Urbandale Auto Repair

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

If you own a car, you know that they're expensive. Most maintenance revolves around the engine because engine repairs can be costly. Over years and years of driving, you may hear your mechanic recommend an engine overhaul. The operation of an engine overhaul is when a professional technician takes care of any failure issues. A mechanic will take the entire engine out and apart. They will then proceed to clean all the parts and replace any damaged or worn parts, including gaskets or seals. After all, is done, they will put the pieces back together.  Engine overhauls require professional expertise and knowledge because it requires reassembling the engine. This labor is cumbersome as every bolt, nut, and part need to be reached. Benefits of Engine Overhaul Below are the top three advantages of engine overhaul: Improves Engine Performance - Since the engine is restored to factory-like condition with all the defects repaired, it will increase fuel efficiency and boost overall ... read more

There's nothing more alarming than stepping into your car and being greeted with a horrible smell. When something with a strong smell gets into your vehicle cabin, your first instinct is usually to find where it is coming from. One of the most frightening odors that can emit from your car is the smell of rotten eggs. This foul smell almost always points to a severe problem with your catalytic converter.   The catalytic converter plays an integral part in your car's emissions system by removing and converting hazardous gasses to safer ones before they can be released into the air. When this part malfunctions, harmful gasses are discharged into the atmosphere, making your vehicle smell of sulfuric acid.   Truthfully, catalytic converter repairs and replacements are not cheap or easy; however, you can always count on the expert technicians at Premier Automotive Service to help. Our team can get to the bottom of your catalytic converter problem. We often find a bad pr ... read more

Oil changes are one of the most important and most frequent car maintenance services that you can get. This type of service is regularly done because it helps promote your engine's longevity, health, and performance. Clean engine oil provides good greasing for your engine parts, which allows them to move with ease. Also, the fresh engine oil will ensure you get effective and efficient performance, resulting in good gas mileage. With all these incredible benefits, you should never put off a needed oil change. 3 Signs That You Need an Oil Change Sign #1: Dark or Dirty Oil - Fresh oil should have an amber color and be free of contaminants. With usage over time, the oil will naturally pick up scraps and sit in your engine. Therefore, it's essential to check your oil levels periodically, using a rag and the oil dipstick provided near the motor.  Sign #2: Engine Knocking - Another obvious sign that your engine oil is bad or low is that you might notice knocking sounds from un ... read more

If you've ever stepped into your car on a chilly morning and turned on the heat only to find that your heater is just blowing cool air, you're not alone. While it may take seconds or minutes for your car to heat up, it's not common for it to stay cool your entire drive. Sitting in a freezing car is not very comfortable. Several common issues usually lead to the circulation of cool air from one's car heater: There isn't enough coolant in the engine There is an issue with your heater core Your thermostats are malfunctioning Your heating controls are broken If you know and understand how the heating system in your vehicle works and the problems that can go wrong, it will make your time at Premier Automotive Service a little easier. There isn't enough coolant in the engine - Your vehicle relies on antifreeze/coolant for its HVAC system. This solution helps to cool the engine down while it is hard at work. However, when you switch on your heat, the coolant gets ... read more

Halloween is a time for your kiddos to have some fun trick-or-treating adventures with creative costumes and candy. We understand that sending your child out roaming in the dark can be scary, especially if they are going door to door. To avoid any injuries and to have a fun Halloween, we've compiled a list of safety etiquette for Halloween trick or treaters: Always remember to cross the street at corners, obey traffic signs and crosswalks. Teach your child the basics of looking left, right, left before crossing the road. Keep electronics to a minimum. This rule applies to both parents and children. You should keep your head up and be attentive to any oncoming traffic. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. Children should walk on clear paths with the least amount of street crossings. Do not leave children younger than 12 alone on Halloween night without adult supervision. If you feel like your kids are mature enough, they should still stay in a familiar area that is well-lit and tr ... read more