Tech Tip: What’s New in TPMS?
The increasingly hot topic of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) is very controversial yet compelling. TPMS brings about confusion and aggravation, but more importantly, opportunity. Adding to the TPMS frenzy is loads of information. This article will discuss a couple of new issues within TPMS that you need to be aware of ….
The Ins and Outs of Indirect and Direct TPMS
This is the year of the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System). It’s been coming for some time. In response to a rash of highly publicized rollover accidents caused by tire failures on SUVs, Congress passed a law called the TREAD Act in 2000 which required all vehicle manufacturers to have TPMS on all their cars
Tech Update: Top 5 TPMS Questions
From professional and college football down to youth-league soccer, everyone (including TechShop!) has a “Top Something-or-other” list. Why should the tire industry be different? Over the last year or so, Tire Rack has been conducting an informal and unscientific survey of its customers regarding the reoccurrence of issues dealing with tire pressure monitoring systems. Thanks
Tech Tip: Evolving Ignition Control Systems
The key to diagnosing many cranking, no-start and stalling problems found on the late-model import is to understand how the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors function and what their mechanical relationship is to each other. During the past 30 years, ignition control systems have evolved from distributor-type, to distributorless, to coil-on-plug ignition systems. Similarly, fuel injection systems have ….
Evolving Ignition Control Systems
Require Knowledge of Crankshaft & Camshaft Sensor Function
Get the Drift: The Ins and Outs of Sport ‘Drifting’
Drifting is not a sport for SUVs. If it were, it would probably be called “rollovering.” Nor does it lend itself very well to cars with front-wheel drive. Drifting is all about sliding around curves with the rear wheels smoking all the way. Drifting sounds like an activity dreamed up by the tire manufacturers to
Management: More Smaller Imports on the Roads Means More Repairs
While sightings of gas prices under $4 a gallon may bring a (little) sigh of relief, consumers are still distraught over what it costs to fill their tank these days. Some are realizing the benefits of preventive maintenance in improving vehicle performance, increasing fuel efficiency and maximizing gas mileage, while others are looking for long-term relief by purchasing smaller vehicles ….
Tech Tip: Diagnostic Thinking from A to Z
A customer brings their car to your shop with a concern. How do you get from broken to fixed? I’m sure you’ve had many people ask you over the years a question that goes something like this, "Sometimes my car doesn’t start, we already tried a new this and a new that, but it stills does it. What causes them to do that?" What’s worse, they could say that the shop down the street tried a new this and that and didn’t fix it. Yeah, maybe it was the shop down the street, but it still put a bruise on the same repair ….
Tech Tip: Cabin Air Filter Q & A
How do you replace a cabin air filter? First you have to find it. The cabin air filter is usually located behind the glove box or at the base of the windshield in the cowl area over the HVAC inlet duct. The exact location can be found in the vehicle owner’s manual or a filter reference guide. On most Fords, the filter is located under the ….
Tech Tip: Choosing the Right Coolant
What makes choosing the right coolant so confusing today is that the automakers themselves can’t agree on what type of coolant chemistry is best for their vehicles. Some vehicle manufacturers prefer one type of corrosion inhibitors in their coolants, while other vehicle manufacturers may insist on a different type ….