Technician Health and Safety: The Most Important Tool You’ll Ever Own
The life of an automobile technician is filled with many short- and long-term health hazards. The health offenses that I can recall throughout my career include: cuts to the hands, arms and face; burns on my hands and arms; flying debris in my eye; squirting fluid in my eye; breathing car-generated dust; breathing excess car
The Pricing Game: Technology Puts Part Prices in the Hands of Your Customers
What is the right amount for parts mark up? 20%, 35%, 100%, or do you just go by the retail price of a part as determined by the manufacturer, jobber or WD? This is a tough question in terms of business practices and ethics. This gray area can get a lot of people in trouble.
Replacing FWD Wheel Bearings
When a wheel bearing goes out on a FWD car or minivan, it may or may not give much warning. Typical clues include noise from the vicinity of the wheel, possibly some steering wander or looseness in the steering, and/or some abnormal tread wear on the front tires. Also, an ABS light could illuminate. Any
Yes, It is Rocket Science!
W hen I was a young man, I remember my dad saying something to the effect that working on cars wasn’t exactly rocket science. He was right. In the days of carburetors and contact point ignition systems, a mechanic didn’t need much diagnostic equipment. All you needed was a timing light to check spark timing,
Increasing Summer Profits with A/C Work
Warm weather is just around the corner in many parts of the country, so it’s not too soon to start thinking about ways you can promote A/C service work and boost your profits this summer. More than 90% of new vehicles are now factory-equipped with air conditioning, and more than 80 percent of the cars
Rotors and Pads: Analyzing Replacement Options
Although the industry has seen anti-lock braking systems (ABS) become standard equipment on modern imports, the majority of brake service still focuses on the replacement of brake pads and rotors. Rotor replacement, of course, has changed because new rotors have become a more cost-effective method of resolving pedal pulsation and brake shimmy problems associated with
Lube Bay Series: The LOF Forecast
Can you put out the light?
Buyer Beware: Selling or Installing Counterfeit Parts
… Could Leave You Accountable
Buying, Selling or Installing Counterfeit Parts Could Leave You Accountable
Until the 1980s, counterfeiting was thought of as a victimless crime, conjuring up images of knock-off brand-name watches and handbags. Today, however, counterfeiting is big business, accounting for 5-8% of all goods sold worldwide. In terms of criminal activity, counterfeiting is among the most lucrative crimes today, its impact on the global economy estimated at
Getting the Most Out of Your Lifts
Lifts play an important role in the day-to-day operations of any automotive service facility. Some may even argue that a lift is a shop’s most valuable employee. After all, lifts never call in sick or go on vacation. However, one of the worst things a shop owner can do is fall into the trap of