Davenport Auto Repair

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.  After a long deep breath, you try to start the car and click, click, click.....nothing.  Great!!  You realize one of your kids left the back door open and the battery is dead......Don't have a bad day.  Don't be late for work!  Come to Dale's Service Center and we will perform a complimentary safety & maintenance inspection for free.  (which i ... read more

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. Most likely you are going to find that sub-par parts will be installed, the brakes will be noisy and will not last very long and hopefully the technician didn't cut any corners to slam that brake job out the door.  I strongly believe this is the last place you want to cut corners. Your safety and the safe ... read more

  "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).  Then we can perform a leak test to see if the A/C system can hold a vacuum (Evacuate) and if it is able to hold a vacuum we can replenish with new freon  (Recharge).  Why not just add freon?  With todays automotive A/C systems, most vehicles hold a specific amount and if overfilled will not cool at all.  The freon amounts need to be precise in ... read more

   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.  The team got to brush up on the latest brake systems and parts.  Also, we caught up on the most innovative suspension parts available.  Of course, it's always easier to learn on a full stomach!    

  The timing belt is important because makes the internal components of the engine work together.  I could get real technical and tell you how the timing belt keeps the flux capacitor inline with the rotary girder but I won't bore you with the details.  Basically, what you need to know is the timing belt is a rubber belt that controls how the valves and pistons move inside of the motor.  Because the belt is rubber, it is subject to shredding, breaking or slipping which can cause all kinds of horrible engine damage.  Our recommendation is to replace the belt as maintenance at the recommended mileage by your manufacturer to prevent any engine problems.  Also, on most vehicles the timing belt runs the water pump, other idler pulleys and a has its own belt tensioner.     We always recommend to replace all of the components when we install a timing belt.  It makes sense.  Not ... read more

          Often times we are asked, "why do I have to flush my cooling system? How often should I flush my cooling system?  Is it best to flush before winter or summer?, How do I figure out which antifreeze my vehicle takes?"  Here are a couple of simple thoughts about vehicle cooling systems:   Coolant, also referred to as antifreeze, is the fluid that absorbs the heat from your engine and disperses it out through the radiator.   When mixed properly is has a higher boiling point and lower freezing point than water allowing the engine to run at higher and lower temperatures. The Coolant, should be replaced (or flushed) per manufacturers recommendation or we recommend at least every 30,000 miles or 5 years which ever comes first.   Always check the antifreeze level when the engine is cold.  If you suspect a leak, check the level on the reservoir jug first thing in the morning when the engi ... read more

         For many people allergy season is no fun!  Although we have no cure for your allergies, we can help make sure your car is ready for the season. Replacing your cabin air filter at least once per year can help alleviate those sneezing and wheezing symptoms.  Sometimes leaves, bugs and debris can flow into the intake vents and clog the cabin air filter.  Here are a few other reasons why it is important to replace your cabin air filter: When this filter becomes restricted it can reduce the efficiency and flow of your vehicles air conditioner.  The cabin air filter removes dust, pollen and other pollutants from entering the vehicles ventilation system. Just like the furnace/AC filter in your home, these filter dust and air particles entering into the cab of your car. Also, a lot of times the cabin air filter area is where those pesky rodents like mice and squirrels like to nest for the winter. These are some of the fil ... read more

Today I went on a road test with a great customer because he was hearing an "intermittent weird noise while turning left" in the front of his SUV. Since he stated the noise does not occur all the time, I thought it would be best to go on a quick road test with him before we inspect further.  Right away I thought I heard it, there was a clanging noise coming from the rear end.  "Nope, that's not it.  My wife left a frying pan with a lid on it in the back seat," he said.  Hmm, so we drive a little more until I thought I heard it again near the dash area.  "Nope, that's not it.  That's about 27 dollars worth of change in the glove box rattling around."  Hmmm...after a few more twists and turns we were able to confirm the noise together. Upon further inspection we were able to pinpoint a bad wheel bearing on the left front.  That was easy. Often times a description of a noise or ... read more

Before you hit the road in the family Truckster here are a couple of quick tips to make she is ready for the road: 1) Checking tire pressure (especially in the summer) is very important-  make sure all (5) tires are set to the pressure recommended on the drivers jam door sticker. Yep, I said 5 tires, make sure to check that spare tire in the trunk or on the underside of your vehicle.  It's no fun finding out the hard way that your spare tire is low... 2) Check all fluid levels- Make sure engine oil and transmission fluid is full according to the dipstick.  Check the antifreeze level only when the engine is cold. If you are unsure what the level should be or type of fluids your vehicle requires, swing by and we will check it for free.  *Note- it is always best to start off a road trip after a fresh oil change if possible.   3)  Make sure all lights are working and your wipers are able to clean the windshield well.  Don ... read more

Often times we are asked "do you think it's worth fixing?" When customers run into high repair costs on high mileage vehicles sometimes they are in for a tough decision. For the most part, every decision is unique to its own situation. We understand when you're tired of pouring money into your aging machine. Here are a couple of tips to aid your decision whether or not to trade in 'Ole Sweetie.' 1) A newer used car may not mean you will visit us less. Do your homework on the vehicle you wish to purchase. Road test a few different models. After you narrow your selection, bring it in for a pre-purchase inspection. We will run a free reliability report on that year, make and model of the vehicle you have chosen. We have saved customers thousands with our pre-purchase inspections. Also, our inspection will help with final negotiations during your buying process. 2) Consider the depreciation and taxes you will pay on that vehicle. A $1000.00 is the amount of taxes ... read more