Portland Auto Repair

  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

After owning and driving your car for a while, you get used to its normal sounds and how it operates. This is why most vehicle owners can just tell when there's something off about their car. A common way to know if there's something wrong with your vehicle is if it gives off an odd sound. The problems can range from big to small depending on the noise, where it comes from, and when you hear it. The best way to pinpoint the problem is by taking it to the automotive experts at Portland Automotive. Below are some of the most common car sounds that we've diagnosed: Chirping sound from a tire - This sound often happens due to a wheel bearing or axle issue. This can be hazardous as these issues can cause your wheels to loosen or lock up mid-drive. Grinding noise while braking - Metallic grinding can be considered normal after getting new brakes or driving in wet conditions, but they should not be making any noise on a normal driving day. In most cases, you probably need a brak ... read more

21st century alignments at Portland Automotive   A great majority of collisions can cause some type of suspension damage, which means a wheel alignment will be necessary. The list of additional steps after a wheel alignment keeps growing with the addition of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These systems need to know what direction the vehicle is travelling down the road in order to accurately make safety corrections and predictions. However, there are still questions on what is required when ADAS and wheel alignments are concerned.   Vehicles equipped with ADAS, especially lane keep assist and collision braking, need to be properly aligned with how the vehicle is traveling down the road. Cameras and sensors use different inputs from the vehicle, such as inputs from the steering angle sensor. If the steering angle sensor is adjusted during a wheel alignment, the forward-facing camera, which controls the lane departure warning, may think the steering wheel is tur ... read more