When you're driving at night, you'll want every advantage to help keep you safe. Thanks to incredibly advanced technology, more such safety equipment is becoming standard on today's new vehicles. One of these technologies is the electrochromic rearview mirror.

These mirrors automatically dim when they detect light from headlights of the car behind you. Two sensors, which are either small cameras or photodetectors, sense the glare and sends a charge through an electrochromic gel.  

We love the snow! While winter can be exciting and fun, we want to make sure that our community prepares well for winter driving. An emergency kit is a wonderful way to feel like you can handle the situation if something happens while you are in the car.

When you make your kit, think of the things you need and then add a few things you'd want if you had to wait for help. A few necessities may be water, food, blankets, and boots. You may also want a cell phone charger, some extra clothing, and a book if…

With the availability of winter tires and the weather, you are going to need to know the type of winter tires you are going to be looking at. There are three different types of winter tires. They are studded winter tires, studless winter tires and performance winter tires. They each give you benefits.

With the studded winter tires, you are going to have metal studs that dig into ice, but may damage the road. The studless is a nicer alternative for the road. It takes care of the snow and maintains traction without the snow. 

Nowadays, car thieves only need a Wi-Fi connection and a few hacking steps they've learned from the Internet to steal your car. In order to prevent your car from being stolen through the use of technological advancements, you should take precautionary measures.

For starters, place your vehicle key fob in a metal container while at home to prevent hackers from accessing the code using an Electronic Signal Amplifier. You also should never leave the key fob on the table while dining at a restaurant or other public eatery places.  

If your car doesn't turn exactly in the direction that you want it to, you could either be experiencing an oversteer or an understeer. Both of these situations can be dangerous if there other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles nearby. There are many stability features built into some of the models that we have at MINI of Portland to account for steering issues.

During an oversteer, your car will be turning more sharply than expected. This is more likely to happen in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, since the back wheels are where all the power is being delivered. 

There are a lot of myths surrounding motor oil. Some of them used to be true, but others never were. If you're under false impressions, that might impact how you have your oil changed. Here are a couple of myths that you can be sure have been debunked.

Some people believe that if you use synthetic oil that you can never go back to conventional oil. This is simply not true. It is, however, true that high-mileage vehicles can benefit from high-mileage oil, which is often synthetic. Talk to your mechanic about the right oil for your vehicle. 

Here at MINI of Portland, we understand the importance of driving safely in the winter. When the snow and ice set in, it is necessary that you are prepared. Have your vehicle inspected for leaks, worn hoses, and other damages before the snow and ice arrive.

Before you leave, check the road conditions and traffic to ensure that you take the safest route. You should also keep others informed about what route you are taking and when you are planning to arrive. Drive cautiously when you are traveling on the snow. 

When you're driving in the winter months, there are a few things that you can do to provide the proper care for your vehicle. Since the sun sets earlier in the day, you need to examine the lights on your vehicle to ensure that you can clearly see while you're on the road.

Colder weather often strains the battery in a vehicle. One that is weak in the summer could leave you on the side of the road in the winter. Consult with a technician at MINI of Portland to have your battery tested as well as the…

Brake pads are an important automobile part because they apply force and friction to the brake rotors, which are the discs that you can sometimes see behind the tires of certain vehicles. When the brake pads apply pressure and friction to the rotors, it will cause the vehicle to slow and stop. Because your vehicle's wheels rotate very quickly, brake pads will go through extreme stress that leads to regular wear.

Usually, brake pads should be replaced every 50,000 miles, but there are some vehicles that need their brake pads replaced after 25,000 miles. 

The use of bicycles has grown in recent years, and drivers must learn to share the road with a larger number of bicyclists. Bike lanes help, and increased driver awareness will make the roads safer for everyone.

Drivers know that the best way to avoid a collision is to drive safely. Drivers should slow down when possible, and they should always drive below the posted speed limit. Drivers must avoid distractions, and always be alert for people walking nearby, using skateboards, or bicycling.