Fall Harvest Events near Portland

The leaves will be turning from green to a beautiful array of reds oranges and yellows, but before they turn we want to help you enjoy some fun Fall Harvest events in and around Portland.  Some of us may prefer to just flake out at home on our time off, but if you’re a go getting and are ready to get out and do something, here are a few suggestions from your friends at Tyler’s Automotive:

Get a Taste of Oregon, September, 20 to 23: How does macaroni and cheese drizzled with truffle oil sound?  Or creamy, hand-churned ice cream?  If you just hear your stomach growl, get ready for the inaugural, Feast Portland.  Top chefs from around the country come to the Rose City to create food and wine experiences using ingredients from Oregon’s fertile fields and vineyards.  In addition to sampling delicious cuisine, you can expand your cooking horizons during hands-on classes taught by experts, or hear insight from the New York Times’ lead food writer, Mark Bittman.  Curious to learn more, visit the website at www.feastportland.com .

Oaks Park Oktoberfest, September 21 to 23: It make take two to tango, but it only takes one crazy accordion player to start the chicken dance!  This fall tradition celebrating German customs comes to Portland again with live German music and dancing, authentic German food and beverages, kid’s activities, dog races, cooking demos, thrill rides and so much more!  Admission costs are $5.00 for 16-61, $3.00 for 62 and over, and $2.00 for 15 and under.  The fun kicks off at 3pm Friday night and closes at 7pm on Sunday.  Visit www.oakspark.com for more information.

Lake View Farms, September 29 to October 30: Perfect pumpkins await you just a train and boat ride away. Visit Lake View Farms this fall season to harvest your perfect pumpkin from their lush patch filled with pumpkins in all colors and sizes. As you enjoy your day filled with a seven mile corn maze, animals, face painting, pony rides, hot cider, kettle corn and other yummy fall foods, add to your adventure by climbing aboard their paddle boat and train to assist you in your pumpkin harvesting experience. Admission is only $4.00 and includes a boat ride and train ride and $1.00 off the purchase of your pumpkin.  This is a family favorite and we want to pass it along to you! For more information visit www.thelakeviewfarms.com .

Hood River Valley Harvest Fest, October 19 to 21:  Hood River Valley hosts an old-fashioned harvest festival with local produce and food products, arts and crafts, wine- and beer-tastings: all the best our County has to offer. The weekend festival is held on the Hood River waterfront overlooking the Columbia River, where visitors can relax and watch windsurfers and kite boarders play on the water. Visit the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce for more information.

There you go, a few fun events to get you out and enjoy Oregon’s lush fall before the rainy season sets in for the next 7 months.

 

Shock absorbers and struts last a long time and wear out pretty slowly for most SUVs and other autos in the Portland Suburban areas. They’re easy to take for granted, but your shocks and struts do a very important job so you need to pay attention to them. They keep your tires on the road; and your tires are what connect your vehicle to the road and allow you to safely handle your car through turns, over bumps and even stop in time.

When your shocks and struts are worn, your tires bounce excessively over bumps in our roads. Your vehicle will wallow through corners; your front-end will dive when you stop; and your rear-end will squat when you accelerate. All this hurts your ability to control your vehicle. And your ride just isn’t as comfortable.

Worn shocks or struts cause excessive tire wear so you’ll have to replace your tires sooner than you should. Worn shocks and struts also stresses other suspension and steering parts causing them to wear prematurely. Struts are actually a major structural component of the suspension system; there’s a lot riding on them.

Replacing worn shocks and struts saves money in the long run  – and of course you can’t really put a price on your safety and that of your passengers. We generally recommend replacing shocks and struts at 50,000 miles.

When it’s time for new shocks or struts, we’ve got you covered at Tyler's Automotive. We can give you back the ride and handling of a new vehicle. And if you have special needs we can help you there too. We have premium shocks and struts that’ll improve your performance. We can even help you with upgraded, heavy-duty shocks that’ll give you the confidence you need to handle those big towing or hauling jobs.

Experts recommend replacing all four shocks at the same time so that handling is even at each wheel.

If you need new shocks or struts, let us help you take care of this important safety service. You’ll feel better, and you’ll save money on tires and other suspension repairs down the road.

And right now, you can buy four qualifying NAPA Shocks and Struts for the prince of three, with installation.  Shocks and Struts savings via mail-in rebate. Plus--with your purchase, you'll earn a $25 Car Care Cash card to use on your next visit!  Schedule on line at Tyler's Automotive today.

Should you purchase a car with a diesel engine? Here are some basic pros and cons to think about:

Economy. Diesel engines used to be a clear winner when it’s time to fill the tank. Diesel-powered vehicles can go 20 to 30 percent farther on a tank of fuel than ordinary gasoline-powered vehicles. These days, however, hybrids have pretty much erased that advantage.

Fuel and vehicle availability. Most drivers today can get diesel fuel at many convenience stores and gas stations. Still, if you live in a rural area or small town, you might just want to make sure the local facilities have diesel on tap. And if you insist on a diesel vehicle, you limit your selection of cars. (Volkswagen, of course, is known for its diesel cars, but beyond that the pickings get pretty slim.)

Performance. No doubt about it, diesel engines tend to offer quick takeoffs and peppy acceleration. They also offer considerable towing power, with a greater load capacity than the equivalent gasoline engine. They used to infamous for their noise level, but in recent years they seem to quieted down to a pretty close mimic of their gas-powered brethren.

Air pollution. It’s true that some diesel vehicles receive lower air pollution scores even though they offer good fuel economy. Diesel engines tend to emit more particulate matter and NOx, essentially dumping soot into the atmosphere and contributing to smog buildup. On the other hand, they give off considerably less CO2 -- another “greenhouse gas” dangerous to the environment -- than gasoline engines. And you’ll be burning less fuel to get from point A to point B in a diesel vehicle.

Our advice? Choose any fuel-efficient car you like that gets high safety and reliability ratings -- and then let us repair and maintain it for you!

Few advances have done more to keep drivers on the right road than GPS ("global positioning system"). This technology uses satellites that send synchronized signals down to Earth, where they are received by navigational devices. The devices compare the relative  distances of four or more of the satellites to determine their own location with pinpoint accuracy. A GPS navigation system can tell you exactly where you are, and if you tell it where you want to go, it can use available maps to direct you every step of the way.

You have several installation options to choose from when selecting a GPS system. A full-scale in-dash navigation setup includes a relatively large display screen, stereo audio system, CD and DVD playback, an external antenna, and a connection box tucked away under the seat or inside the dash. If your car already has a stereo and touchscreen, you can just add a remote-mount navigation module to it. Or you can stick a portable GPS unit to your dash or windshield, powered from the cigarette lighter. And instead of purchasing separate GPS systems for each car, you can simply move the portable one back and forth as needed.

While GPS can prove a lifesaver at times, it can't do everything -- and in some cases it can even cause problems. Anything that might distract you while you're driving makes for a potential safety hazard, whether it's your smartphone, your coffee cup or your GPS system. Know where you're going before you set out if possible, and reserve the GPS systems for those "What street do I take next?" moments. Listening to the voice prompts instead of glancing at the screen will help you keep your eyes on the road.

Use your GPS safely and wisely -- and never get lost again!