Selling Services: Anti-Seize & Studs
Last month I received a great letter from one of our readers. He was absolutely livid about the story “Double Hit” in our February issue. Ed from the Cherokee Garage in Beckwourth, CA, pointed out several incorrect items in the article. In the article, it was advised that a light coating of anti-seize could be
News: Popular Aftermarket Columnist Mitch Schneider Joins Babcox Publications
Mitch Schneider, nationally recognized automotive service professional, author and lecturer, has joined Babcox Publications as a senior contributing editor. Beginning in July, Schneider’s popular commentary will appear monthly in Babcox’s Tech Group publications, including Brake & Front End, ImportCar and Underhood Service. In addition to frequent exclusives on aftermarketNews.com and Autocarepronews.com, another column written specifically
Tech Update: A to VSV…Troubleshooting Toyota/Lelxus EVAP Systems
When I first had to diagnose a Toyota EVAP code, I found the available information a little lacking. So I decided to do a little homework…and the following article is the result of what I’ve learned. I hope it helps you diagnose and repair these systems a little easier. First, a word on basic EVAP
Directions: Taking Time Out to Train
Good technicians — the ones who you want working at your shop — understand that they must continuously learn new skills to diagnose and repair today’s advanced automotive systems. Your mantra of “Fix it right the first time” requires your techs to get up-to-date technical training and knowledge. Some industry experts estimate that a competent
Aftermarket Update
Popular Aftermarket Columnist Mitch Schneider Joins Babcox Publications Akron, OH — Mitch Schneider, nationally recognized automotive service professional, author and lecturer, has joined Babcox Publications as a senior contributing editor. Beginning in July, Schneider’s popular commentary will appear monthly in Babcox’s Tech Group publications, including Brake & Front End, ImportCar and Underhood Service. In addition
AC Update: Running A/C Diagnostic Tests Before Dash Surgery
I must have worked on Mercedes-Benz automobiles for 15 years before I ever replaced an evaporator. Through the 1970s, we pulled many an evaporator out of 107 and 116 chassis models to repair a poorly designed interior drainage system. The early models had little flappers on two interior tubes that carried the condensation to a
Improving Diesel Technology
There is a “shade tree” law from the 1970s that states that computing capacity doubles every few years. In fact, computing capacity for the size of the computer or device has outstripped that by several orders of magnitude in the last five years. As evidence of that, we now see cell phones that were only
Wheel Alignment,: Advances in Alignment Equipment Increase Productivity and Profit
Having the needed alignment specifications and service information close at hand is key to boosting productivity in today’s automotive service facilities. In the alignment bay, time is money. Combine this with the expense of today’s alignment equipment, and it’s easy to understand why choosing the right piece of alignment equipment is very important to an
Leak Detection: Becoming Your Shop’s Leak Detective
When a customer’s A/C system isn’t cooling well and the refrigerant charge is low, you know the system is leaking. The question is where? Finding refrigerant leaks on today’s vehicles can be a challenge. For one thing, many of the A/C system parts are buried and difficult to reach. Also, most systems today hold much
Tenneco Introduces Enhanced Walker Exhaust Website
The Walker exhaust aftermarket brand of Tenneco Inc. has re-launched the www.walkerexhaust.com website with new content and added functionality designed to help vehicle service professionals and consumers make the right choice of replacement emission control products.