David Donohue and Jay Leno Team Set Speed Records in Porsche Carrera GT
History was both made and remembered over yhe Labor Day holiday when a Porsche Carrera GT production car driven by race driver David Donohue and NBC Television "The Tonight Show" host Jay Leno set a series of Grand American speed records at Talladega Superspeedway, where David’s father, Mark Donohue, set a similar series of records in a Porsche race car 30 years ago.
Friction Fundamentals
A brake, according to the dictionary, is a device for arresting the motion of a wheel or vehicle. The original brake, like the original wheel, was invented before history was accurately recorded, but we know from pictures drawn by ancient Phoenicians and Egyptians that it is one of the oldest of mechanical devices. For thousands
MACS Adds Engine Cooling Track to EXPRESS TRAIN 2006 Convention
EXPESS TRAIN, the 2006 MACS annual convention and trade show, will offer special training sessions dedicated to the engine cooling and heat exchange segment of the repair market. The extra training track was added in direct response to requests from engine cooling professionals who asked the MACS board for a quality training program and a dedicated engine cooling products section at the trade show.
Foreign Affairs: Servicing Secrets for the VR6
The Volkswagen VR6 engine has been around now for more than 10 years. And given its proven track record of reliability and durability, it’ll be around for years to come. Although not as popular (or as high in production) as its 4-cylinder brothers, we do see quite a few of these cars for regular maintenance,
Diagnosing Automatic Transmission Complaints
Automatic transmissions are a mystery to most motorists. They may know the transmission requires some kind of fluid, but have probably never checked the level or even looked for the dipstick unless they drive an older vehicle with a leaker. When internal problems cause the transmission to act up, it takes a fair amount of
Temperature Control Essentials: Pinpointing the Causes of Cooling System Failures
Managing heat is definitely a hot job these days. The cooling systems in most late-model import passenger cars have been downsized to reduce weight and bulk. At the same time, most new cars and trucks are now factory equipped with air conditioning, which puts an added strain on the cooling system’s ability to manage heat.
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
Loaded Brake Calipers: Can They Boost Productivity?
Some technicians like loaded calipers because everything they need comes in one box. They don’t have to worry about mismatched parts from different suppliers and the complete assemblies are quick and easy to install. Most importantly, they see fewer comebacks because of brake noise or other problems. Loaded calipers do provide a variety of benefits
Compressors, Condensers & Refrigerant
Hot weather is just a few weeks away in many areas of the country, and that means plenty of air conditioning service opportunities. Years ago, A/C was considered a luxury. Now it’s a necessity. Automatic climate control systems use A/C year-round for defrost and dehumidification as well as cooling. Even so, it’s hot weather that
Marketing Mufflers: Muffler Replacements Are a Fast, Easy Way to Improve Your Shop’s Bottom Line
Have muffler inspections become a low-priority undercar service in your shop? With the introduction of stainless-steel exhaust systems into the import market, it’s easy to forget that muffler and related exhaust parts sales are still a lucrative service that can enhance any profit and loss statement. Muffler replacements can be profitable at any skill or