Import Insights: Hyundai (August 2014)
Hyundai Posts Record-Selling Start to Year Hyundai Motor America posted its best July ever and the best opening seven-month period in its 28-year history. July sales of 67,011 were up 1.5% versus the same period a year ago. The Sonata had another strong month with sales of 22,577, up 19%, while the Santa Fe recorded
Kia: Uncovering Unperformed Maintenance
While some vehicle problems will motivate the customer to make an appointment, an equal amount of Kia repair opportunities will be discovered as the vehicle is being serviced. If you’re not already doing so, always encourage your customers to keep their vehicle maintenance up to date. And, just as important, let them know your techs are
The Evolving Oil Change Market
The only constant in the oil change business is change itself, especially if you’re trying to maintain an inventory of engine oil for all makes and models of vehicles. Since Volkswagen began requiring application-specific engine oil in the mid-1990s, the oil change business has (pardon the pun) “changed.” While many Asian vehicles currently require only
Internal Engine Oil Consumption Diagnostics
Due to the variables in engine design and operating conditions, internal engine oil consumption complaints are often the most difficult to solve. In some cases, oil consumption might be more severe under low-speed operation, in other cases, high-speed operation and, in some cases, intermittent. But, in any case, excessive oil consumption can drastically reduce oxygen
Hyundai Fuel System, Emissions Diagnostics
Hyundai has done a good job of improving its offerings over the years from both an aesthetic and mechanical viewpoint. Complemented by a strong warranty and good value, the carmaker has been able to increase its market share year over year. If you aren’t seeing these cars in your bay, it’s only a matter of
Kia: Added Grounds Can Set Codes
Additional grounds can typically benefit a vehicle’s electrical system. That is, unless the vehicle is a 2008-to-present Kia equipped with a battery sensor. If an extra ground cable is installed on the negative battery terminal, it can cause the battery sensor to send incorrect information to the engine control module (ECM), which can generate all
How Ride Height Affects Toe Angle
How can a mysterious case of tire wear occur in a perfectly aligned vehicle? It happens and the answers aren’t always simple. To better explain, let’s go back a few decades when I aligned a 1983 Mitsubishi rear-wheel drive (RWD) pickup, only to have it return a month later with a tire scuffing complaint. My conclusion was that many independent front suspensions often require a “custom alignment” to compensate for variations in ride height caused by uneven loading.
Curing Volvo Manual Transmission Rattle
In an effort to increase fuel efficiency, today’s engines produce more torque so they can be driven at extremely low rpm. Reduced viscosity engine and gearbox oils, less vehicle weight and improved aerodynamics also contribute to better fuel economy. But there’s a downside to this trend: resonant vibration. The dual-mass flywheel (DMF) is designed to
Saab Front And Rear Spring Replacement
I bought my first Saab 28 years ago, the year after I started working at The Swedish Solution in 1985, and have been driving one ever since. When everything is working right, I believe it’s one of the nicest cars on the road. I’m partial to the 2004 and up 9-3 sports sedan; it’s fast, fun
Mazda6: Data Gathering Is Critical To Your Alignment Diagnosis
About a year ago, I got a request from a private vehicle owner to help diagnose a steering problem on a 2010 Mazda6 iSport. Given the power of the Internet, it seems that this person had somehow discovered one of my older Diagnostic Solutions columns on alignment problems. While I’m not fond of dealing with
Import Insights: Volkswagen Golf GTI (June 2014)
Spotlight on Seventh-Generation Golf GTI The Seventh-generation Golf GTI is bigger, lighter, faster and more fuel-efficient than the previous generation, with increases in horsepower and torque as well as an improvement in fuel economy. Engine The Golf GTI features an EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct- injection TSI engine that creates 210 hp and 258 lb.-ft.
Telltale Signs Of Cooling System Component Failure
Springtime brings with it the vacation season when many families will hitch a boat or camping trailer to their fully loaded family car, SUV or pickup truck and travel to some remote wilderness hideaway. Needless to say, both the parents and their vehicle’s cooling system will be stressed out long before the trip is over.
