40 years of the Mazda Rotary Engine
On May 30, 1967, Mazda launched the world’s first twin-rotor rotary-engined car, the Mazda Cosmo Sport. The company now celebrates that engine’s 40th anniversary. In these past 40 years Mazda has produced nearly 2 million vehicles powered by the rotary engine. It was not until 1970, however, that Mazda sold rotary-engine-equipped cars in the United
Spicer Chassis Increases Control Arm Coverage by 129 Part Numbers; Publishes New Spicer Chassis eSelect Catalog
Spicer Chassis has increased its control arm coverage by 129 part numbers. The Spicer Professional Grade chassis part number announcement is part of a larger plan for Spicer to expand its first-to-market action plan, the company said. The new control arms arrive complete and cover applications ranging from luxury imports to heavy-duty pick-ups.
New Car is Grand Prize in ACDelco’s ‘Summer Solstice’ Promotion
The summer solstice is the day it stays light the longest and marks the official beginning of summer, usually June 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. ACDelco’s "Summer Solstice" promotion, which lasts for three months, offers eligible customers the opportunity to win prizes. And, one lucky winner will drive away with the Grand Prize: a 2008 Pontiac Solstice.
ProgRama Inc. Introduces a New Product Line to the PC Retriever System for Vehicle Diagnostics and Programming/Coding
ProgRama Scan Tools, a division of ProgRama, Inc., announces a new capability to the automotive computer-based scan tool. The PC Retriever Scan Tool rivals manufacturer-designed scan tools at a fraction of the cost.
GM ‘W Platform’
Preventive Maintenance and Undercar Service
TPMS: What are Dealers Doing?
Service shops aren’t the only ones concerned about TPMS these days. Auto dealers, also, are handling an increasing number of TPMS-equipped vehicles in their service bays. While there’s strong competition for vehicle service, TPMS is forcing both auto and tire dealers to cope with a new side dish on their service menus. The common thread,
Predicting Failures
spect that at one time or another, we’ve all had a customer return with a check engine light on with a new fault code that wasn’t there last time they were in. The events probably went something like this: Customer: “You couldn’t see that when you looked at it last time?” Shop: “No ma’am, there’s
Emissions Analyzers: What is Really Going On Inside that Engine?
An emissions analyzer is one of the most useful pieces of diagnostic equipment you can own. Scan tools are great for reading fault codes and sensor data, but a scan tool by itself can’t tell you what is actually going on inside the engine’s combustion chambers. A scan tool can read misfires and tell you
Flashing Signals / Reprogramming PCMs
You don’t have to be Microsoft A+ certified to flash reprogram automotive PCMs, but the process requires a certain amount of know-how as well as special tools and access to the latest OEM software upgrades (which are not free!). What’s more, it’s not a risk-free endeavor. Certain precautions must be undertaken before you begin, and
Computers: Why You Can’t Do Business Today Without Them
It’s hard to imagine any automotive repair shop doing business today without the benefit of multiple computers. Yet some shops continue to do business and fix cars the "old fashioned way" with no computers whatsoever. I can’t help but wonder how much longer some of these shops will stay in business.