Mad Hatter Auto Repair (Council Bluffs)

11/03/2026

How was your Halloween? 👻💜 This Ford from one of our loyal Mad Hatter customers brought a little extra fun to our day!

Since she relies on her car for work, she stays on top of its maintenance—including bringing it in for an oil change when the dashboard displays an “Oil Change Required” reminder like the one shown here.

An oil change can be an opportunity to learn more about your vehicle’s overall condition. Every service at Mad Hatter includes our free Digital Vehicle Inspection with photos, measurements, and technician notes.

So how do you make sure your car is ready for winter? First thing to know, every vehicle doesn’t need the exact same winter services. Some areas may be in great condition, some can be monitored, and others may need attention before colder weather becomes more consistent here in Council Bluffs.

Our new blog explains when to have your car checked, what should be inspected, and how we help you prepare based on what your vehicle actually needs. Find the link in the comments! 👇

10/30/2026

Halloween spirit is alive and well at Mad Hatter Council Bluffs!

Ashton and Aidan are getting into the spooky spirit.... and getting into the candy bowl! 👻🍬

10/22/2026

🍂 DO I NEED AN OIL CHANGE THIS FALL?

Possibly—but the change in seasons alone doesn’t determine when your vehicle needs an oil change.

At Mad Hatter, our general guideline is:
🛢️ Every 3,000 miles or three months for synthetic-blend oil
🛢️ Up to 5,000 miles or five months for full-synthetic oil
Whichever comes first!

Every vehicle has its own needs, so we also consider the type of oil it requires, its mileage, service history, earlier inspections, and manufacturer maintenance schedule when helping you determine whether your oil change is due.

When you come to Mad Hatter to have your car serviced, we complete a complimentary Digital Vehicle Inspection with photos, measurements, and technician notes. This helps us document your vehicle’s current condition so you know what maintenance may be due now and what can be planned for later.

Think it may be time for an oil change? Give our Council Bluffs team a call at (712) 322-7500 or use the scheduling link in the comments. 👇

10/20/2026

💧 MYSTERY PUDDLE UNDER YOUR CAR?

You may be wondering if it’s coolant. It could be — but what you’re looking at may not always be obvious.

Coolant can be green, orange, yellow, pink, blue, or purple. That means color alone may not tell you exactly what fluid you found.

Some warning signs of a coolant leak can include:
➡️ A sweet smell coming from the engine area
➡️ Low coolant levels
➡️ A temperature gauge running higher than normal
➡️ Steam coming from under the hood
➡️ A coolant warning light on the dashboard

The first photo illustrates the kind of mystery puddle that can leave you wondering what’s leaking. In the second photo, one of our technicians is adding the correct coolant during our customer’s coolant service.

If you notice a puddle or any of these warning signs, it’s a good idea to have your vehicle inspected before the problem gets worse. You can give our Council Bluffs team a call at 712-322-7500.

Want to know more about coolant leaks and what you should watch for? We’ll drop the full blog in the comments. 👇

10/05/2026

10/02/2026

Yesterday, Zach and Mike spent time with automotive students at Iowa Western, talking about the automotive industry, career opportunities, and what life in a professional repair shop really looks like.

At Mad Hatter Auto Repair, we care deeply about helping young technicians see that this industry can offer a rewarding, long-term career — one built on continued education, strong technical skills, problem-solving, evolving technology, and plenty of room to grow.

We’re grateful to Iowa Western for inviting us in and for preparing the next generation of automotive professionals. 🔧🚗

We hope to see some of these future technicians out in the field someday — and maybe even in one of our shops. 😉

09/04/2026

🎩 A new sign… and the end of an old chapter.

For decades, people in Council Bluffs have known Mad Hatter for mufflers, brakes, and exhaust — and while we’re still proud to do all of that, we’ve grown into so much more.

Today, we are a full-service auto repair shop, providing everything from maintenance and diagnostics to brakes, suspension, heating and A/C, electrical work, engine repairs, and more.

So seeing this new sign finally go up feels pretty special. It represents where Mad Hatter has been, but even more importantly, where we are now.

After years of waiting and working through city requirements, our new Council Bluffs sign is officially up. 🙌

A huge thank-you to Jimmie at SignOvation for making the signs and getting them installed for us. They turned out fantastic.

09/02/2026

🎩🎉 LOOK WHO’S OFFICIALLY 21! 🎉🎩

Happy 21st Birthday to Ashton at Mad Hatter Auto Repair – Council Bluffs! 🥳💜💛

Now, before anybody gets too excited… it is still a school night — well, a work night around here. 😂 So we’re thinking Ashton may need to save the real 21st birthday celebration for the long weekend ahead. 😉

For today, we’ll stick with birthday wishes and keep the Mad Hatter madness at a professionally acceptable level. 🎂🎩😂

08/26/2026

🇺🇸 LABOR DAY REMINDER 🇺🇸

Both Mad Hatter Auto Repair locations in Omaha & Council Bluffs will be CLOSED Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day.

If your vehicle needs maintenance or you’ve been putting off a repair, now is a good time to get on the schedule. The days leading up to a holiday weekend tend to fill up quickly! 🚗🔧

✅ Oil changes
✅ Maintenance
✅ Check engine lights
✅ A/C, brakes, exhaust & more

Link to book ONLINE in the comments below ⬇

08/17/2026

🎒 School might be back in session… but summer isn’t over quite yet! ☀️🚗

If you’re squeezing in one last road trip for Labor Day weekend, now is a good time to make sure your vehicle — and especially your tires — are ready for the miles ahead.

Highway speeds, summer heat, extra passengers, and luggage can all put added stress on your tires. And just because they look okay doesn’t always mean they are.

At Mad Hatter Auto Repair Council Bluffs, our Road Trip Vehicle Inspection takes a closer look at things like:

🛞 Tire pressure & tread depth
🛞 Uneven or unusual tire wear
🛞 Cracks, bulges, or visible damage
🔧 Brakes, fluids, belts & hoses
🔋 Battery condition
…and more.

Before you load up the car, hit the highway, and make a few more summer memories, let us take a look at your vehicle.

📍 Mad Hatter Auto Repair — Council Bluffs
📞 712-322-7500

No pressure. Just honest answers.

👇 Check out our latest blog linked in the comments ⬇
“How Do I Know If My Tires Are Ready for a Road Trip?”