By Frank’s Country Auto Your Trusted and Affordable Auto Repair Shop in Marion, Iowa Modern vehicles are smarter than ever. What used to be luxury features are now standard safety systems in many cars and trucks on the road today. From lane departure warnings to automatic emergency braking, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are designed to protect you, your passengers, and everyone sharing the road. But here’s what many drivers in Marion, Iowa don’t realize: these sys

By Frank’s Country Auto Your Trusted and Affordable Auto Repair Shop in Marion, Iowa If you live in Marion or commute around Cedar Rapids, chances are most of your drives are short. A quick run to Hy-Vee. Dropping the grandkids off at school. Heading to work across town. A five-minute drive to the gym. It seems harmless. But what many Iowa drivers don’t realize is this: frequent short trips can quietly wear down your vehicle faster than longer highway drives. At Frank’s Coun

Your Complete Spring and Fall Prep Guide from Frank’s Country Auto in Marion, Iowa Living in Iowa means experiencing the full force of all four seasons sometimes all in the same week. From below-zero wind chills in winter to humid summer days, your vehicle works hard year-round. Those dramatic temperature swings don’t just impact your comfort; they put real stress on your car’s engine, battery, cooling system, tires, and more. At Frank’s Country Auto in Marion, Iowa, we’ve h

A Complete Guide from Frank’s Country Auto in Marion, Iowa Buying a used car can feel like striking gold or stepping into a financial trap. At Frank’s Country Auto in Marion, Iowa, we’ve seen both outcomes. Some customers drive in thrilled with their purchase. Others arrive weeks later facing expensive repairs they never saw coming. The difference usually isn’t luck it’s knowing what to look for beyond a simple test drive. If you're shopping for a used vehicle, this guide

Most drivers know the feeling: you’re cruising along, minding your business, when a warning light suddenly appears on your dashboard. Your heart drops a little. The check engine light gets all the attention, but it’s far from the only warning your vehicle gives when something is wrong. At Frank’s Country Auto , we’ve seen countless cases where ignoring a different dashboard light led to bigger, more expensive repairs down the road. The truth is, some warning lights are tellin

If you live and drive in Marion, Iowa, you already know this truth: our weather doesn’t play around. One month it’s blazing hot, the next it’s below freezing, and somewhere in between your car is dodging potholes that seem to appear overnight. While most drivers understand that Iowa weather can be tough, many still underestimate just how much seasonal changes affect their vehicle and how much money preventative maintenance can save in the long run. At Frank’s Country Auto , w

By Frank’s Country Auto – Marion, Iowa’s Trusted & Affordable Auto Repair Shop If you’ve ever picked up your car from a repair shop and thought, “Wait… why does the final bill look different than the estimate?”  you’re not alone. Auto repair estimates can feel confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes intimidating, especially if you’re not familiar with automotive terms or repair processes. At Frank’s Country Auto , we believe that understanding your estimate shouldn’t require a

A Complete Checklist for Safe Summer Travel in Iowa There’s nothing quite like an Iowa summer road trip. Whether you’re heading east toward the Mississippi River, west across rolling cornfields, or loading the family up for a long weekend at a lake, road trips are a big part of life here in Marion. But before the snacks are packed and the playlist is ready, there’s one thing that deserves your full attention: making sure your vehicle is truly road-ready. At Frank’s Country Au

By Frank’s Country Auto – Marion, Iowa Trading in your vehicle can be one of the smartest ways to reduce the cost of your next car but only if you do it right. Too often, vehicle owners leave money on the table simply because they didn’t prepare their car properly before visiting a dealership or used-vehicle lot. At Frank’s Country Auto , we’ve spent years helping drivers in Marion, Iowa understand what truly affects a vehicle’s trade-in value. As a trusted and affordable loc

There’s nothing quite like a road trip. The open highway, a packed playlist, snacks within arm’s reach, and the promise of adventure ahead. Here in Marion and the greater Cedar Rapids area, road trips are a way of life whether you’re heading east toward Chicago, west across Iowa’s scenic backroads, or north for a long weekend getaway. But every great road trip starts long before you turn the key. Proper vehicle preparation is the difference between smooth cruising and unexpec

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Do I really  need an oil change that often?”—you’re not alone. Oil change advice can feel confusing because you’ll hear everything from “every 3,000 miles” to “once a year is fine,” and your dashboard reminder might say something entirely different. Add in modern engines, synthetic oil , stop-and-go driving, and Iowa’s changing seasons, and it’s easy to see why drivers in Marion want a straight answer. This guide will help you understand how of

That amber “Check Engine” icon has a way of showing up at the worst possible time. Maybe you’re headed to work, running errands around Marion, or planning a weekend drive—and suddenly your dashboard lights up. The car might feel totally normal… or it might start running rough, shaking at stoplights, or struggling to accelerate. Either way, you’re left with the same question: What does the check engine light actually mean—and what should I do next? If you’re searching for a ch

When it comes to your vehicle, few systems matter more than your brakes. They’re the difference between stopping smoothly at a red light and a frightening near-miss. And because brakes often wear down gradually, many drivers don’t realize something’s wrong until the warning signs become impossible to ignore. If you’ve been searching for brake repair Marion IA , this guide is designed to help you understand what your brakes are trying to tell you—before a small issue becomes a

Finding a trustworthy mechanic can feel like a gamble—especially if you’re new to the area, buying your first vehicle, or dealing with a repair you don’t fully understand. You want someone who will diagnose the issue correctly, explain it clearly, charge fairly, and stand behind the work. If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I know I’m not getting taken advantage of?” you’re not alone. This guide is built to help you make a confident choice when searching for auto repair in Mario

For many drivers, a professional vehicle inspection can feel vague or intimidating. Some assume it is just a quick glance under the hood, while others worry it automatically leads to expensive repairs. In reality, a professional vehicle inspection is one of the most valuable tools for preventing costly breakdowns, improving safety, and extending the life of a car or truck. Knowing what happens during a vehicle inspection—and why each step matters—helps drivers make confident,

Oil changes are one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—parts of vehicle maintenance. Many drivers still rely on outdated rules of thumb, conflicting advice, or warning stickers placed on windshields years ago. As vehicles and engine technology have evolved, so has the truth about how often oil changes are actually needed. Understanding how engine oil works, what affects oil change intervals, and how to recognize when your vehicle truly needs service can save money, pr

Most vehicle breakdowns don’t happen without warning. In fact, many of the most expensive car repairs start as small, preventable issues that gradually worsen over time. Understanding the most common car problems drivers face—and knowing how to prevent them—can save money, reduce stress, and keep your vehicle running safely for years longer than expected. This guide breaks down the most frequent automotive issues seen by professional repair shops, why they happen, and what dr

Owning a vehicle is one of the biggest ongoing investments most families make. While routine maintenance is expected, unexpected car repairs can quickly become expensive, stressful, and disruptive—especially when small issues are ignored until they turn into major failures. The good news is that most costly automotive repairs don’t happen overnight. They build slowly, showing warning signs long before a breakdown occurs. Understanding how to recognize these early warning sign

When a driver or fleet owner weighs the choice between diesel and gasoline power, many think immediately of torque, fuel economy,...

When you manage a fleet—whether it’s a handful of diesel pickups or a dozen heavy-duty trucks—your bottom line is deeply affected by...