Understanding Seals
It has been a long drive to the lake. The driver carefully backs the trailer down the boat ramp. As the axles hit the water, the hot wheel bearing hubs hit the water. As the bearings’ heat is quenched by the lake water on the outside of the hub, the rapidly contracting air and lubricants
Missed Services
Uncovering missed service can bring an instant profit, while at the same time resulting in customer gratification. Unfortunately, some services are often overlooked in our daily routine. It’s easy to gain tunnel vision in this business, only fixing what the car came in for, while ignoring the rest of the vehicle. Whether it’s because of
Making a Difference
Just as your vote had an impact on election results, your involvement in industry initiatives can have a positive effect on your shop’s bottom line and on the vitality of the marketplace where your goal to build a business took hold. Those of you who have reached out to the industry to offer assistance or
Volkswagen New Beetle Maintenance Essentials
The New Beetle has been around for several years now, and except for the classic shape, it’s not the Beetle of old. Unlike its ancestor, this New Beetle is conventional, modern and sophisticated. It has all of the bells and whistles of other current models, the performance and handling of a conventional front-wheel-drive car, and
World Perspectives
Federal -Mogul Aftermarket group awarded “2004 Vendor of the Year”.
Internal Engine Repairs: Why Head Gaskets Fail
A blown head gasket is bad news for any motorist. It means the cylinder head has to be removed, and possibly resurfaced, to replace the head gasket. If coolant has entered the cylinders and/or crankcase, additional repairs or a whole new engine may be needed depending on the extent of the damage. Anyway you look
Detouring Comebacks
se, how you handle (or prevent) a comeback becomes even more important to the success of your shop. Go ahead ‹ ask yourself, “Am I allowing comebacks at my shop to get out of hand?” First, don’t be discouraged. There will always be some comebacks. According to one shop owner, you can expect about a
Checking into Mode $06
Mode 06 is the actual system test data that OBD II looks at when it decides to set a pending code or a current fault code. If the test data is within the limits established by the vehicle manufacturer, the item gets a PASS and no codes are set. But if a value is out of range, OBD II flags it with a FAIL and keeps an eye on the component until the system monitor has run at least twice. Then, if the problem is still there, a DTC is set and the MIL light comes on.
Selling Service for Low-Maintenance Ignition Systems
ition system maintenance as long as it feels like it’s “running good.” In reality, spark plugs eventually develop high electrical resistance because the electrodes wear away. When this happens, the secondary ignition voltage will increase until the ignition coil, ignition cable, spark plug boot or spark plug develops a high-voltage leak. When a high-voltage leak
Now is the Time to Gear Up for MACS Convention
The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide, which will hold its 25th Anniversary Convention and Trade Show February 1-3 at the Las Vegas Hilton, is taking steps to protect its trade show exhibitors and the mobile A/C and engine cooling industry against counterfeiting and trademark infringement. As part of its new policy, MACS is asking
Shops that Evolve are Shops that Succeed
There’s plenty to be said about not being complacent. After all, complacency breeds mediocrity. And in today’s competitive service environment, where the name of the game is standing out amidst your competition – being at the forefront in your line of work will bring increased visibility and more customers to your shop. In striving for
The Ins and Outs of Diagnosing Battery, Charging and Starter Problems
You answer the phone and the voice on the other end says, “My car won’t start.” When temperatures drop, the no-start calls start pouring in. Cold weather increases the strain on the battery, starting and charging system and tends to bring out any weaknesses in these components. Cold weather thickens the oil and makes the