Power Options: Restoring a Vehicle to Like-New Performance
Replacing a worn or broken engine on a customer’s vehicle can be a very sensitive subject for many independent shop owners because it’s a time-intensive and possibly high-liability service. After a replacement is done, a shop’s greatest fear is that a minor ticking noise or oil leak may ruin the profitability of the engine replacement.
Mitch’s World: Wrangling in a Herd of Repair Estimate Issues
I’m sitting at my desk at home watching the greedy hand of darkness grab for the last few remaining moments of daylight. It’s not an unfamiliar ritual. In fact, it happens with frightening regularity. I finish up at the shop, head home, have dinner and talk about the day with my wife. By the time
Timken Releases New Tech Series CD
The Timken Co. recently announced the release of its new Tech Series Automotive and Heavy-Duty Aftermarket Training and Resource CD (version 1.4). Version 1.4 is the latest edition of its interactive training tool. An online version of the resource kit is also available.
Volkswagen Tech Tip: Humming Noise During Cornering
A humming sound coming from the general area of the front end of an affected vehicle (see article for list) may be noticeable during slow speed turns with the steering wheel almost to full-turning position. The noise goes away when the steering wheel is returned to the center position.
Nissan Tech Tip: ECM Replacement Service Procedure
If you confirm that the Electronic Control Module (ECM) needs to be replaced on a 2000 MY or later Nissan vehicle, or a 1999 MY vehicle Frontier (D22), Quest (V41) or Pathfinder (R50) from VIN JN8AR07**XW350101, complete the following actions.
Mitch Schneider: Got a Minute? When Customers Steal Your Precious Time
I just watched one of the most frustrating blocks of time I’ve ever spent evaporate as I found myself explaining the how, why and how much of an engine failure to someone who would be far more comfortable discussing the intricacies of a Mozart Concerto.
Braking with Tradition: Siemens VDO Plans Series Production of By-Wire Brake this Decade
Siemens VDO has developed a vehicle braking concept consisting of about 30 percent hardware and 70 percent electronics – a 180 degree change from traditional hydraulic braking systems.
Getting Started
It’s no secret that the first automobiles were started by hand cranking. It’s also pretty obvious that, somewhere along the way, someone replaced the hand crank with an electric motor. In 1911, a friend of Henry Leland, founder of Cadillac, died from injuries sustained while restarting a car for a lady. The need for a
Mitch’s World: Got a Minute?
Time is an interesting construct. If you look at its history, you begin to realize that there is no real reason for a minute to have 60 seconds, an hour to have 60 minutes or a day to have 24 hours, or for us to divide those 24 hours into 12 hours of daylight and
TechTalk: Grabbing Dodge Diesel Service ‘by the Horns’
With the massive number of diesel trucks that have hit the roads since around 1998, I believe there is an enormous amount of potential work for independent shops. One fact I thought was amazing is DaimlerChrysler claims that 70% of the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 truck market since 2003 is equipped with the 5.9L