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Motorists in the Davenport area often wonder whether they need an alignment; some aren't completely certain what that even means, or what is involved. As one of the most trusted auto repair shops in the area, we like to explain things in a way our customers understand, so they can make an informed decision. We're highlighting the basics of a tire alignment below, along with symptoms that may indicate you need one. What exactly is an alignment? Put simply, it's a procedure involving adjustments made to the axles and tires of your car to get its suspension back into correct form.

Winters can be brutally cold in Davenport and other areas of Iowa. In order for your vehicle to function its best and keep you safe on the roads, winter maintenance is essential. No one wants to break down on the side of the road at any time, especially during winter when temperatures plummet and snow or sleet is coming down. How can you make sure your car, truck, or SUV is in top notch condition and ensure your family's safety as you travel? We have you covered with these winter maintenance tips! First, your battery must be in good condition and fully charged in order to start the engine of your car - especially in cold weather.

Considering the current crisis in the U.S. and around the world there is no better time to get your brakes checked out! If you live in the Davenport, IA area you can count on Dale's Service Center for brake pads and discs, rotor replacement, or simply having your brakes serviced to make sure everything is in good working order. Nothing is more important than having peace of mind knowing your vehicle will stop on a dime! Dale’s Service Center serves the Greater Quad Cities area including Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island and East Moline.

As a Davenport, IA auto repair shop serving customers for over four decades, we want to share some of the reasons getting an oil change when it's time is so important. While getting the oil changed every 3,000 miles used to be the norm, today it's a bit higher as modern lubricants suggest you can go 5,000 miles or more before having the engine oil changed. Whatever guidelines you follow, be sure to have it done on a regular basis. Here's why. A cleaner engine means extended lifespan. Replacing an engine isn't cheap, but having the oil changed on a routine basis will keep your engine free from the dirt, dust, and other debris that can result in the build up of sludge in the engine.

Most people in Davenport and surrounding areas would rather avoid a transmission repair when possible, especially on older vehicles. Depending on the age of your car, the repair could cost as much or more than your vehicle is worth. When you need transmission service you can count on Dale's Service Center for maintenance, repairs, and more. We have a few tips below that we hope will help you avoid a huge repair bill! Maintaining your vehicle is important if you want it to get you around safely for years to come. Have your car serviced regularly, change the oil, take care of it.

"It sounds like a helicopter is landing on my car!!" Is the call we took not too long ago. We have had a few customers come in from time to time and describe a horrendous noise, especially with their back windows cracked open. The reasoning behind this noise is really just simple physics: f=(c/2n)√(S/L'V), yep, the Helmoltz equation named after this guy Hermann Von Helmholtz. I told ya......Simple. Before you say, what the heck is this grease monkey talking about and think I'm crazy, I have a better answer for you. We call it Wind Throb.

Not much is worse than running late for work. If you are like me, it usually starts out something like this: First you snooze through your alarm 7 times. Next you fly out of bed and jump into the shower. Then in an attempt to brush your teeth while putting your shirt on you somehow become a contortionist and pull a back muscle. After that muscle spasm, while putting your shoes on you spill your coffee down the front of your shirt. Finally when you get to your car and buckle in, you realize your wallet is next to the coffee pot on the kitchen counter.

My 3 girls love unicorns! When they see a unicorn in a movie or in a book they fall in love. However, it is heartbreaking when dad has to bring them back to reality and teach them.......well....unicorns are just not real. What does this have to do with the brakes on your vehicle? A cheap brake job does not exist. If for some reason you are driving thru the forest and you come across what appears to be a cheap brake job, I would suggest you do the same thing as if you see a unicorn. Slap yourself across the face and wake up! At best it could be a bait a switch.

"Why does my A/C blow warm air" you ask? Well unlike the A/C system in your home, your vehicles system gets jostled around while driving through the streets of Davenport. And over time the fittings and A/C components get worn out and tired which causes freon to leak out. Since freon is a gas, it seeps into the atmosphere rather than drips down like engine oil or antifreeze making it tougher to find when there is a leak. In order to find the leak, we generally need to remove all old freon and air that is inside of the A/C system with a machine (Recover).

Because of the ever changing technology, training never ends! Even the most basic systems such as brakes and suspension can get pretty technical. With electronic parking brake systems, air ride height control and steering angle sensors we even run into problems or issues at times. Especially because we repair all different makes and models there is so much to learn about with each car manufacturer. It was nice of Napa to come into our shop with their Brake and Suspension Rep for a dinner and learn the other night.