Des Moines Auto Repair

Getting locked out of your vehicle can be frustrating and even dangerous, especially if you're stranded in a remote location or during inclement weather. In such a situation, lockout towing can be a lifesaver. Lockout towing is a specialized service that can help you regain access to your vehicle when you're locked out.  What is Lock Out Towing? Lockout towing is a service that helps you gain entry to your locked vehicle. This towing service is typically provided by professional tow truck companies and is designed to help you when you accidentally lock your keys inside your car. Lockout towing is a relatively simple service that can be performed quickly, often within just a few minutes. How Does Lock Out Towing Work? When you contact a lockout towing service, the first thing that the technician will do is assess your situation. The technician will ask you a few questions to determine the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the type of lock that is currently pre ... read more

A burnt-out brake light on your car is more than just an annoyance. It is considered a safety hazard. In fact, you can be penalized for not having it repaired soon enough. If your brake light is out, the police can pull you over and even issue a ticket. Plus, you need all your lights to work to pass your vehicle’s safety inspection.  Here are 4 of the most common reasons why your brake light is out: Burnt Out Light Bulb - One of the most common and familiar problems related to vehicle lights is a burnt-out bulb. This can be easily fixed with a replacement bulb. Most newer model cars have LEDs, which last much longer than traditional bulbs. Faulty Brake Light Switch - Every time you press the brakes, a switch signals the light to cut on. These electrical switches go out over time and can be caused by the collection of dirt and dust. Our techs can test your car to determine if the switch is the problem.  Blown Fuse - If we determine that the brake light switch isn&rs ... read more

Your car’s engine needs to stay at a stable temperature range for you to drive smoothly and seamlessly. To make that happen, a fluid called coolant/antifreeze gets pushed throughout the engine to regulate the temperature. Unfortunately, the coolant doesn't stay effective forever. Over time, contaminants and grime can build up in the cooling system. A coolant flush can solve this problem and protects the engine from corrosion, keeping it in the best shape possible. Besides a simple inspection, how can you tell when you need a coolant flush? Low Coolant   You can pop open the hood and visually check your coolant levels. If the fluid looks too low, you may have a leak. Be sure to check if any bright-colored fluid is around or under your vehicle. We can also check for you when bringing your vehicle into Richman Automotive & Towing. Bad Coolant Quality  Another sign that may trigger a need for a fluid flush is if you find the coolant to be contaminated or d ... read more

Are you planning on bringing home a live Christmas tree for this year's holiday season? If so, there are some key things you should prep for in order for you and your tree to safely make it home. Here are some our top tips for a mode of safe transport! Loading the Tree  First off, we recommend using a truck or SUV over a smaller car. This makes the process easier to manage. If you don't have one, we suggest asking a friend or family member for a ride. To start the loading process, you'll want to lay a blanket, tarp, or sheet underneath the tree or onto your truck bed or roof rack. This protects your car against the pine needs that may scratch your vehicle. Next, you want to make sure that your tree is netted. Most tree farms offer this service, and it keeps the branches packed down. It also makes handling the tree easier. When loading the tree, make sure to use gloves. You'll want the trunk of the tree to be turned to the front of yo ... read more

Think about getting into your car, turning the key in the ignition, only for it to crank a few times. It's frustrating. 'Vehicle hard to start' problems are very common. To find out why your vehicle has trouble starting, you need to check everything from the fuel system to the starter motor. These problems mainly occur during the winter because the cold temperature affects the operations of an automobile. Some of the causes that cause your car to fail to start include but are not limited to; Low Levels of Fuel During cold seasons, you must keep your oil tank full or at least half full. This way, only a tiny amount of fuel will be condensed. When the oil level gets extremely low, the fuel line freezes, thus preventing the distribution of fuel to the engine. The result of this will be, having trouble when starting your vehicle. Slow Battery Extreme cold can affect the performance of a battery. The battery operates by producing electrons through chemical reactions. Cold t ... read more