Maryland Repair Shop Adds Toy Repair to Service Offerings
The 7-year-old son of one of Western Tire and Auto’s customers insisted that he had to take his broken toy skid loader to “Mr. Kevin” who is the assistant manager of where his parents take their vehicles for service. Kevin Middleton, aka “Mr. Kevin,” makes sure to speak to all the kids who come into the store. After fixing the toy, the workers wrote up the boy a fake work order and had him sign it.
Tech Tip: Gaskets from Different Eras Vary Quite a Bit from More Modern Vehicles
When selling engine gaskets, the modern parts professional is often faced with a dizzying array of gasket technologies. The difference in gasket technologies among a ’50s-model pickup truck, a ’60s-vintage, high-compression muscle car and a modern bi-metal or aluminum engine is often quite dramatic.
Pulling Codes: The Story of U1016
This Pulling Codes article will center on issues involving the powertrain control module (PCM) talking to your scan tool. In many states, this is the controller our scan tool needs to talk to in order to determine if the correct number of monitors has run and passed. It’s interesting to note that there appears to be two modes of failure in terms of communication.
Tools and Tips For Selling More Winter Tires
Tire dealers in cold climates understand that when temp
Coil on Plug Ignition: The Wired Differences
For late-model vehicles, the norm is one ignition coil per cylinder, commonly known as coil on plug. The task of providing voltage potential to each spark plug is performed so reliably that it’s easy to take for granted. An underhood comparison of a variety of vehicles, however, reveals there are subtle differences among coils. For example, each individual coil may be connected to two, three or four control wires.
Tech Feature: Common Rail Systems May Soon Be Commonplace
Due to the conflict between consumer performance demands and more stringent EPA standards, the use of
Technician Killed When Truck Rolls Off Lift
A technician working at Ace Automotive in New Albany, IN, was killed on Friday afternoon when a truck he was working on fell off the hydraulic lift.
If You Win the Argument, You Lose the Sale
All too often when confronted with a customer problem, store personnel quickly assume a defensive posture and argue against the customers’ position. This lack of cooperation and understanding rarely works to create a happy customer.
Diagnostic Solutions: Selling Brake Friction Replacements
A decade ago, an import shop’s profitability depended heavily on the routine replacement of spark plugs, timing belts, mufflers, shock absorbers, clutches and brake friction. Due to advancing vehicle technology, many of these profit centers have steeply declined or have altogether disappeared. One of the remaining exceptions is brake friction replacements.
Pulling Codes: Hit or Miss? The Story of P0302
It is unfortunate that today misfire analysis can be a hit-or-miss concept on many of today’s engine families. If one views several misfire failures, and documents the behavior of fuel trims, it is reasonable to state that ignition misfires do not have a significant impact on them, whereas fuel-related issues create a significant impact.