Elmquist Autocare Center provides 60,000 Mile Service services to Ames IA, Nevada, IA, Jordan, IA, and surrounding areas

Elmquist Autocare Center is the leading 60,000 mile service shop in Ames IA, Nevada, IA, and Jordan, IA. We pride ourselves on ensuring that your vehicle is running at its optimal performance level. The safety of you and your family is our top priority. Due to the conditions in the Nevada, IA area it is important that the Preventative Maintenance be performed at the recommended level. At the 60,000 Mile Service Interval the Vehicle Manufacturers require certain preventative maintenance. Our trained mechanics focus on only performing the services and repairs your vehicle requires, the safety of you and your family, keeping your vehicle running at its top performance, and ensuring that your factory warranty stays intact. We are able to bring you the highest level of service and properly maintain your vehicle at a fraction of what a dealer would charge. Our 60,000 Mile Service Interval includes the following: Before every 60,000 mile service we perform a Quality Assurance Road Test to ensure that your vehicle is handling and performing at its optimal level. If our Mechanics hear or feel anything out of the ordinary they will be able to look at your vehicle more in depth once they place it on the lift. If our Mechanics do not find what they heard or felt during the 60,000 Service Interval Inspection list we will inform you what we experienced during the Road Test to inquire if you would prefer further Diagnostics. Our 15,000 mile Service Interval consist of the following services:

Engine Coolant – Your vehicle’s engine coolant is one of the vital fluids that are important to maintaining the engine. Most vehicles require that the Engine Coolant be replaced every 30,000 miles. Vehicle Manufacturers consider Nevada, IA to be rated as a harsh driving area. Manufacturers are upgrading to longer lasting Engine Coolant. Even though they are starting to install Extended Life Coolant it is still extremely important to periodically check on the condition and level of the Engine Coolant. Even Extended Life Coolant breaks down over time. Ensuring that your vehicle’s Coolant System is maintained at its proper level and free from leaks will make the Coolant last longer and perform at its proper level.

Replace Engine Oil and Filter – Due to the climate in the Nevada, IA area Vehicle Manufacturers consider us to be in harsh driving conditions. They require more frequent Oil and Filter changes. Routinely changing your vehicle’s engine oil per the manufacture’s guidelines is an essential part of properly maintaining your vehicle and keeping the warranty intact. The oil keeps the internal components of the engine lubricated and the filter collects any debris preventing it from damage. This is an essential routine maintenance item to ensure performance and longevity of your vehicle.

Steering Linkage and Boots - We inspect the Linkage and Boots in your Steering. Excessive play in your steering can be dangerous. It can inhibit the speed of your response in an emergency situation and cause issues like excessive tire wear.

Drive Shaft Boots – We ensure that your vehicles Boots are properly sealed, do not have any damage or tears, and are not dry rotted. This ensures that the drive shafts stay properly lubricated and can save an expensive repair of replacing the Drive Shaft.

Ball Joints and Dust Covers - Excessive play from the Ball Joints can cause excessive tire wear, poor performance and handling. If not caught early enough can result in failure, cause further suspension damage and leave you stranded on the side of the road. Ensuring that there is no excessive play from the suspension can save the cost of a very expensive repair and prevent a break down.

Brake Linkage/Drums/Pads/Disc – It is extremely important to keep your vehicle running at its top performance when driving in the Nevada, IA area and wherever the road takes you, for the safety of you and your family. A properly working Braking System is essential. Routine and thorough inspections of your braking system will ensure that you are able to safely stop your vehicle each and every time. Brake failures also can cost a lot of money to repair. A brake pad that is getting too low and not able to make it to the next Service Interval if not caught can wear into your Rotor and become a very expensive repair.

Reset Maintenance Reminder - If your vehicle is equipped with a Maintenance Reminder System we will reset that during your service to ensure you are properly notified for your next Service Interval.

Cabin Air Filter and Engine Air Filters – Air Filters are sometimes able to be cleaned. They also need to be replaced periodically. The Engine Air filter keeps debris out of the engine and ensures proper air intake through your engine. Depending where you live in the Nevada, IA area your Air Filter might need to be replaced more frequently. If your Engine Air Filter is clogged it will dramatically reduce the engine’s performance and fuel mileage. Cabin Air Filters are also important to maintain. This filters the air in the passenger compartment. Keeping the Cabin Air filter clean is important to ensure that you and your family are breathing clean air. Failure to keep this clean and debris free can also cause stress on the vehicle ventilation system. This can cause a foul smell and undue stress to the vehicles blower motor and ventilation system.

Chassis Bolts and Nuts – During the 30,000 Mile Service Interval we thoroughly inspect the chassis and suspension for irregular wear and loose components. Most vehicles are driven 15,000 miles per year on average so this is an important safety check that is performed once a year. Preventative Maintenance saves you money because potential issues are caught early and keeps repairs at a minimum. Tire Inspection, Rotation, and Inflation – The roads in the Ames IA area sometimes are not always in the best condition. Proper Tire inflation is vital for optimal handling and safety. During each Service Interval our Mechanics will inspect your tires to ensure proper placement for the best performance and longevity of your tires. Tire rotations are performed periodically so that all four tires wear evenly. If you do not rotate your tires they will wear unevenly and will require replacement more frequently. Proper inflation of your tires is essential for proper wear and performance. Properly inflated tires also improve fuel mileage.

Exhaust Pipes and Mountings – Leaks in the Exhaust System can not only be noisy but also dangerous. Your Vehicles Exhaust System has dangerous fumes than need to be properly expelled away from the passenger compartment. Leaks or restrictions in the Vehicles Exhaust System can also cause performance problems. An Exhaust System that is not operating as designed can dramatically reduce your power from the engine and restrict your fuel economy. Periodic inspections of manifolds, seals, gaskets, catalytic convertors, and pipes will ensure the safety of you and your family and keep your vehicle running as designed.

Fuel Lines, Connections and Vapor Recovery System – The fuel that you use in your vehicle is what powers it. Periodic inspection of the Fuel System is necessary for your safety. A fuel leak can be an expensive repair but can also be dangerous. Raw fuel and its vapors before being burned in the engine can cause a fire. It is important to ensure that the fuel connections and lines are properly sealed and maintained. Periodic maintenance will help find potential problems and find issues earlier and can save the cost of a major repair if caught early.

Transmission Fluid – Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle the Transmission Fluid may need to be replaced at this Service Interval. Vehicle Manufacturers are installing longer life Transmission Fluids and some systems are sealed and do not have a dipstick any more to check the fluid level. Every 30,000 miles we thoroughly check for Transmission Fluid leaks, condition of fluid, and the level of the Transmission Fluid. If a leak develops and the level becomes low the fluid will begin to burn and can cause internal bearing failure. Over time even extended life Transmission Fluid will become discolored and loose some of its protective capabilities and should be replaced. Periodic inspection of the Transmission Fluid level and condition is vital to maintaining your vehicle. If the Transmission Fluid is not properly maintained it will become discolored and can cause major internal Transmission failure. A Transmission Repair or Replacement can cost several thousand dollars and vehicle could be out of service for an extended period of time. Proper Preventative Maintenance of the Transmission fluid will save you time and the high price of a major Transmission Repair.

Brake Lines and Fluid – Properly maintaining your vehicles Brake Fluid level is essential for the safety of you and your family. When you place your foot on the Brake Pedal of your vehicle a properly sealed and maintained Brake System will apply pressure to the Brake Calipers and bring the Brake Pad into contact with the Brake Rotor and properly stop your vehicle. Over time as your Brake Pads wear your Brake Fluid may need to be topped off. Periodic inspections of the Brake Fluid, Brake Lines, and connections will ensure that the Brake System does not loose pressure and fail. If a vehicle’s Brake Fluid becomes too low and there is not enough pressure in the system Brake Failure can occur. Moisture can also build up over time in the Brake Fluid and periodically should be replaced. Moisture in the Brake Fluid can cause damage to the seals and eventually cause a leak. Periodic inspection of your Brake System is essential for your safety and the safety of others.

Power Steering Fluid – Most vehicles on the road today have a Hydraulic Power Steering System. The fluid in the Power Steering System can also break down over time. Condensation and moisture in the Power Steering Fluid can cause seal failure and cause internal damage to the Power Steering Rack. Periodic inspections of the Power Steering Fluid level and condition can save the cost of an expensive repair. If the Power Steering Fluid becomes low due to a leak the Power Steering Rack can overheat and cause internal damage. A Power Steering Rack can cost several Thousands of dollars to replace and place the vehicle out of service for several days. Proper Preventative Maintenance of the Power Steering Fluid can save thousands of dollars and an untimely repair.

Spark Plugs – Spark Plugs deliver a spark that ignites the fuel in the engine. They need to be replaced periodically. A failed Spark Plug can cause a misfire in the engine. Misfires in the engine can cause raw fuel to not burn in the cylinder and be expelled through the Exhaust System. Continual raw fuel being expelled through the Exhaust System can cause damage to the Catalytic Converter. Periodically replacing your Sparks Plugs not only increase your fuel mileage and performance but it can also save the time and cost of a several thousand dollar repair.

Four Wheel Drive & All Wheel Drive Systems - If your vehicle is equipped with Four Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive, the Transfer Case Fluid, Front Differential Fluid, and Rear Differential Fluid may need to be replaced periodically. The Gear Oil in the Transfer Case, Front Differential, and Rear Differential lubricates the bearings. With Time, Use, and Wear of these systems the Gear Oil will start to break down. Periodic inspections of the seals and Gear Oil level will prevent an expensive repair and extensive down time. Just like the vehicles Transmission there are a lot of bearing and metal on metal movements. It is essential for the Dependability and Longevity of your Drivetrain to keep the Transfer Case Fluid, Front Differential Fluid, and Rear Differential Fluid clean and at its proper level.

There is more to servicing your vehicle than just changing your oil and rotating your tires. Proper Preventative Maintenance will save you money and also your time. We are part of the Nevada, IA community. If you are in the Ames IA, Nevada, IA, or Jordan, IA areas and looking for an honest and dependable mechanic please contact us. We value your time, save you money, and gets you back on the road as quickly and safely as possible. Call us to set up a convenient appointment to ensure the safety and reliability of your vehicle.

Areas Served : Ames IA | Nevada, IA | Jordan, IA | and surrounding areas