Tech Feature: ‘Exploring’ Ford 4.0/4.6L SUV Engines
Since 2002, the Ford Explorer and Mecury Mountaineer have undergone a number of noticeable engine changes. Glen Beanard reveals which engines offer newer features and offers tips on how to handle service and repair challenges with these vehicles.
MRSA: It Was Just a Little Scratch
MRSA. No, it’s not a new automotive acronym, and no it does not mean “mister service advisor.” You need to be aware of MRSA and what it means to everyone, especially people like us whose skin is frequently scratched and punctured on the job. WARNING: This article contains graphic images of wounds.
Tech Feature: Servicing Supplemental Restraint Systems
KABOOM!!! That’s kinda fun on the holidays isn’t it? Well, the pyrotechnics in a car can be satisfying as well. Satisfying to your wallet that is. I’m sure you’ve heard how "dangerous" air bags can be. Well they can be dangerous, but at the same time, they are pretty safe, too. An electronically controlled air bag requires a sufficient voltage and ground supplied to it or it will not detonate. Notice I specified "electronically controlled." There are some older models that were ….
Tech Tip: Rear-Wheel-Drive 4×4 Operation
Let’s discuss the 4×4 operation on Ford truck platform vehicles. We’ll cover the operation of the parts on the various rear-wheel-drive 4×4 systems. When it comes to Electronic Shift-On-the-Fly (ESOF) and Manual Shift-On-the-Fly (MSOF), much is the same except with MSOF, the driver has to manually push a gear shifter in the floor that is connected by rods to the shift fork inside the transfer case. With shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive, the vehicle does not need to ….
Playing It Safe: Servicing Supplemental Restraint Systems
KABOOM!!! That’s kinda fun on the holidays isn’t it? Well, the pyrotechnics in a car can be satisfying as well. Satisfying to your wallet that is. I’m sure you’ve heard how “dangerous” air bags can be. Well they can be dangerous, but at the same time, they are pretty safe, too. An electronically controlled air
Getting a Grip on Traction Control
The basic principle of traction control is rather simple. A tire is breaking free and starting to spin so we’re going to place a drag on that wheel so that two things can happen. One is we want that tire to have a chance to regain its grip on the road surface. And two, we
Ford-Wheeling!, Rear-wheel-drive 4×4 operation
Let’s discuss the 4×4 operation on Ford truck platform vehicles. We’ll cover the operation of the parts on the various rear-wheel-drive 4×4 systems. When it comes to Electronic Shift On the Fly (ESOF) and Manual Shift On the Fly (MSOF), much is the same except with MSOF, the driver has to manually push a gear
Servicing Solutions: 15 Tips on Servicing Ford F-150s
A bold new look and some subtle changes probably best describe the 2004-and-up Ford F-150. To the technician, it is the subtle changes that he or she needs to be aware of. Beginning with the 2004 model year, Ford launched a new body style for the F-150. It is a new vehicle inside and out.
Downloading Repairs
Have you looked at technical service bulletins lately? Especially ones for vehicles built since 2004? The fixes have changed drastically. I remember a time, not too long ago when the fix in a typical TSB was to install an updated part. From where I stand now in a Ford dealership, it seems like the hardware
Filter Fallacies
Whether it is a fuel, air or oil filter, they are usually a simple component when you look at them. It’s usually a paper element folded into an accordion shape and wrapped around a frame to support it. Regardless of the design, the idea remains the same. Dirt goes in, it doesn’t come out or
Talking Shop: Becoming a Better Service Advisor
Whether the “selling” part of the job at your shop is handled by a designated service adviser, service manager, shop foreman or technician, the impacts of a “yes” or “no” are the same. People may decline repairs for numerous reasons. Some you can’t control, but some you just may. Here are a few things that
Taking Deep Breaths
I had an interesting one the other day. This was a 2005 Ford F-150 4.6L that was setting fault codes for both banks lean, a P0171 and P0174. This vehicle was a trade-in to a used car lot and had only slightly more than 29,000 miles on it. Where to Begin? Of course, the first