Portland Auto Repair

Having trouble with your car not starting or turning off shortly after you start driving? If your car isn't starting or is sluggish upon startup, this can show potential mechanical problems caused by a dead battery or a failing alternator. Keep reading to learn the difference between the two. Battery Issues Your car battery is the primary power source for many of your vehicle's mechanical functions. The car battery is also responsible for starting your car. If your car doesn't start or power on at all, this is the most obvious sign of a battery-related issue. In most cases, your battery will show a deterioration in performance or not starting if you've passed the replacement date noted on the battery. Other indicators of potential battery issues include your car not starting at all, starting slowly, or the visual appearance of corrosion on the battery itself. Alternator Issues The alternator powers and charges your car battery as you drive. Alternator issues can loo ... read more

Keeping your car in excellent condition guarantees a smooth ride, longevity, and safety. But knowing how to keep it in this state, you need to understand what may go wrong, how to fix it, and how to prevent the problem. For instance, tires are a vital part of your car. While they help in motion by providing a firm grip on the road, they are still prone to damage. Here are common tire damages you should know. Tire Damages Uneven tread wear The most common types of irregular wear are from normal tire usage, also called heel and toe wear caused by friction on the road, one-sided wear caused by wheel misalignment, and center wear caused by over-inflation. Check your car's tread bars and identify the location and amount of wear which tells you the damage type. It also causes handling and traction problems. Tire Punctures Tire punctures are caused by sharp objects such as nails, broken glass, screws, sharp stones on rough roads, and more. When punctured, your tires lose pressure lead ... read more

  We are now proud to offer key cutting and programming! Our shop is equipped with National Automotive Service Task Force (NASFT) key programming and cutting for any vehicle keys or fobs. Our staff has been training so we are prepared to serve any customer's needs. Every so often, a shop may need to replace or reprogram a module that involves a vehicle’s security systems. Until now, the only way to do that was with a NASTF Vehicle Security Credential or with a tool of questionable origins and, all too often, cyber security risks. There might be 25 percent of U.S. shops that have staffing at that level, from IT to diagnostics and tooling. That means all the other repair shops are not taking that work or, if they are, they’re struggling through it. But Portland Automotive saw a need in the community and decided to invest time and training for the convenience of our community.  Our shop is open to customers and even body shops struggling to program or even cut ... read more

ADAS stands for "Advanced Diver Assistance Systems". This is a term coined for the various systems that give the driver more control, provide them with more information, and improve their parking and driving safety.  With millions of cars on the road every day, automakers are continuously improving the safety of their vehicles. Nowadays, cars are required to have anti-lock brakes, but that's only the first of many advancements. The internet has made it possible for technology-driven measures, and now every newer model vehicle has a built-in computer system to increase your ride's safety.   A prime example that you may know of is backup monitors. These devices are equipped to see how much room they have behind them to back up. It has proven to prevent backup accidents in parking lots. With a camera and several sensors, anything seems possible in today's motor vehicle.   Adaptive cruise control is another technology that allows y ... read more

In the United States, St. Patrick's Day is a holiday to honor Irish roots and celebrate eating and drinking with good friends. And of course, it is done wearing green! To celebrate the green tradition, we thought it would be fun to share some maintenance tips that can help keep your car, SUV, or truck "green" year long. Check and Change Filters Clean filters can do wonders in improving your engine efficiency and therefore bettering your fuel mileage. Please ensure you ask your trusted technician to check these at each oil change and replace them when required.  Don't Speed Staying within the set speed limit can not only prevent you from getting pulled over, but it'll help with gas consumption. Remember to engage cruise controls where possible to get the best possible mileage. Frequent Tire Checks When your tires aren't correctly inflated to their recommended psi, you end up wasting more fuel. Furthermore, you could be contributing to uneven and prem ... read more