Portland proper might see mild winters, the roads Portlanders love to travel—the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and the Cascade passes—become genuinely treacherous this time of year. We break down silent hazards that turn familiar roads into danger zones, and demand both driver skill and a properly prepared vehicle.

At Heavy Metal Motors, we see a predictable surge in emergency tow-ins right before and during the holidays. The common thread? Issues that could have been prevented with a simple pre-trip inspection.

Don't let a breakdown turn your holiday memories into a horror story. Here's your expert guide to making sure your vehicle is as ready for the journey as you are.

Portland's pothole problem isn't just an inconvenience. It's doing serious damage to our vehicles, and the numbers tell a sobering story.

“some surprising data that doesn't get enough attention in the mainstream conversation about EVs. According to J.D. Power's 2022 Initial Quality Study, hybrid and electric vehicle owners reported significantly more issues and defects than gas powered vehicle owners—240 and 239 per 100 vehicles respectively”

From possessed automobiles to the getaway cars of slashers, certain cars have become just as legendary as the horror films they star in. Let's take a closer look at some of the most notorious vehicles to ever grace the horror genre.

We've seen plenty of cars roll into our shop with autumn-related issues, so we figured it was time to break down the top 5 road hazards you'll face this fall. Because a little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to keeping your ride safe!

the Trail Blazers are embarking on an exciting new chapter. Yang Hansen, the 7-foot-2 center from China, was acquired by Portland through a draft trade in June 2025. At just 20 years old, Hansen is the ninth Chinese player drafted to the NBA and the third-highest draft pick ever from China.

The drivetrain is essentially the system that takes the engine's power and sends it to the wheels. While it might sound like a technical detail, your drivetrain choice affects everything from fuel efficiency to how your car performs on a rainy highway.

The most expensive car isn't the one with the highest purchase price—it's the one that costs you a fortune in surprises you didn't see coming.

We all know the zombie apocalypse probably isn't happening this October (probably). But these five parts represent the most common catastrophic failures that can leave you stranded in the real world, too.

We still require it, we still make you drive to a testing station every two years, but if you pay attention to what's actually happening during your test, you might scratch your head and wonder: "Wait, are they actually testing my emissions?"

when it comes to buying a car for a young driver, there’s no better option than a quality used vehicle. New cars come with a high price tag, and the moment you drive off the lot, their value starts to depreciate. Buying used allows you to get a reliable, safe, and stylish car without breaking the bank. Here, we’ve rounded up the top 5 used cars for young drivers, all based on their affordability, safety features, and overall appeal.

For families and commuters in Portland, fall means more time behind the wheel—whether you’re navigating the school drop-off line or battling I-205 during rush hour. A quick check-up now can keep your ride running strong all season long!

The tragedy isn't that cars became complex – it's that they became disposable. Your 8-track player was objectively terrible technology, but when it broke, you could fix it. Your modern infotainment system is a marvel of engineering, but when it fails, you replace the whole unit for $3,000.

The next time you see a lifted truck in Portland, don't dismiss it as compensation or flamboyance . Consider that it might be connection – to our past, to our landscape, to a way of life that values getting there as much as being there.

-after decades of getting our hands dirty under hoods and crawling through engine bays, we've noticed something that homeowners are discovering too: somewhere around the 1990s, America stopped building things to last.

At Heavy Metal Motors, we believe every mile should matter. Whether you're nursing a classic back to life, keeping a modern performance machine in peak condition, or finally ready to find something that makes your pulse quicken – we're here to help. - Don't settle. Life's too short, and the road's too long.

Your car talks to you every day. Not in words, obviously, but through a symphony of sounds that tell the story of what's happening under the hood - And let's be honest – between the potholes on Sandy Boulevard and the steep hills in the West Hills, Portland cars work harder than most!