Mitch’s World: It’s Late and I’m Tired
When The Day’s Events Take Their Toll I’m sitting at my desk at home watching the greedy hand of darkness grab for the last few remaining moments of daylight. It’s not an unfamiliar ritual. In fact, it happens with frightening regularity. I finish up at the shop, head home, have dinner and talk about the
Mitch’s World: Wrangling in a Herd of Repair Estimate Issues
I’m sitting at my desk at home watching the greedy hand of darkness grab for the last few remaining moments of daylight. It’s not an unfamiliar ritual. In fact, it happens with frightening regularity. I finish up at the shop, head home, have dinner and talk about the day with my wife. By the time
Pumping Oil
For me, sourcing automotive chemicals and motor oils goes all the way back to 1957 when I worked at my corner service station. Since we were a small town without a local parts jobber, we bought our oil additives and chemicals from an out-of-town distributor. Our gasoline and motor oil came from our local-branded petroleum
Diagnostic Dilemmas: The Misfire Code As a Symptom
Without question, the 1996 and newer OBD II systems have greatly simplified the diagnostic process. Veteran mechanics well remember the technical loopholes that riddled the old proprietary OBD I systems. All too often, the complex diagnostic charts supplied by the auto manufacturers were time-consuming, erroneous and often concluded with the infamous “replace with component of
Power Options: Restoring a Vehicle to Like-New Performance
Replacing a worn or broken engine on a customer’s vehicle can be a very sensitive subject for many independent shop owners because it’s a time-intensive and possibly high-liability service. After a replacement is done, a shop’s greatest fear is that a minor ticking noise or oil leak may ruin the profitability of the engine replacement.
Mitch’s World: Wrangling in a Herd of Repair Estimate Issues
I’m sitting at my desk at home watching the greedy hand of darkness grab for the last few remaining moments of daylight. It’s not an unfamiliar ritual. In fact, it happens with frightening regularity. I finish up at the shop, head home, have dinner and talk about the day with my wife. By the time
Timken Releases New Tech Series CD
The Timken Co. recently announced the release of its new Tech Series Automotive and Heavy-Duty Aftermarket Training and Resource CD (version 1.4). Version 1.4 is the latest edition of its interactive training tool. An online version of the resource kit is also available.
Volkswagen Tech Tip: Humming Noise During Cornering
A humming sound coming from the general area of the front end of an affected vehicle (see article for list) may be noticeable during slow speed turns with the steering wheel almost to full-turning position. The noise goes away when the steering wheel is returned to the center position.
Nissan Tech Tip: ECM Replacement Service Procedure
If you confirm that the Electronic Control Module (ECM) needs to be replaced on a 2000 MY or later Nissan vehicle, or a 1999 MY vehicle Frontier (D22), Quest (V41) or Pathfinder (R50) from VIN JN8AR07**XW350101, complete the following actions.
Mitch Schneider: Got a Minute? When Customers Steal Your Precious Time
I just watched one of the most frustrating blocks of time I’ve ever spent evaporate as I found myself explaining the how, why and how much of an engine failure to someone who would be far more comfortable discussing the intricacies of a Mozart Concerto.