Acura Tech Tip: Tire Fill Assist Activation
The Acura Tire Fill Assist system on some Acura models is designed to help drivers set the correct tire pressure by flashing lights and horn. But, it can activate when you are servicing the vehicle.
Air Ride: Plausibility And Rationalization Codes In Cold Weather
It is a common occurrence on the coldest days or during large fluctuations in the temperature to get a customer call or visit complaining that they have a warning message on their dash telling them the air ride suspension system is malfunctioning or there is a fault.
Alignment Specs: 2011-2017 Buick Regal
If you get a Regal in your alignment bay, you could be dealing with several new technologies at once. Options and packages on the Regal can be difficult to define by the badging on the trunk. Visual confirmation may be needed and you may also need to look up RPO codes. During the production run, there were models with Brembo brakes, all-wheel-drive and even advanced driver assistance safety systems (ADAS).
Wheel Bearing Failure Analysis
This 2014 Fiat Abarth was brought in with the customer being concerned about a noise coming from the left rear. He was convinced that it was a tire. The noise was cyclical and it increased with speed. During inspection, the bearing had no detectable play, the tires were evenly worn, and no ABS wheel speed sensor codes were present. On the lift, the left bearing was significantly noisier than the right bearing when turned by hand. But, no extra play could be detected.
Electronic Power Steering: More Common Than Uncommon
Electric power steering (EPS) is coming to your shop on a lot more cars and trucks ranging from the Chevy Cobalt to the latest Ford F-150. So, there is no avoiding EPS diagnostics or repair. Most EPS setups are more than the rack and motor; they are a highly connected system that rivals any engine when it comes to diagnostics.
Parking Brake Diagnostics
If you are doing a brake job on a vehicle with an electronic parking brake (EPB), you will need a scan tool with the proper software for the parking brake system to retract the calipers, adjust the cables and perform diagnostics.
Tech Tip: Removing A Rear Rotor Stuck On The Parking Brake
If you are having trouble removing a drum-in-hat rotor, don’t just take a hammer to it. You may have to adjust the parking brake and back it off the rotor in order to remove the rear rotor.
Brake Job: 2012-Current Cadillac ATS
There are two brake packages for the ATS. The base JE5 uses single-piston calipers in the front and rear. The J55 or J6 is typically found on the ATS-V, and uses larger rotors and a four-piston caliper in the front. There is also an option for a more aggressive track pad on the ATS-V.
VIEWPOINT: Auto Shows And The Battle Between Electric And Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)
By the media reports, my father thought the show would be wall-to-wall electric and autonomous vehicles. But by my estimates, the majority of the cars displayed were internal combustion vehicles and performance was still king. These vehicles can be purchased today or in the very near future and remain on the roads for 20 years or more, says Andrew Markel.
