Perspectives: Competition for Tomorrow’s Technician Intensifies
Here’s the headline in my local paper, “Construction skills in high demand. Industry intensifies recruiting of high schoolers.” The article goes on to say that many trade groups and employers are actively recruiting high school students to fill the growing need for plumbers, bricklayers, drywallers and other traditional trades. But it should be no surprise
Bad Gas Update
How bad can it get? When the price of gasoline soared to over $3 a gallon after hurricane Katrina, people were shocked. They actually began to change their driving habits to conserve fuel by eliminating unnecessary trips, sharing rides to work, staying home in the evening instead of going out and doing what little they
Shop Management: Concentrating on Customer Service
Female motorists are making more automotive service and repair decisions these days. Your shop needs to take certain steps to ensure that their repair experience is a positive one. In this article, I’ll highlight a few simple things that you can change or improve at your shop that may make your female customers feel more comfortable.
Tech Tips: Brake Lubricants – High Temperatures Require High Performance Products
When it comes to brake lubricants, grease is a dirty word. Brake lubricants are specially-formulated products that are NOT the same as ordinary chassis grease or even multi-purpose grease.
Suspension Vibration Diagnosis
Vibrations are annoying and may be a warning signal that something is amiss. So don’t ignore such symptoms.
Looming Mandate: Without Help, Shops Face Dark Future
…How Will You Cope?
Servicing Ford 4-Cylinders: Contour, Escort, EXP, Focus, Probe, Ranger & Tempo
Ford has used a variety of four cylinder engines over the years, ranging in displacement from 1.6 to 2.5 liters (see engine application chart on page 22). All of these engines are overhead cam engines, some with a single cam others with dual cams, and all have timing belts that need to be replaced at
Back From Vegas
Last month I attended the grandaddy of all automotive trade shows in Las Vegas. “Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week” (AAIW) is a multi-show affair that fills both the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Sands Expo Center with more than 2 million square feet of exhibits and cars. The event is not open to the general
Tech Tip: Car Battery Maintenance – To Water or Not to Water?
In millions of vehicles, lead-acid batteries start people on billions of journeys every day. Yet as car engines become more complex and the technology of automotive batteries advances, motorists seem to be confused about the proper maintenance of the batteries under their hoods. The article, "Auto Batteries: Some Go the Distance" in the November 2005 issue of Consumer Reports, clouds the issue further.
Rancho Wins Second Straight SEMA “Best in Show” Award
For the second consecutive year, the engineering team at Rancho has captured honors for the best new off-road suspension for a popular light truck or sport utility vehicle model. Rancho’s first-to-market Hummer H3 suspension system was judged “Best New Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product” at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Markets Association (SEMA) Show.