Tech Tip: Becoming Attuned to Engine Sounds
Can you pinpoint abnormal noises coming from an engine? More often than not, internal engine malfunctions will reveal themselves first as an unusual noise. This can often happen before the problem affects the driveability of the vehicle. Unless a technician has experience in listening to and interpreting engine noises, it may be hard to distinguish one from another ….
Brake Friction Materials: Good, Better or Best?
One thing you can always count on with brakes: sooner or later the brake linings will wear out and have to be replaced. Every time the brakes are applied, the pads rub against the rotors and wear just a bit. After 40,000 to 60,000 miles, the front pads are usually worn down to minimum thickness
Oxygen Sensors: Are You Up to Date on the Latest Designs?
If you’re a technician who works on late-model import vehicles and diagnoses engine performance and emissions problems, you probably have a good understanding of how oxygen (O2) sensors work. You know that all late-model engines have at least one or more “upstream” O2 sensors in the exhaust system to monitor the air/fuel mixture, and one
Getting a Fix on Piston Diagnosis and Inspection
Piston failures in late-model engines are relatively uncommon thanks to computerized engine controls that keep a close watch on the air/fuel mixture, and knock sensors that back off spark timing advance if detonation is detected. Pistons are also lasting longer because many engines now come factory-equipped with stronger hypereutectic alloy pistons that can withstand higher
DENSO Sales California Releases New 2008 Oxygen Sensor Catalog
DENSO Sales California has announced the availability of its new 2008 Oxygen Sensor catalog (#O2-cat-0608), which includes 344 new oxygen sensor part numbers, adding 8,095 new applications to cover an additional 57 million vehicles in operation. The catalog covers domestic and import automotive, light truck and van applications ….
Federated Gives Away Pace Truck from Federated 300
Federated customer Troy Doss of Louisville, KY, was awarded the official pace truck from the 13th annual Federated 300 Nationwide Series race held June 7 in Nashville, TN. The Federated 300 official pace truck is awarded annually to one of Federated’s hospitality guests ….
Management: Finger Pointing and Waving Magic Wands
With fuel prices hovering around $4 a gallon, Americans are driving less. In fact, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), figures released in May showed that in March of this year, the country saw its steepest decrease in driving ever recorded. When compared with March 2007, Americans drove an estimated 4.3% less – translating to 11 billion fewer miles ….
Pennzoil Honors Driver of Million-Mile Truck
Frank Oresnik of Catawba, WI, the driver of a million-mile truck, was honored by Pennzoil earlier this year at the Oil Ex-Change Quick Lube in Medford, WI. Oresnik’s trusty pickup truck – he calls it "the old girl" – passed the one million-mile mark with a camera crew filming the event and a public-radio audience listening in ….
Federated Recognizes Supplier Support during Federated 300 Race
Federated enjoyed another successful day at the races at the annual Federated 300 held June 7 in Nashville, TN, entertaining customers and recognizing supplier support during the festivities, according to Rusty Bishop, CEO of Federated Auto Parts ….
NGK Spark Plugs Expands Manufacturing Base in U.S.
NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc. recently marked the opening its third manufacturing facility in the U.S. with a grand opening ceremony on Monday, May 19, 2008 for its new state-of the-art plant, located in Sissonville, near Charleston, WV ….