North, South, East & West: Finding The Right Direction In Modern Wheel Alignment Technology
For the past 100 years, wheel alignment has been about adjusting camber, caster and toe angles. During the past 20 years, four-wheel alignments have done their share to change the wheel alignment landscape. But, with the introduction of the 2018 and 2019 imports, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are once again revolutionizing the wheel alignment market because the alignment technician must not only align all four wheels with the vehicle centerline, he must now align one or more ADAS sensors with the lane of travel.
MINI Tech Tip: False ‘Brake Service’ Due Message
The yellow “Service Due” warning message lights up in the instrument cluster, even though the brake pad thickness is more than 4.2 mm (above the thickness at which the pad sensor intervenes). The calculated remaining service life for the brake pads (front and/or rear axle) from the CBS data does not match the actual brake pad thickness.
Consumer In-Vehicle Internet Connectivity On The Rise
If you think that your customers aren’t literally tied to the web, think again. Recent survey results from Metova, a global provider of mobile, connected car, connected home and IoT solutions, revealed that more than half of respondents own a car that connects to the internet – either directly or via their phone, says Mary DellaValle, editor of ImportCar magazine.
Racing At 14,110 Feet On Kilowatt Hours: How Battery-Powered Vehicles Are Changing The Service Market
Call it a technological revolution in progress, but Volkswagen’s new all-electric I.D. R prototype hill climb car has successfully challenged the modified electric vehicle class record of 8 minutes, 57.118 seconds, set by Rhys Millen at Colorado’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2016.
Need Technicians: $60 – $110K Salary
This job offer for a qualified automotive technician posted on an Internet job site captured my attention. More importantly, did it capture a response for the independent repair shop owner who’s ready to hire?
Nissan Variable Compression: The Engine That Will Change Performance & Service
The new Nissan 2.0 L VC-Turbo (Variable Compression Turbo) offers similar performance figures to the 24-year-old 3.5 L V6 that it replaces, while providing 4-cylinder fuel economy. The first vehicle to receive the engine in the Nissan lineup will be the 2019 Altima SR. While it might be a few years before this engine is in your bays, the preparation and training needs to start now, not when you are stumped with a problem.
Toyota Avalon Brake Job: 2005-2012 Applications
In 2005, Toyota’s Avalon underwent a redesign of its third-generation model, which was larger than previous versions and much sleeker. The Avalon came in four trim levels: the standard XL, Touring, XLS and Limited. The XL included 16″ alloy wheels, while other trims came with larger 17″ wheels.
Virtual Test-Drives Expedite Autonomous Vehicle Platform Certification
While most people are intuitively cautious about new technology, others ask it to do things it was never intended to do. For example, Tesla drivers using the poorly named autopilot have learned a few lessons in asking a system that’s designed to assist – to be the driver.
What’s The Buzz Over Electric Vehicles? Mainstream Appeal Sparks Demand
What makes them so attractive? With lower-than-average ownership costs, increased driving ranges and the latest advanced safety features, AAA sees a strong future for electric vehicles, says Mary DellaValle, editor of ImportCar magazine.
Acura: Brake Master Cylinder Leaking
A cup seal in the master cylinder is sensitive to the type of brake fluid used in the brake system. If the brake fluid is replaced with anything other than Acura (or Honda) Genuine DOT 3 Brake Fluid, and the brakes are manually bled, the cup seal may twist in its retention groove and create a small leak. The brake fluid can then leak into the brake booster, and the brake system indicator will eventually come on because the brake fluid level is low.
Preventing Turbocharger Breakdown
With more and more vehicles employing a turbocharger to achieve power and fuel efficiency from a downsized engine, the importance of maintenance is more critical than ever. Up to 50 percent of turbocharger failures are due to oiling problems, which can result from the lack of lubrication or not cooling down enough after the engine is shut down.
Mazda Tech Tip: Key Code Retrieval Process
In the event that all vehicle keys are lost and the vehicle key code is not available on the Vehicle Retail Data Inquiry system, replacement keys may be acquired only by obtaining the key code using this repair procedure.
