2007 Jaguar XK Sports Car Features the Newest Powertrain and Braking Technology
Jaguar is proud to announce a new era in its sports car lineage – the all-new XK. Like all Jaguar sports cars, the focus of the all-new XK is firmly on the future, while acknowledging the marque’s rich history. It heralds a new era for Jaguar in terms of both design and engineering, and it is the most technically advanced Jaguar ever built.
Under Pressure and Pounding: What Happens to Wheel Bearings and Suspensions When Wheels Get Big?…Stop Using Percentages if You Cannot Show Your Work!
Custom wheels and tires have been an automotive fashion statement since the 1970’s and today custom wheels have become automotive jewelry with 26-inch spinners on a Hummer as one of the ultimate statements. But, the hidden costs come at the price of wheel bearing life and other wheel end components. As an undercar shop, you
Technician Health and Safety: The Most Important Tool You’ll Ever Own
The life of an automobile technician is filled with many short- and long-term health hazards. The health offenses that I can recall throughout my career include: cuts to the hands, arms and face; burns on my hands and arms; flying debris in my eye; squirting fluid in my eye; breathing car-generated dust; breathing excess car
Bleed and Flush Pointers
es overlap on the same job. Bleeding the system is done to remove all air from the hydraulic system, while flushing is performed to replace the fluid. More and more shops are performing a variety of fluid flush services as a method of increasing shop income. Generally, shops purchase a specialized flush machine for each
ABS Bleeding Service Pointers Help Complete the Job Right the First Time
Honda Honda has a well-deserved reputation for overall vehicle reliability, which extends to the ABS system. For the most part, bleeding the system will present no unusual problems. Caution: A word of warning when working around the accumulator and modulator assembly. The brake fluid is under thousands of pounds of pressure (3,625-5,075 psi). Be sure
Criminal Inspection Update
Since my last column titled “Criminal Inspections,” I have received a lot of email about the status of the case and how this case will affect other shops. The case has yet to go to trial (at the time of printing), but I did get a chance to talk the shop manager’s lawyer. As far
Missed Services
Uncovering missed service can bring an instant profit, while at the same time resulting in customer gratification. Unfortunately, some services are often overlooked in our daily routine. It’s easy to gain tunnel vision in this business, only fixing what the car came in for, while ignoring the rest of the vehicle. Whether it’s because of
Volkswagen New Beetle Maintenance Essentials
The New Beetle has been around for several years now, and except for the classic shape, it’s not the Beetle of old. Unlike its ancestor, this New Beetle is conventional, modern and sophisticated. It has all of the bells and whistles of other current models, the performance and handling of a conventional front-wheel-drive car, and
Saab 5-Speed Tranny and Clutch Repair
When Saab first introduced the 9000-model lineup in 1986, the gearbox was mounted transversely in the car. It was designed in this way for effective cooling and to provide the shortest possible path for the power flow to the wheels. All Saab transmissions have five forward speeds and reverse – all of which are synchronized.
Don’t Be in the Dark About Vehicle Lighting Issues
With Daylight Saving Time (DST) taking effect at the end of October in most of the U.S., darkness falls a little sooner. However, with less light comes more opportunity for your shop. In my opinion, vehicle lighting is an overlooked service. While driving, I often notice many vehicles that have lighting systems that are not