Tech Tips Archives - Page 6 of 122 - Import Car
How To Test Drive A Car To Check For Problems

Test Drive Diagnostics Test drives on the surface can seem like one of the most unprofitable tasks a technician can perform. But, test drives can be one of the most profitable processes a shop can do to help sell more service. You just have to have procedures and training in place so a test drive

Top 10 Subaru Articles

We’re counting down the top ten most effective Subaru technical articles ever! 10) Tech Tip: Subaru Impreza With DTCs P0705, P0851, P2746, P2750 And/Or No Crank, No Start If you receive a customer concern of a Check Engine light, AT Temp light or a no engine crank condition, the wiring harnesses to the transmission range sensor

Tips For Spark Plug Removal

Removal or installation of spark plugs on modern vehicles requires extreme precision and care. Before removing a spark plug, check to see if it’s still working properly and whether the engine itself is in good working condition — since both go hand in hand. Spark plugs that have excess carbon ­deposits or are oil-fouled could

Oil Service for Today’s Vehicles

You have most likely been made aware over the last few years that you need to be diligent in which oil you choose when servicing today’s modern vehicles. Hopefully your team is trained to look up the proper OEM specification for engine oil and can effectively find and verify that specification on the oil bottle

Selling Batteries With A State Of Health Strategy

Batteries can be an easy sell in some ways ­because all customers ­understand the basic importance of the battery. Good battery = car starts; bad battery = car doesn’t start. Unfortunately, many customers aren’t in the market for that new battery until the previous one officially, and inconveniently, dies. Therein lies the opportunity to both

Four Tips To Boost Wiper Sales

Spray and Sell Equip your service bays with a spray bottle filled with water. After cleaning the windshield, spray it down with the bottle and operate the wipers. If the wipers streak or chatter, recommend replacement. This $3 investment per bay will pay for itself when the first set of blades is sold. Ask Your

TPMS Maintenance Minute: Best Practices To Follow

If you want to get the maximum life of 70,000 to 100,000 miles out of a TPMS sensor, you will have to do some maintenance and follow some rules. No Exceptions. Every time a stem-mounted TPMS sensor is removed from a rim or is disturbed, it must be serviced — no ifs, ands or buts.

Import Automatic Transmission Diagnostics

Don’t be alarmed if you pull an automatic transmission trouble code when diagnosing a “check engine” warning light! Since the automatic transmission operation has a major effect on grams-per-mile exhaust emissions, you’re going to see the occasional “global” P0700 to P0900-series diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). The fact is, if you understand basic transmission operating principles,

Automatic trans diagnosis
Old Man Winter Is No Match For Winter Wipers

For clear visibility, driving safety and wiping performance, wiper blades should be replaced at the first sign of trouble. The best recommendation for your customers is to have their wiper blades inspected every six months and changed at least once each year. And, if they drive many wintertime miles, suggest that they invest in a

The Invisible Killer Of Brake Systems

Brake fluid maintenance services can be the toughest item to sell. Oil can become dark and transmission fluid can smell funny, but brake fluid in the reservoir can look clear and still be in need of replacement. Brake fluid can become contaminated by water or outside debris, but the main damage to brake fluid over

Cheap Filters Cheapen Your Service

Filters remove harmful, microscopic particles from oil, intake air and the vehicle cabin, but to the customer, microscopic particles are just that — microscopic. The sense of urgency isn’t there like with a lit MIL or pulsating brake pedal. Overcoming those perception problems and adding urgency is a two-step process. First, magnify the issue. A

No More Free Tire ­Rotations!

Tire rotation is a cornerstone of vehicle preventive maintenance and tire longevity. It is a well-proven fact that tire tread life can be greatly enhanced by regular and timely tire rotation. During rotation, each tire and wheel is ­removed from a vehicle and moved to a different position to ensure that all tires wear evenly