Des Moines Auto Repair

When bringing your car to a stop, it may briefly cross one's mind that there is a mechanism at work that pushes one thing against another, ultimately bringing the vehicle to a halt, as and when you need to. You may even have heard home-based mechanics talking about brake shoes and brake pads and other words that relate to bringing vehicles to a safe halt, and these words being bandied about may even sound like they mean the exact same thing. But this is not true. Brake shoes and brake pads are essentially two different parts of a whole braking system in your car. We all know that brake pads' primary function is to slow down or stop the motion of a moving machine or vehicle. But do you understand what a brake pad itself does to stop or slow down a vehicle or a machine? This is the part of the braking system in your car that is the rubber lining inside the caliper, which is part of the large metal structure clamped to the side of the rotor, located at your car's wheels. B ... read more

A thermostat is an essential part of running a car engine because it regulates the temperature using coolants. The thermostat, which is a cooling component, prevents the flow of coolants to the engine until the engine heats up. It has a sensor that opens it when the engine is running hot and restores it to the radiator's optimal operating temperatures. In case the car engine heats up, and it remains like that, then the engine's performance will be affected because there is no way it will get to optimal working temperatures on its own. Before that happens, knowing how a normal and faulty thermostat works are vital for a car owner, driver, or mechanic. For that reason, the common symptoms that indicate a failing thermostat include: 1. An overheating engine This is the first and most alarming symptom of a failing thermostat. When the temperature gauge is reading very high after starting the engine, and it remains the same for a while, that is a bad thermostat s ... read more

For starters, brake rotors are those large discs behind the car's wheels. They move together with the wheels, so when the driver clamps down the brake pads, it will hold them, and the car would stop. Brake discs usually get heated as the vehicle moves. The discs need to dissipate the heat so fast because the brakes might overheat and press down again. In the worst-case scenario, the brake system may get damaged. The surface of the brake rotor may become uneven, making the braking system to be less effective and jittery. This is what's called warping. How the brake rotors get warped There's a misconception that when the brake rotor is said to have warped, then it means they are bent and wobble while rotating as it happens with the bicycles, but that's not the case. For a car, for warping to take place, warping means the brake rotors are defective. The temperature required to make them bend is very high and difficult to achieve because the metal used ... read more

Any car fluid leaks might be indicative of a minor challenge with the car of serious break downs that might be costly to repair. Sometimes you might notice fluid underneath the vehicle during packing or a driver mighty alert you of the leak when driving. Fluid leaking might indicate a transmission fluid leak, which should be checked immediately to prevent further damages. Transmission fluid may be colored green or red, which makes it significantly easy to differentiate it from other fluids. Driving when the transmission fluid is leaking prevents the proper running of the car, which is not safe. Different factors can trigger the leaking of the transmission fluid. We have outlined some of the most probable causes of leaking transmission fluid. Transmission Pan of Drain Plug Loose rocks and debris on the road expose the transmission pan to damage. The transmission pan wears and gets a puncture. It may also get loose drain plugs or bolts leading to a transmission leak. Failure to Chang ... read more

Engine oil is an integral part of strong engine performance. Oil ensures your engine's metal parts are properly lubricated. It provides a much-needed cooling that vehicles can't properly function without. It's no secret that regular oil changes are mandatory to prolong the lifespan of your car. However, when life happens, it can be easy to forget you until your car starts to display some symptoms. Below are three signs; it's time to schedule an oil change.  Dirty Engine Oil Engine oil can pick up outside debris over time, reducing its quality. This makes it essential to check your engine oil at least once a month. Engine oil should be honey or amber-colored. The fluid should be clean and free of any pollutants. If the oil is dark and littered with dirt, it's time for an oil change.  Unusual Engine Noises Gritty engine oil will not effectively lubricate the engine, causing it to work harder than norm ... read more