Directions: Driving Services In The Bays
Oil really can be black gold for automotive repair shops. According to The NPD Group, oil change service is the leading driver of traffic through service bays and represents the greatest opportunity for cross-selling other services.
DENSO Helps Drivers ‘See Clearly’ With New Wiper Blades
DENSO Products and Services Americas Inc. announced it has launched a new marketing campaign to raise awareness that wiper blades should be replaced on a regular basis to ensure they’re ready to perform when needed. In addition, these marketing pieces will demonstrate why DENSO First Time Fit Wiper Blades are the ideal choice for today’s drivers, the company says.
Preventive Maintenance: When Should Fluids Be Replaced?
Unfortunately, many shops have been accused of over-selling fluid maintenance services. For example, I had a customer who, for whatever reason, preferred to have his vehicle serviced at an out-of-town fast lube shop. Although his vehicle recently had the automatic transmission replaced, the fast-lube shop insisted on selling him a transmission fluid flush. Not only did they sell him the first transmission flush, they attempted to sell him a second flush on a later visit.
Five Simple Steps To Repair Chips, Scratches On Vehicles
Fixing a scratch or nick on a car or truck doesn’t need to be time consuming or cost prohibitive. By following a five simple steps and using the right scratch repair kit, you’ll save time and money making your vehicle look like new again.
Directions: Passing the Advisory Board Torch
Besides his service in various automotive repair organizations, we wanted to thank Al Duebber for serving as an advisory board member for Underhood Service since the magazine was founded back in 1995.
Around The Shop: Duebber’s Automotive In Cincinnati, Ohio
If there’s one steady theme running through 40 years of business at Duebber’s Automotive in Cincinnati, OH, it’s stellar customer service. It’s the tradition passed from the original two-bay shop founded in 1973, to the eight-bay shop transitioned in December to the capable hands of current owner, Marc Duebber.
Air Ride Height Sensor Diagnostics
Some ride height sensor modules connect to the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus or other SAE or ISO bus or ride control module. The module can connect directly to the ABS/ESC module on a CAN bus or it can be part of the overall CAN Network in a loop that connects various modules in the vehicle.
‘Exploring’ Service Needs On The Ford 4.0L V6 Engine
Rated at a rather anemic 210 horsepower, the 4.0L SOHC V6 is not exactly a high output engine. It also has an unusual overhead cam drive setup. Unlike most other OHC V6 and V8 engines that drive both overhead cams directly from the crankshaft with a belt or chain, this engine has an intermediate jackshaft in the middle of the block where a pushrod cam would normally be located.
TRICO Reminds Drivers To ‘Change Your Clocks, Change Your Blades’
As the season of harsh winter weather comes to a close, Trico Products reminds drivers to “Change Your Clocks, Change Your Blades” as Daylight Savings Time approaches on March 10. This time of year serves as a helpful reminder to take control of driving safety as other routine maintenance concerns are top of mind.
Liquid Tools: Automotive Chemicals Are Essential Tools For Keeping Vehicles In Top-Notch Condition
Babcox Media Technical Contributor Gary Goms recommends that for maximum productivity, every shop should have at least a small working inventory of these diverse kinds of automotive chemicals.
Directions: A Resolution To Grow In 2013
Not everyone can afford or wants a new vehicle, and there are plenty of routine maintenance opportunities available for the vehicles already on the road.
Directions: Performance Review
As we close out 2012, it’s time to take a few minutes and look back at how your shop performed this year. Did your profitability go up, stay the same or go down this year? We’re hoping it increased for you, and we are expecting better times ahead as we look into the Do It For Me (DIFM) market in 2013.