Urbandale Auto Repair

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

Road trips are a fun and traditional part of summer for many people. Wherever you decide to go this summer, you’ll need a reliable vehicle to make the round trip. Here are five things you should put on your car’s summer checklist. Your Tires – Look for warning signs like bulging spots, areas with little or no tread, and any foreign object stuck in the tire. Make sure your tires are fully inflated to get you the best gas mileage, and keep a spare tire in case you get a flat while you’re on the road. Your Oil – Now is not the time to skimp on an oil change. Make sure your oil is clean and that the level is high enough. Other Fluids – Oil is vital, but it’s not the only fluid that needs to be checked. You want to make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, and cooling system are all full and ready to go. Belts and Hoses – Rusty or loose connections can be a key factor in ... read more

How to Tell You Have a Blown Gasket The best way to discover something in your car has gone awry is by turning off the radio for a short while during a drive. Then you’ll be able to detect any odd car sounds as well as allow yourself to be more observant to the feel of your car – how hard do you have to pull on your steering wheel, how far are you pressing your brake pedal before your car slows down, how easily is your gear shift changing? If you notice any difference in these operations or find that there are squealing, grinding, or rattling noises occurring, then it is best to take your vehicle in to a professional mechanic immediately. These small symptoms, if caught early enough, can save you hundreds or thousands on later repairs or component replacements if left unchecked. Signs that your engine may be having trouble could be symptomatic of a blown head gasket. It is easiest to tell if this may be what is happening beneath your vehicle’s hood if you notice any o ... read more

To avoid getting stranded, have your battery inspected or replaced every three years. No one wants to get stuck with an inoperable car battery. For many people, this annoyance can seem like it always comes out of nowhere. Since the car battery doesn’t give many obvious outward signs of decay, non-attentive car owners truly can get stranded. As a general rule of thumb, get a new battery for your car every three years. Otherwise, pay attention to these warning signs. Indicators You May Need a New Battery Low Fluid: A portion of your battery case is translucent to allow for the inspection of your fluid level. If the fluid falls below the lead plates on the inside — the location of the energy conductors - then it's likely time for a replacement. Check Engine Light: Your check engine light can indicate many things. Low battery life serves as one of these. When you take your car in to get it checked, make sure your battery gets some attention. Battery Leakage: A leaky batte ... read more