Clackamas Auto Repair

What Happens If I Don’t Service My Car on Time? You’re busy. Your dashboard says “Service Due,” but the car still drives fine, so you put it off. Here’s the truth: “Still running fine” doesn’t mean your car is healthy — it means wear and damage are building quietly, where you can’t see them. At Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales in Clackamas, OR, we’ve seen countless vehicles lose years of reliable life — and cost their owners thousands — all because maintenance was delayed.     Why We Don’t Just Follow Factory Maintenance Schedules Factory service schedules are written to get a vehicle through its warranty period. That’s the bare minimum. At Tim’s Automotive, we follow a Maximum Lifespan Maintenance Plan designed to: Catch problems before they turn into costly repairs   Replace fluids, filters, and components well before failure   Keep your car safe, reli ... read more

Why Is My Truck Misfiring? Don’t Ignore the Shake, the Light, or the Loss of Power—Here’s What’s Really Going On Under the Hood If your truck is misfiring, something is breaking down in the engine—and every mile you drive without fixing it is making the problem worse. Maybe your truck shakes when it idles. Maybe it stumbles when you accelerate, or the check engine light is flashing. However it shows up, a misfire is not a small issue. It’s a signal that combustion inside the engine isn’t happening properly—and that kind of imbalance leads directly to power loss, higher fuel costs, and long-term mechanical damage. At Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales in Clackamas, OR, we specialize in advanced engine diagnostics and misfire repair. Whether it’s an ignition issue, a fuel delivery problem, or internal mechanical wear, we’ll find the cause, fix it right, and protect your engine from further damage.     What I ... read more

Dashboard Warning Lights: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and When to Take Action When a dashboard warning light turns on, your car is trying to protect itself—and you. The problem is, most drivers either ignore it or don’t understand what it means… until it’s too late. Dashboard lights are not just symbols. They are early alerts—built to give you a chance to fix a problem before it turns into a breakdown, safety hazard, or expensive repair. This guide helps you decode your dashboard, take the right action, and stay in control of your vehicle’s health.     The Color Code of Dashboard Lights Before we break down individual warnings, here’s what the colors tell you: 🔴 Red = Stop Immediately – Indicates a serious safety or mechanical issue.   🟠 Yellow/Orange = Service Soon – A component is malfunctioning or declining.   🔵 Blue/Green = System Info – A feature like headlights or cruise control is ... read more

10 Common Car Problems Clackamas Drivers Shouldn’t Ignore (And How Tim’s Automotive Helps You Avoid Costly Repairs) Intro: Most people don’t walk into a repair shop because everything’s fine. They come in because something feels… off. A sound. A light on the dash. A small change in how the car drives. And the truth is, those small signs matter more than most people think—because every major breakdown starts with a warning sign. At Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales in Clackamas, we believe in helping you catch issues early, understand what’s really going on, and prevent expensive repairs before they happen. That’s what real service looks like—and that’s what we’re here for. Below are the 10 most common problems we see in our shop—and what you should do if you’re seeing the signs in your own vehicle.     1. The Check Engine Light Comes On It’s one of the most common reasons people ... read more

Why Is Your Car Overheating? – Expert Overheating Repair Near Me An overheating engine can turn a simple commute into a frustrating and costly breakdown. At Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales in Clackamas, OR, we specialize in diagnosing and repairing cooling system issues to prevent long-term engine damage. If your vehicle’s temperature gauge is rising or you’re noticing steam coming from under the hood, it’s critical to address the issue before it escalates into a major repair. Common Causes of Engine Overheating Your vehicle’s engine is designed to run at a temperature range of 195 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. If it exceeds this range, it can result in severe damage, including warped cylinder heads, blown gaskets, and even total engine failure. Below are the most frequent causes of overheating: 1. Low Coolant Levels or Leaks Coolant (also known as antifreeze) is essential for keeping your engine cool. If there’s a leak in the system&mdash ... read more