Portland Auto Repair

All vehicles depend on many different fluids in order to function optimally. The fluids usually serve a purpose to keep their internal components lubricated and support systematic functions. All drivers need to stay on top of the six essential fluids: engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windscreen wiper fluid, and antifreeze/coolant. If any of these solutions run low or the fluid is in poor condition, your vehicle could experience a handful of problems.   Importance of Fluid Maintenance We highly advise that you inspect and measure your fluids periodically. The most frequent fluid service that you need to get for your vehicle is an oil change. You should have your oil changed approximately every 5,000 miles (depending on the type of oil). In contrast, your other fluids can last you a lot longer.    To answer your question (the title of this blog), YES, every car needs fluid maintenance. There are two types of terms to remember concerni ... read more

Once inside their cars, most drivers don't give their headrest a second thought before taking off. Despite the headrests being standard in most automobiles nowadays, they are a forgotten treasure for most people. The headrest isn't just made to be a comfortable holder to lay your head on. In fact, they are a safety feature that is supposed to protect your head and neck during an accident. Contemporary car models have evolved with more cushioned seats that are ergonomically shaped to fit your body; however, the headrest has always remained awkward yet fundamental to protect your rotation.    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, whiplash and neck injuries are the most common reported injuries in automotive insurance claims. Most often, instances of whiplash occur during rear-end vehicle collisions. When a car is hit from the back, the driver's torso moves forward so suddenly that their head lags in movement. The headrest helps prevent w ... read more

Have you ever turned on your headlights just only to get fuzzy and dim lights as a result? You go to check your headlights, and they seem to be working fine. You do notice that they are faint and give off a yellowish tint. A layer of filthy grime buildup covering both your headlights is sticky to the touch (gross). We're here to tell you that the fogginess of the lights is most likely due to oxidation. Luckily, it is a quick fix. We have the perfect methods to help you restore your headlights with simple items that you can find in any and every household.   How to Remove Oxidation and Restore Your Headlights Before beginning the cleaning process, you need to gather three things: microfiber cloth, soap specially made for cars, and water. Additionally, you should pick one of the three cleaning agents below.   1) Toothpaste Toothpaste, believe it or not, is a wonderful cleaning agent for oxidation. To restore your lights, apply the toothpaste directly onto the dirty le ... read more

There is only so much auto terminology that the average person can understand. Most people confuse tire alignment and tire balance considering they both provide you with a smoother ride. If you’re wondering, “What is a wheel alignment?” or, “What does tire balancing do?” It's time to review auto care vocab.    Wheel Alignment is the process of altering the angles of the wheels so that they are making contact with the ground evenly and parallel to each other. The purpose of these adjustments ultimately maximizes the life of the tires and keeps the vehicle driving straight. Here are symptoms to look for if you need a tire alignment: Uneven or accelerated tire wear Pulling or drifting  Wandering on a straight, level road Off-centered steering wheel Squealing tire sounds On the other hand, Wheel Balancing corrects the weight imbalance on your wheels and ensures that the tires spin correctly and without vibration. A certified technicia ... read more

Speed bumps are necessary for controlling the velocity of our driving in subdivisions, on school property, and anywhere else where normal driving can threaten the health and safety of pedestrians. Extreme caution is warranted when driving over them, as they can result in damage done to your vehicle if proper precautions are ignored. The first thing that can get damaged is your shocks. This is true in situations where you could be driving over a speed bump so fast that the shocks don't have much time to really absorb the heavy impact. As a result, they could become damaged or bent to the point that you could lose hydraulic fluid. That's why it's best to drive over them at the lowest possible speed that you can. Damage to your vehicle's exhaust system may also happen. Since the exhaust pipe is located at the bottom of your car and right at the rear, it could just as easily bump it to the point where it might break the exhaust pipe or tear off the muffler. These events h ... read more