Clackamas Auto Repair

Why Is My Car Riding Rough? You know your car better than anyone — and when the ride suddenly feels harsher, bumpier, or less stable, something inside you knows it’s not right. What used to be a smooth cruise down SE 82nd Drive or I-205 now feels rough, shaky, and uncomfortable. A rough ride isn’t just an annoyance. It’s your car’s way of saying something’s off. Whether the cause lies in your tires, suspension, steering, or driveline, every vibration or bounce has a reason. If you’re driving through Clackamas, Oregon City, or Happy Valley and wondering, “Why is my car riding rough?”, this guide will help you understand what’s happening, why it matters, and what to do to restore that smooth, confident feel.     1. Tires and Wheels — Where Comfort Begins Your tires are the first and most important link between your car and the road. When something goes wrong here, you’ll feel it immediately. Tire Pre ... read more

Why Is My Truck Making a Clicking Noise When I Try to Start It? You turn the key expecting the engine to fire—and instead, you hear click…click…click. The dashboard flickers. The engine stays silent. And suddenly, your morning takes a turn. That clicking sound is one of the most common complaints among truck owners, and for good reason—it’s the first sign that something in your electrical or starting system isn’t functioning the way it should. The good news? That sound isn’t random. It’s a signal—an audible clue that points you directly toward the problem if you know how to interpret it. Let’s break down what the clicking noise means, what causes it, and how to fix it before it turns into a bigger issue.     What the Clicking Noise Really Means When you try to start your truck, electrical power flows from the battery through the starter solenoid to the starter motor, which spins the engine. If something in t ... read more

Hybrid Battery Replacement: Restoring the Power and Efficiency of Your Hybrid Vehicle Hybrid vehicles have changed how we think about driving. They blend gasoline reliability with electric efficiency, offering reduced emissions, better fuel economy, and a smoother ride. But at the core of every hybrid’s performance lies a single vital component — the hybrid battery. When a hybrid battery begins to degrade, it doesn’t just affect fuel economy — it impacts power delivery, acceleration, and the overall driving experience. Understanding how hybrid batteries work, why they fail, and how expert replacement restores performance is key to maintaining your vehicle’s long-term reliability.     The Role of the Hybrid Battery Hybrid batteries serve as the bridge between electric energy and gasoline power. Unlike conventional 12-volt batteries, they are large, high-voltage systems designed to store energy captured during braking and deliver it during acc ... read more

Section 1: What the Heater Core Does and Why It Matters The heater core is a miniature radiator. It handles two major responsibilities: 1. Heating the Cabin Hot coolant flows from the engine into the heater core. A blower motor pushes air across the heated surface, creating warm air for the interior. If coolant isn’t circulating properly—because of a leak or clog—you’ll feel weak or no heat. 2. Powering the Defroster Your front defroster relies entirely on heat from the heater core. If the heater core fails, the defroster becomes weak or stops working, making it difficult to clear fog or frost—especially during wet, cold mornings in Clackamas, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, or Oregon City. 3. Supporting the Cooling System The heater core is part of the engine’s cooling loop. A clogged or leaking heater core restricts coolant flow, which can cause engine temperatures to rise. A failing heater core isn’t just a heating issue—it’s ... read more

Why Does My Truck Smell Like Rotten Eggs? The Real Reason Behind That Sulfur Odor and How to Fix It If you’ve noticed a strong rotten egg smell coming from your truck, you’re not imagining it—and it’s not something you should ignore. That sulfur-like odor often means your engine, exhaust, or charging system isn’t functioning properly. What you’re smelling is hydrogen sulfide gas, and it’s a clear indicator that one of your vehicle’s systems is struggling to process fuel or emissions the way it should. For drivers around Clackamas, Happy Valley, and Oregon City, OR—where trucks handle everything from daily commuting to heavy hauling—this problem can affect performance, reliability, and even safety if left unchecked. This in-depth guide breaks down what causes that rotten egg smell, what it means for your truck, and how you can prevent it from happening again.     1. What the Rotten Egg Smell Actually Means That ... read more