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Noticing odd things happening when you apply your brake? Don't ignore it! Instead, keep watch for the following signs of needing a brake repair. If you notice any of them, get your car to the shop, as soon as you can.

1. Squealing and Screeching: Does stopping your car make you embarrassed? Those loud noises are a signal you have some serious issues on your hands. Get to the shop quickly!
2. Less Than Firm Braking: When you apply your brake, the pedal should feel firm. Does it feel soft, instead? If so, have your mechanic check it out. It may…

Have you ever hydroplaned while driving? It's not a fun experience. For a few seconds, you don't have control over where your car goes, and those few seconds can lead to an accident. But you can take some precautions to lessen the likelihood that you'll hydroplane when you're out in a rain storm. At MINI of Portland, we're happy to give you a couple of the most important tips.

Keeping your tires inflated is one of the most important things that you can do to give yourself optimal control over your vehicle at any time…

A matching full-size spare is more aesthetically pleasing and prevents the need from automatically having to go to a tire repair shop. The vehicle must be equipped to store a full-size tire. The spare should also be included in the rotation cycle to provide even wear.

A full-size spare does not have to match the rest of the tires. It might also have a different wheel design. While the tire is handy should a flat occur, the spare should not be part of tire rotation cycles. Just make sure the vehicle capably stores a full-size spare.

Many vehicles come with…

Although you might not want to experience an emergency while on the road, you should be prepared for one just in case it happens. Try to keep a small box in the back of your vehicle with various tools that could be used in an emergency, such as a screwdriver, wrench, and jumper cables.

If possible, get your vehicle to the side of the road or a parking lot until you're able to contact MINI of Portland to have someone offer assistance. This will help to keep you safe as you won't be in traffic. Road flares can…

A tire pressure monitoring system is a fantastic piece of technology. While most people have the best intentions when it comes to checking the air pressure inside of their tires, this is something that is often forgotten about. If one or more of your tires has an issue that needs to be addressed, your tire pressure light will turn on. This is a reminder that you need to check your air pressure as soon as possible.

If the weather has recently gotten colder in your area, cold air can condense the amount of air in your tires.

Your owner’s manual will give you a good indication of when it’s time to replace certain belts in your engine, like the timing or serpentine belts. As this is simply a ballpark figure and doesn’t address the myriad of other hoses and belts, regular inspections of your engine are necessary to catch fraying or cracked parts before they leave you stranded.

There’s an impressive network of hoses and belts in your engine that allows various fluids easy transit to systems where they’re needed or aids in synchronization of movement between parts. Both time and the…

We thoroughly understand automotive batteries at MINI of Portland. Use our advice to assess whether it's time to replace your battery.

If you've driven your car three years or more, your battery is likely in the second half of its life. To potentially lengthen its lifespan, we can expertly clean corrosion from your battery's posts. Also, we can test its charge-holding capability.

When your battery can no longer hold a charge, you can replace it with a conventional battery or a lithium model. We recommend using a lithium battery if you plan to own your car for…

Routine maintenance is something that every vehicle requires. However, spring is the perfect time to address a number of car care tips. This will ensure that your vehicle is going to work properly for many more years to come.

• Oil changes are important if you want to protect your engine. A good quality oil that is recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle is ideal.
• Don't forget to have your oil filter changed out as well.
• A tire rotation promotes a proper wear pattern on your tires that will allow your tires to remain on your vehicle longer.
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The battery life of your vehicle can be tricky but easy to fix. It's always important to know where your battery life is. The battery is one of the most important components to your vehicle especially in the winter.

The life of your batter voltage may be low during the summer and it can run perfectly fine. But as soon as the winter comes around, your vehicle might die on you because it uses twice as much energy to function. This is why it is important to check your battery life before the winter. Otherwise you could be stuck…

If you keep your vehicle protected during the winter, it will help your vehicle retain its value. During the winter, salt on the streets increase safety, but it can cause a problem for your vehicle. With these tips from MINI of Portland, you can protect your vehicle from salt corrosion in Portland this winter.

Salt that's left on a vehicle can cause damage to the finish and promote rust. It's important to avoid driving through puddles where salt may have accumulated, and avoid driving through deep snow because this can also have a negative impact on your vehicle…