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.
Unlocking an Ignition Switch Repair
The ignition key cylinder on the Ford Focus is a common leak point, especially when the vehicle has racked up enough miles to get out of warranty. Over time, the tumblers wear out causing them to not completely retract resulting in a key cylinder that won’t turn. Of course, this is seldom without warning. Usually
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 ….
Tech Tip: TPMS Compliance Calls for New Products
The tire industry is now well into a new era. It may not rival the radial age, but the epoch already is memorable and some say forgettable. It’s the TPMS era. While most participants know that the groundwork was laid several years ago ….
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 ….
Tube Straightener Tool Available from CLASSIC TUBE
Using coiled tubing to make stock or custom hard lines just became easier with CLASSIC TUBE’s new Tube Straightener Tool. Most do-it-yourselfers and professional fabricators prefer to start with straight lengths to create hydraulic lines ….
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!
Dorman Announces New A/C Line Repair Kit
The new Dorman OE Solutions A/C Line Repair Kit (#800-600) saves the time and expense associated with complete A/C Line Assembly replacement by giving service dealers the ability to repair only the damaged section of the A/C line.
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.