Belts and Hose Inspectionscan Lead to Profitable Add-On Sales
Accessory drive belts and coolant hose replacements are perhaps the most popular and lucrative add-on services in the independent import shop. Because belt and hose inspections are included in auto manufacturers’ scheduled maintenance charts, service writers at most well-managed shops recommend a belt and hose inspection along with tuneup, oil change, starting, charging, cooling, air
Transmissions & Clutches
The Ins and Outs of Manual Gear Box Repair
Rev Up Volvo Performance
When any engine swap is done using a larger displacement engine, you have to look at the big picture. Everything around it must be addressed to handle the added horsepower. This includes the braking system, front and rear suspension, and the structure of the frame. When I did my first Volvo V8 engine swap, it
Publisher’s Perspective: How’s Business?
There are some very strong signs that business will be good in 2004. Optimism among repair shop owners is as high as it’s ever been during the three years that we’ve been tracking this data. During the first week of January, we faxed a survey to 3,000 automotive service and repair shop owners across the
Secondary Ignition System Maintenance
As one might expect, the introduction of low-maintenance ignition systems has changed how we sell and service secondary ignition system parts for import vehicles. Most import nameplates have, for example, replaced conventional distributor ignition systems with distributorless or coil-on-plug (COP) ignitions in order to reduce the number of wearing parts in the secondary or high-voltage
Choosing Brake Friction Materials
The possibilities seem almost endless…
Honda Timing Belt Replacement
Paying Attention to Detail Makes the Job Go Smoother
Focus on Professionalism as the ‘Common’ Thread of Your Business
You’d probably agree that with all of the opportunities and challenges on the service front these days, there may be little time left in the day to work “on your business.” But now, more than ever, working on all of those business fundamentals necessary to run a profitable shop must be brought to the forefront
Volkswagen Underhood Maintenance & Service Tips
Volkswagens have always been maintenance friendly. From the very first models, ease of repair and durability have been built into the design. VW has managed to keep basic maintenance procedures relatively uncomplicated throughout the years. In this article, I’ll cover some of the more common underhood procedures on common VW models and include some tips
Installing Quality Disc Brake Pads
Because today’s lighter and more friction-efficient disc brakes have become very sensitive to differences in friction materials, the issue of selecting a quality brake pad is becoming increasingly relevant to the quality-conscious installer. To illustrate, aftermarket manufacturers of high-performance disc brakes offer literally dozens of racing pads that are qualitatively equal, but vary widely in
Analyzing Ignition Misfires and Plotting a Diagnostic Course
Uh oh. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is on, and you’ve just found a misfire code. It’s a code P0304, which tells you cylinder number four is misfiring. There are no other codes and the engine has a steady miss. Now what? Misfire diagnosis in this kind of situation should be fairly easy. You have
Cooling Off: Cooling System Parts and Service
Cooling system service is an absolute “must-do” on any import nameplate. Once a cooling system suffers long-term neglect, it turns into an on-going source of problems for the owner and his servicing technician because, when corrosion starts to take place, the effects can’t be reversed. For that single reason, it’s important to sell your customers