When it comes to car covers, the benefits are many and the drawbacks are hardly worth mentioning. Below are a few things to think about if you’re considering investing in a cover for your car, SUV or crossover.

Most car covers pay for themselves in a very short time simply by protecting the vehicle’s finish from damage and extending time between washings. Additional benefits include prevention of ultraviolet and heat-related damage to the vehicle’s interior and exterior surfaces due to direct exposure to sunlight. 

Have you searched through new vehicles, just to get completely overwhelmed with all of the latest technology that is included? You're not alone. Many people who come to Lithia Subaru of Oregon City don't know where to begin when it comes to shopping for something new. What we can recommend is that you pick a vehicle that has great convenience and safety features. It is important to feel safe behind the wheel, and there are a number of features that contribute to this safety. 

If you’re like most drivers, you’ve probably heard of brake pads, but you may not know exactly how they work. Here’s what you need to know about this important automotive part.

Most passenger vehicles are equipped with brakes that consist of a fixed rotor and a caliper that clamps down on the rotor as the brake pedal is used. The brake pad’s main purpose is to dissipate the friction and heat that occurs where the caliper and the rotor meet. 

The entire crew here at Lithia Subaru of Oregon City wanted to inform drivers of the unique benefits of both all-weather floor mats and carpeting in their vehicle. You'll appreciate the all-weather floor mats when you are in a region where the rain and snow cause you to drag in dirt and mud into the vehicle all the time. With a quick hose down, you can place the mats back in the vehicle and they look as good as new again. This is also helpful if you or the kids ever spill anything inside the vehicle. 

In order to jump-start a car with a dead battery, you will need to drive another vehicle as close to the nose of your car as possible so the battery compartments are close enough for the jumper cables to reach. Unravel your jumper cables, turn off the car engine, and open the hoods of both cars.

The battery will be marked with a plus and minus sign on each terminal. The red jumper cable goes to the plus on the good battery first. The other red then goes to the plus on the dead battery. The black cable will go…

A tire pressure sensor is directly inserted into all tires installed on vehicles made after September 2007. If the tire gets below a certain threshold, the sensor light will appear on the dashboard. In some vehicles, an indirect system measures the rotation of the tires and goes off if it determines one tire isn't performing like it should.

Tires could be underinflated because it was cold overnight or because they haven't been inflated in the last few months. Underinflated tires can reduce gas mileage and result in excess wear on the product itself. 

The engine and cabin air filters in your vehicle are essential in maintaining the proper airflow for maximum performance. The cabin filter is crucial for you and your passengers, while engine air filters keep your vehicle's engine running at its peak performance.

Cabin Air Filter Function and Replacement

The cabin air filter removes the particles and pollutants that can reach the interior of the vehicle. Driving in dry, dusty conditions can quickly affect the performance of the filter. A dirty, clogged filter will need replacing. 

The terrifying feeling of your car starting to slide across the slippery, wet roadway as you hydroplane helplessly towards the opposite lane is one embedded in us all. Regaining control in these types of scenarios can be quite difficult, so a safe driver should be far more focused on how to prevent hydroplaning in the first place. Here are some helpful tips to keep you safe during intense downpours.

Reducing your speed when it starts to rain even lightly is incredibly important. When approaching turns or low-lying areas you should reduce your speed below the suggested limit. 

There is no better way to enjoy life with the family on the road than with a trailer hitched onto the back of your truck or SUV. What is the safest way to haul, though? Here are two things to consider before you bring the family trailer along on your next trip.

1. Balance both sides of the trailer

It is important that you seek to balance the weight of your trailer as it relates to your vehicle. Placing bulky items on both sides of the carrier, instead of just on one end of the spectrum, is the best way…

Your vehicle’s exhaust system consists of pipes that sends the harmful exhaust gases into the atmosphere rather than the engine. If you have a leaking exhaust, your muffler will be loud, but there can be other warnings as well. Stop by our car repair shop in Oregon City, and we’ll inspect your vehicle and advise you of your options. Your exhaust system may still be running quietly even if it has a leak. Here are some signs that your exhaust may have a leak:

• Popping or hissing sound from the tailpipe
• You can visually see a leak