!   Pros of Professional Headlight Restoration Service Keeps you safer Gets rid of the yellow tint Eliminates cloudiness or dullness Improves light performance Increases visibi ... read more

The engine of a vehicle can get to very extreme temperatures. For it to remain operational, it relies on the cooling system and oil. When and if it does overheat, you'll be sure to know. Your temperature gauge will go up on your dashboard, you may see a coolant or check engine light, and you may even notice smoke coming from under the hood. Read on to learn about what you should do in an incident where your engine overheats: Step 1 - Turn on the Heat It may seem counterintuitive, but it is advised that you turn on the heat when your car does overheat. The system draws the excess heat away from the hot engine and into the passenger cabin when you switch it on. In some circumstances, it can turn around the overheating altogether. Step 2 - Pull Over to a Safe Spot When your engine overheats, you need to find a safe location to pull over to. If your motor is still hot after turning the heat on, you will need to turn the car off completely to cool off. Otherwise, it ... read more

Your car is an important investment and keeping it in good condition is crucial to maintaining its value and longevity. Part of taking care of your car is getting regular tune-ups. But how often does your car need a tune-up? The answer may surprise you. What Is a Tune-Up? A tune-up is a preventive maintenance service performed on a car to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. A tune-up typically includes checking and/or replacing the following: - Spark plugs - Air filter - Fuel filter - PCV valve - Oxygen sensor - Timing belt Depending on your car's make, model, and age, some of these components may not need to be replaced as often as others. For example, most newer cars have timing chains instead of belts, so they don't need to be replaced as frequently. How Often Does My Car Need a Tune-Up? The frequency with which you need a tune-up depends on several factors, including the make and model of your car, how you drive it, and the type of fuel you use. In general ... read more

You might be wondering whether nitrogen is better for your tires or air! If that's the case you are in the right place. It's also possible that nitrogen in the tires can be a new concept for you so deciding whether it's a viable option or not could be on your mind. Understanding what's the better option can help. Read on for more information. Nitrogen Vs Air Let's start the debate: If you are considering a Nitrogen upgrade then expect the price to be up to $150 for the full upgrade. The price would depend on your installation location so keep that in mind. On the other hand, you might be using the regular air so you can avoid the cost of upgrading. In any case, it's your choice so you can decide what's better for you. Nitrogen is not flammable so it would be safe for your tires. The regular tires are also safe. If you are using Nitrogen instead of air in the tires, you can expect the tire pressure to be consistent as compared to using the air in tires ... read more