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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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First Shelby headed to Auction!

The very first Shelby Cobra, CSX 2000, is headed to auction.

The latest and greatest over at Autoweek is that the very first Shelby Cobra, a CSX 2000, is heading to auction by RM Sotheby at their Monterey sale, which runs Aug. 19 and 20.

"In 54 years no one has dared touch it -- it is the way it was," said Jim King, Shelby American historian, in an interview with RM Sotheby's. "That is really part of the aura of CSX 2000. It is as original as you can get it."

More specifically, it had been in Shelby's possession since new. In its early days it was used as a show car and a development car. Carroll Shelby kept CSX 2000 since day one -- and kept the interior original.

Read the full article at The very first Shelby Cobra, CSX 2000, is headed to auction

Even if you don’t have a Shelby Cobra of your own, we can certainly help you get and keep your car in tiptop shape. 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!

Broadway Import Auto Service
3001 NW Broadway St
Portland, OR 97232

Call us anytime at 503.282.0817

#shelbycobraauction
#cobra
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2016 Car Shows

Remember when summertime was all about fun? BBQs, beach trips, camping, and such? Though you can still do those things (when you're on vacation), there's a few things you still can do where you don't have to be a highschool student nor take your vacation time to do them.
We're talking of course about car shows, cruise-ins, and swap meets.

Below is a list of just a few of the car-related activities that are going on in or near Portland for 2016. For a far more comprehensive list, just check out Route 26's website.

Cruises and Swap Meets

May 7: Suburban Cruise, Page 2

May 7: Portland Transmission

May 7: Flower Festival

May 8: Mount Hood Little League, Page 2

May 14: Papa Toys

May 14: Clark True Lumber

May 20: Lamb and Wool Fair

May 21: Rods and Pins

May 21: Jim Dandy's

June 4: All Ford Car Show and Swap Meet

June 4: Fire And Rescue

June 4: Skool Days

June 4: Function for the Junction

June 18: Indian Head Casino, Page 2

July 16: Bay City Cruisers, Page 2

June 17: Sunshine Cruise, Page 2

June 18: Roll the Dice

June 18-19 Planter's Days

June 25: Rendezvous 2016

July 9: Cruise to the Center of the Earth

July 9: Community Days Show 'n Shine

July 9: Wooden Chicken

July 16: Knights of Columbus

July 16: North Valley Cruzzers

July 17: Forest Grove Concours

July 30: Fabulous 50's Car Show

July 30: Stayton Summerfest, Page 2

July 30-31: Steam Up Car Shows

July 31: SW Bible Church

August 6: Old Time Cruise to Estacada

August 6: Motocycle Show in Estacada

August 6-7: Steam Up Car Shows

August 7: Kryron's Car Show, Page 2

August 10: Convertibles Only - Guinesss World Record Attempt

August 13: Rockin' Round the Block

August 20: Cruise in and a Movie

August 20: Cruise 2 Barton

August 22: Wapato Showdown, Page 2

August 28: Collector Car and Boat Show

August 28: Hot August Dazes

Though we can't enter your car into a car show for you, we can certainly help you get your car ready for a car show. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs.

#carshows2016
#swapmeet
#cruisein
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

Accidents Happen

The author of this article was in an accident last month (No Fault and no injuries, thankfully), and as it had been so many years since he was last in one, he realized how little he remembered. So we here at Broadway Imports thought we'd do a Public Service and remind you of what you need to do in those unfortunate circumstances, because let's face it: accidents do happen.

When do I fill out an accident report?

You must file an Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report (Form 735-32) with DMV within 72 hours when any of these conditions apply: 

• If damage to the vehicle you were driving is over $1,500 
• If damage to any vehicle is over $1,500 and any vehicle is towed from the scene as a result of damages from this accident; 
• If injury or death resulted from this accident; or 
• Damages to any one person's property other than a vehicle involved in this accident is over $1,500. 

When do I need to call the police? Should I call the State, City, or County Police?

• Pretty much when the conditions for filing a traffic report are met, you should be calling the police. As the author's accident happened around 5:30AM on a Saturday morning, no police offices were answering their phones. Eventually the police showed up and the advice the State Trooper gave was: call 911. Even though this specific accident wasn't considered an emergency, it's perfectly okay to call 911 and they will connect to you the police. The police can get hold of whichever jurisdiction needs to show up, if it's not theirs. 

What else do I need to do to if I'm in an accident?

The full responsibilities are:

• Stop at Once 
• Stop at the accident scene or as close as possible without needlessly blocking or endangering other traffic. "Hit and run" is a serious traffic crime. Conviction will mean your driving privileges will be revoked or suspended. 
• Render Aid 

Give any reasonable aid to injured persons. Remember, injured people should never be moved carelessly. In many cases, they should not be moved at all until it is possible to get an ambulance or someone trained in first aid to the scene. If a driver is involved in an accident in which a person is killed or rendered unconscious, the driver is required to remain at the scene of the accident until a police officer arrives. Failure to do so is classified and punishable as a "hit and run."
Exchange Information (printable checklist to keep in your car) -Give to the other driver, passengers in the vehicle, or any injured pedestrian your: -Name; -Address; -Driver license number; -License plate number of your vehicle; and -Your insurance information. -Report the Accident to DMV Note: If you would like to maintain a record of your accident report, be sure to make a copy before sending the original to DMV.
What if I hit an unattended vehicle or damage property?

If you hit an unoccupied vehicle, try to find the owner. If you cannot find the owner, leave a note that identifies you as the person who hit the unattended vehicle and how to contact you. By law, ORS 811.700(1)(B), you are required to write your name and address on the note, and a brief description of what happened. If you damage property other than a motor vehicle, you also must try to find the owner or someone in charge of the property to report the damage.
What if I hit an animal?

If you hit and injure an animal, stop and make an effort to check the extent of injury. Give reasonable attention to the animal. What you can do may vary with traffic hazards at the time or the animal's demeanor. If possible, you should try to get the animal out of the way of traffic. Immediately report the animal's injuries to its owner. If you are unable to locate the owner, report the injuries to the nearest police agency.

When should I move my car from the scene of the accident?

If you are involved in a crash or collision on the highway, you have no injury, and it is safe to drive your vehicle to the shoulder of the highway or to a designated parking area, move your vehicle from the crash site. This helps minimize the obstruction of traffic and you will avoid being cited for failure to remove your motor vehicle.

source of accident info: Oregon DMV http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/index.aspx

Though we can't stop accidents from happening, we can help your car reduce the risk of an accident by keeping its tires and breaks in tip-top condition. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule a brakes check, tire rotation, wipers, oil change, tuneup, 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

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Automakers, safety advocates warn U.S. over rush to deploy autonomous cars

Autonews recently published an article on the NHTSA's self-imposed deadlines for creating policies on autonomous cars. Driverless cars have been in and out of the news over the last couple of years, and thought we would share this article in case it's something you've been interested in.

“WASHINGTON -- Auto industry and consumer representatives warned Friday that U.S. auto safety regulators' push to aid autonomous car deployments may be too aggressive, and urged greater transparency and public input in policies covering self-driving technology.”

“The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Friday held the first of two public hearings to get input as it prepares policy guidance for states, automakers and tech companies about when and how autonomous vehicles should be allowed on U.S. roads. It has vowed to complete the recommendations by July.”

[...]

"Yet both industry and consumer representatives suggested that formal rules may be needed for autonomous cars."

You can read the full article here: Automakers, safety advocates warn U.S. over rush to deploy autonomous cars

Whether your car can drive itself or not, call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs (except driving lessons, you're on your own there).

#autonomouscars
#selfdrivingcars
#driverlesscars
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#broadwayimportautoservice

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

Want to buy a Porsche? Here's Your Chance!

According to Autoweek, Gooding & Co. will sell part of Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche collection at Amelia Island. If you've ever wanted the chance to own one of Mr. Seinfeld's Porsches, here it is (on Amelia Island).

"At the moment, Seinfeld’s contribution to the Gooding catalog consists of a trio of Porsches: a 1955 550 Spyder, a 1958 356A 1500 GS/GT Carrera Speedster and a 1974 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR. There may be more to follow, but we’d expect any additional lots to be fairly Porsche-heavy -- the guy knows what he likes."

[...]

Presumably, Seinfeld isn't letting go of these rarities because he's fallen on hard times, and he claims he's not unloading air-cooled Porsches into a hot market as part of a get-rich-quick scheme. "I've never bought a car as investment," he told Gooding & Co. “I don't really even think of myself as a collector. I just love cars. And I still love these cars. But it's time to send some of them back into the world, for someone else to enjoy, as I have.”

Read the full article at: Get coffee in a comedian's cars! Seinfeld is selling three rare Porsches

Whether you have a Porsche or not, proper maintenance is critical to keep it running at its peak performance. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule an oil change, tune-up, or whatever else your car needs.

#porsche
#buyaporsche
#seinfeldporsche
#broadwayimports #broadwayimportautoservice

Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have.

Schedule an appointment today!

Call us anytime at 503.282.0817

2016 Volkswagen Jetta Review

The good folks over at Autoweek have done a review on the new 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. Other than the seats being not quite to the reviewer's liking, something they did like was, "VW's latest touch screen radio system is also good looking and easy to use. It's also nice to find a whole infotainment suite -- Bluetooth, satellite radio, rearview camera, touchscreen interface and App-Connect..."

They were pretty honest with their thoughts, both the good and the bad.

Read the whole review here: 2016 Volkswagen Jetta review: Decent value for what folks want, but poor seats

Whether you have the latest and greatest import or not, you can keep your car running just fine, 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

#2016volkswagenjetta
#volkswagenjetta2016
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"Back to the Future" 2016 Toyota Tacoma Travels Back to 1985

In case you missed all the hoopla, October 21st, 2015 was the day that Marty McFly traveled into the future from 1985 in the Back to the Future trilogy. Fans did a lot of celebrating and, according to Motor Trend; even Toyota got caught up into the festivities.

Here's a clip from their article:

“The time-traveling DeLorean is the obvious automotive superstar in "Back to the Future," but Marty McFly's 1985 Toyota pickup truck was definitely drool-worthy. Much like McFly himself, the Toyota pickup was a reliable and modest unsung hero, though the truck's blacked-out treatment and off-road mods most likely helped boost its appeal as the dream truck for many '80s kids.

As "Back to the Future" fans celebrate October 21, 2015, the day Marty travels to the future in the movie's 1989 sequel, Toyota is participating in the festivities by recreating the classic truck with a 2016 Tacoma, along with a special video featuring McFly, Doc Brown, and the new Mirai fuel-cell car. "Tacoma is a fun Easter egg in the Mirai launch campaign," said Craig Taguchi, Toyota PR.

The initial idea and planning for the "Back to the Future" Tacoma was executed by Taguchi and James George from Toyota Marketing. Scott Kanemura , owner of KMA Promotions, also helped with the build."

To read the full article, - "Back to the Future" 2016 Toyota Tacoma Travels Back to 1985</a>

Time travel may not yet be a reality, but you can certainly keep your timeless showpiece in tip-top shape. 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

#backtothefuture
#backtothefuturetoyotatruck
#toyota
#toyotatruck
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

2015 Portland Area Car Shows - Still Some Summer Left!

Remember when summertime was all about fun? BBQs, beach trips, camping, and such? Though you can still do those things (when you're on vacation), there's a few things you can do where you don't have to be a high school student nor take your vacation time to do them. We're talking of course about car shows, cruise-ins, and swap meets.

Below is a list of just a few of the car-related activities that are going on in or near Portland. For a far more comprehensive list, just check out Route 26's website.

August 29: Living Word Fellowship
August 30: Hot August Daze
September 12-13: Oktoberfest

Though we can't help you get your import auto in a car show, we can certainly help you get your car ready for a car show.

Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have.

Schedule an appointment today!

Call us anytime at 503.282.0817

#carshow
#swapmeet
#cruisein
#broadwayimports
#broadwayimportautoservice

Summer Trip Tips by Broadway Import Auto Service of Portland

6 Summer Trip Tips

With vacations coming and going, we'd like to pass on a few tips to help your vacation running smoothly.

1) Check your tires

Make sure they are in need of replacing, and if they are get them replaced before your trip. Not only are worn tires hard on your car and gas mileage, but they can be dangerous too.

2) Check your tire's air pressure

Along with point one, low air pressure costs you fuel efficiency and puts more wear on your tires.

3) Rotate your tires

An often overlooked maintenance job, in an ideal world your tires wear down evenly. In reality each tire wears down in different spots and at different rates than the others do. By rotating them you can distribute the wear more evenly and sometimes lengthen the life of your tires.

4) Change your oil

Clean oil lengthens your engine life, dirty oil shortens it.

5) Check your fluids

You don't want your engine overheating nor do you want your brakes to fail while you're out-and-about. Simple fluid checks before your trip can save you time, money, and aggravation.

6) Check your tune-up schedule

If it's time for your tuneup, get it done before your trip if possible. While on vacation you don't want to work any harder than you need to, why should your engine?

We here at Broadway Import Auto Service can get your vehicle in vacation-ready mode quickly and easily. Call us at 503-282-0817 and we'll take those concerns off your mind or schedule an appointment today!

#broadwayimportautoservice
#6summertriptips
#importcarcare
#importautos
#carcaretips
#vehiclemaintenance

Airbag Recall

In case you haven't heard, on Monday, May 18th 2015, the Takata Corporation has determined that some of its airbags may rupture from exposure to persistent conditions of high absolute humidity and/or due to manufacturing variability.

This affects certain 2003 Honda Accords and certain 2001-2006 Honda Civics. Both original and replacement equipment are at risk. According to safercar.gov, in the event of an accident "the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the vehicle occupants."

Takata will be working with vehicle manufacturers to identify into which vehicles the affected inflators were installed either as original or replacement equipment during service. As this work progresses, numerous vehicle recalls will likely be announced by the impacted vehicle manufacturers. NHTSA will supply this information as soon as possible.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Original article at: NHTSA

Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have.

Schedule an appointment today!

Call us anytime at 503.282.0817

#broadwayautoimports
#broadwayimportauto
#airbagrecall
#hondaairbags
#takatacorporationairbags

8 Car Checks for Spring

It is spring and time we've had a pretty mild winter this year, but that doesn't mean there aren't things to do to get your car ready for spring. Road grime, in all its forms, takes a pretty heavy toll on your poor car. Here's our checklist of 8 things to do to help you and your car have a pleasant spring.

1) Wash the undercarriage

Road grime, gravel, the snow and filth in the slush all contribute to problems underneath your car. There's moving parts under there that are exposed to the road, help keep them running smoothly by having it cleaned. Less grime means less wear-and-tear.

2) Wash the carpets and inside of doors

That same grime gets in your car. Have the carpet cleaned and wash down your car doors, especially the oft-neglected bottom of the door. The longer that stuff stays on the inside of your car the better the chances of it permanently leaving ugly stains.

3) Change your wiper blades

The more they're used, the faster they wear down. Road debris and other things hitting your windshield contribute heavily to the wear-and-tear on your poor windshield wipers. Despite any claims, they're really only there to remove water, anything else contributes to their wearing out.

4) Change your air filter

All that dust, dirt, and grime go into your ventilation system, and your engine's air intake system as well. Your air filter actually does a pretty good job of stopping it, but as it clogs up, not only does your engine avoid the debris, it gets deprived of vital air to help keep things running efficiently, like your gas mileage for example.

5) Check your tire pressure

Tire pressure fluctuates depending on the temperature, and tires simply lose tiny amounts of air over time. Low tire pressure affects both your gas mileage and the smoothness of your ride, not to mention the extra contribution to wearing down your tires. Get them pumped up to the manufacturer's specifications.

6) Check the alignment

Winter contributes to the road conditions, like pot holes. As your tires get banged around it can knock your alignment out a little, or a lot. This causes uneven wear on your tires, much more than from simply not rotating your tires, a bad alignment puts more wear on the thinner parts of your tires causing them to wear out much faster, and there's few things more dangerous to drive in than on worn out tires.

7) Check your fluid levels

Fluid checking is always a good idea, and it should be done on a regular basis, not matter how "reliable" your dashboard indicators are. Get those fluids topped off so your indicators don't have a reason to give you warning signs.

8) Have the drive and A/C belts inspected

Worn, old, and cracked belts can mean anything from your air conditioning not working to your car not driving. The cold contributes to the wear as does having road grime on the belts, rubbing against moving parts. Belts that are no longer tight can lead to poor gas mileage as well.

These simple, inexpensive checks can save you hundreds of dollars later on. We here at Broadway Imports are dedicated to keeping your car running in tip-top shape. Bring in your car today for its "Spring Checkup".

Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have.

Schedule an appointment today!

Call us anytime at 503.282.0817

#broadwayautoimports
#8carchecksforspring
#carcheckup
#carmaintenance

Did Your Vehicle Get Recalled?

It's a fact of life, occasionally there's a recall on an automobile. Sometimes these recalls go unnoticed by consumers for any number of reasons, and it's always possible that you unknowingly purchased a used auto import that has a recall on it. We here at Broadway Import Auto Service want you to be in the safest, most mechanically sound vehicle possible which is why we want you to know that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a search tool on their website so you can enter your vehicle's VIN number and see if there's any recalls. Safety is everyone's concern, and we want you to be armed with all the knowledge you need. For all your auto import needs, from minor maintenance and repairs to major work, we are here to help you.

You can find the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle recall search tool at NHTSA - Recalls & Defects

Give us a call at (503) 282-0817

3001 NE BROADWAY | PORTLAND, OR  97232

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Winter is here in Portland!

Broadway Import Auto Service in Portland wants everyone out there to be safe when in their vehicles!

Winter driving, especially after a snow or ice storm, can be treacherous.

Roads can turn into ice rinks, leading to crashes, lengthy traffic jams and white-knuckle driving.

Before driving your car in winter conditions, make sure your vehicle is running fine, says David Waits, owner of Japanese Automotive Service in Hilliard, Ohio. Have a trusted mechanic fully inspect it before cold weather hits. A tune-up costs as little as $40 or as much as several hundred dollars, depending on whether work needs to be done, mechanics say.

"Maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicle healthy," Waits says. "It's very important to make sure all the fluids are full, the lights are working, the exhaust is not leaking and the wiper blades and tires are in good condition."

Randal Regan, service writer at Marc Yount's Tire Pros, a vehicle maintenance business in Evans, Georgia, says visibility is another key for winter driving. He recommends replacing windshield wipers and changing washer fluid before winter hits. He also says it's important to keep your windows clean so you have full visibility.

"The best advice I can give is to be prepared," he says.

Driving in icy and snowy conditions is dangerous and can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. But there are a few tips to help keep your car safe on the road.

First off, experts recommend slowing down in such conditions. According to AAA, brake and accelerate slowly to avoid skidding.

Mechanics say to leave yourself more time than usual to stop, and avoid sudden actions such as slamming on your brakes. A normal following distance of three to four seconds behind the vehicle in front of you should increase to eight to 10 seconds in snow, according to AAA. The Maine Department of Transportation reports that this is especially true on bridges, off-ramps and areas with black ice.

In snow and ice, SafeMotorist.com recommends starting out slowly, being gentle with the gas pedal and braking three times sooner than you typically would before coming to a stop or turning.

When braking in slick conditions, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recommends applying firm pressure to the brake for cars equipped with an anti-lock braking system. Drivers must continue to gently pump the brakes if they don't have anti-lock brakes to keep the brakes from locking up.

According to the NHTSA, anti-lock brakes are a safety feature on many cars that are designed to prevent your wheels from locking up by changing the pressure in your car's brake lines, similar to pumping the brakes.

Waits adds that all-wheel and four-wheel drive cars will usually go straight without sliding in most poor driving conditions, but it doesn't mean they'll stop or turn as easily.

Four-wheel drive vehicles has a drivetrain where all four wheels receive power from the engine, while two-wheel drive receives power to only two - either both from wheels or both back wheels.

It's also important to be prepared before you drive in winter conditions.

Waits says that means packing hats, gloves, coats, blankets, non-perishable food and water in case you are stranded. He also recommends packing a sleeping bag.

It may be a good idea to use snow tires or chains when driving in snow. Regan recommends using four snow tires on roads that are covered with ice or snow. He recommends a tire with at least a 6/32-inch deep tread when driving in snow. If it's less than that, it's time to replace the tire.

Also, make sure your gas tank is at least half full to prevent the gas line from freezing up.

"Do not let it go below half," Waits says. "The added weight will help with traction, and fuel will be needed to run the engine in case you're stranded."

Waits adds it's never a good idea to run or charge accessories when the engine is not running or you could drain the car's battery.

Article by Tom Moor. Tom Moor is an automotive reporter at www.AngiesList.com.

Our technicians at Broadway Motor Import Service 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

10 Gas Saving Tips

You've probably already heard that the national average price for a gallon of gas has dropped below $3 a gallon for the first time since 2010. Though that's great news, we at Broadway Import Auto Service want you to get the most bang for your buck no matter what the prices are. Here's a few tips to keep in mind, courtesy of gasbuddy.com:

1. Avoid High Speeds

As hard as it is for us to keep our speed down, the fact is that as your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.

2. Do Not Accelerate or Brake Hard

By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.

3. Keep Tires Properly Inflated

Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.

4. Use A/C Sparingly

When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.

5. Keep Windows Closed

Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.

6. Service Vehicle Regularly

Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.

7. Use Cruise Control

Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.

8. Avoid Heavy Loads

Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.

9. Avoid Long Idles

If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.

10. Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle

When buying a new vehicle examine the vehicle's rated fuel efficiency. Usually choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.

Please contact us for any auto service or repair you might have.

Schedule an appointment today!

Call us anytime at 503.282.0817

Original tips at http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_tips.aspx