Fuel Injector Service: The Basics and Beyond
and go traffic conditions. Because high underhood heat usually increases electrical and clogging failures in fuel injectors, fuel-injected vehicles driven in metro areas may generally need more maintenance than vehicles driven in rural areas. We can also generally say that many late 1980s and early 1990s fuel injectors fail more often because of poor design,
Directions: Unlocking Vehicle Key Codes for Independent Shops
There’s been some good news for the independent shops – the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) announced in February that the Secure Data Release Model (SDRM), which allows properly vetted technicians and security professionals to access automotive key codes, immobilizer PINs and other security-related information, has finally been released to the service repair industry.
Mitch Schneider: Industry-Wide Conference to ‘Accelerate’ Change for Techs
This isn’t going to be a long diatribe about something that happened in the shop yesterday or the day before. It isn’t going to be another rant about customers who don’t understand or suppliers who don’t care. This column is about today. Perhaps, more important, it is about ….
Management: Can Blood and Guts Save the Aftermarket?
Too many aftermarket marketing professionals concentrate on creating "brand messages" that have warm fuzzy feelings that do not do much for creating a compelling case why technicians and consumers should buy and install their parts. If a marketing professional is concerned that using blood and guts to harvest fear is ….
Tech Tip: The Ups and Downs of Jacks
If we were to start assigning personalities to tools in the shop, jacks would definitely be the Rodney Dangerfield of the automotive world. These tools are asked to lift things that weigh 100 times their own weight, we complain because they are too heavy, we keep them stuffed in corners and under workbenches when not using them, they are too short, too tall, not short enough, not tall enough. We don’t use them for weeks or months at a time and then complain if they are a little slow to react, make any funny noises or leak any fluid. Sheesh! Talk about no respect!
Comprehensive USA 2007 Domestic Coverage with System 3.0 Now Available for OTC Genisys Scan Tool
OTC recently unveiled its new USA 2007 Domestic Software Update Kits for the popular Genisys Scan Tool. Compatible with the new OBD II Smart Cable, the new update kits bring expanded vehicle coverage, Pathfinder troubleshooting with Repair-Trac, Fast Fixes, Automated System Test, Quick DTC Scan, Fast Boot, plus links to repair information from popular Mode 6 and Mode 9 items and from Readiness Monitors to Drive Cycle Test Info.
‘Be Car Care Aware’ Merchandise Available for National Car Care Month
The Car Care Council’s branded "Be Car Care Aware" merchandise is available on the council’s website. The merchandise is a great way to enhance National Car Care Month celebrations and remind customers to "Be Car Care Aware," not only during April, but year-round.
Snap-on Diagnostics’ SOLUS PRO Featured on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
Snap-on Diagnostics’ SOLUS PRO hand-held scan tool was featured on an episode of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION on CBS during its current season. The episode, titled "Dead Doll," featured Warrick Brown, played by Gary Dourdan, connecting SOLUS PRO to a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue to capture readings to help with the criminal investigation.
Mitch Schneider: A Lesson in Choosing Words Wisely
I’m the last person in the world to minimize the power of words. They’ve been a recurring theme in my life since I was a small child and shared a single bedroom with my two younger brothers. Then, the words came together in stories about distant worlds and unusual, if not unlikely, super-heroes; and, my brothers wouldn’t sleep until they were quite satisfied there were no more words left to share.
Beck/Arnley Adds 362 New Part Numbers
Beck/Arnley announces it has added 362 new part numbers to its product line in order to provide professional technicians with the crucial parts needed to repair today’s foreign nameplate vehicles.