Portland Auto Repair

Pulling your vehicle out of the driveway is cool until you notice an unusual wet, dark spot on the ground where you had parked it. You decide to have a close-up view and realize it is a puddle of some car fluid. While it is perfectly normal to see some vehicle fluids, others can indicate trouble. Luckily, you can differentiate different types of vehicle fluids just by their colors. Here are some types of vehicle fluid leaks you should know; Oil Leak If you notice a black puddle or a small black stain, your vehicle is likely leaking oil. Initially, the oil is amber-colored but gradually turns black over time while lubricating the engine. An oil leak will likely occur at various gaskets and the oil pan. Coolant Leak A coolant or antifreeze leak is often noticeable by a bright orange, pink, or green puddle. And since coolants are highly toxic, you don't want your children, pets, and animals near coolant leaks. While coolant leaks were regular some years back, modern cars don ... read more

Have you noticed loud screeching or squealing sounds coming from under the hood of your car or truck recently? This can be a sign of impending serpentine belt failure. Your serpentine belt is one of the most important components of your car's engine. What is a Serpentine Belt? This "S-shaped" belt is part of a network of pulleys in your engine. Serpentine belts work with internal pulley systems to power internal engine components for alternators and air conditioning compressors. They also send power to water pumps and power steering pumps that cool and steer your vehicle. If you hear screeching or squealing noises coming from the front of your vehicle, this is a sign of potential trouble under the hood. Your serpentine belt or other critical engine components cause this. Keep reading to learn how to recognize the signs of impending serpentine belt failure. Signs Your Serpentine Belt is Failing Is your serpentine belt failing? Most belts show specific signs before the ... read more

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