The Ins and Outs of Indirect and Direct TPMS
This is the year of the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System). It’s been coming for some time. In response to a rash of highly publicized rollover accidents caused by tire failures on SUVs, Congress passed a law called the TREAD Act in 2000 which required all vehicle manufacturers to have TPMS on all their cars
Has Your Battery Life Lost Its Charge? Tips to Get Back That Spark
The condition of the battery as well as its state of charge are critical in late-model vehicles not only for reliable cranking and starting, but also for the onboard electronics. Low battery voltage can cause control modules to misbehave, or in some cases to go into a sleep mode and shut down. A dead battery
Car Care Council Launches Redesigned Website
The Car Care Council has launched its redesigned "Be Car Care Aware" website. Visitors to the new site will be greeted by a redesigned homepage that is both user-friendly and easy to navigate. The site features a wealth of practical vehicle maintenance and ….
‘Be Car Care Aware’ Point-of-Sale Kits Available for Fall Car Care Month in October
The Car Care Council reminds aftermarket companies and organizations that its "Be Car Care Aware" point-of-sale kits, which include a copy of the popular Car Care Guide and a pack of 25 vehicle inspection forms, are available now in time for Fall Car Care Month in October. The kits can be easily ordered at ….
Directions: Highlights to GM’s Historic Anniversary
General Motors, which celebrates its 100-year anniversary this month, has provided the country and the automotive industry a rich and diverse history. Many achievements and some growing pains have occurred during this industry giant’s life. Here are just a few of these many industry-changing accomplishments. The staff at Underhood Service wishes General Motors another 100
Tech Feature: Hybrid Service will Increase as Hybrids Move Out of Warranty and into the Independent Service Bays
By now it’s no secret that the price of one gallon of regular-grade gasoline has topped the $4 mark and will undoubtedly be even higher one year from now. In light of rising fuel costs, consumers are once again returning to basic transportation by trading in their old gas-guzzling SUVs for more economical vehicles, especially those powered by hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technology. On the one hand, the current popularity of hybrid technology seems to offer an ….
Transmission Service and Clutch Replacement Essentials
You’ve probably all heard of the 15-minute clutch replacement time for a classic Volkswagen Beetle. The “fact” that you could pull the engine, change the clutch parts and reinstall everything with just a penknife and screwdriver and do that on the side of the road. Then there are the tall tales of pulling the engine
Tech Update: Scan Tools & Code Readers
One thing you can always count on in the automotive repair business is that diagnostic equipment is constantly changing. It must to keep pace with changing automotive technology. So the latest crop of scan tools and code readers have more features, more capabilities and give you more bang for your buck than ever before. There’s
Tech Tip: The Ins and Outs of Indirect and Direct TPMS
This is the year of the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System). It’s been coming for some time. In response to a rash of highly publicized rollover accidents caused by tire failures on SUVs, Congress passed a law called the TREAD Act in 2000 which required all vehicle manufacturers to have TPMS on all their cars and light trucks by 2008. Time has run out, and as far as we know, all the vehicle manufacturers have complied ….
BMW Engine Repairs
Though six-cylinder, inline engines are not as popular today as they were just 25 years ago, their sound and layout still translates well into high performance, durability and smoothness. The six-cylinder M50 series was originally used in 5 series cars in the early 1990s, and is now the basis for the 3 and 5 series