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
Import Insights: Jaguar XF
The all-new Jaguar XF made a splash with several debut appearances, including its global motor show debut in New York.
The Changing Maintenance Market: New Technologies Mean More Opportunities
Most of us wake up each morning, not realizing that our professional world has changed even as we slept. Our first job of the day is to service a vehicle equipped with an oil life monitor. Not only do we discover that modern oil life monitors can indeed accurately predict oil life, we also discover
Steering Systems Under Stress: Ball Joints, Bushings and Alignment
Prior to the Daytona 500 in February, I watched Matt Kenseth blaze his way to victory in the Sprint Unlimited driving a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. During the race, one of the commentators referred to the “laser-precision steering” apparent in the winning car. Since driving at 200 mph on pavement is akin to driving 70
Import Insights: Mazda (March 2015)
Mazda Sales Off To Big Start In 2015 Mazda North American Operations kicked off 2015 with 20,271 vehicles sold in the U.S. in January, representing an increase of 7.7% versus last year. “Coming off our best sales year in 20 years, Mazda vehicle sales have continued the positive momentum into 2015,” said Ron Stettner, vice president of sales, MNAO.
2002 Lexus Evaporative Emissions Diagnostics (Codes P0440, P0441 and P0446)
While old-school cooling system service often focused on coolant leaks and overheating engines, let’s begin thinking “new-school” by looking at modern cooling systems through the eyes of the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor. Coolant temperature is important because torque converter clutch engagement, idle speed control, variable valve timing, engine cooling fan operation and various other
Import Insights: Audi Q7 (February 2015)
Turning heads for its design and advanced consumer technology At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January, the world’s most important electronics exhibition, Audi debuted a host of new technologies including: A four-core processor capable of processing 8 billion operations per second. A virtual tachometer with a needle that is rendered anew
A Look at Next Generation Import Start/Stop Systems
Although stop/start idle systems have been used on hybrid vehicles for many years, a growing number of non-hybrid late model import models are also being equipped with this fuel-saving technology. For 2015, almost every major automaker offers one or more models with stop/start idle control. Many experts predict that within the next two years, over
Import Insights: Lexus (January 2015)
Lexus Sets November Sales Record Lexus reported November sales of 27,472 units, a 7.3 percent increase on a raw volume basis year-over-year. Lexus RX leads the luxury segment, with sales of more than 9,500 units. Lexus GX is up about 20 percent, and Lexus GS sales are up 15.5 percent. “Lexus set an all-time November
Import Insights: Porsche (December 2014)
Porsche celebrated three world premieres in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2014. The sports car manufacturer presented two new GTS models, the 911 Carrera GTS and the Cayenne GTS, at the Porsche press conference. Porsche also revealed the Panamera Turbo S Executive Exclusive Series, a special edition limited to 100 units worldwide. The
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,
