Work order line BRK
Brakes
Pads, shoes, rotors and fluid, plus ABS, traction control and electronic parking brake service, road tested before you leave.
Brakes at Ultimate
Urbandale auto repair, towing and tires, open until 9 on weeknights
Family run on Oakwood Drive by the Jimmersons. Three big bays that take RVs and buses, a NAPA AutoCare parts counter, tow trucks on call, and the lights stay on after everyone else has closed.
Photographed on the shop floor
What one bent wheel tells a technician
A real job waiting in the bay: an alloy rim folded at the lip, with an engine block parked behind it. Hover or tap a mark to see the work each part of it calls for.
What we handle
Brakes to transmissions, under one roof
Five of the jobs that come through the bays most, each with its own page. Every one starts the same way: find the cause, explain it in plain terms, then fix it.
Work order line DX
Computer diagnostics
That check engine light, read properly: ignition timing, sensors, crank and cam position, transmission and ABS faults. Vehicle programming available.
Computer diagnostics at Ultimate
Work order line ENG
Engines
Overhauls done the long way: pulled, torn down, inspected, resealed with new rings, valves and bearings, then tested. Replacement when that makes more sense.
Engines at Ultimate
Work order line TRN
Transmissions
Service and overhauls on manual and automatic transmissions, all makes and models, in bays big enough for RVs and buses.
Transmissions at Ultimate
Work order line TOW
Towing and roadside
Damage-free towing by wheel lift or flatbed, light and medium duty, local or long distance. Jump-starts, lockouts, tire changes and winch recovery.
Towing and roadside at UltimateLit until nine on weeknights
Most auto repair shops close on weekends and early evenings. Ultimate opens at 7:00 am six days a week and keeps the bays running until 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, so the car can come in before work and go home after it.
- Mon-Fri
- 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Saturday
- 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Est. March 1987
Melvis Jimmerson’s shop, Mark Jimmerson’s desk
Melvis was born in Grand River, Iowa, moved to the Des Moines area in 1970 and has worked on cars his whole life. In 1987 he opened Ultimate Automotive Service Center on Oakwood Drive, and it has been a family business ever since.
Mark Jimmerson started at the shop at 14 and runs it now as manager. The bays are 8,000 square feet with three oversized doors, and the parts room is deep enough to find most parts the same day.
The senior technicians have years on the floor: Ryan Roth has been here since 2008, Erick Lutchman is ASE certified with more than 17 years as a technician, and Kris Palmer brings over 15. Nick Kindred has written service in the Des Moines area for 19 years.
Google reviews, October 2026
4.8 stars from 962 drivers
“I brought my truck in because it randomly started shifting weird. They did a full inspection on my F150. They found that the transmission was fine but my timing chain and cam phasers needed to be replaced. After about a week of them having my truck and dealing with the aftermarket warranty company, I got my truck back. It idles smoother, runs better, and it also shifts better! They did fantastic work and Dennis called me even on his day off because I had a few questions on the work they were doing. They went above and beyond. I have recommended them to everyone I know.”
“Ultimate Automotive came through for us again, helping Christina assess this Jeep for purchase, on short notice no less. You may recall that Erick found a brake system problem on Anna’s car during a routine check, and he found a problem on this Jeep as well. The dealer was willing to make and guarantee these repairs before we take delivery - saving us thousands. No matter how good a mechanic you think you are, having another set of eyes check them as well is common sense.”
“Excellent customer service from the moment I scheduled appointment through through the pick up. Communication along the way during the vehicle diagnosis and repair. They worked hard on figuring out what the issue was. The price was much less than I had expected for the amount of time he spent with my vehicle.”
“I’ve brought in multiple cars for tire leaks, and every time the service has been quick and hassle-free. The team is efficient, professional, and always polite. They consistently take great care of my vehicles. I would absolutely recommend them!”
Towing, appointments, hours and financing
Yes. Ultimate Towing runs wheel-lift and flatbed trucks for light and medium duty vehicles, local or long distance, and handles jump-starts, lockouts, tire changes and winch recovery. Call (515) 270-2096 and the car comes straight to our bays on Oakwood Drive.
Appointments are generally recommended so a bay and a technician are ready for your car. Call the service desk at (515) 270-2096 or send the details from the contact page.
It depends on the diagnosis. We find the cause first, explain the repair in plain terms, and give you a time once we know what the car needs.
Yes. Repairs are explained in simple terms before the work starts, and on longer jobs like an engine or transmission overhaul we keep you updated every step of the way.
Monday to Friday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Saturday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, closed Sunday. We open at 7 six days a week.
Yes. Financing is available through Synchrony and Snap Finance. Ask the service desk when you book.
Broken down in Urbandale, Johnston or Grimes?
- Urbandale
- Des Moines
- Johnston
- Grimes
Ultimate Towing brings it in by wheel lift or flatbed, light or medium duty, and it goes straight into our own bays at 5900 Oakwood Dr. Book the repair now, or call the service desk and we will send a truck.