Urbandale Auto Repair

You might not see them, but the shock absorbers in your car are likely your best friend. If you don't believe that statement, just try going over a bumpy road without properly working shock absorbers. Your back would almost certainly be screaming at you for days after that. Because of this, you will want to make sure you replace these essential parts when they have exceeded their life expectancy. With that in mind, you might be wondering how long shock absorbers are designed to last in the first place. The Answer Several factors determine how long your shock absorbers will last. It depends on how often you drive, over what type of terrain, and the quality of the parts that you have installed in the first place. This is why a mechanic would be hard-pressed to tell you exactly how long your shock absorbers will last you. If you keep your shock absorbers adequately maintained and ensure that fluid does not leak out of them, most manufacturers estimate that they will last you for roug ... read more

When it comes to vehicle components, your tires rank pretty high. You can't get where you're going without strong, durable tires, which means you need to prioritize tire maintenance and an eventual replacement as required. While the cost of getting all new tires may give you a bit of sticker shock, one of the best ways to prolong the life of your tires is to commit to routine tire rotation and balancing. This is true for both new cars and older models. So, the first thing to ask yourself is how long has it been since your last tire rotation and balancing service? Tire specialists and auto manufacturers recommend rotating and balancing tires with every seven thousand miles give or take. This number may vary slightly based on the size of your vehicle and its tires. Next, it's important to understand what these two services accomplish and how they differ. Tire rotation is when the mechanic takes the wheels off and replaces them front to back and right side to left side. Thi ... read more

A catalytic converter is an integral component of the cars exhaust system. It filters out toxic emissions from the engine, thus alleviating harmful environmental contamination. If you pay enough attention to your car's servicing and maintenance needs, you may never have to replace your cat. But in other cases, a converter can get damaged, which affects its longevity and performance. Suffice to say; almost all catalytic convertor problems emanate from engine failures including imbalanced air-fuel mixture, damaged oxygen sensors and bad spark plugs. If left unattended, these problems can rapidly escalate to overheating, clogging, and physical deterioration of the cat. So, what are the Symptoms of a Bad Catalytic Converter? Check the Dashboard Light A flashing light illuminating at the dashboard signifies a damaged or failing, catalytic converter. Modern cars have several oxygen sensors or actuators which monitor the exhaust gas levels and alert you in case of clog ... read more

When winter strikes, drivers face tough challenges when they get behind the wheel. Snowy and icy roads are involved in almost one in four weather-related road accidents. These conditions make it difficult for drivers to see, slow down, and stop – all important factors that can increase the likelihood of a road accident. That’s why we’ve prepared several handy tips for safe driving during the cold winter months. 1. In winter, don’t start driving until all ice and snow is cleared off your windows, headlights, side mirrors, taillights, and most importantly, license plates.  2. Always keep your windshield washer fluid tank full. 3. Before taking off in cold weather, it is important to allow the oil to flow. Therefore, start your car and let it warm up for a minute or two. This action will ease wear on your engine, as well as, other mechanical components. 4. Regularly inspect the tread on your tires for uneven or extreme wear. 5. Keep half ... read more

Brake rotors are an important part of your vehicle's brake system. They spin with and stop the wheels when the brake pads clamp down on them, which is essential to slow or stop your vehicle. Over time, the brake rotors withstand a lot of heat during the process of braking, and need to dissipate this heat quickly so that the brake pads will be able to be pressed down again. This excessive amount of heat causes the surface of the brake rotors can become uneven over time, which is often referred to as warping. This can cause your vehicle's brakes to become jittery and less effective.  Brake rotor warping isn't as severe as it sounds. Warping actually just refers to an uneven surface, mainly caused by heat. The brake rotors can be warped in the following ways:  The brake rotors can become glazed with material from the brake pads. This happens when the brake pads get very hot which causes the pad material to rub off onto the brake rotors. This causes the br ... read more

It's officially the fall season, and we can now expect that rain showers will soon come our way and the leaves will begin changing colors as we move into winter. The weather is going to get cozier and the streets will be wetter, and after the summer it's important to remember that the heat probably took a toll on our vehicles.  Due to the extreme heat of the summer, it is recommended that your vehicle gets inspected and serviced before the fall season to ensure a reliable vehicle. Holidays are approaching, and the last thing you need is to find yourself stranded on the side of the road on the way to visit family. Fall vehicle maintenance will catch any small issues early on and will help restore any of the damage done over the heavy driving summer months.  Here are our stop 7 vehicle maintenance items to take care of for the autumn season:  Tires - having good tires in rainy weather is critical to your safety on the road. If your tires don't pass the tread ... read more

An issue with a component of your vehicle's steering and suspension system can cause difficulty steering and you may notice that your car rides are bumpier than usual. If you’re experiencing an issue such as bouncing heavily over speed bumps or uneven tire wear, it's important to have your vehicle inspected quickly. These issues can progress over time, the sooner you take care of the problem, the better.  If you notice any of the following symptoms, there may be a problem with your vehicle’s steering and suspension system: Bouncing heavily after driving over bumps or potholes Difficulty steering Leaking underneath car Uneven tire wear Vibrating vehicle Vehicle nose dives while braking Vehicle pulls to one side If you are experiencing any of the issues above, it’s time to have your vehicle inspected by our experts. Be sure to note down anything you notice differently about your vehicle and relay this information to our staff during your visit ... read more

Your vehicle's engine is the heart of your vehicle - without it, your vehicle wouldn't be able to generate the power it needs to move. This is why keeping the engine in good condition is vital overall when it comes to your vehicle's overall operation and performance. Good engine maintenance will ensure that you avoid major issues and will keep your vehicle running longer and better.  If there is a problem with your engine, how can you tell? Typically, there are certain symptoms that will indicate that you have an engine problem. Here are some of the signs to look out:  Your check engine light has turned on Engine block is cracked Damaged pistons or rings Decreased fuel efficiency Hard startup Car won't start Engine runs rough Rough idling As soon as you notice any of the issues listed above, we recommend bringing your vehicle into Premier Automotive Service for an inspection. If you ignore the issue, the problem could quickly progress, making the engi ... read more

The Fourth of July is a much anticipated day throughout the year - many of us are looking forward to getting together with friends and family and making memories. From the barbecues to the fireworks, celebrating America's Independence Day is always a good time. But, did you know that the day of July 4th is often recorded as having the most vehicle accidents in the year? This is due to a number of reasons, but mostly due to both alcohol consumption and traffic. With that being said, while the Fourth of July should be a special occasion, we should also be aware of the risks and try to keep safe on the road as best as we can.  First and foremost, if you're planning on traveling somewhere for the July 4th weekend, we highly suggest that you bring your vehicle into Premier Automotive Service for an inspection before you go. Mechanical issues often lead to accidents, and can definitely ruin a great weekend. We will perform a pre-trip inspection to ensure that your vehicle will ... read more

Most vehicle owners aren't aware of a really important component in their cars known as the cabin air filter. The cabin air filter has an important job when it comes to the air that you breathe while riding in your vehicle. The job of the cabin air filter is to filter out and clean pollutants and contaminants from the air has it enters from outside and into your vehicle's HVAC system. Since your vehicle is a small and confined space, its in the best interest of your health to ensure that you aren't breathing in polluted air. Just like any other filter in your vehicle, the cabin air filter will need to be replaced periodically as it gets dirty. Typically, the cabin air filter should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, but it also depends upon where you drive your vehicle. Dusty or dirty roads can cause the filter to clog up faster, so its best to have our experts check your vehicle's cabin air filter at least once a year.  If you're unsure of how of ... read more