2017 Editions Archives - Import Car
Floating Composite Brake Rotors

When you hear the words “floating rotor,” you might think of a racecar brake rotor with Allen head bolts holding the hat to the outer ring. But, more economical and robust “semi-floating” rotors have made it onto Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz daily drivers. A semi-floating, dual-cast or composite rotor has two advantages over a fully

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TSB Watch – Volkswagen: Top 10 Fixes For Popular VW Models

Every year, Volkswagen issues hundreds of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) covering everything from sunroof leaks to new oil specifications. TSBs are communication tools provided to help technicians address problems in the field and to expedite the repair process by arming them with brand-specific service information. Below are some of the 10 best Volkswagen TSBs that

Air Ride Diagnostics Q&A: What You Don’t Know Might Be The Missing Piece Of The Diagnostic Puzzle

Air ride diagnostics can be just as complex as any ABS or fuel injection problem. The diagnostic process should start with questions about the system rather than the parts. Failing to find the root cause of a warning light DTC or intermittent problem will typically cause the problem to come back as soon as the

Mercedes-Benz M272 and M273 Intake Manifolds Causing DTC P2006

Late-model Mercedes-Benz cars equipped with 3.0L and 3.5L V6 engines (M272 or M273) have experienced performance problems.

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Air Ride Diagnostics: 2003-2010 VW Touareg Applications

The Volkswagen Touareg was the first VW SUV and the first to get an air-ride suspension system. The luxury SUV shares the same platform as the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. This is a full-feature air ride system designed to improve comfort, stability, and off-road capabilities. Some vehicles with the 4XMotion option will also have

Air Management For The FSI V6 And V8 Engines

The FSI 3.2 L V6 and 4.2 L V8 have a lot in common with the FSI 2.0 L four-cylinder engine, including carbon deposit problems.

Alternator Testing Diagnostics Are Getting More Complicated

One test is not enough if you are diagnosing a charging system problem. All too often, if only battery voltage is present with the engine running the alternator is condemned as the source of the problem. If this is the case, it means that the alternator is not charging, but does not reveal why.

Getting The Big Squeeze: How Mazda’s New Spark-Controlled Compression Ignition Engine Runs Long On Fuel, Short On Emissions

Until Mazda recently introduced its new Spark-Controlled Compression Ignition (SpCCI) gasoline engine, internal combustion engines (ICEs) were classified as either spark or compression ignition. The historical differences between the two were obvious: spark-ignition engines were quiet and smooth and compression-ignition engines were not.

You Do Much More Than Fix Cars – Don’t Ignore The Value Of Customer Trust

You are doing much more than just fixing cars, and that takes a team effort. Every part of the service experience should reflect quality, service excellence and professionalism, as you work together as a team to make customers return to your shop with confidence and commitment, says Mary DellaValle, editor of ImportCar magazine.

One Penny At A Time: Bargain-Hunting Customer’s Lesson Learned

In attempt to drum up some new business, I decided to run a cash discount promotion for large jobs thinking it might bring in new customers. It sounded like a good idea at the time, but the best-laid plans often go awry.

Rental Car Evolution Presents Service Opportunities & Can Extend Your Shop’s Car Count

There are a growing number of privately owned rental fleets. These fleets are not big businesses, but rather small ones that are run by private individuals. You can find them with mobile apps and websites like Turo and Uber.

Trolling ASE Certifications Keyboard Warriors Unite!

When you go to any comment section or forum online where the topic is ASE certification, you see some very interesting opinions from technicians. While most are positive, you do get some trolls.