The Portland Mechanics Blog
Auto & Body Repair Information 503.287.3022
Ignoring Your Car Will Lead To Problems
Ignoring Your Car Will Lead To Many Expensive Problems
If you are ignoring your car, a lot of things can go wrong with your vehicle, but there are certain common car problems we usually encounter. Auto repair shops probably get these problems more than once in a day’s work.
If your vehicle breaks down, the last thing you should do is panic or get mad. Knowing a bit about auto repair and maintenance basics can save you a lot of trouble and money, and so, here are some things to keep in mind.
According to most auto repair shops,when ignoring your car parts that often get in trouble are the brakes, the transmission, engine, and the air conditioning. Brake repair and AC repair are less expensive than getting the transmission fixed but nonetheless, you’ll still be spending for something relatively expensive.
It is important that one finds the right mechanic to do the job of repairing their vehicle. Some people are unaware that ignoring your car will lead to a needed auto repair when they break down, so it is less expensive to keep you car in top shape. It is of great importance to have your car checked regularly by the mechanics who carry out the repair.
There is need to look within your community to identify which auto repair shop will be doing the best auto repairing.
Ignoring Your Car And It Will Ignore You
“Ignore your vehicle and it will ignore you is sound auto care advice. If you don’t take care of your car it will not keep you and your family safe. Pay attention to your car and take care of it with these easy car care tips. “
Now is the time to get your vehicle ready for summer road trips. Goodyear Canada Inc. has a simple checklist of tips for motorists to keep their vehicles running safer, longer and in a position to maximize on-road performance:
Change With The Seasons:
Winter tires are specifically designed to stay pliable and provide better traction in colder temperatures, but these compounds are susceptible to faster wear in warmer weather. Protect the investment you’ve made in winter tires by using them only in the winter.
Check That Tread:
The economy has forced many to postpone regular automotive maintenance, but after enduring winter conditions and with unpredictable wet spring weather possibilities now is not the time to have low tread on your tires. The lower the tread depth, the less traction you will have on wet roads, and the greater the distance you will need to
http://news.carjunky.com/car_maintenance/ignore_your_car_and_it_will_ignore_you_gas392.shtml
Ignoring Your Car Can Lead To many more Problems, and diagnosing an engine problem requires that a person checks the spark plug wires, their vacuum lines, the car battery and more. Discover how to diagnose an engine problem without using expensive equipment with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on car repair and diagnostics
Give us a call today and schedule An Engine Repair Inspection For Your Vehicle
503.287.3022
Comfort Auto Body And Repair In Portland Oregon
2653 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97212
Check For Our Coupon Specials
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“The Home of Honest and Friendly Service”
Thank You For Considering Us!
Stop Ignoring Your Car And Stop By Comfort Auto Repair
How To Save Money With Auto Repair Estimates
Here’s How To Save Money With Auto Repair Estimates
Have you ever become frustrated about over-paying for auto repairs that may have not been necessary? In order for you to have your vehicle even begin to receive the correct auto repair, is to have the main problem diagnosed correctly.
For example, when your vehicle doesn’t start, there can be a number of possibilities of what might be creating the problem. So when the problem is diagnosed properly, right from the start, it eliminates a score of other potential issues that are not the real problem, and points your mechanic in the right direction, so they can quickly make the correct auto repair.
If you will just take a few minutes to notice and take notes about what you see, and listen to what is happening with your vehicle, then you can pretty accurately describe the problems to your mechanic in order to give them a head start in locating what the basis for the problem really may be.
This simple tip will help save you and your auto repair mechanic time and money, keeping frustration to a minimum, and get the correct auto repair work done as quickly as possible at a reasonable price.
Image by Robert Couse-Baker via Flickr
Should You Get A Second Opinion On An Auto Repair Estimate?
You just received your auto repair estimate and you are shocked by the price. I bet you are wondering, “Should I Get a Second Opinion?”
Chances are, coming from a 25+ year auto mechanic like my self I am saying Yes to your question! Get as many Auto Repair Estimates as possible.
The more opinions you get the lower the price of that original auto repair estimate will get. So the second opinion idea and your question on should I get a second opinion is a big yes.
Brake repair and car tune-up shops are known for giving out very high Auto Repair Estimates then giving you the opportunity to tell them what you want and can afford right now.
Take a few minutes and call QwikTalk to give you a second opinion right there on the spot! Give it a shot the next time you feel like you are being forced into unneeded car repairs.
I would definitely recommend these guys to my friends and family members who are needing a second opinion really fast.
More at Second Opinion/Should I get a Second Opinion?/QwikTalk-Automotive
More Reading Auto Repair Questions Answered Now! (Part-2) QWIKTALK
For Our Most Recent Auto Repair Coupons And Discounts Click Here
In order to replace power-steering fluid, remove the cap from the power-steering reservoir, remove as much fluid as possible and install new fluid. Discover the importance of using proper power-steering fluid with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on automotive maintenance.
So be sure to see a professional auto repair mechanic, who knows what they are doing, and can guarantee their work.
Call Us Today
503.287.3022
Comfort Auto Body And Repair
2653 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97212
Click Here For Preventive Maintenance Information
Be Sure That You Are Confident In Your Auto Repair Estimates
Trouble Shooting Your Vehicle’s Cooling Fan
Here Is How To Trouble Shoot Your Vehicle’s Cooling Fan
If your vehicle’s cooling fan is not coming on when it should, this can create a huge problem which can cause your engine to overheat and warp and contribute to a bad cooling temperature from your vehicle’s air conditioner.
Image by stilltheone1 via Flickr
How Your Vehicle’s Cooling Fan Operates
The engine cooling fan is usually mounted behind the cart’s radiator. Although on some larger vehicles with wide radiators, you may see two cooling fans, and or there may be an entirely separate fan for the air conditioning condenser.
This cooling fan only runs when it is needed to help cool the engine. The engine coolant sensor switch is used to check on the engine temperature.
Since extra cooling is not required when an engine is first started after sitting for awhile, the engine cooling fan does not come on until the engine reaches normal operating temperature, which is around 185 to 220 degrees.
The cooling fan is supposed to cycle on and off as needed in order to maintain the correct engine coolant temperature. So generally the engine cooling fan runs mostly at idle or low speed when the engine is at normal temperature.
Cooling fans are easy to troubleshoot. Some automobiles use two smaller fans or one larger fan. The twin electric fan set up will use one fan for cooling the engine. The other fan will be used for cooling the air conditioning and radiator but only works with the ac on.
Never continue to run the vehicle up in the red temp zone or you can cause severe damage to the engine. First do you have a temperature gauge in the dash? Is it working correctly? Lift the hood and verify visually that the fan is not working.
Does the car cool down once you drive up the highway at 40+ mph? If not, you may have a thermostat sticking or low coolant. The thermostat can cause the engine to stay hot. This can also be the problem if the gauge stays low and the car never heats up. If the temp gauge is reading low yet the two radiator hoses are warm, the temp sensor may not be working.
There may also be two temp sensors or senders, one that controls the gauge and one to switch the fan on. If the temperature is getting high and the fan still won’t come on you may have a cooling fan problem.
First check the fuse to the cooling fan, if bad, replace it. When the car is getting hotter than…
More at Cooling Fan troubleshooting
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When Fixing…. use a relay…use key on power from inside the car for the coil and then run battery to relay and then relay to fans..i did this today on my sentra. im in the middle of diagnosing..i also fused the power wires from the battery..
Rest assured, that before we start any work on your vehicle, we will be happy to give you an estimate of the costs for any services needed.
If you notice anything at all unusual don’t wait!
The problems will only get worse and more expensive
So feel free to give us a call today and schedule A Free Cooling Fan Inspection For Your Vehicle
503.287.3022
Comfort Auto Body And Repair In Portland Oregon
2653 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97212
Click Here For Map And Directions
Click Here For Oil Change Special
Thanks For Considering Us For All Your Engine Cooling Fan Needs
Engine Tune Up Tips – When to Get Your Truck or Car Tuned Up
Engine Tune Up Recommendations To Keep Your Vehicle Running Smoothly
Giving your engine a tune up is easily the best preventive maintenance procedure you can perform on your vehicle. A clean engine runs cooler and is much less likely to cause premature failure of mechanical parts. It’s also easier and much more pleasant to work on.
Regular replacement of your car’s filters, lubricants, coolant, and the other parts is of critical importance.
Using the preventive maintenance guidelines, which are recommended, as your guide.
Not keeping up on the sensing and mechanical tolerances, they can become so tight, even slight variations can create drastic performance changes.
Remember that some improvements may not take effect right away, for example, if your vehicle’s computer is designed to learn and adjust, the computer may need to see certain changes before making any long term change.
Examine each spark plug as you remove them and look for signs of a black shiny substance on them. If you find one then this tells you that you are leaking oil into that cylinder from either your piston rings or your valve guide seals. A white chalky appearance would let you know that your engine is burning on the lean side which is good.
Now on the other hand if you noticed a black carbon appearance this means your engine is running rich which is a bad thing and you need to have your car or truck looked at by an engine performance expert hopefully. Examine each spark plug as you remove them and look for signs of a black shiny substance on them.
If you find one then this tells you that you are leaking oil into that cylinder from either your piston rings or your valve guide seals.
A white chalky appearance would let you know that your engine is burning on the lean side which is good.
Now on the other hand if you noticed a black carbon appearance this means your engine is running rich which is a bad thing and you need to have your car or truck looked at by an engine performance expert hopefully ASE certified.
Here are a few more ways you can tell if you need a tune up on your vehicle.
1. Tune up your car or truck if it has over 30,000 miles on it.
2. Your “check engine” or “service engine soon” light comes on.
3. Do a tune up if you just purchased a used car and you want to keep track of your vehicle maintenance schedules.
4. If you noticed that driving under a heavy load such as driving up a hill and you feel the engine cutting out, you need a tune up.
5. Do a tune up if you are planning a road trip and you want to make sure that your car or truck is going to make it to your destination.
Important Reminders: A Car and truck tune up can be…
More at Tune-Up Tips- When to Get A Truck or Car Tune up/Spark plugs etc.
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More Good Information About Auto Repairs Are In This Video
So feel free to give us a call today and schedule An Engine Tune Up For Your Vehicle
503.287.3022
Comfort Auto Body And Repair
2653 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97212
Click Here For Map And Directions
Click Here For Oil Change Special
“The Home Of Honest and Friendly Service”
Thank You For Considering Us When You Need A n Engine Tune Up!
Certain Auto Repairs That Are Better Left To Professionals
There Are Certain Auto Repairs That Are Better Left To Professionals
Unless you have all of the right equipment on hand most auto repairs should be done by a skilled, and even certified, auto mechanic. Automobile technology has gotten almost too sophisticated.
Comfort Auto Repair Will take care of your automotive problems for you
There was a time when many people could change their car battery by themselves. Good luck doing that with today’s cars. What used to be a 5 minute job, could now take you 60 minutes or more, and that is if you have the right tools and know what you are doing when performing any auto repairs.
With all of the amazing advances in automobile technology, performing auto repairs is now made easier through the aid of computers and other electronic devices.
In the past, an auto mechanic had to rely on their judgement to pinpoint auto repairs that needed trouble-shooting, but today, with just one push of a button, he is greatly aided by devices that can accurately pinpoint any potential glitches in your vehicle’s engine.
Comfort Auto Repair is here to help you and your car. We will ease your frustration and get you vehicle running in like new condition.
Working on one’s own car is a point of pride for many owners. Doing-it-yourself is both rewarding and a way to prevent someone else from mucking things up. Inevitably — for even the most hardcore gear-heads — there are certain tasks best left to people wearing ASE badges on their sleeves. What repair or maintenance tasks are best handled by trained professional mechanics?…
More at Ten Auto Repairs Better Left To Professionals
So give us a call today and schedule Any Auto Repairs Needed For Your Vehicle
503.287.3022
Comfort Auto Body And Repair
2653 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97212
Click Here For Map And Directions
Click Here For Oil Change Special
“The Home Of Honest and Friendly Service”
More Reading Most satisfied with car repair work, survey finds | Progressive Voices …
Thank You For Considering Us For All Your Auto Repairs!
How To Get Better Gas Mileage
There is Much More To Getting Better Gas Mileage Than Just A Tune Up
In order to save money and get better gas mileage, Comfort Auto Repair recommends keeping your engine properly tuned up. 
This means having clean filters, such as gas and air filters as well as spark plug timing as well.
But another important consideration to get better gas mileage in modern cars is the computer technology that is installed into your car.
These computer chips work with everything from brakes, transmissions, to keeping the speed and energy efficiency of your car working at peak condition.
In a world where gasoline prices at the pumps are at record heights, there are con artists who will take advantage of your desire to get more miles to the gallon. Recently there have been a flood of consumer products on the market claiming to boost your vehicle gas mileage, but very few of them actually work.
First off, Fuel Additives – like the Platinum Gas Save and the Bio-Performance pill. Neither works, and the Bio-Performance pill has been proven to be nothing but moth balls, which are toxic.
Then there are the Fuel Genie and Tornado, which are mounted in the…More at High Gas Prices – How To Increase Gas Mileage?
Keep Your Vehicle Tires Properly Inflated
Check tire pressure label. You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil
You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
Replacing a Clogged Air Filter on Modern Cars Improves Performance but Not Miles Per Gallon
A new study, shows that replacing a clogged air filter on cars with fuel-injected, computer-controlled gasoline engines does not improve fuel economy but it can improve acceleration time by around 6 to 11 percent. This kind of engine is prevalent on most gasoline cars manufactured from the early 1980s onward.
Tests suggest that replacing a clogged air filter on an older car with a carburetor engine may improve gas mileage 2 to 6 percent under normal replacement conditions or up to 14 percent if the filter is so clogged that it significantly affects drivability.
One Idea To Getting Better Gas Mileage Is To Consider Is Getting A Hybrid Car
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Comfort Auto Repair Can Get Your Motor Vehicle In Tip-Top Running Condition So You Can Drive Worry Free!
Call Us Today!
503.287.3022
Comfort Auto Body And Repair
2653 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97212
Click Here For Map And Directions
Click Here For Our Monthly Specials And Discounts
“The Home Of Honest and Friendly Service”
Thank You For Considering Us
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Car Repair & Diagnostics : How to Troubleshoot & Fix a Dead Car Speaker
In order to troubleshoot a dead car speaker, a multimeter is needed to check to see if the speaker is working at all or if it needs to be replaced. Check car speakers by removing door panels with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on car repair and diagnostics. Expert: Tom Brintzenhofe Bio: Tom Brintzenhofe has been a mechanic for the past 17 years. Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC
Car Repair & Maintenance : How to Fix a Faulty Car Fuse
When fixing a faulty car fuse, the first step is to determine which fuse is burned out by locating the fuse box. Look for a broken metal piece on a burned-out fuse withhelp from an auto mechanic in this free video on car repairs and maintenance. Expert: Earl Kester Sr. Bio: Earl Kester Sr. has more than 50 years of experience as an auto mechanic. Filmmaker: Carlye Jones
Auto Repair & Diagnostics : How to Know if a Thermostat Is Faulty on a Car
The easiest way to tell if a car’s thermostat is faulty is by looking out for a car overheating or giving off no heat. Find out how a car thermostat works with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on car repair and diagnostics. Expert: Tom Brintzenhofe Bio: Tom Brintzenhofe has been a mechanic for the past 17 years. Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC
Auto Repair & Diagnostics : How to Install a Car Starter
Most car starters usually have two or three bolts on them, and they can be removed with a socket and ratchet. Disconnect the negative battery terminal when installing a car starter with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on car repair and diagnostics. Expert: Tom Brintzenhofe Bio: Tom Brintzenhofe has been a mechanic for the past 17 years. Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC
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