Category Archives: Feature Articles

The Powell Memo- Because every road starts somewhere.

Posted on July 8, 2022 by tomdwyer

The Powell Memo The roadmap to our current situation was drawn in 1971 If you look around at our media/political/corporate landscape, it seems obvious (as Mr. Snydor will say below in his memo, “to any thoughtful person”) that there is … Continue reading →

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‘Lifetime’ Maintenance? Maybe it’s just not dead yet

Posted on July 8, 2022 by tomdwyer

‘Lifetime’ Maintenance? Maybe it’s just not dead yet As an auto shop we hear a lot of auto jargon, and one of the most dangerous phrases we hear recently is ‘lifetime’ maintenance or service.  Some dealerships offer ‘lifetime maintenance’, and … Continue reading →

Posted in 2022 July, Feature Articles, Newsletter Columns, Newsletters | Comments Off on ‘Lifetime’ Maintenance? Maybe it’s just not dead yet

Do YOU think Oaks Bottom needs a 7-story building looming over it?

Posted on May 30, 2022 by tomdwyer

Do YOU think Oaks Bottom needs a 7-story building looming over it? Our local neighborhood jewel may be about to change Oaks Bottom is a wildlife refuge in the center of a major city where you can watch otters play … Continue reading →

Posted in 2022 May-June, Feature Articles, Newsletter Columns, Newsletters | Comments Off on Do YOU think Oaks Bottom needs a 7-story building looming over it?

A Close Look at Our Close Looks- How we know what’s wrong with your vehicle

Posted on May 30, 2022 by tomdwyer

A Close Look at Our Close Looks How we know what’s wrong with your vehicle Should you trust another shops’ “Free Brake Inspection”?  Is our own 90-Point Inspection worth your time?  Is our Comprehensive Inspection worth the money?  What problems … Continue reading →

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This is a REAL fish, and there’s MUCH more to the story

Posted on April 21, 2022 by tomdwyer

This is a REAL fish We found a perfect Oregon story at the bottom of a deep rabbit hole You know how it is.  You’re surfing the InterTubes, minding your own business, and you see a post that grabs your … Continue reading →

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Rebadged Vehicles- Are they for you?

Posted on April 21, 2022 by tomdwyer

Rebadged Vehicles In today’s expensive car market, they can save you thousands of dollars!   (by Ian Park, special to “Your Car Matters”.  Originally posted Nov 2010, updated Apr 2022) Did you know that the Toyota Matrix is almost exactly … Continue reading →

Posted in 2022 April, Feature Articles, Features, Newsletter Columns, Newsletters | Comments Off on Rebadged Vehicles- Are they for you?

Enter the Tom Dwyer Tattoo Contest!

Posted on March 16, 2022 by tomdwyer

Show your support for YOUR favorite mechanic! In Portland, tattoo capitol of the known universe, Spring means showing off a lot of new tattoos everyone got during lockdown.  Don’t show up with the same stale tats as all the posers… … Continue reading →

Posted in 2022 Mar, Feature Articles, Newsletter Columns, Newsletters | Comments Off on Enter the Tom Dwyer Tattoo Contest!

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Posted on March 16, 2022 by tomdwyer

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to our Funny Page, of course! FOLLOW THE CHICKEN! Did you know we’re the only automotive shop in the world with an in-house political cartoonist?  Or that a hand-cut paper artist creates … Continue reading →

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Mechanical Mirth and Technical Titters-  Things your mechanics laugh about when the customers aren’t around

Posted on March 16, 2022 by tomdwyer

  Every industry has its own ‘inside humor’, things only the people who deal with that subject every day will find funny.  Every electrician has ‘light bulb’ jokes you’ve never heard and every doctor has at least three jokes about … Continue reading →

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”Idiot lights”? Only if you don’t understand them!

Posted on February 18, 2022 by tomdwyer

Posted on July 11, 2013, updated Feb 2022 Some people call them “idiot lights” but they’re more properly called “dashboard warning lights”… they’re the Christmas Tree display of lights that come on every time you start your car.  If everything’s running … Continue reading →

Posted in 2022 February, 2024 March, Feature Articles, Newsletter Columns, Newsletters | Comments Off on ”Idiot lights”? Only if you don’t understand them!