Swaybar Tune Up
A long time ago in a service bay far away, the average tread life of a bias ply tire was 20,000 miles. Even with belted bias ply tires, you did well to get 30,000 miles. Shocks, ball joints and bushings averaged out at 40,000. Today, modern radials can get 60,000 and suspension parts can go
Carley’s Corner: New Stuff from the AAPEX & SEMA Shows
Having just wrapped up a week in Las Vegas at the AAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Parts Expo) and SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) shows, I have some interesting news to report. A company called Green Earth Technologies introduced a new high-quality synthetic motor oil made from dead cows. The oil is made from animal fat (beef
Tool Storage: Buying a Toolbox is Like Buying a House — For Your Tools
The journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step. Deciding what new tool storage system you want can feel like that kind of journey. As the single largest purchase you are ever likely to make in your career as a technician, it is an important one! In fact, other than your home and
Tech Tip: Filter Fundamentals
Filters are the first line of defense against contaminants, whether it’s airborne contaminants entering the engine, wear particles, dirt or soot contaminants inside the engine, wear or dirt particles inside the transmission or dirt or rust particles in the fuel. And now that so many vehicles also have cabin air filters, unwanted contaminants also include dirt, soot, odors and even bacteria entering the passenger compartment.
AAMCO Unveils Eco-Green Initiative to Promote Cleaner Running Cars and Centers
AAMCO, the world’s largest chain of transmission service centers, recently introduced Eco-Green Auto Service Certification, a new program designed to protect the environment, reduce vehicle emissions, and promote alternative fuels among the thousands of motorists AAMCO serves annually.
Tech Tip: Brake Fluid Q & A
What are the fundamental differences between synthetic fluid and conventional DOT 3 and 4? Simple, it all comes down to the base stock. Both synthetic and conventional brake fluids start from the same "polyethylene glycol" stock. But, to make synthetic brake fluid the manufacturer will "synthesize" the original base stock and make the molecules better and more consistent.
Brake Fluid Q & A
Mike Evangelo of Dynamic Motorsports and Rossion Automotive e-mailed me with six questions about brake fluid. I like a challenge, so here are my answers. 1. What are the fundamental differences between synthetic fluid and conventional DOT 3 and 4? Simple, it all comes down to the base stock. Both synthetic and conventional brake fluids
News Update: Raybestos’ Simplified Product Offering is Built Around Technicians’ Needs
Raybestos brand brakes’ product offering has been re-engineered, following months of extensive research with repair technicians, the results of which can be seen in Raybestos’ new 1-2-3 brand strategy. “We conducted both qualitative and quantitative research to understand precisely what techs want and need from a brake supplier,” said Jeff Stauffer, vice president of global
Diagnostic Solutions: Fluid Maintenance…Selling Needed Services Vs. “Wallet Flushing”
Good import shop managers stay on top of their annual workflow by placing jobs like timing belt and brake replacements into categories that can be tracked on a historical basis. If a shop has faithfully tracked the kinds of work flowing through its service bays during the past 10 years, it might become apparent that
Carley’s Corner: Will High Gas Prices Help or Hurt Your Business?
Summer is back and so are higher gasoline prices. Though the price of gasoline dipped as low as $2.00 a gallon in many areas of the U.S. over the winter, the price shot back up in late spring to more than $3.25 in many parts of the country. Where the prices will peak is anybody’s