How We Work

Our diagnostic process, communication style, and what makes Atomic Auto different.

About Travis Decker: ASE Master Technician & Owner of Atomic Auto

I'm Travis Decker, owner of Atomic Auto, an independent auto repair shop at 610 NE 102nd Ave in Portland, Oregon. I opened the shop in...

Les Schwab said "urgent" brakes and tires at 47,000 miles. Here's what we found.

Short version: A customer came to us for a second opinion after Les Schwab told her she urgently needed rear brakes and a whole new...

The $20 Oil Change That Costs More Than You Think

Short version: A $20 oil change coupon is a loss leader — the shop makes the money back on the inspection report that follows. Most...

How We Diagnose Toyota Hybrid Problems: The 6-Step Process

When your Toyota hybrid comes in with a warning light or a driveability concern, we don’t just plug in a scanner and read the first...

Why We Don't Just Quote What the "Other Shop" Told You

When you call us for an auto repair second opinion in Portland after a dealership visit, you’ll often hear us say: “Let’s start fresh. What...

Our "Text-First" Philosophy: Why We’ve Broken Up With the Phone

At Atomic Auto, our text-first communication approach has traded the constant ringing of 1960s technology for a custom-built, high-tech communication suite. If you call us...