Davenport Auto Repair

Textbooks, check. Stationary, check. Uniform, check. New shoes, check. Your car? With summer break nearing its end and back-to-school season upon us, parents (and students) all around the country are busy preparing for the new school year with extensive checklists. But what many often end up overlooking is the vehicle they would use for school runs. Is your car ready for it? Getting the Car Ready for Back to School – A Safety Checklist Considering that you must have a lot of other things on your plate, we have prepared a checklist of things you cannot overlook at any cost to help you get the car ready for the new school year. Find Out If Your Car Needs an Oil Change Oil is essential for running your engine smoothly. Without oil, the moving parts of the engine will grind against each other and cause damage. So check your oil level regularly and add oil as needed. The recommended mileage for an oil change is 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on the make and model of your car, yo ... read more

As the days get longer and warmer, car rides become increasingly uncomfortable for Davenport, IA, residents, making them dependent on the vehicle’s cooling system. Using the car’s AC may seem like a no-brainer, but there are ways to get the most out of your car’s AC during the hot weather. We talked to our car engineers and AC experts at Dales Service Center, and here are some simple tips that they shared on how to use car AC more efficiently in the summer season: 1.Stop Pre-Cooling It’s simply not worth it! Your car’s air conditioner works in conjunction with the engine. The faster the engine runs, the better the AC will work, and vice versa. Don’t overstress your vehicle’s engine and air conditioning system by turning them on beforehand. 2.Pump Out the Hot Air First We understand why you would want to switch on the AC the moment you get into the car, but our experts suggest otherwise. They recommend rolling down the rear windows first ... read more

Driving around potholes isn’t always an option; sometimes, you must go through them just right. And while you may think you’ve come out of the pesky potholes unharmed if you didn’t spill your latte or punctured a tire, sadly, it’s rarely true. Hitting a pothole rocks the entire suspension system of your vehicle, and a few good strikes can cause premature wear and tear to it. But you can’t just let it be. Considering how essential a fully functional suspension system is to prevent accidents and maintain a safe ride amidst these roadway nuisances, it’s vital to get it regularly checked and repaired by a professional auto repair service. Why is Maintaining a Safe Suspension System So Important? A vehicle’s suspension system doesn’t just ensure a smooth ride; it plays a pivotal role in keeping those in the vehicle safe on the road. It manages the friction between the tires and the road, allowing you to steer or maneuver it on the road safel ... read more

Regardless of how well-maintained your car is in other aspects, getting your brakes checked and serviced regularly is the most important requirement for safe and responsible driving. Your ability to brake safely and timely is essential for your safety and that of others, especially pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Understanding the Brakes All wheeled vehicles have brakes, and their function is relatively simple. Most vehicles have hydraulic brakes. When you push down the brake pedal, it pushes at a piston that pushes the brake pad against the brake disc, also known as the rotors. The disc braking system of any vehicle constitutes a caliper fitted with brake pads. When you press the brake pedal, the caliper squeezes your vehicle’s brake pads against the wheels, causing your vehicle to stop. Running Brake Inspection on Your Own While it’s best to consult a professional when testing your brakes, you can run an initial inspection independently. First, get your bra ... read more

With summertime in full swing, driving to various locations is a necessity. But it’s rather wise to get your car checked forehand for any issues when the temperature can shoot up to as high as 90 F in places like Davenport, Iowa. Identifying and resolving issues before you go on the road is better than having an issue arise in the middle of your travel. Common Vehicle Problems During Summertime Here are some common problems that arise with vehicles during summertime: Overheated Engine It’s a no-brainer that your car’s engine will likely heat up at such a high temperature. Though other factors contribute to the issue, temperature rise can worsen the situation. Having the fluids drop down relatively faster than usual is a standard indicator that your car’s engine needs help. An overheated engine can cause the car to break down, and the fumes and heat from under the hood could be hazardous. Get it to an auto repair shop nearby, or call for repair services in t ... read more

The summer season has officially begun. It's all about holidays and road trips. If you, too, are planning to go on an exciting road trip this summer with your friends or family, make sure that your vehicle is in the best condition. This is the best way to have a fun and safe vacation without the hassle and expensive breakdowns. So, to make things easy, we have curated a checklist for you to make sure your vehicle is ready for summer road trips: Check Tires As tires come in direct contact with the road, it is essential to ensure they are properly inflated and free from any defects. This is much needed to maximize driving enjoyment, stay safe and reduce the risk of accidents. Therefore, the key considerations for tire maintenance are: Air pressure- It should be checked at least every 1000 miles. Also, as gas stations on the road may not have a pressure gauge, it makes sense to keep a handy air pressure gauge in the glove box of your car. Keep a jack and an extra tire in your tru ... read more

It's summer and the heat is on! We've got some tips and tricks to help you stay cool in your car this summer. 1.   Check Your Air Conditioning The first thing you should do is check your car’s air conditioner. It’s important to make sure that your car’s AC is working properly before you go out in the sun, even if it isn’t hot yet. If your auto air conditioner isn’t working, consider using a fan or visiting a mechanic for repairs as soon as possible so that you can stay cool this summer. 2.   Get New Windshield Wipers Did you know that windshield wipers are an easy and inexpensive way to keep your car safe? When the weather is bad, it can be difficult for drivers to see their surroundings clearly. Wipers help prevent accidents by clearing rain, snow, and ice from the windshield so that you can see where you're going. If your wipers are leaving streaks on your windshield or keep falling off, it might be s a great time to ... read more

If you are a vehicle owner in Blue Grass, you'd know how indispensable they are especially because of the convenience and comfort they provide to you and your loved ones- sparing you from the hassle of booking a ride or using the public transport. To ensure your car continues to perform at its optimal level, it is vital to keep it well-maintained. However, many Blue Grass residents often overlook the importance of vehicle maintenance, which leads to problems and costly car repairs.   If you wish to avoid the high cost, then here are some warning signs that your car needs urgent repairs: Flashing or Blinking of the Engine Light on the Dash It's a surefire sign to take your car to the mechanic if the light on the dash flashes or blinks continuously. This warns you that the engine has misfired and needs immediate attention. This mostly happens when the unburned fuel goes to the exhaust system, causing severe damage to the catalytic converter. Weird sound ... read more

Winter storms, ice, and snow all can make roads extremely dangerous. The below-freezing temperatures can slew issues like frozen brake fluid and deflated tires. Hence, preparing your vehicle for winter is crucial to avoid breakdowns and accidents. As experts in the auto industry, here are our top tips for winterproofing your vehicle:   Check Pressure The pressure in the tires decreases during the winter due to the cold temperatures. They deflate once the temperature falls below 32°. It decreases the gas mileage of your vehicle, wears out the tires faster. Additionally, low air pressure in the tires can be dangerous as it reduces the control of the car. Therefore, it's essential to maintain proper tire pressure during winters. Get Snow Tires As Quad Cities like Davenport get heavy snow, switch to snow tires. They increase driving safety as you get better traction in slush, snow, and icy conditions. Snow tires are specially designed for winter conditions. They provide ... read more

With fall in the air and winter on its way in the Quad Cities, now is the perfect time for heating and A/C repair and maintenance. At Dale's Service Center we know just how cold it can get in Davenport during the fall and winter seasons, and that snow isn't uncommon - in fact, lots of it! If your heater is blowing cold air or there are other issues with your car's heater, it's important not to put off any repairs that need to be made. Regular heating and A/C maintenance is also a good idea, as having your system checked occasionally can help prevent major problems or costly repairs down the road. Whether you have a car, truck, SUV, or any other type of vehicle, staying warm is important for a comfortable ride when you're traveling to work, school, appointments, or just running errands. Many motorists don't quite understand how thei ... read more