Talk to Us!

Okay. You’ve looked around and decided that we’re your “go to shop”. 

We couldn’t be more pleased. Honest. But to make this as easy as possible, it will be really helpful if you’ll actually talk to us about what the issues with your car are. You could just come in and say that your something-or-other is making a funny noise. Or you could say that when you’re driving around you smell something. Since we’re not actually in the car with you at the time you notice these things, the more specific you are, the better.

Don’t be afraid that you’re sounding neurotic or over-specific. (Life doles out neurotic moments for all of us, it seems.) Give us all the details you can muster. Just say that the smell is sweet, or like something is burning. A sweet smell could indicate a coolant leak. A burning smell could be from your brakes, or your clutch or an electrical short, or a few other things.

The funny noise. Is it a click or a squeal? Where is it coming from? Does it sound as if it’s inside or outside the car? The front or back, the right or left? This isn’t like that old TV show, “My Mother the Car”, but your car is talking to you. It’s telling you that something isn’t right. It could be coming from your transmission or the engine or the brakes. It could be something as simple as your parking brake being engaged and you didn’t notice. It could be your alternator or that something under the hood isn’t mounted correctly. The more information you can give us, the faster we will get to the problem.

If you don’t fully understand automotive technical terms, just tell us your problem in regular speak. You might unwittingly be sending us in the wrong direction if you try to dress up your complaint with jargon. Just lay it out for us, and we’ll get you fixed up.

We have been serving the Hollywood District and greater Portland-area for almost 30 years. We offer professional automotive service specializing in Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Volvo, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Audi, but we’re happy to take a look at whatever you’re driving. If we can’t help you, we’ll help you find someone who can.

We have the best mechanics in the business. No kidding. We’ll explain everything to you – in regular speak - and we’ll try to stay within your budget. We know all too well that car repairs can sometimes feel like a shock to the system. We’ll do what we can to sidestep that one.

We’ll always be here when you need us. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 if you want to schedule an appointment. Go ahead. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#broadwayimports #broadwayimportauto #portlandautoservice #portlandautorepair #broadwayimports #broadwayimportautoservice

Bring Your Car to Us or a Dealer?

In an earlier post we told you some ways to choose the best mechanic for your car. But we keep hearing that a lot of people don’t know if they should use an independent shop like ours, or go to a dealership. We’re on it!

Consumer Reports writes on its website, (the italics are ours), “Our annual survey of Consumer Reports subscribers found that independents outscored dealership service once again for overall satisfaction, price, quality, courteousness of the staff, and work being completed when promised. With few exceptions, the entire list of independent shops got high marks on those factors. The same couldn’t be said for franchised new-car dealers. The one automaker that outscored the independent shops was the electric car-maker Tesla, which earned high praise for its on-time repairs, courtesy, price, quality, and overall satisfaction.” We heartily applaud Tesla, a car that we actually don’t service. In case you were wondering.

If your car is new, or fairly new, and is under warranty it’s only natural to take it back to the dealership. Once the warranty expires you can feel free to look around. When you start to look at independents you’ll almost always find places that are more personal, less expensive, and that will work harder to keep your business. At dealerships the service managers make a commission on the parts and labor. We don’t work that way. We’ll tell you what your car needs and why. And that’s it. And since we’re not a dealer, we can sometimes use parts that might save you some money. We know what we’re doing, or we won’t do the work.

When you come in to an independent garage you’ll likely meet the owner and the mechanic(s) if you’d like to. It’s not like waiting in line at the dealership, for however long it takes, and only meeting the person who set your appointment. We like to think that we’re friendlier. And if your car starts making a noise while you’re out and about and you drop in on us with a little bit of terror in your eyes, we’ll do our best to take care of you. On the spot. That’s what friends are for.

We have been serving the Hollywood District and greater Portland-area for almost 30 years. We offer professional automotive service specializing in Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Volvo, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Audi, but we’re happy to take a look at whatever you’re driving. Except for that Tesla.

We have the best mechanics in the business. Our goal is to fix the problem the first time, and we want to do it right. We’ll explain everything to you and we’ll try to stay within your budget. We know all too well that car repairs can sometimes be a not so great budget surprise.

We’ll always be here when you need us. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 if you want to schedule an appointment. Go ahead. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook   LinkedIn   Google +   Blog   Website

#autoserviceportland
#autorepairportland
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice
#importautoserviceportland

Get a Look at this Wreck!

This is what can happen when a high performance car and an 18-year-old driver hit the road. The driver was out street racing with his dad’s M3 and got a little behind on his coordination, you could say. Hot tip for wanna be race car drivers: There are really nice places called race tracks. They have lots of room and far fewer things to hit. Go there to drive fast. It’s what they’re made for.

So what do car guys do when a lower mileage hot rod like this becomes available? Well, we snatched it up and thought “what can we do with this?” After tossing a bunch of ideas around we decided to swap this into a station wagon. We did a little internet research and made our plan. This wreck would become the donor for a sleeper family wagon.

We found a suitable wagon and got to work. This was basically a bolt in swap. We used a 2002 BMW 325 wagon that will take all of the M3 hardware. Due to the genius of German engineering the chassis platforms are an evolutionary type and sports models are descended from run-of-the-mill cars/platforms. So in short, you can bolt all of the hot rod parts into a standard grocery getter without having to reinvent the wheel.

You can follow along here:

• We removed the motor and transmission.
• We serviced the M3 motor while it was out, and then slipped it right in where the old motor used to be.
• Then we sent the ECU computer out to have it coded to the car, including having the instrument cluster and light control module coded so that everything works like it came straight from the factory.
• We swapped over the rear differential drive line and installed a rear sub-frame reinforcement kit. 
• We swapped over the bigger brakes from the M3, since with more “go” it’s always a good idea to have more “whoa”.
• Once it was all buttoned up, we hit the key and IT CAME ALIVE!

The car runs and drives. The performance is amazing and it has great power and handling. Compared to the original configuration the throttle response power and handling are way over the top!

This swap was incredible. All of the options and accessories work exactly the same as if it came off a factory floor. There are no odd noises and no check engine lights.

This is the best of both worlds with serious performance and exceptional functionality. It can haul a load of gear and haul some serious butt in the process.

We have been serving the Hollywood District and greater Portland-area for almost 30 years. We offer professional automotive service specializing in Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Volvo, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Audi, but we’re happy to take a look at whatever you’re driving. Feel free to bring in your own wreck!

We have the best mechanics in the business. Our goal is to assess and fix the problem right the first time. We will explain everything we worked on clearly and concisely.

We have the best mechanics in the business. Our goal is to fix the problem the right the first time, and we want to do it right. We’ll do our best to explain everything to you and keep the price down.

We’ll always be here when you need us. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 if you want to schedule an appointment. Go ahead. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook LinkedIn Google + Blog Website

#M3broadwayimports
#enginetroublebroadwayimportauto
#bestautoshopportland
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

It’s Probably Time for Your Auto Maintenance

We all like to think that we’re organized and get things taken care of in a timely fashion. But life gets busy and deadlines come and go, and sometimes you have too many balls in the air to take care of even the basics. One thing you really shouldn’t let go of is regular car maintenance. It’s not sexy and it’s not a riot of fun and it probably won’t set your heart atwitter, but it’s as important as just about anything else on your “to do” list. Maybe the best part about it is that it will save you money down the road if it uncovers potential problems. And everyone likes to save money. And no one likes to be calling for roadside service on a dark and stormy night.

All cars come with an owner’s manual, so dig yours out and take a look. It will tell you how often to have your car serviced. (If you can’t find the manual, you can look for one online or call the dealer.) It is generally recommended that all vehicles should be serviced at least once a year and/or every 12,000 miles. Some authorities recommend that it be serviced twice a year. If you don’t put that much mileage on your car it still needs to be looked at yearly. Think of it as a trip to the dentist. You might not eat that much, but you still have to have your teeth looked at.

The non-profit Car Care Council recently posted that:

• 25% of cars had low or dirty engine oil. 
• 13% had low or contaminated brake fluid.
• 18% had dirty air filters.
• 17% had inadequate cooling protection or low coolant levels.
• 16% needed new windshield wiper and 27% had low or contaminated washer fluid.
• 18% needed new belts.
• Overall, 89% of vehicles were in need of at least one service or repair.

Owning and operating a car requires a lot more than keeping gas in the tank. To give you a taste, here are some of the many things that are looked at during a yearly maintenance check-up.

• Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Battery and Cables
• Belts
• Brakes
• Cabin Air Filter
• Chassis Lubrication
• Dashboard Indicator Light On
• Coolant (Antifreeze)
• Engine Air Filter
• Engine Oil
• Exhaust
• Hoses
• Lights
• Power Steering Fluid
• Steering and Suspension
• Tire Inflation and Condition
• Wheel Alignment
• Windshield Washer Fluid
• Wiper Blades

You’ll be able to do some of these yourself, of course, before your bring your car in. And you should always keep an eye on the dashboard lights and tire inflation and your wiper blades.

April is National Car Care Month. What are you waiting for?

We have been serving the Hollywood District and greater Portland-area for almost 30 years. We offer professional automotive service specializing in Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Volvo, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Audi, but we’re happy to take a look at whatever you’re driving.

We have the best mechanics in the business. Our goal is to fix the problem the first time, and we want to do it right. We’ll do our best to explain everything to you and keep the price down.

We’ll always be here when you need us. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 if you want to schedule an appointment. Go ahead. Schedule an appointment today! It’s nice to check things off that “to do” list.

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#autorepairportland
#autoserviceportland
#bestautoshopportland
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

How to Find the Best Auto Mechanic

It would be easy to tell you to not bother looking around for an auto mechanic once you’ve found us. Because we really think that we are the best. But we want you to be happy and satisfied from the start, so here are some things to do when you need a new mechanic and a place to take your car.

• Ask around. Ask family, friends and neighbors for recommendations.
• Keep your search local. Unless you need a restoration for something like, oh, a 1925 Bugatti, you want a shop you can get to in a hurry. Or one that’s simply convenient.
• See if your local newspaper does a “best of” series. Many times auto shops are covered. 
• If you belong to a car club, all the better. The same recommendations will show up again and again.
• Check online. Take a look at Yelp and Angie’s List and Google. It’s good to see the negatives (should there be any) as well as the positives.
• Stop by the shops you’re interested in. Take a look at the cars on the lot - have they been sitting there forever? - and talk to some of the mechanics, or the owner. Is the place clean and orderly? It should be.
• You can check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints, and to see how they were resolved.
• Will they let you watch while they work? Are they patient with you if you have questions? Will they give you some options that might save you some money? If there aren’t any options, will they explain this to you? 
• Attitude matters. Auto shops are in a service industry. They aren’t doing you any favors by taking care of your car. Don’t let anyone make you feel stupid or ill-informed. You want to have a relationship that works for everyone. 
• If you still can’t decide, start with some small work. See how an oil change goes, for example. If you’re satisfied with the price and service, you’ll want to try a larger job next time.

We have been serving the Hollywood District and greater Portland-area for almost 30 years. We offer professional automotive service specializing in Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Volvo, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Audi, but we’re happy to take a look at whatever you’re driving.

We have the best mechanics in the business. Our goal is to fix the problem the first time, and we want to do it right. We’ll do our best to explain everything to you and keep the price down.

Come on in and say “hello” and let’s get started on building that relationship. We’ll always be here when you need us. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 if you want to schedule an appointment. Schedule an appointment today! Or just stop by.

Find us at 3001 NE Broadway St. in Portland, OR 97232.

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#bestmechanicsbroadwayimports
#enginetroublebroadwayimportauto
#bestautoshopportland
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

Is Your Head Gasket Blown?

When you were a kid and begging for your first car your parents probably warned you about the price of insurance and gas and maybe even upkeep. It’s doubtful anyone ever mentioned a blown head gasket to you. By now you’ve probably heard the expression and you might be wondering what it is, since what you do know is that it practically screams the word money. You’re right about that part. Replacing the head gasket is ranked third on a list of the four most expensive car repairs. Taking first place is a blown engine, following by replacing a transmission, then the head gasket, and then replacing the air conditioning compressor.

Okay. So what is this thing? A head gasket is vital to an engine’s running right. Aiding in the compression process, the gasket seals an engine’s cylinders and stops coolant and oil from leaking. A blown gasket is often caused by problems with timing, cooling, and sometimes manufacturing errors. When a head gasket blows, it’s so not good within your engine. Coolant may leak, the engine can overheat, white smoke may come out of the exhaust pipe, and the oil may become discolored with a milky look.

You might think that the white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe is the major clue that you’ve got a blown gasket. But it’s not, and there are others. Your engine could be running oddly, with hesitation or skipping or a lack of power. You could have excessive pressure in the crank case which would cause an extreme blow out by the oil cap or engine oil seals. You could have exhaust gases in the radiator. If you think you may have exhaust gases in the radiator, the gases would be accommodated by constant bubbling in the radiator.

Not everyone is comfortable enough to open the hood and take a look. You just know that something is really not right with the way your car is running. This is when you should bring it to us. We’re very comfortable taking a look and then fixing the problem. We mentioned earlier that this is an expensive procedure. It’s not so much the parts as it is the labor. We want to do it once and we want to do it right. We’ll do our best to keep the price down and get you back on the road with confidence.

You might be able to skip a carwash, but you can’t skip a problem like this. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an appointment. We’ll also take care of an oil change or tune-up, or whatever else your car needs. Schedule an appointment today! Come by and see us at 3001 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232.

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#headgasketbroadwayimports
#enginetroublebroadwayimportauto
#blowngasketportland
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

Get the Stains off your Garage Floor!

It doesn’t matter if your garage is clean and organized and beautiful enough to be featured in Architectural Digest or Better Homes and Gardens, or such a mess that you can’t stand to look at it. Either way, nothing will harm it more than grease stains on the floor. They’re both common and unattractive and we’re going to give you a few options to clean them up.

1. It’s best to clean the stains when they’re fresh. If that’s the case, try powdered laundry soap first. Professional race car associations such as NASCAR have been relying on this for years, and they must know something! First blot up as much of the oil as possible. Mix a large amount of laundry soap into a bucket of warm water, and get it nice and soapy. Pour it onto the stain. Next, pour extra detergent (right from the box) directly on the stain. Let it set for a few minutes. Scrub the stain using a nylon brush with stiff bristles. When you’re finished, hose everything off with a garden hose. The higher your water pressure, the better.
2. Do you have any oven cleaner? Use it to spray the stains, then let it sit there for 5-10 minutes. Use a stiff brush to scrub away, then rinse it with a hose at the highest pressure you have. If you don’t see a big difference, don’t give up. The stains may very well need a second application. 
3. A lot of people swear by WD-40. Spray it on heavily and then wash it away with the hose. Highest pressure.
4. Do you have any mineral spirits? Pour some on the stains and let it sit for about 3-minutes. Then scrub with the stiff brush. To dry it, put newspaper over the area. Once dry, wash the stain with one cup of bleach and one of laundry detergent, mixed into one gallon of warm water. Spray away with your hose to get it all clean.
5. Have you heard that cola can clean your toilet? Or take the paint off your car? It can also clean those oil spots. Here’s what you do: you’ll need cat litter, a few cans of cola, a bucket, a stiff broom, laundry detergent, bleach, eye protection and rubber gloves. (A lot of stuff. You might want to try this remedy last.) Cover the stain with a thin layer of cat litter and brush it in. Sweep up the litter and pour cola to cover the area. Work the cola in with a bristle broom, and leave the cola on for about twenty minutes. Mix 1/4 cup laundry detergent with 1/4 cup bleach in 1 gallon of warm water and use it to clean everything up.

If none of these works, you might have to call in a professional. But we have great confidence in you. Get your supplies and your elbow grease and good luck!

Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs. And if your car is leaking, you definitely need to see us! Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

Come see us at 3001 NE Broadway St in Portland, OR 97232.

#getthestainsoffgaragefloor
#oilstains
#removeoilstains
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

Wishing you all the best in the coming year!

Happy 2017!

As singer Brad Paisley said about a new year: “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.”

We hope that this bright new year brings you everything that you need and want. Be happy, have fun, and get to your destinations safe! We had a fantastic 2016 and appreciate greatly all of you that came out and gave us a chance to be your import auto repair go to our shop.

Cheers to you and yours from all of us at Broadway Import Auto Service!

Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs. Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

What is a Worn Bushing?

Worn bushings may not sound like a big deal but if left alone and ignored it can lead to far worse and more expensive problems. A bushing’s purpose is to prevent metal parts from rubbing together. Parts last much longer when they aren’t grinding on one another.

Recently a customer brought in their car for a check engine light repair. Upon inspection, we noted that one of the control arm bushings was heavily worn and had excessive play. On close inspection of the bushing we noticed that it was so worn and degraded that it had now completely failed and was allowing the control arm to rub on the subframe and was wearing a groove in the subframe.

We asked the customer if the car was making noise when turning. They said it was but didn't seem to be too loud so they were not worried. Well, looking at the amount of wear I would be worried. A little more time or a severe bump while turning could have led to a catastrophic failure. After repair the customer was surprised how quiet the car was and that it actually handled better.

Don’t let a worn bushing ruin your day, or your car. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#wornbushings

#whatisabushing

#whatisawornbushing

#broadwayimports

#broadwayimportautoservice

What is a cabin filter and why do I want to change it?

We get asked this question all the time. The cabin filter is used in the interior ventilation system/climate control system of today’s cars. It is used to filter out particulate matter and debris from the incoming air. Usually, after we inspect it we find something like what you see in the picture.   

When these get dirty and clogged the can start to smell and they make the fan work harder to overcome the restriction caused by the debris trapped by the filter. The fan motor is far more expensive than the filter or having to remove vents and ducting to clean out a smelly contaminated system.

Think you might need your cabin filter changed? Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#whatisacabinfilterandwhydoIwanttochangeit

#cabinfilter

#changingacabinfilter

#broadwayimports

#broadwayimportautoservice

Nissan Debuts Star Wars-Edition Rogue CUV

Nissan, like much of Western Civilization, has Star Wars fever. So much so, that they’ve created a Limited Edition Rogue model that celebrates "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story". The Star Wars Nissan Rogue will come in two colors, black or white. Granted, the Star Wars styling is mainly a cosmetic change (both exterior and interior), but one that’s sure to delight the biggest Star Wars fan in your life, or you, or both.

Motortrend, where we found out about this, has this (and more) to say: “Inside, the 2017 Rogue One Star Wars Limited Edition sports a few unique touches. “Rogue One” logos can be found on the floor mats, “Rebel Alliance” and “Galactic Empire” symbols are in the front cupholders, and there are illuminated Star Wars badges on the door sills.

Each of the 5,000 Nissan Rogue One Star Wars Limited Editions also comes with a numbered replica “Death Trooper” helmet from the new movie.”

You can read more about it here: http://www.motortrend.com/news/going-rogue-nissan-debuts-star-wars-edition-rogue-cuv-l/

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story may have taken place in a galaxy far far away, but for your local fleet, Broadway Imports has you covered. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your space vehicle car needs. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#nissandebutsstarwarseditionroguecuv

#2017nissanrogue

#nissanrogue

#nissanstarwarsrogue

#broadwayimports

#broadwayimportautoservice

A road legal Lola F1 racer is the perfect gift

If you ever needed (wanted) incentive to live in the U.K., this would be it: a street legal Formula 1 racecar by Lola is going to be auctioned off through Bonhams. Apparently the idea for a road legal F1 came about due to a bet amongst Lola engineers and took 15 years to come together. No word about whether it will make it over to the states, but we can always dream.

We found out about this little bit of news over at Autoweek. Here’s a snippet of what they have to say: “The build is based on a 1996 Lola chassis, which could be a leftover piece of Lola’s failed 1997 F1 project, and is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged Cosworth YB engine. For those unfamiliar with this engine stateside, you’d have likely seen it under the hood of a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth in the late 1980s.”

You can read more about it here: http://autoweek.com/article/auctions/road-legal-lola-racer-perfect-gift-your-favorite-f1-fan

Even if you don’t own a Formula 1 racecar yourself, Broadway Imports can help you keep your car running at its best. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#roadlegallolaf1racer

#lolaf1racer

#streetlegallolaf1racer

#broadwayimports

#broadwayimportautoservice

Nissan Versa vs. Tsuru crash test video

Nissan Versa vs. Tsuru crash test is the most horrifying thing we saw this Halloween

We found this awesome (but terrifying) video over at Autoweek. It is a crash test of a Nissan Versa and a Nissan Tsuru in a not-quite head-on collision.

The awesome part is, of course, watching the two cars crash into each other (with crash test dummies), but when you see how it ends for one of the crash test dummies, well, it’s rather terrifying to think if it had been a real person.

Autoweek says, “Global NCAP tested the "modern" 2015 Nissan Tsuru against the 2016 Nissan Sentra, pitting the least expensive Nissan sedan sold in Mexico against the least expensive Nissan sedan sold in the U.S. The results are, well, reflective of 25 years of progress in automotive safety technology”

You can watch the video and read more about it here: http://autoweek.com/article/wait-theres-more/nissan-versa-vs-tsuru-crash-test-most-horrifying-thing-we-saw-halloween#ixzz4PBtO3Ven

Whatever you drive, we can help keep critical systems running. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs. Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#nissanversavstsuru

#versavssentra

#headoncarcrashvideo

#broadwayimports

#broadwayimportautoservice

Grandfatherly Advice on Brakes and Tires

My grandfather used to say to my dad, “Don’t play around with brakes and tires, they can get you killed.”

Now my grandfather wasn’t trying to dissuade my dad from working on his own car, rather he was trying to get my dad to understand that you don’t take unnecessary chances.

You see, when most things on your car wear out, are defective, or just plain break, there’s damage done, to varying degrees, to your car, but not to you.

For example, if your engine throws a rod, what happens? It can kill your engine. Run your car out of oil? You kill your engine. What about a timing belt? Transmission leak? Never tune up your car? Think about what happens, I mean the worst that can happen.

Now think about what happens if your brakes go out. I had that happen halfway home one day. What do you think is the worst that can happen? Rear-ending the car in front of you at high speeds? Careening through an intersection and hitting pedestrians? Not being able to slow down to make that sharp turn on a cliff? It does happen.

What about if a tire blows out on the freeway? 

Now think about the engine issues again. Not so bad by comparison, right?

Are your brakes getting soft? Are your tires wearing unevenly, or just plain worn down? You can put off doing a lot of things to your car, but not brakes and tires. Get them taken care of, immediately. 

Don’t take chances with your brakes or tires. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs. Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#brakesandtires
#dangersofbrakesandtires
#grandfatherlyadviceonbrakesandtires
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

Dangers of Fall Driving

We found this article over at esurance and thought we should share it with you. A link to the original article is at the end.

Fall means a number of wonderful things, like warm, comfy sweaters, foliage, and baking pumpkin pies. For drivers, fall also brings unique dangers to the roads. Find out what makes fall driving dangerous and what you can do to keep yourself safe.

Why driving in the fall can be dangerous...

Weather conditions can be unpredictable in the fall. A bright, beautiful afternoon can turn rainy and cold in minutes. And with days getting shorter, you could find yourself commuting to or from work in darkness.

Back-to-school traffic

Fall means back to school for kids, which means more cars and buses on the roads. Drivers also need to watch out for increased pedestrian traffic in the morning and afternoon as children walk to and from school and their neighborhood bus stops.

Rain

The first rain in a few weeks can be particularly dangerous, as water pools on top of dust and oil that haven't had a chance to wash away and makes the pavement extremely slippery.

Leaves (and leaf peepers)

Fall foliage is certainly beautiful, but as leaves begin to fall, they litter the roads, making streets slick while obscuring traffic lines and other pavement markings. They also hide potholes and other road hazards. And when it rains, it can make those wet leaves on the roadway as dangerous as ice.

And where there are turning leaves, there are leaf peepers. These leaf-peeping drivers tend to crawl along the roads and make unpredictable stops to admire the changing foliage. If you're driving behind a car with out-of-state plates, give them a little extra space just in case they stop short for a photo.

Fog

Cold fall mornings often lead to fog, which can greatly limit your driving visibility and perception of distance. Fog tends to occur in low places or areas surrounded by hills, water, mountains, and trees. One common mistake drivers make during foggy conditions is putting on their high beams instead of staying with their low beams. This only makes visibility worse because your high beams will bounce off the fog and create glare.

When driving through fog, slow down and stay well behind the car in front of you so you'll have adequate time to stop if you need to.

Frost

During the fall, temperatures tend to drop dramatically during the night, which can lead to morning frost and icy spots on the road. This is especially common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas of the road.

Sun glare

Fall is also a bad time for sun glare on the roads. Sun glare can impact your sight for seconds after exposure, making it hard to see pedestrians, oncoming traffic, or the car in front of you. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers describe being "blinded" after exposure, and this sometimes leads to accidents or near misses.

Sun glare can also cause problems when the sun sets behind drivers. In this case, sunlight can bounce off your rearview mirror or reflect off traffic lights up ahead, and this can blind you for a split second while your eyes adjust. It can also make it hard (or impossible) to see traffic lights, which can prevent you from knowing if you're supposed to stop or go.

Deer

The fall season brings an increase in deer activity because it's their time for mating and migrating. If you live in a deer-heavy area, watch for darting deer, especially when driving at night.

Fall driving tips

• Being prepared for fall's inclement weather and hazardous driving challenges is half the battle.
• Watch your speed: Drive a bit slower when faced with fall driving hazards, especially if you're driving around a school bus.
• Keep your distance: Leave a little more space between you and the car in front on rainy or foggy days, during dawn or dusk, and in areas with wet leaves. This will give you more time to react.
• Stick with low beams: Keep your headlights on low when driving in the fog (and rain). High beams will only cause glare.
• Clear frost away from your windows: Frost can reduce visibility and response time on the road.
• Approach traffic lights carefully: Sun glare can make it harder to see traffic lights change, so approach them with more than the normal care.
• Avoid using products that increase gloss: Washing and waxing with these products can magnify the fall's sunny glare and make it hard to see.
• Clean your windshield, inside and out: When your windshield's illuminated by sunlight, dust particles, streaks, and smudges become magnified, making it hard to see the road.
• Watch for wildlife: especially in the early morning and evening hours.
• Check your tire pressure: Since fall weather rapidly changes from warm to cold, your tires will often expand and contract. This can lead to a loss of pressure.

Driving safely in the fall

Knowing what to look for and using these tips can help you avoid weather-related car accidents in the fall. For more seasonal driving tips, visit the pages below.

You can read the original article here:  https://www.esurance.com/info/car/dangers-of-fall-driving

Please take extra care while driving this fall. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs. Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have. Schedule an appointment today!

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#dangersoffalldriving
#falldriving
#falldrivingtips
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

The fine folks over at Autoguide have done a comparison between the 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI and the 2016 MINI Cooper S Clubman. While both hatchbacks have very different looks, they are actually very similar in size, specs, and price. So which should you choose?

As Autoguide puts it: “There’s a lot that $35,000 can buy. This is especially true in the world of automobiles. That sum can get a great family hauler, a fun sportscar or an entry-level luxury car. But what about those who want a bit of everything?”

To find the answer to those questions, you should read the full comparison at: http://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/2016-mini-cooper-s-clubman-vs-volkswagen-golf-gti

Whether your auto is new or old, we can keep it running in tiptop shape. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs.

Our technicians are ASE certified and we use the latest tools and equipment when servicing your vehicle. Our mission is to provide the best service possible, knowing the greatest compliment is our customer's happiness and referrals.

Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have. Schedule an appointment today! Call us anytime at 503.282.0817.

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Blog | Website

#2016minicoopersclubman
#2016volkswagengolfgti
#minicoopervolkswagengolf
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

This collector is suing Ferrari because he can’t buy a LaFerrari Spider

Well, this is a new one. Seems like a collector is suing Ferrari because they said he wasn’t qualified to buy the new, limited edition LaFerrari.

According to Autoweek ~

“By the time we hear about the latest limited-production supercar, it is, as often as not, already sold out. A little disappointing, sure, but what are you going to do? Sue the company?

Yes, absolutely, you go right ahead and attempt to sue, at least if you’re Florida flea market emperor/ noted Ferrari collector/onetime race driver Preston Henn.

Over the weekend, a Verified Complaint for Damages filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division, appeared in our inbox. The document, which we’ve attached below, is a mini-drama in 20 parts; it outlines Henn’s history with the Ferrari brand stretching back to the Luigi Chinetti days and highlights his extensive Ferrari collection -- including the 275 GTB/C 6885 Speciale, which some (including, we’ll note, Mr. Henn) speculate may be the most valuable car in the world.”

Read the full article and a copy of the complaint at the Autoweek Site.

Though we don’t have “a guy” over at Ferrari, we can certainly help you with whatever your import is. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs.

Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have. Schedule an appointment today!

Call us anytime at 503.282.0817
Broadway Import Auto Service
3001 NW Broadway St
Portland, OR 97232

#collectorsuesferrari
#laferrari
#ferrarilawsuit
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice