Urbandale Auto Repair

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

Many vehicle owners are keen about keeping the exterior of their vehicle clean. You may drive through a car wash every now and again, or are one of those vehicle owner's who hand washes their vehicle to perfection at least once a week. However, how often are you actually disinfecting the inside of your vehicle?  According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, bacteria and other germs are found in cars in many high touch areas, such as the steering wheel, gear shifter, cup holders, window switches and door handles. You can bring in germs into your car from a number of places, and its in your best interest to disinfect your vehicle regularly to protect yourself from illness.  Here are some of our tips on ways to thoroughly disinfect your vehicle:  Clean your steering wheel - use a car-approved disinfecting wipe or microfiber rag and solution to wipe down your steering wheel regularly.    Disinfect the cup holder - a cup holder can ac ... read more

Here at Premier Automotive Service, we understand the uncertainty and fear throughout the country surrounding the spread of COVID-19. While our shop remains open to serve the people of our community here in Urbandale with essential auto care, we continue to monitor the latest news surrounding Coronavirus updates. Our shop is open, and ready to assist you with all of your vehicle's needs during this time. Premier Automotive Service is closely following the CDC's recommendations in terms of proper practices of sanitizing and keeping our shop a safe place to serve you. Here are some of the ways in which we are helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring a clean shop for our customers: We are continuing to disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs, handles, restrooms, counters, tables, and furniture multiple times throughout the day.   The Interior Steering Wheel, Dashboard and Door Handles will be sanitized before your vehicle is r ... read more

You hear the term "tire rotation" and think back - you aren't sure if you've ever had this service done or what it even entails. We have found that most car owners don't know the true important of a tire rotation or how often it should be completed. Lets talk about what exactly a tire rotation is and why it is so important to maintaining your tires.  What exactly is a tire rotation? A tire rotation consists of simply rotation your tires around. For example, the front tire will be moved to the back, the back to the front, and so on. Essentially, every tire will see every corner of your vehicle.  Why is a tire rotation important? When you rotate your vehicle's tires on a regular basis, you will significantly expand their lifespan. This is because some tire positions may endure more pressure or weight than the others, usually the front tire on your driver side. Since this tire will be subject to more weight and pressure, it will wear ... read more

You start driving and you suddenly smell what seems to be rotten eggs. If it doesn't pass and you continue smelling it throughout your drive, this could be an indication of a serious problem. What you might be smelling is hydrogen sulfide, which is your vehicle's fuel. This chemical is usually converted into a odorless sulfur dioxide, so if you're smelling rotten eggs, there is more than likely a problem with the fuel system.  Here are some of the issues that can cause the smell of rotten eggs in your vehicle:  A faulty catalytic converter is the usual culprit when it comes to the smell of rotten eggs. The catalytic converter is the component that converts hydrogen sulfide, so if you're smell it, the catalytic converter isn't doing its job.  A failing fuel pressure sensor or worn out fuel filter can also lead to a rotten egg odor. The fuel pressure sensor helps to regulate the use of fuel and it fails, it can clog the catalytic converter with an ex ... read more

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