Ever wonder what happens to the cars that the MINI of Portland service center uses as loaners when customers are having work done and need a reliable car at the same time? Eventually, service loaner MINI models are retired after a while, and then we place them for sale in our showroom, where you can meet them, purchase them, and save, all at the same time.

 

Camping, biking, or kayaking, when you need to outfit your MINI with properly fitting accessories and parts to help you accomplish your tasks, the parts center team at MINI of Portland is here to help.

 

At MINI of Portland, we're proud to serve the greater Portland, OR area with a selection of eye-catching and fun to drive compact cars. Our collection of MINI brand models is unparalleled in this area, and we enjoy matching each person who visits us with their perfect fit. If you're ready to find yours, we have great news. Act now to take advantage of our special deals and find the vehicle and the payments you've been dreaming about.

 

Drivers hope that their travels don't result in unfortunate mishaps, but vehicles could become disabled without warning. Flat tires, undiagnosed mechanical problems, and even bad weather may leave a vehicle stranded. Keeping a roadside emergency kit in the trunk might help when things prove concerning.

A roadside emergency kit could contain valuable items, such as road markers, flashlights, tires, and other tools, along with weather-protections belongings. A raincoat and a blanket may have value when temperatures prove uncomfortable.

 

Gaskets are an unsung but vitally necessary automotive part. What are they and what do they do? We asked our MINI of Portland service techs to give us and you an quick rundown.

Automotive Gaskets 101

Gaskets are a type of seal, and the two words often appear interchangeably. Automotive gaskets serve as a flat seal that fills a gap between two components. The seal stops leakage. Gasket design results in structure that withstands low and high compressive loads over long periods. Gaskets conform to a range of shapes, specs and modifications. The most common are:

• Spiral wound
• Double jacketed…

Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that moves through hoses to apply pressure to the brakes when you press your foot on the brake pedal.

There cannot be any amount of air in the brake systems or else the brakes won’t properly function.

How To Properly Inspect Bake Fluid And Reservoir

The brake fluid reservoir is easily located under the hood of the car, and you can properly inspect it by using a flashlight.

If the brake fluid is a clear amber color, that means your brakes have been serviced recently.
 

Check Engine Light

The check engine light is likely to come on if you have a leak in the exhaust headers, catalytic converter, or even in the exhaust downpipe. There are sensors throughout the exhaust system and engine that measure air, and if there is a leak, the computer will notice a change in values, and subsequently illuminate the check engine light.

Smell Of Gas Inside The Car

If your car starts to fill up with an unburned gas or exhaust smell with the windows up, you should crack the windows, and have the problem inspected immediately.

 

When it is time to start looking for your next vehicle, you might want to stop and take a serious look at the hatchback. This might not be a design that you think about first, but there are quite a few reasons why it should now come to the top of your list.

The hatchback provides more room in the rear for your passengers. This is a feature that is worth making mention of. Many sedans have a roofline that can be a bit lower for taller individuals, but hatchbacks tend to raise that bar enough to make everyone comfortable…

When it comes to road safety, special consideration needs to be made for bicyclists. The team at MINI of Portland has some tips to make sure that cars and bikes can share the streets of Portland harmoniously. Our goal is to keep everyone safe.

Distracted driving is a major issue for a variety of reasons. One of the best things you can do for bicyclists is to make sure you stay off of your devices when behind the wheel. Along those same lines, bicyclists should avoid headphones so that they are aware of vehicles around them.

 

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…