All posts by FMC

Timing is EVERYTHING

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A timing belt, or chain, keeps the engine internals moving in harmony with each other. Think of the engine like a clock; regardless of how fast the engine is spinning the timing belt/chain keeps the engines assembly from rotating too fast or too slow in relation to itself. The timing belt/chain is very important to the engine as it keeps it from destroying itself.

A timing belt, is made of kevlar, and rubber with high tensile fibers. Newer, or more expensive timing belts are made from HSN (Highly Saturated Nitrile).

Timing belts are usually quieter, however, they are more susceptible to contamination from oil or water leaks and require regular service intervals. Timing chains are metal and don’t have service intervals, but they are vulnerable to stretching.

Timing belts are meant to be serviced. Changing a timing belt out is easier than a timing chain because timing chains are not designed to be serviced. The downside to a timing chain is the expense given it does fail. The upside is that failure with a timing chain is not very often.

The symptoms your vehicle might have if a timing belt or timing chain needs servicing include: check engine light (for timing problems) or misfires that are not electrically caused. The rhythm and harmony of your engine depends so heavily on the proper timing.It is NEVER recommended to put off the aforementioned symptoms as you risk the chance of sever damage to your vehicle’s engine.

We recommend you have your timing belt changed at the factory intervals, and have your vehicles check engine lights checked at reputable service center.

Author: Colby Gregg – Freeman Master Technician

Check out this helpful video:

Manual VS Auto


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Perhaps, with traffic seemingly always getting worse people just don’t want to deal with that pesky third pedal. After all, it’s pretty easy to get into a car and shift into drive. But is it as fun ?

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Vehicle engineers are designing automatic transmissions so good that its hard to fault anyone for not buying a manual anymore.  Take BMW’s M5, for instance, it has a twin clutch transmission that is capable of handling more than 500hp but will allow the car to doddle around town. Having that much power on a manual would require stiff clutch springs and this in turn would create a very stiff or heavy clutch feel. Not everyone wants that in a luxury car.

Better still when you go to use all that power the transmission changes to an aggressive set up at the push of a button. Millisecond up-shifts, rev matching down-shifts, and when your done, hit the button and its back to normal.

Options you wouldn’t have with a manual, it’s hard to argue in favor of the latter. Lightening fast shifts, it will never have a woefully embarrassing mis-shift, and if you feel the need to shift manually, you have the shift paddles located behind the steering wheel.

On paper, the new automatics are the way to go, or are they?  Sure you’ll never mis-shift, but at the same time you’ll never get it right either, because technically you didn’t do anything, the car did. That rewarding feeling of not popping the clutch on a hill and pulling away seamlessly. For me, as good as the new automatics are, they take away the mistakes, and thus the reward for getting everything right. For me the 2-3 upshift is an incredibly rewarding shift when driving a vehicle, and consequently going back the other way is just as fun.

Rev matching on down shifts getting that perfect heel/toe motion as you prepare for the next corner. I love all the foot work that goes into shifting and driving a manual transmission. It makes the driving experience so much more cohesive, driver and machine as one.  Not that you can’t get that feeling driving an auto but I can’t help but feel I’m missing out on something.

Don’t get me wrong, automatic transmissions are great, long drives and heavy traffic why bother with a manual? Furthermore the unfortunate reality is that scenario is likely what your car will see the most of. Still though, I hold on to my manual, inching along in traffic waiting for the weekend country drive that makes it all worth it.

Luckily, I am not the only one who feels this way. BMW will be offering the new M5 in a manual transmission albeit only available in the American market place but hey, its a start.

 

Author: Colby Gregg 

 

 

 

Freeman Motor Company’s 2016 Trip to Africa

 

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Q: What organizations is Freeman Motor Company affiliated with for this trip?

A: Freeman Motor Company has been involved with Africa New Life in child sponsorship, support raising funds for transportation needs and hosting food packing events since 2008. We love the mission of ANL. ANL exists to transform lives and communities through preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and acts of compassion. “Our model of caring for the whole child recognizes that, with educational sponsorship being central, there are four other factors necessary for children to succeed: stable home, growing faith, community development and healthy body.” The Freeman staff has a desire to make a difference in children both here and abroad. Getting a first look gives us the ability to work together to help make the difference. We are taking a team of 18 employees and family to Rwanda, Africa on June 23rd.

Freeman Motor Company has recently learned of These Numbers Have Faces. They believe educated, empowered, and community driven young people are the best vehicles for social change. To solve many of the problems Africa faces, the continent needs talented young people with formidable character, ethics, leadership skills, and a deep passion for their communities. This mission could not line up closer for us at Freeman. Together, we will facilitate a 4 hour training course in Rwanda on goal setting, implementation and money management.

 

Q: What has Freeman Motor Company done in previous years to contribute to ANL?

A: My friend Alden Strealy and I traveled to Rwanda, Africa in January 2010. Our mission was to see the needs of people and how Africa New Life was responding. Alden and I were overwhelmed by the spirit of the people. How could one with so little have so much warmth, love and respect? ANL exists to educate children who would otherwise not be in school in a faith based atmosphere. There efforts are paying off as they have been awarded by the government time and time again for some of the top schools in the country. When a child is educated through the schools they then become productive for society and then give back to their family, pulling them out of poverty. It’s a wonderful circle of life. I was amazed at how frugal ANL is with it’s funds. The conclusion was, ANL is making a deep long lasting difference. Alden and I were on board 100%.

FMC has hosted two food packing events supporting Africa New Life. With a team effort led by Penelope Fain and over 1,000 local volunteers each time; over 200,000 meals were packed each time. The ability for FMC to host families, churches, groups and organizations together was none other then amazing. We saw so much benefit before the actual meals hit the shores of Africa. We at Freeman are honored to partner with Africa New Life changing one life at a time.

Q: What is the intent/purpose of bringing Freeman Motor Company to Africa? Why Rwanda?

A: Freeman Motor Company has three wildly important goals we live by. One of them is giving back to our community. We believe ones interest lies in his or her investments. Giving time, money and heart allows us as a team to buy into what we cherish. We are excited to be going as a team to experience what Africa New Life is doing as a partner in Rwanda and to serve as facilitators with These Numbers Have Faces. Living life to the fullest means stepping out of our comfort zone. The Freeman Team is ready! 

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Q: How many years have you participated in ANL or similar trips to Africa?

A: My wife and I were invited by Jed and Krista Schroder in 2008 and involved Freeman Motor Company soon after.

Q: How would you suggest someone get involved in ANL? What benefits or rewards do you get from sponsorship?

A: Getting involved in Africa New Life is really quite easy. One must only complete some background reading on their website to begin to wrap your head around how much ANL is doing and the impact you will have. There are many children of all ages and both genders who would cherish the chance to be adopted by a sponsor. For a very small amount of money, you can change a child and later a family for life. I was sold! We have watched Stella grow for 8 years now. She was our first sponsored child who now is graduating from high school. Excited to see the sponsorship work so well, we just signed up for two more. 

Q: How many FMC employees are going?

A: 18 employees and family members.

Q: If you had one piece of advice to give to someone questioning to donate/sponsor, what would it be?

A: This is a long term commitment to a child who will become fully dependent on you till graduation. Your ability to commit will change their life, family and communities future forever.

 

Q: What is your most memorable moment from a previous ANL trip to Rwanda? Anything particular stick out?

A: One of my most memorable moments was playing in a field with homeless boys. We would hold them by their frail arms and swing them around in a circle. They would laugh and then try and feel the hair on my arm. They do not have hair on their arms. Getting closer and closer, they would kindly ask with those big brown eyes, Mr. Freeman, would you please sponsor me so I can go to school. Wow! These children see education as the gateway to their future. How could I save more?

Q: What was the most rewarding experience you’ve taken from going to Africa / being involved with ANL?

A: Being a part of a quality faith based organization like Africa New Life gives us a safe way to help change a life. It really could not be easier. The most rewarding experience was the delivery of the Toyota to Kageyo, Rwanda. Located two hours by vehicle from any civilization, this would be the first source of transportation the village would have to transport food and the sick.

I think I have often thought about what I was going to give to the children of Rwanda. The reality came true in 2010. I am humbled by merely watching children laugh and love without knowing where or when there next meal will be. My worries of life seemed to pale in meaning. What has seemed once meaningful faded away. How was I to keep this reality?… Keep giving back and counting my blessings instead of my shortfalls.

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Learn More: AFRICA NEW LIFE  |  THESE NUMBERS HAVE FACES | FREEMAN MOTOR COMPANY 

Portland’s 2016 Pedalpalooza

Celebrate Portland’s Bike Culture

Join in on the fun and celebrate Portland’s love for bicycles.

What is the history of Pedalpalooza? Learn more HERE

 

Host: SHIFT – “Bringing people together for bike fun in Portland, Oregon.”

When: June 9th – July 4th
Where: Various locations throughout Portland

 

Click flyer for events calendar:

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2016 Portland Rose Festival | Fireworks, Music, Fun

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Opening Night Fireworks

Kick off the holiday weekend with a bang starting at the Portland Rose Festival as the Waterfront Park is illuminated by amazing fireworks followed by music and even more fun.

Portland Rose Festival is conveniently located 2 miles from our Showroom & Service/Autospa locations.

Portland 2016 Rose Festival – MAY 27, 2016
Learn More: rosefestival.org

Tom McCall Waterfront Park
SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204

The Oregonian | OregonLive presents the 2016 Portland Rose Festival’s opening night Fireworks on Friday, May 27. Fireworks will begin at nightfall. Following fireworks will be a free concert at the RoZone stage starring locals The Rocktarts and Pride of Portland Chorus at 8 p.m. Don’t miss out on one of Portland’s largest firework exhibits.

 

 

And the winner for high-miles goes to…

Take pride in your ride, it could last forever

500k+ miles, counting

There is something to be said about a 26-year-old Mercedes-Benz with nearly 600k miles. In Terry Garland’s case, his recently retired 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300E is one for the records.

Garland’s first Mercedes he owned was a 190 E “Baby Benz.” When the car reached 200k miles he says it became problematic. The size of the vehicle was not suiting his needs either. With an itch to upgrade, Garland would seek out his next Merc.

According to NADA Guides, the original MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) for a 1989 300E 4-door sedan was $44,850.

My brother had convinced me the car would last a long time with routine maintenance, says Garland. At the time of it’s production, the 300 E or “W124” was known for being a high-mileage car and often times would proudly represent Mercedes-Benz high mileage badges on the grill.

The car was purchased in the early 1990s from former Don Rasmussen’s location in downtown Portland. Garland was the second owner and purchased the car with only 62k original miles.

Garland says outside of the aesthetically pleasing look of the car, the size of the boot is one thing he loved. Even with his recent upgrade to a 2014 C-Class, Garland says  “I miss my old trunk!” 

Used as a daily-driver with many trips to Seattle and the coast, Garland says the 300 E was a solid vehicle with no reoccurring issues. “Any time there was an issue, I got it fixed right away.”

Having all of his services done at MBI Motors in Portland, Garland says he knew he had a relic when he became acquainted with every tech at the shop. “I was religious with my maintenance.” He claimed to have had the oil-changed and regular tune-ups every 3k miles since he owned it. 

The car still runs and drives, and Freeman Motor Company will donate it to Bob’s Auto CafeBob’s is a non-profit which trains mechanics for the automotive industry. They use donated vehicles to learn, work on and then sell.

We would like to congratulate Mr. Garland on his newly purchased 2014 Mercedes C250 as well as thank him for his business and story.

When asked how he felt about trading the 300 E in, Garland replied, ““It served me well, and I will miss it.”

Pictured: Terry & Wife next to their new 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250