Hansen CARS
128 Sumner Ave. Ames, Iowa 50010 | (515) 232-4241

General / Misc

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The Hansen CARS Guide to Buying a Used Vehicle

{{ image('MzU2') }} Used vehicles are certainly an economical choice for budget-conscious Ames drivers. But how can we know we're getting a good used vehicle and not just inheriting someone else's pr...
Published on: Feb 08, 2026

Severe Driving in Ames

Owner's manuals have schedules for preventive maintenance. Ames can check on things like oil changes, transmission service and so on. They say you should change your oil after driving a certain distan...
Published on: Jan 18, 2026

Wheel Bearings

Your wheel bearings may be something to which you've never given a thought while driving around Ames, IA. Wheel bearings are what enable your wheels to spin freely. Since they bear the entire weight o...
Published on: Jan 04, 2026

Cabin Air Filter

Let’s talk about cabin air filters.  There seems to be some confusion about them that we should be able to clear up.  Much of the confusion starts because cabin air filters are relativ...
Published on: Dec 28, 2025

Full Stop (Brake Master Cylinder Replacement)

When you step on your brake pedal, you want to feel confident that your vehicle’s going to stop.  If your brakes aren’t working right, it’s a risk to your safety and the safety ...
Published on: Jul 27, 2025

Wheel Alignment Service At Hansen CARS In Ames

{{ image('Mjk5') }} When all of a vehicle's wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment. Hitting a road hazard in Ames or even just the normal bumps and bounces of every...
Published on: Jul 13, 2025

Timing Chain

All engines have either a timing belt or a timing chain to synchronize the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves.  This keeps the engine running smoothly and efficiently.  If ...
Published on: Jun 29, 2025

A Pan You Don't Cook In (Oil Pan Gasket Replacement)

You probably have a cabinet in your kitchen filled with pots and pans. Your vehicle has one very important pan in it as well. It's the pan that holds oil for your engine called, naturally, an oil pan....
Published on: Jun 22, 2025