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Taking care of your tires is an important part of automobile maintenance. Tires that are kept in their best shape give drivers a lot of benefit. Two things to focus on with your tires are their tread wear and air pressure. We here at MINI of Portland want you to know why these two aspects of tires are important.

If your tire tread is bad, it can be a safety hazard, as bald tires are more prone to blowouts. Tires with bad tread also can lower your fuel economy. To keep your tire tread in good shape, have your tires…

Many drivers believe that if their vehicle won’t start, it automatically means the battery is bad. While this may often be the case, it can also be the alternator. The alternator plays a really important part in not just starting your car but also keeping it running.

At one time, the alternator was referred to as a generator because it plays the same role as a generator. If you have a generator in your home, it will provide electricity if the power fails. It does much the same thing in your vehicle. The alternator will work even if the…

Windshield wiper blades are a small part of what makes up a vehicle, but they're also an important part because they help make it possible to see the road during bad weather conditions. Drivers who live in winter conditions often find that winter wiper blades are a great choice. We have a great selection of winter wiper blades at MINI of Portland and would love to demonstrate how effective they work and what a good choice they are.

Winter wiper blades are ideal because they keep the snow and ice off your windshield in the cold winter months. No…

Wise drivers replace their tires when they suffer from age and use. Sometimes, however, it might also prove advisable to switch to a different type of tire to address seasonal changes. All-season tires might be fine for most of the year, but winter tires could be more appropriate during the cold season.

All-season tires seem to be the standard tires people drive. Intended for normal driving conditions, they can handle wet roads and light snow. People dealing with harsh winters known for heavy snowfall and slushy, icy roads might find snow tires worth buying.

Car wax application is a central component of overall car care that dates back decades. Waxing on and waxing off with car wax gives your ride a showroom-new look. According to our MINI of Portland service team, the benefits of car wax are more than merely superficial.

Protection from Pollutants

Sometimes your alignment can be thrown off and this can cause major problems with your vehicle later on if it isn't taken care of. 

What Does Getting an Alignment Mean?

An alignment means that your tires are being shifted to point straight so that they hit the road at the correct angle and your tires are perfectly centered in the wheel wells. Your vehicle will now have better contact with the road, get better gas mileage, and prolonged tire life.

When Should You Get an Alignment?

You should make an appointment to have your vehicle aligned right away if…

For every driver knowing how to change a tire is essential. You will require a spare tire, scissor-car-Jack, Lug Wrench, and a manual for your specific vehicle to guide you.

Find a secure place to park and put your hazard lights on. Set the parking brakes to reduce the chances of your vehicle rolling off. Then, apply the wheel wedges on the front tire if the punctures tire you are changing is on the back tire and vice versa.

Unscrew the Hub-cap or the wheel-cover because it will be easy to remove before you lift it. Remove it using the…

Our MINI of Portland service department team recommends having your vehicle's gaskets checked during routine scheduled maintenance. Why? Gaskets are small but tough and very important to your car's overall health. Here's a quick look at what they are and what they do.

Automotive Gaskets Demystified

Hundreds of gaskets inside your car form seals between various parts. The seals are airtight, keeping debris out of the automotive component and keeping the component from leaking. Gaskets come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, such as:

• Rubber
• Composites
• Copper
• Stainless steel
•  

Motor oil myths have always misled most car users, and it is time to educate them on these myths and how true they are. Some of these myths have worked as marketing strategies for most companies, but let's look at the list below.

Myth: That bulk oil is of lower quality than the bottled motor oil
False. The bulk oil is still the same type of oil in the smaller bottles and usually sold out at a retail price.

Myth: Oil only gets dirty, it never wears out
False. Most oil additives will weaken as the engine oil continues…