As we come to the end of the worst of winter, and things start to thaw out, we come into pothole season–so it’s the perfect time to start thinking about Vehicle Alignments. The alignment of your vehicle is an important aspect of maintenance, so we’re going to make sure to go over what an alignment is, why it’s important, and how often to get it done. Normal wear and tear will cause your vehicle to get out of alignment, so this is an important aspect of the upkeep of your vehicle. Although, it can also get banged out of whack by hitting potholes, bumping curbs, or even minor fender benders.    An alignment is a process where a technician sets your vehicle onto a lift, installs targets onto your wheels, and takes measurements such as toe, camber, caster, thrust angle, etc. Once they get the before measurements of your vehicle’s current alignment angles, the technician can then determine what adjustments will need to be made. They will then make ... read more

Last week, we went over some automotive issues you might come across in the colder months like dead batteries, failed spark plugs, or cars not starting. This week, we’ll touch on some simpler, but equally important routine maintenance. If you miss some of these crucial winter practices, it can lead to frustrating issues. Check out these winter automotive reminders!    Windshield Wipers Freezing     Your wipers are essential for braving the winter weather, and keeping your visibility clear in rain, sleet, and snow. However, they become more vulnerable in freezing weather. They can freeze to your windshield, which could cause them to tear if you tried to turn them on–which is definitely not something you want to happen in the middle of a storm.       To keep your wipers safe in cold temperatures, you’ll want to add checking on them to your routine. If you know cold weather is coming and you can’t get your car under ... read more

There are different automotive issues that come with the changes of seasons–you might worry more about your car overheating over the summer. Each season comes with its own unique challenges, so here are some things to look out for this winter and some tips on how to deal with them.    Car Not Starting     This is true in any season–sometimes your car just won’t start. However, in the winter,  this could be a sign of a bigger issue; like failing batteries or spark plugs. Fortunately, it’s not always a huge red flag, as it could also simply be a smaller issue like thickened engine oil, frozen gas in the line, or a bad starter or alternator. For those smaller issues, the best thing you can do is to try and keep your vehicles warm overnight or when the temperature drops to its lowest. Keeping your car parked in a garage or using an engine block heater to keep the engine warm are both good options. Don’t worry, we’ve got t ... read more

  Last week, we started our deep dive into extended warranties and their pros and cons. The main takeaway being that often, most extended warranty companies are benefiting more from your purchase of a warranty than you are. The chances that your warranty will be able to cover what you need to be covered in the time span of the warranty are fairly low, meaning that your money has gone straight into that company’s pocket without it being used on your vehicle.    If you do happen to be covered under warranty and the extended warranty company accepts fault, we have seen many companies fight and argue with us over the quality of the parts we are allowed to use, even seeing requests to install used parts. We would never want to install a used part into your vehicle, and we know that as our clients, you expect the best from us. As your trusted auto shop, we’ll represent you in these circumstances to try to ensure that we get you a quality part that matches the qu ... read more

We know that there are a lot of decisions to make regarding your car. At Honest Wrenches, we want to make sure we provide you with as much information as possible so you can make the best choices for you; at no extra charge. Today we’re breaking down extended warranties–are they worth the investment? Or should you pass on them? We tend to not be on the side of extended warranties, but we also want to acknowledge that while we have had negative experiences with some companies, there may be some extended warranty companies that will benefit you. Regardless of where you fall, there are pros and cons to each side. To understand more about extended warranties, let's take a deep dive into some of the different types of extended warranties.   1. The basic extended warranty  Sometimes called the bronze package, this will be an extremely basic warranty. It will only have coverage up to a certain amount of money per hour paid out, as well as generally only covering h ... read more

Our winters have been odd in the past few years, which has meant a rollercoaster of ice and snow and random bouts of warmer, thawing weather. That much back and forth leaves an opportunity for black ice and other dangerous weather conditions. Whether you get stranded in a blizzard or spin out on hidden ice, it’s important to know how to prepare for, stay safe in, and act in the event of a winter road emergency. This week, we’ll go over how best to stay prepared for the winter conditions ahead.    Get a winter tune-up     As the seasons change and the year goes by, it’s important to get regular tune-ups on your vehicle. When you’re getting your car checked for the winter, you’ll want to make sure that you check on your battery, brakes, heating and cooling systems, components like belts, hoses, spark plugs, and other wires and cables, and all your fluids; oil, antifreeze, wiper fluid, etc. Check that everything is in working order ... read more

The holiday season is practically here! If you’re getting ready to visit home, visit loved ones, or simply find your way to a delicious seasonal feast, here’s how to make sure your vehicle is ready to get you to your destination.   Start System       Have your battery/starting/charging system checked. Your battery provides electrical power to start the engine, stabilizes voltage for the charging system, and supplies additional current to the charging system. It’s always good to catch a weak battery before you get on the highway, rather than having it fail while you’re on your trip.   Emergency Kit       If our tips missed something in your vehicle, or something unforeseen happens and you find yourself in a sticky situation, having a kit with all the necessities will hold you over until help arrives. In this kit, you’ll at least want to pack some blankets, drinking water, snacks, first aid, and refl ... read more

    It’s that time of year again. The leaves have fallen, the air’s getting chillier, and we’re all ready to get into the holiday spirit! We are excited to gather around the table with family and friends–some that we haven't seen for quite some time. For some, we’ll soon be hitting the road with hopes to see some family. All this sounds great, and it sure seems like you are ready, but is your car? With any road trip, it is extremely important to get your vehicle into your team here at Honest Wrenches to ensure that it is ready for the trip you are getting ready to take. Here’s how we can help you prepare for your holiday travels.   Tires   The only thing between you and the road is your tires. It’s crucial to ensure that your tread is wearing evenly, there’s plenty of the tread remaining, that no road hazards have damaged your tires, and they are filled to the proper pressure. And don’t forget the spare ... read more

The way our roads are treated in Iowa in the winter certainly helps keep the roads safe, but it can sure cause damage to our vehicles. Components such as our car’s suspension, underbody, and the overall body of the vehicle are vulnerable to sediment and debris on our roads. During the winter months, it is extremely important to keep your vehicle washed at least once per week, possibly even more if the roads you drive on are consistently treated with brine. When brine or salt mix with melted ice and snow and get left on your vehicle for a period of time, they become corrosive and that is when the rust really starts to take action.    Why wash your car when it’s going to get dirty again? It’s an understandable question for sure, it might seem pointless. But, the more we can keep our vehicles clean, the better we’re able to protect from rust. When you choose a carwash, make sure that you select one that does an underbody spray. That is extremely crucial ... read more

  How often do you need to change my battery?   It’s a great question that we get asked quite often here in the shop. A lot of conditions really determine how long a car battery will last such as driving habits, distance driven, the environment that the battery is in and yes, the quality of the battery. The extreme temperature changes that we experience here in the Midwest certainly wreak havoc on our battery life expectancy. If you don’t do a lot of driving or the driving that you do consists of short trips, the battery really doesn't get an opportunity to get fully charged by the alternator. That will also decrease the life expectancy.    Generally, the life of a battery is anywhere from 3 - 5 years depending on the quality of the battery you purchase. Yes, it’s true with batteries as it is for many other things: you get what you pay for. More important than haggling over battery prices is what the actual difference is between types of ... read more