Backyard Engineers: When Realities Clash
During the years and years of running my shop, I have run across a lot of hot rods, home built contraptions, and those “super-upper, make it better than the factory did” cars. I sometimes wonder why I take on these projects – maybe it was slow that day and I needed something to do. Or, the owner may have had one of those personalities and charisma that made me want to truly believe in their dream as much as they personally did.
Tom Varrone Named 2010 Educator of the Year
Tom Varrone of Phoenix, AZ, was named the 2010 Educator of the Year during the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) Conference held recently at Seminole State College of Florida in Sanford, FL.
Tech Tip: Alignment Specs for 2002-2006 Toyota Camry
Behind the Ford F150 and Chevrolet Silverado, the Toyota Camry has been the third best selling vehicle in the U.S. during the past decade. The 2002-2006 Camry was no exception with sales of more than 400,000 vehicles every year.
BMW Control Systems: DSCs, DTCs and DBCs Dial in ABS, Handling and Traction
Automotive technology continues to evolve in
Tech Feature: Eliminating the Con-‘Fusion’ of Servicing Ford’s Mid-Size Vehicles
Nestled into the marketing space between the Focus and the Taurus/Five Hundred is the Ford Fusion. The Fusion came with a choice of four-cylinder and six-cylinder Duratec powerplants. The inline four-cylinder Duratec 23 is a 2.3L 16-valve DOHC engine.
Weighing Your Lift & Jack Purchase Decisions
There are many choices and decisions to be made when looking at lifting equipment. Whether you are shopping for a 1-ton floor jack or a 20-ton two-post lift, Mike DuBois helps you sort through it all.
Tech Feature: Diagnosing the Blue Car Syndrom of a Random Stalling Condition
Blue Car Syndrome is the non-technical term for a very common phenomenon. It is the experience that many people possess regarding having a specific observation, idea, experience, etc., enter one’s consciousness, and then having it seem that the same observation or experience begins to occur with increased frequency.
Tool Feature: Scan Tools and Software Updates
Though some vehicles have diagnostic modes that can show fault codes and other diagnostic information via the instrument panel, climate control system or driver information display, most simply turn on the check engine light or another warning light when a problem occurs. So without a scan tool, there’s no way to tell what the problem might be, let alone make an accurate diagnosis of which sensor or other component may need to be replaced.
Tech Feature: Troubleshooting BMW’s Condition Based Service System
BMW’s “Condition Based Service” (CBS) system monitors various maintenance items on the vehicle, and alerts the motorist when service is needed. But even this maintenance alert system can require maintenance itself.
Ramping Up for 2010: What Are You Doing to Stand Out from the Competition?
As you get ready to close the book on another year, it’s not uncommon to think about challenges in the year ahead and how you will be handling them. Many shop owners take a hard look at their business model and make strategic adjustments that will help pave the way for increased profits and a bigger market share.