Brake Fade
Brake fade is something nobody wants to experience. When you step down on the brake pedal with a certain amount of force, the vehicle should slow predictably. But when the brakes get too hot and start to fade, it takes more and more pedal effort to get the same amount of braking force. Eventually the
Editor’s Notebook: Common Sense Equals Dollars & Cents
Today’s soaring gas prices should be reason enough to encourage your customers to take better care of their vehicles, but maybe they don’t understand the link between preventive maintenance and fuel economy. That’s where your role as their vehicle service provider comes into play. It’s your prime opportunity to educate them on the benefits of
News: KYB Taps Mike Fiorito
KYB America LLC recently named Mike Fiorito to the position of director of business development, announced KYB Senior Vice President Mike Howarth. “As KYB continues to expand in the North American aftermarket, and with the recent announcement by CARQUEST that KYB will become its full line shock and strut supplier, we had a need to
The Future Of Climate Control
What Role Will Alternative Refrigerants Play? There has been a lot of discussion lately about the future of automotive refrigerants and their impact on the environment. Ozone depletion is no longer the main concern. Now it’s global warming. Last year was the warmest year on record. Average temperatures all across the globe are on the
BMW Maintenance: The Right Equipment and Information Make Service Profitable
Well-designed and durable, the cars from Bavaria have had a reputation for handling and performance that many other manufacturers only aspire to. In the last 50 years, BMWs have gone from the three-wheeled Isetta microcar of the 1950s to today’s powerful and comfortable high-performance machines with all of the latest technology. One of my favorite
Diagnostic Solutions: Wheel Bearing Diagnosis
PROPER PROCEDURES AND CORRECT TOOLS PREVENT COMEBACKS Although wheel bearings are often the most neglected part of the vehicle, they nevertheless have a critical job to do, and in most cases, do it very well. Not only are wheel bearings designed to support the weight of the vehicle and allow it to travel over a
Directions: Optimistic Industry Trends Can Mean Full Bays
As the editor of an automotive aftermarket business-to-business magazine, I get forests of news items, press releases and industry trend reports each month. Looking over some recent releases, I’ve found that there seems to be quite a bit of optimism for our industry and your businesses. For example, one headline that just crossed our desks
Advances in Piston Ring Technology
Piston rings have one of the toughest jobs inside an engine. They’re slammed up and down between the ring lands thousands of times a minute, they’re subjected to searing temperatures and extreme pressures, and they’re constantly scraping back and forth against the cylinder walls. In spite of all of this, the rings are expected to
Talking Shop: Training Challenges Every Shop Faces
Your technicians are acquiring training. But are they getting the right type of training? This month, a repair shop owner and renowned columnist offers his opinion on the subject. Although shop owners are routinely encouraged by industry leaders to provide from 40 to more than 100 hours per year training for each technician, some shop
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Fuel System Foul Ups
Are the fuel pump returns from your shop going up? Understanding the root cause of technician errors is the first step to successfully managing fuel system parts purchases and returns. Over the years, vehicle fuel systems have become more complex as OEs look to improve fuel burning and engine efficiency. And during that time, industry