Mon to Fri, 8 to 6

Straight answers from our bays.

Buying, upkeep and how we work. The advice we give across the counter, written down.

Book onlineText 503-969-3134
Water staining inside a Highlander Hybrid's high-voltage battery, found on a P0AA6 diagnosis
11articles

Buying a hybrid or EV

What to check, what to walk away from, and why we want the paperwork before you drive it.

Hyundai and Kia, Nissan Leaf, PriusNewestToyota Prime Heat Pump Systems: The Complexity Behind an A/C Repair
12articles

Maintenance and service

Brakes, oil, coolant and tires on a hybrid. What to do and what to skip.

PriusNewestGen 2 Prius Fuel Tank Bladder: Why the Gauge Lies and the Tank Won't Fill
7articles

How we work

Text first, test before we quote, and who runs the shop.

Toyota and LexusNewestOregon Car Insurance Claims: Total Losses, the Right to Appraisal, and Diminished Value
Atomic Auto's shop floor under the skylights, cars up on the blue liftsHow we workOregon Car Insurance Claims: Total Losses, the Right to Appraisal, and Diminished ValueWritten in the shopGen 2 Toyota Prius fuel tank cut open to show the flexible resin fuel bladder inside the steel outer tankMaintenanceGen 2 Prius Fuel Tank Bladder: Why the Gauge Lies and the Tank Won't FillToyota Prius, 2004 to 2009Written in the shopWhiteboard sketch titled One compressor, three jobs. It cools the cabin, runs the heat pump, and on 2023-2024 Prius Primes the refrigerant cools the battery.BuyingToyota Prime Heat Pump Systems: The Complexity Behind an A/C RepairWritten in the shopA row of Priuses of different generations parked along Atomic Auto's baysMaintenanceIs a Cloned Car Key Really a Second Key? Your Car May Not AgreeWritten in the shopWhiteboard sketch titled The real charger is in the car. Wall power goes through the EVSE to the onboard charger and battery.MaintenanceWhat Is an EVSE? Why the Real Charger in Your EV Is Inside the CarWritten in the shopA Nissan Leaf with its hood up and a RAV4 on the lifts at Atomic AutoMaintenanceP219AP0401Prius EGR Cleaning: When We Do It, and Why It Won’t Save Your Head GasketToyota Prius, 2010 to 2015Written in the shop6 minA Nissan Leaf with its hood up and a RAV4 on the lifts at Atomic AutoBuyingLooking at a Used Hybrid? Send Us the Ad and the Carfax FirstWritten in the shop4 minA Nissan Leaf with its hood up and a RAV4 on the lifts at Atomic AutoBuyingBought a Used Hybrid or EV As-Is and It Broke Right Away? Read This FirstWritten in the shop9 minBurnt EV charger plug and NEMA 14-50 outlet from Travis Decker's garageMaintenancePlugging In an EV Charger at Home: Why Outlets Melt, and What We RecommendWritten in the shop8 minA Nissan Leaf with its hood up and a RAV4 on the lifts at Atomic AutoBuyingCompliance Cars: The Dead-End Dragons We Never RecommendWritten in the shop9 minCarbon-coked piston rings and gummed oil-control ring from an engine with oil consumptionMaintenance5,000 vs. 10,000-Mile Oil Changes: Why We Recommend 5,000Written in the shop8 minA Nissan Leaf with its hood up and a RAV4 on the lifts at Atomic AutoBuyingBuying a Used Kia Niro Hybrid? The Coolant Leak Hiding in the ExhaustKia Niro HybridWritten in the shop14 min

Written in the shop from real repair orders, with names removed. Fault codes are what the car reported, not a diagnosis on their own.

Text us, or book a slot.

A text with a photo of the dash gets you an answer fastest. Booking online holds a day and a time.

Book onlineText 503-969-3134
Opening hoursMonday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Closed at weekends.
610 NE 102nd Ave, Portland, OR 97220102nd and Glisan, a block from the Gateway Transit Center and all three MAX lines.Directions
Drop off after hours, or pick up after we close.How after-hours drop-off works