Mitch’s World: Going Up?
Not long ago, someone bounced an e-mail my way. It appeared as if by magic in the middle of an otherwise pleasant and uneventful day, a day punctuated by surprisingly few e-mails, which can be a blessing on such a day. Realistically, I could have ignored it as if was not originally meant for me,
Audi: General Maintenance… Vital Checks on Key Vehicle Systems
article, I’ll focus on common repairs we see on at least a weekly basis. The series of cars covered in this article will be the A4 and A6 line from 1998 to 2004. These cars are all very similar in design and equipment, and most repairs are consistent between models. Be aware that many Audi
Starting/Charging System Diagnosis: Fixing Faults the First Time Eliminates Comebacks & Returns
How many starters and alternators are replaced unnecessarily every year because of misdiagnosis? Nobody knows for sure, but suppliers of both new and remanufactured rotating electrical parts tell us more than half of their warranty returns have “no fault found” when the parts are examined. Many of these returns are from DIYers who lack diagnostic
Current Trends for Ignition Systems
As automotive technology moves forward, ignition systems are becoming more and more entangled with other systems on the engine. The current generation Nissan Maxima 3.5L V6, which was introduced in 2004, has a fairly conventional coil-on-plug (COP) ignition system. The individual coils are driven by the powertrain control module (PCM) using the input signal from
There’s No Escaping Hybrid Service
high as 40 mph (64 kph). Plus, when conditions are right, the engine may shut off at stops and not restart until after 25 mph. As a result, the advertised fuel economy of a full hybrid vehicle is typically much higher for the city driving conditions than the highway driving conditions. In theory, assuming the
Snap-on Unveils New Cordless Impact Wrench
Snap-on Tools has taken the best and made it better with the latest version of its Cordless Impact Wrench (CT4850HO). The new "Mother of All Cordless Impact Wrenches" is the ideal tool for technicians seeking a comfortable, powerful and portable wrench for on-the-spot service tasks.
Tech Tip: Diagnosing and Servicing Manual Transmissions
Manual gearboxes are relatively trouble-free and long-lived, provided they are not abused too severely. The clutch, however, is a wear component. With every shift the clutch must be disengaged and engaged. Stop-and-go driving in heavy traffic is especially hard on a clutch because the driver is always riding the clutch pedal. After millions of such cycles, the clutch eventually wears out. It may start to slip, chatter or make noise.
Tech Tip: Replacing Shocks and Struts
The primary purpose of a shock absorber (or strut) is to control suspension movement. This is done by a piston moving fluid through a series of valves within the shock or strut housing. The valves control the damping rate of the shock throughout the travel of the piston. The damping characteristics are engineered to complement the suspension of each vehicle.
Tech Tip: Pointers for Inspecting Brake Systems
Brake linings are sacrificial components designed to convert kinetic energy into heat energy by rubbing against a rotating brake rotor or drum. This rubbing action or friction wears away a miniscule portion of the brake lining and rotor or drum each time the brake pedal is applied.
Environmentally-Friendly Clean Burn Energy Systems Offer Fast Return on Investment
Businesses looking to save on energy costs and reduce their used oil disposal liability can turn to Clean Burn. As a leading manufacturer of used oil furnaces, used oil boilers and used oil recycling centers, Clean Burn helps businesses worldwide generate free heat from used motor oils and petroleum based fluids commonly used in all types of combustion engines.