Alignment Equipment
From the brake pad to the shock absorber, every product that you come in contact with at a shop has a history that goes back at least 75 years. We will look at different product categories and track the innovations that have shaped these products and the future for these segments. Alignment Retrospective In the
Shop Management: Good Vibrations
A Few Cost-Effective Updates Will Make a Big Difference to Your Technicians and Customers First impressions are everything, especially when it comes to new customers. The appearance of your shop is not only important to your customers, but it’s where your techs spend most of their time. If you want to make those two groups
Tech Feature: Solving Intermittent Electrical Problems
Intermittent electrical faults are the bane of the auto repair business. If an electrical component has failed, or there is an open or a short in a circuit, you can usually find it fairly quickly because it isn’t hiding from you. It’s a persistent fault that can be isolated by a systematic process of elimination.
The Future of Diagnostics Is In The CAN
Since model year 2003, a growing number of domestic and import vehicles have been built with a new onboard communications protocol called CAN (Controller Area Network). CAN is essentially an engineering standard for how computers and modules talk to one another via the serial data bus in a vehicle’s wiring system. It’s a high-speed standard
So… You’re a ‘Manager’ Now
You’ve done your time in the trenches. You’ve dreamed of it. You’ve worked toward it. You sought out the opportunity. Now it is your turn to be the boss. So now what? Do you really know what to do? Do you know what not to do? If there is one thing that I have learned,
Import ABS Diagnostics: Customer Input Can Help Pinpoint System Culprits
The ABS warning light is on in your customer’s car and he wants you to check it out. So where do you start your diagnosis? Because the ABS warning light is on, you know the ABS system has detected some kind of fault. But are there other problems that may be affecting the ABS system?
Tracer Products Issues New Catalog on Latest Leak Detection Tools
Tracer Products has updated its 32-page catalog to include the latest Tracerline fluorescent leak detection products. It’s packed with practical information on new products that make it easy to find all leaks in air conditioning and fluid systems. An introduction explains how fluorescent leak detection works and why it is the best method for leak diagnosis and preventive maintenance.
Toyota’s ‘Hybrid’ Super Bowl Ad Sneak Peek Now Available on Toyota.com and Toyota.com/Espanol
While some companies are waiting until Sunday to debut their Super Bowl ads, Toyota is offering consumers a sneak peek of its entire Super Bowl commercial on Toyota.com and Toyota.com/espanol. The ad also is available as an iPod download.
Tech Tip: Alternator Diagnosis – High-Draw Accessories Merit Changes in Test Procedures
Electrical demand varies according to vehicle application and use, so engineers build an alternator that will meet the average accessory demand of any particular vehicle and still have enough reserve capacity to keep the battery charged. If electrical demand is increased by adding accessories, the potential ability of the alternator to recharge the vehicle’s battery is practically reduced to zero.
Shop Management: Uncovering Missed Service
Uncovering missed service can bring an instant profit, while at the same time resulting in customer gratification. Unfortunately, some services are often overlooked in our daily routine. It’s easy to gain tunnel vision in this business, only fixing what the car came in for, while ignoring the rest of the vehicle. Whether it’s because of time constraints, or some other reason, some services just get forgotten about.