Servicing Hybrids: 10 Must Read Articles for Servicing Hybrid Vehicles from Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda and Nissan
Currently, there are about 1.2 million hybrid vehicles on the road. Within five years, hybrids are expected to account for 20 to 25% of all new car and light-truck sales. So sooner or later, you’ll be working on these vehicles at your shop. These vehicles have the same service opportunities like brake pads, filters and suspension parts that need replacement. Also, battery packs, electric motors and computers will need service soon. Below are the top ten hybrid articles so you can cash in.
Tech Tip: Noisy Infiniti Water Pump Flange
An Infiniti driver may complain of a screeching noise when the vehicle is first started in the morning. The noise dissipates once the vehicle is warmed up. This condition may occur if the water pump had recently been replaced and the fan coupling to water pump flange bolts were not torqued correctly.
When Parts Collide: Volkswagen and Audi Engine Repairs
In the early 1970s, VW/Audi designed a small, efficient and reliable engine that was easy to work on and made use of the then fairly new technology of a rubber timing belt without the possibility of damage if it failed. This two-valve-per-cylinder engine produced excellent power and economy, and really set the standard that many other manufacturers couldn’t match.
BRAKE JOB: Seventh Generation Accord (2003-’08)
The seventh-generation Honda Accord (2003-’08) and Acura TL are some of the top-selling vehicles in the U.S. They have a very simple brake system to service, but it can be prone to brake noise if not serviced properly.
Power Assist: Servicing Saturn VUE Hybrids
The hybrid version of the Saturn VUE was initially referred to as the “Green Line” model because of its improved fuel economy: 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway versus 22/27 for the regular version of the VUE. The Green Line moniker has since been dropped for the 2009 model year.
Fuel System Service Tools and Equipment
Liquid gold – It started out a few billion years ago, roaming around the plains, eating whatever it could find. Calamity struck and wiped it off the face of the earth. After lying under the earth for all these years, it became oil, was then pumped up, filtered, refined, trucked around and finally ended up
Tech Feature: Mazda Driveability Diagnostics and Check Engine Light Complaints
From a torn air intake hose to ignition system concerns, Bob Dowie tackles driveability issues as well as some of the more common ailments that will bring Mazda vehicles into your bays with a check engine lamp complaint.
The Tool Truck: Cordless Tools
Getting a Charge Out of Going Cordless
Federal-Mogul Announces Dramatic Expansion of Fel-Pro Gaskets Product Line
Federal-Mogul Corporation’s Fel-Pro gaskets product line has been dramatically expanded to increase the brand’s industry-leading coverage of late-model domestic and foreign-nameplate vehicles.
Tech Feature: Engine Builders Have More Options Than Ever
The foundation of every engine is the cylinder block. Whether you are rebuilding a stock engine or building up a street performance engine, a circle track engine, drag engine, marine engine or whatever, you have to start with a good, solid block that’s machinable and free from cracks and other defects. That’s becoming more and more of a challenge in recent years because good cores for popular domestic engines are getting harder and ….