Portland Auto Repair

The Importance of Using the Correct Motor Oil Motor oil is often referred to as the lifeblood of our vehicles. It performs many important functions. • It acts as a lubricant for the engine parts. • It helps protect the emission system. • It provides enhanced fuel economy. If you’ve ever taken the time to peruse the array of oils available today at an auto supply store, it can be overwhelming, and if you choose the wrong oil, it can have consequences. It can even damage your car’s engine over time. If you are a person who changes their own oil, always check your owner’s manual before you proceed and make sure you have purchased the correct oil for your particular type of vehicle. There are three types of motor oil: • Conventional (75 – 80% of refined crude oil) • Full Synthetic (Standard base plus additives) • Synthetic Blend (Conventional and Synthetic) Then there are additives, such as detergents to keep the h ... read more

The Real Cost of Ownership Taking a look at a 2013 study provides some eye-opening data that may make you think twice about the kind of car you own, your driving habits, and whether you should shop around for auto insurance or the lowest gas prices. Different car types equal different costs AAA calculated the average costs for six different car types based on the cost of ownership in the study. It found that the average cost of all sedans — the majority of cars on the road — is 60.8 cents per mile or $9,122 annually, based on 15,000 miles of driving. Small sedans cost the least — $6,967 annually. Four-wheel drive sport utility vehicles cost the most — $11,599 annually — largely due to the fuel costs of those cars. Perhaps surprisingly, large sedans cost almost as much — $11,248 — as four-wheel drive SUVs, while minivans, which often have about the same amount of passenger and cargo-carrying capability as many SUVs, averaged just $9,795. Depr ... read more