Urbandale Auto Repair

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

The Importance of Replacing Fuel and Air Filters Car maintenance and upkeep can become costly if you let it. That is why many people look for ways to cut down on their repair costs. A lot of the time, this leads to refusing services that seem unimportant or redundant. When you hear "filter replacement" you may think that it is not important. However, replacing your fuel and air filters are far more important than you know. Air and Fuel Filters Your vehicle is run by an internal combustion engine. In order to function, it needs fuel to create the energy used in vehicular motion. This fuel will either be gas or diesel, depending on your vehicle. Your fuel is then mixed in a proper ratio with air to create combustion and get your vehicle moving. When fuel and air are put into your vehicle, many different contaminants can be pulled with them. These contaminants, like dust, dirt, worn metal flakes, and more, can travel through your car and cause immense widespread damage, even r ... read more

With summer quickly approaching, everyone is busy getting their vacation plans together and ensuring their home is prepared for the hotter temperatures. However, do you know if your car’s AC is ready? A vehicle’s air conditioning is a system that has a tricky set of rules when it comes to service. Mostly, when you are no longer comfortable in your car or your air conditioner is not blowing as coldly as it should, it is time for service. This is not a very concrete set of rules, and you may want some definitive signs to keep a look out for. Signs Your AC Needs Service #1 Your AC Is Not Blowing Or Sounding Funny This is two different situations that can arise within your car’s AC. You turn on your air conditioner to cool down your car and, to your surprise, nothing comes out of the vents. Another situation is that your AC takes a while to come on, but when it does it makes a lot of strange noises. These are both s ... read more

Our car transmissions are essential to having our cars work properly. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can cause transmission damage. Having the proper knowledge can ensure your transmission is always in good condition. If you think your car’s transmission is on the fritz, here are 4 things that could be damaging it. Not Servicing Your Transmission Transmission damage can occur when we don’t get the proper servicing. By taking your car in to get serviced, a professional mechanic will be able to give your transmission the maintenance it needs. Your Transmission Fluids Are Low Our car transmissions need to be well lubricated in order for them to work efficiently. If there is not enough transmission fluid, then you will eventually have transmission damage. Too Little, Too Late Your check engine light comes on, your car is exhibiting signs of overworking, and yet you have not taken it in. If for some reason car repairs are ignored, it can lead to transmission ... read more

With the new year here, people are making resolutions to better or enjoy themselves more in 2017. Do you have a resolution yet? Consider making 2017 the year of road safety. Winter is not a car friendly time, so what better time to start than now? Keeping your car prepared and yourself ready during this season can protect you from the worst winter can throw your way. How do you prepare? We have compiled a short checklist of ways to keep your car in top shape this winter season. Winter Car Checklist Check Your Fluids Checking everything from your windshield wiper fluid to your oil can really keep your car in top condition. Make sure you have enough in your vehicle and if fluid levels are low, have your local auto mechanic service the vehicle. You may inquire regarding winter windshield fluid and oil. Both are designed for optimal performance during colder temperatures. Is It Time for New Tire ... read more

Brakes are a necessary safety feature that require maintenance every once in awhile to ensure they work 100% of the time . So when should you replace the brakes? These are some things to keep in mind to determine whether your vehicle needs new brakes. The brakes on your car are some of the most important safety features available for you to use. It is vital to keep your brakes well maintained and replace the brake pads as needed. Not sure where to start with brake maintenance? Here are some tips to keep your car running properly and safely. Checking your brake pads typically isn’t necessary since they come with a built-in indicator that will let you know when it’s time to replace them. If your brakes make a high pitched squeal every time you use them, the brake pads have worn thin to the point that the small indicator attached them are rubbing against the rotor. Other indications that it’s time for new brake pads could be the vehicle taki ... read more

Once in awhile, you may encounter the surprise of hopping in your car and seeing an unusual light on your dashboard telling you to check your engine. Unlike the low tire light and some of the other indicators in your car, the check engine light can signal many different problems. Below are the top reasons that this light would come on. Gas Cap If the offending part is your gas cap, your car is letting you know that the cap is not there at all or fuel fumes are leaking out. Replacement gas caps are a cheap and easy part to replace yourself. However, if your gas cap is on tight, this may be a faulty sensor, which a mechanic can fix. Oxygen Sensor Your car has oxygen sensors that monitor its emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere. Not only does this handy tool save the environment, it also saves you money on gas by increas ... read more