Acura Tech Tip: Brake Master Cylinder Leaking
A cup seal in the master cylinder is sensitive to the type of brake fluid used in the brake system. If the brake fluid is replaced with anything other than Acura (or Honda) Genuine DOT 3 Brake Fluid, and the brakes are manually bled, the cup seal may twist in its retention groove and create a small leak.
Nissan Maxima Brake Job (Seventh Gen 2009-’14)
The Maxima has been redesigned several times over the years and received the marketing term 4DSC, 4-door Sports Car, because of its 3.5L V6 engine and sporty suspension. The seventh generation Maxima (A35) was redesigned in 2009 and shares the Nissan D platform with the fourth generation Nissan Altima and second-generation Nissan Murano. These brake systems are known to make noise if the proper procedures and brake materials are not installed properly.
Hybrid Wheel Bearing Service
There are more than four million hybrid vehicles in the U.S. All of them are equipped with brakes and wheel bearings. When servicing hybrid vehicles, it is critical that the hybrid or regenerative brake systems be disabled. It should also be a common practice to remove the keys from the vehicle and place them in an area that is far enough away from the vehicle, as some hybrid systems will sense if the key is near. As the driver approaches the vehicle, some vehicles will not only unlock the doors, but also activate systems like brakes and the drivetrain.
Ride Control And Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
There is a direct connection between the condition of the ride control and electronic stability control. Shocks, struts and springs control patches of the tires and how weight transfers 100 percent of the time. The stability control system measures these vehicle dynamics and defines them as yaw, lateral acceleration and wheel speed. During panic situations when the driver’s inputs do not match the dynamics of the vehicle, the ABS and stability control system kicks in. If the suspension components can’t control the tire’s contact patch, the stability control will have to intervene.
Blame Game: Will Automatic Braking Systems Be The Answer Or A Problem?
There has been a lot of talk about automatic emergency braking systems (AEB). Starting September 1, 2022, these systems will be mandatory for cars and trucks under 8,000 lbs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that AEB will prevent 28,000 crashes and 12,000 injuries by 2025. This is great for the new car buyer, but what about the car owner who needs to maintain the vehicle five or 10 years from now?
Torque-To-Yield Fasteners For Undercar Components
The desired result of tightening a fastener is to obtain a proper clamping force between parts. The clamping force prevents loosening when the vehicle is in use and external forces act on the clamped parts. All fasteners have a specified torque. The method used for a particular application is determined by engineering and specified in the service information. It is necessary to apply the fastener torque to the specific fastener identified.
Selling Four TPMS Sensors
If a single sensor has reached the end of its lifespan, it is highly recommended to replace all sensors at the same time. Similar to headlights, once one sensor dies, the rest are likely to be close behind. This is an important point for your customers to understand. Taking care of the issue before there is a problem also provides a convenience to them.
Why Did The Alignment Angle Change?
An alignment angle doesn’t change randomly. There is a cause-and-effect relationship between external and internal forces that can alter the geometry of a vehicle’s suspension. Having the alignment reading for only one angle on one corner is just like knowing the temperature without knowing if there is a tornado outside. Just making adjustments and not asking why the adjustments were needed can lead to a comeback. Knowing why the adjustment is required is critical to performing the total alignment.
Honda Pilot 2003-2008 Brake Job
Honda’s first generation Pilot was one of the first mid-sized crossover SUVs on the market and was designed to fill the demand for SUVs larger than a CR-V that drove like a car. Manufactured in Alliston, Ontario, until production was moved to Lincoln, AL, in 2007, the first generation Pilot shares its platform with the Accord, Odyssey minivan and the Acura MDX. More than 700,000 first-generation Pilots were sold, so there are a lot of them still in service and that need brake maintenance.
Audi Tech Tip: All-Wheel-Drive Coupling Is Stuck On Or Doesn’t Engage, And No Faults Are Stored
Customer may report that the vehicle is binding when cornering with full steering wheel turn; the four-wheel drive does not work; when driving slowly and turning the steering wheel strongly, the vehicle shudders; or the front wheels break traction with aggressive acceleration from a stop.
Honesty And Education: Is Giving Hope Your Crutch Behind The Service Counter?
Everybody likes to have hope. It could be hope that a check engine light goes off on the next key cycle, or you will never lose someone you love. But in some cases, a little bit of hope can be more painful than a dose of honesty and experience.
Parking Brake Diagnostics, Repair And Maintenance
The parking or emergency brake has to perform two distinct jobs. First, it must be able to hold the vehicle on an incline. Second, it must be able to stop a vehicle under a specific distance if the hydraulic brakes have failed. These standards are set by the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the kicker is these standards must be met with the force applied by a little old lady. But, over time, the cables can stretch and the friction materials change their length and thickness, which is why adjustments to the system are required.
